A/N: So here's chapter 2. Let me know what you guys think. I'm thinking once again I might jump forward a little bit to when their all at the farm what do you think? Reviews would be awesome as always.

The Georgia heat lay thick and heavy. The forest is quiet trees swaying slightly in a breeze that blows more hot air then cold. Two people sit against a tree, crossbows at the ready eyes open for any game. The two sit side by side; brother and sister neither saying a word. They both know what the other is thinking. The two are close always have been always will be, they can communicate through looks and shrugs alone; something that has come in handy over the years. However something has been weighing on the brothers mind that he needs to voice, he cast a glance over to his sister. His little sister who means the world to him, he would and has done anything and everything to protect her.

"You know he didn't mean it" Daryl mumbles over to her

Riley barely acknowledges that he spoke not removing her eyes from the forest surrounding her, she gives a small sigh that doesn't go unnoticed by Daryl

"Drunken words are sober truths" she replies quietly.

A couple days ago, their older brother Merle got drunk on some booze that one of the other group member named Ed had. He ended up getting in Riley's face in front of everyone saying how 'she was the cause of all the Dixon's problems that if she hadn't come around, life would have been so different. Their dad wouldn't have turned to booze and drugs, they wouldn't have gotten their ass handed to them on a everyday occurrence', but the killer was when he got right in her face finger waving and said 'that it was her fault their mother was dead.' The truly scary part for Daryl was that Riley didn't flinch or shed a tear she simply picked up her crossbow walked over to Daryl and asked to go hunting. Now here they sit waiting for a deer that they thought they saw. Riley barely speaking and Daryl unsure how to tread on the subject.

Before they left Daryl had a "heart to heart" with Merle saying that he better sober up quick and then make it up to his baby sister. Last he heard Merle was going on a run into Atlanta with some of the other group members, hopefully he would take this time to think over what he did and find a way to apologize to Rye.

They sit for a little longer Daryl re counting the squirrels that they had collected along the way. He takes one more look at his sister debating on what to say next. Before he can formulate a thought though, they hear what sounds like children screaming. Both siblings shoot up and take off running. They arrive back on the outskirts of camp to see a Walker slumped to the side of the deer they were tracking.

"That was our deer" Daryl snaps. He then bends down to asses where the Walker had its decomposing jaws. He then looks up to Shane

"You think we could just cut around this part" Daryl questions

"Wouldn't trust it" is Shane's reply

Daryl stands and kicks the deer in the side. The Walker then pulls itself back up.

"It has to be the brain" Daryl says like it's the most obvious thing in the world as he shoots an arrow through its forehead.

Daryl then starts back up to camp with Riley not to far behind. Something feels different though and Riley can sense it. Her thoughts are confirmed when Shane runs up behind them.

"Hey Daryl, Rye we got to talk"

"About what?….Merle get out here we got some squirrel" Daryl yells

"Yeah ya see it's actually about Merle…"Shane says while rubbing the back of his neck

"He dead" Daryl asks taking a peek over to his sister. The two share a look that says so much in such a short amount of time 'They left our brother behind'

"There was a problem in Atlanta" Shane starts. The rest is all a blur in Riley's mind. Daryl gets into with a man new to the group named Rick Grimes. Rick explains that Merle was a danger to himself and the group 'not hard to believe' Riley thinks. Daryl then ask where he was left because he's going to get him "always sticking up for him" Riley mumbles to herself. Rick's wife Lori says that Rick will take Daryl back to get him. Rick says they can leave now. Everyone separates to gather supplies for the run back to the city or go back to the chores they were busy doing before the chaos started. Daryl walks over to his sister.

"You okay with me going" Daryl asked "and no you're staying behind" he adds before she could even ask the question.

Riley hesitates she doesn't want Daryl to go what if he doesn't return then she is left with no one, but on the other hand she knows he wants to 'needs' to. She too also wants her forgotten brother found.

"Yeah I'm okay" she eventually replies. Daryl notices her delay.

"I'm coming back you know that right? I'm gonna have Merle with me and we'll be together again…ya hear me?"

Riley nods her head looking at Daryl. Daryl gives a nod in return and pulls his sister into an embrace. "I love ya Rye" Daryl mumbles in her hair.

"Love ya too" Riley mummers back

Daryl pulls away and gives her one last look. He then runs to the white truck hops in and then he's gone. Riley watches the truck until it's out of sight. Amy another girl from camp a little older then Riley comes over and throws her arm over her shoulder "He'll be back, he loves ya more then anything, he'll get back to you no matter what." Riley looks over to Amy and smiles. The two girls become fast friends with Amy being only three years older then Riley the two were able to connect more then the other people at the camp

"Thanks Amy" Riley says giving Amy a shove with her hip

"No problem…I'm going fishing with Andrea want to come" Riley thinks over this prospect "No thanks, I'll stay and see what Dale's up to"

As the afternoon wears on Riley can't help but let her mind wonder. She thinks about if Daryl is okay, if they found Merle, if Merle was alive, if Merle was a Walker. Luckily Riley was pulled from her thoughts by the return of Amy and Andrea who turned out to be the queens of fishing and brought back enough for an actual fish fry.

Later that night with fish being cooked and the conversation light and airy, it was almost like an ordinary night in someone's backyard having a good old fashion Bar-B-Queue. Dale told stories and people were laughing. Amy stood and excused herself to the restroom. Riley who was sitting at the outskirts of the circle never being use to having a good time, felt the hairs on her neck stand up, it was then a twig snapped from behind her and she whipped around. The next thing she knew Amy was screaming and all hell was breaking loose.

Walkers had invaded their camp. Everybody was running and it was mass confusion. Shane was leading people towards the RV while shooting down Walkers with his shotgun. Riley picked up her crossbow and took out any Walker in sight. Once out of arrows she pulled her hunting knife from her boot and started to go into hand to hand combat. Before she knew it though she saw Rick, Glenn, T-Dog and Daryl emerge from the woods. They too started to dispose of any Walker in their area. Once the last Walker was down, family members and friends started to check on one another. Riley looked up and noticed Andrea kneeling next to a slowly dying Amy. She slowly made her way towards Andrea when she reached her she simply placed a hand on her shoulder, she then too kneeled down next to Amy and offered her friend one last sad smile. Amy reached over and grabbed Riley's hand giving it a squeeze. Riley then stood and let Andrea have her time to say goodbye.

Riley turned and made her way towards her brother. Daryl pulled Riley into a hug

"I thought…if…I'm so sorry" Daryl rambled on bringing a hand to Riley's head in an effort to bring her closer to him.

"I'm fine Daryl, it's okay" she told her brother pulling away slightly and giving him a small smile. Daryl pulled her back in "He wasn't there Rye….he's not dead but he wasn't there."

Riley was still for a moment Daryl not sure how to react. She then pulled away and looked up at him "Only a Dixon can kill a Dixon" she smirked.