Daryl stalked through the underbrush of the surrounding forest, his boots crunching on the fallen leaves. His crossbow hung loosely beside his leg as he walked, his hand flexing and unflexing on it, Axel's dried blood still cracked on his knuckles. His hands were sore, but he kept his head down, his hair hanging down into his face, in an attempt to block everything out. His head was a mess.

It was the prison, he told himself. Being shut up and locked away was not good for his mental state – he had never been shut up for too long. Before the fall him and Merle had been drifters, wandering from one place to the next, never staying in any single place for too long. It had been the two of them when the world first turned, out in the woods – that was how they had found the original Atlanta group. They hadn't meant to join them, but then Merle had gone missing and Daryl had found himself swept along with the group. Then they found the farm and their number kept on growing, and Daryl was still a part of that. He was as used to a large amount of people as he was being shut away. It made more sense to him outside, out in the open, drifting from one place to the next, going where-ever his footsteps led him. In that respect life hadn't really changed all that much for him since the world turned to shit - only now people were more upfront about their fucked up intentions.

Or were they? He thought as he kicked a dried log out of his way. What were his intentions? Him and Merle had planned to rob the original group yet here he was, stuck in the middle of them, all cosy. Then there was Axel, had he intended to beat him to a pulp? Daryl raised his fist to his mouth as he thought, sucking on the broken skin of his knuckles, removing the traces of both his and Axel's blood. Had he beat him up because of his own inner anger that was looking for a release, because he didn't like Axel, or because Beth stirred something in him, something he couldn't face Axel tainting? He spat the mixture of blood and saliva from his mouth onto the forest floor. Some fresh air and alone time would do him well.

. . .

There were several squirrels strung up around his waist as he entered the clearing. He had been tracking deer prints for some time now, and the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon. As he entered the clearing, the sound he had been hearing for some time suddenly made itself clear in the form of a small waterfall. It fell down into a small pool of rocks before trickling away into a stream which ran away from where he was standing. The last of the evenings sunlight glimmered off of the surface of the pool, reflecting the pink gleam of the sky above. In the dim light, Daryl could see the stream rising in soft spirals from the water itself, occasionally being caught on the wind and dragged aside as it made its way up. He wandered over to the edge of the pool, treading carefully over the rocks that littered the outside of the water. Dropping to his hunches and placing the crossbow on the grass beside him, he dipped the tip of his hand into the water. It was warm – almost hot. He stayed there for some time, swirling his fingers in the surprisingly clear water, listening to the crashing of the waves as the water fell from above and landed with its continuous thuds and splutters into the pool. He circled around the edge of the pool, keeping one eye on the line of trees surrounding the area for any danger, then climbed up onto one of the higher rock formations beside the waterfall. He was high enough here that a walker would not be able to reach him, and he had a good view of the surrounding area. He lay himself down on the hard surface of the rock, listening to the sound of the water, watching as the sky above him grew from the light dusky pink into a deep rich orange, before finally succumbing to the inky blackness.

I don't have to go back he thought to himself as he watched the first stars blink into existence, not like I would be missed.

He could just keep walking, not look back. Everyone was safe at the prison, they didn't need him. They would grow crops and keep livestock and flourish. The thought of farming turned his mind to Beth, who he had not thought about in a couple of hours. He sighed, closing his eyes. It wasn't just Beth. He couldn't lie to himself, no matter what front he put on – he had grown attached to these people. Maybe he could even call them friends. He would go back. Tomorrow, when his head had cleared and a day and night out in the wild had allowed him time and space to breathe. He would apologise to Rick, too, for acting out. Not Axel, though. That son of a bitch could choke.

. . .

Beth was getting worried; the supply of baby food they had found for Judith was running low, and her baby-grows were starting to get a little tight. They grew quickly when they were young, Beth knew that, and soon Judith would be uncomfortable, and they couldn't risk her being cold. It was cold in the prison, it was so big and concrete, and winter was on its way. She knew Rick had a lot to do, a lot of duties to keep him busy, and he may not always pay the closest attention to the baby, but Beth decided she needed to say something to him, at least put the feelers out before they ran out and had no options. Her ankle was almost entirely healed now, too. The swelling had gone down entirely leaving just a purpleish tint to the skin around her ankle, but she could walk on it much better. So Beth picked up baby Judith, cradling her in her arms, and set out in search for Rick. It was a cold, crisp day, with winter sun glaring down at them from a very blue sky, but offering no warmth. Beth wrapped her own cardigan tighter around the baby in her arms as she made her way across the prison grounds. She found Rick by the vegetable patch.

'Hey, Rick,' she said, walking up to him, 'someone's come to see their daddy.'

Rick stood up and wiped his hands down the front of his jeans, squinting his eyes against the sun. He stepped over to Beth and gently stroked his babies head.

'Everything alright?' he asked, looking at Beth, 'you want me to take her?'

'No, no,' Beth shook her head, bouncing the baby slightly, 'I just wanted to talk to you about her – she's running low on baby supplies, food, and her clothes are getting a little snug.'

'That so?' said Rick, smiling down at his new daughter, 'we'll arrange a run soon.'

'I'll do it,' a deep voice said from behind Beth.

Beth turned around to see Daryl approaching, a dead deer slung over one shoulder. The effort it was taking for him to carry had caused him to break out in a sweat, but he didn't seem bothered.

'Got ya this, too,' he said, chucking the body of the animal onto the floor in front of Rick. Beth grimaced, wrinkling her nose at the carcass.

'This a peace offerin'?' Rick asked.

Daryl didn't say anything, just looked down at the body and kicked at some mud beside his boot. Beth thought he looked ashamed, but she wasn't sure. Rick stepped forward and placed a hand on the other man's shoulder, shaking him slightly.

'Thanks. It will go a long way.' he said.

Daryl nodded.

'You just got back, you want to go on a run?' He asked, stepping back and eyeing Daryl up.

Daryl shrugged.

'Yeah,' he said gruffly, 'I prefer it ou' there. 'Sides, I gotta earn m' keep.' He didn't look at Beth.

'Judith needs clothes and food,' Beth said, speaking to Daryl. Her voice sounded a lot higher pitched than she had intended it to.

'A'right,' Daryl nodded, 'you wana take care o' that then?' he said to Rick, kicking at the deer.

Rick nodded, his arms folded across his chest.

'Why don't you take Beth,' he said, surprising Beth tremendously.

'Wha'?' Daryl looked at Beth now, frowning at her through his hair.

'She knows what Judith needs better than any of us, 'cept maybe Carl.' Rick said.

'I'll take Carl then,' Daryl said, making Beth's heart drop, 'the girl... she aint strong enough to be on th' road.'

'I am.' Beth suddenly said, raising her chin in defiance, 'I can walk now.'

Daryl just looked at her.

'It won't take ya long,' Rick said, rubbing his chin, 'Beth knows what she needs, you know where to go. Besides, she's been stuck up in her room for over a week. She'll be safe with you.'

Daryl stared at Rick, trying to read him. Beth's own confidence in herself at the impudence of Daryl's claim had already weaned, leaving her nervous.

'I'll probably just slow him down...' she said, biting her bottom lip.

'Nah, come on,' Daryl shocked her by saying, 'migh' as well get going.' Her jerked his chin back towards the gates where he had left his bike.

Surprised, Beth handed the baby over to Rick, who was smiling encouragingly at her.

'You'll tell Maggie, or my daddy, if they ask,' she said, shaking her arms out, which had started to go a little numb from holding Judith.

'Course,' Rick nodded.

Beth nodded back, a little faster and more fervently than needed. She took in a deep breath and turned round to follow Daryl, who had already headed back the way he had just come. She followed him to his motorbike, her heart in her throat. She stopped beside him, beside the monstrous vehicle.

'We're gonna ride?' she squeaked.

'S' faster,' Daryl said, ''side's y'said ya wanted to ride it.'

'I-' I was only playing Beth had started to say, but it had died in her mouth.

Daryl threw his leg over the bike seat, placing his hands on the handles, flexing his fingers. Beth noticed the light bruise on his right knuckles. She bit her lip. He looked at her, then motioned with his head for her to climb on. Beth took a deep breath, then very gingerly climbed on behind him. The seat allowed her to be positioned a little higher than Daryl, but the closeness of him to her made her so nervous she felt nauseous. She had no choice but the press her legs to his own, the inside of her thighs resting against his hips, his legs.

'Hold on tight,' Daryl said, looking over his shoulder at her.

Beth swallowed, then gingerly wrapped her arms around the man's waist. The leather of his vest was cold against her skin, but she felt so incredibly hot that it was a relief. Daryl started up the engine, feeling the purr of the bike vibrate its way through the entire frame, then he turned it around to face the fence. Fear bit at her as he faced the gate. It opened and he sped up, Beth leaning her face into the back of his jacket, her heart thumping away so loudly she was certain he could feel it.

Together they sped out of the prison grounds and down the beaten dirt road that led away from the prison and towards the city. Daryl sped over the bumps and around the corners, causing Beth to tighten her grip around him. The wind whipped past them, tearing Beth's hair back. She tucked her face in closer to Daryl's back, breathing in the deep musty smell of his leather vest. The speed and the cold wind took Beth's breath away, but once she had gotten used to it, she came to enjoy it. The speed almost felt like it was blowing away the cobwebs of her mind.

'Y'alright back there?' Daryl called to her, glancing back at her over his shoulder.

Beth nodded against his back.

The landscape around them dropped away as they rode, the trees falling away, thinning out as they approached the town.

Eventually, Daryl pulled off the road and into the line of the trees, stopping the bike. Beth climbed off the back once it was still and stood stretching her legs out as he climbed off, her body shaking.

'We gotta do a sweep first,' Daryl said as he climbed off himself, 'make sure 's'safe.'

Beth nodded, allowing for him to lead the way.

On a slight crouch, Daryl began to tread lightly towards the town centre, with Beth following suit. Her nerves were racked, feeling exposed out in the open. She understood what Rick had meant about her knowing what Judith needed, but so did Carl, and he could hold his own out in the world. Beth would only cause them to slow down. She supposed the men knew the town must be relatively safe – they had done runs through it before – so it wasn't overrun. As they entered the town, Daryl nodded towards the baby shop across the street.

'A'right' he said softly, his voice low, 'seems safe enough.'

Beth nodded, her heart in her throat. It seemed to be there permanently lately, lodged in her wind pipe. Maybe she should get her dad to have a look at her. She followed as Daryl edged across the street, his crossbow held up, ready. They reached the double doors without any hassle. Daryl stopped and put one finger to her lips. Beth nodded again.

Daryl looked round, then tapped on the glass doors. They waited for a while, Beth holding her breath. When there was no sound from the inside, Daryl nodded to Beth, then pushed the doors open.

'Wait here,' he whispered, motioning to Beth to stay put.

Beth stood, picking at the frayed edge of her sweater, whilst Daryl crept up the aisles to check the place out. After a while, he came back to her.

'We swept it b'fore' he said quietly, 'it's clear.'

Beth nodded, biting her lip.

'Kay,' Daryl said, 'lead th'way.'

Beth glanced around them, looking through the dark shop. Items were scattered on the floor, most of the shelves empty. Silently, she picked her way across the linoleum floor, stepping over the scattered baby toys and clothes. Daryl loitered behind, close enough that he could still see her, but far enough back to allow her room to look. As she looked, she found her breath eased up a little and the tension in her muscles decreased. She picked out enough food and supplies, then stood holding up the baby clothes, measuring their sizes and feeling the texture of the fabric, imaging little Judith in them.

'Beth,' she heard Daryl call softly. She could hear the urgency in his tone. 'Beth, we gotta go.'

Beth stuffed the clothes, including some little woollen socks and a hat, into her bag and hurried over to him.

'What's the matter?' she asked.

'Fuckin' horde,' he spat, nodding out to the door, 'they're far off but they'll be on us soon.'

'No!' Beth gasped, images of the farm coming back to her in full force, 'what do we do?' she found herself reaching out to grab Daryl's arm.

'We hole up,' he said, 'c'mon.'

He grabbed her arm quickly, pulling her out of the shop and into the street. Beth could hear the footsteps of the horde approaching, listening to the sounds of their moans, their shuffling, of the trees and the bushes as they emerged from the forest.

'How many-' she began, but Daryl motioned for her to be silent. He dragged her across the street, behind the shop opposite. The front door of the house was boarded up, but Daryl smashed his shoulder into it until it cracked, the door opening. He shoved Beth through as the sounds of the approaching horde grew.

Daryl shut the door behind them, moving an upended chest of drawers in front of it.

'Daryl!' Beth cried, panic rising in her voice.

'Shush!' Daryl snapped, as the first footfalls of the horde closed in on them.

'Daryl,' Beth almost sobbed, grabbing his vest, until he finally turned around to see three walkers heading their way from the kitchen.