Chapter 35: Collapse


DPOV


~2 years ago~

"Who's there?!" a male voice called out to us as me and Merle caught sight of a small camp. A group of people were on their feet, looking to our direction and a man with black hair and a cop like look about him holding a shotgun to our direction. "Come out if your're alive...or dead...either way...if you come out or don't...I'll blow your heads off," the man shouted to us as there was a family behind him.

"Shh!" Merle told me as he stopped me from going out to stop the man from shooting at us. "We need to play it smart," Merle whispered to me. "Sometimes being brave ain't the best way to play it little brother," Merle told me as he looked to the group of other survivors. "Follow my lead," he told me with a small clap on my back.

Slowly, he creeped out from the bushes we were hiding and raised his hands in surrender. "Hey, ya know...it'd be a good idea not to shoot," Merle said to the man in his rough and raspy voice. "Those things can hear guns from miles," Merle told him as I raised my crossbow in surrender and showed them the palms of my hands. The man pointed his gun and that was when I noticed the others behind him.

Young blonde chicks, a hispanic family, a slightly awkward family, an old man, a Chinaman and a woman with two children. A young boy with blue eyes, short chestnut hair and small, pale face. My eyes glanced and locked to a pretty pair of blue eyes, bright and full of life. Her long brown hair cascading down her shoulders and back, her figure was small and curvacious. Her skin slightly darker and her pink lips plump. The curves of her breasts visable and a bow wrapped around her torso with a matching quiver with arrows on her back.

Holy shit. Looking away, I looked down and then back up to see the man in front of them. He's not their father. Too rough and dark to be her dad. Besides...her father must have had blue eyes. Her and her brother resemble their mother but the mother is too skinny and has hazel eyes. This man must be a boyfriend of the mother's or a family friend...or maybe he's the pretty girl's boyfriend.

"How do you know that?" the man with a strong accent asked us as he kept his shotgun aimed at our heads. Merle chuckled and it sounded raspy. The angel with brown hair and a bow held the young boy close to her, her fingers gripping onto her own gun that I had now noticed was on a makeshift holster that could hold multiple other things on it.

"Seen it happen," Merle told him with a small nod. Slowly, he lowered his hands and placed his gun back into his holster. Following Merle's lead, I slipped my crossbow over my shoulder and to rest across my back. The brunette angel's blue eyes lingered on me more than I was comfortable with.

"How can we trust you?" a blonde girl, the older looking girl with slight curls and bright blue eyes asked us. She was holding a long blonde haired girl to her, their blue eyes looking to us curiously. They must be sisters.

"You can't trust anyone these days sugar tits," Merle said as he looked to the blonde and gave her a small wink. He's being a dick again. Great...bet he's still trying to pick up chicks. Sadly...he can't do that unless they're both high or out of their senses in some way.

"We can hunt," I stated as I thought of a good reason for us to stay with them. "We won't cause ya any harm if ya don't try and harm us," I stated to them as I slowly glanced at the brown haired beauty, only to have my breath caught in my throat. She's looking at me again.

"Promise?" the blue eyed, brown haired boy asked as he gripped onto his sister's hands. Her eyes examining the pair of us as her brother looked to us hopefully. The girl slowly ducked her head down until she could kiss the top of her brother's forehead.

"Promise," I told them with all the honesty of my heart. They seem like good people but...I don't know if I can trust them. Or trust anyone if I'm going to be honest. Who can you trust in times like these?

"Well...I ain't promisin' nothin'," Merle mumbled angrily as he glared at me. Great. I bet he thinks I'm a pussy for acting like this. We need safety...besides...I have a plan. We can rob them blind and run away with all their supplies.

"Shut up Merle," I growled to him as I glared at him, glancing back to the group, I saw her bright blues gaze into mine. Holy shit...she's temptation with a capital 'T'. She doesn't want me...doesn't need me. She doesn't know me. No one knows me. She means nothing to me but a pretty face with a nice body.


Present day...KPOV

So much had changed...

I was now always busy and always out during the day. In the mornings, bright and early, before anyone else could wake up, I would tend to a crying Judith and then I would go help my father and brother with some farming. This was every day. I would write things down, notes that would later help us and other survivors to continue our work and what we had found out or learnt. Or if I ever needed to do something, I could go back and refer to the notebook.

Then, I would either go out with Michonne and look for the Governor. Writing notes down on the map and another notebook I would keep seperate from my farming handbook. Ticking off places in the map and making sure we knew where to go next and what can be found in certain areas around where we were. For example, walkers in a house that we had tried to go in but there were all locked in there.

There were other days where I would go out on a run with a group of others or I would go out with Daryl and go hunting. This was another activity to bring a seperate notebook to write down any tips from Daryl and any other information I can get about animals, what scare them and what can draw them to us so we can kill them.

Either of these events, meant I would come back later and do some medical work with Hershel. Learning how to stitch up wounds, what to do if someone is injured, how to make medicines and how to tell symptoms of infections or other things that can happen in times like this. There were days we would stay inside and some that we would go out so Hershel could teach me things about plants I could and couldn't use. Sketching them and writing any information down as well as possible.

This was what my notebooks were filled with. Drawings and information about things. Sketches of map layouts, plants, animals and lots of information about each thing. Looking around, I had just finished writing a log on what we had done today while out looking for the Governor. I had found Carl something and Judith something too. Michonne had found something for dad and I was curious as to what Dad's reaction would be like to it.

Closing up the book, I looked around and smiled. My hair gently swaying in the hair. It was no longer short, it was long and curly again. Tied in a tight pony tail and small strands over my face. Slipping my notebook in my bag, my tight top was clung to my figure. My muscles and knowledge had grown. I was stronger, faster and smarter. I knew things I didn't before. How to get out of places, how to get out of situations and how to fix things that I hadn't before. I was now also in the council back at the prison, along with others from our group and others that had joined when the Governor had killed them all.

"Hey," I heard Michonne call to me. Turning my head to her, I smiled and slung my backpack over one shoulder. Moving to her, I saw her get onto the horse and offer me her hand to get up behind her. "You ready to go?" she asked me as I looked around the small town we had stopped at to search for the Governor.

"Yeah," I answered as I walked over to her. "I was just putting away my notebook and...well...checking if the stuff was in my bag," I answered her feeling the need to say the excuses as to why I wasn't on the horse. Taking her hand, I got up and she laughed softly. She then made a noise and moved the reins, making us quickly speed off. My hands on her body as she rode us back to the prison.


RPOV

"You didn't wake me up," Carl called to me as I had been getting to doing the work on the farm we had been doing for the last year of peace we'd been having. It had almost been a year since Lori died and the Governor disappeared. Carl was much talker, had longer hair and Kat was much more...wiser. Stronger. Judith was growing faster than I could blink.

"'Cause I knew you were up all night reading comics with a flashlight," I told him as he walked closer to the farm and gave out a small scoff with a snicker. He reminded me a lot of Lori and Kat sometimes but...there were times where he reminded me of myself.

"What's up with Violet?" Carl asked as he looked over the fences and at the pigs that roamed around in their small den. Kat would help us out in the mornings but there were some that Carl woke late to, that Kat was always either gone with Daryl, a group or with Michonne before Carl would wake up. It was nice to teach her some things that Hershel had taught me. While she too learned more things than me, like hunting, medical stuff and other things.

"Carl, I told you not to name them. They're not piglets anymore. They're food," I said to him, stuttering a little as I thought of what he was trying to say about the pigs. We're going to have to eat them. I know he wants to see them as pigs while they're still alive but...he can't do that. It's not right to add names to our food.

"I just thought, you know, until..." Carl said trying to make an excuse that would be valid enough for giving names to the pigs. He sighed and decided to give up. I feel so sorry for him but...he needs to grow up. The right way. Gladly, its with my help, the others, Kat's and Judith's. "Okay," he said with a sigh and looked down to the floor as he kicked at a small fence. Looking at him as I saw the small pain he had for the poor pigs. We need them in order to survive Carl.

"I don't know what's going on with her," I said as I looked to the pig that laid there on the ground, it looked like it was either exhausted or going through some sort of sickness. "Could be sick, could be nothing," I told him as I didn't have an exact idea as to what was wrong with the pig. "Feel better, Violet," I said giving in to Carl's little habits. Only for now. "Come on, let's get to it," I said with a small smile and clapped him on the back lightly.


DPOV

"Morning, Daryl!" someone called out to me, that was when I knew it was the familiar face and voice of Dr. S calling to me. Could this all be because me and Kat brought back a huge deer yesterday? It wasn't just me...I wonder if they're like this with Kat. They should be. She deserves it more than I do.

"What's up, Dr. S?" I asked as I walked past a group of people. Bunch of them saying good morning to me and calling my name. This was something that happened on rare occasions and it made me slightly uncomfortable at times. Why am I getting so much attention? Maybe I should stop being such a good person and finding people while finding them food. Fuck...I wish they didn't praise me like that. Makes me awkward...but not as awkward as when I do something stupid around Kat. Shit. Now that...is a nightmare.

"Smells good," I tell Carol as she was making food and handing it out to people. It was some of the left over deer me and Kat had found yesterday. Picking up the bowl, I scooped some up with my fingers and chewed some greedily. Mmm. No wonder they're all happy as hell. It's tender and delicious.

"Just so you know, I liked you first," Carol teased a little as she was cooking up some more deer for others. Fuck...not her too. I can't stand this shit. Can barely stand it from Kat when she praises me for my kill...can't stand it coming from Carol too.

"Stop," I grumbled as I munched noisily on some more of the meat. "You know, Rick brought in a lot of them, too," I told her as I thought back to the others, those that surrounded us now that weren't just women and children.

"Not recently," Carol pointed out. True. He's now playing farmer. He deserves it. He's been through a lot and he's trying to get Carl back to being himself again. "Give the stranger sanctuary, keeping people fed, you're gonna have to learn to live with the love," Carol told me as I continued to eat in front of her.

"Right," I mumbled. Don't know what love is. Why would I need it? I don't want it. I just want people safe, fed and protected against walkers and assholes like the Governor.

"I need you to see something," Carol said as she moved away from the food and wiped her hands on a cloth. "Patrick, you want to take over?" she asked as she turned to a young teen that Kat and I had brought in a few months ago. He was a good kid. Hung out a lot with Carl and wasn't a dick to anyone.

"Yes, ma'am," the boy said as he moved closer to Carol to take over her job. Looking at he me smiled as though he was looking at his idol or his favourite rockstar. "Mr. Dixon, I just wanted to thank you for bringing that deer back yesterday. It was a real treat, sir. And I'd be honored to shake your hand," he said as he offered me his hand to shake.

Looking at it, I glanced to Carol who was watching me and then back to the kid. Lifting my hand to my face, I sucked on my fingers and shook hands with him. He chuckled and smiled when we stopped shaking hands. Walking off, I saw Carol had stiffled her giggle as she moved towards the gates and fences. We had laid out multiple weapons everywhere. In case there was ever a time that we might need all or some of them for certain jobs.

"About today, I don't know if we're gonna be able to spare a lot of people for the run," Carol said as we got closer to the gate and fences. Still munching on the food she had given me and sucking on my fingers slightly. So good.

"That place is good to go. We're gonna move on it," I told her as I thought of what we were looking for, what we could get from that place and how we could possibly benefit for doing a run there. That place could be a gold mine.

"Yeah. The thing is, we had a pretty big buildup overnight. Dozens moretowards tower three. It's getting as bad as last month. They don't spread out anymore," Carol said as she pointed to areas and showed me what she had meant. There were multiple clusters of people surrounding the prison fences.

"With more of us sitting here, we're drawing more of them out. You get enough of those damn fence-clingers, they start to herd up," I said as I thought of different ways to takle the problem. What we should do is go out there and kill them like we did when we took over the prison. Myself and Kat think the same. Huddle up in tight formation and bring them down one by one.

"Pushing against the fences again. It's manageable, but unless we get ahead of it, not for long," Carol said as she looked to the walkers that were surrounding us. "Sorry, Pookie," Carol said as she turned her head slightly to me and gave me a small look of teasing. Making a 'Pfft' noise, I nudged her and ignored her childish joke. No one's bitch and no one's 'Pookie'. Makes me sound like a God damned pussy.


RPOV

"These leaves are gonna be in the shade, so we won't get any good fruit from it. So we just pinch it off here," Herhsel said as we examined a plant I had been growing with his, Carl's and Kat's help. "Things break, but they can still grow," Hershel said as he looked up at me. Is he talking about me and Carl?

"These little bristles, they'll take root and we'll have a whole new plant," he told me as he planted it in the soil and gave me a small smile. Such a good and kind man. Does he think that I can just plant myself somewhere and dramastically change? I don't know...I hope he's right.

This was when I heard the familiar whistle of Kat's, telling me and Carl that her and Michonne were back. "Let's go!" I told Carl as we rushed over to see Kat racing towards us with Michonne in front of her, the horse speeding its way towards the gates. Pulling on the ropes that held the doors shut or opened, I pulled and pulled until we saw Kat and Michonne come in. Carl opened the fence gate and waited for them to get in securely. Closing the gates after them, we all gathered around together and I was pleased to see them both back safe and sound.


DPOV

"Hey. I was just gonna come find you," Zach said as he got closer to Beth who was making her way to him. She was bringing us some things for our trip and I took it from her gently, allowing these two privacy. God damned teenagers.

"Hi. What's up?" she asked him as she gave him a peck on the lips, making a sucking sound as they pulled away and stood closely together. Girl found herself a boyfriend quicker than when me and Kat found him wandering around in the woods alone.

"Well, the council pulled back everyone on the coal crew from going on the run. They're shorthanded right now. I figured I'd step up to help, go with 'em. Just, you know, wanted to make sure that I saw you before," Zach said kindly to her, showing her he cared about her. It's sweet but...he's being such a pussy towards her. Doesn't he care how we see him? He acts so weak when he's around her.

"Okay," she agreed with a small nod of her head.

"I just-...'cause, you know, it's dangerous going out there," he fumbled for words as he tried to get more out from her. Wow. Why is she being so heartless? He clearly cares and she acts like she couldn't give a shit. This...is why I would never tell Kat I liked her.

"I know," she said as she moved closer to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Walking away to join the others on the fences to kill off walkers. What the hell is going on? Why isn't she bothered about her boyfriend going on the run? Not that she needs to be but...she must be a little worried.

"Okay, are you gonna say good-bye?" Zach asked her as he turned to face her figure that walked further and further away from him. Wow...she couldn't care less. He clearly loves her and she's breaking his heart right there. Exactly why I wouldn't tell a soul or Kat about me liking her.

"Nope," she said bluntly as she kept walking.

"It's like a damn romance novel," I mumbled as I carried around some heavy shit to take along with us. Ready to leave and there he stood watching Beth walk away. Now all she needs to do is run back to him and kiss him passionately. Pull back, stare into his eyes and whisper some mushy bullshit. That would never be me. No matter how much I'd do anything for Kat, but...I would not do that.


KPOV

Stepping off the horse, me and Michonne turned to see my dad waiting for us. "We're glad to see you two," dad said as he rushed over. He had grown more facial hair, his hair was more messy and as was his entire body. His body would have been covered in sweat and blood but it was now filthy with sweat and mud. Such the farmer. Carl had rushed over and came to hug me, giggling I hugged him back and kissed the top of his head.

"Glad to see you, too dad," I said softly as I looked up at him with a bright smile. Carl pulled away and tended to the horse, stroking her and smiling at the horse that he called 'Lucky'. "Someone hit the jackpot," I mentioned after I gently took a firm grip on dad's arm and pulled him to me to plant a sweet kiss on his cheek. He chuckled as I pulled away and took off my backpack, rummaging inside as I pulled out some comic books for Carl.

Handing it him, he gasped and took them in his hands. Giving me a look of amazement and excitement. "No way. Awesome!" Carl commented as he looked at the comics I had been collecting for him, knowing that he liked them better than normal, more litterate books. "Thank you Kat!" Carl said as he made me stumble a little as he gave me another hug.

"I get to read 'em when you're done," Michonne teased which made me giggle. Carl went off to place them somewhere while I stood beside Michonne.

"Oh! And Carl!" I called after him as I pulled out another thing. It was a stuffed lamb, a soft toy for Judith to play with. Throwing it to Carl, he caught it and chuckled. "Clean it before you give it baby Judy, she's bound to put that in her mouth," I said to him. "And Lord knows where and how long it's been left like that," I said as I mostly mumbled it to myself but dad and the others heard me, making them chuckle and laugh at my comment.

"And I found this," Michonne said as she showed dad an electric shaver that we had found on her run. She had told me it was going to be something that could come in handy. "Your face is losing the war," Michonne informed my dad which made me laugh. He took the shaver and laughed a little, looking to both me and Michonne as Carl took the horse to the stable we had made for her.

"You're gonna stay a little while?" dad asked the pair of us. It was mostly to Michonne because, I would leave with her to keep her company and to watch her back. I didn't need to go looking for the Governor, I could sense he would come looking for us sooner than later. Myself and Daryl agreed about it.

"Just a little while," Michonne said as I smiled and went to walk ahead. Taking a few steps towards the prison and this was when I had seen Daryl riding down on his bike. He too had changed, he was more respected now than he ever was before. Along with myself. We had found people, saved them and brought them here to safety.

Daryl had also grown older, we had celebrated my birthday and Carls, along with others. It felt like years but we know it had almost been a year since mom's death and Judith's birth. Daryl had longer, more messy hair and he had more muscles than my mind could fully count. I always got lost when I would look at his arms and somehow...I always drooled.

We've been through so much together. Merle's death, my return, Sophia, my mom, Judith, him looking after my family and Andrea...he's attractive and I won't ever deny that. He's also kind, smart and strong. He doesn't talk to me from the side anymore, he talks to me face to face and...there are times where he'll take my hand and pull me into safety. Blushing at the memory of whenever we got into slight trouble, he would take my hand and run with me to safety.

Looking down, I pursed my lips and felt my cheeks burn. Daryl was making his way towards me and was giving me a small smile that was playing on his lips. My eyes shyly looking away as I pushed a few stray strands of my hair behind my ear. Why did I think about him holding my hand?! Am I stupid? He probably thinks I'm weird!

"Well, look who are back," Daryl said slightly teasing with a small smirk to us. His eyes glued to both me and Michonne. We had all grown close to Michonne but me and her are like glue. We were closer and she was fitting in well with me, my dad and my brother. She seemed slightly distant from my sister.

"We didn't find him," I told him as I thought of how many places we had visited to try and find the Governor. He needs to pay for what he's done to us...to Andrea. But I know he's coming back to finish us. It's who he is and Michonne acts like he's running away from us. Daryl nods and looked to the pair of us with slightly pursed lips, chewing the inside of his cheek as he always would do so. I think it's either nervous habit or it's whenever he's thinking deeply about something.

"Glad to see you both back in one piece," Daryl said as he looked at me and then his eyes flashed to Michonne as he gave a small nod and smile. He's so...nice. I wonder why he's always so kind to me and others. He's just got a good heart...I admire that about him. I don't like him just for his appearance...but also because of his personality.

"I'm thinking of looking over near Macon. It's worth a shot," Michonne informed them as she had been discussing her ideas to me and I agreed with her. If that was what she thought would be best then...she should do it. Walking over to them a little, I saw dad and Daryl exchange a glance.

"Miles of walkers. You might run into a few unneighborly types. Is it?" Daryl asked her squinting up a little at her. He's worried about Michonne too. She's being a little obsessive and reckless. Michonne was looking at Daryl as though she had just realized something. I hope she finally sees sense. "I'm gonna go check out the Big Spot. The one I was talking about, just seeing," Daryl explained to dad as he had his hands over his belt while Daryl looked up at my dad. As though he was asking for permission. Dad's not in charge anymore. No one is. Not even me. Me, Sasha, Glenn, Hershel, Carol and Daryl are all in the council too.

"Yeah, I got to go out and check the snares. I don't want to lose whatever we catch to the walkers," dad said as he moved around a little as he talked. He agreed with Daryl, both of them sounding as though they were asking for permission. Fuck sake...do what you want and get on with it! I had to smile as I looked to dad. He's better than before. He's almost back to being himself. To being the dad I love and look up to.

"I'll go," I said as I decided to go with Daryl to the Big Spot run. I just need to go and check up on Judy and then fix up my things for the trip. Maybe, I know Daryl will let me go on the back of his bike. He doesn't normally let anyone but...suprisingly he doesn't mind me being on it too.

"Me too," Michonne agreed when she realized I would be going out with a group and to do a pretty big run. That place could hold a tonne of stuff we can bring back with us. We need it. Keep people fed, entertained and safe. We need to get whatever we can.

"You both just got here," Carl complained as he stopped and held the reigns of the horse. His hand caressing the mane of the horse but then he looked to me a little worried. Poor baby brother. He's coming back too. Ever since dad told me about the boy he shot, I had spoken to Carl. Had to tell him that I would be going out and with a gun. He thought it was unfair and I told him that I was gone but I'm back. That I felt I was losing him. That he needed to come back to us, to be a kid again and to become a man the best way possible.

"And we'll be back," I told him with a small smile and teasing tone. I feel a little like mom saying stuff like this. Need to check on Judy. Need to grab some more things for this run. For a start...a bigger backpack. "Let me go grab a few things? Say good bye to little Judy?" I asked Daryl, knowing he and Sasha were the ones taking charge of the run.

"Sure," Daryl agreed as he held onto the handles and looked to me. Michonne had already gone into the car after placing her weapons into the back of the car. "Take the time you need, jus' don't let us wait here forever," Daryl teased which made me giggle. We've gotten close after all that has happened to us. Daryl is a best friend of mine. Even though I like him more than a friend...

"Maybe even let me go on your bike?" I asked him in a slightly pleading tone. A teasing smile playing on my lips. Daryl made a 'pft' sound and then chuckled. We've become more teasing, told some of our secrets and learnt a lot about each other over the months that had passed by. He was a good and cool guy. He had his moments when he was a dick but...he was always watching out for us and for me when I would go hunting with him.

"I swear you love this bike more than you love leaving," Daryl teased which made me gasp then laugh. See? Dick. Laughing, I turned my back from walking backwards, looking at him as we spoke back and forth teasingly. Turning my back I could tell he laughed and shook his head as dad chuckled at the exchange between the pair of us.


RPOV

"Going to check the snares?" Carl asked me as he got closer to me. His bright blues innocent looking and reminding me that he was truly coming back to us. He's still a kid and...he's been having to grow up fast in this messed up world. How does Kat stay so...herself?

"I am. You're not. Do your chores. Read comics," I told him as I was looking to him and pointing. He can do so many things while I'm gone. "Maybe some books, too," I said to him as I thought of Kat and how she would spend countless hours in her room reading if she wasn't studying. "Hang out with Patrick. Maybe go to story time," I suggested to him as he would nod.

"Dad, that's for kids," Carl groaned at my last suggestion. And what exactly are you? You're still just a kid. You're not a man and you're not exactly a boy either. You're a kid.

"Yeah," I agreed as I looked at him, I knew I was giving him a look that said, 'And? Your point is?' "Now brush her down," I told Carl as I pointed to the horse he had decided to call Lucky. We had found her one day, checking snares with Kat and saw how lucky she was because she was almost eaten by walkers just when we found her.

"Nothing wrong with staying close, Rick. Everyone understands. You're growing us enough food so we won't need to do runs soon," Hershel told me appreciative of the work me, Kat, him and Carl had been doing on the prison farm we had created. "But we do have to find you a good pair of overalls. You need to look the part," Hershel stated teasing me about spending all my time doing this. "A little piece of wheat out of the corner of your mouth," Hershel teased as I smirked at the thought of me as he described. "Maybe a bigger ass," Hershel said which made me chuckle.

"Yeah," I agreed, not exactly liking the image of myself in my mind. No way in hell is that attractive. Prefer to have a paper bag over my head than to look like that. It just would not suit me. At all.

"Listen, the rest of the council..." Hershel began as he looked to me seriously. "Daryl, Glenn, Carol, Sasha, Kat all of them..." Hershel said as he paused, knowing that Kat's name brought interest to me always. "They wanted me to talk to you," he told me with an expression that told me he was serious. "When you go out there, you got to take your gun," he pleaded.

"Easy now," I said to Lucky as she was fussing a little. "It's just outside the fence. I have my knife," I stated as I thought of how the council and my daughter were all over-reacting. "I get in trouble, six bullets isn't gonna make the difference," I told him seriously. There could be millions out there and some days...it feels like there are. Six bullets won't save my life. It was preserve it for a few more moments but...it won't protect me forever.

"Rick, we want you to be safe," Hershel told me firmly. "Bring your gun," he pleaded as I knew Kat would not be happy if I went against what they had been so serious about. Fine...but only for Kat. And the others. Otherwise, I know Kat would possibly kill me if I didn't bring it with me and she had to rescue me. Happened before.


CPOV

"Hey Carl...I'm going to head out," Kat said as she rushed towards me, she had a bigger backpack and her hair was neatly up in a high pony tail. Her blue eyes bright and shinning in the sunlight. She's beautiful...I know mom would think the same. Mom would be happy to know Kat was alive all along. Proud too. I know I am. She's been out there looking for us while we thought she was dead. I need to put more faith into her.

"Stay safe," I pleaded to her as I was hanging out with Patrick. Going to her, I hugged her tightly and I knew I had grown since the day everyone arived back from Woodbury. I know could rest my head on her chest, my arms longer and my voice was now deeper. "Please," I asked of her as I pulled away a little to look into her eyes.

"Always," Kat said with that charming smile she had. The warm one that told me she meant what she said. "Love you," Kat said as she cupped one side of my face and caressed my cheek with her thumb. She pulled me to her in a firm embrace, kissing the top of my head and wriggling us in a slight swaying action.

"Love you too," I said to her honestly as I shut my eyes to the touch of her lips on my head. Smiling to each other, she then said good bye to Patrick beside me. Waving to us as Patrick waved to her with a smile on his face that told me he liked her. Watching her rush to Daryl, she climbed onto the back of his bike and clung onto him as dad opened up the gates for them.

"She's so hot," Patrick commented as he watched Kat ride off with Daryl. Still waving and my hands were in my pockets. His comment made my skin crawl. Is he fucking stupid? That's my sister he's talking about! No way in hell am I letting anyone talk about my sister like that. Not even my friend can call her that.

"Watch it," I growled sternly and threateningly, watching Kat as she disappeared into the distance. "That's my sister you're talking about," I warned him, reminding him that her blood ran in my veins too. Blood means more to me than breathing. I'll protect her. Even from my asshole of a friend. "She's not a piece of meat," I informed him bitterly. "Besides...you wouldn't have a chance," I state as I knew how Kat and Daryl looked to each other. "She likes someone else," I revealed to him. Dad can tell too. He talks about it with me sometimes. He says that Daryl is too shy to make a move and Kat is too worried about others to think about them like a couple.

"Sorry," Patrick mumbled as he sighed and looked down. Damn right you better be sorry. She's not yours and she's never going to be yours. She's not into you and she doesn't deserve someone who only likes her because she's 'hot'.

"Next time you disrespect my sister..." I started to threaten him further. "I'll knock your teeth out," I stated cooly. "Got it?" I asked him as I looked to him, knowing it was going to intimidate him. I could do a whole lot worse than knock his teeth out. I would kill him if he tried anything. "Come on," I nudged him after he gulped and nod slowly. His eyes were glued to me. Good. He got the message. Walking ahead, we spotted the other kids all playing by the fence and shouting to walkers.

"You're naming them?" I asked them when I realized they were shouting out names to the walkers that stood on the other side of the fence. This is so fucking weird. No way should this be happening. Not at all.

"Well, one of them has a name tag, so we thought all of them should," Mika, a blonde haired, doe eyed, sweet faced girl said as she looked to me and then to the others. Her hands pointing to the walkers by the fence. They were all startled when they saw me. Is it because of my dad? Or me?

"They had names when they were alive," I stated to them bluntly. "They're dead now," I informed them as I had found a soccer ball and was gently rolling it around in my hands. I shouldn't have to be telling them this.

"No, they're not," Lizzie said as she tried to defend their opinions. "They're just different," Lizzie said as though she knew what she was talking about. What the hell is this girl on? The crystal I found in that tree house?

"What the hell are you talking about?" I asked her unable to believe what she was talking about. "Okay...they don't talk," I told her. "They don't think," I stated. "They eat people. They kill people," I remind her as I thought of all they had done to people I cared about. Dale...Andrea...T-Dog...Amy...Sophia...Jimmy...Patricia...

"People kill people," Lizzie stated bluntly. Touche. "They still have names," Lizzie pointed out which made me want to bite my tongue from the slight humiliation. People killing is different from walkers killing people. Walkers rip to nothing...people destroy other people.

"Have you seen what happens? Have you seen someone die like that?" I asked her as I remembered what happened with wherever I went. Dad thinks he can prevent it all from happening. If the Governor doesn't get us first...the walkers will.

"Yeah, I have," Lizzie said as she looked directly at me. Mika was younger and more upset about this statement than what Lizzie was. Lizzie was older by a few years, not like me and Kat who were seperated by a few more years rather than just a couple.

"They're not people and they're not pets," I stated as I thought of the monsters that clung to the fence. "Don't name them," I said firmly as I thought of dad and how he told me off about calling the pig Violet. I need to stop that too. It's our food. Not our pet. It's only a pet until it gets killed.

"We're supposed to go read. Come on," Lizzie said as she looked down and shook her head. Moving, she walked off and lead the others away. Heading towards the prison. Back to shelter. Mika was stood there looking at us, her eyes glancing up at Patrick brightly.

"You coming to story time tonight?" Mika asked Patrick expectantly and excited about what they would be reading. Unless it's 'Of Mice and Men'...I'm not going to some stupid book reading club.

"Uh...yeah," Patrick agreed. The way Mika looked up at him made me realize she had a crush on Patrick. Good lord...seems to me that there is one hell of a love square going on here. Except. Kat and Daryl like each other but are too afraid to admit it. Patrick likes my sister and Mika likes Patrick. Wow...talk about a drama flick. Or some sort of rom-com. Ick.

"See you then," Mika said with a bright smile as she ran after the other kids and I knew that Patrick could tell I was judging him. He's such a baby. Going to story time. That's where Judith would go.

"I go sometimes. I'm immature," Patrick tried to make some excuse up to me. "You wouldn't dig it. It's for kids," he explained as he was trying to brush it off me. Something's wrong...he's lying to me. "I'm gonna head up there, too," Patrick said as he looked up towards the prison behind us. "I'll catch you later, young sir," Patrick said respectfully but teasingly.

"Yep," I agreed as he too quickly left me alone. Seems to me that 'story time' is more important to him than to play soccer with me. Hm...he's hiding something. And I'm going to find out what it is that makes him want to do such childish things.


RPOV

Wandering around, I found a few rabbits that hadn't been chewed on and placed them in the bag. There was a deer we had caught with one of the traps Daryl had made but...a walker had munched on it before I could take it with us. There was suddenly a dying boar on the ground. It looked sick. Like it was slowly losing its breath. Poor thing...looks a little like Violet. Suddenly a figure came out from the trees and fell onto it's knees. Hiding behind a tree, thinking it was a walker by how they looked dirty, ripped up clothing and messy hair. I walked away and stepped on a branch that cracked, making the person's wide eyes glance up at me as they got to the feet.

"Wait," the female voice called to me as I stopped in my tracks. "Please. Please?" her foreign accent pleaded to me. Her hand reaching out for me to stop and that she meant me no harm. Don't trust her Rick. "Please help me," she pleaded as her voice cracked a little from her whimpers.

"I know you don't know me. Okay, I know that," the woman pleaded. Her face dirty and her hair messy, all over her face and covering her eyes. She looked like she hadn't showered for months. She was thin too. She must be struggling like hell out here. "But can you please help me get this to my husband?" she begged of me as she was struggling to keep her composure. "We haven't eaten in days," she told me which made me feel a little sad for her. Be the good guy Rick...offer her food. Follow the steps we all agreed on.

Slowly, I slid my hand into my bag and shuffled closer to her. "Here," I said as I held out a sandwhich that was covered in aluminium foil so that it wouldn't be ruined as quickly. "Go ahead," I told her as I nudged the food closer to her, so she could take it and carefully she did.

"Thank you," the Irish woman whispered to me as she looked to me with kind eyes. "Do you have a camp around here?" she asked me shakily as tears formed in her eyes. This women seems genuinely scared and upset...

"Yeah," I said, deciding to tell her the truth. Who knows? Maybe she decides not to come with us...maybe she doesn't. Who knows what her husband can want. I won't tell her where but...I will tell her the truth in order to gain the truth from her.

"Could we possibly come back with you?" she asked me with a voice that shook. "We've been doing...very badly on our own," she pointed out to me. She looks terrible. She made me mistake her for a walker.

"I'd have- I'd have to meet him," I told her as I thought of the questions I needed to ask that we had all made together in order to decide whether or not to bring people into our safe place. "I need to ask him some questions, both of you," I informed her as I thought of the questions in my head.

"What questions?" she asked me curiously. Her bright eyes looked dull by how she looked, her hair a mess and her face covered in shit. She didn't look at all in good shape and she clearly needed help.

"Just three," I told her, not wanting to reveal too much without meeting her husband. "When we get there," I told her. She looked up at me, pursed her lips and slowly nods. "You have a gun on you?" I asked her and she shook her head 'no'. "Can I make sure?" I asked her and she shrugged.

"Yeah," I mumbled as I frisked her, checking to see if she had a gun and instead, I found a knife in a small belt like holster. Taking it out, I kept checking and saw she was clear. Getting up onto my feet, I moved to stand in front of her again.

"Look, I don't know you, so I'm just gonna tell you this," I began as I looked directly into her eyes. "You try anything. Anything," I threatened her on a personal level, my height being similar to hers to mean what I say and to intimidate her. "You're gonna be the one who loses," I stated to her. I will always get back to my family. Back to the prison. Always.

"I don't have anything else to lose," the woman said directly up at me. Believe me...your life could be something to lose and life these days...is precious. I've learned that lesson and I can truly believe it.

"No. You do," I said firmly to her as I looked down at her knife, examining it and then held it out for her to take. "Go ahead," I told her as she slowly took it from me and slipped it into her holster. She lead the way and I began to follow her.


KPOV

We arrived at the site, getting off the bike and walking towards the others, I saw how many of us there were. It was me, Michonne, Daryl, Glenn, Sasha, Tyreese, Zach and Bob. Stepping up to see what was going on, I could hear the music playing that me and Daryl had struggled to do a few days ago.

"Army came in and put these fences up. Made it a place for the people to go," Daryl was telling Bob as we walked closer to the fences. "Last week when we spotted this place, there was a bunch of walkers behind this chain-link keeping people out like a bunch of guard dogs," Daryl told him which reminded me of the horrible trip we had made here. There were so many of them here.

"So they all just left?" Bob asked a little surprised as he looked to me and Daryl. I looked to the others and giggled a little. Music was becoming evidently louder each step we took closer to the fences, examining to see if there were any walkers, I turned to Bob and gave him a small smile.

"Give a listen," I told him as I watched him glance out into the distance. We all could hear the music and judging by Bob's expression he heard it too. There he has it. Now he gets how we got them all to leave this place so we can go do the run we need to.

"You drew 'em out," Michonne stated as she looked to me and Daryl a little surprised. Sasha and Glenn too had been with me and Daryl when we went out to put the boom box out. This was so that the walkers could hear it and be drawn to it instantly. They are attracted to music and sounds...like moths to a flame.

"Put a boom box out there three days ago," Sasha told Michonne.

"Hooked it up to two car batteries," Glenn informed us as he knew more about things like that than me and Sasha. Although...Daryl is quite clever with cars and...come to think of it...he's smart at quite a lot of things. This man surprises me more and more every day.

"All right, let's make a sweep. Make sure it's safe. Grab what you can. We'll come back tomorrow with more people," Daryl said as he led us into the small campsite. Walking in, we all stayed close and alert. Following after Daryl, he looked around and then went towards the entrance of the Big Spot. "Come on," he said as he began to jog, following his lead I too jogged a little and looked inside the windows.

Daryl then knocked on it using his elbow and sat down on the ledge beside the window. Looking as though he was pretending to be bait. Knocking on windows or doors was a standard routine we would do in case any walkers were lurking inside of somewhere we needed to be. "Just give it a second," he said as Zach came to lean against the wall beside Daryl. Michonne stood beside me and smiled at me.

"Okay, I think I got it," Zach said as he looked to Daryl. Every day, Daryl would come up to me and tell me of the funny guesses Zach would make about Daryl. We would sit there and laugh at what Zach had thought Daryl was and Daryl would tell me that each time, Zach was wrong.

"Got what?" Michonne asked curiously as she looked between the three of us. Oh no...here we go. Time for a good laugh. Hope I don't piss myself. That's just what I would need with Daryl around here.

"I've been trying to guess what Daryl did before the turn," Zach told her as she leaned against the wall and watched Zach sit down beside Daryl. Daryl's crossbow lazily sitting on his lap as he looked at the three of us but at Zach with slight amusement in his eyes.

"He's been trying to guess for, like, six weeks," I told Michonne as I giggled and smiled at Daryl. A small smirk playing on his lips as he looked around and tried not to meet any of our gazes. He failed once and many other times as he would look at me and snicker. He's thinking about those times too.

"Yeah, I'm pacing myself. One shot a day," Zach said as his face was showing one of confidence. The boy thinks he's got it. The day he gets it...I will probably be teasing Daryl for a good long while. Making sure he doesn't live it down. Although...I'm curious as to what he was before all of this too.

"All right, shoot," Daryl said as he was sat there waiting for the walkers to make an appearance. Possibly hoping for them to make one too. Daryl absolutely hates attention drawn towards him. I think that's one of the reason he's only kind and sweet when he's alone with someone.

"Well, the way you are at the prison, you being on the council, you're able to track, you're helping people, but you're still being kind of...surly," Zach said as he was struggling for words of description. "Big swing here," he said as though he was making a big build up for the huge reveal. "Homicide cop," he said as though this was it. This just made me burst out laughing, clutching at my stomach as my face turned red and tears were pouring from the corners of my eyes. Michonne too was laughing but I couldn't breathe.

"What's so funny?" Daryl asked me with a teasing gleam in his eyes as he kept them on me but glanced at Michonne momentarily. Wiping at my eyes, I calmed my laughter and couldn't wipe the smile from my face.

"Nothing," I said with a small giggle. "It makes perfect sense," I said as I had to laugh a little more. Daryl? A homicide cop? Has Zach been taking some strong stuff? What the hell?! Daryl would never be a homicide cop. He hated my dad for being a cop and Shane too! Too fucking funny.

"Actually, the man's right," Daryl said with all seriousness which just made me burst out laughing again as I had finally contained my composure and kept a straight face. "Undercover," Daryl said which was literally making my sides hurt from all the laughter. I can't anymore. I can't. Michonne had to support me as I was close to falling on the floor and rolling around from all the laughter.

"Come on, really?" Zach asked him as he looked to Daryl. I had gained my composure again and kept a straight face. Michonne's hand on my waist as she tried to keep me balanced and to stop me from possibly falling.

"Yep," Daryl agreed, a gleam in his eye as he would look to Zach and then up to me. "I don't like to talk about it 'cause it was a lot of heavy shit, you know?" Daryl asked teasingly, I saw him look up at me with a smirk and hidden joke in his eyes. He so wasn't a cop. He's just messing with the kid.

"Dude, come on, really?" Zach asked a little unsure of what was real and false. When he saw how Daryl smirked at him then looked away, he could tell it was all a lie and joke. "Okay. I'll just keep guessing, I guess," Zach said as Daryl cleared his throat and fixed his crossbow. Zach looked defeated...again.

"Yeah, you keep doing that," Daryl said with a small smirk, his eyes glancing up to mine and I had to smile as I looked away. Daryl reveals small amounts of things to me...he really thinks he's going to just tell Zach who he was and what he did? I had to work hard in order to get information about his past from him.

"Mm-hmm," Zach said as a few walkers jumped up behind them, thumping the glass as they growled and gnawed at the window. Their faces pressed up as they were desperate for food. Standing to an alert, Daryl held his crossbow firmly and I pulled out off my bow and slipped some arrows out. Michonne gently gliding her sword out as we all were alert.

"We're gonna do this, Detective?" Michonne teased which made me laugh softly. Turning it into a snicker as we all got ready to go in. Good lord...they are funny. Daryl really has become a close friend and...we've had a lot of funny and embarressing moments together.

"Let's do it," he encouraged with a small smirk. Daryl lead us in as I opened the door for us, Michonne following after him and I walked in slowly. Bow raised as fired an arrow and placed another. Taking down any walkers that were around and getting closer.


DPOV

We were waiting by the front door, myself, Kat, Zach and Michonne closely together but spaced out. "Okay, I think I got it," Zach said as he looked to me. Every day he guessed what I used to be. Me and Kat would spend hours laughing together about the ideas Zach came up with.

"Got what?" Michonne asked curiously as she looked between the three of us. Bless her...if only she was around more often, she too could probably get a laugh at the silly thoughts of this boy. Both myself and Kat believed the Governor would be back but Kat felt the need to keep Michonne company some days on her trips. She balanced her life out and would always return every day with whoever she was with back to the prison.

"I've been trying to guess what Daryl did before the turn," Zach told her as she leaned against the wall and watched Zach sit down beside me. My crossbow lazily sitting on my lap as I looked at the three of them. Kat's eyes shone in the sunlight and it made me feel as though I was glancing at an angel again. A yellow outline curving her body as she looked down at me.

"He's been trying to guess for, like, six weeks," Kat told Michonne as she giggled and smiled at me. A small smirk playing on my lips as I looked around and tried not to meet Kat's gaze. She's so pretty when she laughs, the sound is like a drug and it goes straight to my face. Makes me smile whenever I hear her laughing or teasing people. We had gotten really close since everything happened and she had changed a lot. She was always out.

She was a member of the council and she had grown wiser. She had also grown closer to me. She knew things about me that I had never spoken to others about. Her beauty still mesmorized me. Whenever I would do something stupid, she always seemed to giggle and it only would embarress me. When she did something silly, we always would tease each other, no matter who messed up and I thought she was adorable whenever she would trip up a little or say something wrong.

She knew my darkest secrets, the only thing she didn't know was my weakness and that...was surprisingly her whenever she was around me. I would do anything for her. Especially if it gains me the pleasure of hearing her laugh like that. Glancing to her, I snickered the pair of us having the same thoughts of what happened whenever she returned and I would tell her the absurd ideas Zach had about me.

"Yeah, I'm pacing myself. One shot a day," Zach said as his face was showing one of confidence. The boy thinks he's got it. The day he gets it...I will give him a bone, pat on the back and a 'Congradulations' card.

"All right, shoot," I said as we were there waiting for the walkers to make an appearance. I wonder if he'll get it right...I'll be surprised if he does but...not even Kat knows what I was. Or Rick but...that doesn't really interest him. Not like me and Kat who talk about our pasts and about silly stories we both remember. She knows so much about me...she's almost like a best friend...except. She's one I would like to kiss and have in my bed. If only...

"Well, the way you are at the prison, you being on the council, you're able to track, you're helping people, but you're still being kind of...surly," Zach said as he pulled me out of my thoughts, I had been lucky because I was staring at Kat for a good long minute. Looking to the boy, I waited for him to explain what he thought I was.

"Big swing here," he said as though he was making a big build up for the huge reveal. "Homicide cop," he said as though this was it. This just made Kat burst out laughing, clutching at her stomach as her face turned red and tears were pouring from the sides of her eyes. Michonne too was laughing but Kat was struggling for breath. She's so cute.

"What's so funny?" I asked Kat with a small smirk on my face. My eyes on her but glanced at Michonne as not to bring to much attention towards our exchanges. Wiping at her eyes, she finally relaxed from her laughter and a smile was plastered on her sweet face. She's so sweet...and beautiful. To my eyes and ears...she's like a drug.

"Nothing," Kat said with a small giggle at the end. "It makes perfect sense," she told me she laugh a little more. I bet she's thinking of me with Shane and her dad at the beginning. Ah well...at least it's made her smile. I like seeing her like this, makes her more beautiful and it makes her not so tense. Makes me a little tense but it's because I can't control how I feel about her when she's around me.

"Actually, the man's right," I said with all seriousness which just made her burst out laughing again, just when she had finally contained her composure and could keep a straight face. "Undercover," I said with a small nod of my had to support Kat as she was bound to fall to the floor from all the laughter she was having out of this.

"Come on, really?" Zach asked me as he looked to me from the corner of my eyes. Kat could finally keep a straight face. Michonne's hand on her waist as she tried to keep Kat on her feet and my eyes glued to anywhere but her. Can't look at her. She's just too cute and beautiful. Might end up drooling and that would be way too awkward. Especially in a situation like this.

"Yep," I agreed, as I looked Zach and then up to Kat. Her bright blues light from the laugher and slightly moist from the tears that had build up in them. "I don't like to talk about it 'cause it was a lot of heavy shit, you know?" I tried to make myself seem like I was serious. Kat sensed my teasing, she gave me a small grin as I smirked and looked away quickly.

"Dude, come on, really?" Zach asked a little unsure of what was real and false. When he saw how I smirked and then looked away, he could tell it was all a lie and joke. "Okay. I'll just keep guessing, I guess," Zach said as I looked away and cleared my throat. Fixing my crossbow. Zach looked to his feet and I kept my eyes away from Kat. This is getting a little too teasing. We don't normally joke around others. It's making me a little uncomfortable.

"Yeah, you keep doing that," I said with a small smirk, glancing up at Kat and she smiled at me as she looked away a little shyly. She's so funny, sweet, smart and strong. We've gotten close but...she's still a little shy and it doesn't surprise me. She doesn't want me. We're family. I respect her dad and I know no one in her family would want me anywhere near her if they knew what I felt for her.

"Mm-hmm," Zach said as a few walkers jumped up behind us, thumping the glass as they growled and gnawed at the window. Their faces pressed up as they were desperate for food. Straightening up, I held my crossbow firmly in my hands and and saw Kat and Michonne become equally as alert and ready as I was.

"We're gonna do this, Detective?" Michonne teased which made Kat laugh softly. A small smile forming on my lips as I heard Kat snicker as we all got ready to go in. What would I do without these people and the others back at the prison? I don't even want to think about it.

"Let's do it," I encouraged with a small smirk. I lead us in as Kat opened the door for us, Michonne following after me and Kat coming in last. We kept fighting until the place was clear and we knew there weren't going to be any more walkers coming close to us. Prepared to now take what we needed from our run here.


RPOV

"We were going to Puerto Vallarta for our honeymoon. When they shut down the airports, our connecting flight never connected. They wouldn't let us leave the terminal, so...we slept next to these huge marble sculptures from Zimbabwe," Clara told me as we both walked through the woods towards her husband. Dodging trees and watching out for roots that stuck out from the ground and walkers.

"Then, on the fourth night, the things just came through. There were a lot of us and...now it's just Eddie and me," she told me as she stopped and looked at me. "And I wouldn't have made it if it wasn't for him. And it isn't that...he saved me over and over again or that he showed me the things that I had to do or...to be willing to do," she said as her voice shook from the tears that were building in her eyes.

"If he wasn't still here...I-I couldn't be. I just-...I couldn't," she said as I saw her struggle. She's really thankful for her husband. Kat, Carl and Judith save me every day. I understand exactly what she means about people being there and making us keep pushing to survive.

"What were they?" I asked her as she turned her back on me and kept walking deeper into the woods.

"What?" she asked me curious as to what I was asking her.

"The things you had to be willing to do?" I asked her being less vague than before. This time...she should be able to understand what I mean. Hopefully.

"Um...eating whatever we could find. Animal carcasses and rotten fruit, and...leaving people behind," she explained what she needed to do in order to survive according to what her husband taught her and told her. "Hiding from people who needed my help. Unlike you," she said as a tear escaped her eye and fell to the floor.

"This is not charity. You have to have numbers. People are the best defense against walkers or people," I said as we continued to walk. Stating things from experience and from the fact we had all survived better than we did when we were all alone. "We help each other," I state to her, proud of my group and the people I could truly trust.

"You call them 'walkers'?" she asked me as I snickered a little and kept walking after her. Letting her lead me the way. It was Morgan who called them that. I wonder how he is. I hope he's come back from losing his wife and son. Shit...I'm still so sorry for him after what happened to him.


KPOV

Roaming around, I was putting anything I could into my backpack and seeing what things there were I could possibly take back for the kids and for my family. I had seen from the corner of my eye Michonne slice at a card board cut out of a walker and stiffled a small giggle. Continuing with my small browsing, I then heard a smash, crash and scream.

Running towards the sound, I saw Bob was trapped under a shelf and Daryl's crouched form shinning his torch to look at Bob's current state. "You all right? You cut or something?" Daryl asked as he was inspecting what was going on. I went to them and crouched down too, seeing the damage Bob had done and how he was.

"No, man, but my foot is caught," Bob told us as he gave us an appologetic smile. Looking to Daryl, we exchanged a nod and carefully we tried to lift the shelf off of him and saw there was at least more than one shelf that fell onto Bob.

"All right. He's just caught. Come on, help us up," Daryl called to the others as me and him tried to lift the shelf together. Straining but then feeling the weight slowly disappear as Tyreese and Zach helped lift the shelves off of Bob.

"What happened?" I heard Glenn call to us in the distance.

"Everyone's all right. We're over in wine and beer," I shouted back to him, lifting the shelves but Daryl gently nudged me away. Telling me that him and the others had got it. Standing back, I waited for them to lift the last shelf off of Bob.

"I was moving fast. I drove right into the drinks," Bob said as he was stuck under the final shelf. All we had to do was lift that one and we could get Bob out safely. I could hear something sinking above us, looking up I noticed water drip and make a small pool on the floor.

"Man, you lucked out. If this thing had come down on you the wrong way-" Tyreese said as he ducked down. Daryl followed my line of vision, the both of us squinting up at it and looking confused. Next thing we all heard and saw was the crashing of the ceiling and walkers falling from the roof. Holy fuck.

Daryl quickly reached for me and pulled me back, to be behind him and he stood in front of me firmly. Protectively. A walker dangling from it's guts and swinging above our heads. "Yeah, uh, we should probably go now," Glenn said as him, Sasha and Michonne came towards us and saw what was happening.

"Bob's still stuck. Get him out of there," Daryl said as he ran to Bob and tried to lift the shelf on his own. What the hell is he doing?! He could get himself killed! He's being all heroic which is nice but...we can't save everyone if the ceiling is collapsing on us!

"We'll get the others," I said as me and Michonne both got ready to kill some walkers. Knowing that the weight was going to give in and that possibly more walkers could fall from the roof. Suddenly walkers began to fall from the roof and crashed down from the broken pieces that were weak above us. Fuck...talk about raining men and walkers. This is not going to be fun.

Backing away, I had my hand firm on my machete as I kept backing away and moved as far from the center of the ceiling, where Daryl was and tried to look for a part of the ceiling that looked firm enough to stand under. "Hey!" I heard Bob screamed as he probably realized we were all leaving him there in order to stay safe and find a spot where we could defend ourselves without getting hit by the ceiling and attacked by falling walkers.


RPOV

"I saw those sculptures at the airport once," I said as I remembered the time me and Lori were there in that airport, going on our own honeymoon and left Kat with Shane for that weekend. "My favorite was the kids playing leapfrog," I told her with a small smile.

"Mine, too," Clara said as though she was bored. She's probably tired. "What Eddie and I had to do, did you do things like that? Did you?" she asked me as I stayed silent. "Do you think you get to come back from them?" she asked me as I thought of all the bad things I had done.

"I hope so," I said with all the honesty I had. If Kat and Carl can do it...I hope I can too. But...Kat's never done anything wrong. Other than make foolish choices and make stupid mistakes. Like trusting the Governor wouldn't use her against us.

"Yeah?" she said with a quick glance in my direction. "I hope we answer your three questions to your satisfaction," she said a little stiffly which made me look to her slightly confused. Something's not right.


KPOV

Gunshots were being fired in random areas, people were scattered and I was trying hard not to get caught. Dodging walkers, I backed away and sneaked around corners. Just as I turned one corner, I tripped over a walker and fell onto my back, grunting from the impact my back had hit against the floor. Next thing I saw was a walker above me, snapping at my face as I pushed it as hard as I could. Trying to keep it from doing any harm to me.

I was losing the fight as I was searching for anything I could use as a weapon. Then...slash. I saw the tip of an all too familiar blade slice right into it's mouth and out the back of it's head. The sword pulled out and I threw the walker to one side. Michonne leaned over and offered me her hand. "Always saving your ass. What would you do without me?" Michonne teased as I took her hand and she lifted me up in a swift movement.

"Hey, you know that without my ass you wouldn't have anything to save," I joked and she laughed. "Besides...you'd miss me too much," I teased and she smiled at me. Pushing me, we went as a team to any direction we could and killed off walkers as best we could. Turning around, I found she was no longer behind me and the next thing I knew, a walker came up in front of me and threw me to the shelves. Pressing itself against me as I tried to kick it off me.

It was close to biting my neck when I heard a grunt and then the weight was gone. Daryl's hands gripped me as he turned me to face him, looking at me with his frantic blue eyes as he checked me for any bites and scratches. When he saw non he looked releived. A look in his eyes that made me feel like he wanted to pull me into a hug but we had to part from our moment to fight off walkers that were still falling.

"Hey!" I heard Bob cry. "Hey!" I heard him shout to us and this was when I rushed to him. Daryl was climbing on boxes and was killing walkers with his gun. Using my machete, I sliced a walker that was making it's way to Bob and he thanked me. He screamed and told me to look behind me. Turning around, I quickly sliced a walker and saw it's head fall of it's shoulders.

"Daryl, go!" I shouted as I pulled out my own gun and began to shoot at the walkers. My aim was perfect as I kept my hands steady, kicking any walkers away from me and stomping the walkers that were crawling on the floor. Their heads splattering and spilling all over the floor. Daryl rushed off the boxes and killed off a few walkers that got in his way. There was a helicopter above us that was about to fall down on us.

"Let's get Bob," Zach shouted as he shot at as many walkers as he could. Daryl pushed me back, away from the chopper and with the help of Zach, he pulled out Bob from under the shelf. Zach was lifting the shelf high enough to get Bob out.

"Let's go!" Daryl shouted as everyone else mimicked the same words and pushed Bob in front of us. We looked up and saw how close the helicopter was to falling on top of us. We had all been panting, worrying as to how to get out and where.

We then heard a scream, growl and the crunching of squishing skin. Looking back, we all froze when we saw Zach get eaten by a walker and pulled under the shelf as he screamed. "Zach!" Glenn shouted after him as we all stood there shocked by what we all had just witnessed.

"Go, go!" Daryl shouted as we saw the chopper above us start to fall down on us. Crushing a dying Zach under it as it all became rubble for Zach. Daryl quickly took my hand and forcefully pulled me with him towards an exit. "Come on!" he shouted as we all ran for it, moving as quickly as we could as the roof collapsed on us. Panting, screaming and crying when we had finally got out safely from the building. Thanking God we were all alive and safe. Poor Zach...poor Beth.


RPOV

"It's just ahead," she told me as she walked forward and we appeared in a small clearing. There was no body here. "Eddie. Oh, thank God you're still here," Clara spoke to no one as she kept walking ahead. "This is Rick. He's gonna help us. Everything's gonna be okay," she said as she got to her knees in front of some crates and what looked like a bag. "Everything-" she mumbled as I looked around.

Looking into the tent, I noticed there was only one pillow and no one else but her. Holy shit...her husband's dead. This was when I heard the familiar sound of a knife slip out of her holster, a scream and then running towards me. Dodging her, she fell to the floor and I pulled out my gun in high speed. "Damn it!" I growled. Why did she have to go all fucking crazy on me like this?!

"I wanted to take the boar. I just knew-I knew I'd get you here so much quicker. He's starving. He's slowing. He needs something alive," she pleaded as she tried to give me a good excuse for her walker husband. "Please, I told you, I can't be without him. And so I kept him. It was wrong. I can't do things like this," she told me. She was going to kill me to save her walker husband. She's never killed a living and breathing person before. She can't do it.

"And-and you have to do things like this. Let me be like him," she pleaded to me as her sobs controlled her. "Don't stop it. Don't end it after," she pleaded as she raised her knife and aimed it towards her stomach. Please...don't make me do this. Don't make me see this happening.

"No," I pleaded. She shouldn't have to die. But...she did tell me she didn't have anything else to live for. God...is this what I would be like if I lost everyone and everything I ever cared about? I can't let this happen to me. Ever.

"Let me be with him," she pleaded one last time as she prepared herself. Her grip firm as she plunged the dagger into her gut. Gasping and making noises of strangled pain. Oh God...

"No!" I screamed as she pierced herself. My gun raised to her head as I cried to myself. I've had these same types of thoughts when it came to Lori's death...to Kat's death. I had to stay strong. For Carl, Judith, Kat and the others. People who need me.

Blood poured out of her as she sobbed and gasped for breath. Her body limp against the ground as she dug the knife into herself more, deeper and twisting it. "Hey," I whispered sadly as I stopped my pacing and decided to crouch beside her. Comfort her while she had her final breaths.

"What were...the questions?" she gasped out at me. "The three questions?" she whispered as she shut her eyes. Fuck...I should have stayed with the others at the prison. She didn't deserve this. I don't either. I can't even look at her for Christ's sake!

"How many walkers have you killed?" I asked her as we stayed silent. Looking to the heavens for answers. Why me? Why am I here with her? Why am I the one witnessing this? Her body trembling and mouth gaping like a fish as she gasped for air.

"Eddie-Eddie killed-killed them all. Until..." she trailed off. Not needing any more answers other than that one. Fuck...why am I doing this? She's dying. I wish I could save her but I don't have the equiptment, heart or knowledge to save her.

"How many people have you killed?" I asked her the second question. Follow the rules. Follow the ones that we had set together. Give her something to think about other than the pain she must be feeling. Tears were running down my face as sweat was building all over my skin.

"Just me. Just me," she whispered out as I could tell her time was coming to an end. Lori...is this a sign? God? Do I need to change and fix my life in order to protect my children? Get back to them to make sure they are safe, strong and smart. This way I can become sane again. Become whole. They don't deserve a crazed father. They deserve better.

"Why?" I asked her as I rubbed at my face. Why? Why would you kill yourself? Not that I need an answer but...I'm curious as to why you would do such a thing. I feel so weak and vulnerable. This is terrible. What do I tell the others?

"You don't-you don't get to come back. You don't get to come back from things," she gasped out as she was clutching for any breath she could in order to finish her sentence. "You don't..." she said but trailed off, this was when I saw she had stopped breathing and was no longer trembling. Still and...dead.

Looking to the bag, I saw it wriggle and decided it would be best to take my things and leave. Taking the food, the knife and other weapons, I left with the food I had given and collected. Leaving the pair behind. She asked for this and that's what she'll get. Heading back to the prison, all I could think about was the family and loved ones I had left there. Needing to return to them as I realized they meant the world to me. Without them...I would be just like Clara.


CPOV

Deciding to show up to the story time, I sneakily walked in and heard Carol reading a story to the children. A man gave Carol a gesture and soon enough, left short after saying his good bye and walked out the room. Carol gradually stopped reading and placed the book away to one side.

"Ma'am, should I take watch now?" Luke asked Carol as she looked to the children that were all seated on the floor in front of her. What the hell is going on? Why does Luke need to go take watch? What is Carol doing here with these children?

"Yes, Luke, you do that," Carol said as he ran off, making me hide and looked to see him stay out and keep an eye out for something. Has there been a break through of walkers we don't know about? "Today...we are talking about knives. How to use them, how to be safe with them, and how they could save your life," Carol said as she pulled up a box and opened it to show the children a selection of knives.

"Ma'am, may I be dismissed?" Patrick asked her with a weak like voice. No wonder he's been here...he learns about killing and using weapons when adults leave her. She's teaching them things that maybe their parents wouldn't consent to.

"What is it?" Carol asked Patrick a little concerned and worried that he might be weak stomached for this type of lesson. Hm...I don't know. I think I should tell dad about this. Tell him what Carol is doing and put a stop to it...if that's what the parents want to do.

"I'm not feeling very well," Patrick declared to everyone as we all could see his face turn white. He looked like he was either going to throw up or faint. Holy shit. Is he so afraid of the knives? Then again...I was angry with guns for a time and that was mostly because of my mistake which caused Dale to die.

"Sometimes you're gonna have to fight through it. What if you wind up out there alone?" Carol asked him but didn't allow him to answer. "You just give up because you're feeling bad?" Carol questioned him as though she knew the answers to it all.

"No, it's just I don't want to yack on somebody," Patrick said as he looked to everyone a little apologetically. All the children moved away from him quickly and this made Carol notice the other children's reaction and how Patrick was looking.

"Go," Carol said and without another word, Patrick ran off and left the rest of us there. Carol completely oblivious to my presence. "Okay, today we're gonna learn how to hold a knife, how to stab and slash and where to aim for," she said as she held a knife and moved it around dramatically. Uncrouching from my position, her eyes flickered to me and she froze. "Please, don't tell your father," she pleaded to me. We both were there silent for a moment before I turned and left her to her 'story time'.


RPOV

Returning back to the prison, I had placed the things back and saw how a walker looked weird. Blood running down it's eyes and his eyes a blood shot red that didn't look normal. Violet was dead and I had no idea what I was doing anymore. Today has been one hell of a day. Kat's not back yet but...I really need to talk to her. I need to tell her about what happened. She'll understand me. She always has...


DPOV

"Hey," Beth said as she looked up at me. Her hair in a messy pony tail, her body sprawled out on the bed as she scribbled in her notebook. Her eyes glanced up at me, the baby blues kind as she looked to me. She's sweet but...she acts so...not exactly what I like. As though she has no emotions.

"Hi," I mumbled awkwardly. Well...how do I start? Do I just blurt out, 'hey...guess what? Your boyfriend's dead and possibly a squished walker meat under a destroyed chopper.' No. That sounds rude. But...how do you tell a girl, someone they loved is now dead?

"What is it?" she asked me as her doe eyes looked up at me. Her expression slightly worried and her eyes curious. Is she genuinely showing me some sort of emotion? Who knew she had any when it came to this new world.

"Zach," I state as I didn't know what else to say. I can't just tell her he died out there. It feels a little rude. It doesn't feel right. They were so in love and happy. The fact that Zach was an okay guy...saddens me because she is now without him. I don't even want to know what it would be like without everyone. Without...Kat.

"Is he dead?" she asked me curiously. "Okay," she said as she sat up and took my silence as a 'yes'. She then got up to remove the 3 from '30 days without an accident'. "What?" she asked me as I studdied her curiously. Why is she not sad? Why isn't she crying over a lost loved one? "I don't cry anymore, Daryl," she told me. Doesn't surprise me. You didn't even cry for Jimmy. "I'm just glad I got to know him, you know?" she said as she shrugged and walked closer to me.

"Me, too," I agreed. Zach was a good guy. He didn't deserve to die but...there wasn't much choice to the matter. The roof was caving in on us and it collapsed onto him as he was being dragged by walkers to become their dinner. Stepping out, I then saw Kat placing Judith into her cot, her eyes glancing up at me and realizing that I was slightly upset.


KPOV

"Daryl. Are you okay?" I stopped Daryl when I caught him leaving Beth's room. His eyes sad as I walked closer to him. Judith was sound asleep, sucking on her pacifier and Daryl was in clear slight distress. Or at least some level of depression. My arms crossed as I stopped him in his tracks by standing in front of him.

"Yeah I'm just...tired of losing people, is all," Daryl said as he looked down sadly with a small sigh. It somehow hurt me to see him like this. So lost and helpless. He's such a kind and good person. He cares and means it. I wish this wasn't beating him up like it is.

"Daryl...it wasn't your fault that we lost someone today," I said sadly as I looked up at him with sad eyes. His eyes glancing down at me as he moved his head from side to side, keeping his eyes hidden away from mine. Oh no...

"It don't matter," Daryl mumbled as he was clearly upset over Zach's death. More than how Beth was upset. And that was her boyfriend who was killed and we all cried about him more than she did. "What matters is we keep doing what we can," Daryl said with a small nod as his blue eyes looked to me.

"We save who we can and...he was dead before we could save him," I agreed and said sadly as I thought about Zach. I too wanted to save him but...there was nothing we could have done. It was dark, shadows appearing on the sides of our faces as the moonlight shined through what was classified as windows. His eyes twinkling slightly as he looked to me.

"I know," Daryl agreed as he looked to me. He chewed a little on the inside of his cheek. His eyes on mine as I carefully placed my hand on his that was on the rail. He wanted to go down the stairs before I stopped him and spoke to him about his emotions.

"I'm sorry Daryl," I said sadly as I looked up into his sad eyes. Taking very slow steps and movements, I got closer to him and slid my arms around him. Holding him to me as I carefully placed my head to rest against his chest. Hearing the way it would beat against his chest rapidly from my unexpected touch, his body tensing and slowly he relaxed.

"I'm just glad it wasn't anyone in our close group," I whispered as I nuzzled my head a little and felt as he sighed out all the tension he had. Waiting as he gradually wrapped his arms around me and held me to him. His head gently resting against mine as he sighed and breathed me in. The warmth of his body, the smell of his skin and the hold he had on me was comforting to me. My eyes shutting as I enjoyed this rare moment and decided to make the most of it. Daryl rarely ever lets anyone hug him...I'm surprised he let me but...it took a lot in him to get comfortable to this interaction.

"Yeah...me too," Daryl whispered as we stayed there for a few moments longer. Listening to each other's breathing, heart beats, the sounds of people snoring and the feel of each other's affections. I really like him...sometimes...I wonder what it would feel like to press my lips to his. To feel his fingers run over my skin, to tange and run through my hair. The taste of him...why does he shut most people out but let me and some others in at times? Daryl Dixon is one hell of a mystery to me...


RPOV

I had just witnessed Daryl and Kat's small moment, asking her to come talk to me, Daryl pulled away and walked away awkwardly. Mumbling something to himself as he tried to play it off as though he was stretching and nothing had happened. I had talked to Kat about the woman I had met in the woods. "You tried to help her. You couldn't. No one could," Kat told me sadly. "Some people are too far gone. You're not. You tried to help her," she said as she looked to me with kind eyes.

"How that woman wound up, I got close to that," I said, stuttering a little as I thought of the woman and how I too had felt like her once. "If I lost Carl, you and Judith...if I lost this place-" I said as Kat cut my off by taking my hands in hers.

"Not then, dad. Not even then," Kat said with a small shake of her head. Her eyes looking deep into mine as she reassured me. "You came back. Carl came back. I've never left but...I've had my moments," she explained with a small smile on her lips. "You get to come back too dad. You do," Kat said with a nod and squeeze of my hands.

"We'll get through this. Together. As a family," she said firmly as she emphasised improtant words like 'Together' and 'Family'. "Just...take it each day at a time," Kat suggested with a warm smile. Her teeth all a pearly white as she looked to me with gleaming, bright blue eyes. We raised her well...Kat's a strong, beautiful and wise girl. Not a girl. Woman. Her mother would be proud. I am proud of her.

"I love you Kitty Kat," I told her warmly as I let go of her hands and pulled her to me in a warm hug. My arms wrapping around her and my lips pressed to the top of her head. Such a strong and sweet girl. She'd be a great leader. A great match for Daryl too...they're good for each other. I know. I see it. I can tell.

"I love you too dad," Kat said with a small giggle as he hands gripped my back. We stood there, holding each other and enjoying a moment together. She knows how to soothe me. How to make me see sense. She's something I need to keep me strong. Her, Carl, Judith and the others. But Kat...the way she speaks to me...it's like a silent prayer has been answered...


Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Now...I would like 10 reviews. Not because I'm greedy but...because it gives me enough time to fix chapters and set them out. Ready to be posted and reviewed by you guys. Don't hate me for it but...I want those 10 reviews and won't post the next chapter until I get the 10 I'm asking for.


Now...questions and then replies to reviews!

1) What did you think of this chapter?

2) Is there anything you would like to see?

3) What do you predict will happen through out this season? Do you think Kat will leave with Daryl? Do you think she'll be seperated from her family? Do you think she'll be 'claimed' by Daryl? Guess!

4) What did you think of the Daryl and Kat moments? #Karyl


Now...replies!


EastDenise: I know what you mean! Me too. I won't say anything but let's say...Kat's going to be in quite bad shape when the Governor attacks. That's all I'm going to say dear. As for Kat and Carl...they might be having a minor argument about something soon...


Karen: Here you have it! How did you like this chapter dear? I feel like I push it a little when it comes to Karyl.


Guest: They all sure had one hell of a ride in that chapter! As for this one...I hope you liked it just as much, I know I enjoyed writing it!


Starlight: I think Kat and Rick's relationship is just so...special. They are so close. They are kind of like each other's light when it comes to times like that. They reach out for each other and share those vulnerable moments together now rather than face it alone. Daryl would of cared for her but...he wouldn't know how to comfort her like Rick did. I loved that moment too. Since months have gone by now, Kat and Daryl have grown closer and have shared plenty of awkward moments we don't know about...yet. Maybe. Possibly. Who knows?


kayley . docherty: Thank you sweetie. I too cried while writing that chapter and it really broke my heart. It just...needed to happen so Kat and other characters could develop. Become stronger and more different than they already were.


likea . witch: In all honesty...I can't wait either. #Karyl


Guest: They are! I'm glad you pointed it out. Glad you've spotted it too! I'm glad you love Kat as much as I do x


kellie: Thank you for your interest to the story! Good ideas but...I won't spoil anything sweetie. Thank you for your compliments and well...clearly this is all before the Governor's attack. We'll have to see where it leads from here.


redangel2463: Welcome back! I wondered where you'd went! Glad to see you're back. How have you been? As for your suggestions...hope this was up to your expectation! As for Kat reacting to all of it, we'll have to wait and see. When it comes to the seperation working out...we'll have to see how that goes. I know what I have planned and it's going to be intense. Hope you liked this chapter dear!


Guest: Haha! Claimed! Good idea there but...I won't give any indication as to where I'm going with on this. Not yet at least. You'll see. I'm glad you think Kat and Daryl are your OTP. That means a lot to me. As for the kiss...we'll have to see won't we?


Now...until the 10 reviews...there will be no new chapters. The quicker I get reviews, the quicker I type and update!

Much love!

HeroJustInTime90 xx