When she woke up in the morning Daryl was again sharpening knives. SHe could hear the sharp sounds it made as it met the wet stone. It was almost calming in a way. He was the strong silent type and his silence was a comfort to how loud this place seemed to be now days. Everyone wanted to talk and talk and talk.

Carol been on her own for months and months. She didn't want to talk about how the world ended. How she'd been in the outskirts of Atlanta when it happened. How the military rolled through and were just firing into the streets. She didn't want to rehash it. It was in the past and she was over it. She done her thinking on over the months and buried it.

The only thing now was to move forward and that was with checking to see if her family was really alive. She needed this before she could really bed down in this place. Really make it a home. She needed to be sure.

"You're up." Daryl's voice was quiet.

The sun was even fully up yet and Carol felt like she'd been awake for hours already.

"Yes."

Daryl stood and she came fully down the stairs. He was already full dressed and bags by the door. It was refreshing knowing that he was so prepared. They could do this.

Still she made her way to him and stared at him till he finally met her eyes. His eyes were a startling blue even in the dark of the room.

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet." Daryl smirked.

Carol just smiled back and went for the bags she'd left down here. Daryl said as soon as they were both awake they'd be leaving. She wasn't sure how far it was from here to Harlan but she was willing to bet Daryl knew. But what did that mean in the end of the world.

They were taking the truck that Logan drove the day they were left behind. Daryl was already inside speaking with Glenn and Maggie. Rick had left not long after Daryl had snapped at him. Before long they were out the gate. Carol found it odd that MErle and Logan weren't there to say good bye and decided to voice it.

"Where were Logan and Merle?"

Daryl was still in park when she asked and she watched his face shadow. He looked over at her and sighed.

"I said my peace before you were up."

"How long would this drive take before the dead?"

"An hour." Daryl's response was immediate.

Carol nodded so maybe it wouldn't be so bad. Maybe they'd get there and everything would be clear and fine and her grandmother okay.

The walk to the gate with everyone asleep was peaceful. Daryl was silent next to her and he side eyed her. She could tell he wanted to say something but he was choosing not to. He was willing to risk his life for something that was looking to be scarce. If he chose to ask her she would answer him.

They got to the gate Glenn was there to say goodbye along with Maggie and Rick. She wasn't sure the dynamic here because Maggie looked pleased while the other two sucked lemons. It almost made her want to laugh and she did when she seen the look on Daryl's face. He scowled at her and she grinned back at him. It only served to make him raise a brow.

"Mac will be furious!" Rick hissed. "Are you really willing to listen to that psycho?"

"Excuse me." Daryl cleared his throat, "Merle will be here."

"That aint shit." Rick scoffed, "That man only does two things, trail around for you and whatever the fuck he wants."

"Then I guess get the fuck out of his way." Daryl barked.

Glenn rubbed his face and Carol was shocked. She'd yet to hear Daryl seem mad but this was a mad voice.

"You don't get to send us out there scratching and digging through every god forsaken fucking scrap heap and be pissed when the man is like a rabid dog. He spends more time with the dead then he does anything else."

Rick flinched, "Daryl I..."

"No more." Daryl sneered.

Carol stood there and gaped. Rick's mouth snapped shut harshly, teeth clicking. Maggie didn't seem bothered at all. Glenn looked completely nervous. Like he was ready to run. Maggie moved closer and when she did the look she gave Rick was withering.

"Do hurry back. Carol I hope for the best."

Carol realized she hadn't even seen a map out. Nowhere to be seen in fact. Of course she was aware that Daryl knew his way around the area but still. SHe was nervous when the road they seemed to be taking was very curvy and climbing higher.

"Which way did you decide?"

"Black Mountain. It'll be the quickest."