I think it was weeks that Em and I had spent together, but it could've been months for all I knew. We wandered the woods of Georgia, finding places to sleep and to hide. I hunted the best I could, trying to make sure that we had enough food to eat. Water was a little trickier. When we were close to a creek, it wasn't a problem. But, we could never stay too close for too long. Those things seemed to walk along the banks, following us or getting ahead of us. No matter what I did, or we did, they were always there. We still hadn't been able to make it back to Em's camp, to retrieve her belongings. I felt terrible about it, but our safety, our lives had to come first.

Em and I had developed an uneasy sort of relationship. We argued like crazy and when she got upset, she turned into an absolute klutz. She tripped over air, walked into low-hanging branches, and even fell into the creek. Normally, I'd have laughed, but somewhere deep inside, I always knew it was my fault she got hurt. I'd bandage her up as best I could and we'd move on. I didn't like knowing or thinking that my stubborn ass was hurting this person.

At one point, we came across the remnants of a camp. Nothing more than a tent with a small fire pit dug in the earth by it, but it was better than nothing. Em wanted to keep going, but I was convinced that if the person or people didn't come back that the tent was free-reign. It would at least provide us some shelter when it rained.

We argued the point over and over. Just when I thought I had her convinced to stay and wait, she'd get antsy again and start complaining. The complaints would trigger another argument from me, and it would go on all over again. If I didn't know better, I'd say she should be my sister. I finally gave up and stopped responding and walked into the little camp. I could hear Em having a fit behind me, but I heard her steps as she hesitantly approached.

As I got closer, I noticed a line had been strung up between two trees on the other side of the tent. There were squirrels and a raccoon, gutted and cleaned, hanging from it. Curious, I approached the tent, pulling my machete from its loop on my bag. Using the tip of the blade, I pushed the tent flap open to see two sleeping bags, obviously used, spread out on its floor. I let the flap fall into place and walked around the tent, towards the line.

I looked back over my shoulder, expecting to see Em looking around. Instead, she stood by the fire pit, just staring down at it. I shook my head, sighing, and turned back to the game hanging before me. I didn't even think twice. I snatched the squirrels, leaving the raccoon, and shoved them in my bag. Food was food and I wasn't about to turn down a free meal. Turning around, closing the bag up, I walked over to Em and cleared my throat. She damn near jumped out of her skin as she turned to face me. More than aggravated that she hadn't even attempted to help me look around, I simply lifted my chin in acknowledgement and walked around her, heading back into the tree line.

Again, I heard her following along, and again, I heard her tripping and stumbling over roots and plants. How the hell did this girl survive on her own? I walked back towards the tree and bush we'd been hiding near. Dropping my bag down as I sat on the root that I swear was beginning to leave a bruise on my butt, I looked up and watched as Em started pacing back and forth in the tiny clearing. She kept hugging herself and watching the ground as she went. I opened my bag, pulling the first squirrel out and draped it over my knee. I used my machete to start skinning the creature.

"Em? Could you find some sticks? Short, straight as ya can?"

It was my attempt to keep her busy, to try and get her mind off of whatever was bothering her. She didn't answer or even acknowledge she heard me. After a minute or so, I opened my mouth to speak again. She nodded before the words came out and disappeared. Watching after her for a few seconds, my machete paused in its work, I shook my head. Something was bothering her. I needed to find out what it was before she got herself or me killed.

I went back to cleaning the squirrels, having all five of them draped over my leg, the muscle of their tiny bodies glistening in the light. My stomach growled, just thinking about the smell of the meat cooking. By the time Em finally showed back up, I had convinced myself she'd gotten lost. The only problem, when she showed up, she wasn't alone.

The man walking behind Em had a crossbow strung over his shoulder, his hair was filthy and sticking up, dirt coated his sweaty skin. His clothes looked like he'd washed them in mud, but his eyes? Those blue eyes were sharp, taking in everything, particularly the fact that we were only to females. Alone. My heart instantly jumped up into my throat at the possibility some other man thought he was going to use me or use Em for his benefit. My grip tightened on the hilt of my machete to the point that my knuckles actually hurt.

"Caught m'self a couple o' thieves here, huh?"

The lift of his chin, his eyes on me, I knew he was talking about the squirrels. Shit. I was caught red handed. Literally, since the blood of the squirrels still coated my palms. I didn't say anything at first, lifting my machete to sit it across my lap. I wanted him to know I was armed, that I wasn't defenseless.

Em stood silently off to his left, leaving nothing between me and the guy. Thanks, Em. I glared at her, turning my eyes back to him.

"What? Girl can't talk? I don't buy that fer a minute."

Apparently he'd actually expected an answer. Well, fuck that. I don't bow down to anyone. Not really, anyways. I stared at him a second longer, trying to think of what to say.

"What the hell makes you think these are yours?" Sensible question, I thought.

He narrowed his eyes at me, taking a half-step closer to me. "Fer the simple fact that I come back ta my camp 'n they wasn't there. Ain't like there's all that many people runnin' round these woods no more. Yer tracks were easy 'nough ta follow."

I stared straight back. What was I supposed to say to that? I chose not to. I picked up my machete and set it down on my bag, and looked over to Em, ignoring the jack ass for the moment.

"Em, did you get the sticks so I can get our food cooking?"

At first she didn't answer, but when I started to get up, setting the squirrels on the root where I'd been sitting, I heard her voice pipe in.

"Uh, yeah. I got a few before…" I looked up to see her point to the stranger.

"Good, then, get the squirrels set on them while I get the fire built up again."

The guy stood there at first, watching Em walk over and start to work with the squirrels. I felt his eyes on me as I bent down by the fire pit, adding some twigs and branches to it. Pulling the pack of matches from my pocket, I struck a flame and started to set different parts of the pile on fire. After a few minutes, the fire was going and Em was ready with the squirrels. When she brought them over, I set them up around the perimeter of the fire, tilted in so the heat was sure to hit them.

"Thanks fer makin' my dinner fer me."

I paused in my movements, tilting my head side to side as my neck popped with the sudden tension. Turning my head to look at him, I arched a brow up in challenge.

"You think you're going to join us? Think again, buddy."

He laughed. He actually laughed. Sad part was, I didn't mind the laugh. It actually seemed to roll over my skin and soothe me. Go figure. Before I could come back with a reply, Em jumped in.

"You're not eating unless we get a name. I'm Em. She's Caryn. Now. What's your name or you're not eating."

Wow, chick showed some backbone all of a sudden. I liked it. It beat the worried Em I'd gotten too much of lately.

"Daryl."