Noah POV

The first thing I noticed when I woke up was that I was not on the cold hard ground as I had expected after last night's event. Instead, I was tucked inside a sleeping bag inside a tent. Looking around, I noticed I was alone. My backpack and tote bag were lined up by the side of the tent. My shoes were lying next to me as well.

Alexis crossed my mind for a split second and a wave of nausea hit me. I ran outside of the tent barefoot to empty out my already empty stomach. I ran to the nearest bush ignoring how everyone had stopped what they were doing to stare at me.

When I was done vomiting, I let my knees hit the floor and just stayed there lost in my own thoughts. What was to become of me now? No one would give a damn about what happened to me from now on, even if Rick had promised I would be fine, I knew he had his family to worry about and I didn't blame him for being busy.

I must have looked pathetic kneeling on the ground feeling sorry for myself. I didn't care, I covered my face with my hands as I fought back tears that were threatening to make their way out.

"Hey are you okay?" I heard the concerned little voice of someone. I turned around to see a young boy and girl with worried looks on their faces.

I nodded my head and tried to smile at them.

"Here you must be hungry you can have my granola bar." He reached out to give me his food and sat down next to me.

"You can have my juice box too." The little girl said and sat down on my other side.

I kindly accepted their offerings because it was not a surprise I was starving and probably dehydrated.

"My name is Carl, that right there is Sophia. What's your name? Are you staying here with us?" He asked excitedly.

"My name is Noah and yes I'm staying with you, I think we are going to be good friends. What you think?" I chuckled and punched his arm lightly to lighten down the mood. I like kids they are so easy going and Alexis said I could relate to them better because I acted like them.

Both Carl and Sophia smiled and nodded.

"Hey Carl whose tent is that one?" I pointed to the tent I had been sleeping in.

"That's Daryl's. He is kind of scary and doesn't talk to anyone else much." He scrunched up his nose as he talked about Daryl.

"You shouldn't judge people so fast and get to know them better." I ruffled his hair and made my way inside the tent to get my shoes as I drank the juice box Sophia had gave me and ate the granola bar.

I put my old red converse on and tied my shoe laces good, not that it mattered because they were going to untie anyway. When I stepped outside the tent the kids where gone off to do their own things and so I made my way to the rest of the group who were all arguing about something I couldn't quite hear.

When I got closer, I saw Rick, Daryl, Glenn, and other people burying the dead. Had none of them slept last night? I remember Carl said I had spent the night in Daryl's tent. I wonder how I had ended up there. Daryl still sounded really pissed about his brother.

"Daryl how can I help?" I made my way to him to ask him.

"You better off not gettin' on ma way." He picked up a body by the arms and started pulling it to the other side. I grabbed it… I mean him… by the legs and helped Daryl out even if he didn't want me too. He rolled his eyes but didn't complain.

"So umm thank you for sharing your tent." I told him. He ignored me and went over to pick up another body. I hurried after him to keep helping.

"Did you carry me there last night?"

"Yer shoe's untied." He told me without answering my question. I looked down to see my tattered and untied shoelaces and shrugged, I would tie them later.

"You did not answer my question." I told him with.

"Ya talk too much." He responded.

"Sorry." I tried to remain quiet while we continued to work but it mostly consisted of me asking Daryl questions he did not answer like where he learned how to handle a panic attack and why he didn't like to talk much.

"A walker bit Jim!" A lady cried. We all turned to see what was happening.

"I'm okay. I'm okay." The guy called Jim tried to tell them but everyone just closed in on him. I saw Shane was among them so I stayed back; I didn't want him to see me. I knew I wasn't one of his favorite people and I didn't know if he knew I was still around.

Jim was bitten and they were trying to figure out what to do. I didn't want to be a part of such decision. How could they even think about killing him? Alexis had gone through the same and I could not think about someone putting a bullet through her head. Everything was getting too much for me. All the arguing and the smell and everything was making me sick.

I went back to Daryl's tent and pulled out Alexis's note from my tote bag. I took my time reading it and taking in each word as if it were her last words because they were. For some reason, I didn't want to cry when I finished it, instead, I felt happy because she hated seeing me sad. She said it didn't fit me. I held the note to my chest and smiled. I missed her so much and I always would but it was time for me to grow up and try to fend for myself.

A couple of minutes later, I went back out and observed from afar how they finished burying their dead. A lone tear made its way down my cheek. How was I expected to watch and not empathize with those who had lost someone, when I had lost someone as well.

I watched as a blonde girl, maybe around my age, was having a hard time letting go. Everyone I knew was there, even Carl and Sophia. When they were done, they all made their way to the other side of camp and I followed.

I walked up to Carl who looked shaken up by all of it.

"Hey little dude." I patted his head.

"Hey Noah." He sounded sad. I had to cheer him on a bit.

"Hey want to know a little secret?" I asked him with a wink.

"Sure!" He perked up a bit. I had to make up something fast.

"I'm part of this super-secret club called The Squirrels and we are taking new members. Would you like to join?" I whispered to him.

"Yes! What do I have to do Noah?"

"All you have to do is always be happy and remain positive no matter what. Plus, new members get something really special." I tried to look secretive as I told him. I knew I had his full attention now and he had long forgotten about the funeral. I took out a red candy from my pocket and gave it to him.

"Once you eat this, you will always have to remain positive and you can never lose hope okay?"

He nodded his head many times.

"Noah, do you think The Squirrels can take one more member?" He asked me. I pretended to think hard for a moment.

"Yes, I suppose so. Who did you have in mind?" I asked and pulled out another candy from my pocket.

"Sophia, she would make a great member and she is my best friend."

"Okay but you need to go explain the rules to her okay?" I told him and gave him the candy. I couldn't help but smile as I saw him run off excitedly in search of Sophia. It made me happy to see other people happy.

Back with the rest of the group, I sat on the ground around the fire, waiting for someone to come and tell us what was next. I figured after last night, we wouldn't stay here any longer. I started playing with the dirt and twigs as everyone around me carried their own conversations.

Carl and Sophia came to sit next to me, both looked extremely pleased and happy. I saw Shane and Rick make their way over. Everyone that was left in the group was there. When Shane laid his eyes on me realization finally hit his face.

"What's that bitch still doing here?" He began to walk my way with his big gun on one hand. I started to stand up and run the other way scared but Rick put his hand on his chest.

"She's part of this group now. There is nothing more to it understood?"

Shane shook his head and threw me a dirty look before backing away. I had noticed Daryl had made his way over from the other side of the fire and was now standing on back of me but I couldn't read his face.

It was then agreed we would be headed to the CDC first thing in the morning. After that everyone went their own ways. It was late and so I made my way back to Daryl's tent and laid down making sure to leave the sleeping bag free for Daryl. Alexis had kept ours in her bag which she had with her when we left Atlanta and so I had none anymore. Daryl was not here yet but this was his space so I shouldn't invade more than necessary. I pulled out my bear from my tote bag and curled up in a little ball to try to go to sleep when suddenly I heard Daryl come in.

"What the Hell." I turned around as I heard him cuss. He grabbed the sleeping bag in a bunch and threw it my way. I was confused.

"This is yours." I threw it back. He just grabbed it again and threw it back at me.

"I'm too tired to put up with yer loud peep hole so just take the damn thing and go to sleep." He said as he pulled a small blanket from his bag and laid down as far away from me as he could be, facing away.

Having recovered from the shock of Daryl sharing, I got inside the nice warm sleeping bag with my bear and closed my eyes. A small smile formed at the corner of my lips. I knew deep down he was a good person.

Hello!

As promised here it is. Let me know if you think I'm writing Daryl too out of character. Anyways thank you so much for the reviews you are awesome! Keep them coming.

The more reviews the sooner I update. I promise! Let's say 3-4 reviews and I update by Tuesday. Keep in mind I don't have any chapters pre-written so I have to sit down and write all this and the ideas just come as I write. Hope you like it!