The people you've been before

That you don't want around anymore

That push and shove and won't bend to your will

I'll keep them still

-Elliot Smith, "Between the Bars"

When the tattooed girl caught his eye back on the highway the other day, Daryl thought she looked like she was trying too hard. Too hard to be tough. Too hard to be a sexy shitkicker. He couldn't help but notice how low her tight black jeans sat. A thick black leather belt with a silver skull and crossbones buckle accentuated her hips and toned waist and brought his eyes to the tight white t-shirt tied up exposing the inked swallows above her hips and pierced navel. Merle kept calling her "little rock and roll queenie." He didn't respect or care about people enough to know their given names. All their lives his brother had nicknames for people. Usually derogatory. That first day they'd stood around looking at the shock on each other's faces after finding out Atlanta had fallen. Merle was sizing everybody up and referring to them as he saw them. The Asian kid Glenn was "Chinaman", the RV guy was "On Golden Pond", those sisters were "blondie" and "sugar tits." Daryl just kept his mouth shut, almost feeling embarrassed but for who? Himself? His brother? The people he was insulting? He pushed it out of his head. Merle was his older brother, his only family. What Merle says goes.

Today that girl who tried too hard was watching the kids. She was cross-legged on the ground, Carl on one side and the little girl who's parents had set up way off from the rest of the group on the other. Sophie, he thought her name was. The three were intently focused on something laid out on an opened bandana a few yards away from where he sat. His back was against a tree trunk as he sharpened his hunting knives. He was minding his own business and keeping a distance, but was close enough to hear them talking.

"Sophia, this one would be real pretty." Danni handed something small to the little girl. "Okay, so now wrap it tight with the wire like this, then when you put the twine through the loop and knot it and it'll stay secure. "

After a couple of minutes, Sophia held up the necklace she had just crafted. "I did it, Danni, See?"

The woman looked up. She shook the shiny black bangs out of her eyes with a toss of her head to see the girl better. "You're really good at this bug. Now let me put it on you. Turn around."

"This seems kind of girly," Carl commented, his voice uncertain. "Can we do something else?"

It was only when he heard the boy say his name that he realized they knew he was in their vicinity.

"Don't you think Daryl?" Carl, the kid, was looking over at him.

"Huh?" Daryl stood and walked closer.

"I said don't you think making jewelry's for girls? It's stupid right?"

He could see now that there was a small collection of smooth, colorful rocks and a roll of ordinary twine in Danni's red bandana. She must have gotten the stones from the edge of the quarry and polished them up.

"Nah," Daryl answered. "You don't gotta wear it yourself or nothin'. You can make something for your momma. Something nice." His voice was soft but husky, the drawl was a little less pronounced than that of his brother.

Carl considered this for a moment. "Did you ever make anything for your mom, Daryl?"

He looked past the boy. "Yeah, sure kid, all the time."

His voice sounded far away, not sarcastic or gruff which surprised Danni. When he noticed her studying him, he scowled. Her face was too pretty for the way she put herself together. Trying to be so tough.

"Don't got all day for talking, got work to do." He nodded down at the boy, then turned and stalked back up the incline.

It was a short time later he saw the little girl's father approach Danni and Sophia. Carl had wandered off looking for more something more manly to do, despite what Daryl had said.

"Sophia, why don't you come keep your daddy company now."

Before the child answered Danni quickly said "Ed, its okay, Carol asked me to keep an eye on her."

"Was I talking to you? C'mon Sophia, come with your daddy now."

The girl didn't move.

"I said now." His tone was threatening.

Danni stood up to block Ed from his daughter. When he took a menacing step forward, she held her ground. "I'm happy to watch her." Her voice was even and forceful.

Daryl noticed she didn't back down despite the man having at least half a foot and 100 pounds on her. That girl stupid or what? Jesus, you don't corner somethin' that you know is meaner than you.

She turned her heard and ordered, "Sophia, go find your mom now. Run."

Daryl realized she was protecting the kid. She wasn't stupid or looking for trouble; she knew the son of a bitch Ed was gonna beat on his daughter or worse. He knew it was something you'd only sense if you'd been there yourself. Pretty or not, this girl was tough, he thought with begrudging respect.

Danni felt something cut through the air between them, forcing Ed back a step. Her eyes followed the man's surprised stare down to the ground. A buck knife had plunged into the earth between their feet, its large handle sticking straight up.

"What the- ?" Ed was caught off guard. He whipped his head around wildly.

"That hardly ever happens." Daryl drawled calmly as he sauntered down the hill toward them and bent to retrieve his knife. Seeing fear on the face of a guy like Ed made his day. He wiped dirt slowly from the blade with a rag from his back pocket, taking his time. Ed realized Daryl wasn't going anywhere before he was. He'd have to finish things with Danni later.

"You damn people better start mindin' your own business." He muttered. As he stomped away, he added, "I'm talking 'bout you hillbilly scum bag."

Daryl called after him, "Better watch your mouth sunshine. I might want to do a lot more knife throwin'. Good way to kill time." To Danni, he said, "I'm usually better at target practice."

She nodded, not knowing what to say.

He sheathed the knife and clipped it to his belt but before walking away added "Those shoes ain't gonna do shit for you out here." Referring to her canvas Converse sneakers. She watched him walk back up the hill.

Standing near her, Daryl had smelled wild honeysuckle, something he hadn't smelled since he was a kid. He associated that scent with the few pleasant memories he had of childhood. He picked up his crossbow from under the tree and slung it over his shoulder. He glanced back and saw her looking at him. He wasn't sure if he liked that or not.