A day or two had passed since my last trip out hunting, and I was ready to go again.

"Sam, can you go out to get some more stuff for us? We've just finished the last squirrel and Daryl hasn't really emerged from his tent yet." Rick sighed, but I nodded.

"Of course." I said, smiling. He laid a hand on my arm as walked away.

He was right about Daryl. Ever since he'd touched my back and marched off, he hadn't really come over to the group. Or at least, not when I was there.

I walked to my tent, tying up my hair in the warm morning heat. I grabbed my machete and got the gun from the truck. I picked up and finished a half-full bottle of water from beside the food and started on my way towards the trees.

I planned to go in a different direction, aiming to walk past Daryl's tent just to check on him. He wasn't there though, and I had just left the camp when I saw him coming back from Randall again. I slowed, my forehead creasing. He caught my eyes and halted before walking towards me. I stopped as he headed in my direction, my stomach starting to feel a little heavy.

"Ya going huntin' again?" He asked as he got within a couple of yards from me. I nodded, shielding my eyes from the sun behind him.

"Yeah."

"Want a hand?" He asked, making my jaw popped open and my stomach whirl slightly. What?!

"Well, alr-"

"Sam, wait up!" I heard, and span to see Alex running towards me.

I stood awkwardly as Alex jogged over, Daryl hovering in my peripheral vision.

"You hunting?" He asked.

"Yeah, I was just going with-"

"Sweet. I'll come with you. I haven't spoken to you properly in a while. It'll be nice to chat." He smiled, his eyes flicking towards Daryl, almost challenging him.

I mentally swore and looked back at Daryl. His eyes were small and angry as he stared at Alex, and I could tell he was grinding his teeth.

"Just bring us back some damn food. If ya catch anythin'." He grunted.

I was crushed. It felt like I could finally get on some even terms with him, but that all messed up. He retreated back on his old angry self. But I wasn't angry. I wasn't going to argue like I used to.

I simply looked at him, my expression probably a little hurt. He stared at me for a minute, his eyes roaming my face and meeting mine, but after a while he couldn't take it and looked away.

Alex gently took hold of my hand and started leading me towards the tree line. Daryl looked at me for a millisecond wore storming off towards his tent. When he was out of sight I looked away and carried on walking beside Alex.

I looked at Alex out of the corner of my eye, taking in his pleased expression. It angered me a little as he just invited himself along like that and interrupted us, but I knew I couldn't stay mad at him. I then noticed a hunk of wood in his other hand.

"Alex, what are you holding?"

"It's my bat! I figured that if we run into trouble, it's not just you that can fight. I can finally help you." He grinned. I smiled back, but his enthusiastic happiness was a little grinding.

We walked through the trees for about a mile, and then I started tracking.

"You seem so clever when you do this." Alex smirked. I laughed, not looking up from the ground in front of me.

"Thanks. But it's just knowing what to look out for. Otis taught me the basics. I guess everything just comes with experience." I shrugged.

"Otis' death really got to you, didn't it?" he asked quietly.

"Yeah. I think more than anything, I wanted to thank him. Without him, I might never have known what to look for and how to hunt. I knew it would help in the long run. But now he's gone." I sighed, rubbing my face.

"He seemed like a good man." Alex nodded.

We carried on walking in a comfortable silence, each in our own world. Alex got a little fidgety, and I knew that he had something he wanted to say. It's how he'd always acted when we were kinds. I turned and placed a hand in my hoop, waiting for him to speak. If he didn't say it and stop fidgeting, he'd scare everything away.

"What?" he asked, acting innocently. I put my hand on my hip, not up for playing games.

"Out with it." I sighed, raising an eyebrow.

"What was going on with you and Daryl before I got there? It looked pretty intense." He rushed. My hand dropped from my hip as I shifted uncomfortably.

"Nothing. We were just talking about hunting." I said slowly as I slowly started walking again. Alex walked beside me, his eyes scanning my face.

"Right. Just that? It's just... He isn't as harsh as when you're around." he sighed, and my eyes shot towards him.

"Yeah right. There isn't anything going on." I said.

"I'm not convinced. I've known you too long." He stated, slowly looking to meet my eyes.

"I think he's with Carol, anyway. No matter what you think, he's with Carol. That was pretty evident after we found... The barn." I croaked, looking solemnly to the ground in front of me.

"Nah, I think you've got it all wrong. I think it's just a nurture and be nurtured thing that they both need - that's all." He shrugged.

"Now I'm not convinced." I said with a weak smile, but his words sent a little flutter through me.

"So you are interested, then?" He asked.

"What?!" I choked.

"You're showing a keen interest. You've noticed he's 'with Carol', and made a point about it." He asked, and I spluttered.

"No! He's a douche! He shot you, and he's argued with me, and-"

"And you like a challenge. Oh Sam, just say it." He cut in smoothly, smirking.

"No. You've got this whole thing wrong!" I yelped, trying to hide the furious blush I felt on my face.

"Fine. Fine." He surrendered, but the smirk didn't fall from his face.

"Thank you!" I sighed, relieved he'd dropped it.

That was embarrassing I mean, he's got it all totally wrong. I don't think of Daryl like that, and I'm sure he's together with Carol. He hasn't been there when I've seen him. And Daryl's just a guy. A guy like any other. His mood changes all the time, so why should I have an effect on him?

"Just be careful though." He added, before surging ahead of me so he had the last word.

I felt my blood boil as I picked up my pace, trying to stop myself from ramming my machete through his face.

"Good shot!" I grinned.

Alex whirled round and flashed me a brilliant smile, glowing with pride. He handed me back the gun as he jogged over to where another squirrel lay.

"Let's head back. My arms getting stiff and it's probably going to get dark soon." He sniffed, smiling as he fell into step next to me.

We walked back at a relatively fast pace, Alex brimming with pride. And he should be. He caught a few things and a lot more than me, but I was trying to teach him. At least, that would be my excuse. We didn't get as much as when we went on our own, but considering how loud Alex was, we did spectacularly.

"So, how did I do?" He asked.

"Not bad. You're loud even when your quiet which doesn't quite make sense, but you pull it off. Taking that into consideration, you did well." I said slowly, eyebrow raised.

He nodded to himself, happy with my judgement. I snorted unattractively.

"So, do you think you'll come again with me?" I asked.

"Definitely!" He chirped. I laughed.

"I'd hoped so. It's nice to be out here with someone. It's good knowing there's someone to help cover your back." I sighed.

"Yeah. No, definitely." He said, making me laugh again.

"It's nice to get out of camp too. Especially with this Randall situation making Shane a walking nightmare." I sighed.

"I know what you mean. What has Shane done to you?" He asked, concern creeping into his features.

"He hasn't. It's just the fact that he's charging round and glaring at everyone. He seems especially vicious to me, which is understandable, but for some reason Rick too. I don't particularly care if he likes me or not, but Rick?" I rambled, my forehead creasing as I looked to Alex. He shrugged.

"I don't know. Rick's doing what he can though. And I don't like this Randall situation either." He sighed, lifting his shoulder and letting them sag.

"Well, he's been moved to the barn. I saw Rick and Shane move him a few days ago, so it means it won't be long until... They release him, I guess." I shrugged, almost out of defeat. What could I do in this situation?

"Sure. If I know Shane, he'll definitely let Randall free without a bullet in his head." Alex spat sarcastically. I sighed, but I knew he was right.

"Well, let's just keep an eye on Randall until the time comes when he's okay." I offered.

Alex nodded slowly, and our once happy and chirpy atmosphere darkened as we walked in silence. Soon we got to the treeline, and we're greeted by the warm rays of sun and clear skies.

I was going to check on Randall though. I knew he could be a threat, but he's just a kid, and there's a load of us. It doesn't mean we have to treat him like a prisoner, but we did have to treat him with caution. As long as he wasn't being kept like an animal, I could live with that.

"I'll take those to Daryl, if you want. See if he'll skin them. If he won't, I'll always give it a go." I sighed, looking towards Alex.

"Thanks. I didn't want to ask him." He smiled, letting out a quick relieved laugh as he handed over his squirrel and few birds.

I sifted the machete and the catch in my hands, and as a parting I gave him a quick kiss in the cheek to make up for the strange atmosphere. He grinned and strode back up to camp. I stood where I was and watched as he made his way up the hill. I saw that he got ambushed by Helena who ran down to him, before taking her into his arms and carrying her back up to camp.

Feeling my heart swell and a smile grow on my face, I slowly made my way to where Daryl's tent was.

I looked up to see him crouching over a fire, stoking it. When he looked up, I felt the smile slipping from my face. I must've looked like an idiot, grinning to myself.

"Hey, Daryl? Do you mind sorting this out for us? I mean, I can do it of you don't want to." I asked, my eyes not meeting his as he glared.

"Whatever. Leave it there." He grunted.

"Well I can take it back if you're gonna-"

"Just leave it." He snapped. I hesitated, but put the catch by the edge of his fire.

"Do you want me to give you a hand then, considering you don't want to do this?" I asked almost bitterly, hand on hip as angrily I tried to meet his wandering eyes.

"No." He said harshly, his piercing eyes finally meeting mine.

I ground my teeth out of frustration, but threw my hands up and turned to walk off. I wasn't going to get in an argument. If he wants to sit there and refuse my help then fine, he'll never get it, if that's what he wants.

"Thanks, though." A gruff and and quiet voice floated to my ears. So Daryl did appreciate me offering his help?

faltered in my step slightly as I walked away. I didn't turn around, but I nodded, my cheeks feeling like they were on fire.

Hope you're enjoying it!

Thank you all for reading, commenting, following and favouriting. The number of reads for this story really hit the roof last weekend! I can't thank you all enough. :]

- Loré. X