Daryl and I barely said a word to each other this entire time. I can't say if he is still mad at me about before, but I know he's upset about the motel. We didn't know the other residents there that well, but they were still our friends. That was our home…and it was my fault that whoever attacked us destroyed the place because I had Daryl and I go out on some wild goose chase instead of being where we needed to be to help protect our home. Now it's gone and so are the people.

It's been three days and were still living in the woods. I looked at Daryl just staring into the fire. It reminded me of how he was before we became close with Rick and everyone. Please don't go back to this. We were making good progress. I was finally sick of just sitting around and not doing anything so I decided to confront him.

"So…is this it?" I said. "This is what our lives are gonna to be now?" He glanced at me then back down at the fire. "Would ya talk to me?" I said a little louder. "Daryl?" He lifted his head and looked like he was about to say something but hesitated. I raised my eyebrows. He went back to his normal position. I sighed loudly and rolled onto my side so I was facing away from him.

We got up that morning and went hunting. I was getting used to the good food we were getting at the motel. We need to find something, I'm starving.

We saw a rabbit. Daryl aimed at it, but I stepped on a twig and it got scared and ran so Daryl missed. I started running after it, I threw my knife towards it but missed. "Damn." I said giving up. I pulled my knife out of the ground.

"Son of a bitch!" I heard Daryl say. I turned abruptly and saw him looking at the arrow he shot. It was cracked. He saw me looking and glared in my direction.

"What?" I asked.

He didn't speak right away. "Yer a lousy hunter, ya know that?"

"Why?" I snapped. "Cuz I couldn't catch a rabbit?"

"No, cuz ya cain't keep quiet!"

I huffed. He is unbelievable. "It was an accident." I said walking closer to him.

"Yeah well yer little "accident" cost us our meal! Learn to not be so clumsy!"

I was pissed. I probably should have just ignored him, but that hit a nerve. If he wants a war then he's got one. "If I'm so clumsy then maybe I should just go find my own food."

"What are you sayin'?" Daryl narrowed his eyes at me.

"Maybe I should leave. That way ya won't have to worry about me scarin' no more 'a yer meals away."

"Maybe ya should!"

"Maybe I will!" I slowly walked backwards with each word.

"Go ahead then!"

"Fine!" I spun around and started walking away. Just then, I heard a gunshot. I grabbed my gun and turned around looking at Daryl wide eyed. "Did you—" I was cut off by gunshots right at us. I quickly got down and ran without thinking. I didn't even know which direction the bullets were flying. I just ran and ran. I looked behind me at one point and realized that Daryl wasn't with me. He must have ran in the opposite direction as me. I couldn't worry about that right now though, I just kept running deeper and deeper into the woods. I finally stopped to catch my breath and hid behind a tree. Shortly after, I heard footsteps behind me. I snuck a peek. It was the man that was shooting at us…or one of them for that matter. I slowly and quietly aimed at him…I shot him dead. I exhaled a held breath as I watched his dead body on the ground. Suddenly, I was pushed against the tree, my head hitting it hard. It took me a moment to realize what was happening. Someone had me, their gun to my head. I could see the blood from my forehead. I looked around for Daryl, he was nowhere to be found. He wasn't there to save me this time; I knew I was screwed.

"You win asshole." I said angrily.

I wondered why this guy hadn't killed me yet. He saw me take down one of his friends so it only seemed fair. He walked with me farther away from where we were. He must want me for something.

We got out of the woods into an open field, there was a pit that the man was taking me over to. I could hear the moans before we got to it and I began to panic. He shoved me toward it. I stumbled but then caught myself. I turned and looked at him wide eyed. "Why are ya doin' this?" I shouted. "I don't even know you!"

He laughed. "You don't know me but you know my friend."

"Yer friend shoot at me!"

"No, not that guy. In fact, fuck him." He stepped closer to me. "I believe you met my friend on the road." I was shaking my head. Then I remembered. The guy that tried to take our stuff. "Yup. I was right. You killed him and now I'm gonna kill you…slowly." He smiled evilly. I attempted to run but he grabbed me and pushed me into the pit. I screamed. I got up as quickly as I could and ran to the other side. There were about eight of them!

"Shit!" I grabbed my knife and stabbed one of them immediately. Thank God the guy didn't take it. I had it hidden in my boot, he took my gun, though. I pushed one back and kicked another. Then I grabbed the closest one and stabbed it in the head, I threw that one at another one, it fell on top of it making it go down. The others were coming, though. I didn't have time to kill anymore, they were all coming at once. The only thing I could do was keep pushing them back. I was struggling pretty bad. You can't give up! I was able to finally kill another. I stabbed it up through the jaw then used the same technique from before, I threw that one at another. It gave me some time. I kicked one in the knee and it went down. It couldn't get back up, I knew I broke its leg. I did the same to another. I grabbed both of their heads and banged them together until they were dead. I killed the last one that was standing. That just left the two that had bodies on top of them. I went over to the first and stepped on its head as hard as I could. I did it again just for good reassurance. I was getting out of breath and my knee was beginning to hurt me, but I wasn't going to stop now. I noticed a rock in the corner. I picked it up and smashed the last walkers head with it. I kept doing it even after I knew it was dead. It was like this unspeakable anger just came out of me and I couldn't stop. I finally got up and gave the walker a nice kick. Then I screamed letting the rest of the anger out. I won.

I bent over and was panting. Suddenly, I heard clapping. I looked up and saw the man, he was applauding me and had a sickening smile plastered on his face. I glared at him. "Enjoy the show?"

He laughed. "Ready for more?" He was leading two more walkers.

"I could do this all day, prick!"

He had a smug look on his face. I picked up the rock without him noticing (I had my back to him) and then I spun around and whipped it at him.

"Shit!" He yelled. He had to drop the walkers to dodge the rock. It still hit him anyway. One of them almost fell into the pit. It was hanging there with the pole he used to guide it. I suddenly got an idea. I grabbed it before it could do anything. I pulled it into the pit and killed it then I took the thing from around its neck and stuck the pole into the ground. I climbed up it and put my foot on the top for support, I was able to grab onto the edge after that and pull myself up. Of course the man was there immediately, he kicked me in the ribs. I gasped and rolled over. He tried to punch me this time but I spun quickly and kicked him the face. He stumbled backwards and I took my chance. I got up as fast as I could and stabbed him in the stomach. He groaned loudly. I pushed him onto the ground, getting on top of him, I stabbed him repeatedly. I watched him die as I was stabbing him, I kept stabbing him even after that.

I took my gun back and his. I finally got up and just looked at him.

"I win, asshole."

It sure gets dark in the woods. I thought as I was trying to make my way back. I wasn't having any luck. We couldn't have gotten that far away from each other, could we? Maybe Daryl is gone. Maybe he actually took off because of our fight and he isn't even trying to find me. No, he wouldn't do that. Well…we were getting shot at, what if Daryl is… No! Do not go there! He's fine! We'll find each other eventually. I hope eventually is soon.

I finally dropped down on my knees. This is hopeless, I've been out here for hours. I can't find my brother anywhere. I sat on the ground and I wanted to cry, but I didn't. Crying is pointless at this time. So I just sat there, I had lost faith. I absentmindedly felt something in my pocket. I pulled it out, it was the laser! That's it! I gave Daryl the other one, maybe he'll see it!

I quickly shined it around while moving forward. I shined it in all directions being careful of other encounters.

"Come on, Daryl." I said desperately. "Please see this and shine yers back."

I tried doing it slowly in each direction. I clicked it on and off. I was losing hope more and more.

I sat down against a tree. My head was hurting pretty bad and I was getting dizzy. I leaned my head back and looked up into the darkness. I shined my laser one last time in every direction. I was just doing it now, without thinking. Something caught my eye. I saw the beautiful red beam of light northwest from me. I got up so fast it made me dizzy. I shined my light in that direction, the red light returned my response. "Daryl?" I started running in that direction, I ran so fast and I didn't care what was in my way. I guess I spoke too soon, though, because I tripped over something and face planted into the dirt. I got up slowly. I could feel the blood running down my face. Now my head really hurt. I touched it. "Ow." I said out loud. I ignored it and kept running shining the laser as well. "Daryl!"

"I'm here!" I heard from a distance. I smiled and kept running. Daryl must have also had a flashlight with him, I could see the light from it and knew I was close.

"Daryl!" I ran to him.

Daryl let out of breath of relief. "Le."

"Oh my God, Daryl, I'm so happy I found ya." I jumped into his arms and we hugged.

"Oh, Le." He held me tightly then finally put me on my feet. He shined the flashlight at me and must have seen the wound on my head. "What happened?"

"I don't want to talk about it." I got a sick feeling in my stomach. "Did ya run into anymore 'a those guys?"

Daryl hesitated before answering. "Yeah, I took care of 'em." He put his hand on my shoulder. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm just dizzy." I felt very emotional all of a sudden. "I never want to be separated again."

"It's alright." He hugged me. "Come on."

We made a fire and Daryl took care of my head the best he could. I sat there with my head down. It was still bleeding. I felt disturbed. I thought about what happened with that guy. I can't explain any of that, surely I should be dead. It was like I was taken over by a presence, like I was possessed or something. Never in my life have a felt such anger and hatred. It honestly scares me.

"Those laser turned out to be a good idea." Daryl said. "Good thing you thought of that." I didn't have a response for that. "You alright?" Daryl asked me. I still didn't respond. I truthfully didn't feel like myself. I could see red as the blood reached my eye.

"So cold." I said quietly.

Daryl slowly got up and sat down closer to me. He put his arms around me. "Better?" He asked.

"Yeah." I said even quieter than before.

"What happened back there?"

"I said I don't wanna talk about it." I turned my head away.

"Did you have any trouble with those guys?"

"…just one."

"Did he—"

"He hurt my head, that's it."

"Okay." He rubbed my back.

I suddenly thought about the motel. "It's my fault." I said out loud.

"What's yer fault?"

"What happened to the motel."

"Leann, why would ya say that? People attacked—"

"Cuz I made us go on some dumb run when we shoulda been nere."

"We might be dead ourselves then."

"We coulda helped." A tear slid down my cheek. "I'm dumb and irresponsible."

"Le—"

"And I made ya mad." I put my head down. "I'm sorry that I dragged ya into that trouble, and that's all it was."

"Le, listen," Daryl made me face him, "I wasn't mad at ya or about any of that stuff that happened. I've ran into so much trouble durin' runs, some worse than that."

"Then why did ya get so mad?" I was confused.

"…cuz it happened when you was with me. I worry about ya all the time and I don't want anythang to happen to ya. I don't want you in danger ever."

I was silent for a moment, I took in what he just told me. That makes sense, I guess.

I don't remember going to sleep last night but I must have. I was leaning against Daryl. He noticed I was awake and rubbed my arm. "Hey, yer head feel better?"

"A little." I lied.

"Don't lie to me." Daryl read my mind.

"It hurts like hell." I admitted.

He nodded. "We need to find a place, somewhere that you can heal up."

"There's nowhere. Our best bet is a car." I suddenly realized something. "But I ain't goin' no where without Jax, though."

Daryl sighed. "Le…I hate to say it, but Jax is gone."

"No, he ain't! He's out here somewhere and I'm gonna find 'im!" I rubbed at my eyes. "He'll prolly find us first."

We traveled for what seemed like a very long time, of course, I don't remember much. I was pretty out of it because of my head. We finally decided to stay in this one little house we found along the way. It wasn't very secure, but it would have to do for now. All I remember is going to sleep in a nice, comfy bed…

I awoke in daze. I got up and stretched, it felt so good. The pain in my head was gone, and I was no longer dizzy. I looked at myself in the mirror. I had a brand new bandage on. Something smelled good.

It was very quiet. I peeked out of my room. "Daryl?" I called but no one answered. The fireplace was lit, but no one was in the room. I walked around the house and still didn't see him. I glanced out the window and saw Daryl walking over to the house with firewood. I went out through the back door.

"Hey," Daryl said when he saw me. "How ya feelin'?" He dropped the wood next to the house.

"A lot better." I said. "But really hungry."

"I imagine ya would be." Daryl said wiping his hands on his handkerchief. "Ya been unconscious fer four days."

"What?" I practically yelled.

"Yup. I think ya had a little concussion." Daryl went inside so I followed him.

"I had no idea."

"Well at least yer feelin' better."

"Yeah." Daryl handed me a plate of food. I didn't even ask what it was, I just dug in. "Thanks." I said with a mouthful of food.

"Good?" Daryl asked.

I nodded.

It was getting late.

"So is this like home?" I asked out of nowhere.

"Fer now it is."

I just nodded. "You should get some rest."

He snorted. "Yeah, I remember the last time we tried that."

I laughed.

"I hate when it's cold. Why'd we leave the south?" I said. I was as close to the fire as I could get and I had a blanket wrapped around me.

"Yer really that cold?" Daryl smirked at me.

I huffed. "You remember last year, don't ya?"

He let out a little laugh. "You was like a pig in a blanket."

"I hate bein' cold." I whined. "Why cain't I be like you? Heat like radiates from ya."

"Yer cold all the time cuz ya got no meat on yer bones."

"It ain't my fault."

"Ya didn't even finish all yer food." He raised his eyebrows. "You gotta start eatin' more, little lady."

"Whatever." I said. "I'm goin' to bed." I grabbed a pillow off of the couch and laid next to the fire. I settled into my position. I don't know why but I reached up and touched my forehead where the bandage is. I rolled back over so I was facing Daryl.

"Hey, Daryl." I said.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks fer takin' care 'a me." I smiled. He just smiled back at me. I liked his smile a lot, that's not something I get to see often. I rolled back over to my original position.

"Goodnight, Darlin'." I heard Daryl say quietly. I'm not even sure if he wanted me to hear it or not.

I was awakened by a noise outside. I rolled over and looked at my brother, he was awake and stared at me. He put a finger to his lips telling me to be quiet. I nodded. He slowly got up grabbing his crossbow, I followed, we went to the back door. I grabbed the doorknob and on Daryl's signal opened the door, he pointed his crossbow at whatever was making the noise. I heard a bark and gasped.

"Jax!" I yelled and ran to him. "I knew you'd find us, I just knew it!" I petted him and he happily wagged his tail. I was about to bring him inside.

"Le, hold up." Daryl said. "He could be sick. I think maybe he should stay outside fer the night."

I gave my brother a stupid look. "Does he really look sick to you?" I looked down at Jax sitting there panting and wagging his tail.

"No, but…

"He's fine. But makin' 'im stay out here could make him not be."

Daryl sighed. "All right. Come on, boy." Jax ran inside. Daryl petted him. "Good to have ya back."

I smiled and gave him some water. He drank it down. "Aw, poor thang. He's so thirsty."

I laid on the floor with my Jaxy. "I missed ya so much." I kissed him then rested my head on him. I caught Daryl smiling at us.