A/N: I do not own the walking dead, nor any bits from the show that I borrowed for this chapter

Enjoy!

BOOK TWO

~ Two years into the desease ~

It had been met with mixed blessings, when Carol inadvertantly linked up with Tyreese and the girls. She had gone back to the prison, somehow hoping to explain herself to Daryl, and see if he would come with her, but by the time she got there it was already too late. She wandered the forest alone, trapping food and killing walkers until the sound of a baby's cry alerted her to their whereabouts.

As weeks passed in evergreen, Tyreese and Carol knew they would need to find somewhere safe to hold up, but the world didn't seem to allow for it, and so they kept pace. Tyreese desperately searching for the family they had lost, while Carol desperately tried to protect the one they still had.

"This looks as a good a spot as any to rest. Lizzie why don't you stay here and help Tyreese with Judith. Mika and I will see if we can find some water."

The little girl followed Carol eagerly, but once out of earshot said, "You know Lizzie can carry a lot more than me?"

Carol glanced down to the young girl by her side, and with a soft voice replied, "I had you come because I wanted to talk to you."

"Why?"

"Because you're little and you're sweet, and those are two things that can get you killed. You can't change how big you are..."

"I wish I could."

"...but you can toughen up!"

"I don't have to be tough. I can run, I'm good at that."

Carol gently took Mika's arm and bent down to look her staight in the eye. "No! My daughter ran, and it wasn't enough. That's why I taught the kids at the prison to do more than that."

"I can kill walkers, at least I can try, but I can't kill people... I could never do that. When the bad men were at the prison, they were right in front of us, and I held up my gun but..." Mika bowed her head down, not wanting to disappoint the woman who took them in after her father's death. "...killing people is wrong."

Carol raised her voice slightly, desperate to get the girl's attention as she started walking away. She needed for Mika to understand. "What about people who try to kill you?"

"I don't even wish I could."

"People came in and killed our friends!"

"And I feel sorry for them."

"Why"

"Because they probably wern't like that before" Mika wasn't stupid. She knew full well the dangers that lived in the world. At nine years of age, she had already suffered enough loss to last a lifetime. Her generation and the ones that followed would be brought up to fight, to kill if need be, but it just wasn't in her nature to do so.

"Sooner or later you're going have to do it. You're going to have to or you'll die. So I want you to change the way you think about it. Things don't just work out anymore."

No sooner had the words left Carol's mouth, did Mika giggle and point, "Look!" Carol did, and found herself standing at the edge of a very large clearing. It was lined with pecan trees on one side, and peach trees on the other. At the far back of the property sat a small house with barbed wire fencing that seperated it from the grove, and there was a spring fed pond to one side of the house. Mika smiled. "See. Mama always said that everything happens for a reason."

~ Beth and Daryl ~

that same day

Beth had asked if she could come along, and Daryl agreed. It was a life saving skill after all. He followed a few steps behind, careful not to distract her as she padded along the forest floor holding his crossbow in her arms. Unfortunately for Daryl, everything about the girl was distracting. Through no fault of his own he found his eyes drifting down to her ass as she moved, held there by the hypnotic sway of her hips. This girl was gonna be the death of him. He just knew it. And after what happened last night, he also knew something would soon have to give. He just hoped like hell it wasn't him.

"Ever heard of the game I never?" Beth asked out of the blue, not glancing back.

"Drinking game ain't it."

"We don't need to drink to play. It will give a chance to get to know each other better."

"Know you well enough," he smirked.

Beth blushed at his inference. "Come on, it'll be fun."

"S'fine, but the second you lose focus on what you're doin', games done, understand. You go first."

"Alright, I never... had a drink of alcohol."

Daryl squinted his eyes sceptically. "Ever? How you know this game then?"

"My friends played. I watched. Your turn."

The hunter let out a begruding sigh, then grumbled reluctantly, "I never... I don't know, been on vacation."

Beth stopped short, spinning around. "Wait, what about camping?"

"That's just something I had to learn, to hunt."

"Your dad teach you?"

Daryl lowered his eyes, refusing to look at her as he mumbled something under his breath. She had begun to notice that he did this a lot whenever she mentioned anything related to his childhood, and especially his parents. It made conversations awkward at times, but Beth didn't want to pry, and so hoped one day he would feel comfortable enough to talk about it on his own.

She turned back to examine the forest floor. "Guess it turned out to be a good thing huh," she said, smiling over her shoulder and letting the matter drop. "My turn. I never danced with someone out in the rain."

"Why you want to do a fool thing like that for?"

"Cause its romantic."

The hunter rolled his eyes and snorted. "Sounds like a fuckin' good way to get sick, ya ask me."

"Whatever. Your turn."

Daryl couldn't help but smirk at the pretty blonde's flustered reaction to his statement just then, surprised that after everything they had gone through in the past month and especially the last few days, he could still get her to blush at his candor. "Ok I got one. Before you I never let anyone, 'specially some crazy girl, handle my crossbow."

Beth's eyes beamed bright as the sun, and she countered without missing a beat. "I never had sex."

"Snap" is all she heard when the ever careful, ever silent hunter stumbled and stepped on a rather large branch. "Shhh, you'll scare away our dinner. What is it I'm tracking anyway?"

Daryl gathered himself together quickly, before gruffly responding, "You tell me. You're the one wanted to learn." And with an exaggerated sigh, Beth scrunched her brows together and stopped to examine the ground once more. "Well it isn't a walker, but the patterns still zig-zaggy. Not any animal print I've seen before either. Kinda looks like a bird, but it's too big to be a chicken. Beth walked a bit further until she came across a small amount of waste on the ground. "Still warm. We must be close."

Never had Daryl ever thought he would see the day that some girl, 'specially one as classy as Beth Greene, stop and examine poop on the ground. She was really taking this lesson serious, and not only did it fill him with pride, but for reasons he couldn't quite explain, he found it incredibly hot.

Beth glanced up, taken slightly aback by the familiar glint in his eye. "What?"

Without making a sound, the hunter motioned with a nod of his head for her to turn 'round, and upon seeing, Beth's stomach growled. She knew it would never taste as good as the ones her mamma use to cook on Thankgiving, all basted in butter and slathered with gravy, but it didn't matter. "Are you shitting me right now. Daryl, it's a fucking turkey!"

"Jesus Greene, watch you're language. There's decent foke present."

"Shhhh, Don't make me laugh," she whispered between giggles.

Unbelievable. Each and every time he thought he had finally figured her out, she would do or say something that left his brain spinning. Daryl just stood there staring at her like an idot. Damn girl surprised him at every turn, and the more time he spent with her, the more welcome that time was.

"I think the occassion calls for it, don't you? Here, you take the shot." Beth motioned for Daryl to take the crossbow, but he refused. "Uh, uh. Not how it works Greene. Rules of the hunt. You track it, you kill it."

"What if I miss? I didn't even know we had wild turkeys in this state. We might never see one again."

"I trust you. Yah just gotta believe yah can do it, and yah can. I've seen yah shoot. Just take your time with it. Worse case, we have more trackin' to do."

"Really, you wouldn't be mad."

"Na, s'just a bird... don't worry, you got this."

She nodded her head, turned around, and took a deep breath as the hunter moved closer, causing her body to hum as he reached behind her to help steady her aim. "Relax, and don't hold your breath. It will throw you off," he whispered. "And Greene,"

"Yah?"

"Don't miss."

~ Lizzie and Mika ~

Two days later

Lizzie and Mika lay flat on the ground and watched in wide eyed horror, as the crispy walkers began filing into the grove toward the house, essentially cutting them off from the only three people they had left in the world. There had to be fifty of them at least. Some were burned worse than others, and the stench of decay that the rotting creatures left in their wake was enough to cause both Lizzie and Mika's eyes to tear.

"We have to warn them. How do we get back?" Mika whispered.

"Maybe we can draw them away and give Tyreese and Carol a fighting chance. Grab your gun Mika." Before Mika could reply, Lizzie stood up and fired her first shot. Her aim was impeciable, if not her judgement. She fired another round, and then another; all the while instructing her younger sister to get up and do the same. "Remember what Carol taught us, head shots only. We have to make them count."

Mika squinted her eyes though a hazey steam that rose up off of the walkers' skin. She could only just make out Carol's form, as the older woman raced towards them. Then she looked to Lizzie. Her sister payed little mind to the fact that they were outnumbered. Even less to the fact that now they were the ones in danger.

Tyreese watched helplessly with Judith in his arms as Carol used the riffle to down a few of the sickly creatures, but she was still too far away, and the walkers far too close to the girls for her to really make an impact.

"Lizzie! Mika! Run!" Tyreese bellowed. His voice loud enough to draw a few of the walkers back their way whichCarol despatched quickly, depleating her amunition in the process.

Mika tugged roughly on her sister's arm as the final bullet blasted out of Lizzie's gun. "Lizzie please! Listen to Tyreese, he and Carol will find us! We have to leave, now!"

Tears trickled freely down Lizzie's pointed little noise at the realization that her sister was right. Without so much as a single glance, the eleven year old locked hands with her younger sister, and the two girls ran. They stumbled over the uneven ground at their feet, but never once looked back. It was fear kept them going. Fear of being ripped apart, fear of being out in the forest alone, and most of all fear of strangers. The world cared little for children now-a-days, especially those with only two knives and two empty guns between them. If they were to going to survive this, they would have to draw upon everything they had ever learned.

~ Tyreese, Carol, and Judith ~

three days later

Tyreese lightly bounced the baby in his arms as the trio solomely trudged through the thick tangles of wood, green, rock, and moss. Carol kept about five paces ahead, constantly scanning the ground for any more signs of the girls, while Judith clutched the only clue they had found thus far in her tiny little fist. It was a torn piece of fabric from Mika's shirt.

Not much was being said between the two adults, as neither one wanted to put a voice to their fears.

After a short break to change a diaper, the unlikely partners picked up the search once more. It was not long after did the trees began to thin, then part ways, presenting before them a corridor with train tracks running through the center. It would certainly make for an easier walk. "So which way do you want to try Tyreese?"

"Well, if I were the girls I would head that way. Track slopes downhill and the stream bends in the same direction. They'd want to stay near water."

Carol nodded, "After you then."

The atmosphere was tense to say the least, had been since Carol first confessed to killing Karen and David, but Tyreese needed her then, and the girls acted as a good buffer between them. But now that it was just Judith as a buffer, conversations had become short.

Carol pointed to a wooden sign post sticking out of the ground. "Up ahead, look."

Tyreese read the message aloud.

"TERMINUS.

Sanctuary for all.

Community for all.

Those who arrive, survive."

Tyreese motioned to the sign. "Think it's a trap?"

Carol gave a worried sigh as a knot formed in the pit of her stomach. Finding the girls was always the number one priority, but now more than ever. Mika was too soft and trusting, and while Lizzie was harder, she was too eager to please and be accepted.

"Does it matter?" Carol said grimly. "If the girls saw this sign then that's where they're headed."

"Then that's where we're headed too. Come on, we need to find them before someone else does."

~ two days after that ~

The girls crawled out of the cave just after dawn, and headed down to the stream to drink their fill. They were getting desperate now, so after much quiet discussion the girls decided that today they would follow the signs and trust in that. They were uncertain how long it would take to reach the sanctuary, but they remained ever hopeful that when they did, Tyreese and Carol would be waiting for them with open arms. The sister's had only just begun their hike up to the tracks, when they ran into their first problem of the day. Four walkers huddled together, and chowing down on an animal carcase. To what species, they had no idea.

Quickly they crouched behind a bush and tried to formulate some kind of plan. Mika was the first to speak, "Lizzie look. Two of 'em have guns. Maybe bullets too."

"Yah, I bet they do. That one looks like he was in the army. What do you wanna bet he's packin' spares... Only one problem..."

"Which is?..."

"There's four of 'em. We could barely take out one yesterday?"

Mika scanned the area, then smiled up at her sister as a lightbulb turned on inside her brain. "I think I just found a use for that rope you took out of the shack." A smile attached itself to Lizzie's face as she followed Mika's eye-line. "You're a genius. We're gonna have to be quiet though."

Mika nodded back, and the girls tiptoed over to where two trees stood a good space apart. Then tied the rope tightly around both trunks, and made sure it had very little give.

Once satisfied, Lizzie pulled Mika back into the bushes and grabbed some pinecones off the forest floor. "Hope this works, got your knife."

Mika nodded, "Yep. Got yours?"

"yep. Let's do this." Lizzie began to throw the pine cones between the two trees, instantly drawing the walkers up and toward the sound. The girls stayed crouched behind the bush until the first two creatures had fallen, and then rushed in to finish them off. Next they took out the other two, and started to search the bodies.

"Check it out," Lizzie says, holding a live granade in her palm. "He really was military."

"Be careful with that. You saw what those things can do at the prison."

"Relax, so long as the pin is in, it's fine. Could be useful."

"Did he have any bullets? This guy only had two," Mika asked a little downcast. Lizzie quickly searched the dead man's vest once more, and found a full box of amunition which she promptly gave to her sister. "We're gonna be ok Mika, trust me. Now let's get to those tracks."

~ Terminus ~

one week Later

Lizzie and Mika were sunburnt and blistered and coated with filth by the time they walked through the unlocked gates. "Do you smell that?"

Mika nodded. "Smells like dinner."

They hadn't eaten in days, and Mika's stomach rumbled as the two followed the delicious scent, while keeping an ever observant eye on their surroundings.

As they walked they passed a make-shift garden of vegetables grown in large pots at the side of one of the buildings, and surrounding the area were high fences much like at the prison. "Maybe the others made it here too."

Just the thought caused Mika to smile. "You think so."

"Maybe."

As they rounded the final bend leading into the heart of the compound the girls were greeted by a kind, older looking woman with long brownish, grey hair. "Hello. My name is Mary. Welcome to Terminus. You're safe now."

The girls glanced happily around the large area. Neither one thought they would hear those words again. They were safe.

Not wanting to be rude, but needing an answer, Lizze quickly asked, "Did a man and woman come by here recently with a baby?" She couldn't help the hope that shone through her voice. "We lost them a while back. Kinda thought they might be here."

"Did you say a baby?"

"Her name's Judith," Mika added. "She's got red hair... and the man is Tyreese. He's tall and large with black skin and the kindest eyes you've ever seen."

"And the woman's Carol," Lizzie piped up eagerly. "She's small, but tough. She's been through a lot. We all have."

"I see." Mary smiled down at the girls and called for a woman named Janice. "I'm afraid I haven't seen the two adults you mentioned, but my people did come across a baby, just yesterday while out on a run. The woman Janice walked over carrying a toddler in her arms.

Water welled up in the sisters' eyes when they saw her. "Judith!" They squeeled at once.

Mika quickly rushed over and picked her up, while tears continued to stream down Lizzie's cheeks. It only took a moment however for the realitiy of what this Mary said, to sober her almost instantly. "Ty and Carol are dead, aren't they?"

Mika stepped back and frantically shook her head in disbelief. "No! That's not what she said..." Mika paused and glanced back at the older woman who had just moments before made all her dreams come true. "...is it?"

"Come now, both of you. We can talk on that later. No doubt you're tired after such a journey. Let's get you cleaned up and something to eat. Later, after you've rested I'll introduce you to my son Gareth. He will most certainly want to meet you."

~ Terminus ~

the next day

"Hey Gareth."

"Hi June."

"Where are you headed?"

Weapons locker. Got inventory today. Say, have you seen Alex?"

"Not yet, but I'm just heading down to breakfast."

"If you happen to see him down there will you tell him that I'll be by later to get the shell counts."

"Sure thing, but you really should talk to Noah about the shells."

"Shit, is he at it again?"

June smiled and nodded. "He's down there right now. Practicing for if you ever let him leave the compound."

Gareth sighed in exasperation. "How many bullets did he have on him?"

"Hell if I know, but he's been down there quite a while.

"Fuck! I'll have to tell Simon not to let him in the weapons locker anymore. We need to conserve our resources. Oh and one more thing. When you're down at breakfast tell Mary that I don't want those girls anywhere near the crates, or the butchery. We don't harm children, but that don't mean I won't, if what they see there threatens the group. S'ides... Can't have them running into their friends, can we."

June bowed her head in jest. "Sure thing boss. I'll let her know."

~ Where our story continues ~

The Church

four months later

"I'm tellin' You Rick, they were luring people there with signs claiming refuge. Then takin' their shit and eating them! Kid said some explosion forced them to leave."

"How far out are they?"

"Don't know," Glen answers, "but the kid had us driving south west."

"So you think their close then." Rick queried.

Daryl quickly puts Rick fears to rest. "Na, Rick, I Doubt it. The kid and his friend were on foot. We should be fine if we give them a five to ten mile radius at most.

"Sorry to interupt," Glen adds, "but we don't necessarily know that. Noah might have of thought one car as good as another."

Daryl gives Glen a worried glance, and then focuses his attention on the map in front of them. "We should be ok to follow the plan. We will just need to loop up this way instead. It should get you guys to the south entrance of the park in about a weeks time. Beth and I will meet you there."

"So its decided then." The three men glance at Abraham and nod.

"Looks like you're finally getting what yah want, Groups leavin' for Washington first thing."

"I'll tell Beth that we pushed up the run," Daryl states firmly.

"Daryl, do you really think she's ready for this."

Daryl smirks. "Damn right she is. Wouldn't have her go otherwise."

Rick nods "Ok then. I'll go tell the group that they have the day to gather their things. Tomorrow we head out at first light."