Daryl parked the truck on a road and said we should walk the rest of the way to the church. It was late, dark. We walked through the woods. Daryl and Carol said stuff occasionally but I stayed quiet. I was feeling kind of out of it. We finally made our way out of the woods and stood in front of a church. "The hell?" Daryl said. "The short bus is gone?" He and Carol shared a look. Then, they began walking again. I started to feel anxious and stayed where I was staring at the church. My dad and everyone is in there. I thought. Daryl looked back at me, just then, and walked a little towards me. "Ya okay?" He asked. I didn't answer, sort of just put my head down and sighed. "What's a matter?"

I took a minute to answer him. "I just…feel nervous all of a sudden." I looked up at him.

His expression seemed to soften. "It'll be alright." He put his hand on my back and kind of guided me forward. "Come on." The three of us walked up to the church. Daryl went up to the stairs to the door and whistled so my dad would know it was him. Carol was close behind. I stayed back on the ground sort of off to the side. I don't know what I was so worried about?

My dad and some of the others like Michonne and Sasha answered the door. My dad didn't see me down here but he looked relieved when he saw Daryl and Carol. "You're back." He said and almost smiled.

"Yeah, sorry." Daryl said. "We followed a car into the city. But, uh…" He stood aside a little. "Look what I found." I took that as my cue and stepped into view, looking at my dad nervously.

His expression changed to shock and then he looked happy. "Abby?" He said it like he couldn't believe his eyes.

"Hi, daddy." I smiled. Suddenly, he ran to me and hugged me tightly. I hugged him back and buried my face in him. I realized then how much I missed his hug. He sounded like he was crying. I let out a nervous laugh. "It's okay."

"Oh, my baby." He kissed my forehead a few times then continued to hug me. I looked up and saw everyone smiling at us. It made me feel a little awkward so I pulled apart. My dad looked at me and smiled. "I'm so glad you're okay."

I smiled back. "Yeah." Was all I said.

"Abby!" I heard another voice. I looked over and saw my little brother, who didn't look so little anymore, coming towards me. I smiled and hugged him.

"Damn, you got tall." I said to him once we let go of each other. He laughed. A few other people came over to hug me and greet me as well. I looked up and around and once again, everyone was looking at me. It was weird, it was almost like I was the odd one out. And it was uncomfortable.

I think Daryl could tell and he came to my rescue. "Alright. Give it a rest, guys. She just got back."

"Wait a minute." Carol stopped everyone. "Where's the rest of us?"

I looked around. Oh yeah? Where's Glenn and Maggie? And Beth? And didn't Daryl and Carol say there were new people? Where are they? I hope they are all okay. My dad's expression seemed to harden. "Let's go inside and talk."

My dad just informed us that Glenn and Maggie and the new people headed off to Washington D.C. early this morning. Apparently the one guy with them is a scientist and he claims he knows how to stop the disease. I didn't know what to think right then. Could he really stop it? Imagine the world going back to the way it was…

"I wish they would'a waited til we got back." Daryl said roughly.

"I know but…we can leave tomorrow and join them." My dad said. "That was the plan."

"He really knows how to stop this whole thing?" I asked no one in particular.

My dad and Daryl both glanced at me. "I don't know, baby." They said in unison, expect Daryl didn't say "baby", he just said, "I don't know." They shared a look after that. I noticed a man that I didn't recognize, he was dressed as a priest. Everybody talked for a little after that. I wasn't really listening. Some of the others went about their business. I saw Carl feeding Judith.

I walked a little closer to my dad. "Wait," I started quietly, "you said Glenn and Maggie. Where's Beth?" I looked at my dad innocently.

My dad, Daryl, Carol and Michonne seemed to share looks. My dad looked back at me and shook his head. "She didn't make it." He said. "Sasha said she saw her go down, back at the prison."

I looked down sadly. "Oh." I said. Beth and I were the same age and had gotten pretty close over the time we spent together.

"Hey." My dad said making me look back up. He sort of bent over a little so we were eye to eye. "I know she was your friend and I'm sorry. We got a lot smaller but…we're all still together."

I nodded. "It's okay." I said after some time. "I know what happens." I was upset about Beth but oddly enough, I didn't feel sad.

There was a brief pause after that. "We should all turn in." My dad said. "We got traveling to do tomorrow."

"What do we do about transportation?" Sasha asked my dad.

He sighed. "That we can worry about in the morning." I felt my dad's eyes on me but I was staring at Sasha. She didn't seem alright. Daryl told me about Tyreese back at the prison and then my dad told us about Bob getting bit. She must be going through some shit with all that. "right now," my dad continued, "I wanna spend some time with my little girl." He suddenly hugged me, catching me off guard and almost scaring me, and lifted me off the ground then walked away with me.

I giggled. "Dad." I complained.

"Did they hurt you?" My dad asked me. We were sitting away from everyone else. He was asking me about my time at that hospital.

"Um…not really." I shook my head. He was looking at me funny so I decided to explain. "There's like these…cops…there and they take people they think are weak and make them work for them." I looked down. "I knew I'd get out, though." Just then, an image of Noah flashed through my mind. I cringed. I think my dad sort of noticed because he asked me if I was sure I was okay. I just nodded and faked a smile. He didn't looked convinced but eventually just nodded. He ran a hand through my hair and then put his arm around me. I leaned into him and we sat there like that for a while.

We were both quiet for a few minutes. "So, you were with Daryl after the prison?" My dad broke the silence. I just nodded. "How were things with him. Okay?"

I looked up and gave him a questioning look. Why would he ask me something like that? Did Daryl tell him about us arguing? "Everything was fine." I shrugged. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, I just wanted to make sure he wasn't mean to my baby." My dad kind of laughed. I stared at him. He knows something.

"Why—why would he be mean to me?" I asked seriously.

He gave me kind of a funny look. "Abby, I'm just jokin'." He tightened his hold on me.

"Oh." I shrugged. "Okay." I decided to just let it go. Still think it's weird, though. "What about you guys?" I swallowed. "How were things for you?"

He paused for minute. "Bad." He finally admitted. "But as I said before, we're still all together."

"Yeah." I nodded. "I'm glad everyone's okay— I stopped myself. "Well…almost everyone." I sighed. My dad nodded. "So what do we do now?"

"Well, right now…you should just rest." My dad told me. "You look tired."

I really was tired. I can't remember the last time I got some good sleep. I don't know if I'll be able to, though, despite how exhausted I am. "No, that's okay. I'm fine actually." I shrugged.

"You should at least try to get some sleep."

I was about to say something but I was cut off. "Yer goin' to bed." I heard Daryl's voice behind me. I turned to look at him. "Ya look like yer about to pass out." I just looked at him. "Come on. Get some sleep now." He pointed.

"O…kay." I said without question. I laid down on the floor and tried to get comfortable. It was hard but it's my best bet, I don't think the pews would be very comfortable. There isn't a lot of room on them.

As I was laying there, I heard my dad and Daryl talking. They were discussing D.C. and what we would do tomorrow. They got quiet for a few minutes and I heard my dad say, "thanks for keepin' her safe." He was talking about me. My face got hot and probably turned red. Dad? Why would he say that? I'm not twelve!

"She kept herself safe." Daryl then said. "She didn't need me." There was a brief pause. "Although, she is a little smartass." He raised his voice when he said it. "I know you ain't sleepin'." I felt a rolled up piece of paper hit me. I grabbed it and sat up smiling at them. I threw the paper back at Daryl. My dad smiled back and forth at us.

I sat up abruptly. I must have fallen asleep, I don't remember it, but I must have. I took in my surroundings the best I could in the darkness. Realizing my dad was sleeping on the floor a little ways away from me calmed me down a little…but then I remembered why I was awakened like I was. A bad pain in my stomach woke me up. It was probably hunger pain, it's been a while since I ate. I sat there and grimaced with my hand on my stomach making a low groaning sound.

Just then, I made out a figure in the darkness and realized Daryl was sitting there, looking at me. I instantly regretted drawing attention to myself and felt a little embarrassed. "Ya alright?" He finally asked me.

I swallowed hard, my throat was dry. "Yeah…I'm just…" I trailed off. I should have just stopped at "yeah." Now he's looking at me waiting for an answer. I have to tell him something. "…really hungry." I finished. "I haven't eaten since…" I just looked at him hoping he would get it and I wouldn't have to say it. I heard him sort of mumble something.

"Holy shit, Abigail." He said roughly. "I mean…Jesus." He sounded angry. "That night you was taken was really the last time ya ate? That was…five days ago!" I could feel his glare even though it was dark. It wasn't completely true, I had a tiny bite of that guinea pig back at the hospital. I didn't reply to him though. "Why didn't ya say anythang?" He scolded.

I shrugged. "I didn't know if we had any food. And…I kinda forgot."

"Ya forgot, huh?" He said roughly. "Come on." He gestured for me to follow him. "Let's get ya somethin' to eat." He took me up to the altar of the church where there was a lantern and I noticed some left over canned goods. He started opening one for me.

"Uh, you didn't have to." I said quietly shaking my head. "I could have just…got it myself." He just looked at me and continued to open the can then poured the contents into a bowl once it was open. I watched him put a spoon in the bowl and then handed it to me.

He sighed. "Here ya go."

"Thanks." I didn't look up, I just started eating slowly. I didn't want to get sick.

"They didn't let ya eat?" Daryl asked referring to those hospital people.

I thought about what he asked me and finished chewing before I answered. "They did but…they had this thing where you owe what you take. So…I thought if I didn't take anything then I wouldn't owe them and I could get out of there quicker." I took a small sip of water. "They're probably looking for me, you know?" I looked up at Daryl.

"Yeah, well, they ain't gonna find ya."

"What if they did, though? What if they came here?"

He looked down at me for a moment. "Then, we'll handle 'em."

I gave him a stupid look. "They have people and guns, too. And half of us are missing."

"Hey." He said a little louder and lifted my chin. "Don't you worry about that. You ain't goin' back there, okay." He paused and we just looked at each other. After a moment's hesitation, he nodded and began walking away. "Finish eatin' and then get back to sleep, sis."

My eyes widened and I dropped my spoon in my bowl making a "cling" noise. It felt like I was punched in the stomach right then. "Sis?" That's how he sees me? I'm his little sister? I was practically screaming inside. I felt sickened and couldn't eat the rest of my food. "Damnit." I whispered to myself.

The next day, we were sitting around waiting for Daryl to get back from the truck. He said he should check it before we all pile in to leave for D.C. I was holding my baby sister trying to get her to go to sleep.

Just then, the door opened and Daryl walked in and he didn't look too happy. All eyes were on him, he noticed and stopped. "No good." He finally said. "Tank's tapped."

My shoulders slumped and I sighed. What the hell are we supposed to do now? I mean…we're stuck here until we find a vehicle. I wish that they never would have left without us anyway. What was the reasoning behind that again?

"Better start looking for another vehicle." My dad said.

"Or we could just start traveling on foot." Sasha suggested. I cringed inside. I don't really want to walk all that way.

"Yeah, we could but let's try to find a vehicle first." My dad said again. "We'll go in groups. We—

My dad was cut off my a loud truck outside. Everyone rushed to the window. There was a firetruck out there. I saw Glenn get out. Everyone seemed to relax. "It's them." My dad said. "Somethin' happened. Otherwise, they wouldn't have come back." We all made our way outside to see them. "What's goin' on?" My dad was the first to say.

Glenn hesitated. "…Eugene lied." He finally said. "He can't stop it." My shoulders kind of slumped. Well, that answers my question from before.

"Abby?" Maggie said.

"Yeah." I smiled. They looked happy to see me. Glenn and Maggie both hugged me.

"So D.C. is out?" I heard a voice say, I wasn't sure who.

"If we're not going to Washington, what are we doing then?" Michonne said. Then, we were all in a group discussion.

"We gotta plan fer this." Daryl said. "We're low on supplies so we should find some more before we do anythang." My dad nodded in agreement with Daryl and looked like he was about to say something but someone else spoke first.

"I say we keep headin' north." A red-headed man said. "We know how far is cleared."

"South might be better." Sasha said. "Stay close to the coast. We find a place high up that's near water. Walkers won't be around as much." I saw Sasha and the red haired guy look at each other.

"I'm with her." One of the girls I didn't recognize said.

"I'm with Abraham." The other said. "It's safer."

"Either way," my dad started, "we need supplies first." That ended the group discussion. The others were headed back inside the church.

"So, Abby…" Maggie said and called me over. The two girls I didn't know were standing with her. "This is Tara, Rosita and the red-headed guy is Abraham. Eugene is passed out inside the truck."

"Oh." I kind of laughed. I looked at them and smiled. "Hi."

"Hey." Tara said with a smile. She seemed friendly.

"Hi." Rosita said. She didn't.

I wasn't sure what to say next. Since when have I become awkward around people? I shook that thought. "So…are you guys like related or something?" I asked just to be saying something. Tara kind of laughed but Rosita gave me a stupid look.

"No." Tara answered. "I met Glenn while headed to Terminus and then we met these guys."

"Oh." I said and nodded. "Good." I had no idea what else to say.

"Well, we should probably go see about that run." Maggie said.

"Yeah." We all agreed then headed back to the church. I was thankful.

With everyone back together, we discussed our next move, which was going to look for more supplies. Everyone was being split into groups. Glenn, Maggie and Tara said they would go into town and looked around at small shops looking for weapons and such. My dad, Sasha, Abraham and Rosita said they would look for food and then Daryl and Carol said they would look for water. Michonne was supposed to stay here with Carl and Judith. Gabriel(the priest) was useless so no one mentioned him. However, I kept looking to and from everyone waiting for someone to include me but they never did. People started walking away and going about their business.

"Dad?" I called him when he was by himself. "What about me?"

"You stay here with Carl and Judith." He said to my annoyance.

"You know I can handle myself out there. I wanna help."

"I know but it's still dangerous and I'd rather know you're safe here." He said seriously. I gave him an annoyed look. "Please, Abby."

"Fine." I crossed my arms over my chest and started walking away. "Still think it's stupid." I heard my dad sigh.

I watched everyone leave then took my sister from Michonne so I could feed her. I looked around angrily and shook my head. Stuck being the baby sitter…again.

I sat alone waiting for the others to get back, which isn't good because when I'm alone, it gives me time to think…and when I think, I think about bad stuff. I replayed the memory of me shooting Noah over and over again in my head. His face whenever I told him "I'm sorry." A chill went up my spine. I'll never forget that look…or when he was getting torn apart. I sighed heavily. Is he going to haunt me forever? "Shit." I looked down. I fucked up.

"Abby?" I felt a hand on my shoulder and jumped. I turned to see Carl, he looked taken aback. I calmed down when I realized it was just him. "You okay?" He finally asked me.

I sighed and felt annoyed. "Just great." He looked like he was about to say something else but was cut off by a noise outside. He, Michonne and I ran to the window. We saw a walker from a distance, two of them actually.

"It's just two." Michonne said.

"Should we get them?" Carl asked her.

She sighed. "They're gonna draw more, so, yeah."

I had a thought. "Carl and I will do it." I said quickly.

"Abby." Michonne gave me a look.

"We'll be fine, won't we Carl?" I looked to my brother.

"Uh…yeah sure." He said. I could tell he wanted to also.

"…your dad wants you guys to stay here."

I rolled my eyes. "It's two walkers, Michonne." I said clearly annoyed. "I could handle…at least eight myself. We'll be fine."

She looked reluctant. "…fine." She finally caved. "But hurry back."

"Uh, Michonne?" The priest peeked his head out of his office. "Can I speak with you for a moment?"

"Be right there." She called then looked at me. "I mean it. Right back."

"Okay." I nodded. I turned to Carl. "Let's go."

We made our way over to the walkers. I got there first and killed the closet one with my knife, Carl ran ahead and killed the other. I looked down at the now dead walkers on the ground. That was quick and easy. I thought. "Hey, Abby?" Carl said. "How come you wanted to come out here so bad?"

I gave him a surprised look. "I thought you'd want to, too?"

"Well…I do but…you just seemed anxious to like get out."

I thought about his question. Why did I want to come out here so bad? Just to help out? "I don't know, kid." I told him. I really didn't.

"Freeze!" I heard someone yell. I immediately spun around with my gun up, Carl mimicked my movements. There were two guys…dressed as cops. "Drop it!" The same guy said. I was pissed as all hell. How did they find me? I don't think I could glare any harder at them. I still had my gun up.

"Abby, just put it down." Carl whispered to me. He had already dropped his on the ground. I knew I would have to at some point because there was no way I was winning this right now. I was just extremely pissed. I finally dropped my gun to the ground.

"And the knives." The other cop said. We both threw our knives down. "Good." They made their way over to us and picked up our weapons then grabbed us. I suddenly got an idea.

"Wait." I said. "I, uh…dropped my earring." I put my hand over my earlobe.

"Who cares? Quit bein' stupid." The one cop said.

"Just give me a minute. Please! They're important to me." I gave him a false pleading look. He waited and I got down on the ground and pretended to look for my "earring." What I actually did was write 'white cross' in the dirt with my finger. Someone will see it and they will know where to find us.

"Hurry up!" One of the cops yelled.

"Found it!" I pretended to put my earring in then stood up. The cops then grabbed us and took us over to their car. We were shoved in the back seat.

"What the hell was that?" Carl whispered to me.

"You'll find out."

One of the cops spoke into their walkie, "we found her. And another one, a kid." He looked to the other. "Let's go." They began driving. I cannot believe this is happening again. I thought extremely annoyed. I glared at the backs of their heads.

Just then, I realized that my brother looked a little scared. My expression softened. "Don't worry." I said out loud not caring if the cops heard. "We'll get out of this. I did once, I can do it again." I looked right at them.

Hey guys! You're probably confused because I had this story as complete, but I decided to continue it because I didn't like the way I ended it. I also changed a few things starting with the second chapter up to the sixth one. So, if you want to go back and check that out, that'd be good :) Thanks! Hope you enjoy!