"Better Days"

Author: carmen_085

Disclaimer: I don't own any Walking Dead characters. Original characters are mine

Author's Note: I love hearing what everyone thinks! I hope that the direction of this story is something that people want to read. Fear not, Daryl and the kids will have many more trials and tribulations before there is any sort of resolution. Thank you to those who took time to review. I really appreciate it!

Summary: Daryl and Carl go out looking for Sophia and get separated from the group. Alone with two kids, Daryl must keep his own demons at bay while protecting them from not only the dead but also a very dangerous person who has nothing to lose.

Chapter Five

"Cause I don't need boxes wrapped in strings

And designer love and empty things

Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days"

Daryl's eyes fluttered open as the bright morning sun shone through the skylight. His arm was numb as he realized that he was still holding Sophia next to him. Looking down he saw that the girl was still blissfully asleep. Careful not to disturb her, he pulled his arm out. Sitting up he wiped the sleep out of his eyes. He didn't think that he had slept that good in a long time. Sophia didn't stir as all the fear and worry had drained from her face and she looked like a kid again. A small smile came to his face; he had never had someone rely on him. Those kids needed him and in an ugly world like this that sense of purpose was enough to keep him going.

Pushing himself up, Daryl looked over at Carl. His brow was relaxed as his lips were slightly parted. Just like Sophia he looked like the child that he was. Daryl's eyes wandered to the gun and bullets sitting up on the shelf. He wished that he could give Carl a comic book and not a gun. He wished that these kids had a home, and a room, and a dog to run around the yard with. He wished that they had a family and a normal life. He would trade anything for them not to go through this. But that wasn't reality anymore.

Sighing, Daryl started planning their next move. They needed to keep moving, try to find Rick, and above all else stay away from Shane. Grabbing a couple backpacks off the shelf he was careful about what he took. They needed some supplies but they also needed to keep moving. The car was out of gas and he hadn't seen a service station for miles. So he couldn't take more than what they could carry. It was hard in a place like this where so many things they needed were ripe for the taking.

It was late September and while the days were still hot, the nights were starting to get colder. Perusing the sleeping bags, Daryl selected the lightest one. Afraid of bogging them down too much he reasoned that Carl and Sophia could share. He would manage without one for now. Moving on he grabbed a few rolls of gauze and a bottle of peroxide; hopefully they would never need it. Browsing the store, Daryl relished the peace for a moment. It felt good to be able to walk around without looking his shoulder every five seconds. Daryl stopped when he passed a mirror. Taking a few steps back he paused. He looked absolutely terrifying. His beige sleeveless shirt hung off his frame. He had lost weight over the last few months; although he hadn't really noticed until right then. Leaning in, he ran a hand over the stubble on his chin. His face was caked with dirt and grime as his hair was greasy and stuck to his forehead. Eyes wandering down he settled on the dried blood that caked his pants and shirt. Trying to think back he reckoned that he hadn't changed his clothes in over a week. Looking around the men's department he reasoned this was as good of a time as any.

Wandering through the aisles, he picked out a dark green t-shirt as he fingered the soft material. He hadn't something new to wear in so long he couldn't remember. Undoing the buttons of his shirt he winced, as he was still incredibly sore from the past few days. The constant tension probably wasn't helping matters either. For some reason he just couldn't relax.

Carl had awoke with a start as the bright sun shone down in his face. Pushing himself up off the blanket he looked at Sophia's sleeping form. At first he moved to wake her but she seemed so peaceful that he just let her sleep. Walking around he searched for Daryl; eager to find out what the plan was for the day. Shuffling around the store Carl checked the sporting goods first. There was no sign of Daryl but that didn't stop Carl from stopping to admire the awesome looking rifles in the glass case. Pressing his nose against the barrier he wondered if he could ever convince Daryl to let him have a gun of his own. Pushing back with a sigh, Carl thought of his dad. Would they ever find him? What about his mom? Was she ok? What if there were all separated. Could they ever find each other again? Carl shook his head. He didn't want to think about it.

Wandering into the clothing, Carl thought he heard a sound coming from across the way. Crouching down he was careful not to make too much noise. It could be Daryl, or it could be something else. Crawling under a rack of coats Carl poked his head up through the center. He used to love to do this when he was a kid; it would drive his mother crazy. Carefully, parting two of the coats, Carl stayed low and crouched down. Peering across the aisle he visibly relaxed when he say it was just Daryl. Letting the coats go, Carl was about to crawl out from under the rack when his eye caught something. Bright sunlight filtered down through the skylight causing the store to be illuminated in a streaked, hazy brightness. Blinking Carl peered out from his hiding spot. Daryl shrugged his dirty beige shirt onto the floor as he fumbled to rip the tag off something else. Turning around, Carl's breath hitched when he saw the scars on Daryl's back and chest. Some were deep and easy to see, others were faint. Carl could do nothing but stare. He had never seen anything like it before. Abuse was a foreign concept to him. Sure he knew that it happened, but not to him. His father would never even think about laying a hand on him or his mother. He knew everyone was not so lucky though.

When Carl was about ten years old he was sleeping over at his friend Derek's house. He had met the boy a couple years ago playing little league and they had been friends ever since. Carl's eyes slipped closed as he remembered one of the most terrifying nights of his life.

Pulling his sleeping bag close around his body, Carl finally laid down on the floor to go to sleep. He and Derek had spent all night playing video games and talking about baseball. Derek's mom had made them pizza and popcorn and Carl was having a good time. He had never stayed over at Derek's house before and suddenly he wondered why.

Around midnight Derek's mom insisted that they go to bed. Easily complying they went to Derek's room and giggled about their teachers or the newest video game before exhaustion eventually began to set in. Carl laid on the floor listening to Derek's mom move about downstairs. His father had been conspicuously missing all night. Carl didn't know much about Mr. Sanders. Derek rarely spoke of him and Carl never saw him at any of the little league games or school functions. Derek was also very guarded about Carl coming over to his house, always insisting that they meet up at the Grimes'. Honestly, Carl couldn't figure out why but he didn't press it. Derek was one of his best friends and he didn't want to cause any trouble between them.

Just as Carl was drifting off to sleep he heard the door slam. Above him, Carl heard Derek sit up in bed, breathing heavily. Sitting up himself, Carl looked at his friend quizzically.

"Are you ok?"

Derek nodded quickly composing himself. "Yeah….uh just go back to sleep, OK?"

Carl stared at his friend for a moment before lying back down. The house was quiet again as Carl closed his eyes.

"WHERE ARE YOU, BITCH?" Carl jumped at the sound. Was he dreaming or did he really hear that?

A loud crash came from downstairs as he heard a whimper and then a scream. Sitting bolt upright, Carl almost screamed out loud.

"Derek?!" The other boy was lying in bed, covers pulled up over his head. Carl's breath quicken as he got out of his sleeping bag. "DEREK?!" Shaking the lump under the covers Carl got no response. Downstairs he heard a sickened pop as a fist connected with something solid.

Underneath the covers Carl heard a whimpering sound. His heart was pounding; he didn't know what to do. "Derek! What's going on?"

The covers peeled back as the boy stared at Carl with wide eyes. "Just lay down. He'll stop soon."

Carl looked at him confused, "Who?"

"My dad." Downstairs Carl heard a kitchen chair slide across the tile floor and then a thud. What if she needed help? Derek had disappeared back under the covers and Carl didn't know what to do. Creeping slowly to the door he cracked it looking out into the hallway. There was an eerie glow coming from the down stairs and Carl crept out along the hallway. Hovering near the top of the stairs he peered downstairs. He could barely make out someone lying on the floor. Craning his neck to get a better view he nearly toppled over as a large, burly man came around the corner. He had never seen Derek's father before but he guessed that the intimidating figure standing in front of him was it.

"WHO THE FUCK IS THIS?" Carl froze; he should have lain back down like Derek told him to. He had no frame of reference for something like this, though. Carl looked up as he stuttered.

"I….uh…I" Fear shot down his spine as he struggled to speak.

The man leaned toward Carl flicking the hallway light on. Studying him for a second a sick grin broke out over his face, "You're that Grimes boy." Carl was frozen with fear.

"Yeah…I know you. You belong to the sheriff." The grin faded from the man's face as a look of darkness came over him. "Who the fuck invited you here?"

"I did." At the top of the stairs Derek stood literally shaking in his shoes. Pushing past Carl, Mr. Sanders made a beeline for Derek pushing the kid up against the wall. Derek let out a small cry although he tried to hold his ground. Without warning the older man wound up and punched Derek right in the chest. The air whooshed out of his lungs as he doubled over.

"What's the matter with you, boy! Now he's going to run home and tell his daddy and they'll put your ass in a foster home! You want that huh? See your old man in jail? Your momma a nervous wreck?" Derek tried to catch his breath as he stared up at his father in fear. "I outta just beat that shit out of you for this.." Behind Carl Mrs. Sanders crawled up the stairs bloody and broken. Tears were in her eyes as she struggled to get to her son.

"No…Curtis…please.." She begged him. The man ignored her pleas as she held Derek up by the shirt winding up again.

"I won't say anything. I promise." Carl finally found his voice as he took a step toward the man. Letting his son go, the man regarded Carl curiously. Nodding Carl attempted to reaffirm his position. "I promise."

Leaning in to Carl he sneered, "You better promise, kid. Unless you want to see your friend there sent away." Derek looked at Carl, his face a mix of embarrassment and fear.

Mr. Sanders didn't wait for a reply as he stalked past them up the stairs. True to his promise Carl never said a word, too afraid for what might happen to his friend. When he went home the next day his mother asked him if he had a good time. Carl said it was fine and that was the last time anyone in the Grimes' house heard or saw of Derek. The boys never spoke again and a year later the Sanders moved away. Eventually the trauma of that night faded but Carl never forgot it. After that he looked at his parents different. They were good people and they loved him. He was lucky.

Parting the coats Carl stared at Daryl as he pulled the green shirt over his head. Carl had gathered that Daryl had lived a life different from his own but in what way he didn't know. Now he knew. An image of Derek flashed through his mind. His friend that loved baseball and videogames and was so much fun to be around lived a secret life of terror. Carl sighed as he watched Daryl leaf through the flannel shirts, finally settling on a blue one. He felt bad for giving Daryl a hard time. Suddenly he wondered if Daryl had been slammed against the wall or punched in the chest like Derek had been. Had he hid in his bed at night just hoping that his old man would move along? Had he stood at the top of the stairs at night listening as this mother was beaten to a pulp? Carl didn't know. All he knew was that Daryl had lived a hard life. A life he didn't understand.

Crawling back out under the rack, Carl backtracked his way to Sophia. When he got to the blanket he was surprised to see the girl awake and brushing through her hair.

"Where were you?" She looked at him quizzically.

Carl shrugged. He wasn't going to sell Daryl out. "Just looking around."

Sophia nodded not quite convinced. "Where's Daryl?"

Carl gestured toward the other side of the store. "I think he's getting some supplies."

As if on cue Daryl appeared around the corner throwing some things down on the blanket. "You guys need to go find a change of clothes." Sophia shot up at the prospect of getting a new outfit while Carl begrudgingly joined. As they walked away, Daryl yelled after them, "Get something warm too."

They disappeared around the corner as Daryl sorted through the supplies. He had two backpacks; one for him to carry, the other Carl and Sophia could trade off when one started to complain. Sacking the canned food and medical supplies into one bag, Daryl saved the other for the sleeping bag, a blanket, and extra clothes. Looking down at the blanket he picked up two random objects that didn't really fit. During his browsing of the store, Daryl decided to get a small gift for both Carl and Sophia. Something he could give them if they did something good or, more likely, were traumatized. The complex motives behind the relatively simple action made Daryl stop for a moment. One part of him felt bad for them growing up in a world like this. Another part wanted them to like him and therefore cooperate with him. Despite the more superficial notions, the one that kept coming back was a deep-seated need he felt to treat them better than he was treated as a kid. Before the world went to shit Daryl had often wondered what it would be like to have kids. He never opened himself up completely and subsequently never had a relationship with a woman that lasted more a couple months. It disappointed him but it didn't stop him from wondering what kind of father he would be. Would he be just like his old man? Was the violence hereditary? The thought made him sick. A sense of sadness fell over him. His chances of becoming a father were slim before the apocalypse and now they no longer existed. Looking down, Daryl sighed as he realized that ship had long sailed. Sophia and Carl would probably be his one and only chance to prove to himself that he wasn't just like his father.

His thoughts were distracted as they came back around the corner. Sophia was decked out in a pink shirt and purple pants, grinning ear to ear with her selection. Carl thankfully had chosen an outfit that was a bit more muted. Standing up, Daryl put his hands on his hips as he smirked at Sophia.

"No." Her face fell as she looked at him indignantly.

"What do you mean, no?"

Daryl sighed, "You're not wearing that. We need to pick out something more…natural."

Carl jabbed her in the ribs. "See I told you. Walkers see you coming a mile away in that." Daryl was pretty sure that walkers weren't what they needed to be worried about but either way he was glad that he didn't need to elaborate. Taking Sophia by the hand, Daryl led her back to the clothing section. Daryl had never been shopping in the little girls' section a day in his life. He was taken aback by all the sparkles, pinks and purples. Looking back at Sophia he shrugged.

"Not much of a selection, huh?" She looked pleased by his frustration. Grabbing her hand again, Daryl drug her across the aisle over to the boy's section.

"No way! I'm not wearing boy's clothes. They're ugly and they're too big and…" Before she could continue Daryl thrust a black t-shirt and green cargo pants in her direction. Sophia looked over the clothes before dropping them on the floor. "These are ugly." Daryl smirked at her, undeterred by her criticism. Rifling through the rack he thrust a light blue t-shirt at her instead. It looked similar to the one she had just taken off minus the rainbow. Sophia took the shirt, running her fingers over it, although she was clearly unhappy. Picking the green pants up off the floor she gave Daryl a disgusted look as he shoved a black sweatshirt in her direction. Gathering the clothes up she went behind a rack to change. Daryl leaned against a display as he waited for Sophia to come out. When she did he couldn't help but to laugh. The clothes fit her alright and they would serve their purpose but the look on her face….oh the look on her face.

"What?" Daryl smirked at her.

Sophia looked herself up and down before whining, "I look ugly."

Daryl's face softened a bit as he walked over to her. Kneeling down in front of her, he noted the way she averted her eyes; refusing to look at him. "Sophia…" She still didn't look at him. "You look fine."

She shook her head. Daryl heard a sniff as her eyes took on a glassy appearance. She couldn't be this upset about clothing, could she? Taking one of her hands he looked at her with as much concern as he could muster. "What's wrong?"

She looked down as a tear rolled off her cheek. "It's…." Her voice was shaking, as Daryl couldn't believe this was happening. "My daddy would never let us buy new clothes. He said it was a waste of money." Daryl's heart sank. "I always had to wear old clothes to school. The kids….they made fun of me." Daryl felt a piece of his heart break for the little girl. He wanted to tell her that she could wear anything she wanted.

Licking his lips Daryl felt awkward. This wasn't something he was good at. Taking a deep breath he tried to put himself in Sophia's position. What would be the one thing he would want to hear right now if he were her? It took him a minute but eventually he broke the chorus of sobs coming from the little girl. "Oh Sophia…." She looked up at him for the first time. "I think…I think you're beautiful no matter what you wear." She smiled at little though clearly not believing him. "Don't worry about those kids that made fun of you." Staring at her he smirked a little, "Hey, they're probably all walkers now anyway." Sophia giggled at little. "Yeah with their hair all a mess and those pretty clothes all ripped up smellin' like death…" It beyond morbid but it made her laugh and he was relieved. Standing back up Daryl took Sophia by the shoulders regarding her seriously. His voice was low as he stared down at her. "Remember when I told you about, Shane? That he's dangerous?"

"I remember."

Daryl chewed on his thumb as he searched for the right words. "Well…he's still out there and I can't take a chance of him seeing us. So I need you to wear this; maybe blend in a little better that way." He shrugged it was the best he could do.

Sophia could hear the shift in Daryl's voice. The fear was back again. After a few seconds she looked back at him nodding still not completely satisfied. Seeing this in her, Daryl knelt back down. "How about this? You can take your other outfit and one day when we're safe you can wear it again."

Sophia didn't seem as happy as he thought she would be. Instead she looked up at him clearly puzzled, "Do you think we'll ever be safe again?"

The question hit him like a ton of bricks. Do you think we'll ever be safe again? What if they weren't? What if they spent the rest of their lives running and surviving? What if this was it and there were no better days? He swallowed hard, the possibility made him sick.

Daryl was speechless for a moment before he finally responded, "I hope so. I really hope so."

Rick sat in the driver's seat of the truck. He was alone as he stared at the traffic snarl. The sun had just dipped below the horizon as the world was bathed in an eerie orange glow. The farm had been completely over run as they were unable to even get close. Spending most of the day searching the woods, they were disheartened to find no sign of Carl, Daryl, or even Sophia.

As the sun began to set, Rick made the decision to call off the search. Sending the rest of the group back to the gas station, Rick went back to the highway to pick up T-Dog. Only when he showed up T-dog was nowhere to be found. Poking through the cars it didn't take Rick long to hear the buzzing. He felt sick. He didn't want to look but he did. Lying behind a wreck SUV was T-Dog on the ground ripped to shreds. Rick couldn't stop the bile from rushing up in his throat as he heaved all over the blood stained pavement.

Walkers had feasted on the man's body to the point that he was barely recognizable. The telltale gun shot wound in the middle of his forehead now obscured by a mess of hamburger looking flesh. As far as Rick knew he had been attacked by a group of walkers. The only thing he couldn't figure out is why he hadn't turned. Eyes scanning the ground Rick saw no sign of T-Dog's weapon. Shaking his head it didn't add up.

Now as he sat in the truck he struggled to find a way to tell the others that their companion was gone. Even more than that he struggled to find justification to keep searching for his son. If it was up to Rick he would search the ends of the earth for Carl, but he knew that after today he would probably have to do that alone. The farm was dead end for sure. There was no way anyone would survive there. The woods were empty, not even a track or a sign anywhere. The highway was dangerous. Manpower was at an all time low. With T-Dog gone that left himself, Hershel and Glenn. Rick needed to keep the group together as he knew his chances of survival in this world alone were slim to none. But Carl was his son and he couldn't just walk away.

When Daryl and Sophia got back to Carl the boy was sitting on the blanket reading a book he had found. Glancing up at the shelf there was still one thing that they needed to do.

"Hey Carl." Daryl gestured for Carl to follow him as Sophia hung back. The two of them walked around the row of shelves until Daryl stopped. Unwrapping the towel in his hand he showed Carl the gun.

The boy's eyes widened as he looked at Daryl in disbelief. "For me?!"

Daryl breathing heavily he didn't like this but it was necessary. Nodding he handed the gun to Carl. The boy took it in his hand looking at it in awe. Getting down on one knee he looked Carl in the eye. The boy smiled at this. He didn't agree with everything Daryl told him but he did like that the man treated him and Sophia as equals. When he wanted to tell them something he important he got down and looked them right in the eye. He didn't stand over them and talk down like so many other adults. He treated them like they mattered.

"Carl I don't want to give this to you, OK?" Carl deflated slightly. "But I think you need it. I want you to know how to use it and take care of it. It isn't a toy and if I catch you screwing around with it I'm going to take it away."

Carl took Daryl's words to heart before nodding, "I won't let you down, Daryl. I promise." Daryl bit his lip. He was going to need to make a leap of faith on this one and just trust him. It was hard…harder than he expected.

Standing back up he regarded Carl with a nod. Opening the box of bullets he dumped a few into his hand. "Do you know how to load it?"

Carl swung the chamber open and pushed the bullets into the slots. Apparently he had picked up a thing or two hanging around his dad and Shane. Closing the chamber he looked back up at Daryl who nodded his approval.

"Good." Daryl unrolled a target that he took off the shelf. Tacking it up on a wall about 10 yards away he nodded toward Carl who raised the gun. Sophia appeared and stood behind them looking nervous

Carl squeezed the trigger causing a loud bang to reverberate through the store. Sophia jumped as she reflexively covered her ears. A small puff of smoke and the smell of gunpowder hung between them as Daryl craned his neck to see what Carl hit. The white wall had a small hole about a foot left of the target as Daryl took in the dejected look on Carl's face. Slapping the kid on the shoulder he shook his head.

"Good. Now aim a little more to the right." Carl perked up a bit at Daryl's encouragement. Adjusting his aim Carl squeezed the trigger again. Even though she was expecting it the bang caused Sophia to jump again this time bumping into Daryl. Turning around he saw the nervous look on her face. Grabbing her by the shoulders he brought her next to him. Pressing her right ear against his side, Daryl covered the other with his left hand. Winking at her, he felt the girl relax against him. Squinting his eyes to see what Carl hit, he was pleased to see a hole in the target. "You hit it that time." Carl peered over the outstretched gun as he looked back at Daryl smiling ear to ear.

Daryl smiled back before gesturing for Carl to fire off the rest of the rounds. When he was done, Daryl let go of Sophia and walked ahead pulling the target down off the wall. Rolling it up he handed it to Carl. "Can I keep it?"

Daryl shrugged. "Don't bother me." Carl's face instantly lit up. Folding the paper neatly he pocketed it. Daryl proceeded to show Carl how to make sure all the rounds had been fired and that safety was on. Carl's chest puffed out slightly when he pocketed the weapon….his weapon.

Looking over at Sophia Daryl had briefly considered giving her a gun too but quickly decided against it. She was very skittish. Even the sound of a gunshot caused her to jump. He didn't know if that was how she had always been or if the time she spent out there alone had left her nerves frayed. Either way he didn't trust her to carry any kind of weapon.

"Now what?"

Daryl sighed. It was early afternoon. They needed to get moving if they wanted to cover any kind of ground before nightfall. "Now we get moving."

They made quick work packing up their things and leaving the store the same way they came in. The car was no longer and option as they were out of gas. Unfortunately Daryl didn't see another car or gas station in sight. Trudging past their ride, Daryl unfolded the map he had taken from the store. He had paid attention to the signs on the interstate. Tracing his finger along the map he found what he thought was their current location. Surprisingly they were much farther north than he expected. Eyes following the highway south he reasoned that Fort Bening was probably a good eighty miles away; a very long time to be walking especially with two kids. Still he had no other idea about where to go. There were only three places they ever talked about; the farm, the highway, and Fort Bening. With the first two out, they only had one option left.

Walking back up to the highway they followed the road for a little while before Daryl suggested that they duck into the forest. He didn't want to wander too far but he also didn't like the idea of being so exposed. If Shane was still out there, and he was sure of that, they needed to move in an area that provided cover.

The trio walked for what seemed like forever. Eventually the skies began to darken and Daryl started to think about shelter for the night. Just as he was beginning to weigh his options, the clouds lifted as he spotted a small shack up ahead. Motioning for them to stay behind him, Daryl stepped ahead quietly. There was no telling what could be holed up in there. Walking around the perimeter he was satisfied to find the structure intact. Joining him by the door, Carl had his gun at his side as Sophia stood behind him.

"Wait here." Raising the crossbow Daryl cautiously opened the door not knowing what to expect. A musty stench greeted his nostrils as he gingerly stepped inside. The structure was small as he could easily see every corner at one time. Breathing a sigh of relief he gestured for Carl and Sophia to come inside. Barring the door behind him, Daryl took a good look around. A small table with a single chair and a mattress on the floor; it was certainly nothing to write home about. It looked like anyone who had been there had left long ago. Daryl was satisfied that they wouldn't have to sleep outside.

"We'll stay here tonight." Carl nodded although Sophia looked a bit apprehensive. Eyes wandering to the door he could see she was worried about their security. "You two get the sleeping bag out. Get some sleep. I'll stay up and keep watch."

Daryl could almost see a protest forming on Carl's lips. Now that the boy had a gun and knew how to use it, he fancied himself as Daryl's second in command. Maybe one day just not yet. Carl never said anything as exhaustion finally won over his desire to feel like a grown up.

Darkness settled over the shack as Daryl propped his feet up on the table. Crossbow lying in his lap he kept his eyes trained on the door.

Behind him Carl and Sophia lay side by side on the mattress underneath the unzipped sleeping bag. "Hey Daryl?"

"Yeah?"

"Where'd you get your gun?" Carl's curious voice broke the silence.

Daryl let out a soft chuckle. "I bought it off a friend in Atlanta."

"What's so funny?" Sophia broke into the conversation clearly not understanding the humor.

"Oh nothing. I'm just guessin' Carl can't figure out why a good old country boy has a gun like that."

In the dark, Carl turned red. How did Daryl do that? Over the past few days Carl had noticed that he was very perceptive. Pretty much nothing got by him.

There as no response from the boy and Daryl guessed that he was right. "Will you tell us a story? A story from your life before."

Sophia's voice made Daryl wince a little. His life "before" hadn't been much of a fairytale. "Yeah…tell us about how you got the gun."

Sophia groaned but didn't say anything. Daryl swallowed hard as he started talking. "A couple years ago the auto shop where I worked laid me off. So I got a job working construction on this highway project down in Atlanta. Found an apartment and…"

Before he could continue Carl butted in. "You lived in the city?"

Daryl rolled his eyes although he knew that they couldn't see. "Yes, believe it or not I lived in Atlanta for a year."

"Where did you hunt? What did you do?"

Daryl smirked at Carl's implication that he couldn't survive in the city. True he was a country boy at heart, but that didn't mean that he never experienced anything else. It wasn't natural at first but eventually Daryl got used to it. He even liked it a little bit.

"I didn't hunt. I went to the grocery store like every other normal human being." He could hear Carl snickering in the dark, thinking about him pushing a grocery cart around. "Anyway, yes I lived in Atlanta. While I was there one of my friends mentioned that her brother wanted to get rid of a gun. He said he would sell it to me for cheap so I didn't ask too many questions. We did the paperwork and that was it."

Actually that wasn't it. Eyes slipping closed Daryl let the memory come rushing back to him.

Christina stared at him across the table. It was hard to believe that they had been dating for two months. That was almost two months longer than anyone else he had ever known. He liked her; they really click and it had been nice. She wasn't satisfied, though. For the past week or two she had been pestering him for sex. He wanted it there was no doubt about that. It's just that he didn't want her to see him without a shirt. The scars on his back and chest were frightening and he was sure that she would want to know about them. Of course he had been with women in the past but he never had to face them the next day or any day after that. Christina wasn't going to walk out of his life tomorrow and he wasn't sure that he could look her in the eye if she knew…really knew about him.

So he put her off and put her off and put her off until they had come to this point. She didn't trust him anymore. Thought that he was screwing someone else on the side and that's why he didn't want her. Even accused him of being gay. Can you believe that? Daryl fucking Dixon gay? He didn't say a word though, just let her go. And like that the only woman who had ever gotten even remotely close to him was gone.

Daryl sat at the kitchen table after she left sliding the clip in and out of the gun her brother had sold him earlier that day. The window was open as the hot summer breeze moved the curtains. Down below sirens echoed in the street as he stared straight ahead sliding the clip back and forth.

"I have to go to the bathroom." Carl whined out as Daryl was pulled back to reality.

Standing up he motioned for Carl to open the door. "Go ahead, I'll come with you." Stepping outside Daryl held the crossbow as he stood next to the door.

Carl looked at him hesitantly. "What?"

"I have to you know…"

He had to take a shit. Daryl rolled his eyes gesturing toward one of the bushes. It was dark as the boy ventured away from him into the bushes. "Carl…Don't go too far now."

Ignoring him, Carl felt more confident with his gun at his side. Venturing about fifteen feet away he felt squatted down behind a bush. Over his shoulder in the dark he could see Daryl standing in the doorway. Carl finished and was pulling up his pants when he heard a twig snap behind him. What he thought was a hiss and moan sent chills down his spine as he forgot about the gun and did what any kid would do. He ran.

Charging back through the bushes toward Daryl his foot caught something unexpectedly as he was lurched forward. Without a moment to break his fall, Carl stumbled face first into a rock. Blood instantly spurted from his nose and mouth as tears sprung up in his eyes. Struggling to his feet he continued running toward Daryl although at that point he couldn't really be certain which way he was heading.

Daryl pulled a small flash light out as he saw a commotion in the bushes. Taking a few steps toward the area he was hesitant to yell anything out. Jesus Christ what if Shane was out there somewhere. In a second Carl burst out of the undergrowth. Shining the light on the boy Daryl's heart dropped when he saw the blood coming out of his nose and mouth. He had got bitten. Daryl dropped the crossbow as his eyes met Carl's terrified expression. Bending down he opened his arms as Carl ran into him. Without a second thought he carried the boy into the shack.

Pure fear pumped through his veins as he lay Carl down on the table. Daryl's hands were shaking as he pulled the boy's shirt up over his head. Sitting him up Carl sputtered and coughed blood all over Daryl's face but he didn't care. All he could think about was that he failed. Carl was his to protect and care for. Three days…that was all he lasted with him. Daryl felt sick.

By that time Sophia had come over and was near panicked as she laid eyes on her friend's bloody face. Searching his body, Daryl couldn't find a bite mark. Pulling his pants off Carl wheezed as tears mixed with blood and ran down his face. Scanning his near naked body, Daryl let out a breath, as he couldn't find a single mark.

"You didn't get bit?" Carl shook his head as he gasped for air. Fumbling with one of the packs, Daryl pulled out a wad of gauze and began cleaning Carl's face off. Leaning over the boy spit blood in the floor as he was finally able to breath a little.

"No. I fell. I thought….I thought I heard a walker coming up." Daryl visibly relaxed. Gesturing for Sophia to come over he held the flash light up for her.

"Hold this up, Ok?" She nodded still clearly upset. Carl shivered in the cold shack as Daryl realized that he should probably put the boy's clothes back on. Helping him get dressed he lifted Carl back onto the table as he examined his face. His nose was still oozing blood as Daryl pinched it with a piece of gauze guiding his head down. Carl was breathing heavy as adrenaline continued to pump through his body. Leaning against the table Daryl shook his head. "Gave me a good scare, boy."

Carl said nothing still clearly shaken up. Elbowing him gently Daryl lowered his tone, "You're ok now. Just calm down." They stayed that way for a little while. Eventually Daryl's back started to hurt. Lifting Carl's head he was dismayed to see that his nose was still bleeding slightly.

Gesturing toward the mattress Daryl sat down against the wall, guiding Carl down next to him. Holding the gauze over the boy's nose he stretched his legs out. Hopefully they wouldn't need to stay that way much longer. Sophia stood by nervously with the flash light still pointed at Carl. Pulling his crossbow to within arm's reach he pointed toward the door.

"Shine that light over there a second." Satisfied that it was bolted and secure, Daryl pulled the gauze away from Carl's nose. It had finally stopped bleeding. By that time Sophia had sat down on the other side of him still looking very wired and nervous.

Daryl made a move to get up but Carl stopped him. "Can you stay here?"

It was a surprise. Up until that point Carl had made it clear that he wanted to be trusted and treated like an adult. Looking at his pale, blood stained face Daryl surmised that what happened had really scared him. Sighing he reasoned that Carl wasn't the only one. Reluctantly sitting back Daryl was brought back to the realization that for all his talk Carl was still just a kid.

It was dark as Daryl scooted down on the mattress. Sophia curled up next to him like she had the night before. Feeling her relax against him he hesitantly put his arm around her. On the other side of him Carl kept his distance at first. In the darkness he heard the boy sniff a few times. Silently he wondered if there was really a walker in the woods or if Carl's imagination had gotten the best of him. He also wondered if there as something else in the woods; something more dangerous than a walker. A few minutes went by before Daryl felt Carl close the space between them. Reaching his arm around he patted the boy on the back once before letting his hand fall back onto the mattress.

The human contact felt good after such a close call. On either side of him Daryl felt both of the kids beginning to relax as exhaustion took over. In the dark a small smile played across his lips. Although he felt awkward like this, he also couldn't help but to feel somewhat satisfied. They looked to him for security and comfort. If they didn't they wouldn't be curled up next to him right now sleeping. How many times had he wanted this as a kid? Too many. The situation wasn't ideal but he was happy that he could give them something he had been searching for his entire life.

Thanks for reading and please review!

Lyrics are from Goo Goo Dolls "Better Days"