Chapter Eight

We didn't reach the creek the next day. Even with a full day of hiking and the occasional stops to avoid walkers and to rest, we didn't make it in the hours of daytime and settled for yet another tree. Sophia had taken to making monkey jokes now though her high energy levels remained strong.

I soon though began to see the subtle and slow change in Sophia as the hiking continued. It was quickly decided between the pair of us that I was rubbish with a map and had misjudged the distance from the church to the creek. While I thought it would only take a day, maybe two at the most, in reality it was taking much longer.

When it reached a week after Sophia and my initial meeting, I could see the twelve year old beginning to lose hope. Time was maximised now and every hour seemed like a day, thus making the hiking so much worse. It didn't help that we were constantly in fear of those that hunted us and that fact our beds for the night were branches in a tree - which even Sophia was now becoming sick of.

We talked to keep the mood up, about anything and everything. And something and nothing. Sophia would tell me stories about her group and the times she had had with them. At first she was energetic in telling me, though as time grew wary, I knew the stories were just making the separation worse for Sophia. I attempted to tell more stories myself to keep Sophia's mood up, about my life before the dead rose which she seemed very interested in.

One week turned into two and I began to regret stating that it would only take two days to reach the creek. How could I misjudge the distance by over a week? It was surely a wonder how I had survived so long with my useless map skills. Sophia remained apparently unbothered to my mistake, not mentioning it at all, but constantly stating that we would 'find them soon'. I knew this was more for her own reassurance than mine.

It was just over two and a half weeks when things started looking up.

The banking of the river began to heighten and soon we were climbing up a hill, rather than an even surface. We continued to follow the river though, which we were now raising above. Soon thick bushes obscured our view, but we remained to the edge, intent on following it to the top. When we reached the top, it was a sure sight.

The creek was situated at the bottom of the steep hill, a great pool of water at the end of a sloped waterfall. The river trickled out and continued on through the thick of the forest, though we had found our destination now and had no need for its guidance. The only trouble now was that we were stood at the very top of the hill, while the creek and its glistening pool were at the bottom. Sophia and I shared a glance.

"Well, this should be fun." I muttered.

It took us a while to safely reach the bottom and past half way, I knew I could conclude that Sophia's group was not here either. It angered me that after so long and after all the time we'd taken, we were still left with nothing. Sophia's mood had picked up though and for that, my own did too.

When we reached the bottom, I swept the area before staring at the inviting pool.

"When was the last time you bathed, Sophia?" I asked, smiling at the girl. She grinned in return.

The water was too refreshing for words and cooling against my skin. The experience of the newfound water would have been more enjoyable if I wasn't on constant lookout for any unwanted visitors. Sophia scrubbed herself down quietly, knowing that too much noise would attract things nearby. Toby remained at the side of the pool, keeping vigil.

I changed into one of my only other change of clothes once we'd got out and gave Sophia the smaller sized ones to change into as well. They were far too big for her tiny frame, but she smiled warmly up at me in them even with the clothes hanging off her.

Once we were cleaned, fed and dried, it was time to work out what we were doing next. Ruefully, I pulled out the map and laid it out between us. I decided that I wouldn't be making any more time judgements any time soon, to save us from the heartbreak.

"We could carry on following the river, maybe hoping they'll be along it somewhere? Or we could head back up the to the top again and head towards the small town I mentioned before." I looked up to Sophia, waiting for an answer.

"What do you want to do?" She asked. I was startled for a few moments.

"Um." I frowned, staring at the map and trying to judge which would be our better option. "I'd say head back up the hill and carry on towards the town. I think there's a higher chance we'll find them there." Sophia nodded.

"Lets do that then." I smiled slightly and rolled up the map, tucking it away and stuffing everything back into the backpacks again.

"You alright climbing this?" I asked, gesturing towards the painfully steep hill before us. Sophia nodded and grinned.

"I'll race you to the top." And with that, the girl scampered away and began her climb. I chuckled and followed her.

Jessica avoided me like something rotten. I was unaware I had actually done anything wrong and was so angered by her stubborn attitude, that I ignored her back. I had taken to spending the evenings by the campfire with Michonne and only returning back to our shared tent when I knew Jessica would be asleep. I was gone before she woke up in the morning too.

Laurent must have sensed something wrong between the pair of us, though didn't voice anything at first. He finally cornered me though after dinner time one day, a stern look on his face.

"You two had a fight or something?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. I glared at him.

"Why do you care?" I retorted, bitterly.

"You know why, so just answer the God damn question." He replied, just as bitterly.

"I'm sure you know all about her little midnight romps with 'the boss'." I hissed, harshly. I had never seen Laurent shocked, but as the words left my mouth I saw the older man pale a considerable amount. "Or not." I muttered under my breath.

"When?" He demanded. I shrugged.

"Pretty much since we got here apparently." I told him. "I haven't even met the guy and she's shacking up with him like he's some sort of saint. We, women, are used a playthings to be used whenever you men feel like it and she's willingly making herself a whore for them." Laurent didn't say anything for a few moments.

"Have any of the men tried anything with you?" He asked, darkly. I shook my head.

"No, not yet. I always keep myself busy when they come over. They don't bother me if they see me working." He relaxed a margin. "Have you tried anything with the women." Laurent scowled at me.

"You think I'm the kind of guy that's so twisted and sick to do that?" He demanded. I shrugged.

"I don't really know what to believe anymore." He studied me for a few moments in silence before sighing.

"I'm sorry for bringing us here. It was-" He paused to lick his lips. "It was a mistake."

"Why can't we just leave?" I cried, thankful that Laurent was seeing some sense. "We could just leave and escape this place. We could survive out there, we're capable! We've done it before!"

"We can't, Ruby." Laurent told me, in a defeated tone.

"Why not?"

"We just can't." I stared at him for a few moments, trying to decipher what he meant, but couldn't. I was sick of not knowing the truth. "Just carry on doing what you're doing. Whatever you're doing is keeping you safe and that's all that matters."

"And how long am I going to be safe?" I rounded back, watching as Laurent ran a hand through his hair in exhaustion.

"They won't touch you while I'm around." I snorted.

"No, but your almighty leader is screwing around with Jessica as he pleases." I hissed, making Laurent flinch and grind his teeth.

"Just be thankful that she's willing." He sighed. "She could be in a worse situation."

"Why would I be thankful for this nightmare we now live in?" I muttered under my breath as Laurent walked away.

Sophia won. She reached the top in record time, Toby at her heels. It was a wonder how a dog could climb the steep hill, but he did it. I followed afterwards, thoroughly out of breath. Sophia was grinning when she greeted me.

"Yeah, yeah, you beat me." I muttered, gently pushing Sophia and hoisting my bag up higher on my shoulder. "Let's get going and find somewhere to sleep."

"Yes, more climbing!" Sophia cried, a slight skip in her step, before she took my hand again and we walked at our content pace back through the forest.

I had known this girl barely under three weeks and the affection I felt towards her was stronger than I ever had done before. I couldn't remember what it was like to roam the forest without her content chatter by my side, her clammy hand in mine. We had our struggles and life wasn't without the constant danger, but apparently God was being kind to us and walkers barely crossed our paths anymore and if they did, we were elite at hiding from them now.

I had never felt a stronger need to find Sophia's family, I couldn't imagine the pain they were going through without her, her mother especially. I knew they all must expect her to be dead - without over-doing myself, but Sophia would probably have not survived if I had not come across her all those weeks ago. And likewise, I probably would have shot myself if she had not come along; to end the nightmare. But she gave me purpose.

We had kept each other alive. And I knew, without a doubt, that the bond between us was strong.

I had thought over the possibilities for when we did find her family - her innocent optimism had rubbed off on me. Sophia's question still stuck with me; would I remain with this group? If I was not wanted, then without a doubt, I would leave. But from what Sophia had said, these people were good. Though I wondered if I was ready to join another camp again after the evil-doings of my previous one. Though could I stay alone forever?

Trees were hardly scarce in the forest and we soon found one suitable and repeated the drilling process of scoping, climbing and settling on a sturdy looking branch. With one quick glance down at Toby, I saw he looked quite content as usual, and I hung our bags nearby.

"Oh no." Sophia's timid voice gasped. My head shot down, half expecting a dozen walkers, hungrily gazing up at us. But all I saw was Toby and I turned to Sophia with a questioning gaze. She looked deeply upset and stricken by something though.

"What?" I asked, hesitantly. She turned to me, with a quivering lip.

"I left Eliza back at the creek." Her words were spoken from trembling lips, that threatened to break out into a sob and for a moment I was confused as to what she was actually on about. Though it struck me quickly.

Her doll.

"Oh." Was all I could say, unsure on how to go about this.

"She was given to me by another girl, from our camp in Atlanta. She told me to look after it until we saw each other again. I was supposed to look after it." She rushed out quickly, her eyes frantic. Her hands clenched the branch she was on and I knew that was all but ready to jump down and run back to the creek. I stopped her with a steady hand.

"We'll go back in the morning." I reassured her, she shook her head.

"I can't sleep without her." She whispered. "I get nightmares." Tears trickled down her face and I realised then the immensity of what the doll actually meant to her. Without another moment's pause, I nodded.

"Alright." I began. "I'll go back and get it. You stay here with Toby; he'll look after you." Sophia's eyes widened.

"I don't want to leave you alone, it's dangerous-"

"I'll be quicker on my own. I'll just run there, grab it and come back. No big deal. I'll back before it gets dark. Toby will just be there. You stay up here and keep quiet."

"But what if you don't come back?" Her question startled me and I stared into her frightened eyes.

"I will come back, don't worry." I smiled thinly at her. "But," I swallowed hard before continuing. "In the event that I don't return. You follow the map to that town and find your family, take Toby with you. He'll protect you. If I'm not back by tomorrow morning, you go." She nodded numbly and I squeezed her hand. "But there's no need to worry, because I will be back with Eliza."

I hoisted myself off my branch and began to make my way down, pausing when I got level with Sophia. I squeezed her hand one last time, giving her a warm smile before jumping down to the ground.

"I'll be back before dark." I promised her. I saw her nod once and I patted Toby on the head. "Stay here, don't follow. Stay with Sophia." The dog tilted his head and I patted his head one last time before turning back the way we had come from and began my journey back to the creek.

I jogged most of the way, adrenaline pumping through me, aswell as the need to retrieve the doll to return back to Sophia. My stomach clenched at her frightened little face perched up in the tree, anxiously waiting for my return. I had to get the doll and get back to her as quickly as possible.

When I reached the edge of the practically vertical drop, I forced a sigh when I realised that this would be the second time I would be climbing up and down this tiresome hill today and got to it quickly. I nearly fell on a few occasions, losing my grip or my footing and nearly rolling down to the bottom, though I saved myself and would take a moment to stop my heart from beating so loudly in my ears.

I reached the bottom with a triumphant grunt and immediately began scanning the creek for Eliza the doll. Though like always, I found nothing. I scoped the area, then scoped it again, only to find the same result. But Sophia was certain she had left it at the creek, wasn't she?

I was too busy pondering the predicament, that I had failed to notice that I had attracted attention. It wasn't until I heard the harsh, familiar pants and the horrible sound of scraping footsteps that I turned around and came face to face with a rotting one.

There was no time to scream, I stumbled back in sheer shock, though tripped over my feet and fell onto my back. An easy target now. Nice one, Ruby. The walker snarled hungrily and stumbled forward before launching itself on me and attempting to bite me with its flesh-filled teeth. I held it back at arms length, struggling about on the floor, trying to kick it off so I could make use of the knife on my belt.

Sophia's face flashed into my head. I couldn't fail her now. I couldn't die and leave her alone, lost without her family.

With a dose of strength, I shoved the hungry walker off me and took the chance to pull myself away from it quickly. I fumbled about with my knife as the walker got his bearings and crawled back towards me. My knife had decided to get stuck and my bat lay discarded, too close to the walker, when I dropped it with fright. My gun; that was in the bag with Sophia.

Grabbing the nearest thing to me, I threw a heavy rock straight for its head. It connected hard and knocked the walker off its feet. Taking the chance, I took the rock again and proceeded to pound its head in, until it was nothing but a mush of bones, blood and brains.

I cried out when I had finished it off, throwing the rock away in disgust and collapsing back with heavy pants. That was close.

I realised immediately though that I shouldn't make the same mistake twice and let my bearings down. Again though, my acknowledgement was far too late.

Looming over me was a second walker, more hungry that the last. I had no weapons to protect myself this time and Sophia's face came back to me and I knew I had failed her. The walker launched itself on me, much like the last had done, and I tried to put up a fight. I had enough to shove this one off me too and I quickly got to my feet to stagger away. Though this one had more strength than the last and was back on me without a moment's pause.

Its arms clawed out at me as it staggered forward, its teeth gnashing at the prospect of food. I was soon back up against a tree. It was a metre in front of me, my head racing and my heart-clenching at the fact I had failed Sophia, before suddenly-

-it fell.

There was a moment of stillness as I stared down at the now dead walker at my feet, an arrow bolt extruding from its skull and killing its existence. I staggered forward, away from the tree I had found myself backed into to study it more, wondering if I was imagining the small arrow sticking out of its head.

I didn't have much time to think though before I heard footsteps behind me and I felt pressure on the back of my head. Sharp, pointed pressure. A harsh Southern drawl then spoke;

"Who the fuck are you?!"

(Author's Note): I'm not so good with the action scenes as you can probably tell, but hopefully it came out alright! I was so excited after writing this chapter, so hopefully it's up to your expectations! Again, sorry for the occasional cussing. :)

For all those who care to know Eliza is actually the name of the little girl who gave Sophia the doll. I don't know if that was made obvious in the show, I haven't rewatched it in ages, sadly. So I thought I'd give you all some trivial knowledge there.

And also for anyone who wants to know the timing of this chapter; basically this is set in 'Chupacabra'. Daryl spots Sophia's doll in the creek and goes down to get it, then climbs back up again to his horse (then obviously falling back down again after his horse is spooked by a snake and gets impaled with an arrow etc - but in this story, he hasn't got to the part when he hurts himself). This chapter's action is probably set somewhere between him getting the doll and him climbing back up to Nervous Nelly (is that right?)

Your views on this chapter are greatly appreciated! Thank you to all who have reviewed so far! I'm afraid that my next update may be a little longer as I have exams coming up which I'm afraid I have to prepare for! Doesn't the real life suck! ;) I will try to write inbetween studying, but I'm making no promises. Hopefully this little hint of our favourite hillbilly will keep you going a little bit longer! Thanks again.