It looked like she was submerged under water watching the crashing of the waves above her. It was surreal and foreboding. The crash of thunder and lightning above her and around her didn't seem to bother those around her that were going about their lives. It echoed off the mountains around them and came crashing back like a gunshot, over and over. How could they be so blind? It was written right there for everyone to see that something wasn't right. It made her chest ache with a pain that she hadn't experienced since seeing Sophia disappear into those woods. Anxiety was clawing up her throat and through her chest with a savagery that was unheard with Daryl out there.

"See something up there?"

Looking over her shoulder she was met with eyes that she craved but weren't right. Mac was smiling at her knowingly and looked up at the sky. He had a rifle over his shoulder and one on a tactical sling that allowed it to hang around his hip. She knew that he had more weapons on him but didn't bother searching for them, she'd never see them all anyways. Just like he'd never guess how many she had on herself. He was quiet and completely still. He didn't have that constant movement she'd seen in him since meeting him. He had a focus about him that she hadn't seen since that first day when he'd come out of the woods when they'd had Daryl at the prison. Since Brian was hurt. It was a danger emanating from him and spreading outwards. He was watching the sky like he could see everything she did. Like he knew that something was coming.

"He's okay ya know." Mac's voice was casual. "You're making Sophia nervous though."

Carol looked towards the house and sure enough Sophia was watching her from the porch. Her daughter's face was grim and tired. Had been since Daryl left. It was weighing heavy on her. It was startling sometimes to know that the only time her daughter spent away from Daryl really since the start of this was when he'd gotten ran over. He might not be blood to her but he was every bit her father and she loved him.

"Do you feel that?"

Mac met her eyes then and that stillness that was layered over him dissolved in his eyes. "Yes."

The rest of the day after that she spent with Brian and Sophia. Both were agitated. Brian wanted to be with his dad but Mac refused and told him to stay close to her and Sophia. They'd fought and Carol wasn't sure what he'd said to his son but Brian's back went rigid and since then he'd become Sophia's shadow.

"Mom." Sophia whined, "Xena isn't in here! Do you know where she is?"

Carol looked over and sighed heavily. While she didn't hate the cat she didn't particularly like it either. It didn't her at least. It hissed at her often and clawed her. It was a bitch and thought that it owned Daryl.

"No, ask Brian."

"Brian's being a jerk and won't say anything."

Carol heard a sharp laugh and looked over seeing Andrea in the doorway. Her eyes were bright and amused. She covered her mouth and Carol grinned. The sound of Brian and Sophia arguing was growing louder and she knew any minute it'd break out into a real fight. It did often enough. Her daughter was prone to slapping the poor boy. Brian walked by her all the time with a handprint on his face. She should really talk to her daughter about that. Daryl interrupted her every time she tried and she knew what he was up to. If she physically abused Brian then it was his hope that nothing romantic would develop. She hated to be the bearer of bad news but somehow she just didn't see that working out for him.

"Well if you weren't such a cry baby then we wouldn't have this same fucking problem every day." Brian snapped. "I didn't hide your fucking cat!"

"I'm not a crybaby!" Sophia shrieked and a sharp sound echoed around them.

"Bitch." He snarled seconds later.

Carol looked over as he stormed by. He didn't even pause before he slammed the front door open and disappeared out the door. Carol grimaced and looked over seeing Sophia about to follow. If anything she knew that when Brian was mad enough to actually leave the house completely instead of the room to get away from Sophia it was best he was left alone. He was like his father and Daryl like that. Even Merle, the surly bunch. For every ounce of energy not coursing through his father it was dumping in Brian. He was restless and angry.

"Sophia!" Carol warned.

Sophia looked up worry creasing her brow and her thumb in her mouth as she chewed away. She paced a few feet before turning and staring out the window. Brian wasn't visible anymore and Carol didn't know where he'd went to begin with. Martinez was gone and so was Carter with his uncles. Mac was on the wall and would send him home more than likely.

Andrea slid onto the counter and regarded them both, "I don't believe for a second you didn't meet Daryl Dixon all those years ago."

Carol huffed at her friend but smiled, "You know I didn't."

Andrea looked skeptical, "Really because your daughter is a carbon copy of the man. Every mannerism and quip."

"Daryl is my dad." Sophia deadpanned.

Both women smiled at her but Andrea gave Carol a pointed look. Carol glared back but it faltered and she cracked a smile. Sophia glared at them both and crossed her arms over her chest mirroring Daryl again with her posture and look.

Clearing her throat and raising her chin, "Ed was a sperm donor."

Carol choked on her water as and stared at her daughter wide eyed. Andrea almost fell off the counter. Both women stared at Sophia like she'd grown a second head. Sophia on the other hand looked smug and turned on her heel and walked away.

Just as she got to the door, "Daryl Dixon is my dad."

"Well if anything she's got their bluntness down." Andrea grinned.

"She said sperm donor."

Andrea nodded at her and then started laughing. It wasn't long before they both dissolved into a fit of laughter. It was almost enough to push her unease away but not quite enough. It'd been weird sleeping without Daryl last night. Before with Ed she slept next to someone every night. Right on the edge of the bed praying he didn't move in his sleep. After that she hardly slept at all but since him it'd been almost like a miracle. She woke up every morning burrowed into him. His arms tight around her like the thought of her moving an inch away terrified him. Maybe it did because she was realizing it did her.

"Did she get in bed with you last night? Brian said he had to carry her to bed but when I checked she wasn't in there this morning."

Carol nodded and sighed, "She woke up a few times from nightmares." At Andrea's look of concern Carol went on. "They started when she'd gotten lost in the woods. Right when Daryl found her. He told me about it and I'd yet to see them really because she didn't have them as long as he was around. Even Merle told me about them from when he'd been hurt at the prison. She stopped sleeping because she didn't want to have them anymore."

"I didn't know."

"I wouldn't have if he didn't tell me."

A loud crack of thunder shook the house seconds before rain started again. Carol was hoping it'd hold off for the rest of the day. People were dating everywhere out there rushing to get out of the rain. Maybe wherever Daryl was he'd pick up the pace and be home tonight. Just as fast as it started it ended with a flash of light. The electricity in the air was charging around them and Carol shifted. That unease was building in her chest and she swallowed around the lump in her throat. Everything was soaked through and the clouds were darker like the sun was setting but she knew it was barely even twelve in the day. Whatever was coming, and she knew it was, it wasn't good.