A/N: Here's chapter three! Remember that this is a work of fiction, so if there are missing characters, or if scenes don't go exactly as they went in the series, it's because I wrote this and it's not suppose to follow the series. I mean, there's a whole new character in it. Lol. Anyway, enjoy! Read and review!

Disclaimer: I do not own The Walking Dead.


Chapter 3

The rest of the night and most of the morning was spent cleaning up the campsite. Bodies were sorted, the newly dead from the permanently dead, tears were shed, people mourned. I felt out of place, standing there near a tree, watching the scene. I didn't know most of these people, and definitely didn't know any that died. I watched as a few people tried to talk to one woman. She was knelt down by another, who was dead and no doubt could turn any minute. Any attempts to talk to her apparently had failed. She had lost someone dear to her, she wasn't about to be reasoned with. I shook my head a little and scanned the campsite.

Most people paid no mind to me for the moment, which was fine. I had no place here just yet. I caught site of Daryl as he stabbed someone in the head with a hunting knife. Got to make sure they don't come back, I guess. I grimaced a little at the action, still. I wasn't sure I could do it if asked. Killing the undead I was fine with, but someone who had just died, who had been alive not a few hours ago; I doubt I could do it. I paused as an older man walked up to him, attempting to hand him a handful of arrows. Daryl shook his head, the pointed toward me. I still could tell what the look on his face was, but ignored the thought as the older man walked up to me.

"Hi," he said with a kind smile. I couldn't help but smile a little back, nodding as I straightened up. "I'm Dale," he continued, introducing himself, "and I was told that these belong to you." I nodded again as I took the arrows from him, the tips and shafts still coated with the remains of the zombies I had shot.

"Thanks," I replied, paused, then added, "I'm Carman."

"It seems you're a pretty good shot with that bow, Carman," he said. "I would dare say as well as Daryl." I glanced at the man I was being compared to. He looked like he grew up in the woods, hunted all his life. I shook my head with a small laugh.

"I doubt that, but I'm pretty decent." He gave me another smile before glancing around the campsite.

"Well, there's a quarry not far from here, if you'd like to go clean up." He nodded toward my dirty arrows. "No sense in letting them go to waste." I nodded in agreement. "Now, I can give you a little direction…" he continued, but was interrupted.

"No need, Dale. Carl and I would be happy to show her the way." I looked over at the woman who had spoken; I had recognized her as the woman I saw Rick running to the night before. "I'm Lori," she added, holding her hand out. I shook it, telling her my name as well. "And this is my son Carl." She nodded down at the boy at her side, putting her arm around his shoulders. I smiled down at him in greeting.

"If you're headed down to the quarry, would you take Sophia with you…?" another woman asked as she walked up to Lori. This woman was timid, with what seemed to be a permanent look of hopelessness on her face.

"I don't know, Carol. There still may be some walkers around. She might be safer here," Lori replied, her tone soft as she talked to the other woman.

"I think she'll be safe enough. Carman here is a great shot, and you have a gun, Lori. Might be a good idea to get the kids away from here for a while anyway," Dale chimed in. Lori paused, looked at me, and then nodded as she looked back at Carol.

"Sure," she replied with a smile. Carol smiled back, looking down at the little girl who hid behind her.

"Stay with Miss Lori, alright?" The little girl nodded, moving to stand beside Lori.

"We should be done here by the time you get back," Dale said. "We'll head out after that." Lori nodded before heading into the woods. I let the two kids walk after her before I took up the rear, keeping watch as we walked.

It was silent as we headed through the woods, which of course was okay since we had to be careful. But all this silence was killing me. I had finally found some people; I wanted to talk to them. I was sure I'd get my chance; I was just a little impatient. We finally reached the quarry about fifteen minutes later with no incident with the walkers. I had heard Lori use the term, and I liked it. Zombies seemed so fake, and even though that's what they were, walkers seemed to make them more real.

I glanced around before heading down the rocks toward the water. This area was actually really pretty, especially compared to what we had all seen the night before. It was a good idea to bring the kids down here while they took care of things. I pulled off my bow and backpack, setting them on the rocks before kneeling by the water, carefully washing my arrows.

"Carman, was it?" Lori asked after a few minutes of silence. I nodded a little in response, glad to have some conversation.

"You must be Rick's wife," I replied, glancing over at her. She nodded. "You're lucky. He seems like a great man." She smiled a little, though it was a smile that held pain, regret, secrets.

"He is a great man," she said a bit quietly, glancing over at the kids. Carl was tossing rocks into the water, making them skip across the surface. Sophia, on the other hand, was sitting on a rock, clutching a small doll to her chest. She seemed withdrawn and very child-like for her age. I paused as Lori spoke; she had noticed me watching the young girl.

"She's had a…difficult family life," Lori informed me, her voice a bit quieter. I thought about her mom Carol, and the way she seemed like she'd fall apart at any moment. I nodded a little, and then set my arrows on the bank to dry before standing up and grabbing my bag before heading over to wear Sophia sat. I knelt down in front of her, giving her a kind smile.

"Hi, Sophia. I'm Carman," I said, holding out my hand for hers. She looked at me, at my hand, hesitating before shaking it. My smile widened a little. "I was just noticing your hair," I continued. "It's very pretty." That earned me a smile back. I reached my hand into my bag, pulling out a small box. "I've always liked doing things with hair," I explained to her, then pointed to the purple in my own, "as you can tell." I laughed a little, and then opened the box, holding it up for her to see. Her eyes lit up a little as she looked inside, gazing at the different colored strings and beads and charms. "I'd like to do something with your hair, if you don't mind." She immediately nodded, and by now Carl had walked over to see what was going on. "Go ahead and pick something out." I told her. She reached her hand into the box, pulling out a thin pink ribbon and a small heart charm. I set the box down and took the items from her before reaching my hands up and setting to work on her hair.

I took notice of the way she flinched when I did, and knew that she was abused. I tried my hardest not to frown or harden my expression. Abuse of any sort was something I absolutely hated. I had never been abused, but I had known people that had. Friends, family, it seemed to happen way too often. And this little girl had been broken before this epidemic had even started. I didn't know which man in the camp was her father, but I knew that he and I would not get along. This little girl didn't deserve to grow up like that, though it didn't seem like any kid could grow up happily in the state the world was in now. I shook my head a little, finishing up her hair. The small braid hung down in front of her ear, the pink ribbon woven into it. The small silver charm hung down from the end. I smiled and nodded toward the water. "Go look."

I glanced over at Lori who I knew had been watching me. She watched Sophia smile in excitement, touching the braid as she looked at her reflection in the water. Lori then looked back at me, a softer look on her face as she mouthed the words 'thank you' to me. I shrugged a little, though a smile rested on my face as well. I glanced at Carl, who was still standing near me as he watched Sophia.

"So, Carl, are you next? Want a pink ribbon in your hair, too?" I teased, grabbing the box and holding it out toward him.

"Ew, no! That's for girls!" he replied, taking a step back. I laughed a little, hearing Lori echo my laugh as I put the box back in my bag.

"Well, how about this: one day I'll teach you had to shoot an arrow." He looked at me as his eyes widened.

"Really?" He seemed to like the idea.

"As long as your mom says it's okay," I replied, looking over at Lori.

"I'll have to think about that one," Lori said, though she was still smiling a little. "We should head back now. Sophia, Carl, let's go." I grabbed my things and glanced back at the water, wondering if we'd ever see something as nice as this again. I shook the depressing thought off as I followed after them. At least the kids seemed to be in a better mood.

By the time we arrived back at camp everyone was ready to head out. Apparently our destination was the CDC, where Rick believed there would be people, safety, and information about the epidemic. I rode in the RV with Dale and Glynn, the rest of the group piling in the few different cars they had. If we were lucky, we'd make it to the CDC by nightfall where we'd be able to rest and hopefully get some help. The ride was silent for the most part, everyone still getting over the events of the night before, the deaths of their friends. I busied myself roaming around the RV, going through random drawers and cabinets. After a few minutes I found a small bookcase by the table, smiling a little as I began to read over the spines of the paperbacks.

"Hey, Dale…?" I called out to the driver, "mind if I borrow one of these books?"

"Sure," he replied, "though most of them probably aren't that great."

"Better than nothing." I pulled a book out as I slid into the bench by the table and began to read. It kept me occupied for most of the ride, and it didn't feel that long before the caravan stopped. I looked up from my book, then out the window.

The area looked like a war zone. Bodies lay strewn about, sandbags piled in different areas, roads blocked off, and as soon as Glynn opened the door I could smell the rotting stench of flesh. My nose wrinkled as I stood up, grabbing my bow, arrows, and backpack before following Dale and Glynn out onto the street.

Rick led the group through the mess, the sun already starting to set. I followed close, my eyes continuing to scan the place in case any of these dead bodies decided to move. We reached the front of the building, which looked like it was on complete lockdown. And of course, wouldn't open. That's when people started to panic.

I turned around as I heard a noise behind me, calling out as I saw a few zombies shambling toward us. I raised my bow, readying an arrow as I heard Daryl call out, informing the group. This, of course, caused more panic. Daryl shot the walker closes to us before turning around and yelling at Rick. Voices got loud, and more of the dead rose. Tempers were flaring from fear. No one knew what to do. Rick kept trying to get someone to let us in, if there was even anyone in there. I kept my eyes on the walkers, shooting any who got too close. Everyone's fear and panic was making my own start to rise.

Just as everyone was about to give up hope and run back to the cars, the door opened, a bright light filling the area. We all turned and stared at it for a moment before everyone rushed inside. We scanned the area, it seemed empty. Rick's voice echoed off the walls as he called out. A moment later a man emerged, a gun in his hands.

"Anyone infected?" he asked. We all shook our heads, though Rick confirmed it as he spoke up.

"No, no one's been bitten," he replied, everyone's eyes on the new man. "We just need some help, a place to stay, recuperate." The man nodded.

"Once that door closes, it's not opening back up again." We all let out a small sigh of relief. We had found our safe zone for now.

An hour later the group of us were sitting down for dinner, eating a meal none of us have eating in days. We even hide wine, nice stuff, too. Everyone was in good spirits. We had learned that our host's name was Dr. Jenner, and he was the last scientist in the building. One man in our group, Shane I had found out his name was, brought down the mood by asking Jenner a bunch of questions about where the other doctors were and what had happened.

"Most of them left," Jenner told us. "Not by walking out the front door, but rather…opted out. There was a bunch of suicides. People just couldn't handle it." The room was silent for a few moments before Glenn spoke.

"You're such a buzz kill, Shane," Glenn said, breaking the silence.

"Anyway," Jenner said, changing the subject, "there are rooms down the hall, couches, cots, you should all be comfortable. There's a rec room at the end of the hall, you kids may like that." Sophia and Carl both smiled at the news. "Just don't plug in anything that uses electricity. Same with the showers, go easy on the hot water." The mood in the room lifted back up at that. Showers? Hot water? None of us had had that in a while.

After dinner we were showed to our rooms, where I'm sure most of us wanted to do the first thing we could; take a shower. I stood under the warm, running water, letting the liquid soak my hair as it stuck to my back. I leaned against the foggy glass, closing my eyes for a moment. I hadn't felt this good or relaxed since I started running. I could probably have stayed like that for hours, but Jenner had asked us not to, and it felt wrong to ignore the host's request. I was about to start washing my hair when I heard a noise outside the shower. I lifted my head, my eyes trying to see through the glass, though it wasn't exactly clear, but I did see movement, a blur of color. I pulled back from the glass, pausing a moment before sliding it open a little and peaking outside. I didn't see anything, but whatever it was, whoever it was, was gone. I frowned a little, shutting the glass a bit roughly. I swear, if I found out one of these guys was spying on me, I'd leave an arrow in their heads. Well, maybe not, but I wouldn't let them get away with it.

After my shower I dressed in my favorite pajamas, which consisted of a baggy t-shirt and a pair of shorts. I brushed out my long hair, leaving it down as well, and decided to go pay my friend a visit. I walked down the hall toward Glynn's room, knocking lightly on his open door. He looked up, still holding a bottle of wine in his hand, and smiled as he motioned for me to come in.

"Still drinking, huh?" I asked as I walked over and sat on the couch beside him.

"Yeah," he replied. "I haven't been able to in a while. Feels nice to let go for once." He paused, and then offered the bottle to me. I shrugged a little and took it from him, taking a drink of the sweet tasting wine. I paused as I glanced over at him, catching him staring at me. I laughed a little, lowering the bottle.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing. You just look…different," he replied.

"Different how?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Like, less bad ass, more laid back," he paused, then added, "I mean, you still look kind of hardcore, with the tattoos and piercings and all." He motioned to my covered arms, the bit of ink on my legs now visible, too. I laughed a little, shaking my head.

"Badass as I may look, it's just a look. I'm not nearly as badass as I seem."

"You sure about that?" he asked. "You seem pretty good with that bow and arrow." I shrugged a little before replying.

"I had to learn to survive, just like anyone else." I paused, not really comfortable with talking about myself. "So tell me about some of the people in the group." I said, turning to face him and bringing my leg up onto the couch.

"Well, let's see," he started, leaning back as he thought about it, "Dale's a nice guy. Friendly, a good protector. He's sort of like the father figure of the group. He kind of played father for Andrea and Amy." He looked over at me after a pause. "Amy was Andrea's sister, she died last night." I nodded, remember the woman kneeling over another, the one that wouldn't listen to anyone who tried to talk to her as she stared down at the body before her. She must be going through a pretty hard time at the moment.

"Yeah, I like Dale. I'm sure Andrea's fine on a good day, too." He smiled a little before he continued.

"Then there's Rick and Lori and their son Carl. Rick's kind of our acting leader, if you couldn't tell. He's a good man." I nodded in agreement. "Then we have Carol and Sophia."

"Yeah, I talked to Sophia a little at the quarry." I paused. "Well, she more just listened as I put a ribbon in her hair."

"I saw that. That was nice of you." I smiled, remembering the way Carol had looked at the ribbon, asking Sophia about it, and after seeing the smile on Sophia's face, gave me a grateful look. "Carol's husband died last night as well. Good riddance." The last part was said quietly before Glynn had taken another drink, but I had heard it. It confirmed my suspicions that Sophia's dad was the one who mistreated Carol and her daughter, making them live in hell before hell even started. I shook my head a little, taking the bottle from him.

"Go on," I instructed, taking another drink myself.

"Shane, Rick's best friend, was also a cop. He kept all of us alive pretty well. He seems like a good guy for the most part, too." I thought about the man who killed the mood at dinner. He didn't seem like a bad guy, but it did seem like something was up with him.

"What about Daryl?" I asked, not wanting to admit he was one of the one's I was most curious about. Glynn shook his head a little.

"Daryl's your standard racist, southern, grew up in the sticks kind of guy, though he's nowhere near as bad as his older brother. He might start stuff with people in the group, say things that are on his mind when they're better left unsaid, but he does play his part. Hunted some good food for us." I nodded a little. It was apparent why he wouldn't like me. I mean, I was a city girl, different tastes than most, and yet I still was able to shoot well. He probably thought I was raised with a silver spoon in my mouth, which was far from the truth, but people like him never bothered to get to know people they didn't like.

"And then we have T-Dog," Glynn continued, oblivious to my thoughts. "He's a cool person. Steps up when he needs to, helps us out. Besides, every group has to have their designated black guy, right?" he said teasingly. I laughed a little, nudging him.

"And their designated Asian," I replied back, smirking a little at him. He laughed and shook his head.

"Seems that way, doesn't it?" he asked. He looked at me for a moment, and then spoke again. "So, Miss Mysterious Badass Gamer chick, what's your story?" I shrugged, nowhere near willing to share my life.

"Normal life. Went to college, had family, friends. Then the world went to shit and I refused to go down with it." I looked up at him, pausing when I saw him looking back at me with a smile. "What?" I asked, laughing a little.

"Nothing, you just sound pretty damn cool." I rolled my eyes.

"The world must have come to an end if I'm your last resort," I replied, nudging him a little as I smiled.

"Nah, there are plenty of girls out there that are way worse than you."

"Yeah, they're called zombies, or walkers, or whatever you want to call them," I countered with a laugh. He laughed as well. We looked at each other for a moment, both smiling, both in good spirits, both a bit dizzy from the alcohol, and I knew what was coming next.

We leaned in, pausing before connected our lips together. The kiss was soft, hesitant, and hopeful, but other than that there was nothing there. We pulled back, looked at each other, and then busted out laughing.

"Weird?" I asked through my laughter.

"Oh yeah," he replied back. After we stopped laughing he looked at me. "Friends?"

"Definitely." We shook hands, as if we were sealing the deal, and I stood up. "I'm gunna head to bed." I leaned down, giving him a tight hug before turning and heading out of the room. "Goodnight!"

I walked down the hall, the smile still on my face, shaking my head a little. Even if Glynn and I weren't meant for each other, I was more than happy to have him as a friend. It's not like I was looking for love anyway. I wasn't looking for anything, but maybe I way to survive. I definitely wasn't looking for trouble, though it seemed to find me anyway.

"Move pretty quick, don't ya?" I looked over to see Daryl leaning in the doorway of his room, arms crossed over his chest as he looked at me. I paused, raising an eyebrow.

"Excuse me?" I asked.

"Already havin' late night visits with china-man, huh?" he said, nodding toward Glynn's room. I frowned, and then crossed my arms as well as I erased it.

"It's none of your business," I told him, heading down the hall again.

"Who's next? Shane? Or maybe you like married men, what about Rick?" he asked, pushing himself off the doorframe and walking up behind me as I passed him.

"I would never take something away from someone else," I replied, keeping my voice calm as he followed me.

"Ah, I see. You mustn't like your own race, gotta go for others. Bet you'll fuck that nigger next." I couldn't help it. I hated that comment, and that word, and my anger got the better of me as a spun around and shoved him hard against his chest. He stumbled back against the wall, not expected the push, and I took the chance to step up to him, my eyes dark as I looked up at him.

"I don't know you, but I already don't like you," I told him, my voice low. "I'm sure some people wouldn't mind if something happened to you." I didn't usually threaten people, but this man was getting on my last nerves. I paused at the look on his face. Dark, angry, and something about it told me he wasn't afraid to hit a woman. Before I could take a step back he shoved me, sending me across the hall and back against the wall opposite of him. He stepped up to me, his hand going to my throat, fingers wrapping around my neck. My hands automatically rose to his wrist, gripping it as I leaned my head back, trying to stay calm, though I knew there was fear in my eyes.

"You listen to me, freak, I don't take too kindly to threats, especially from stupid bitches like you. You think you can come in here and take over? Think again." His voice was low as he spoke, and his grip tightened on my neck, though never hard enough to actually cut off my air, just enough to prove his point, which I got immediately. "You got that?" I gave the slightest of nods, refusing to give in completely to my fear. His eyes scanned me for a moment, though it seemed to take forever, like he was taking his time. The look made a chill run up my spine, and I felt violated, like he was seeing more than he actually could. He finally released me, looking at me one last time before he turned and walked back to his room.

I stood there a moment, letting out the small breath I was holding as I rubbed my neck a little. If I learned anything about anyone that night, it was not to threaten Daryl.