Eyes sweeping around them for signs of danger a faint smile graced her face. There wasn't many walkers in the area so there was the hope they could really look around for once. They really needed the supplies. They could use a break. They needed a break. More than that though they needed a place to stay. Somewhere that more than a fleeting moments rest from running.

Carol's eyes went to Andrea and she was met with a matching smile, "Looks good."

Both moving quickly and as quiet as possible over the broken glass they swept into the department store. Glenn and Maggie were close by in the pharmacy leaving her and Andrea to search this area. Rick and T-dogg were also searching close by each team having set out in search of anything that could be of use really. Carol's eyes constantly searching for movement she grimaced at the smell of rotted and stomach-churning food that was permeating the air. Moving just as quick as they could they grabbed what they seen that could be salvaged. It wasn't much really but beggars couldn't be choosers anymore- not in this world.

Rotted and decaying bread littered the shelves and the floor as she moved down the aisle. So far things were clear and she relaxed some. Andrea was next to her letting out a breath her smile growing just enough. Carol gave her a small smile back it feeling a little less forced everyday.

"Look." Carol's voice caught Andrea's attention.

Both women walked forward eyes on a downed walker. Carol eyed and her eyes swept the area quickly. It was a fresh kill. Andrea leaned down and jerked a bolt from the head of the fallen body a soft squelching sound the only noise around them besides their own breathing. Andrea whipped it through the air blood and brain matter splattering against the wall and floor close by.

"Andrea." Carol whispered her voice a low warning on barely more than a breath.

"I know." Andrea's voice was equally as low.

Carol eyes went back to the doors they'd come through. The light was brightest there while they were nearing where it was plunged into unmoving darkness. Carol swallowed and turned her hand gripping Andrea tight around the wrist and bringing her. She knew more than most what men were capable in the old world and didn't relish the thoughts of a run in with a possible Ed out here. It could be a woman but something in her gut had her turning and heading for the light that would take her right back to her group. Back to where there was safety in numbers. She was a changed woman stronger in a lot of ways but still she was a woman and to a man she knew what that looked like.

Andrea dropped the bolt on the aisle the molded bread was on and as they darted down it and out into the street. Rick must have seen them because he stepped out of the hardware store hand going to his gun. Moving quickly towards him his eyes surveyed both women. Carol was breathing hard

"What's wrong?" Rick questioned.

Carol shot a look back to where the store opening was, the busted glass before looking back at Rick, "Someone is in there."

Andrea sighed, "Well a fresh kill is we didn't exactly see anyone."

Rick looked between the two women before his eyes went to the store, "You two head on back me and T will clear the store. "

Carol growled, "We can help."

Rick put his hands on his hips head tilted down as he nodded, "I'm not saying you can't Carol...I'm just saying I'd feel more comfortable if you and Andrea let us go in there."

"If someone is in there Rick he didn't hurt us." Carol started. Rick shook his head at her but she pressed on, "Safety in numbers Rick, you said this yourself."

Rick pinched the bridge of his nose but nodded none the less. Starting back towards the store Andrea grasped her hand and gave it squeeze before releasing her. Carol smiled over to her before her eyes went back to the store. Hand going to the hilt of her knife she stepped through into the shadows watching again.

Carol's eyes were sweeping around them when Rick's voice called out after a bit. "No ones here." He chuckled, "You all gettin' scared of the dark?" She heard T-dogg chuckle and she started to laugh thinking that maybe her and Andrea had over reacted.

Andrea paused and Carol walked into her back causing both to take another step forward. Carol stepped next to her and huffed, "What are you doing?"

"It's gone, I dropped it right here and its gone." Andrea gestured.

Carol's eyes immediately started searching for the bolt that Andrea had dropped as they exited the store. It was nowhere to be seen. "Maybe it rolled under one of the shelves."

"Yeah." Andrea dropped down on her knees flashlight shining when she looked up at Carol, "It's gone Carol."

That night around the fire Carol's mind kept going to the stranger they'd almost seen. Since the run in Rick had with Randall and his group they hadn't seen anyone. No one. Surely if it was more than one person they would have made their presence known. No one could make it on there own anymore. Who was cut out for a world out there by alone? Who was that self sufficient.

The thought made her flinch slightly knowing that Sophia was alone. Part of her on a deep level didn't believe Sophia was lost really. Part of her deep, deeper than her own heart more her own soul believed her daughter was alive. These were words she'd only ever told Andrea. She would have felt it - known somehow if her daughter wasn't out there. Somehow someway her daughter was alive.

Some days it was easier but some days it was a downright horror show in her own mind. She knew cruelty before the world ended and she knew what the world was now. She seen a good man lose his mind back on that farm. Shane had saved them more than a few times, he'd kept them safe, but this world made him crack. Carol swallowed but felt a small smile today was a good day though. It'd been a while since she was able to stand on her own two feet, it'd been awhile since she could hold her head high. When she found Sophia she was going to be that woman. She was going to be someone her daughter could be proud of and the mother she deserved. A mother who would keep her safe from men like Ed and teach her. Carol had come a long way since that day Sophia ran.

Carol's mind drifted back to the person they'd almost met. What would he have been like? She imagined that he'd seen some stuff out there if he truly was on his own. If he was though she didn't doubt that he'd a force to be reckoned with. Why hadn't he made himself known?

"Carol did you hear us?" Andrea elbowed.

Carol looked over and shook her head, "No sorry what were you saying?"

"Maggie said that down where the pharmacy was had been raided to. When they got a block away they heard a bike start up. not far from them and it sounded like it was heading away from town. I bet it was the same person." Andrea gave her a triumphant smile. "I told you that bolt was gone."

Carol smiled at her, "I didn't disagree with you."

"You didn't agree either."

Rick cleared his throat getting everyone's attention. He was standing just ahead of everyone but still close to the fire. Winter was coming and they all tried the best they could to keep warm. They needed to keep an eye for more clothes, more winter worthy clothes.

"Today serves as a reminder we need to be careful. Back when we were staying at Hershel's farm we learned that not everyone was playing nice out there." Rick looked at them all.

Carol looked around at her group. These people in a lot of ways, the ways that mattered were her family. Maggie was close to her father with Lori and Carl just on his otherside. Carol felt a pang of sadness for the man knowing that the loss of Beth and Patricia had struck him hard after the loss of the farm. She knew that pain. Eyes going on she watched as Carl leaned into his mother still so young and innocent for this world. T-dogg was on watch his eyes coming to them every so often still close enough to be heard. Andrea was closest to her leaving just her and Carol next to Glenn and Maggie.

"Rick we need to look for a more permanent place." Lori looked down at Carl and then her husband.

Rick looked at his son and nodded. Carl was nodding off against his mother and Hershel cleared his throat getting everyone's attention.

"We could double and see if the farm is salvageable." His voice was neutral.

Rick made a pained face and shook his head, "Hershel me and Glenn made that trip...you know it isn't. I'm sorry but thats just not an option."

The older man nodded his face stoic. The loss of the farm was rough and but it was a turning point for them. A milestone for Carol herself. If not for Andrea she would have died out there. After Andrea had helped her with the walkers boxing her in they'd had no choice but to run into the woods. Carol had pushed her to try and get to the highway knowing that the only place the whole group really knew was the place Sophia was lost. Getting there that night wasn't easy. They'd fought through groups of walkers been chased and hunted like nothing more than an easy kill. Coming out on top had strengthened their friendship and gave them a camaraderie each woman needed.

Rolling over pulling her sweater in tighter against her body Carol watched the fire. Like she did every night she sent a silent prayer up for Sophia and whoever was keeping her girl safe. Whatever angel was watching over her girl out there that they both be safe and warm. Closing her eyes Carol prayed tomorrow was going to be a good day too. That tomorrow would give them a shelter from the cold and some hope. They could do with a little bit of that.

Sophia laughed loudly getting a snort from Daryl. She tugged against his shirt getting his attention forcing him down to his knees next to her. "My mom always said to give your thanks."

"Then give yours." He chuckled.

Sophia smiled up at him her elbows on the bed, "Give yours to."

Daryl side eyed the girl but indulged her. "Will you stop your harping then and let me finally go to bed?"

"Yup! But you gotta swear that next time you won't stay out so long. You were gone three days da-Daryl." Sophia stuttered over her words.

Daryl shifted slightly and nodded, "You know I always come back."

Sophia was quiet for a minute her eyes closed as she focused on whatever it was she was giving thanks for. Daryl wasn't sure what the hell to say so he just leaned there against the bedpost. The girl was downright demanding half the time. She was furious with him when he got back just before Merle wa forcing her into going to bed.

Sophia popped up and climbed into bed looking at him. Her face was thoughtful and he knew she was going to say something to him smart assed or guilt him. Either way he was likely to fucking cave.

"Anything could happen." Sophia quipped.

Daryl nodded looking out the bedroom door. He was tired and wanted nothing more than to crash. He'd already told Merle everything when he got back just before Sophia had burst in the room glaring at him like the fires of hell were going to lick up his body from her anger. Merle had chuckled slapping his back telling him to have fun. Merle didn't seem bothered that he'd almost had a run in with a few people earlier in the day. It wasn't that he felt threatened because he honestly didn't. He didn't know those people though from Adam but he knew it was a bigger group. He didn't trust that outing himself to be there would have been wise with it just being him.

"Nothing happened."

"That is so not the point." Sophia huffed laying back, "You can't stay out like that again. Merle even said there was no need for you to be out overnight hunting."

Daryl glared down at her, "Stop trying to mother me."

Sophia grinned at him her face lighting up and her nose scrunching, "I'm not mothering you...I'm what would be the right word for daughtering? I'm...I'm well shit."

Daryl barked out a laugh and nodded at her, "Go to sleep."

Sophia rolled over dragging her pillow more into herself yawning. Daryl could tell she hadn't slept much at all and guilt bit at him. Merle and Mac both told him that when he was gone she stayed up refusing to sleep till he came back. Daryl already decided that he couldn't keep going out and staying out there scouting and searching like he had been the past few weeks. He couldn't keep putting her through that. It was hurting her more than it was doing any good.

"I will when you promise to stop." Sophia mumbled sleepily. "Please, don't make me lose you too Daryl." When her eyes came to his he nodded at her in agreement and she smiled. "Thank you." Her eyes closed again and he started towards the door when her voice called out to him again.

Stalling in the doorway the light from the hall backlighting him casting him in shadow as he looked at the small girl in the bed.

"Love you Daryl goodnight.'

Daryl's eyes shot to her his throat feeling tight. Swallowing thickly his grip tightened on the door knob looking towards Sophia. He knew without a doubt that she had burrowed right past every wall he'd built up. It scared the fuck out of him most days. It scared him because the moment her mother was found she could come in here and take that girl away. He loved Sophia like the daughter he'd never got the chance to have. He guessed that was why part of him never corrected her or anyone when they said she was his daughter. He did love her.

Clearing his throat and looking back over seeing the slight shine of her eyes as the light hit them watching him. "Love you to kid."