As we ran my thoughts went wild 'God please let them be ok, don't make me have to take another child away' when we reached the area I saw Sophia and Carl run out. I let out a sigh of relief when I saw none of them were injured. I took out my knife as I walked slowly forward disgusted at what I saw. A walker chewing on the neck of a deer, 'nasty motherfucker' as we gathered around it the walker turned and growled at us obviously mad that we disturbed his breakfast and tried to attack, the group started to beat it. I stepped back letting them kick the crap out of the zombie. Then Dale took his axe and chopped the head off. "their running out of food in the city, that s what" Jim stated I frowned knowing he was right. I stared at the head then moved my gaze over to the deer. 'a horrible way to go, poor thing' we heard a twig snapped and raised our weapons when a man walked into our view carrying a heavy crossbow. The group sighed and lowered their weapons, I did to realizing he must be the other member of the group, Daryl. "Son of a bitch, That s My Deer!" he walked over to the deer "look at it all gnawed on by this Filthy disease-bearing motherless poxy bastard!" he exclaimed kicking the body with each word in aggravation. 'well he's charming' I thought rolling my eyes as He yelled at Dale for telling him to calm down. He walked backed over to the deer "I've been tracking this deer for miles. Gonna drag it back to camp, cook us up some venison." he started to pull the arrows out. "do you think we can cut around this chewed up part right here?" he asked pointing at the neck.

I grimaced at the thought 'sure I will gladly eat something chewed on by a zombie who by the way was covered in infected blood' I kept my mouth shut though, it would be best not to anger the man anymore, and we still haven't told him bout his brother. 'Oh boy this is going to be fun' . Shane then spoke up "Man I would not risk that" Daryl sighed realizing he was right "that s a damn shame" then he went off saying he had some squirrels. Just then the head started moving and growling I heard the girls gasp but I ignored it "Come on people, what the hell?" He aimed his crossbow and shot the head "it s gotta be the brain, dont y'all know nothing?" He mocked before going off shouting for someone, most likely his brother.

Shane ran up to him and told him that there was a problem in Atlanta. "he dead?" Daryl asked almost afraid of the answer. were not sure That seem to annoy Daryl 'damn wish I had popcorn for this' I thought waiting for all hell to break lose "He either is or he ain't!" then Rick told him that he handcuffed his brother to the roof and his still their. "Hold on Daryl" said as he walked away and wiped his face "let me process this" and he turned around and started to advance on Rick his voice rising in sheer anger "your saying you handcuffed my brother to a roof, And you left him there?" I looked to my side and saw Speed about to step in to break it up but I put my arm out in front of him. He looked at me confused "Let them deal with it, this doesn t have anything to do with us, it s between them" He hesitated for a second then stepped back. Turning back towards the group I saw Daryl throw the squirrels at Rick then tried to charge at him when Shane shoved him to the ground. Daryl quickly took out a hunting knife and lunged again but Rick grabbed his arm giving Shane a chance to put Daryl in a choke hold and wrestle him to the ground. Rick quickly got the knife away from him "You best let me Go!" he screamed trying to get out of the tight hold "nah I think it's better If I don't" Shane replied calmly "choke Holds illegal" Shane didn t seem affected "you can file a complaint" I looked at Sniper and Speed seeing that they were on edge I turned around and saw that they let go of Daryl who was talking to T-dog about his brother, he then turned to Rick "Just tell me where he is so I can go get him?" Lori then spoke up "he'll show you, isn t that right?" I turned my attention to Rick who nodded and said he was going back. Then he walked off probably to get dressed. I heard Daryl say "hey, chose your words more carefully" Shane looked at him "No I did Douche Bags what I meant" I shook my head at them Lori then Said "so you and Daryl that s your big plan?"

He turned and looked at Glenn then Shane said "so your going to risk three men?" "four" we looked up and say T-dog Daryl scoffed "my day just keeps getting better and better don t it?" I took a deep breath "Five" I said the all looked at me. Shane was shocked "what?" I looked right at him "five, Im going to, they could use the back up" Daryl looked at me "who the Hell are you?" I looked over at him "lieutenant Erika Cole" He rolled his eyes "Great now we got a female coming with us? So what now were babysitting?" I ignored him as the group continued their conversation and walked over to Speed and Sniper, Sniper stepped up "Erika you cant go It s too risky" I looked at him my eyes fixed into a cold stare which caused him to flinch . "what did you say to me? Do you think I can t handle it? Think im some weak little girl that needs you to hold her hand, tuck her in and kiss her good night?" I advanced on him making him back up, Speed put his hand on my shoulder to calm me down. I grabbed his arm and flipped him onto his back. Sniper shook his head "that s not what I meant we just don t want anything to happen to you"

My eyes softened as I relaxed, i understood what they ment. They didnt want to lose another person. "nothing is going to happen Sniper I promise, ..until I return Your orders are to protect this group at all cost, .remember I Love you guys and I'm proud of you" They both smiled "we love you too Erika" they both replied and pulled me into a group hug. Then we heard a car horn "Come On Lets Go!" I Saw Daryl stepping on the horn I turned to Sniper and Speed, "Oh He's going to be a pleasant one to deal with" they laughed and I joined in. With one last look I turned and climbed into the van, Then I thought of something 'that s where I heard Dixon before' I let out a low growl "lets go and save the jackass" I said in annoyance Daryl looked at me angry "what you got something against my brother?" I stared back challengingly "I met the asshole once, I shot him in the foot"

I Must admit it was funny seeing Daryls face turn bright red. "I apologize for it, But your brother was high on something and went to attack me I said" but in my mind all I thought was 'yeah right I'd shoot that bastard in the foot again if I could' Daryl went to say something but turned away after he saw Rick and Glenn Climb in. It was Clear that Daryl was Pissed at me 'oh well he ll get over it, I acted in self defense' T-dog then spoke up "at least she is trying to make it right" Daryl scoffed "coming from the one who dropped the damn Key" T-dog said nothing so Daryl continued "He better be ok, That s my only word on the matter" He said wiping his face "I told you the geeks cant get to him, the only one s getting to him is us" Glenn parked the truck "we ll walk from here" we nodded and all got out of the truck, Then all of a sudden Glenn accidentally bumped into me causing me to fall into someone I look up and saw Daryl. "sorry" I muttered as I backed up He grunted and continue walking forward. 'This is going to be a long day' I thought shaking my head as we continued walking.

"Merle first or guns?" Rick asked Glenn "Merle first we aint having this conversation" I kept quiet through it "Yes we are" Rick shouted "Merle is Closer, the guns we would have to double back, Merle First" we nodded and headed off. We made it to the mall and slowly moved through, I saw only one zombie Daryl moved closer crossbow raised. "you are one ugly skank" the zombie growled I chuckled "I agree with you there Daryl" He said nothing and shot the zombie. After he retrieved his arrow we continued running up the stairs After T-dog cut the lock Daryl kicked open the door shouting for his brother, we quickly followed him. I saw Daryl pacing back and forth Shouting "No" I looked over and saw the bloody saw and cuffs and Merle s hand. I went over to Daryl and put a hand on his shoulder. He quickly turned around and aimed the crossbow at T-dogs face. I moved and stood right in front of T-dog so now the arrow was in my face. I kept my face emotionless as Rick pointed the gun at Daryls head "I wont hesitate. I don t care if every walker in the city hears it" Daryl didnt look like he was going to lower his weapon "If you want to shoot him you go through me first" I said calmly staring him straight in the eyes. He blinked and then put down the crossbow blinking his eyes to get rid of his tears. I felt a hand on my shoulder and saw T-dog "thanks" I nodded as Daryl turned to T-dog. "you uh got a do-rag or something?" he asked softly. He gave him a blue bandana and went over to the hand "I guess the blade was to dull for the handcuff" he said picking it up "Aint that A Bitch" he wrapped it up and put it in Glenn's Backpack and Glenn was freaking out. I looked at the blood 'This is going to be harder then I thought' I shook my head and look at the group. After a little talk we decided to keep searching.