Chapter is longer than the last two I've posted, but I decide ya'll deserve at least that for being so patient with me lol I do have to warn ya tho, chapter kind of ends at a crappy spot because I didn't know how else to end this without rambling on and I HATE rambling lol

New followers: BexMoore, Tigerlily3574, Ms. Lady Wolf, celia azul!

Reviews:

DarkRoseCharm: Accidentally has to be the understatement of the year with Ana! But we definitely love her still lol Oh, and you can bet your bottom dollar that those bastards will DEFINITELY get what is coming to them, don't you worry (-insert evil laughter-)

UmiNight Angel Neko: lol gotta love when Ana's mouth just runs away with itself sometimes, though it does come back to bite her

shadowoftheblackdeat: I seriously, cannot wait to write more of jealous Daryl. I think he's a mixture of the possessive and the brooding type. If you look under Jealousy in the dictionary, I'm sure it'll show you an exact picture of a brooding Daryl lmao okay enough jokes but I promise you, more Daryl jealousy is to come!

Hell's Butterflies: Glad you are enjoying the poisonous interaction between Andrea and Ana, can you tell she is NOT one of my favorite characters? lol

Frankie: I think almost about everyone enjoyed Ana's slip of the tongue at the very end there lol I know I did!

KyraNoelle: Gotta love when Ana puts people in their places when no one else has the balls too. I'm glad you thought the confession bit at the end was cute, and like everyone else, ya'll are about to find out a piece of his reaction to what she said lol though I'm sure I'm about to piss off a majority of ya'll. P.S. I had a fabulously exhausting vacation, I'm so sad it's over but so glad to be back!

celia azul: I think we would all have a difficult time keeping our flaps shut, especially knowing what is to come. As you can see, Ana struggles with it constantly and sometimes she finds it too hard to not go out of her way and intervene when she knows she shouldn't. But she has a heart, she sees people in pain, kids in trouble and she's not the type of person to just sit back and ignore that. She's more of the type to say 'fuck the consequences' and jumps up to do something about it. Glad you are enjoying the story so far! Hopefully I can keep your interest up for the rest of the season and onto the next!

greyfox158: No, it's completely normal! lol I know I get the same satisfaction writing it and find myself stopping and nodding while saying 'yesss bitch' haha.

Bri47: Well, here's the next chapter that may or may not have Daryl's complete reaction lol ya'll are seriously going to hate me haha

Disclaimer: I do not own the AMC's The Walking Dead or its characters, just Ana.

A/N: Just a little note before we get into the chapter, seeing as it is Thanksgiving week, I wanted to take this brief time to thank you all for supporting my story thus far. I know I said this a billion times but I didn't think this story would get as much attention as it has gotten so far. I honestly didn't think I would continue this story after posting the first chapter of the first season 2 years ago and then just ditching it lol but it's all thanks to you all, those of you who continued to read that single first chapter for 2 years and sent me reviews and messages, begging for me to continue it. I continued this story because of you all and I am SO GLAD I did. Ya'll are amazing and continue to make me laugh my ass off with every review I read from you all. I'm hoping this story will continue down the line into the 9th season and I hope you all will continue to support the story as much as you have. Thank you all and have a SAFE Thanksgiving!

Ana's POV...

I had never felt such a mixture of panic and embarrassment in my life. The second I had realized I had said, my pulse skyrocketed into my throat. I could vividly feel the temperature in my face grow to the 5th ring of hell as the two of us just stared at each other.

I didn't know what to do, what to say or how to salvage the tension I had unintentionally put between us.

Panic rose to an uncomfortable level as I waited for Daryl to react anyway more than his current wide eyes and tense jaw. Was he pissed? Surprised? Angry? Shocked? Oh, wait, that all meant the same damn thing.

I opened my mouth, wanting to say something, anything to mend the gap I had unintentionally made between the two of us as sweat began to pool down the bend of my spine before a voice calling my name, thankfully saved me from making a further fool of myself.

"Ana?" The voice repeated as I finally yanked my eyes away from a silent Daryl and to Glenn who was eyeing us both hesitantly.

"Uhh, Hershel asked me to pass on a message to you. The boy's leg is festering a bit and asked if you could clean his leg up, he has Patricia grabbing a few antibiotics for you to give him too." Glenn explained, gesturing over his shoulder as I stood, almost too eagerly, not wanting to seem like I wanted to be anywhere but right where I was. But who was I kidding? The look on my face said it all as I threw Hershel's borrowed book into my tent, tripping over myself to get to Glenn who blinked in confusion.

"Sure, I can do that!" Fuck, that sounded way too cheerful to be me as Glenn looked at me in dramatic horror. I grabbed him quickly, not wanting him to question my reaction in front of Daryl of all people and began dragging him towards the shed.

"Do I want to know what happened?" Glenn whispered still being dragged beside me as I sighed in relief, being away from Daryl.

"Do me a favor and fuckin' kill me." I muttered under my breath in a short whine as Glenn planted his feet, grabbing my wrist in return, stopping me from getting any closer to the shed.

"Talk to me. I'm here." Glenn's voice did little to calm me as I began to chew into my bottom lip, hesitantly turning to peer over my shoulder where Daryl was still silently sitting near my tent, now staring down at his bow in his lap.

"Fuckin' hell." I slapped a hand to my forehead, my mind running away with itself as I looked at Glenn in desperation.

"Fix Randall up and then we'll head out and talk. I'm not taking a no for an answer." Glenn seriously added as I snorted out a laugh, unable to stop myself with how adorable the man looked trying to seem hard.

"Stop. I can't take ya seriously when ya do that." I teased with a smirk as he rolled his eyes just as Patricia headed up beside us.

"Hershel said to pass these on to you, said you'd know what to do." Patricia smiled over at me as she passed me a fishing box filled with familiar items.

"You need any help?" She asked unsure as I took the box, shaking my head.

"Nah, I got this. Glenn's gonna help me anyways." I mentioned side-eyeing Glenn whose neck snapped over, his wide eyes landing on me.

"I am?" He questioned nervously as I smiled and nodded.

"Don't worry Nurse Rhee, it'll be easy." I held the box under my arm before wrapping my free arm around his shoulder to pull him with me.

We got to the shed just in time for T-Dog to peek out, surprised to see us so suddenly.

"Oh! Shorty, doc send you to help?" He asked, allowing both myself and Glenn into the shed where Randall was still safely tied to the workbench and unconscious.

"Yeah, somethin' about an infection, so, here I am!" I added dramatically lifting my arms as I headed for the workbench with Glenn slowly trailing behind me.

"And Glenn?" T-Dog sounded as if he knew what was going on as he teasingly elbowed Glenn who passed him with an unamused glare.

"Nurse Rhee is going to be my extra hands." I teased as T-Dog broke out laughing, slapping Glenn on the back sending the smaller man stumbling towards me at the force.

"Well, I'll get out of your hair then. I'll just be outside the door. If you need anything, yell." T-Dog passed me a mock salute which I returned before turning back to the boy's leg that was still wrapped in the bandages I had put on earlier.

Author's POV...

"So, what am I supposed to do?" Ana had totally forgotten Glenn was in the room as she went about getting lost in cutting the soiled bandage off of Randall. She stopped what she was doing, chuckling before nudging her head to pull him over to her.

"Just pass me things when I asked for them, gotcha?" She asked, meeting Glenn's hesitant eyes as he glanced down at the boy's leg before looking away quickly, now a bit paler.

"Sure, y-yeah, got it." He cleared his throat to stop himself from spilling his guts all over the shed floor.

Ana smiled inwardly at her friend before turning back to continue what she was doing. Every so often, she'd silently ask Glenn for something which he was searching for before blindly passing it to her which sent her laughing.

Once she had his leg clean, antibiotics administered, she went about rewrapping the boy's leg.

"So, you gonna tell me what happened between you and Daryl?" She knew it was coming. Glenn had said he wouldn't take no for an answer and she knew with the two of them alone, he was bound to ask what had happened. But she had been prepared. When it came to Glenn, she had nothing to hide from him. Well, almost nothing.

"I confessed to Daryl." She blurted out as she tied a knot at the end of the bandage, making sure it wasn't too tight before she looked over to see Glenn staring at her with wide eyes.

"You did...what?" He asked for confirmation as she sighed, going about collecting the items and tossing things into the empty bin beside the table.

"I kind of blurted it out without realizin' it and by the time I did realize it, was too fuckin' late." She quickly explained, hiding the fact that her face had ignited into another bright blush at just the thought.

"Um...wow." Was all Glenn could muster up to say causing Ana to snap her neck over to look at him. Glenn seemed to have noticed the way she was staring at him and quickly collected himself.

"I mean, I didn't think you actually liked him like that, to be honest." He added the last bit under his breath as she chewed on the inside of her cheek before turning away with a sigh.

"Can I be honest with ya Glenn?" She took the rag Patricia had handed over with the tackle box and began wiping the workbench surface.

"You know you can, Ana." Glenn now felt bad for reacting the way he did as he stepped closer to her side, offering her a bit of comfort in knowing she could trust him.

"I had every intention of just ignorin' it, my feelings. I was fine just watchin' from afar, goin' on without ever sayin' anythin'." She confessed, passing him a thankful smile, though it didn't reach her eyes as her real smiles did.

"We were just talkin' and it just came out. By the time I realized what had fuckin' come out of my mouth, it was too late. Fuck. I think I might have messed up whatever relationship I had with him." She hung her head with a defeated sigh as Glenn stepped even closer, pulling her into a well-needed hug.

"Ana, I'm sure, if anything, he might have just been caught off guard." Glenn tried to reassure the woman pressed against his chest as she let out a snort.

"Yeah, I think disgusted would be the better word." She mumbled from his shirt as he sighed, pushing her at arm's length to get her attention.

"There is no way Daryl would be disgusted by you. Have you seen you?" Glenn asked desperately as she stared up at him like he grew a third head.

"Stop checkin' me out Rhee, it's fuckin' creepy." Ana liked to keep everything lighthearted, even if just to make things less awkward but Glenn wasn't having any of it. There was no way he was going to allow this woman to belittle herself. Not after everything she had done not just for himself, but for the group as well. She was selfless, kindhearted, hardworking and one of the bravest women he had ever had the pleasure of knowing. Sure, there was no way in hell they would have met before walkers walked the earth. She was on a whole other level from him and he knew that's why he admired her. She was an extremely capable woman, one he didn't think existed yet she didn't let it get to her head like he thought it would. No, she was level-headed along with being stubborn-headed. He loved this woman like the sister he never got to have.

"Stop that, stop trying to change the subject. I'm serious." He scolded her as she sighed, hanging her head and allowing him to continue.

"Ana, you're brave, kind-hearted, selfless and one of the most stubborn people I know, aside from Dixon, but I think that's why you guys are so alike." Glenn explained as she bit her tongue, wanting to snark something at the man.

"But you are also beautiful inside and out. Disgust is the furthest thing from Daryl's mind, I'm positive." He added, gripping her shoulders just a bit tighter to her attention as she slowly rose her eyes to his.

"I hate getting pep talks." She muttered as he snorted, rolling his eyes.

"Yet, it seems I'm the one giving it to you this time." He answered as she smirked, rolling her eyes.

"Just listen to me, this once, okay? He's not disgusted in you..." Glenn began as Ana slipped out of his grasp, cutting him off.

"Yeah, well the silence I was met by after that 'not so graceful' confession says it all." She complained, slamming Hershel's tackle box shut with a little more force than necessary.

"Ana, did you even give him any time to answer or respond? I'm sure that answer is a no by that look on your face when I walked up so stop saying crap like that." Glenn slammed his hand on the box cover this time, stopping her from taking it off the table.

"Give it a chance, Ana. You never know what might happen." Glenn whispered this time, watching the various emotions crossing her face.

"I like him, Glenn." It came out as a pathetic whimper as Glenn's heart tore at the look of anguish on her face, causing him to pull her into another hug.

How could ever assume anything about this woman that was hard as stone on the outside, yet soft as butter on the inside?

The two had finally separated with Glenn making Ana promise that she wouldn't avoid Daryl, something she had been intending to do the second Glenn had come over with Hershel's message.

"Everything okay?" T-Dog had asked as soon as the two had stepped out into the darkening yard as Ana sighed and nodded.

"Cleaned him up, he should be fine." She patted the box under her arm as T-Dog smiled proudly down at her.

"Good, Carol came over while you were in. Said to find her, she has dinner ready." T-Dog then mentioned as he pointed over his shoulder to the campfire roaring across the yard where mostly everyone was situated aside from a few.

Before the trio could separate, they took notice of the pair seemingly arguing on the opposite side of the yard, away from stray ears and eyes though they were easily seen from their point of view.

"Whatcha think that's about?" T-Dog muttered as the 3 continued to stare at Lori and Rick silently arguing and waving their arms at each other.

"Bet anythin' it has somethin' to do with Lori and her baby daddy." Ana had unintentionally confessed as Glenn and T-Dog's eyes shot down to her in surprise.

Fuck. She really needed to stop blurting things out like that.

"It's obvious isn't? She was sleepin' around when Rick wasn't around, then she's pregnant. There's a chance that baby ain't Ricks." She had attempted to cover up, which thankfully worked perfectly as both men nodded, turning to see Rick standing with his hands pinned to his hips, a clear sign he was pissed.

"Overheard Shane talkin' about the baby so I'm assuming he knows." T-Dog added as Ana sputtered her lips with a nod.

"Wouldn't doubt it. Probably thinks it's his too. That stench of crazy on him just gets stronger and stronger everyday." She mumbled to herself as the couple finally separated while the trio glanced away before they could be caught snooping.

Ana's POV...

I had decided to skip dinner that night and went straight to my tent after fixing Randall's leg. I didn't want to see anyone and let Glenn know that if anyone asked for me at dinner, to let them know that I was exhausted and had turned in early, which was out of the normal for someone like me. But surprisingly, I had never felt as rested as I did when I woke up the following morning.

Assuming everyone had gotten the memo about me supposedly turning in early, no one had bothered to wake me up the following morning. I was startled awake to see the sun already up and bright, talking and movement outside my tent the next thing I notice before I'm sitting up and ripping the door flap open to see that it had to at least be 7, maybe pushing 8.

"Morning sleepy head." A bright voice welcomed me as I squinted through the bright sunlight to see Carol had noticed me from the firepit, already en route to pass me a plate full of who knows what.

"Why did no one wake me?" I grumbled, rubbing the sleep from my eyes before blindly taking the plate Carol had already been holding out for me.

"You never sleep, Ana. Was about time you got a good nights rest, especially after everything you did." Carol smiled down at me, setting an uneasy feeling in my stomach as I chewed on the jerky before taking a bite out of one of the apple slices sitting on my plate.

"I don't need sleep, I'm fine without it." I tried to cover up the fact that I didn't like being the last up as Carol scoffed, shaking her head.

"Complain all you want, the fact that you slept 12+ hours proves I'm right. Eat and get up when you're ready." Carol passed me a knowing smiled as I narrowed my eyes, watching her walk away before I scoffed, taking a good look at camp.

"Well, it's about time." A voice startled me into choking on my food as I coughed, patting my chest to dislodge the jerky before glaring up at a too proud Glenn.

"I'm half tempted to get up and kick yer ass." I sassed, tossing my empty plate to the side before digging in my bag for something clean to change into.

"I know, but I also know you won't." Glenn mocked as I stopped what I was doing to pass him an 'are-you-kidding' look which he ignored.

"Anyways, Maggie's at the stables, tending to the horses, said to send you over if you got up before she returned." Glenn added as I nodded, hiding out in my tent for a second to change into a clean tank top, tossing my soiled one into the far corner of my tent before finally emerging. Hoping on one leg to slip my boot on, I finally took notice that Rick was loading up the car we had taken into town in search of Hershel.

"What's up?" I asked as Glenn followed my line of view before sighing.

"Rick and Shane, they plan on taking Randall 18 miles out and leaving him there. Thinks it'll be a safe distance." I could easily pick up on the uneasiness in Glenn's voice as my eyes met Rick's.

"I'm assuming you're a little uneasy 'bout it?" I asked as I retrieved my flannel, ignoring the fact that Rick was now heading in our direction.

"Just a bit. But it's better than him being here." Glenn added as Rick cleared his throat, interrupting us as I passed him a half-smile.

"So what's the verdict?" I had already been told by Glenn and already knew what the plan was, but I wanted to hear it from Rick.

"Gonna drive him out, 18 miles at least and leave him there with a few provisions." Rick explained as I nodded, my half-asleep mind still trying to kick into gear as I attempted to lock in on this plotline and remember the outcome.

"Anyone else goin' with ya or just the two of ya?" I then asked worried, knowing that this Shane was far different and far crazier than the television version of him. It sent a large stone of hesitation tumbling into my gut.

"Just the two of us. Why?" Rick asked, that sickening handsome half-smile crossing his face as I quickly wiped that feeling from existence.

"Well, I ain't scheduled ta do anythin' and havin' one more hand might help, so if ya want, I'll tag along. Make sure the boy doesn't die from an infection before ya get out there." I sarcastically added as the smile on Rick's face grew before he nodded.

"We leave in 10." He patted my shoulder, going as far as cupping the side of my neck before slipping back away to the car.

"What the hell was that?" Glenn spat out as soon as Rick was out of hearing range causing my eyes to dart to his.

"What was what? I don't trust Shane as far as I can throw him, he's sure to start shit while they're out there. Man needs someone to watch his fuckin' back while he still has one." I explained with a shrug, slipping back into my tent to grab my weapons along with the medical bag Hershel had given me to keep on hand.

"Not that. You were flirting with Rick." Glenn whisper shouted as my eyes widened into saucers before I peeked out to look at him like he was crazy.

"What the fuck are ya goin' about now? I wasn't fuckin' flirtin' with him." I defended quickly, slipping my machete holster on as my machetes clacked against my sides.

"Dude, you were and you don't even realize it." Glenn pointed out upset as I rolled my eyes, stepping out while checking the pistol in my hand.

"I wasn't!" I barked out, not liking the way Glenn was accusing me of something I had no intention of doing even if it had seemed like it.

"Just... Glenn, ya know where my heart lies, kay? Don't make it any more difficult on me. Oh, and don't tell Daryl where I went. If you have ta, just wait till I'm gone to say shit to the man." I stood, fully loaded before patting Glenn's cheek with a tired smile.

"Oh, and apologize to Mags for me. Tell her I'll help 'er with the horses tomorrow."

Shane surprisingly hadn't made a comment when Rick informed him that I would be tagging along. I had been prepared to hold my ground against the ever giving headache of a man, but I hadn't needed it in the end. No. He hadn't made a comment, the woman of the hour had.

Andrea voiced her opinion, loud and clear. Saying shit like she was capable enough to tag along as well, pointing out that Rick had supposedly told her no when she had asked an hour prior about coming along for the cause. When she had found out that I had gotten the all clear from the Sheriff, it clearly had rubbed her ever-growing ego, the wrong way.

She caught the attention of those still present in camp, screaming and complaining before I finally stepped up to shut her shit down.

"No one's got time for this and I couldn't give a flying fuck what yer goin' on about. I'm goin' ta make sure the kid doesn't die of an infection before they can drop him off out there. No point in wastin' gas and the boy dies 2 miles out. So if ya have some sort of medical experience that will benefit the cause, by all means, fuckin' speak up. If not, shut yer fuckin' trap and let us leave. No ones got time for your melodrama."

That had shut her right up, though I could tell she had so much shit she wanted to throw at me. Ignoring her glares, I nodded to a surprised Rick and slipped into the backseat, startling the boy who had a bag over his head, hands and legs tied.

"Try any funny shit and I'll cut yer fuckin' balls off a force feed them ta ya, we cool?" I taunted darkly, pressing the tip of one of my switchblade between his legs, watching proudly as he yelped, attempting to squirm away from the threat in his lap before he nodded.

"Glad we understand each other." I smirked, removing the knife just as the two men climbed into the front seat.

"We good?" Rick asked over, looking at me worried as I smiled, nodding as I closed my blade and slipped it back into my boot for emphasis.

"All good back 'ere."

Author's POV...

It had been silent for the first few hours as they drove along the empty roads, the boy surprisingly silent as well. Ana's eyes panned the treeline that shot past their tiny car, her mind playing Glenn's words over and over that she hadn't noticed them slowing down.

"I thought we were going further?" Shane asked confused, having taken notice of their slower pace just as Ana sat up.

"We are. 18 miles out." Rick nodded to confirm the man's words as he pulled the car off to the side of the road. Ana eyed the trees in apprehension, not liking how close to the treeline they were.

"So why are we stopping?" Shane had grown just a bit tense, confused as to why they were stopping as Rick parked the car, cutting the engine. Taking a peek into the back seat to make sure their passenger was still sitting and then to Ana who blinked in confusion.

"I wanted to talk." Rick confessed as Shane sighed, already knowing where this was heading.

"Been waiting a week till we were gonna do this." Rick added as Shane chewed on the hangnail of his thumb, peering out the window as Ana awkwardly sat in the backseat realizing this was going to be a lot more awkward that she had hoped.

"I just wanna talk." Rick promised as Ana attempted to act like she wasn't listening in on them, though it was hard to do as she was sitting in the same car as them.

"We don't need to." Shane shot back.

"We do." Rick cut him off as Shane's eyes finally met his.

"No man, we don't." Shane repeated on edge as he pushed himself to sit up a bit straighter.

"We're doing this." Rick pressed, uncaring if Shane was even listening at this point or the fact that they had more than one audience.

"I get it. He was passed out when y'all brought him back, doesn't know where the farm is." Shane threw out, thinking that's what Rick wanted to address as Rick sat back in his seat, staring out the windshield.

"That isn't what I need to talk to you about. I heard what really happened at the school. Was it to survive?" Shit. Ana glanced away towards her own window, not wanting to be included in this conversation though she was sure Rick was going to pull her in at some point.

"Yeah. One of us wasn't gonna make it out. It had to be him. One shot to the leg, Carl lives. Reality is... He had no business being here- There. Whatever." Ana wanted to roll her eyes, comment on how much of a liar the bastard was but she bit her tongue.

"You don't think I would've done it?" Rick asked annoyed as Shane let out a scoff, turning to his friend.

"No, man, I know you wouldn't have." Shane mocked as Ana slowly turned in time to see Rick's jaw tick, just a little.

"You don't think I can keep Lori or Carl safe?" Rick then offered as Shane massaged his forehead, passing her a brief look before turning back to him.

"I didn't say that." Shane defended as Rick let out a dry laugh.

"Or my baby? Is it gonna have to be me too?" Rick cut off Shane who then silently stared at his friend for an empty moment.

"Rick, you can't just be the good guy and expect to live. Okay? Not anymore." Shane pressed as Rick's eyes hardened.

Okay, now she had wished she didn't tag along.

"I'm not the good guy anymore. To save Carl's life, I would've done anything- anything. Now Lori says you're dangerous, but you're not gonna be dangerous. Not to us, not to me, not anymore. How about you look at me? You and Lori- I get what happened. When I figured it out- and I figured it out pretty quickly- I wanted to break your jaw, let you choke on your teeth. But I didn't. That wasn't weakness. It took everything. That is my wife. That is my son. That is my unborn child. I will stay alive to keep them alive. You don't love her. You think you do, but you don't. Now the only way you and me keep on... Is that you accept everything I just said right here, right now, and we move forward with that understanding." Rick spat into Shane's face as the man silently sat there before turning away with his own scoff.

"Why are you so uptight about this all? It's not like you still love Lori." Shane barked back as Rick grew quiet.

"You don't love her anymore, ain't that right? Yes. It's because you care about someone else now, huh?" Shane slowly began to smile, almost darkly as the grip Ana had on her machete grew tighter.

"You shut your mouth." Rick whispered threateningly as Shane turned his eyes to her once more, eyeing her up with a strange look before turning back to Rick.

"Don't want her to know your little secret? Is that it?" Shane asked tauntingly.

"Shane, don't..." Rick warned as Shane scoffed, getting situated in his seat once more.

"She'll find out, sooner or later."

Ana's POV...

I had seen that argument play out numerous times on the television series, but that last bit had thrown me for a loop. I knew for a fact, that the last part, something about a secret Rick had about caring for someone else, that didn't make sense. I knew that it was something new to the plotline, though I didn't know what or who it was. I also didn't know what sort of consequence it would have, if any, on the original plotline.

More than a couple of hours after their argument, Shane finally broke the tension in the car, pointing out that it was far past the planned 18 miles.

"Yeah, I'm looking for a place." Rick explained as I noticed a fenced off area coming up on the left.

"A place for what?" Shane shot impatiently as I clenched my jaw, having half a mind to push the man from the car.

"Give him a fair shake. A shot." Rick snapped back defensively as I sat up, putting myself between them to point out the windshield.

"There. That'll do." I cut Shane off from saying anymore as Rick nodded, turning off the main road and towards the gated off area that seemed empty.

Once Rick had finally parked the car, I was the first one out, my gun along with the silencer I had taken from Rick's duffle bag, now held up and ready. I knew what was hiding at this place, so I wanted to be on my toes to stop anything unnecessary from happening.

"We'll leave the boy here and scavenge some supplies." Rick explained as I glanced over just as he climbed out of the car, staring over at me.

"I'll go check out the vehicles around 'ere. Bound to have somethin' of use." I offered as he shut the driver door, nodding at me.

"Be careful. Stay close." He added lowly as I licked my dry lips, ignoring the way Shane was eyeing the two of us, and nodded.

After killing a single walker just beyond a pair of gates, Rick and Shane pulled it open before pulling the car further into the place. Cutting the engine again, we each rose our weapons, bunkering down as we went about searching. I stayed to what vehicles were still present, able to scavenge a few can goods, some minor medical supplies and even a few clean blankets. Tossing what I found into the back of our car, Rick's voice calling for me, caught my attention.

Turning, I noticed them standing near a building, while peering down at what I could recognize to be two bodies. Rick waved me over as I pulled my AK from the trunk, slinging it over my shoulder before jogging over to see what they needed.

"No bite marks." Shane muttered once I was close enough as I glanced down to see two walkers lying side by side in the grass, no visible bite marks in sight.

"Scratches?" I asked, letting go of my gun to swing onto my back as I knelt down beside the closest one while the two men rose their guns at the ready.

Hesitantly, I reached out, pulling the walker's shirt up, inspecting it for any sign of bites, even going as far as rolling it over. When no bites came to view, I had opened my mouth to voice my confusion only for it to slam shut when I realized what it really was. Swallowing the need to say something, to tell them what it really was, though I knew Rick had a hunch due to the conversation he had with Dr. Jenner, I wiped horror off my face and stood with a force sigh.

"Scratches. This one has some on his hand, the one's cheek too." I mumbled a lie that sounded believable as the two men took a look at what I had pointed out before nodding in agreement.

"They had walkers here-burned bodies down the hill." Rick added as he pointed over his shoulder.

"I guess it gotta be scratches then, huh?" Shane mentioned, more to himself as I passed Rick a nervous glance before turning to go and investigate the vehicales once more.

Terrible place to end a chapter, I know, but if I didn't, I would have kept going and going lol though I'm thinking that may have been a good thing for you guys! lol

Anyways, glad to be back and so happy to hear from ya'll!

Until next time~