What started as Go Fish, has somehow turned into an amalgamation of like 9 other games and I'm not sure any of us really even know what we're doing anymore.

I lost track of the rules like an hour ago and I'm not sure Daryl or Carl ever had them straight in their heads.

Carl's been trying to stay awake for awhile now though, and Daryl looks beat.

But both of them are trying to stay awake for me.

I never thought I'd call someone sweet before, much less two people but I have no other word for it.

I'm ok now though.

Seriously! My ribs didn't even hurt this time when I woke up(that I noticed; I mean, I was a little busy so...).

But it's time for them to sleep.

"Dang it." Carl dropped his cards. "I'm out."

"Me too." Daryl grumbled, tossing his in the middle.

"Me three." I sighed, dropping mine as well.

"That's the third time nobody's won."

"I think we created a game that's impossible to beat."

"The boss fight." I nodded.

"What else is there to do?" Carl yawned, covering his mouth with his Cheeto stained fingers.

I am so glad his parents aren't awake. We let him eat so much junk food tonight. Lori's gonna kill us if she finds out.

"Sleep." Daryl said pointedly.

"But I'm not tired."

You know, that would be so cliche if kids didn't actually say it so often. Reminds me of the littler kids at the children's shelter when they were afraid to sleep.

I sighed and grabbed a book almost automatically. I can't believe after more than 20 years, that's still programmed into my head when a kid says "I'm not tired".

The moment I started reading out loud, in a soft low voice so we don't disturb the others, both boys looked at me like I just broke.

But neither of them said a word, even though they look like they want to.

Instead, they just listened. Like those kids I used to know.

I'm not even sure what this book is about but judging from the cover, I'd say it's a medieval fantasy. Knights and dragons, and magic. Good, because I love magic and I have a soft spot for warring kingdom type stuff. Like Arthur & Merlin and the knights of the round table, etc.

Carl laid down almost from the start of the book. It was roughly one chapter in that Daryl also got more comfortable and laid back, hands behind his head, supporting it.

Two long chapters later and Carl was breathing evenly, eyes closed, but I don't think he's asleep yet.

Daryl I can tell is just resting his eyes.

One more long chapter and Carl was definitely asleep, and to my surprise, Daryl is too.

I didn't notice he was actually asleep until my voice got a little raw and I stopped to take a drink and he was still for a few moments before he shifted but didn't stir.

I never thought he'd be the type to fall asleep to someone's voice, but I suppose it shouldn't surprise me.

I don't know — I don't think he was ever in the system, but he sure does behave like it sometimes.

I wonder why the muted sound of someone's voice is so comforting?

I mean it never helped me having someone talk while I'm falling asleep, but sometimes the older kids would hum — after taking away the book I was reading — and that never failed.

I finally put the book down and stood up, gently cracking my back and knees, and ankles before I got up and went to the window to sit where Randall had been earlier.

It still surprises me just how dark the night can be but in the winter, it's brighter for some reason. Summertime is when it's at its darkest.

Sometimes it's almost like the cold glows.

But at least you can still see the stars.

I stared up, breathing deep. The cold is gonna make things harder but for the moment at least, it feels nice; cooling my too warm skin. Something tells me I won't be so thankful for it later.

I raised my knee up, resting my elbow on it and plopping my chin into my hand, looking down at the pavement just in front of the shop's front doors.

It's gonna be hard to move when it starts snowing. In the cars or on foot.

I should keep my eyes open for a snow plow. I have a vague idea of where to look for a truck with one of those plow attachments on the front, but it works out because we'll have better luck looking in houses for winter clothes than shops.

All that'll be stocked in the stores anymore is springish-summer attire.

It was like… mid/end of July I think(?) when this started. Hard to believe it's only been a few months.

My eyes drifted from the window to the others around the room. Most half or fully curled up. If only we had more blankets or sleeping bags or something.

You know… I keep thinking up all this stuff we need or should or could be doing but, maybe I should write it down. Make an actual plan.

We don't have any particular heading anymore either. We're sort of just drifting in the wind right now.

I got up and kept as quiet as possible — which I've been told is quieter than death — and carefully stepped around the group, heading downstairs.

The bottom floor is a might creeper than upstairs and I can feel the hair on the back of my neck standing up, my muscles tensing a little more.

I should've brought a flashlight down with me, but I'm not sure it would really be worth the risk of attracting potential unwanted attention.

Wait a sec.

I smacked myself in the forehead and took the stairs two at a time back up. Which was a mistake.

Get just a little more freedom in my movement back and my head immediately assumes I'm all better.

'This is really getting old.' With a hand on my side/gut, I headed over to my backpack and carefully dug out my goggles.

I slipped them over my noggin as I got back to the steps and pulled them down.

The world went green and much easier to see as I adjusted them to be comfortable, reaching the bottom of the curved staircase.

I know there was a front desk. There's gotta be stuff to write with and on up there.

I'm not gonna lie, this place is spooky at night. Not like high school at night spooky, but still.

The quiet isn't as unnerving as it is in other places. Maybe because it feels like a library and it's feels more natural for it to be quiet.

I still kept my steps quiet though, I wish I could say it was out of habit right now, but I'm too alert for this light step to be natural, even for me.

It took me a few minutes of searching the front counters before I found some pens in a few different colors, a notepad, a thing of sticky notes, and after spotting a little 'gift shop' type of shelving on the far wall with several cool leather-covered notebooks (seriously these things look like ancient Celtic tomes or something. Like they should be grimoires full of spells or ancient prophecies) I checked out the front windows.

It's weird seeing no walkers. It puts me on edge and at the same time makes me relieved there's no threat (that I can see).

I did a sweep of the bottom floor, making sure all the doors and windows are still tightly sealed, before heading back upstairs and taking up a table, starting by designating a few of the notebooks towards certain things like 'what we need' and where possibly to find it, 'things to do', 'supplies', and 'things to try'.

I can finally get this stuff out of my head and onto paper, where it'll actually become useful, actionable plans instead of just good ideas.

Plus, I think this might help take some of the burden off of Rick.

He was pretty quiet all evening and pretty tense. He doesn't have a plan of what to do or where to go next and I don't blame him. It shouldn't be all up to him, and he's got a lot to think about and process as is.

And besides, surviving is what I do best.

Sorry it's short.

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