Chapter Fifteen

A few days passed by in camp and as far as I was aware, nothing else was decided about my previous group and the possible patrol missions. I gathered this was due to the fact no one could agree on what was best and I tried where I could to help when the others asked. Other than discussing the other group, I had spent my time helping out around camp, usually accompanied by Andrea, or with the children. I was unnerved by the comfortableness of life and knew it would be coming to an end soon. When, I didn't know. While I had grown used to the harsh eventualities of life, I was getting tired of them. For once, I wanted something good and this group had the capability to provide it.

I woke one day, alone in the tent I shared with Carol and Sophia, and for a moment I just lay there staring up at the roof of the tent. This was a usual occurrence as Carol left early in the mornings to help Lori with whatever jobs that needed to be done and Sophia was clearly an early bird. The pair never woke me up, always leaving quietly and I would always ask Carol to wake me up in the mornings when she did. She would always reply saying that I looked peaceful and that she didn't want to disturb me. Her thoughtfulness would always leave me smiling.

The camp was bustling uneventfully when I exited the tent; nothing unusual seemed to be happening. I saw Carol and Lori gathered by the washing line as expected, Dale was perched on top of the roof of the RV on his turn for watch, the louder chatter of T-Dog and Glenn was heard from beside the fire and the kids were playing by the Grimes' tent, content with each other's company. The others were nowhere to be seen, but I gathered they were off doing various activities. Deciding I wasn't hungry and had nothing better to do, I ventured off to find my dog.

Daryl's tent was empty which was unusual to say the least, though I carried on out of camp until I came across the stables. Taking a quick look inside, sure enough, there was Daryl stood beside one of the stalls. Toby lay nearby as the hunter was occupied with brushing down one of the horses and I ventured in a little.

I frowned and observed the man silently. His attitude had changed towards me since our first meeting, that was for sure. Gone had the scowls in my direction and his angry tone. We were far from friends, I knew that, as the man would never initiate any interaction and the only times we would ever talk would be when I would come to see Toby. I didn't take the lack of communication to heart though as Daryl didn't seem to talk to many people in camp. He was a loner, I had gathered from observation. He seemed to prefer to keep to himself and even his tent was pitched off on the boundaries of main camp. For his privacy, I had gathered. He would remain silent at dinner times and would usually remain out of the way for most of the day. Though this just seemed to be how Daryl was and his behaviour was not unusual to anyone else in the group.

The familiarity was still there though. There was something about the man I couldn't quite place that just seemed known to me. Asking the man was out of the question as all my previous attempts to probe into what it was that was so familiar usually ended up with a bitter response from the man and the subject would drop. Barely seeing the man made it hard for me to distinguish this familiarity and I had long given up on trying to work it out. It would forever remain a mystery, it seemed.

"You just gonna stand there starin' all day?" Daryl muttered after a while, not even looking in my direction. I was startled by the sound of his voice breaking the silence but not by the fact he knew I was there. I took a few steps into the stables, alerting Toby of my presence and allowed the dog to fuss over me for a few moments.

"I didn't figure you'd be the kinda guy who liked horses." I stated after the long period of silence. Daryl's shoulder's shrugged.

"Gives me summit to do. Plus I suppose I owe it to Herschel for takin' his horse without askin'." He told me and we were back to silence again. I decided I had to fix that.

"I remember, when I was younger, my parents enrolled my sister and I into some horse riding lessons." I began, aimlessly, not really caring whether the man was even listening. "I hated the idea, but Jessica dragged me into it. I was only thirteen at the time and I remembered the teacher leading this, what I would call, monster up to me and told me this would be the horse I would be riding for the duration of my lessons. A large white mare by the name of Angel." I snorted with laughter, patting Toby on the nose. "An appropriate name, of course. Pretty sure the thing was a spawn from hell." Daryl remained with his back to me, though he had stopped brushing the horse for a moment. "Anyway, on my first lesson, my teacher told me I would be riding the horse while he held the rains; just to get me used to Angel. Not even a minute on the horse and something went wrong. Not sure what, something must have spooked the damn animal maybe or maybe it just didn't like me very much. One minute I was sat on its back, shaking with fear, next thing I knew Angel had reared up and I was on the floor. Broke my arm and I never went back there again." Daryl turned to me with a raised eyebrow and I shrugged. "I hate horses."

I didn't expect a chuckle from the hunter, so I was pleasantly surprised when a smile appeared on Daryl's face and a little laughter erupted from his lips.

"Grew up with 'em." Daryl muttered. "Been thrown off them plenty of times but each time I just kept getting back up." I frowned.

"Then you're just either really brave or really stupid." I retorted. Daryl smirked.

"I ain't afraid of no horse." I raised an eyebrow.

"Neither am I." As if on cue, one of the horses from the stalls I had my back to decided to stick its head out and startled me. I jumped back and yelped, only succeeding in proving the man's point. Daryl sniggered and I frowned at the offending animal, backing away so it couldn't touch me.

"Sure you ain't." He nodded, turning back to the horse in front of him and continuing his previous activity. The silence was back again. I much preferred it when the hunter wasn't so solemn and grumpy, I decided quickly. Though he didn't talk much, he had a nice smile, though it was a rare occurrence to see the smile appear on his face. Though it was a smile I was determined to see again.

"Toby hasn't been giving you much grief, I hope?" I piped up.

"Damn mutt won't leave me alone for starters." Daryl replied. He glanced over his shoulder at the dog in question and for a brief moment met my gaze. "It's a wonder how a dog has actually managed to survive so long and how ya have managed to survive with 'im. Would think the animal would only get in the way. Make too much noise and attract geeks."

"Toby's a good dog."

"From what I've seen, I reckon he's made a good companion." Daryl agreed.

"If it wasn't for Toby, I don't know how long I could have lasted." I admitted, ruffling the dog's ears. Daryl nodded and hummed.

"Does he hunt?" I frowned at the question and Daryl glanced at me when I didn't answer. "Seems like he could be a good hunting dog, especially after all ya have said 'bout him." He paused to glance at Toby. "I was thinking of takin' him with me next time I go huntin', to see him in action." He met my gaze again. "If that's alright with you?" I was startled by Daryl's question and paused for a moment.

"Um, I can't promise he'll listen to you. He answers to my commands, but I don't know about anyone else." I told the man, honestly, and Daryl nodded.

"He could come in useful." Daryl told me. "He's a strong mutt, sharp teeth and claws. I can imagine he's taken a few geeks down in his time?" I nodded, silently. "I could use an extra help with hunting, 'nd can imagine it'll be sure easy to train him to command to me. Especially as he seems to like me." Daryl patted the horse beside him and then went into its stall to put away the brush he had been using on it. When he immerged, he shut the stall door behind him and turned back to me. "I'll try him with a few simple commands in camp, practise before I go huntin'. If he responds to them, then I reckon I'll be fine with him out in the forest. If he don't," He paused and exhaled deeply. "Then ya can come along with me too, if you were willing." I raised an eyebrow at this.

"What?" I asked, astonished by the suggestion.

"If he only responds to you, then it would only make sense ya came along." Daryl shrugged, his demeanour getting tense and uncomfortable.

"I thought you preferred to hunt alone?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I do." Daryl nodded. "But I reckon the mutt will be useful 'nd I wanna see him in action." I stuttered over my words, my mouth opening and closing like a wordless fish for a few moments before I could string a sentence together.

"I don't want to get in the way." I admitted, knowing I would be more of a burden than an asset when it came to hunting with Daryl.

"Ya have been on ya own longer than anyone in this camp, I reckon you've cottoned onto ya senses more than you realise. If ya need help, I'll be there." He shrugged. "You don't gotta if you don't wanna." He scratched the back of his head, awkwardly and I glanced down at Toby.

"Okay." I nodded finally, somewhat awkwardly myself. "Just tell me if you need me." Daryl nodded and walked past me, leaving the stables. Toby paused before trotting after him and I frowned in thought. What an odd turn of events.

I don't know how long we had been driving for, but I knew we would have to pull over soon and rest. Glancing down at the fuel gage every now and again, I knew that would also be a problem soon. Not to mention the fact exhaustion was most certainly kicking in. As the driver, I waited patiently for any orders Michonne was willing to give me and went as she directed, not questioning her.

We needed to get as far away as we could from the camp. Thankfully with our head start and the knowledge that they would be too occupied to come after us for the time being, I was feeling a lot calmer about our situation. Merle had long been silent in the back of the truck with I was thankful for. At first he was lively and throwing comment after comment our way, but they had soon died down. I gathered the man was resting from the exhaustion he must have been feeling too and I longed to do so myself.

"Pull in here." Michonne's monotone voice spoke up suddenly. I brought the van to a halt by the side of the road. There wasn't really anything to be seen apart from various abandoned cars so I wondered why Michonne had made us stop here. "We need to get a faster vehicle." She explained as if sensing my confusion. "The van is too slow and too noticeable. We hotwire one of these cars and get moving again, it'll be harder for them to track us then."

"You sound so sure that they'll be after us." I noted, weakly. Michonne didn't answer and got out the van, slamming the door shut behind her and jolting the van. The sound woke up Merle.

"We stopped?" He grumbled, tiredly. There was the movement of shaking as Merle clambered his way up to the front of the van to stick his head over the seats. "Where the nigga gone?"

"To start up another vehicle and please don't call her that." I muttered, throwing a look over my shoulder at the man. Merle merely grinned and didn't comment.

I got out and opened the shutter for Merle and Toby before gathering our bags and looking around for Michonne. She was currently by a red pickup truck and seemed to be having some luck. Merle took a few bags too and we made our way over to the truck, waiting for Michonne to finish with it. Keeping my eye on the surrounding area, I was lost in my thoughts for a while, not really knowing how long we were stood waiting for the car to start. When the engine roared into life, it made me jump slightly and Michonne turned back to us.

"This seems to be alright. It's got a tank of fuel and everything seems to be running just fine." She called, making her way over and taking her bags from me. We dumped all our stuff in the back and Toby jumped up obediently with them, resting on the bed.

"Who's driving?" I asked. Glancing at Merle, I said. "You're ruled out." He raised an eyebrow.

"Just cos I ain't got a hand, doesn't mean shit." He growled. "I can drive just fine, if not better than you broads." I rolled my eyes and turned back to Michonne.

"I'll drive, you've done enough already." She said, making her way around the vehicle and getting into the drivers seat.

"You wanting to ride in the cab or the back?" I asked, turning to Merle. He frowned.

"Ya ain't putting me in the back seat 'gain. It's so fuckin' uncomfortable!" He retorted, eyeing the bed of the truck.

"Fine, you can ride in the cab with Michonne." I huffed, hauling myself into the back with Toby and the bags. "Mind shutting that?" I asked the man. Merle obliged with shutting the back of the car.

"Kinda fuckin' name is Michonne anyhow?" He muttered to himself, making his way towards the cab door.

"Be nice." I warned before he could get in. "We haven't got time for your racial bullshit anymore." I glared at the man and watched as he chuckled.

"Pretty ladies like you shouldn't swear." He sniggered. I merely continued to glare as he got into the cab and shut the door behind him.

I noticed the grimace from Michonne as she saw who would be joining her upfront, though she got the car moving anyway without any complaints. I sat beside Toby in the back of the pickup, watching the world go by, hoping that the pair in the cab weren't arguing too much. Toby rested against my side, content to fall asleep with the jolting of the truck. I stared out around us, not as comfortable to go to sleep and instead got lost in my thoughts again. With a sigh, I wondered where this new world would lead us to next.

Word had gone around camp to meet in the farmhouse pretty quickly and soon people were all bundling in to hear whatever there was to be said. I was curious about what was happening and I made my way inside with Daryl as we both returned back to camp at similar times to hear the news. Inside, I set myself by the entrance of the main room of the house, while Daryl leant against the wall next to me with Toby at his feet as always. Most of the group were already there, save for Rick, Shane and Herschel. The rest of us waited for their appearance with a cluster of chattering.

I turned to Daryl, who had immersed himself in the activity of glaring into the wall opposite. Reasons were unknown.

"Do you think this is about my other group?" I asked the man, breaking his concentration. Daryl glanced at me and shrugged.

"Couldn't say." He replied. "More than likely though."

Just then the three remaining members of the group appeared and the room fell silent as we waited for this unofficial meeting to commence, all wondering why we were congregating today, no doubt. All eyes turned to the leader as he cleared his throat.

"Is everyone here?" Rick asked, glancing around. Upon confirmation, he sighed. "I have called this meeting today because Herschel and I believe we may be currently under threat." The look Rick gave the old farmer was full of distaste and I gathered it was due to the fact Herschel's argument would be one demanding us all off his land. Rick's gaze then fell on me with an apologetic look. I frowned with confusion though before I could question it, Rick explained himself. "Thanks to Ruby, we are aware that there is another group nearby."

I felt everyone's gaze turn at me, though I urged myself to avoid all their looks, choosing to continue focused on Rick. Waiting to see where he was going with this now.

"A larger group, we believe. A stronger group-"

"Now, Rick, we don't know that." It would be Shane to interrupt. "You're only taking the word of one person, someone we barely know." I glanced up at the cop and met his distrusting gaze. I expected his judgement as I was growing used to it over the duration I'd been here.

"I'm not lying." I told him, firmly. Shane raised a smug eyebrow.

"Most of us don't even know the full story. The girl only told you, Rick." He countered, his voice loud.

"I was also present when the young lady here told us her tale." Herschel piped up. "And I strongly believe every word that came out of her mouth. If you insist on causing hassle, you know which way the door is."

"I was there too." Daryl muttered beside me, offering his keep though said nothing more.

"Oh, cos I'm gonna trust the word of the inbred hillbilly-"

"What do you propose we do, Rick?" Lori cut across Shane loudly, staring pointedly at her husband and ignoring the look Shane sent her. Glancing awkwardly at Daryl, I saw the scowl firmly back on his face as he stared at Shane. "You say this group is bigger than us, stronger than us and close by. We are then under threat, so what do we do?"

"Herschel and I have been discussing the idea of patrols." Rick stated. "Sending out small groups to locate the group so we know where they are and if we are in any danger."

"Sounds a bit vague." Andrea muttered, folding her arms.

"And how do we know this other group is a threat? How do you know that they're bad people?" Dale asked, diplomatically. I didn't hold this statement against the man as he was just as uninformed like most in the room.

"A favourite past time for the men in the group was to come over to the female part of camp and pick a girl for the night. They would drag the chosen girl away into their tent where they would proceed to do what they wish to her. I don't think I need to explain anymore than that, do I? I cannot count the endless nights I have spent listening to the sobbing of the women around me as I tried to sleep. I, myself, were one of the lucky ones who didn't have to get subdued to that form of torture but the entire ordeal didn't leave me without any scars." I muttered without any emotion, staring at Dale. "The leader of the group took my sister as his own and brainwashed her into loving him. She was his play-thing. That's what all of us women were." I paused, glancing around the room. "None of you know the half of what they've done." I turned back to Dale. "But I can assure you that they are more than just bad people."

There was a long silence in the room, which was deafening. I didn't regret what I had said and didn't care about the number of eyes now watching me. They had to know. They had to be warned.

"How many of them are there?" Lori asked, breaking the silence, and directing the question at me. I shrugged.

"When I was in the camp there was over thirty at least. The numbers will have dropped considerably now though." I muttered, thinking about the night I got away.

"How do you know?" Shane asked, folding his arms, his eyes boring into me. I sighed and rolled my eyes.

"I grouped together with another woman in camp and we planned to escape. The camp was in an old football field so it was fenced off from the outside world and patrols were made around camp to dispatch of any straggling dead, which was done quietly. The other woman-" I swallowed the lump in my throat down hard as I thought of my friend. "Michonne and I cut a hole in the fence one night and fired a shot to alert the attention of any walkers nearby. We made our escape with one other person and the camp was left in chaos. I'm not sure how many survived."

"How do you know this group is still out there then? Surely there's a chance that the walkers killed them all?" T-Dog asked. I glanced at Sophia, who was clutched by her mother, and shook my head.

"When Sophia and I returned to the highway to look for you guys, some men from that group came to loot some of the cars." I told him. "There must have been about ten or so guys that were on the highway, so I can gather that there would be a few more at least back where they were camping." T-Dog nodded, satisfied with the answer.

"So we just gonna take your word for it-" Who else but Shane?

"Ruby's telling the truth!" Sophia piped up, glaring at the man. The outburst shocked Shane and he didn't speak, allowing Rick to cut in first.

"So you see that we have limited if not only one option now." Rick continued. "We send out patrols in hope of finding them and monitoring their movements or we can wait blindly and in fear that they'll attack any day." Herschel cleared his throat.

"And there is also the matter in which I must strongly put forward, Rick." The man said, eyeing the ex-sheriff. Rick merely glared at the man.

"What matter?" Lori asked, waiting for her husband to answer. Rick ignored her.

"That isn't part of this discussion." He said, ending anything Herschel had to say. The two men eyed each other coolly. I glanced at Daryl, who met my gaze with a raised eyebrow. "Now, we must talk patrols."

"Well, if there is another group like you said, perhaps they'll be holding up in a more secure location rather than the forest?" Maggie asked. "Perhaps the town?"

"That was overrun with walkers last time I went." Shane retorted, a funny look in his eye. There was a timid gasp from one of the women - Patricia - and there was a brief moment of silence. I guessed there was something I didn't know there and made a note of asking Andrea later.

"But they don't know that." Maggie muttered, glaring at the man, and rubbing Patricia's back affectionately. "That's the biggest place on the map nearby, chances are they've found themselves a camp nearby for supplies."

"What about the town you go looting in?" Rick asked, directing his question at Maggie. She shook her head.

"Too small and out the way to be anything noticeable. They would have gone to the bigger town first." She said, glancing sideways at Glenn, who had suddenly gone red. I studied the exchange silently.

"Just in case, is it worth making another trip to the pharmacy to gather as much supplies as possible in case they come across it? Lessen the trips out of the farm?" Rick suggested, glancing between Herschel and Maggie. The father and daughter shared a meaningful glance before Maggie nodded.

"I could go today. Be real quick." She said. After a pause though, she added; "An extra pair of hands might be useful though?"

"I could go?" Glenn suggested, far too excited. Herschel coughed loudly and Rick sighed.

"Maybe it would be best if someone else went? I'm gonna need you, Glenn, when we discuss patrols later on." Glenn looked down-hearted but nodded anyway. Maggie looked unphased. Rick glanced around the group before meeting my gaze steadily. "Ruby could accompany you?" I was totally thrown off by his offering, but remembered my conversation with the leader about how I wanted to do more active things, rather than domestic things, for the camp. I nodded my appreciation at Rick, surprised he trusted me enough now go on a supply run, before turning to Maggie. The girl was smiling and grinned when she met my eye.

"I'll saddle up a horse." With that the girl left the room and her exit appeared to have brought the meeting to an end, as people began to rise from their seats and vacate the room. Instead of following them all out, I was more preoccupied with what Maggie had just said before she left in her dramatic fashion.

"Horse?" I muttered to no one in particular. The man beside me chuckled.

"Time to face ya fear, girl." Daryl sniggered, leaving the room and the farmhouse with Toby in tow.

I wasn't quite sure how long we had been driving for before Michonne finally pulled the car up in a small gas station and said we'd be staying here for the night. Memories of when Laurent, Jessica and I held up in a gas station much like this one, flashed into my head as I jumped down from the truck. Though I couldn't deny and say I wasn't grateful to be on ground again. Sitting in the bed of truck for the long period in time that I had, had definitely left me aching slightly.

After emptying the truck, the three of us - and Toby - stood staring up at the empty gas station, saying nothing for a moment. The wind was blowing and the only sound was that of the shop's creaking sign in the breeze. It sure left an eerie feeling. I glanced at Michonne beside me.

"We goin' in then or just gonna stay out here starin'? My ass is freezing." Merle muttered. I sighed and Michonne walked forward, gripping her katana tight in hand. I turned to Merle and handed him my knife, which he took with a raised eyebrow.

"Don't wanna leave you unarmed." I explained with a sigh, raising my own bat and checking I had my gun.

"Cheers, sugar." Merle replied, eyeing up the blade appreciatively.

"I expect it back." I told him, firmly. Merle merely smirked and we followed Michonne to the door.

Inside it was hauntingly quiet. I left Toby outside to watch, which the dog was less than pleased at, while the three of us scanned the shop. Michonne covered the back office, leaving Merle and I to the main shop and toilets. It wasn't very large, but the shelves made it harder to see everything. I remained beside Merle as we wandered down the aisles quietly. I had to hand it to the redneck for actually shutting up for a change and felt mildly comforted in his presence.

Soon though, we broke off as Merle took to one part of the shop and I was left with the sickening job of the toilets. Cautiously, I made my way to the door, a feeling of fear in my stomach as I raised my bat and pushed the grimy door open. It did with a creak, which I cursed under my breath. I paused to listen for movement before venturing inside, letting the door shut behind me quietly.

After thoroughly checking the women's toilet, I found it empty and I sighed with relief. Though my anxiety picked up again when I remembered I still had to deal with the men's. I repeated the same cautious actions as I approached and opened the door and proceeded to check the stalls. When I came to the final stall though, I let my guard down. I had already come to the conclusion that we were safe and was sloppy with the final act of checking it over.

This mistake nearly cost me.

Just as I was about to leave the toilet to alert the others, a rotting hand gripped my shoulder and rank breath filled my senses. I barely let out a scream as I attempted to shove the dead man off me, though this one was much stronger and was clawing at me hungrily. I took my bat and tried to aim for the head, though only managed to clip its side. It was enough to release its hold on me and it staggered back. When it came at me again, the grip on my bat was loose and my weapon fell to the ground in vain and I was left unarmed as the dead man came at me, intentions of ripping me apart.

Just when I thought it was over, I was shoved aside and my head hit the sink I fell against hard. My vision was blurred but I could make out to figures now; one on the group and the other over it. There was the sounds of crunching and grunting before suddenly everything went silent. My vision remained fuzzy and I raised a hand to my head where it hurt the most. I encountered something wet and didn't need to guess what it was.

"You alright?" A gruff voice asked. I recognised it immediately but didn't answer, my head was ringing and I was still trying to focus. Someone crouched in front of me and I knew the figure to be that of Merle's. "Ya bleedin'." He observed with a mutter. I had no energy to reply, but felt my arm being slung over something and the action of being hauled to my feet.

Merle helped me out of the toilets and my vision began to focus, though my head still pounded. He set me down beside the counter.

"Yo Micky!" He called. After a few moments, an angry looking Michonne appeared from the back office, her gaze directed at Merle.

"Don't call me that." She growled. Merle ignored her and merely pointed at me. She turned to me and frowned. "What happened?"

"Ol' Ruby met a guy in the toilets, tried to get a little too friendly. I shoved her into the sink by mistake so I could slug the bastard." Michonne turned on the redneck then, her glare heavy.

"By mistake?!" She demanded. I saw the dark look on Merle's face and the snarl on his lips.

"Hey, you listen here-"

"Merle saved me." I cut in quickly, silencing the man. "It was an accident. If it wasn't for Merle, I would have been eaten." I told the dark-skinned woman firmly. She didn't say anything for a few moments, merely pursed her lips tightly together before reaching forward to check my head.

"Does it hurt?" She asked, her jaw clenched.

"Nothing more than a headache." I muttered in reply. Michonne nodded.

"It doesn't look serious. I'll go find something to bandage it up with and see if there's any painkillers in the back." She then turned to Merle. "Get the dog in and start boarding up." Merle raised his eyebrow at the order and made to retort, though Michonne turned on her heel and left before he had the chance. The man settled for glaring after her.

There was a long silence as Merle stared after her, contemplating what to do. He settled for obliging to her wishes and made his way over to the door to let Toby in. Once inside, Toby bounded up to me and began fussing as I expected. I patted him lightly and glanced over to the redneck, who was busy with his orders, a scowl on his face.

"Hey Merle." I called. He stopped and turned to me, a raised eyebrow on his face. "Thank you for what you did. You saved my life." I paused and sighed. "I owe you one." Merle then chuckled and shook his head.

"You saved me from that camp, sugar. Reckon that makes us even now, don't it?" I smiled, which he didn't return. I didn't mind though.

I wasn't particularly thrilled about the prospect of riding a horse. What I meant by thrilled was that I was down-right terrified. I walked aimlessly in camp, waiting for Maggie to come get me, trying to talk myself into getting onto whatever beast she was going to bring to me. I hadn't felt this fear in a long time, as after the memory of my incident on the horse called Angel, I had made sure to steer well clear of the animal. I had done a pretty good job too over the twenty years after the incident. That was until now, it seemed. My prayers were answered though when Maggie walked over to me, not a horse in sight, and a disheartened look on her face.

"Can't take the horses, I'm afraid." She told me. "Just went over there to saddle a couple up and Daryl told me we couldn't use any of the equipment. Said he had started cleaning them before we knew about this trip into town. The saddles and harnesses are soaking at the moment so they won't be able to be used today."

"Guess he was just trying to do a nice thing. Wrong timing, that's all." I offered, my stomach doing leaps of joy. Maggie nodded before smiling.

"We'll use the pickup, I'll meet you over there in five?" Once I nodded, Maggie left and made her way back towards the farmhouse to gather her things.

I watched her go and then turned to go find the redneck, only to find him walking towards me from the direction of the stables. When he got closer, I saw that in his hands were my weapons. I eyed them hesitantly and waited for him to reach me.

"Figured you'd want these when ya make the trip." Daryl said, holding them out to me. "Can't be too careful, huh?" I smiled slightly and accepted them. Holding my weapons again was a strange feeling, though I quickly tucked both my knife and gun away quickly, before gripping my bat comfortably.

"Thank you." I told him. Daryl nodded once and turned to go. "Thank you for what you did, as well." The hunter froze in his steps and after a pause, turned back to me with an innocent expression. "With the horses."

"I don't know what ya talking about." Daryl said in a tone that said otherwise. My smile only grew wider and Daryl nodded once more with acknowledgement. He turned to go again and I did the same, only to be stopped again by the sound of his voice again. "Be careful." It was my turn to stop now in surprise and I turned back to the man, ready to say something back, only to be met with his retreating figure.

Perhaps I had imagined his voice?

With a frown, I turned and carried on my way towards the pickup, glad to be travelling on four wheels rather than four legs.

(Author's Note): Oh dear, it's been a long time, hasn't it? Really sorry about that! I've just been real busy, but I hope this latest update will make up for it!

Thanks (Once again) for all your comments and messages, you really mean a lot to me. I know this story is lagging, but bear with me; I have some stuff planned which I hope you will enjoy. I'll try make the updates long so it quickens the pace up a little.

Apologises if Daryl seemed out of character here. I've slightly brightened his character from what it is in the series. This is because of the presence of Sophia. I think if they'd have found her, Daryl would have been more involved in the group and a little more chipper. It was Sophia's death that isolated him, so obviously with this story, he's going to be different. From what I've planned, this story doesn't quite stay as true to the series as some may expect. Yes, there is still the back stories of Lori's preganancy and the walkers being in the barn, but those won't quite develop as they did in the series. I've done this because I think sometimes it gets boring reading something you could easily just watch on the TV show and obviously with a presence of another person, things aren't exactly going to be the same. Ideas will still be used from the series, but I just wanted to inform all those who will be expecting an action by action account of events in the series but with Ruby and Sophia's presence. Just so you know :)

Please take the time to leave a comment, critism is always welcome as I only want to better myself. If I'm doing something wrong or anyone is out of character then put me in my place at once! :) Thanks again and I'll try have an update up soon.