CHAPTER 7

Everything after that happened so quickly. One second they were having dinner and then the next people were screaming and running. Noel quickly dispatched as many of the intruding walkers as she could. She didn't even notice the one coming up behind her until her heard it hit the ground, an arrow in its head.

It was quiet after that. She saw Daryl emerge from the darkness and she nodded to him in thanks. He just continued on his path and stopped in front of her.

"Ya alright?" He said quietly, looking for scratches or bites. She nodded.

"Fine," she mumbled looking away from him. I still hate you, she thought to herself, don't I? She looked around camp and immediately noticed Merle had not returned. Daryl hadn't moved from in position and she sighed.

"Thank you," she said finally meeting his icy blue gaze, he was worried. It scared her that the only emotion she wasn't feeling toward the man in front of her was hate. He nodded once and walked away. Ugh, she groaned internally, why are you doing this to me?

Noel had never experience this kind of confusion before. She had always been a good judge of character, knowing who to stay close to and who to steer clear of. But Daryl Dixon had her reeling, unable to determine just how she felt about him and it was driving her crazy.

After a lot of arguing about killing and burying, the group decided to head to the CDC. Noel was extremely uneasy with this decision, not that she showed it as she packed her belongings preparing to leave. She didn't want her past coming back to haunt her, she liked it exactly where it was: behind her.

"My father was a college professor and researcher for the CDC."

It was decided that Morales would take her truck with his family. She didn't mind; she wasn't attached to the thing, most of her stuff was moved into the RV anyway. Noel just didn't know with whom she'd be making the trip. She had just finished packing when Shane approached her in front of her tent.

"Hey. Who you ridin' with?" He asked as his eyes made their usual trip up and down her tempting figure. She couldn't stop herself from answering with obvious irritation; she had no patience for his creepy shit today.

"Not you." Shane huffed and reached out to grab her arm when she heard a familiar drawl.

"She gon' ride with me. In ma truck." Daryl said as he walked to her side, glaring at Shane with a protective eye, taking the packed tent in her hand. Shane raised his eyebrows, looking slightly shocked.

Great, she thought, what the hell was that? Its not like I belong to him.

"That a good idea?" Shane said quietly as Daryl walked to his truck to put her things in. Noel shrugged her shoulders. Shane's replacement appeared looking worried.

"Is everything okay?" Rick asked looking genuinely concerned as if he knew Shane wasn't as good of a guy as everyone thought. Noel nodded as she made the decision that she trusted Rick, at least his judgment.

"I'm fine. It'll be fine." She mumbled as she walked off; sounding sure of her self, while in reality she wasn't so confident.

Noel realized the ride was nothing to worry about; Daryl sat in silence as he drove, keeping his eyes on the road. She had wanted to say something to him about Merle, like that she was sorry and that he'd find them, but the words never came. She even dozed off for a while and woke; feeling angry with herself that she trusted him enough to fall asleep, when she noticed the truck had stopped.

She looked around, Jim was sitting against a tree, and people were saying their goodbyes. She noticed even Daryl nodded to the dying man as she exited the truck to stretch. She locked eyes with Jim and they nodded to each other saying goodbye. She never really spoke to the man before but she knew this world was not for him.

Noel's body ached as she moved. She rubbed her thighs hoping the pain would leave.

"You alright hon?" A soft voice asked as Noel leaned against her truck door trying to ignore her soreness. It was Carol. Noel smiled.

"Fine, just sore." She said as she stretched her arms up. "Hunting." She explained. Carol nodded but her smile faded as her eyes caught a dark mark baring Noel's hip. Noel quickly lowered her arms and tugged at the hem of her shirt. She looked down letting her long hair hide her face in hope that it wouldn't give anything away.

"You sure?" Carol asked quietly as Daryl made his way back over to the truck. Noel just nodded and smiled the best fake smile she could.

"Of course." Carol seemed convinced by Noel's acting skills as she nodded and left the young girl as Daryl arrived. Daryl eyed Carol suspiciously and looked back at Noel questioningly.

"Forget it." She mumbled as she got back into the truck avoiding eye contact.