CHAPTER 11

Noel took care of T-Dog's arm as Daryl led a group in to the forest to search for the lost girl. She cleaned his wound, ignoring the large man's resistance to the burning alcohol. She quickly dressed it as Dale watched worriedly over her shoulder.

"You need stitches and antibiotics but I have neither for you." Noel told T-Dog after Dale asked if he was going to be okay. "I'll keep looking through these cars here to see what I find. Meanwhile you need to get inside and rest." She continued.

After some reluctance and assistance from Dale, T-Dog was inside the RV and Noel began her search.

"Stay where I can see you!" Dale called after her with a smile. Noel nodded and smiled back at the man. She was happy to have a distraction from the many thoughts that threatened her sanity.

Noel saw the group return and when she realized they came baring more bad news she quickly made her way over to them.

"Carl's been shot." She heard. She continued to listen as she walked over. A few members turned to acknowledge her presence, T-Dog being one of them. Noel shook her head signifying she'd had no luck finding any antibiotics.

"How's he doing?" Glenn asked. Noel and Dale exchanged a look.

"He needs stitches and antibiotics. Other then that there's not much we can do." Noel answered trying to sound as hopeful as possible but from the look on T-Dog's face she had failed.

"Why didn't ya say somethin' sooner?" Daryl asked as he walked over to his bike. "Got ma brother's stash." He took out a bag and rummaged through it, "Here. Doxycycline. That ain't the generic stuff neither." Noel raised an eyebrow at him. "Merle got the clap on occasion," he said turning to leave.

They decided Glenn would take T-Dog to where Rick, Shane, Lori and Carl were, a farm not too far away. The rest would stay the night with the RV and continue the search for Sophia.

That night the RV was cramped. Andrea stayed up unloading and reloading clips while Carol cried her eyes out over her little girl. Noel was atop the RV with Dale; also unable to sleep. Noel was going stir-crazy; she needed to stretch her legs but Dale refused to let her walk around alone. She heard talking and a moment later Daryl came out of the RV.

"Goin' for a walk." He told Dale, "Gonna shine some light on the forest, if she's out there it'll give her somethin' ta look at." Noel impulsively hopped down off the RV.

"I'm going too," she mumbled to Dale, who just raised an eyebrow at her. "Do you think that's the best idea?" Noel just shrugged as she followed Daryl down the road. They walked in silence for a few moments until Daryl spoke.

"Stay close." He said without looking at her. She nodded even though he couldn't see. As they walked she about him; wondering what he was thinking, watching him as he navigated effortlessly through the darkness. Her mind wandered and she fell back a few paces.

"I said stay close!" He hissed angrily when he turned to see her falling behind him. She walked quickly to his side. He grabbed her wrist and continued walking. She looked down at his hands; she never realized how large they were. He held both her entire hand and wrist in his large grip.

No wonder they leave so many marks, she thought. She wiggled her hand when his painful grip became too much to bare and his hand slackened but didn't release hers. It was enough so she was able to hold his hand normally, her hand in his. Her eyes moved up to his face, reading it, trying to figure out what he was thinking. He seemed relaxed, apart from his tense grip on her; he must think we'll find the little girl.

"You really think we'll find her?" She asked quietly with genuine curiosity. She immediately regretted her words when she looked at him, he must have been angry she'd read him so easily. She quickly looked down.

"It ain't the mountains of Tibet, it's Georgia." He said bluntly. "People get lost and survive. It happens all the time," he drawled on. Noel's head shot up as soon as he spoke, he wasn't looking at her, just pulling her along.

"But she's only twelve." Noel retorted just as bluntly. He scoffed.

"I was younger then her when I got lost." He mumbled. She looked up urging him to continue. "Nine days in the woods, eatin' berries and wipin' my ass with poison oak."

"And someone found you?" She asked curiously. He shook his head.

"My old man was off on a bender with some waitress. Merle was doin' another stint in juvie." He looked down, "Didn't even know I was gone." Her heart sank. His eyes met Noel's as he finished, "Made my way back, straight into the kitchen and made myself a sandwich." He looked away and continued walking. "Way I see it, Sophia's got an advantage… people looking for her."

Noel thought about this for a little, trying to understand him, she felt bad for him. She squeezed his hand as she eyed him; his face was blank, hard, most likely to prevent her from reading him. He had shown no emotion to the telling of this story but she thought better of this. It was probably the only time Daryl had shared anything personal with any member of the group, apart from his brother.

Noel wanted to know more, she was curious about him. But she was also angry with herself for caring. She felt the temptation of her curiosity reach its limit when she realized they were a few feet from the RV. His grip remained on her hand as they approached the large vehicle.

They caught Dale's eye and he nodded, Daryl quickly pulled his hand away from Noel's and she almost let out a sigh. She searched his face once they entered the RV; he looked mad. A whirlwind of emotions hit Noel as she lay down.

Did I do something wrong? Noel went to sleep angry with herself for asking.