Hey guys! Well, here's another installment of my story. It's going to get better, I promise! Haha, I hope you all are enjoying it so far and enjoy this chapter! I'm working hard on it and I am keen on doing so therefore I request and enjoy feedback! It would be best if I could know if I should continue with this story or not, what I should change, etc. Whoever is reading my story so far, you rock! Lots of love to all of you! I hope you enjoy!

I walked aimlessly around the green pastures and fields of the farm, my head in the clouds and not a thought in mind. I felt better this morning, less uneasy after finally receiving enough sleep last night. I looked around and saw the rest of the group returning to their normal daily activities. Something was off however, and I couldn't seem to pinpoint it exactly for many moments until it hit me. There was no Daryl. Why was I looking for him anyway? I had no reason. I sauntered over to Carol, who was hanging clothes again. "Afternoon," I greeted. She looked up at me and I noticed her eyes were puffy and red. "You alright?" I asked, concerned.

She shrugged my question off and averted her gaze down at her work, "I don't know anymore." My stomach dropped at her words, and I didn't know what to say. I walked over to her and wrapped my arms around her fragile body.

"They'll find her," was all I could say. We all had to be strong enough for her. She embraced me back and nodded. I pulled away and offered her a soft smile and she attempted to return a somber-looking one.

"Hey, have you seen Daryl?" I asked after the emotions calmed down a bit. I saw her frown and immediately felt bad again.

"No, I don't...I don't know where he went." Her voice was pained and little.

"That's fine," I replied, "and Carol…it will be okay, I promise you. I'll see you later." And with that I turned around again and witnessed Rick arguing with Shane. I watched for a minute until Shane shouted before stomping off. He burned me a dirty look as he stormed past me. I tried to refrain from going off at him, it was very hard not to. I looked back at Rick, who was rubbing his temple and pacing, kicking at the dirt under his boots. I sighed and hesitated before walking cautiously over to him, in the case that he would turn his outrage on me.

"Hiya," I said softly, cutting into his thoughts as he looked up at who was talking to him.

"Oh, hey Lauren," he replied, clearly distressed as he wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"Things good?"

He gave me a sarcastic smile and huffed, "I wish."

"Sorry."

"That's life. You can't do anything about everything all the time."

I nodded. He was right. His words gave me a sense of hope for a second, like reality grew a whole new side to it. Since the end of humanity began, I always felt so obligated to change the outcome of things. I have to truly learn to accept that this was life now, I have to learn that I am only strong enough to handle some things, not everything, and that is okay. Rick stalked off towards his tent without another word.

I found myself walking over to Dale, questions in full blast raging throughout the weaves of my mind. "Hey Dale, have you seen Daryl?" I interrogated, feeling totally lost myself.
"He's probably out looking for Sophia. That's all anyone's doing now a days," he replied. The way he spoke indicated that he didn't really care, but he meant what he said. His words sent a wind of worry throughout my body. Dale was probably right, Daryl went off. But he went off by himself and- No. Daryl is okay, he can handle himself. I could only nod at the old man before I walked off towards the house.

No one was in it except Hershel and Lori. Hershel was checking out Carl's bandage and wound and Lori was smiling gratefully. I looked at the boy and his eyes glanced over to me. He was awake and looking so entirely healthy having his color return to him as well as animation to his features. "Oh my gosh," was all I could say and smiled, "Amazing."

"Is that who you were talking about?" he asked his mother, his eyes never leaving me.

"Indeed, that's Lauren. She'll be staying with us for a bit," Lori replied, moving a hand to his forehead and brushing the dark hair out of his face. I saw his features lighten up at her words, and he grinned, "Cool." I nodded at him silently, still smiling. It was quiet after that as Hershel continued to examine the boy.

"You're amazing too," I offered and placed a soft hand on the old man's shoulder, "I know everyone is grateful for you." He turned around and returned a gentle smile, "It's the least I can do." I was about to reply when I heard a sudden loud crack outside sending waves of anxiety throughout my body. I ran to the window and saw part of the group in a frenzy. I inhaled deeply and almost forgot to exhale when I saw two familiar figures running out towards the woods. My mind was literally racing with endless possibilities of what was happening as I burst out the front door and off the porch. I sprinted as fast as my short legs could carry me and I almost fainted when I finally began to see what was going on. Rick and Shane were yelling at a frantic Andrea coming off of Dale's old camper.

"No!" Rick shouted, fear and anger hinting at the tone of his voice. Shane and Rick were carrying a body, whose it was I was unsure. I stepped closer and gasped. Daryl's limp arms were slung around the shoulders of the two larger men. His face and body were soiled with a large, unsettling amount of blood and dirt. His body appeared completely lifeless and his head tipped and fell to the side. I wasn't sure if he was alive or not and tears began to brim my eyes as I felt myself break down. "Why…" I whimpered, my legs beginning to feel weak underneath my weight. They quickly and frantically brought Daryl up the hills and to the house. I was frozen in my spot the entire time, frightened and heavily unsettled by the nervous pressure weighing down my heart and lungs. I felt like I could catch my breath as I fell to my knees and cried. I felt a hand on my back and one grab my wrist, trying to aid me into standing up. "Why why why," I felt myself whine repeatedly. I didn't feel like I was truly alive for moments until I was lead to a large shady tree and set beneath it. I fell on my side and curled up in the fetal position and cried. It seemed that I was over-reacting, sure, but this was about the man who saved my life. Twice. He saved me and it was probably too late for me to save him. And that's what hurt me the most.

"Shhh," a familiar female voice quieted me in hopes of calming me down, "things are going to be okay." I refused to open my eyes but I knew who it was. Carol. It was Carol. "He'll be okay, you need to understand that." I only cried harder at her words, clutching my knees to my chest. The grass beneath me grew uncomfortable but I couldn't move. "No! No!" I screamed, feeling like reality was reliving itself. Memories of the past flew through my mind one after the other, filling me up with so much rage and bitter dejection. This wasn't solely about Daryl now. It was Atticus too. Images of my older brother flashed throughout my brain, as my eyelids were shut it felt like I could see it all as a dream. Carol knelt beside me and rubbed my back, still attempting to shush me. I'm losing my grip on reality. I've already lost myself. I continued to bawl, broken sobs racking my body. I'm so weak. I need to know if he is okay. He has to be. I tried so hard to listen to the voices around me. Words of "Sophia" and "Sophia's doll" stood out to me, and I gasped for air at the revelation in the midst of my sobs. Daryl was looking for Sophia. He found her doll. He almost killed himself to find her. I couldn't catch my breath as my mind skipped around wildly with thoughts. The hard exterior, strong, 'don't-tell-me-what-to-do' Daryl Dixon went to extreme lengths to seek out a little girl that the rest of the group was losing the hope and will to find. He had a true, caring heart, something I was afraid that he lacked. I sobbed harder and felt my body begin to shake again.

"He…he has- has to be...oh-kay," I struggled to choke out, my voice growing higher with the pain aching my heart.

"He will, he will," Carol's gentle voice spoke again.

"I need…to see hi-him," I hiccupped and tried to sit up. Carol placed a hand on my shoulder and with her other, wiped the tears from my cheeks.

"Just take a breath, Lauren. They're taking care of him right now."

"I can-I can't," I whimpered, my entire body feeling like it had no will to give anymore, "p-please…" I could see her figure through the blur of tears welling up constantly. Her face appeared slightly foggy, but I could see the obvious flash of concern and worry wearing on her aged features.

"I need you to stay calm for a minute, Lauren. You need to not pester them because they're going to do their best. You know he will be okay, he is Daryl after all," she explained carefully, her voice sounding more stern and controlling. She sounded a lot like my mom and I wasn't sure if I felt more comforted or frightened by it. The woman seemed determined to keep me where I was, but I was not having it. She kept pushing my frail, sobbing body back down as I tried to stand up multiple times. It was weird. I think these past couple months have officially pushed me to my breaking point. I have never been so emotional in my entire life.

"How is she doing?" a familiar male voice drifted into the scene I was making. I blinked the tears away quickly to see a frazzled looking Glenn, his eyes were wide in shock. I fell to the ground again, distressed sobs continuing to seize my body. I felt him kneel next to me, and him and Carol whispered incoherent things back and forth for a moment. His strong, warm arms guided my body up so I was back to sitting in the grass. He embraced me and I could only cry into his chest. He brought a gentle hand up to my head and stroked my hair comfortingly, shushes escaping his lips. Several minutes passed like this until the crying wore me out so much that I barely could do it anymore. Glenn only sat there like a caring friend, a friend that I only have known for three days, but it seemed like years. This group seems to be much more tied and bonded together than I originally believed. He noticed that I had quieted down, and pulled away, grabbing my hand and aiding me to rise to my feet with him. He wiped away the astray tears, still lonesome on my dirty cheeks. I had just noticed that Carol had been long gone, leaving Glenn to tend to my distress.

"You good now?" he asked gently, his eyes watching me from under the brim of his hat. I nodded however my mind only kept racing. He cocked his head towards the house, leading me to believe that I should follow him there. I did, and he held my hand the entire way. He guided me up the porch and held the door open for me. I forced a smile in his direction before stepping in. The house was mostly calm, quieted of the frantic episode that occurred not even forty five minutes ago. I peered around the corner and saw Rick and Lori speaking with one another, their son Carl sitting up on the bed. They saw me and Rick stood, his face showing obvious sympathy. He bowed his head and pointed down the hallway. I imagined this is where Daryl was. Glenn stepped out of my way and went and joined Maggie and Beth in the kitchen. I stepped past them and down the hall, the old wooden floor creaking under my weight with each movement. I knocked gently before opening the door. I saw him lying on the bed I had been recovering in just yesterday. His back was facing to me, and he turned his head to the side and peered out of the corner of his eye to see who it was. He immediately turned back forward, pulling the comforter over his bare torso and shifting uncomfortably. I looked to the corner of the room and saw Carol sitting in a chair, her aging features appearing somber but holding a tiny gleam of hope. She acknowledged me and stood to her feet.

"I'll give you time," she offered, walking over to me and placing a hand on my shoulder, before sauntering around where I stood and out of the room, closing the door slowly behind her. I turned my attention back to Daryl, whom hasn't made a sound since I walked in. I almost could've cried with happiness realizing he was conscious and moving.

"Hi," I greeted softly, still struggling to catch my breath after inhaling ghost sobs. He didn't react at all. I walked over and sat on the edge of the large bed, behind his resting body. It was quiet before he coughed and cleared his throat.

"Can't you all just stop bein' so annoyin' and leave me the hell alone? I ain't no fucking pussy," he grunted and shifted awkwardly again, his words slightly muffled at the end. I was taken aback by his question and felt a sharp pain jab my chest. Anger began charging up inside of me and I knew I had to react this time.

"What the hell is your problem?" I snapped at him, rising shakily to my feet. "You know, I'm really sorry that people actually care about you."

"No one in their goddamn right mind needs to," he replied bitterly. I found myself strikingly offended at his words, but I wasn't sure why. I didn't know if I cared about Daryl or just his determination to keep this group alive. He was, after all, one of the stronger camp members, the one who truly possessed what it took to survive in a world so damaged. But over these past few days, I began to learn to see through Daryl's tough exterior. Inside, lied a broken man whose only will was to protect the ones he cared about, and I just knew he cared about the others, no matter how much he would deny it.

"Pull your head outta your goddamn ass for once, Daryl," I told him finally, my voice sounding much more pleading and angry than I originally intended for it to be. He didn't reply and my heart began to feel kind of sympathetic, but it had to be lifted off my chest. Besides, if I didn't say it, who actually would? I refused to feel guilty, however, and stood my ground.

"Why don't you, sunshine?" he interrupted the silence with his morose words, "in fact, do that and stay the fuck away from me."

"You're an absolute dick," was all I replied with back before I stormed out.

I struggled to wipe away the falling tears from my eyes as I made my way out of the house, walking quickly to avoid confrontation. How can one person be so utterly rude, confusing, stubborn and annoying all at the same time? It almost felt like what he said wasn't real, and I just imagined the entire argument, but it was. It was very real and so was the true heartache that I felt.