Daryl and I haven't said a word for a long time. We were lucky enough to find a car and have been traveling for some time now. I saw a sign not too far back; apparently we are in Westmoreland County now. I started to feel anxious for some reason. We will have to find another place we can stay a while sooner or later. I don't think I can take much more of this aimlessly wandering around.

I absentmindedly stared out the window of the car while Daryl was driving. I read a sign: Clear Rivers.

Suddenly I heard moans. I looked over to Daryl's side, there was a herd of walkers in the woods.

"What the hell?" I said.

Daryl mumbled a low audible, "I know."

"That's bad."

"Don't worry about 'em. We're gonna get far away; they're not our problem."

"What if we find a place up ahead and they catch up to us?"

Daryl gave me an almost sympathetic look. He didn't say anything, but I knew what it meant. He doesn't think we'll ever find a place. We were silent for a moment. "It could happen." I said quietly.

We weren't driving for very long when we rode over a nail. Popped a hole right in the tire. "Shit!" Daryl yelled and punched the steering wheel. He stopped the car. We got out to exam it and yup that's what happened. We ran over a rusty nail. Luckily, we had a spare tire. However, they don't last very long so we knew it would only be a matter of time before we were on our feet again. You wanna do this?" My brother asked me.

"No…I'll just mess it up." I said sadly.

Daryl gave me a look then looked back in the trunk. "Son of a bitch." He said.

"What's wrong?"

"We don't have a tire iron."

I suddenly grew angry and sort of shutdown. Then an idea popped into my head.

"Ya know, I thank I saw one on the road not too far back."

"For real?" Daryl asked.

"Yeah." I lied.

"How far?"

"Uh…well…it was like maybe five-ten minutes ago."

"Nah, ain't worth it." Daryl said.

"I'll go. You stay here." I shrugged.

"Le—"

"It's fine!" I snapped. "I'll be back in no time!" I started off in the direction we came.

I heard Daryl sigh. I looked back and he wasn't following me, though, so that's good.

I made it back to the spot with all the walkers in record timing. I stared ahead at all of them, there had to be more than a couple dozen but less than fifty.

I took a deep breath then steadied myself. I was ready. I whistled loudly, getting their attention.

"Come get me."

They started coming towards me one by one at first, then there would be a clump then one at a time again. I killed the first two with my silenced pistol. I didn't want to use up the bullets, they would go quickly if I did, so I pulled out my knife. There were two of them that were right on each other with another not far behind. I jumped up and grabbed both of their heads, I smashed them together as hard as I could. I stabbed the next one in the eye with my knife. More of them were coming now. I wasn't worried, I felt like I could handle anything after being in that pit. I probably couldn't but in that moment I must have thought I was invincible or something.

I kicked the next one's knee out, when it fell to the ground I curb stomped its head. Three were coming at me in a group. I threw my knife at the last one, it was a prefect shot. The first two were coming fast, and there was more behind them. I took out my ax and finished off the closest two. "This is easier than I thought." More of them were coming.

My hands were on my knees as I was panting. I was covered in blood. I looked up and saw walkers still coming for me, just like I wanted them to. I was feeling faint, probably going to pass out any minute. My vision blurred, my hearing was fading. Maybe this wasn't the best idea. There was a walker coming right for me. I didn't care though, I was too weak. I lifted my ax and hit it in the face. It fell to the ground with my ax still stuck in its face. I copied it and collapsed onto the ground. I watched the other walkers coming, but I couldn't do anything else. I reached my limit. I failed. Sorry Daryl…I'm sorry I'm such a fuck up. "This is really it." I accepted my death. I heard jacqui's voice when she was saying goodbye to Jim. "Just close your eyes, sweetheart." "Yeah." I said. "Just close your eyes. It will all be over soon." The last thing I saw was a walker right on me. I closed and opened my eyes a couple times before closing them completely. Just then, I heard a familiar sound; they say the last thing that goes is your hearing. I heard that noise again, and it also sounded like the walkers were hitting the pavement.

"Leann!" I heard and suddenly my eyes shot back open. I saw Daryl! He was there and he was killing walkers! I looked down and the walker that was on me had an arrow through its head. I wasn't bit!

I suddenly didn't feel weak anymore. I pushed the dead body off me and got up, I ripped my ax from the walker's face and helped Daryl kill off the rest of the walkers.

We stood there panting, neither one of us talking. I collected my knife from the one walker that I threw it at.

"Are you alright?" Daryl came over to me and quickly examined me.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Nothin' bit or scratched ya?"

I shook my head frantically. I felt a little out of it. I really just almost died. Daryl gave me an angry look then started walking back in the direction where we left the car.

"Daryl?" I started running after him. "Please don't be mad at me. Daryl!"

"Where's the tire iron, Le?" He spun around quickly.

I was taken aback at first, then I realized what he just asked me. I put my head down. "There ain't one."

"Ya lied to me." He snapped. "And you almost got yerself killed!"

"Daryl—" I tried.

"I cain't trust ya right now. And to think I just apologized fer…" He sighed. "I don't know what yer tryin' to prove, but ya need to knock it off before ya get yerself killed."

"Daryl, I'm sorry." I cried. "Please don't be mad at me." I grabbed his arm.

He snorted and pushed me off of him. Then he started walking again.

We walked to the car in silence.

We were back on the road in the car. Daryl managed to change the tire, I don't know how, I didn't ask. It didn't matter. We weren't talking at the moment. I knew Daryl was mad and I didn't blame him. He told me before that he worries about me. His worry comes out in anger because he doesn't know any other way of expressing it. I understood that without him saying it. I fucked up, though…again.

"Daryl, I'm really sorry." I finally spoke. "Please don't be mad at me."

He glanced at me and didn't say anything. Then he sighed and looked back over at me. His expression was softer. "I'm not mad at ya, Sissy." He said. "Just…why would ya do that?"

"I don't know." I shrugged. "I was angry. I wanted to blow off some steam."

Daryl snorted. "Ya don't blow off steam by killin'…forty walkers. That's how ya kill yerself. And ya used all our ammo."

"I know, I'm so stupid." I looked down in embarrassment. "I'm a fuck up."

"Hey," he said, I looked at him, "no one could kill that many walkers alone. No one."

I still wasn't convinced. "I bet you could."

"No, I couldn't."

I looked out the window.

"Stop trying to get yourself killed." Daryl said. I felt his hand on my shoulder then he squeezed.

"I'll try." I smiled.

"And I don't wanna hear ya call yerself stupid or a fuck up ever again, ya hear me?"

I nodded.

It wasn't long before the spare tire was completely worn out. It's like driving on a doughnut. We grabbed our stuff and it was back to walking. It's super hot today, but I guess it's better than being cold. We decided to walk through the woods. The trees would shade us so it would be a lot cooler.

I finally sat down on a tree stump. I took my water out of my bag and took a sip.

Daryl looked back. "You alright?"

"I guess…can we just like chill for minute?" I said. "I mean…it's not like we're goin' somewhere."

Daryl nodded and sat down next to me. I handed him the bottle of water. "Nah, I'm good."

I gave him a look. "Daryl."

He sighed but grabbed the bottle taking a big gulp. "Happy?" He handed it back to me.

"Yes."

Daryl looked up through the trees. "Looks like it's still early afternoon. So we got plenty of daylight left to find shelter for the night."

My knee started to hurt all of a sudden. "We actually don't have that much time." I said. Daryl gave me a questioning look. "It's gonna rain."

He let out a little laugh. "What are ya a weather girl now?"

"My knee hurts when it's gonna rain." I said seriously.

"Huh, we'll see about that."

"It's true." I got up, Daryl copied me. We started walking.

"Does your knee hurt bad?" Daryl asked me.

"What?" I turned to him.

"Ya said yer knee hurts?"

"Oh." I blinked. "No, it's not bad."

"Are ya sure?" Daryl said. "Because I can…carry you."

I let out a little laugh. "No, that's okay."

"What? You don't want me to?" He smirked.

"Uh, no but you don't need to." I stopped. "It's hot as hell."

"I can handle the heat."

"Oh yeah, you're a tough guy." I teased.

He gave me a look and I giggled.

It was starting to cloud up.

"Maybe yer right, maybe it is gon' rain." Daryl said.

"I know I'm right." I smiled. He just shook his head at me. I got a sharp pain in my leg out of no where and stumbled a little. I hoped Daryl didn't notice, but he did.

"You okay?" He asked immediately.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I said. He wasn't convinced.

"Ya sure ya don't want me to—"

"Yeah, Daryl, I'm sure." I laughed.

He stopped and looked at me while I laughed at him. "I just think ya don't like me." He wrapped his arms around my waist.

"No." I laughed. I fought him off me.

"Okay okay!" I said. "I'll let ya carry me, but…ya have to catch me first!"

I started running, I kept looking back at him.

"I'm not playin' this game with you." He said.

"Yeah, cuz ya know ya cain't catch me." I called. Suddenly, I saw him running after me in full speed. "Oh shit!" I started running faster. I was laughing the whole way. I finally ran out of the woods. The sky was really dark. I stopped when I reached a cliff. Daryl caught up with me as we heard thunder. "Oh uh." He said. Then it started pouring.

At first we enjoyed the rain considering how hot it was, but then we heard a loud crack of thunder that made both of us stop and take notice of the sky. It looked dangerous. We shared a look that said, we need to find shelter. Now.

"There was a sign!" I shouted over the storm.

"What?"

"It said Clear Rivers! I don't remember how far but there has to be someplace there that we can get out of the storm!"

Daryl looked around. "Sounds like our best bet!"

We ran through the woods for a long time, hoping that the tornado or whatever it is would hold off until we got there.

We found a small building. It was one of those rest areas that you can stop at when you're traveling. This would have to do for now. It will at least get us out of the storm.

"You okay?" Daryl asked me.

"Yeah." I said crossing my arms over my chest. "I just wish we had some dry clothes."

"Maybe we'll find some on the way."

I nodded. "I'll be right back."

I walked into the ladies room. It was pretty dark in there, but I could still see. I took all of my clothes off, except my bra and underwear, to ring them out. I tried the best I could.

It felt so gross to put on wet clothes, it's one of the worst feelings. I quickly combed through my hair with my fingers then tied it up in a bun. Having long hair right now is so annoying. I thought.

I absentmindedly glanced over and noticed a tampon dispenser. It just made me realize that I haven't gotten my period in the longest time. I don't even think I can remember the last time. I ain't complaining, don't get me wrong, but I just hope there isn't anything wrong with me.

I heard a loud noise that sounded like glass breaking followed by another. Uh oh.

I went back out to join Daryl and see what happened.

He had broken the drink and snack machines open and was stuffing our bag. I just looked at him. "What?" He said. "Free food."

"I ain't judgin'." I laughed.

All the snacks were expired so there wasn't anything to eat. We just sat on the floor and watched the storm hoping that it would end soon.

"Looks like we're here for the night." Daryl said.

I looked up from the travel book I was looking at.

"Oh yeah." I said. "Damn, I didn't even realize it got dark." I got up and put the book back and was snooping around for another. That's when I saw one that said Clear Rivers. I picked it up and started looking at it. I didn't believe my eyes. Clear Rivers is a community! It looks like it used to be a college campus.

"Daryl look!" I showed him the brochure.

"How 'bout that?" He said.

We gotta find this place. "Are we gonna go?"

"Sissy, we don't even know if this place is still there."

"No, but we could at least find out."

He nodded. "We'll see."

I smiled and laid my head on his lap. He played with my hair until I fell asleep.

We left early the next morning. The storm was completely gone and the sun was out.

We already traveled for a long time. I assumed we were going to find Clear Rivers Campus so I didn't say anything.

"Ya think there's people there?"

"Where?" Daryl asked.

"Clear Rivers."

"Maybe, but who cares."

"You said we would go."

"I never said that."

I stopped in annoyance. "Come on, Daryl." I whined. "I hate this."

"I didn't say we wouldn't either. I just said maybe." He looked at the sky. "I don't know how I feel about it. So just…get it out of yer mind fer now."

I was about to argue but then I had a thought. "Okay." I shrugged. "But…you'll have to catch me first." I gave him a big smile then ran.

"I ain't doin' this again, Leann."

"That's cuz yer smoker's lungs cain't catch me!" I teased him and laughed. Just then I saw him running after me. "Oh shit!" I started running faster. I laughed. Just like yesterday.

I ran onto the road and off a sort of exit. I turned around and saw Daryl but he was far behind. I laughed. I ran down a small road, it kind of looked like there was a gate. I just kept running to it not really thinking.

"Stop right there!"

I froze dead in my tracks for a moment then I put my gun up. It was empty but they didn't know that. Suddenly, Daryl was right beside me with his crossbow up. Two guys emerged from the top of the gate. Must be lookouts or something.

"Drop your weapons!" One of them yelled.

"Gonna make us?" I yelled back.

"Sure, why not?" The other guy said smartly.

"Why don't ya come down here and get 'em then?" Daryl said.

"I wouldn't." He said. "We got a lot more fire power than you."

"Try us!" I snapped.

"Whoa whoa!" Another voice said. A woman emerged from down below. I have no idea where she came from. I aimed my gun at her.

"What's going on here?" She asked. She was an older lady.

"These people just showed up here." One of the guys said.

"You gonna let us take care of them or not?" The other asked.

"No!" She snapped. "Put your guns down!" They didn't listen. "Boys!" The woman yelled again. After a moment's hesitation, they obliged. She turned to us. "You, too."

I looked at Daryl. He thought for a minute then gave me a nod and we lowered our weapons.

"What are you here for?" She asked us.

"Vacation." Daryl snapped. I giggled under my breath.

The woman narrowed her eyes at him. "What are your names?" She asked.

I decided to be serious and civil. "I'm Leann, this is Daryl."

She nodded. No one spoke for a moment. "Are you looking for shelter?"

"Sure." I said.

"Well you've come to the right place." She said. "But we need to know why we should let you in."

Daryl and I looked at each other. The truth was, we didn't have anything good to say even though we're not exactly bad people. I hesitated, I knew Daryl didn't have anything to say. I nervously looked at the lady waiting for an answer. I brilliantly thought of a plan. "Yeah well…ya owe us." I said. Daryl gave me a questioning look.

"Oh? And why is that?" The woman asked.

"We took care of a huge herd of walkers that was headed this way. If we wouldn't 'a then you people would be surrounded."

"Walkers?" She asked.

"The dead."

"How many?" One of the guys asked.

"At least a hundred." I lied.

"Really?" The other guy said. "You expect us to believe that two people took care of that many limpers?"

Limpers? "It's true." I said. "We lead them over a cliff. Ain't that right, Daryl?" Daryl just nodded. "Either way, they woulda found ya eventually. You should be thankin' us." I crossed my arms over my chest. "So ya owe us." I looked over at my brother. He was giving me an impressive look.

The woman looked up at her men. "I suppose your right." She said. "But if you try anything, if you hurt any of my people…" She trailed off.

"We understand." I said.

"Do you?" She said.

"We's been out 'ere fer a long time." I mentioned.

She hesitated. "…open the gates!" She yelled without looking away. I exhaled a held breath. Then she said, "I'm Lisa. Welcome to Clear Rivers."