Sighing Charlotte laid back in the grass as she stared up at the stars. She was exhausted after spending a majority of the day showing Carl how to use her old bow. Hell, she was exhausted just arguing with Lori to agree to allow her to show him. Thankfully Shane had added his two cents that it wouldn't be a bad thing to teach the boy how to defend himself.

Since the traffic on the highway hadn't moved all day and there didn't seem to be any communication coming out of the city it was decided they'd move to the quarry in the morning. Once they settled there, they would then send people down to find out what was happening in Atlanta.

Dale had an RV with two other passengers that she'd met earlier. Andrea and Amy Harrison, two sisters, whom Dale had picked up when their car died on the side of the road.

Lori had also made friends with another mother, Carol Peletier, in the car next to them who had a little girl, Sophia, around Carl's age. Charlotte had been introduced to them earlier in the day along with Carol's husband, Ed. She wasn't entirely impressed by Ed, and she could tell Shane wasn't either.

Dale had spent the day walking the highway meeting people and inviting them to the quarry. Last she saw him he had been speaking to a man driving a van with another young man in the passenger seat.

After choking down a granola bar that was her dinner, she decided to escape the end of the world meet and greet and had walked away to lay out in the grass under the stars.

"Not safe to sleep out here," grumbled a voice from above her.

Tilting her head to look behind her she scoffed, "Are you back to being my highway boyfriend or are you still being a douchebag?" she questioned.

Climbing over the rail he sat down with a grunt holding out what looked like a plate. Furrowing her brow, she sat up and looked at his offer.

Scoffing she took the plate, "I don't know. I don't want you thinkin you need to feed me," she commented sarcastically.

"Just eat it," he grumbled, pulling out a cigarette.

"What no fork?" she asked sardonically, smiling when he glared at her. Laughing, she picked up a piece of squirrel from the plate and put it in her mouth. Humming she scrunched her nose, "Nope, doesn't taste like chicken at all," she decided as he gave her an eye roll.

Finishing the plate quickly she set it aside, "So, at the risk of bringing out your Mr. Hyde side again, I don't know if you've met Dale today, but he has this idea to move up the road to a quarry. Your hunting ability would be greatly appreciated if you and your brother want to come in the morning."

"Merle said some guy in a fishin hat talked to him. Crowds aren't our thing," he stated.

"Well, that's a shame. I just found ya and you're already breaking up with me," she responded, smiling as he glared at her, "Besides from what I saw of whatever's happening out there I think people need to stick together."

"Says you. Dixons don't play well with others."

"So, you're a Dixon? You got a first name?" she asked.

Eyeing her he grunted, "Daryl."

"Gosh, that sounded like it hurt to tell me that," she commented, "I'm Charlotte, or Charlie, or Coco. Take your pick I'll answer to all of them," she told him shrugging.

"Coco?"

"Yes," she laughed, "My nephew and my god daughter both call me Coco. Charlotte's kind of a mouthful for kids. Plus, it was my nickname when I was a kid," she told him, "So, boyfriend, since you brought me dinner, I guess I'll let you point your weapon at me anytime you want," she commented, winking at him.

"Pfft, yeah okay," he responded, handing her his cigarette when she held her hand out for it.

Inhaling she exhaled the smoke, "I'd be down for it," she admitted, "After all we just had our first kiss," she laughed, handing the cigarette back to him.

Shaking his head, he opened his mouth to say something but never got the chance as three helicopters flew overhead towards the city, "That's probably not good, right?" she questioned as they watched them move through the sky.

Before he could answer the sky in front of them exploded as bombs were dropped on the city, "No, no, no," she breathed out scrambling to her knees as she pulled her cell phone out and tried Cammie's number again, "It won't go through. Why won't it go through?" she panicked.

"Charlotte!"

Hearing her name, she pushed herself up to her feet meeting Shane at the guardrail, "Did you reach Cammie? What's happening in the city?" he questioned.

"I don't know. The phone just rang all day and now it won't go through at all," she told him, "They just dropped bombs. There's no way she survived that, and Annabelle. Oh God Belle!" she cried.

Thinking about the little girl Charlotte backed away, "I'm gonna be sick," she announced before dropping to her knees and throwing up the contents of her stomach.

Wiping her mouth, she could hear Shane telling her they had to go and Daryl's voice telling him to give her a minute. Taking a deep breath, she stood on shaking legs. Gripping the guardrail she glared at her brother's best friend, "I swear you have no compassion."

"I care, Charlotte, but people are scared and freaking out. We need to get off this highway," Shane responded as she climbed over the guardrail. Glancing behind her she could see people running scared down the highway from the city.

"Do you really think leaving in the middle of the night is the best idea?" she questioned.

"No, but we can't stay here. We're gonna follow Dale to the quarry," he replied, "Let's go," he said, pulling on her arm.

"I can fucking walk. I'm not a damn toddler," she told him angrily, yanking her arm free.

"Then quit acting like it. I mean seriously, Coco," he used her childhood nickname mockingly, "You take off without telling anyone and you're out here talking to fucking strangers. Your brother," stopping as she cut him off.

"Don't fucking talk about what Rick would've wanted. You can pull that shit on Lori and Carl, but it's not flying with me. I can take care of myself," she snapped at him.

"Fine, you wanna run off and get bit by one of those things or hell get raped by strange men. Then so be it," he told her angrily, before stomping back to the jeep.

"Fuckin dick," Daryl muttered.

Turning back to Daryl still standing on the other side of the guardrail she gave him a small smile, "Sorry, he said that; it was so rude. Besides, it's not rape if you're willing," she laughed, at the look on his face, "Anyway, you should come to the quarry, but if you don't it was nice to meet you. Be safe, boyfriend," winking she turned and hurried after Shane back to the jeep.

Blinking, Charlotte attempted to move her arm finding it wouldn't budge. Looking down she smiled at the sight of Carl sleeping against her.

The highway caravan had made their way to the quarry the night before with the plan to stay in their cars and sleep till morning. With the daylight it was time to set up camp.

Looking towards the front seat she noted both Lori and Shane missing. Turning her head, she could already see a few tents going up around the area with Dale's RV parked at the edge of the ravine with someone already posted on top as a lookout.

Sighing, she opened her door and slid out of the jeep, closing the door as quietly as possible. Noticing Lori standing outside of a tent she headed her way, "Why didn't you wake me?" she asked, stopping beside her sister-in-law.

"I knew you were upset. Figured I'd let you sleep," Lori responded, throwing a pillow inside the tent.

Glancing inside Charlotte looked at Lori quizzically, "We're all sleeping in there?"

"I know. It's gonna be tight," Lori admitted, "I heard talks about someone heading into the city to maybe scavenge for more tents and gear, but I don't know if they definitely are. Shane might know."

Spotting Shane talking with Dale and the men from the van the day before Charlotte left Lori to head over to them, "What's going on, guys?" she questioned joining their group, "Hi, I'm Charlotte. We didn't get a chance to meet last night," she introduced herself to the men.

"Names Theodore, but I go by T-Dogg," the older of the two introduced, shaking her hand. Smiling, she shook his hand before taking the younger man's offered hand, "Glenn, nice to meet you. We're talking about sending someone down to look for supplies," he told her, "I volunteered to go."

"I'll go," she volunteered.

"No."

"You really want to have this discussion again?" she asked, glaring at Shane, "I've lived in that city for five years. I know my way around it, Shane. In fact, if you're looking for camping gear there's a freaking sporting goods store like a block from my own apartment. I know exactly where it is."

"Charlotte, I'm not gonna send you in there with just junior boy scout here backing you up," Shane argued.

"I'll go," volunteered a voice from behind Charlotte.

Whirling around she laughed, "Boyfriend, you came!" she exclaimed, smiling as he rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, I don't know if that's a good idea. Your brother seems like he needs a leash," Shane commented, looking at Daryl.

"Man, shut up. He left to go hunting. Won't even be here," Daryl snapped.

"So, we have our volunteers," Dale spoke up quickly, changing the subject, "I have a map," he said spreading it out on the front of the car they were standing nearest to.

"Okay, so I know where we're going," Charlotte declared while studying the map, "We're here," she said, pointing, "We need to get here. I was thinking it might be a good idea to try and get to my apartment first before trying to get to that store."

"Why the apartment?" Daryl asked.

"I've got some things there we could use," she replied.

"What do you think you're gonna find Charlotte? Cammie or Annabelle?" Shane questioned harshly.

Narrowing her eyes, Charlotte didn't think as she swung her arm connecting with Shane's face, "You are such a fucking dick," she snarled as he stumbled back.

"And you're a fucking bitch," he hissed taking a few steps towards her before both Daryl and Glenn stepped between the two.

"This isn't helping," T-Dogg commented mildly, "Explain your reasoning," he requested looking at Charlotte.

Huffing she glared at Shane over Daryl's shoulder, "Well, my thought is that we don't know what the city looks like. Afterall, they did drop bombs last night. If we can get to my apartment and it's still standing, I have guns there. My bow is there. Not to mention the fucking food sitting in my goddamn cupboards that could feed these people," she explained waving her hand around the large camp of highway survivors.

"How many guns?"

"I've got three handguns and two shot guns," she replied looking at Daryl.

"Why?" Glenn questioned wide eyed.

Snorting, she shrugged, "I'm a single female living in the city," she replied, "Plus a few of them like the shotguns were handed down to me from my grandfather and dad when they died."

"Why waste the time going there for a measly five guns when you could go directly to a store and cash out?" Shane argued, "Besides you have a bow already here," he pointed out.

"Again, we don't know what the city looks like. People could've rioted before those bombs were dropped. There could be nothing left. My measly five guns are at least a guarantee. I know the shit is there," she responded, glaring at Shane as she answered, "And that bow is too small. It's made for someone Carl's age."

"Girls gotta point," Daryl spoke up.

"So, we make the run for your apartment and then scope out if we can even get to the store," Glenn nodded, looking over the map, "We take this route down to the city," he suggested, "I think we should leave whatever car we take here," he said, pointing to the map, "It's just outside the city in case streets are impassable. Have either of you had to kill any of them?" he asked, looking between Charlotte and Daryl.

"Yeah, gotta be the head," Daryl replied as Charlotte nodded.

"Shane and I had to shoot a few leaving the hospital. I noticed as soon as we made noise the others turned towards us like it attracted them too," she told them.

"So, no guns unless necessary," Glenn decided, "We need to be as quiet as possible to slip around them."

"Well Daryl has his crossbow. I don't really want to try taking the bow I have here. It's too small to be comfortable. You got anything else quiet?" Charlotte asked.

"I've got a few things," Dale declared heading for the RV with Charlotte trailing behind him.

Eyeing the rough redneck in front of him Shane took a step towards him, "She don't come back alive I wouldn't even bother coming back here," he threatened.

"You don't get out of my face, Deputy Dipshit, we're gonna have a problem," Daryl threatened right back.

"Hey, hey, not helping," Glenn spoke up loudly in an attempt to separate the two, "What car should we take?" he questioned.

Glaring at Shane for a couple more seconds Daryl finally turned to look at the young Asian man, "We'll take my truck. Be ready as soon as she's done finding weapons," he told him before stalking away.

After a tearful goodbye from both Lori and Carl, Charlotte climbed into the truck squished between Daryl and Glenn as they drove down to the city, "What do you think we're gonna find down here?"

Glancing at her Daryl shrugged, "Whole lot of trouble probably," he replied.

Nodding she sighed, "We're gonna have to work on your comforting skills, boyfriend."

"So, how long have you two been together?" Glenn asked innocently, causing Charlotte to laugh and Daryl to glare at the two.

"It has been two glorious days of orgasms and first kisses. We kind of did it backwards," she declared dramatically causing Glenn to turn bright red while Daryl choked on air.

"Somethin wrong wit ya," Daryl muttered, "And you, don't encourage her crazy ass," he told Glenn, glancing over at him.

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize," Glenn began before Charlotte interrupted him.

"It's okay. Daryl's just shy. Doesn't want to admit his true feelings."

"I swear I'm a leave your ass down here you don't shut up."

Giggling she clamped her mouth shut as they drove down to Atlanta.

It wasn't long before Daryl was stopping the truck just outside the city. Climbing out of the truck, Charlotte reached into the bed and handed Glenn the tire iron Dale had given her while she kept the baseball bat he'd found.

"How come you get the bat?" Glenn asked, frowning.

"What was your batting average in high school?"

"Uh….I didn't have one," he responded, looking at her confused.

Humming, she held the bat up and took a swing, "Well, I played three years varsity softball with a .467 average so I'm taking the bat," she declared.

Nodding, he held up his hands, "You can have the bat," he agreed.

"Would you two quit fucking around and let's go," Daryl hissed already taking a few cautious steps into the city.

"Bossy ain't he? I wonder if he's like that in bed," Charlotte laughed as Glenn made a choking noise while Daryl turned around to glare at her.

"Ya think I'm joking? I'll leave you here," he threatened again.

"Oh, lighten up, Babe," she responded, patting him on the chest as she took a look around the destroyed city.

"Babe?" he questioned with disdain.

"Yeah, boyfriend's too long and you don't seem like a honey so I'm going with Babe. Now come on we can take this alleyway down at least five blocks," she replied before taking off towards the alley.

After glaring at Glenn who was openly laughing Daryl followed behind the crazy girl with Glenn bringing up the rear.

Daryl had to admit the girl seemed to know what she was doing. He thought for sure he'd have to yell at her to stop at the cross streets before continuing down the alleyway, but she stopped of her own accord cautiously peeking her head around the corner of the building before proceeding through.

Making it to the end of the alleyway she pointed up the street crossing over it, "We have to go down to the end, cross the street, and go another three blocks," she told them before poking her head out and immediately pulling it back, "There's four of those things," she whispered.

Peeking out, Glenn eyed what looked like people roaming down at the end of the street, "They look like normal people."

"They ain't," Daryl retorted, "You gonna be able to do this?" he questioned, looking at the two in front of him.

"I think they're already dead, Glenn. Killing them the second time is like giving them mercy to finally rest," Charlotte told him.

Swallowing, he nodded, "Let's go."

Within twenty feet of the dead people, it was like they could smell them and all four turned towards the three living people now on the street with them, "Did you see that?" Charlotte questioned.

"They smelled us," Daryl voiced, also noticing the odd behavior.

"This is creepy," Glenn whispered, yelping as the four charged towards them.

Immediately Daryl fired his crossbow putting one down before reloading.

Watching the other three Charlotte moved to the right hoping one would follow her, which it did along with another, "Shit," she cursed as she gripped her bat. Shoving one away she ducked under the other before coming up behind it and taking a swing caving in one side of its head. When it didn't immediately drop, she hit it again. This time it dropped to the ground.

Glancing around she noted the one she'd pushed away had a bold in it courtesy of Daryl while Glenn was standing over the other one with dark black goo on the end of his tire iron, "Oh God, Oh God, that's so gross," he whined, looking from the tire iron to the dead person at his feet.

"They were definitely dead before," Charlotte commented, studying the two on the ground next to her, "This one has clear bullet holes in its chest and half its neck was ripped off."

"This one's missing half its face," Daryl told them, ripping his bolt from the head of the first one he'd put down before striding towards the other one and yanking his other bolt free. Wiping the bolts on the dead person's clothes he reloaded his crossbow before motioning for the others to follow, "Let's go."

By the time her apartment finally came into view the three had put down at least a dozen 'geeks' as Glenn decided to call them. Spotting another five roaming outside the door she rolled her eyes, "So, the good news is that my building is still standing. The bad news is that we need to get around them," she told the boys, pointing.

"Of course, we do," sighed a very tired and bloody Glenn.

Glancing down at her own bloody self, Charlotte nodded, "I know. I'm jumping straight into that quarry when we get back," she declared as they moved down the street.

Daryl took the first shot taking out the closest while Glenn and Charlotte separated to draw them out to the side away from each other. Swinging her bat down she caved in the head in front of her causing the geek to fall.

Striding forward to take out the next one coming at her she felt the air leave her lungs.

"Cammie?"