Daryl and I took refuge in a tall building far away from the herd. I was sitting on the floor scraping my knife on the ground. Daryl was somewhere checking to make sure the building was secure, even though we checked it already. I was worried about the others. Where they were. And I was very upset about losing my iPod. I'm like sick to my stomach over that. So, I was in one of my moods again and did not want to be in this situation right now. I didn't even care that it was just Daryl and I again. I didn't understand why he made us stop and stay here instead of looking for the others. What if they think we're dead and move on without us? It's dangerous out here, we all need each other.

"Place is locked up tight." Daryl said walking into the room. "Neither one of us should have to keep watch. We should be good." He took his crossbow off and sat it on the floor. I didn't answer him. "Ya alright?"

I turned my head slightly to look at him before answering. "Why are we here, Daryl?" I snapped. "Why aren't we out looking for the others?"

He looked taken aback. The nervous feeling I got almost made me want to laugh. He cleared his throat. "Cuz it's dark and dangerous out there and we'll be able to see better in the light." He said roughly. "I need to keep ya safe."

He needs to keep me safe? "Why?" I asked him after a minute. He just looked at me. "You're right. It is dangerous. So…why did you stay back and wait for me, Daryl? Why didn't you leave like the others?" I spoke softer. "Why'd you come back for me?"

He seemed to hesitate then he nodded. "I saw that ya weren't there so I went lookin' fer ya. That's when I saw the herd…and yelled to everyone else." He paused. "Yer dad said you didn't leave and that you was comin' back…so I told everyone to go and I'd wait there."

I thought about what he just told me. How did my dad know that I didn't leave and I was coming back? I was so confused. "So, you did it for my dad?" I asked him. I didn't try to hide my disappointment.

"No, I did it fer you." He said roughly.

"But why? Why you?" I needed to know. He just stared at me for what felt like forever. I looked back at him waiting for an answer.

"…we should turn in." Daryl finally said. "We can leave as soon as the sun comes up."

"Yeah." I said. I was so disappointed. I let Daryl have the couch since he was taller and I took one of the chairs with a stool. I don't think I slept at all that night. I just laid there staring at the ceiling.

I was in a worse mood today than I was last night. The reason why is because I was still mad about the same issues I was last night, only I had two more things I was pissed about. The first one was pretty obvious; I wanted Daryl to answer my question last night and he didn't. I was so so disappointed that he didn't. All I wanted was for him to say he cares about me. And the other reason why I'm pissed is because…I haven't slept.

"You okay?" Daryl asked me while we traveled. "You seem a little…slower today."

"I'm fine." I lied.

"You sure? We can rest up for another day if you want?"

"No." I answered too quickly. He gave me a weird look. "Let's just keep looking."

"Alright." He turned back around. "This is the direction they headed in. They couldn't have gotten too far."

"Yeah, unless…they figured we're dead and decided to move on without us." I said smartly. "We spent so much time at that place last night."

Daryl sighed and turned to me. "We on this again?" He said roughly. I could tell he was getting angry…and I was enjoying it. "I told ya already. We HAD to. Now, come on." We moved on. For some reason, I loved pushing this guy's buttons.

We found a little store on the road and decided to check in there. Daryl pounded on the glass with his fist to see if any walkers emerged. After some time, they did. Daryl shook his head. "Come on." He told me.

I suddenly had an urge to kill all those walkers. "Wait." I stopped him. "We can take 'em."

"Nah, ain't worth the trouble, come on." He gestured to me.

"No, you come on. There's like eight. We can handle eight. I could myself." I knew I was being difficult.

Daryl walked back over to me. "But we don't need to. We came lookin' fer our people and they ain't in 'nere." He said roughly. I just looked at him then pulled out my knife and moved like I was about to open the door. He quickly put his arm in front of me and the door. "You DON'T." He snapped. I didn't move. Daryl was looking at me sternly when I didn't back away from the door. His look scared me inside but I didn't let him know that. I finally backed away and continued walking but first I gave him a dirty look. I smiled again as soon as I turned around. I was pretty satiated with myself.

I decided to just stop talking all together after that. Daryl and I walked around for a long time that day and we weren't having any luck finding my dad and the others. We didn't even have any leads! I was beginning to think that maybe we weren't even looking in the right direction. They could have went the other way. I wasn't feeling worried, though. I was feeling very very annoyed. And I let it show.

"Maybe we should stop and take a break." Daryl suggested. "You hungry?" He asked me while looking up at the sky.

"You said they couldn't haven't gotten far." I snapped. "So, where are they? Where are they, Daryl?"

"I don't know." He snapped back. I guess he was getting tired of my attitude. "We'll find them eventually."

"And what if we don't?" I said annoyed. "What if they went the other way?"

He looked like he was thinking. I almost gasped. He thought that too, didn't he? I was about to say something else but he spoke first. "They didn't. They ran this way and they said they'd be around here, alright? We'll get to them."

I stopped after that because I suddenly got a scary thought. "What if something happened to them?" I said quietly with my head down.

Daryl looked at me and put a hand on my shoulder. "It's gonna be fine." He tried to comfort me.

"You don't know that." I said quietly then began walking away. Daryl caught up with me soon after and took the lead like he always does.

I couldn't seem to shake that chip off my shoulder as we traveled. I only talked to Daryl when I had to and I gave short and/or smart answers. I don't even know honestly what I was so mad about? I just think that I went too far with it to just take back so I kept up with it. I don't even know if that makes sense? Then, I did something extremely stupid.

Well, as I said before, I got a kick out of making Daryl mad. So, I saw a walker headed towards us and got a fantastic idea. This is the perfect way to get him back for squirting the whip cream on my face! "I got him." I said. I pulled my knife out and proceeded to walk over to it, only when I was about to stab it, instead I grabbed its arm and swung it around then let it go right at Daryl.

I heard him struggling as I ran ahead. I smiled to myself. "Hey!" Daryl called me. I ignored him. "Hey!" He grabbed me by my shirt and pulled me back then put both hands on my shoulders looking at me. "What the hell was that?" He yelled.

"That's payback for the whip cream." I laughed. "And I knew you could handle it." I said nonchalantly.

"That ain't the point!" He continued to yell. "Ya know how dangerous that was? Huh?" He kind of shook me. Wow. I made him really mad. I felt nervous and slowly put my head down but still looked up at him. He seemed to calm down. "It's gonna get dark soon. We have to start lookin' fer another place to stay the night. Come on." He began walking away.

I stayed right there though. I started to feel really bad about what I did. What's wrong with me? That could have been really bad! All it had to take was a slip or trip and Daryl could have gotten bit. I stared at the ground wide-eyed and shaking my head. I forgot how dangerous they are. I looked up at Daryl walking away. "Daryl, wait!" I yelled. "I'm-I'm sorry." I ran to catch up with him. "I'm sorry." I said again.

"Yeah, I heard ya." He said roughly.

"No, I'm really sorry." I said. "I don't why I did that." I was close to tears.

Daryl stopped and looked at me. His mood seemed to change. "You mad at me or somethin'?"

I nodded sadly. "I was."

"Why?"

I looked up at him waiting for an answer. I couldn't tell him. I shook my head. "Just forget it." I put my head down. "I'm sorry."

He sighed. "Come on." He put his arm across my shoulders and kind of pulled me along. "We need to find shelter."

We stayed in a regular house this time, that meant we had to be careful and stay alert. We kind of always were alert these days anyway. I was sitting on the floor with my hands on my head. I felt like the shittiest person on earth for what I did to Daryl. Why did I do that? I scolded myself. That was so unlike me. He would never do that to you! I continued to make myself feel worse and worse over it. That's what I deserve for what I did.

"Ya hungry?" Daryl said. "I found some cans of beans." I didn't answer him. Just stayed exactly how I was. "What's 'a matter? Ya feelin' sick again?"

I wish he'd stop being so nice to me! I slowly shook my head. "I just feel really really bad about what I did to you." I didn't look up.

He made his way over and sat next to me. "It's okay."

"No, it's not." I said like I was sickened.

"I ain't mad." Daryl put his arm across my shoulders like earlier. "And I'm fine."

I finally made eye contact with him. "I wasn't trying to kill you." I sniffled. "I swear."

"Glad to hear that." He raised his eyebrows and kind of laughed. I let out a little laugh too. Then, I hugged him. I had to. I sighed in relief that we were both okay. I love Daryl for his understanding personality. I'm like that too. We're a perfect pair. I blushed and shook that thought.

I opened my bag and took out the candy bar I found. I smiled as I broke it in half and gave Daryl the other piece. He let out a small laugh. "Hey, what was you mad about anyway?" He said. "I asked if ya was mad at me and you nodded then said, 'forget it'. What was that about?"

I nervously bit my lip. "It wasn't just you, I was mad about a lot of things."

"Like what?" He glanced at me while eating the chocolate bar.

I sighed. "Well, I was a little upset about everyone. We have no idea where they are still and if they're okay." I looked down. "I hope they are." I said more quietly. "Plus…I'm really upset over losing my iPod. I'm like sick to my stomach." I shook my head and put one hand over my stomach. "I can't get over it."

I heard Daryl swallow. "What's so important about a damn iPod?" He didn't ask in a mean way, it was normal.

I took a deep breath and tried to steady myself so I wouldn't start crying. "It has…pictures and videos on it of-of my old friends and…family." It was hard to get that sentence out. I breathed.

Daryl was quiet for a minute. "…I'm sorry." He finally said. "Really, Abby, I am. I didn't know. If I did, I woulda helped ya look fer it more."

I nodded. "It's okay. There's no way you could have known. And it's not your fault, it was gone when we went back. I should have taken it with me. I always do so I don't know why I didn't that time." A sob accidentally escaped just then. I felt Daryl put his hand on the back of my neck. "It's okay. It just sucks." I sighed heavily. He started playing with the ends of my hair. I liked it, it felt real good. Plus, I liked when Daryl showed affection because he usually doesn't do that. I started breathing heavier. I hope he doesn't notice.

"Alright." He then said. He turned a little more towards me and stopped. Don't stop. I thought disappointingly. "So, why was ya mad at me?" He said gently. I stared at him wide-eyed. "You said you was mad about a lot 'a thangs but you also you said you was mad at me." He pointed out. I just continuing looking at him. He shook his head. "Just tell me. It's okay."

I became very nervous and sort of hesitated. "…well," I swallowed, "I was mad at you because…you didn't answer me last night." I hoped I didn't have to say anything else and he would get it but I could tell by the way he was looking at me that I had to further explain. "I asked you why you stayed for me."

He looked confused maybe. "…I thought I said it was because you was gone and ya didn't know what was goin' on—

"No." I shook my head. "Yeah, you did say that. And I get that." I looked at him then away again. "But why you, Daryl?" I paused and licked my lips. "My dad could have stayed, Michonne could have stayed, Abraham could have." I looked at him again. "Why you?"

It felt time stopped and we were just staring at each other. It was the most intense stare I have ever experienced. I wish someone would just say something. But I couldn't speak, I couldn't think of what to say. "Yer my favorite person, too." Daryl finally said. "If there was one person out of anyone that I could save, it would be you. That's why I stayed."

My eyes widened and I got that feeling in my stomach when someone jumps out at you and you're not expecting it. I didn't really know how to react right then. What I really wanted to do was throw myself at him and start making out, but I don't think it's the right time for that. So, I just stayed there. "What-what about Carol?" I didn't think about it, I just said it.

"It's different with her." Daryl said.

"How?" I asked him before he spoke again.

"She's my best friend. My sister even." He explained. "But it ain't like that."

"Oh." I said. I was screaming inside. This man that I have had a crush on pretty much admitted that he has feelings for me. "Okay, so…" I cleared my throat, then swallowed. "What are we gonna do about it?"

He stared at me for a moment then shook his head. "I don't know."

I gave him a disappointed look. I didn't know either. I looked down. "I don't know how my dad would feel about—

Daryl sighed heavily causing me to look at him. "We ain't gonna do nothin' about it right now. We cain't." He shook his head. I thought about what he said and took it all in. He's right. I thought sadly. It's okay, though. We will figure something out. I gave him a small smile. Then, I leaned into him with my head on him. Instead of him pulling away or pushing me away, he wrapped his arm around me and we just sat there like that. I enjoyed it a lot.

I was able to get a better night's sleep that night. Plus, I was glad Daryl and I made up and…we both knew how we felt about each other. It's better for us to wait and not do anything about it right now. I completely understand where he's coming from with that. After all, I am only eighteen and he's…way older than me. I don't know how the others would feel about that. Abraham is a lot older than Rosita but they were together before we knew them, so it's different. My dad, especially, would feel weird about it. So, it's best we just keep to yourselves for now. However, I don't know how long we will have to do that.

We left early that morning to continue looking for my dad and the others. I had more hope than I did yesterday. Hopefully, we will find them soon.

We found a small shopping center and decided to look around in there. We might get lucky and find some food and other supplies while we're there.

I suddenly thought of something as I was looking around. "Did you like your jell-o?" I asked Daryl with a hint of laughter.

"Yeah." He said from a distance. "I liked my jell-o."

"Great." I giggled. "Maybe we can find more. Maybe one day we'll have a workable refrigerator and I can make you real jell-o." I grinned.

"Yeah, yeah." Daryl said. "I'on know why yer so worried about makin' me stuff?"

"Because…you're the greatest." I repeated the words from before. "And you're my bae." I laughed.

"Oh yeah." He snorted. "I fergot." We met up at the end of the aisle. "By the way, what the hell is bae?"

I almost laughed when he said it. "It means 'before anyone else'." I smiled at him. "So, you're my before anyone else." I grinned sweetly at him. He just looked at me. I couldn't hold my laugh in and busted out laughing.

He smirked and shook his head. "I should start callin' ya giggles."

"Well, it is very fitting for me." I smiled again. I walked down another aisle and looked for more supplies.

There was a section with pet stuff. I spotted a dog collar with a tag and picked up it. It made me think of my dog again. I looked at it sadly then put it back down. "Somethin' wrong?" Daryl asked me. I didn't even know he was there.

I glanced at him, then back down. "Just reminded me of my dog."

"You had a dog?" He walked closer to me.

I nodded sadly. "He was a good dog."

"Sorry." He said and put his hands on my shoulders. "Maybe we'll find another one day. I'd like to have a dog around."

"Wouldn't that be fantastic?" I smiled at him. We shared a look after that.

"Come on." Daryl finally said. "Let's get outta here."

We traveled for longer and finally…we got our first lead. We found a door that had our names written on it. "It's them." Daryl said. "It's gotta be."

"Yeah." I said. "With our luck, watch it just be a wild coincidence." I laughed.

Daryl snorted. "Come on. Stay behind me though." He opened the door very quietly and we both went inside. Abraham was there, we all saw each other and relaxed some.

"Where's everyone else?" I asked him.

"In there." He pointed.

I nodded. Then, I put my finger up to my lips and said, "shh." They both got it and I smiled. We slowly walked into the other room and I could hear them talking lowly. Someone said something about it smelling bad in there so one of them suggested spraying some perfume or something. And then Rosita said, "no, it'll attract bees and I hate those things."

"Yeah, I hate those things too." I said.

Everyone looked up at us. Some of them said, "hey," happily. I laughed. My dad was on his feet in a second and came over to me. We hugged. "Are you guys okay?" He asked us.

"Yeah, you guys?" I said.

"Yeah, we're good." My dad said but the look he had told me otherwise. He shook Daryl's hand. I was looking around at everyone and realized we looked smaller.

"Where's the rest of us?" Daryl spoke my thoughts.

My dad didn't answer right away. "We lost Tara, Eugene and Gabriel when the herd came through."

My eyes widened for a second, then I looked down sadly. My dad noticed and put his arm around me.

We went to join the others, I got a few hugs. Carol hugged Daryl and I felt a slight pang of jealousy but then I remembered what Daryl told me. He doesn't like her like that. I told myself.

"Oh yeah." My dad said and reached into his pocket. "Ya lose somethin'?" He handed me something. It took me a second to realize it was my iPod! My eyes went wide and I gasped.

"Oh my God!" I said excitedly. "Thanks, daddy." I hugged him tightly. He laughed. "How did you get it?"

"After that herd showed up, I went to get you in your room and you weren't there." He gave me a scolding look making me laugh. "I almost lost it. But then, I saw your iPod on the table and knew you just went out somewhere because I knew you'd never leave without it."

"Got that right." I said. "You don't know how happy I am right now. I thought it was gone forever." He kind of laughed and gave me another hug. I looked up at him and smiled and then down at my iPod. Everything worked out.

Just then, I saw Daryl looking at me with a small smile on his face. I toned down my happiness but smiled back at him.

Everything is not worked out…but it will in time…