I guarded the cars with most of the group while Rick, Carl, Glenn, Maggie, T-Dog, Daryl — basically everyone able-bodied except for me breached the house.

The rest of us waited, ready to get out in case it's a no-go. I kept watch from the truck bed (Randall in the driver's seat) on the dirt driveway scattered with leaves and on the neighborhood road just in case.

A few minutes later, Rick whistled from the porch of the filthy white house and the others started getting out of the cars; all of them facing out for a quick getaway, just like always.

I stayed put until everyone was out and Randall tossed me the keys, I stuffed the keys in pocket and jumped down, following the others inside just as Daryl came down the stairs — with a dead owl...

I sucked my lips between my teeth. I'm not gonna ask, I'm not even gonna comment. I will however say, there's no chance of contacting hogwarts anymore.

I followed him to the sitting room with ungly green wooden walls and ceiling and sat in an armchair, which he proceeded to sit on the arm rest, picking the feathers off of his owl.

I picked up one of the feathers twirling it in my fingers and watching Glenn pick a couple granola bars out of our food bag for him and Maggie. Yes we have a food bag. Singular. We've gotta find more food. All of these houses have been empty or the foot has rotted though.

The only canned thing we've found is those 2 that Carl just walked in with, and they're technically edible but dog food isn't exactly meant for human consumption.

I watched Rick go over and pick it up from him, looking at the label. And then chuck it at the fireplace like it's personally offended his royal highness.

Daryl flinched and that made me flinch and put my hand on his back.

Daryl glanced over his shoulder at me after the both of us looked at Rick weirdly. He looks like he's asking me if I know why he did that, but I shrugged. Hell if I know. He's been like that for weeks now. Snippy, short tempered, frustrated, and weirdly quiet. He doesn't share a lot these days, just gives orders and lets the rest of us do the deliberation and then gives the final word. Like war generals and the king.

It's been like this since Lori hit the last trimester of pregnancy.

I reached for the bag, picking out a little package of fruit snacks and tore it open right as T-Dog tapped his foot on the ground, "Psst"

I looked, along with everyone else, and he jerked his head at the window, standing up with his fire stoker.

Time to go.

I stood, dumping the entire package into my mouth and flicking the wrapper as I pulled my knives and headed out first. The only time I take point anymore is this; when there's almost guaranteed close-range resistance directly in our path.

And I went straight to the truck, with the rest of the troop right behind me. As soon as all doors in the truck closed, I took off, the other cars right behind us.

This is getting ridiculous.

The caravan came to a stop and most of us got out, Beth, Carl, and Randall taking watch around us. Beth at the back, Carl at the front, and Randall in the truck bed. While the rest of us crowded around the front of the green car, where Maggie & Glenn laid out the map.

"We got no place left to go." T-Dog stated.

"When this herd meets up with that one, we'll be cut off." Maggie pointed out the big circles indicating the herds we've been tracking. "We'll never make it south."

"What d'you say it was about 150 head?" Daryl asked Glenn & I, leaning on the hood, across from us.

"That was last week. Could be twice that by now." Glenn answered, squinting harshly in the sunlight. We gotta get you some sunglasses.

Hershel took a breath, "This river could've delayed them. If we move fast, we might have a shot to tear right through this."

"Yeah but if this group joins with that one, they could spill out this way." T-Dog argued.

"So we're blocked." Maggie stared at the map.

Rick stepped forward, dragging his finger over the map. "Only thing to do is double back at 27 swing toward Greenville."

"Eh, we picked through that already. It's like we spent the winter going in circles."

I have to agree with T. We've been making loops all over this area.

"Yeah, I know. I know." Rick nodded. "At Newnan we'll push west. Haven't been through there yet."

Yeah but how long is this gonna last? If we head back that way then we won't be able to come back this way. There won't be anything keeping us going. We'll have to push all the way back to Atlanta.

"We can't keep goin' house to house. Need to find some place to hole up for a few weeks." Rick stared at the red truck where Lori happens to be staying in, resting.

Hate to burst your bubble Rick, but that's what we've been doing, and as a result there are no more places to hole up around here. We've picked this area clean, like vultures. There's nothing but bones left.

"Alright." T-Dog called it. No one else has a better idea, and I can't even complain because I don't either. Yet. You can bet your granny's panties that as soon as I do, that's what we'll be doing. Because I only have amazing ideas.

"Is it cool if we get to the creek before we head out? Won't take long. We gotta fill up on water, we can boil it later."

"Knock yourself out." Rick gave T permission as everyone dispersed to get back to their busy schedules.

I followed Daryl to his motorcycle and he grabbed his crossbow.

My eyebrows peeked up. Hunt?

He nodded and I smiled, getting my knives and my paused to grab my sharpening stone out of the side bag on his bike.

He glanced at Rick and then at me with a pensive look. I poked my tongue into my molars, watching the officer talk to Herself for a moment before nodding. It'll be good for him to get some more experience with us and for the others to have some breathing room from our fearless leader for a bit.

"Hey." Daryl got his attention as soon as Rick was done talking to Hershel.

"While others wash their panties, let's go hunt. That owl didn't exactly hit the spot."

That's an understatement. Considering it was only enough for everyone to have one bite, maybe two if your mouth is small.

The three of us headed off into the forest and within a few minutes found some train tracks growing over with weeds that we started following.

Of course I didn't try to balance on the beams, I'm not a child.

I succeeded in balancing.

"That's a shame."

I looked up as Daryl spoke and followed his and Rick's line of sight to the side, through a large gape in the trees. To chain fencing and a yard full of walkers.

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