The drive up the mountain was terrifying if it was anything. Parts of it had collapsed and the rest over grown. They were basically blazing a new trail. Daryl didn't seem very concerned but then he never really did.

"Have you been with this group a long time?" Carol asked. Ripping the bandaid right off.

Daryl looked at her and rolled his window down a little. "On and off."

Carol bit her lip. She wanted to ask more. The answer demanded she ask more.

"What does that mean?"

He huffed and looked at her. "At times the walls get to me...my brothers."

"And Logan?"

"Is strong enough that he can defend himself."Daryl growled.

"I didn't mean it like that." Carol barked back.

Daryl looked at her and nodded. "He doesn't like being caged either."

A cage? Did that mean there was something she was missing.

Daryl chewed his lip for a second before sighing. They'd crested the top of the mountain and were now in Kentucky. The curves didn't stop there or the sheer drop offs from what she read to be the highest point in Kentucky. or at least that's what the sign said.

"There's times when we're gone for months. We come back or we set up a shelter of our own. The people make me feel smothered. Merle doesn't do well with others anyways."

Carol nodded and felt the same. The walls were going to start to grate on her after awhile. But if it meant safety she was willing to try. She was trying.

"How do the others take it?"

Daryl smiled at that and rubbed his face. "Rick gets mad."

Carol could see that. It looked there wasn't much that didn't make Rick mad. He was a tool.

"And not Maggie or the others?"

Daryl snorted and a sneer brushed his lips. "The others see us as a means to an end."

"Maggie seems to like you all."

Daryl sighed and looked at her briefly. His eyes spoke volumes while his lips pursed. He wasn't a vocal man that was for sure. Responding in grunts and huffs.

"I'm just saying." Carol grinned.

"Maggie is a sweet girl, a good leader for them." Daryl said. "She balances out Rick's bullshit."

Carol snorted at that and stayed quiet. The rest of the ride down the mountain was shrouded in barely concealed terror of driving over the mountain and beautiful scenic mountains. She was sure that before the end of everything that this place was probably idealic to live. It made her long for the past. A time when she wasn't so worried about dying. Or maybe it was just Daryl's driving that was terrifying her.

"Once we get to the bottom of the mountain how far do we have?"

Daryl hummed under his breath and exhaled.

"An hour if everything is clear."

Carol looked out the window and let the changing leaves fill her vision. Daryl didn't bother messing with the stereo even though she knew that Logan gave him CD's. In a way she was thankful.

Still she couldn't help but wonder what it'd be like to be out there not on her own but with this family. These survivalist. People built for the end of the world. People who would look at her and not think weak but see an opportunity to teach her hopefully.

"Would you teach me to hunt?"

Daryl looked at her and studied her briefly before the road demanded his eyes.

"Yes."

"When we get back I'll talk to Merle about it. We'll find something that best suits you for hunting. Start teaching you."

Carol was surprised he'd said more on the subject and turned in her seat.

"You have another brother that should be back right?"

"Yes."

"What's he like?"

"A complete dick." He laughed. "He's annoying." His voice was fond and full of memories.

"Why did he go out alone?"

"Sometimes it's better to be alone."

Daryl's voice was brittle when he spoke and she stopped prodding immediately. Instead she chose to think about learning to hunt. If this place fell through then she'd be able to take care of herself better. There would be less days where she was worried about real food. Maybe he knew foraging? She figured being the outdoorsy people they were that knew more than the others likely even realized. They were being wasted on just collecting from stores. Anyone here could do that. Hell Rick could take his ass out there and do it. They could be out there hunting and supplying fresh meat to the group.

"What's your brothers name?"

"Mac."