Chapter 2

Daryl was deep in the woods, there wasn't any sign of walkers or people. He didn't wanna get shot by a Greene like Carl did. He lurked by a lake where 3 walkers averted their attention to him. "Son 'bitch" he blurted at he fired the first bolt in between a walker who looked to be in her mid-twenties. He then pushed the second one into the shallow water only to give him time to kill the bigger one approaching him mindlessly. He plunged his knife(sharpened everyday) into the walker's skull and noticed the last one had trouble getting up. 'No problem' he smirked and stomped it's head in with his steel toed boots. Daryl walked over to pick up his bolt in the walker's skull inside the water. He took a step back, and his right food landed on a soft object in the water. He picked it up and noticed it was Sophia's stuffed doll. 'shit', "Sophia!", Daryl yelled hoping for a response but got nothing. He decided to search a little further before lettin Rick know what he found.

Otis finally came out of his room where he and Patricia were asleep. He stumbled upon Hershel telling Rick about medical supplies they needed but Rick was in no shape to move a muscle outside his farmhouse. "I know a place at the high school, I'm the one that did this and I'll do whatever I can." Otis forced honestly. Patricia would be asleep so this was a good time to go, and Beth was out by the well. "Alright we go in 30, no later" Shane clarified. Otis have him a nod as he moved on with packing whatever he needed. Rick stood with Shane so very grateful for him and his group. He gave him a one-armed brotherly hug, and Shane returned it with a 'you're welcome' smiling at Rick. As they walked in they saw Hershel had been somewhere else because Lori was asleep with Carl's hand in hers. He took a mental picture of them. He hoped they would both be safe. He could only hope.

Carol eventually gave into finding Sophia and decided she's like to speak with Rick about finding her there. So they got in the RV and made their way down the highway. "It's all going to be alright. We'll find Sophia and shelter Carol" Andrea encouraged. Carol was at a loss for words, and just nodded adding a small sad smile. She wanted to believe that, but not in a world like this could she ever believe.

Daryl walked deep into the water until it reached his knees. He had a long stick poking it into the water to feel any evidence of Sophia. After about 15 minutes of searching the waters, he climbed back up to get what evidence he had to the group. Hopefully they would take this more seriously. Especially since he got a new trail. He walked up the field towards the farmhouse and saw Dale's RV driving up by Daryl's bike.

Maggie's eyes shot open to the sound of a large vehicle pulling up at the house. That made her a bit cranky, she hated her slumber ruined. Then looked out the window to see a lonesome Daryl approaching the steps, suddenly she felt like she was missing out on something. She didn't know why he had a huge effect on her but she didn't mind, they'd talk sooner or later. She smiled as wide as a Cheshire Cat to the thought of it. She then slipped out her room to go to her father.

Rick was feeling better, slightly at his best. The feeling of this even bigger group made him feel stronger and less worried. He was especially glad to see Glenn and T-Dog, two strong members. He saw Andrea gaining potential and was happy that Carol wasn't broken in two at the moment. Hershel and Maggie walked to the front porch to greet the newcomers. Maggie quietly slipped out to the side where Daryl was sharpening his knife waiting to show Rick. He was leaning against a tree sitting in a large rock with an axed tree log parallel to him. He heard footsteps and averted his attention to Maggie. He was puzzled but he sure was amused that she approached him eagerly and out of nowhere. She stopped where she was a couple of feet away from his right side. "Maggie. I'm Maggie" she said almost proudly but shy as she knelt down beside him. "Daryl" he told her hoping this would be the one person he'd get along with or not hate in this large ass camp. "And is that yours?" Maggie teased pointing at the doll smiling wide at Daryl. He into grinned slightly at her, she sure was comfortable around strangers and seemed more than willing to talk to him. He just didn't know why.

It took about 20 minutes for all the survivors to get to meet, and they got along fast. Hershel would accept them but would always have to keep his eye out. Shane and Otis were gone by the time Patricia woke up and Beth entered the house. Hershel and Rick had seen out the window that Daryl and Maggie were talking by his little isolated camp. Rick thought that would be his way of opening up but always has to keep an eye out for these people. Daryl and Maggie were at his little camp side by side. It was just Daryl listening to Maggie talking about things before and after the turn. He enjoyed sitting by her and her stories. He had to admit he loved being alone in peace but this girl had a real effect on him. He'd never admit it though to her, the group or himself. He was dropped out of that thought as he saw Maggie stand. She knew he wasn't touchy so she wouldn't offer a hand. She suggested they go in since it was getting dark, and he agreed. He made a mental note to hunt tomorrow since he looked for Sophia instead.

Daryl walked into the house with Maggie and had his serious face on as he placed the doll into Carol's hand as the rest of the group stared at Daryl in shock. "Found it by the lake" Daryl said. Rick stared deep and averted all his attention into this search. "We form a search group and cover as much ground as possible to find Sophia" Rick finalized and Carol's mood skyrocketed high in happy. Daryl noticed that and smirked. "Shane and Otis aren't back yet, and it's getting dark", Glenn said nervously. Daryl's head shot up, he barely trusted Shane. "Where to? Ya'll go ahead without me ima see what's goin' on."You just got here you wouldn't know" Rick countered. "I know the way, it's a high school not too far from here. I'll go with you" Maggie offered. "You sure?" Daryl and Rick both questioned at the same time looking at each other then her. Hershel didn't believe walkers were dangerous, so she had his consent. "Of course I'm not a child" Maggie answered offended by that. "A'right let's get a move on"

When they reached the outside of the house, Daryl slid out an m1911 from his back pocket. "Ever fire one before?" He asked raising an eyebrow. "You grow up country you learn a thing or two" Maggie stated. Daryl couldn't help but let out a small chuckle at that. Gosh she had a wild sense of humor. Daryl stalked towards his car and Maggie cut through in front of him. "We're taking my car" she said to be on the safe side. He could tell, he wanted her to be comfortable so he nodded and changed his tracks. "I call driving" he teased. She let out a sigh then a laugh.

Dinner was never supposed to be this comfortable already, was it? Andrea and Hershel got along just fine at the table and Glenn would stare at Beth when he had the chance and quickly look away. Little did he know, she was doing the same. She was cute and pure, so he wanted to make a move sooner or later. Carol and Patricia kept small talk going and Lori had a discussion on settlement longer than she thought with Dale and T-Dog. Hershel saw this in front of him and slowly started letting his guard down. These people were strong but looked too kind to harm any of them. Still he'd have to warn his family to keep an eye out, just for safety he was sure Rick would have done the same.

Daryl listened to Maggie's instruction specifically on where to go. He winged it himself the first time he saw the high school sign. There weren't much walkers as they pulled up on what seemed to be the opposite side of Shane and Otis. Then Daryl saw a herd approaching the other side which sent chills up Maggie's back. He saw she frowned a bit and was uncomfortable. He decided to let her sit this out. "Hey it's a'right, listen you just take the driver's seat and ima check on em' okay?" "Yeah, be careful Daryl" she said with a sheepish smile but still a worried look in her eyes. He gave her a small smile and took off. She hoped for him to be alright as she stepped out and took the drivers seat.

Thankfully Shane with Otis' help, got all the supplies then needed, and a bit of a surplus. But the herd was catching up to them, and Shane was one to sacrifice this man without thought. The herd was getting faster and the two men were getting tired. Otis was too tense that he had tunnel vision and that was Shane's opportunity to get rid of him and get out of that shit fest. He placed is leg over one of Otis' and Otis toppled over, he was sure it was over. One walker leading the pack by yards opened its mouth to gnaw on him until a bolt hit in between the eyes and Daryl motioned"This way!" He screamed. They hurried to him and Daryl stared at Shane with the most intimidating glare he could pull. Shane then knew that Daryl knew his scheme and would have to handle that. "Man am I glad to see ya'" Shane tried sweet talk. Otis entered the pick up truck. "I bet ya' are" Daryl managed without wanting to stick a bolt up his ass.

Maggie was at relief when she saw Daryl rush to her sedan. She sighed of relief to see the three men alive and with the meds. But a wave of adrenaline hit her when he jumped in and screamed "GO." A herd of hungry walkers were approaching until she drove off and passed and left dust behind for them. Daryl finally relaxed and let his head fall back onto the seat. "Are ya' feelin' okay? You look worried", she tried. No he wasn't okay he needs to find this girl and lose this Shane situation. "Everythang's jus' fine" he lied and gave a small smile.

As they pulled up, Shane and Otis got out and entered the house getting happy looks from their groups. Maggie smiled at Daryl before stepping out of the car. He stepped out a couple of seconds of later. "You should come in and eat, skinny", she teased as she stepped on the first step. "Maggie", Daryl called unsure and worried. "What is it?" She asked looking back with a new high of curiosity. "Somethin' I gotta let you in on." Maggie slowly approached Daryl as he led her by his little camp.