I heard the fire crackling in the distance as my body hung limp over the mans body. the pain in my leg was overbearing. i wanted to offer to walk but i still hadn't found my tongue. The redneck hadn't seemed to even break out in a sweat yet from carrying me. i wanted to ask him about the deer, but then again that there was that problem that i couldnt talk. I was slightly scared, I mean he didn't give off the vibe that he was gonna hurt me but at the same time I was an completely useless rag doll that anyone could take advantage of. I guess he could tell I was nervous because he said

"Ya know I ain't gonna hurt ya" he told me, almost in a whisper.

I heard people calling out towards us.

"Daryl are you ok?"

"What the he'll are you carrying?"

"Where have you been man?"

Everyone asked these questions simultaneously. I felt nervous, he was with a group of people! I was good with people before all this shot went down. I definitely wouldn't be good with them now. Also with my lack of speaking. I wasn't mute. I knew I could talk I just seemed to have forgotten how to.

Daryl laid me down gently. "She needs help I think she hurt her ankle" he announced. Everyone looked at him surprised.

"Uh Daryl you can't just bring random people into camp!" One guy exclaimed. He looked like he was balding, he had black hair with gray strands decorating it. I immediately felt uncomfortable.

"Calm down if DARYL of all people brought her then we know she's ok" another guy reasoned. He was dressed slightly militaristic. He had a shaved head and his skin was a deep tan that he had naturally.

"Ya she didn't even want to come here so don't getcha panties in a twist" he reasoned with a southern drawl that seemed to have an unnatural affect on me. My heart fluttered slightly, I always seemed to have thing for guys with southern accents. My parents moved from new York so naturally I had inherited their accent rather than a southern drawl.

"Alright noted. But why did you bring her here?" A girl asked emerging from the shadows. Her skin was dark and her black hair was up in a bun.

He scratched the back of his neck, almost like an embarrassed school boy. It was kind of adorable. Shush, I don't need these thoughts now.

"Well uh, she kinda saved my ads back thur'" he claimed. I shook my head. He would have been fine on his own. I looked around for the deer to only see a zombie making its way towards it. I quickly got out my arrow causing someone to yelp.

"Watch out!" As I shot a narrow right past Daryl and straight into the enders head. Everyone gasped as I walked over and grabbed my arrow out of the enders head. I heard a chuckle and saw the military guy looking at me. "I say we keep her" he announced.

Daryl looked at me still in shock. I moved my hand from him to the deer. Trying to say he needed to eat this right away.

"Why don't you just talk, there somethin' wrong with ya?" Somebody from the crowd asked. Instantly feeling self conscious and looked around at all the faces who were looking at me in confusing. I opened my mouth and realized how dry it was for the first time. I instantly felt woozy and I felt 2 strong arms grab me to keep me steady. It was Daryl and military guys arm.

"Whatcha y'all lookin' at? Get the woman some Dam water!" Daryl ordered and the people scurried along. darly and milutsry guy sat me down against a tree. An older looking man, probably the oldest came up to me and handed me a piece of paper and a pen. I grabbed it and nodded to him to show my thanks. Military guy got up to go check on something.

"My names dale How long have you gone without water?" He asked me.

I thought about it. I shrugged and wrote

I don't know. Last time I remember getting water was 5 days ago.

I saw sales and Daryl's eyes widen in surprise and dales too.

A woman with naturally tan skin like military guy came up to me, hers was slightly lighter though. She smiled to me and handed me a bottled water.

"I'm Lori" she smiled. I smiled at her and grabbed it eagerly tearing it open. It was nothing I have ever imagined. The water slid down my throat replenishing me. I groaned in appreciation as I gulped down the contents of the bottle.

"Slow down there girly" Daryl southern voice said. I nodded and blushed slightly. "Do you have a group?" Dale asked crouching next to me.

No

I wrote down and he looked at me surprised.

"Were you ever with a group?" He asked his voice slightly skeptical.

No

I wrote once again, much to his surprise.

"How did ya survive out there all by yurself?" Darly asked his tone with heavy skepticism.

I eyed him. As I wrote I saved your ass didn't I?

A pout formed on his lips as dale chuckled and Lori joined in.

"Darly how bout you go skin the deer and well let her rest for a bit?" Military guy suggested. I nodded, I was already falling asleep slightly right here. I went to stand, and would have crashed down on my face if Daryl's hands wouldn't have reached out in time.

"Damn girl don't be stupid now" he said annoyed. I looked down ashamed, I had forgotten.

Oh no! My eyes searched desperately for my bag and my bed.

"Ya lookin fer ya bag?" He wondered, I nodded.

"Its by the tents. If ya want you can sleep in mine" he offered as he picked me up bridal style. I want to get out my hammock and sleep in the trees, that's the only place I sleep. My hands trembled slightly. I didn't feel safe on the ground.

"Hey now, what's wrong with ya?" He asked, his voice was to less but his eyes showed he was concerned. I grabbed the notebook and wrote

I usually don't sleep on the ground

He looked at me incredulously. "Hush now you don't have to worry about that you'll be fine ya hear?" He reassured. I nodded as he laid me down on a sleeping bag. My eyes already felt heavy and I fell asleep.