Sorry it has taken me so long to update. I was going to update tomorrow but I thought I would be nice and update tonight.

This chapter is just after Carol, Rick, Michonne, Maggie and Glenn escaped from the mansion.

Chapter 17: Chances are high

They lost the Woodbury cars stalking them after a while. Carol rested her head on the window not caring one bit about how cold and uncomfortable it felt. She watched the nature pass them not knowing the slightest where they are or where they are going. But just looking at the woods reminded her of Daryl. She wanted and needed his comfort and her safeness around him. All she wanted was his big musically arms to wrap around her and tell her everything was going to be just fine. But she knew that is not going to happen, because she didn't even know if he was alive. She felt the tears start to slip out her eyes but made herself stop when she lifted her head from the window.

"Where's Carl?" Rick said looking towards the back of the car and then onto the road again. Carol could hear the worry in his voice.

"I don't know" Michonne calmly answered from the passenger side seat.

"I thought he was with us" Rick continued keeping his eyes on the road but really Carol knew what he was going through right now. That's when Carol brain clicked. She seen Carl with Tiffany when they where driving out the mansion. They both looked like they where setting off.

"He's with Tiffany" Carol said feeling Glenn and Maggie's eyes on her. Rick looked back at Carol and then quickly back to the road.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, they both looked like they where just about to set off" Carol reassured.

A couple of silent minutes pasted and Carol was sure that Rick was about to jump out his seat and have a tantrum over Carl. Everything came back to her then – all the feelings she was going through when she lost Sophia. The doubt that they would never find her and that she was gone forever. Maybe that's the similar feelings Rick is feeling.

"Carl will be okay. His chances are high with Tiffany" Carol broke the silence. It was true what she said. She knew that Carl being with Tiffany probably has more of a chance then all five of them in this car together. Surviving in the open with the walkers was nothing new to Tiffany – Carol knew that.

"Your right" Rick agreed feeling his body relax.

Carol's thoughts went back to Daryl. She couldn't really comprehend that he was really gone. Never again would she see his small smiles and nods or even his outbursts when he was angry. Never again she would she see his protective side. Never again will Carol feel his arms wrapped around her at night and there small little flirting they did. Carol heart felt like it is sinking. It feels like nothing's going to get better and there's nothing to look forward to. Then she thought, what is the point of living my life when Daryl's gone?

"We always keep spare tents in the car boot. Maybe we could set up camp before it gets dark - we are running out of gasoline as it is" Glenn spoke up.

"Okay, we set camp and find some more supplies tomorrow" Rick agreed while stopping the car at the side of the road in the middle of nowhere.

"We can't leave four of our own out there" Maggie said clearly worrying about Beth.

"And we won't. We will keep our eyes peeled for anything" Rick got out the car to check the camp grounds.

Once they set up three tents, Michonne and Rick shared as well as Glenn and Maggie. Carol claimed the tent on her own because she needed to be alone; she needed to think before she did something stupid with a gun.

They had a Granola bar each for dinner and decided Rick will take over Michonne from watch duty in a couple of hours. Carol sat in her tent staring at the gun sat next to her. She could quickly do it and then she would be gone. But gone with Daryl and they wouldn't have to fight no more, she wouldn't have to be afraid of what's going to happen next in her alone life if it was for this gun. She wanted to be with him because he was the only person that kept her going, wanting to keep going. Carol then remembered her back pocket. She quickly but carefully took the note out her pants and read it over and over feeling the tears never fall as much as they where falling right now. She decided. She decided she wanted to go and be with Daryl. She picked up the gun slowly taking off the safety and was about to pull it to her head.

"Carol, can I come in?" Maggie said from out the tent. Carol quickly lowered the gun and hid it under the covers. She whipped her tears away and put the note back into her pocket. Talk about bad timing she thought.

"Yeah" Carol called out once she was ready and watched as Maggie zipped back up the tent once she walked in. She sat opposite Carol and looked deeply into her eyes knowing Carol had been crying.

"Glenn though it was better if I came and talked to you. You know girly chat and all" Maggie smiled friendly and then placed a hand on Carol's hand.

"Daryl's okay. You know what he would be like if he found out you where worrying like this" Maggie reassured. Carol was confused. What did she mean Daryl was okay. He was dead.

"Daryl's okay?" Carol asked lowering her eyebrows.

"Yup" Maggie smiled.

"I thou- ... I thought he was... dead?" Carol asked again feeling her knee hit the gun under the covers.

"No, No. He's with Beth. I seen them run into the woods" Maggie told. Carol smiled believing this woman. Daryl wouldn't be dead, how stupid was she to even think that. Only a Dixon can kill a Dixon.

Once Maggie left after a couple of minutes talking, Carol picked up her gun and took the safety off. Maggie saved her without even realising it.

R&R

Marvella.M