Carl's POV

"So," I said as we arrived at the fence. "What you do is you stab them through the head, and then move on the the next one. It may be a little hard at —"

I was cut off as Riley took the knife I'd given her and killed (I guess re-killed) one of the walkers as if it was easier than 1, 2, 3.

"Um... yeah," I said. "Just like that."

Who is this girl? I asked myself.

More and more walkers dropped like flies as Riley stabbed them. I just stood there watching. She didn't hesitate. She wasn't scared of them. There was a sadness, or pain, or anger— just something in her eyes. She has been through something. But then again, haven't we all?

She caught me watching. "Do I have to do this alone or something?" she asked.

We'd been working for about an hour before we decided to finally sit down and take a break. The number of walkers around the fence had gone visibly by this point, and we now had a huge pile of actual dead corpses laying around the base of the fence.

"So," Riley said, startling me back into the real world. "How long have you guys been here?"

"Um, a while. A year or two... I think." I replied as I looked over to where she was sitting next to me. She wasn't sweating nearly as much as me, but girls never seem to, but little dots of water covered her nose and her cheeks were flushed.

She whistled low. "You're lucky."

"Well, you are to now."

"Yeah, I guess I am."

Riley's POV

I found myself outside, along with the other people here at the prison, with my dinner in hand and my eyes on the sun as it made its decent down to the horizon. Chaco's head was in my lap. She was tired, the kids wore her out. It was nice to see her like this, like a dog. Like a dog who was loved and played with and had a home. It was also nice that she actually got food. She'd been given the scraps of meat that they could spare. We were both enjoying our new home. Hopefully this place stayed that way for a while.

"Excuse me," a little voice said.

I turned to see a little girl, probably no older than six. She had two braids and a little smile on her face.

"Hi," I smiled.

"Can I pet your dog?" she asked.

"Yes of course!" I said.

Chaco opened her eyes as the girl gently petted her. Her tail began to wag, the girl laughed.

"I like your dog." she said.

I gave a little laugh. "Thank you. Her name is Chaco."

"That's a funny name."

"Really? What's yours?"

"Katie."

"Well, hi Katie. I'm Riley."

Good job, Riley. I thought to myself. You've made friends with a six year old.

I noticed that I was standing by myself with Chaco, Katie had left. I was hoping that Carl would have joined me. I'm not clingy or anything, it's just that I hadn't made friends or anything and I felt like the awkward girl in movies who eats in the bathroom stall because she has nobody to sit with.

I didn't get a first day of high school but I got this.

Carl's POV

I was leaning against a wall eating. I debated wether or not to go and join Riley. She'd been with me all day, she had to be sick of me. Plus, I didn't want to appear clingy or anything like that. So I ate, alone, at least for a little bit.

"She's pretty." Michonne startled me.

"What?"

"I said Riley is pretty."

"I guess." I replied.

"Why's she eating alone?" she questioned.

"I don't know."

"You don't know?"

"What?" I asked slightly annoyed.

"You know, she's just a pretty girl, about your age, eating alone. I thought maybe you'd want to join her."

"Why would I do that?"

"Because, like I said, she's a pretty girl, your age, who is eating alone. Plus, you're a good looking boy eating alone."
"But I'm not alone."

"Yeah you are." Michonne said and then walked away.

I rolled my eyes and then thought about what Michonne said. She is a pretty girl, but she's not eating alone. She's standing alone now. I tossed my paper plate into the trash and than ran to catch her before she went anywhere.

"Hey." I said as I caught up to her side. She smiled. "Um..." I didn't know a conversation starter. "Why don't we go find our where your room is?"

"Yeah, sure."

Riley's POV

At least I had my own room. It was in between Carl's and Beth's rooms. I didn't know what I was expecting when I drew back the curtain to reveal my room. Everybody's was so decorated, but mine on the other hand, was plain. I guess I had been wishing that some of my stuff would magically re-appear to comfort me, but it didn't.

When it came time to sleep, I cried. Sure I now had a home and a new friend and I was safe, but I cried. I cried because I could. I was in a place where I could let myself be weak for at least a few minutes. So, like I said, I cried.