Rick was holding Michonne down, her katana now out of her reach. I didn't know the woman well, but I knew if she was anything like me, that simple, simple action would be enough to send her over the edge. She looked at me, her eyes wide with fear and recognition.

"Rick, let her up," I said softly. "I know her."

"You do?" he asked, releasing his hold on her just slightly. My eyes flicked to the bullet wound in her leg.

"Michonne, what happened?" I asked, kneeling beside her.

"The Governor's what happened," she muttered darkly. "The Governor and his men."

"Where'd you find her?" I asked, directing my question at Rick.

"Just outside the fence. She was carrying a basket full of formula," he said, his tone flat.

I nodded, my mind racing as Michonne slowly explained what had happened. One of the Governor's men had kidnapped Maggie and Glenn. My heart sank as she explained how it happened. I had a sick feeling that I knew exactly who had them.

Hershel patched Michonne's leg while Daryl called Rick back into our cell block, no doubt to show him Carol. There were so many questions I wanted to ask Michonne, but something told me that it wasn't the best time. So instead, I went back into the cell block to tend to my daughter and dogs, who had been eagerly waiting for lunch all day.

"We have to go after them," Rick said, his face grim as he glanced at Michonne. "She says she can get us in…"

"I have no doubt that she can," I spoke up. "The wall's secure against walkers, but not people."

"Do you know anywhere they might be holding Glenn and Maggie?" Rick asked, his tone tired.

"I know a couple places," I nodded. "I also have an idea who we're up against. But that doesn't matter. What matters is getting them out before they can hurt them anymore than they already have."

"Carl, I need you to stay here," Rick called to his son. I caught the hurt expression on the boy's face.

"Carl, if something happens out there, you'll be the man of the group," I reminded him gently. Alana was snuggled in my lap. I hated the thought of leaving her behind, but knew there wasn't any other option.

I held Alana close as I quickly braided her hair so it wouldn't tangle. I found myself humming to her softly as she leaned into my chest.

"Mommy, why do you have to go?" she asked me, her eyes full of innocence. She was far too young to comprehend the world she was growing up in.

I thought about how to put it so she could understand. A thought came to me, but I dismissed it. Instead, I took out the old camera I had been using sparingly, along with the pile of photos from various times and places. I lined up the ones of Maggie and Glenn, a cute, simple picture from the night before, along with a picture of both of the dogs, herself, and me. Daryl was standing against the wall, watching us with his arms crossed.

"It's kind of like how the prince always has to save the princess," I said to her, hugging her in my arms. "Maggie and Glenn are in trouble," I sat the picture down so she could see it. "Blade's gonna stay here and protect you," I said, pointing to the picture of Blade.

"Like a good Duke?" she mused.

"Exactly," I nodded. "And me, Michonne, Daryl, Rick, and Oscar are all going to go rescue them," I said. With a swift movement, I snapped a picture of Daryl, his arrows glowing from the flash. When the picture developed, I laid it on the floor so Alana could see it.

"Daryl's the night in shining armor," Alana said, her tone innocent and pure. I chuckled in spite of myself, looking at the photograph. Daryl did in deed have the shining thing down, for sure. His arrows had casted a glow over his body, making him almost seem angel like in the picture.

"Mommy?" Alana said, breaking me from my thoughts.

"Hmm?"

"Is Daryl a superhero?" she asked. I looked over at the dirty, gruff redneck, a smile creeping on my face.

"I dunno, why don't you go ask him?" I chuckled. She climbed off my lap and ran towards him. Daryl threw me a hopeless look, to which I simple shrugged and mouthed 'Go with it'. By the look on Alana's face, I could tell he had told her whatever it was she wanted to hear. I chuckled and tucked the photos away, along with a short letter to Alana that I had written ages ago in Woodbury. It was a letter I could only hope she'd read one day.

I tied my own hair back, carefully securing it in my hood before counting my arrows. I was down to about a dozen. I made a mental note to make more as soon as possible. Once I was locked and loaded, I turned my attention to Riley. He was waiting patiently for me to put his armor on. I picked up the heavy, lead based vest and strapped it to his back, along with the thickest collar I had. I brushed out his visible fur, ensuring that it was fluffed enough to protect his vital organs. I clipped on his chain leash, since it was less likely to snag than the nylon one, plus it served as a weapon should the need arise. Along with all that, I loaded a few rounds of ammo into his vest pockets, along with a bright red reflector, that would be clipped to his collar as a sign that we weren't making it out alive. Whenever things were expected to go south, the red reflector was essential to a run. Regardless of the situation, if Riley was to return with the reflector clipped to his collar, whatever group I was with could safely assume I was dead. I only ever had to use it once, and that was with my first group, when we were overrun. Riley had disappeared for an entire week, in search of my group after I broke my leg falling from a tree after barely escaping the walkers. But it didn't matter. My group was dead. When Riley returned to me, I knew that. I knew, because had they been alive, Riley would have found them. Riley was a swift, smart dog, and would stop at nothing to complete a task.

"You look worried," Hershel noted as I handed him my first aid kit.

"I am," I sighed, sparing a glance at Alana. "I need you to do a favor for me," I said, my tone barely audible.

"Of course," he nodded, waiting for my request.

"If Riley comes back with a red reflection attached to his collar, safely assume I'm dead. If not all of us. It's the most discreet S.O.S. sign I have," I said softly. "If he comes back…without me…can you…" my voice broke. "Can you make sure someone watches out for Alana? She's a good kid. Smart too, she'll be an asset as she grows older. Please promise me that little girl will be okay. The dogs, they can pull their weight here, or they can survive out there. Shoot, they have before. But that little girl…she's innocent. She's pure in ways I'll never understand," a single tear rolled down my cheek. "Promise me, Hershel."

"Oh, honey, I promise," he said. He embraced me, tears in his own eyes. "But you're gonna come back, you got to. My Maggie's out there. If anyone can bring her home to me, I know it's Rick and you all."

"I only wish I could have some of your confidence," I whispered. I broke the hug and headed towards the perch, where Alana was feeding Riley scraps of squirrel.

"C'mon, Riles, time to go for a search and rescue mission," I called the dog. He immediately ran to my side, his stance alert and ready. "I love you, Alana," I called over my shoulder.

"I love you too, mommy. Be safe!" she said, her childish tone breaking my heart.

"Always," I whispered. I saw tears in her eyes and almost changed my mind. But then I remembered that I owed this group our lives. "Be good."

"I will, mommy," she said, her voice cracking. Beth knelt beside her and embraced her. I took that as my sign to leave. I hurried from the cell block before my emotions could make me change my mind. I was outside before anyone else, fighting back the urge to go back in there and stay with the little girl that might as well had been my daughter. I waited until Daryl started his bike before climbing on the back of it. He simply nodded before flying through the now open gates, Rick's Hyundai close behind. Riley took to the grass, following us with no problem at all.

Once we were just a mile or two away from Woodbury, we killed the engines and took to the trees on foot, Michonne leading the way. We were silent, each lost in our own thoughts. We all knew that we might not make it back alive. Maybe some of us were making peace with the gods, while others, well maybe some of us were trying to find peace with ourselves.

A/n - Please keep in mind, I intend to loosely follow the series, in a sense that some of the events will play out similar to that of the show, but others, such as how they rescue Glenn and Maggie, ect, will not follow the series. SPOILER ALERT - Because I don't even want to write the scene, no, when Merle and Daryl are reunited, it will not play out as it did on the series. Simply because I need Daryl to remain in the prison, haha. Sorry guys. :P

However, I will be adding my own twist to things. ;) Otherwise, what fun would that be?

The next chapter will be a little confusing, so bear with me. I'm going to do what I can to rewrite it enough to make it understandable. :P Let me know what you think so far! All kinds of feedback is appreciated. Love it? Hate it? Let me know!