Disclaimer: I do not own the Walking Dead or any of its characters. If a character has the same name or likeness, it is purely coincidental. If you want to know what characters look like, feel free to message me or go to historyofmyself . weebly . com

Authors Note: It's been brought to my attention that Shane seemed very out of character in the last chapter, and that I also completely forgot about Maggie and Rick. I apologize about the Rick and Maggie piece; I've edited that chapter and reposted it. As for Shane, the reason for him seeming very odd will come to play soon.

Chapter 6:

Esmeralda gave Daryl a nod and walked up the steps and into the house she remembered from her childhood. She took a deep breath before walking into the dining room where she knew Hershel would be sitting and reading. Her uncle was a creature of habit, as was she, but times were a'changin.

"Bring my horse back?" The old man asked.

"Sure thing. Scared Nelly is back in her stall after a good pampering up at the ranch."

Hershel looked up in surprise.

"I didn't expect you." He huffed.

Esmeralda shook her head.

"Of course not."

Stubborn old man. Stuck in his castle, safe from the evils that he thought roamed the earth. Little did he know, the Devil went down to Georgia and certainly fucked it all up, with or without Hershel Green's permission.

"I found Nelly, the redneck and the little girl that the group that is renting your trailer park was looking for."

Maggie gave a quite snort from the hallway where Esmeralda knew she was hiding.

"You could have kept the last two and just returned my horse, and watch that sassy mouth of yours."

Esmeralda could see that Hershel just wanted these people to leave. She couldn't blame him, but now more than ever is the time to help others and remain humane.

"How long are they staying here Hershel? Those tents won't help none come winter. Should give them the old barn if you're letting them stay."

Hershel stood up abruptly from the table looking strained.

"They leave tomorrow. They have their people back, they can ship off on out of here now. I want them gone."

Esmeralda shook her head at her uncle, remembering why her and Hershel never kept in contact much.

"Hershel, look around you, maintain your humanity. Bring everyone up the mountain, they could use a doctor. Do a supply run to town, then move on to mine. It's safer there, winter is coming. I have food and shelter. I can do basic first aid, but I'm no doctor. You are a valuable resource, a resource that needs protection and to be put to good use."

Hershel shook his head.

"No, this is my home. I'm not leaving. I'd rather die here."

Esmeralda stood there in disbelief.

"Hershel, home...isn't a concept of concern anymore. You can bring stuff with you, like what's left of your family, pictures, memories. You can't keep those if something happens."

Hershel shook his head again.

"No. I won't leave."

At this point Maggie left her spot from the hallway and spoke up.

"I'm going. Esmeralda is right. And you should come too. More than anyone else here."

Esmeralda put her hand on Maggie's shoulder to stop her. She could see Hershel harden to the point of crumbling. She looked at Hershel, nodded to him and then turned on her heel leaving the house to talk to Daryl's group.

Esmeralda was still worried about the law man, Shane. He was losing his sanity and his humanity. He could be dangerous to both the group and their safety. He was a liability, but, Esmeralda hoped, maybe the stability of guaranteed food and shelter would ease that. Maybe he could go back to the person he may have been before this living hell on earth started. She knew that like her brother...it would be near impossible. He was designed for this life.

Standing on the porch Esmeralda watched the group work together. They were a group of hope, a group of survival, of honed in talents and instincts. This rag tag group of survivors would survive, they had a younger generation with them who will beat the odds and carry the memories of before this mess, memories of life as it once was.

They were the ones that she needed to protect at all costs. Liabilities will be taken for their chances.

Esmeralda felt eyes on her, studying her. She scanned the group until she got to Daryl. She locked eyes with him and gave a little smile and nod. Sophia had been sitting on her mothers' lap and had been watching Esmeralda as she walked out of the door with hopeful eyes.

Esmeralda gave Sophia a smile as she walked off the porch towards the girl. Sophia got up and wrapped her arms around Esmeralda burying her face in Esmeraldas mid section. She withdrew from the little girls grip and kneeled down to her level.

"I talked to Hershel. I've made my decision, now to talk to Rick and the group."

Sophia beamed with absolute happiness.

"You mean we can go back? To your ranch?"

"Only if your group agrees. So don't get your hopes up yet."

"Okay"

Daryl was hanging back, silent and observing like the hunter he is. She had to smile at the ornery man. Something about him drew Esmeralda to him like clean horses and a dirt patch. Esmeralda stood and rubbed Sophia's head as she scanned the grounds for Rick so she could talk to him about her offer to let them live at her ranch. She spotted him and waved to catch his attention and then pointed to the wells in the pasture where she wanted to meet. She did the same motion to Daryl.

"Well, what did Ol' McDonald have to say?" Daryl asked.

"Very nice 'Nell' ' Esmeralda rolled her eyes. 'He wants you guys gone and he wants you guys gone last century."

"So what can we do, we have injured people, my wife is pregnant. We can't just pack up and go, not with winter coming. We can barely survive out there as it is." Argued Rick.

"And that my dear, is where I become your guardian angel who's ass you better start kissing."