Hey guys, I'm back with another chapter! I have to say, this one is interesting...things are changing..:) I hope you enjoy! PLEASE continue to review and give feedback or criticism, I REALLY, REALLY appreciate it! (and thanks to my newest follower kelizabeth13) READ ON!

I woke up screaming bloody murder the next morning. My head was pounding and I could recollect myself enough to sit up. I rubbed my eyes and forehead, trying to remember what had been spooking me in my nightmares. This has occurred mildly a couple times before, when I was out barely surviving by myself. The constant remembrance of Atticus and his passing is what has brought a lot of these episodes on. As much as I tried to forget, nothing could take away the pain and heartache of me shooting my own brother. I never had these kinds of night scares before the apocalypse, but it seemed that I just had to expect it now. I heard shouts coming closer towards my tent, and footsteps growing nearer, crunching in the grass. There was a couple pats on the side of my tent and from outside I heard Rick's voice spoke frantically.

"Lauren? Holy shit. Lauren, are you okay? What happened?" He sounded out of breath. The next thing I knew, he unzipped the door flaps and peeked his head in. He audibly sighed a breath of relief and stepped in cautiously. He gave me a weary look, kind of nervous almost, as he sauntered slowly to the side of my cot. He knelt down next to me. His arm reached out and he grabbed my trembling hands and held them. I looked down at him from where I sat, and he looked scared. The stare he held on my face was sincere but his eyes gazed a questioning look. I could not find a word to say to him and he removed a hand and placed it around my back, guiding me to stand up. He opened the door flaps and let me out before he stepped out after me. I slid my hand away from his guiding one and wrapped my arms around my body, embracing myself. I inhaled the morning air deeply and almost forgot to exhale when I snapped back to reality. Right in front of me, was a seemingly healthy looking Daryl. I guess the nightmare scared him too as he was instinctively bearing his crossbow, poised and ready to shoot. His exhausted features displayed obvious confusion and concern, as he watched me just kind of sit there, trembling. He slowly dropped his bow and slung it back over his shoulder, his intense, aquamarine-colored eyes never leaving mine. Rick stepped around my still frozen body and I saw him look at Daryl, then to me. "Are you okay?" he asked sternly again, expecting an answer.

I only watched Daryl, but felt a little voice inside my throat escape automatically replying, "Just…nightmares…sorry…" Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Rick wiping the sweat from his forehead and pacing in a circle for a moment.

"I understan', I do. It's just that ya scared us all to death." I realized he was on high end already and to have this happen to him would've easily thrown him over the edge. I was sorry, but this was out of my control and he had to understand that. Without another word, he walked away without hearing any kind of apologetic word from me. I was about to do the same and actually turned until I felt a hand grip my wrist, shocking me almost. I could tell it wasn't intended to be rough, but it was enough to catch my full attention. I spun around and saw Daryl, just barely edging a foot away from me. He let go of my arm and opened his mouth as if he were to say something before quickly clamming it up again. I scoffed at him and shook my head in disbelief, giving him a bitter, spiteful look before pivoting on my foot again. I didn't know what I expected him to do. I was still fucking furious at the man and I knew he was aware that I was. I didn't understand why he can't just leave me the hell alone. He didn't stop me this time until I was near where the rest of the group was sitting together.

"Wait," his anxious, husky voice called after me. I stopped in my tracks and hesitated for a long while. I let out a sarcastic, airy chuckle and shook my head again before my feet started moving again, away from him. "Lauren? Goddamit, wouldja listen for once?" Those words threw me over the edge and I turned around angrily and stomped towards him.

"For once?" I scoffed, "why don't you stop being a fucking dick for once?" My words came out as much more of a hiss than my own voice. I watched his strong features as spun into something angry and his eyebrows knitted together in frustration.

"What the hell is up your ass, sunshine?" he shot back and scowled. I laughed bitterly as he spoke and stepped closer to him.

"Oh I thought you knew?" I replied sarcastically, "you're the one that told me last night. Something about my head, you know." He didn't reply but his face flushed a dark shade of crimson as I could see the fury building up inside him.

"And you know, it's fine," I replied, lowering my voice as I stepped less than a foot away from him, "if you don't want anything to do with me, that's fucking a-okay."

"What?" he asked, almost dumbfounded, but kept the scowl plastered on his features.

"Oh? You don't remember? I'm apparently annoying as shit and need to get the fuck away from you." To my surprise as he registered my words, his anger seemed to almost compress itself instantly. He then looked…hurt…and it was weird as if my words spun up and punched him straight in the gut. "And, that's exactly what I'm going to do. Don't fucking bother me again, Dixon, and I won't bother you."

"I…I-" he began to sputter out audibly, searching for the right thing to say. I could tell there was no will in him to fight back. I threw a sarcastic nod in his direction before turning away and walking off once again, leaving him entirely disoriented. There is not a word to be searched for in the dictionary to explain what happened next. I felt myself being spun around quickly by a hand around my waist and before I could register anything that was going on, a pair of lips came crashing onto my own. I closed my eyes instinctively, maybe hoping it was some kind of dream. The moment lasted for seconds, the feeling of the unfamiliar kiss was electrifying but odd, like it wasn't due to either of us, but instead what we had emotionally between us. It was the anger, regret, sadness and…lust. He pulled his head away, but his body was still close to mine. I watched his face and the way his icy eyes studied me. His parted lips were almost too tempting, but his gaze was unreadable. His hands were gripping around my torso, pulling me to him. Mine were on his chest, which felt stiff and tense as when it was when I hugged him that one time. The entire thing felt weird. I didn't know if it was good or bad though. He kind of just held me for several moments, not saying anything or moving. However, nothing had to be said. I hesitated before leaning up and pecking his lips again gently, and he took it, without flinching. He actually kissed back.

"Holy shit," a familiar voice spoke from nearby. Daryl and I both shocked, we simultaneously pulled away, stepping a couple feet from each other. I turned and saw a red-faced Glenn, one whose eyes were wide and his jaw nearly on the ground. The way he appeared gave me an odd feeling, like he was extremely petrified and freaking out about something already and this probably threw him in a whole new direction. He looked like he was going to say something but he held it in and his feet automatically drove him away from the awkward scene to the rest of the group. I looked at Daryl, and he was watching Glenn now. Daryl didn't even look back at me before stalking off towards his tent. What the fuck just happened? He kisses me once and leaves me here like a fucking idiot. I hate Daryl. Maybe I don't hate him, but I despise the way he constantly treats everyone. Can't he just learn to be an adult for once and stop fucking with people's feelings? Whatever. This isn't worth my time; it didn't happen. I followed Glenn's trail and sauntered over to the group sitting around each other. They all were quiet as I stepped near, sending concerned and befuddled gazes at one another. Glenn was standing, looking to have addressed them with something. I hope it wasn't about Daryl and I.

"What?" Rick asked in disbelief like that was the only word he could manage to say.

"There's walkers in the barn," Glenn must have repeated himself and I felt my stomach drop. Shane stood up in a rage, and stormed off, Rick standing up after him. The two started arguing, both seemingly unaware of their hostile feelings. The others of the group put their breakfasts down and followed after the two towards the, now revealed, lively barn. I watched them investigate the old building up in the hills. I didn't know what to feel then. I walked past Daryl's tent and saw that he wasn't in there anymore. He must've snuck off when everyone was in a tizzy. It's like I didn't understand anything that was actually happening. I regret getting out of bed this morning. All of this drama could have been avoided. First this Daryl situation, now there's zombies? There is zombies…in the barn next to where we sleep?

Sitting outside my tent, I tried to avoid the others for the rest of the day, but found myself confiding in Glenn again when he came up to me. I shaded my eyes with my hand as I gazed up at him, the sunset blinding my vision. He sat on the ground next to me, frowning as he turned the hat in his hands upside down. It looked like remnants of a raw egg came dripping out. I had a hard time stifling my laughter as he continued to frown. I shot him a questioning look and he looked defensive.

"Maggie is mad at me…" he only said, until I realized what he was talking about.

"I said space, Glenn, give the woman some space," I said, chuckling a little bit.

"Yeah, I know."

It was quiet for moments after that until he nudged me with his elbow, getting my attention back on him. "So…you and Daryl….?"

"Oh Jesus, Glenn," I said, trying to shrug it off. I felt my cheeks get warm and my head a little lighter. "There are more important things to be worrying about here."

"It's fine, they're guarding the barn now, okay? And this is also important because what the hell, you and Daryl? You two were kissing. I saw it. With my own eyes."

"Yeah and did you not see him storm off two seconds later? He's so…bipolar sometimes, I swear to God."

"Am I missing something?"

"The real question is, am I missing something?" I interrogated and put my head in my hands, "he kissed me first. He literally pulled me to him and kissed me. So then I kissed him. And then you came along and he ran away."

"Ah. He was probably embarrassed."

"Then why would he try and kiss me in the first place anyway? He's like…taking my heart and stepping on it constantly and he doesn't realize how much it hurts." He didn't reply after that and it was silent again. He cleared his throat to cut the tension.

"Wait…Lauren…do you really have feelings for Daryl?"

This was the question I didn't want to answer. I didn't want to answer because I didn't know. I didn't want to say yes because I didn't want Daryl to be scared of me or me to appear all mushy and soft. But I didn't want to say no because that's not true. I do feel something for him I just can't comprehend what it is. Besides, the man is a serious prick. The way he would play with my feelings at any chance he could get filled me with so much bitterness to the point where I could punch him.

"I think you do," Glenn teased, smiling a little bit.

"Oh god," I groaned, "It's…difficult…" I chuckled embarrassingly and shook my head at him. I tried to focus my attention on the others near the barn.

"Difficult to hide your loooooove?" he sang.

"Glenn."

"Lauren. Admit it. You like Daryl. And from my calculations, it looks like the feelings are preeetty mutual."

"He's a dick though. You're out of your mind."

"Dick, yes, he can be. But out of my mind, I'd have to say no. This is one of the sanest things I have ever stated."

I didn't know how to reply after that. It was immature to fight over something I didn't know anything about. I stumbled over many words in my mind, trying to find the right ones to say.

"Okay…say this…if I were to have said feelings for him, it's not like I can talk to him anyway. He doesn't talk about things like this. He had a hard enough time saying sorry to me earlier."

"He'll figure it out. One day he'll pull his head outta his ass and if he goes with his heart, he'll fight for you."

"Thank you," I said gratefully. He smiled and nodded. We talked for ages after that until a rosy shade of dark orange consumed the entire sky above us, sharing pieces of our lives and our thoughts on miscellaneous things. After all that time, he rose to his feet, grabbing his dirtied hat again. With his free hand, he held it out to me and helped me stand up too. We parted ways and I began walking down to the barn where it looks like a lot of commotion was taking place. I picked up the pace and began sprinting when I saw Shane running to the big doors, hitting them repeatedly. "Shit," I muttered, my legs moving as fast as they could. The majority of the rest of the group was armed with weapons pointed at the barn. I stopped and backed up when I saw Daryl, whom flashed a bitter gaze in my direction. He steadied his stance as the barn doors flew open, letting a spew of rotting corpses creep out. Ammo flew in all directions right into the heads of the herd. Body after body, they collapsed. Moments passed in agony as the Greene family cried and shouted as their "family" members, "friends" and "neighbors" died again right in front of them. It continued for sever moments until, just as I thought it was all over, quiet groans escaped from the darkness behind the doors. A tiny, small body wandered out into the sunshine, cringing at the brightness of the sun. I was confused as I saw the group lower their weapons. Shock and confusion were the only things completely evident on their features. Until it hit me: this must be Sophia, the girl they've all been looking for. I, myself, was then shocked and appalled, knowing how much time and energy these people have spent on the search for her. They seemed to be searching her for any signs of the little girl they knew before. She looked so fragile. She growled at all of us, stumbling over dead bodies as she attempted to come closer.

"Sophia!" Carol's gentle voice called desperately after her daughter. She caught my attention and I saw her running in anguish towards the little girl. Daryl caught her from moving any closer and held her, bringing her to the ground. "Sophia," she repeated, whimpering, collapsing into Daryl's arms. The rest of the group looked distressed, their faces now somber. Shane stepped forward until Rick stepped in front of him, raising his gun. The little girl outreached her skinny, limp arms in his direction, crawling closer. With the crack of his weapon, her tiny corpse fell to the ground with a thud. Everyone was stunned and horrified. I didn't know what to say or do. I felt tears brim in my eyes and I couldn't bear it any longer. I turned and walked away, back to my tent and away from everyone else. I broke down and cried, my face buried in my pillow. I was crying because I knew how much it meant to everyone to find this girl, especially Daryl. Daryl took an arrow to the side, two falls off a cliff and a bullet to the head for this girl and she was dead in the barn all along. I felt so bad. I was also crying over the fact that this was a little girl. A girl I've never met, but someone, who from as much as these people tell me, was special. A girl of her age deserved to experience life and the outcomes of it. It truly wrecks me how this apocalypse has taken that so quickly away from everybody. Everyone around here truly cared about her and loved her I could tell it was clearly a very low blow to all of these other survivors.