div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"SARAH /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"The next morning everyone had woken up early to organize the research to find Sophia. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah was awake thanks to Glenn, who had shocked her arm slightly to make her open her eyes. The girl had stretched her back before getting on her feet. Glenn went to the bathroom, as Sarah noticed Dale knelt down next to T-Dog. The man wasn't looking great, he was sweating a bit and he seemed very tired. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""How's our patient?" asked Sarah as she moved to get closer to Dale and T-Dog. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I slept" T-Dog said "But it hurts like a bitch". /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah had not doubt about that. She had just a cut on her hand and it wasn't deep as the one he had on his arm. Sarah had been lucky enough to get it stitched up and she just hoped that what they had done for T-Dog was enough. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"In front of the two men there was Andrea that was getting her bag ready in silence. Sarah remembered how the woman had scoffed at Nicki the night before. She had never spoken much with Andrea, she had spent more time with Amy, but after the CDC she was angrier and distant. For as much as she wanted to talk to her, Sarah really didn't know how to approach her. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Carol came walking closer from the RV's bedroom. She was already ready; comfortable clothes and a bag hanging over her shoulder. Sarah wasn't sure she had slept that night. Her eyes were full of sadness and tiredness, and they were red surely due to the crying. Sarah smiled weakly at the woman who tried to do the same. She really couldn't understand what she was feeling, only a mother could get that type of sorrow. Sarah wanted to help, she wanted to find that girl. Sophia was a smart girl. They would have found her, for sure. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Once she hopped down from the RV, Sarah shielded her eyes from the sun to search her sister with her gaze. And after a moment she noticed Nicki sat on the hood of a car talking with Rick. Shane was getting the riffle ready for the day as Lori was next to Carol's car with Carl, where her family had slept. Nicki seemed fine as she spoke with Rick, so Sarah decided to walk towards Lori. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Morning" she said once she got closer. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Good morning" Lori said with a smile "Everything good tonight?" Sarah nodded her head. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""All good" then she turned to Nicki "The same goes for her apparently" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Are you worried?" asked Lori making the girl taking a breath. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Aren't we all?" she said before spotting Daryl next to the guard rail "But I feel that we are safe together." /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""That's true" Lori said nodding her head. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""And together we'll find Sophia" said Carl form next to his mother, making Sarah look down at him. His blue eyes were determined, with no fear. He was so young but he was so much like his father. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Of course, we will" Sarah said, making the boy smile. Then she turned to look at Daryl again, before excusing herself from Lori and Carl and walking towards him. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Hey" she said as she was just few metres away from Daryl, that turned with a small frown. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Hey" he said before turning to look at the trees. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Where are we heading today?" she asked crossing her arms over her chest as he looked in her direction. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Ya comin'?" he asked making her shaking her shoulders. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Sure" she said "Carol is... my friend, I think. But most importantly Sophia could be my sister" she explained looking toward her sister "I want to find her and I think we will" that seemed to surprise him as he observed her chewing the side of his cheek. He was looking at her, studying her and Sarah couldn't help but blush under his gaze. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked feeling shyness come over her. But instead of answering he just shrugged his shoulders. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Daryl was a strange man. Strange indeed. He could be so rough and angry, but after a moment he got very quiet and unsure. Shy even. Sarah couldn't help but smile thinking at him be so strong and so timid at the same time. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What?" he asked after a moment, making her almost jump. She didn't think he would have talked again. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What?" Sarah asked confused. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What's with that expression?" he asked, moving a finger in front of her face. Sarah smiled even wider, shaking her head. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Nothing" she said "Just, thank you for making my sister feel better." /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah saw Daryl frown a little. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I heard you talking to Nicki" she explained "Making her feel better. I don't feel like doing it anymore." /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"It hadn't been long since the outbreak, but it seemed ages ago. She felt older, she saw her sister getting older and those people that were around her now meant so much to her to feel like family. She felt like forgetting her mother and father's voice everyday more and that terrorized her. It was so strange living like this, and to still be alive. Too many things to worry about, so many things that Sarah didn't feel ready for and many that she knew she had to face soon. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What ar' ya talkin' abou'?" Daryl said with a scoff "Ya think ta much, that's your problem" Sarah looked at him almost amused. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Oh, so you've got all figure it out?" she asked with crossed arms and smile looking at him. Daryl looked briefly in her direction before nodding his head. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Yeah" he said making her grin getting wide as he hinted a smile. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Is that a smile?" she asked in surprise "Are you laughing at me?" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Daryl snorted a little before nodding his head again. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Yeah" Sarah let out a chuckle observing the man looking down kicking at the ground with his right foot. On his face there was a little amused smile. She had never seen him like that. Daryl had yelled at her and glared and so did she. He had saved her life more than once, but they never had a normal, calm conversation. He was still distant, but he was starting to open up with all of them slowly. And Sarah couldn't help but feel glad about it. And she felt even a bit proud of herself; it was the first time she had made him smile. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Don't get too cocky, sir" she said jokingly "I'm might be an anxious wreck, but I have my aces up my sleeve" he bit his lips once more as he nodded his head, still looking down. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Can I wait here?" Nicki's voice made them turn as she set down on the guardrail putting the bow resting between her legs. Her eyes were closed and her expression seemed annoyed. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What happened?" asked Sarah frowning at her sister's behaviour. Nicki took a breath. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Andrea and Dale are arguing" she explained making Sarah turn her head, shielding her eyes from the sun with her hand. Dale and Andrea were standing just outside the RV talking with each other. Andrea didn't seem quite pleased as Dale seemed confused and gloomy. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What's going on?" Sarah asked as she noticed Glenn walking awkwardly towards where they were. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Andrea's still angry" Glenn explained adjusting his white hat over his head. Sarah looked over the woman again. Andrea hadn't talked with Dale after the CDC. She avoided him and seemed always annoyed when he was around. It was painful to watch. Andrea and Dale had always got along very well, it was sad thinking that they had come to those terms. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It was meant to happen sooner or later" she said "Just hope they're going to be alright." /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"It wasn't long before Carol, Rick, Andrea, Lori, Shane and Carl walked towards where they were in silence still glancing towards Andrea. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Alright" said Rick getting everyone's attention "We'll go back where we stopped yesterday. Then we'll all follow Daryl" Daryl nodded his head "I want everyone to stay close, quiet and with open eyes. We are going to find her" they nodded their heads, agreeing with Rick's plan. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Hey" Glenn said nudging Sarah's arm and when she turned, she saw him handing her a big knife with black and orange handle. It was huge and heavy; she couldn't help but let out a shocked laugh. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Where did you find it?" she asked looking at the sharp blade. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I didn't" Glenn said "Carl did, it was probably the best thing we could find." /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Don't let him hear that" Nicki said adjusting the quiver on her shoulder "He will never let it go otherwise" Sarah looked at her sister with a smile. Nicki and Carl found always new ways to bicker. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Let's go" Rick said making all of them to move. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"They walked in the woods in line. They were all silent and careful to be as much as observant as possible, trying to find some kind of movement in hope that was Sophia. Daryl was leading the group with Rick, then Andrea and Carol followed. Behind them there were Glenn, Sarah and Nicki and at the back of the group there were Lori and Carl followed by Shane. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""We'll find her" Sarah assured looking at Glenn. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You seem very sure" he answered a bit anxiously. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah shrugged her shoulder. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You helped Rick and it turned out to be Carl's father" she said "Life's shit now, but we already saw some miracles, we just need one more" Glenn turned to her with a smile, nodding his head as they walked. Suddenly Sarah noticed Nicki turning around, with a little frown. She did that a couple of times; she looked behind and then turned ahead walking and then again turned. Sarah followed her gaze to look at Lori walking next to Carl that had a sad expression on his face. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What is it?" asked Sarah to her sister who turned to look up at her. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Shane's spending too much time with Andrea" she said making Sarah frown "He's getting bitchy" Sarah's frown couldn't help but getting deeper. Lately Andrea and Nicki had behaved strangely around one another, even if Sarah had never seen them talk to each other. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What's going on with you and Andrea?" Sarah asked looking ahead towards the woman. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""She's not my favourite person" Nicki answered simply. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""But why?" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It's not like we chose who to survive with" her sister said shrugging her shoulders, moving a lower branch aside so that she could keep walking "I think I'm lucky I don't like one person only" Sarah nodded her head following the group. She couldn't say that Nicki was wrong, but she was still a bit confused by what was happening. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"They walked for some more, when at some point the group started to walk slowly. Had they saw something? /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Getting curious, Sarah fastened her pace to get a look at what they had found. Daryl was ahead with his finger raised towards them in silence, before kneeling down, followed by Rick, Andrea and Carol. Getting on her tip-toes to see what they were all looking at, Sarah spotted a tent some feet away from where they were. It seemed quiet and desolate. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""She could be in there" said Shane stopping next to Sarah. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Could be a whole bunch of things in there" Daryl said getting up and starting to head towards the tent. As they walked, Sarah saw Rick stopping Carol whispering something to her before the woman started to call her daughter's name. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Stay close to me" said Lori to Carl and Nicki that nodded their heads. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"As they got closer though, no one answered to Carol. Daryl walked closer to the tent putting his crossbow on the ground and taking his knife ready to defend himself in case there was a walker in there. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah could feel her heart beat as loud as a drum inside her chest as she observed Daryl open slowly the tent. She hoped that Sophia was there, but she hadn't answered... at that point she just hoped that inside that tent there was no walker ready to eat Daryl in front of them. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"He disappeared inside the tent as Rick got closer too, coughing in disgust. Sarah tried to listen closely, but luckily there was no fighting sound inside the tent, but then why was he getting so long to come out? /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah turned to Carol that had a terrified expression on her face as Lori got closer to her trying to bring her comfort. Did he find Sophia? /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Daryl" Carol asked with a trembling voice. Sarah wanted to get closer to the tent, she didn't like for Daryl to be in there for so long, but Glenn took her by the shoulders to keep her still. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Daryl" called Carol again just as Daryl walked out. Sarah took a breath seeing that he was unharmed, but sadly he was alone. She turned to the woman, that tried to keep a sob from leaving her lips. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What's in there?" asked Andrea with curiosity. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Some guy" Daryl explained "Did what Jenner said. Opted out. Ain't that what he called it?" Sarah couldn't help but glare in his direction, before turning to Andrea that looked down at the ground. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Suddenly the sound of bells echoed in the air making them all look up and around to understand where it was coming from. After a moment they all started to run, following Rick through the woods. Sarah looked behind to make sure that Nicki was there and she saw her running next to Carol, so she turned again adjusting her bag to run better. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What direction?" asked Shane as they arrived in some kind of a clearing. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I think that way" said Rick, pointing in front of him. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Yeah?" asked Sarah taking deep breaths. br /"I'm pretty sure" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"She really hoped he was, because it was really hard to understand where that sound came from. It could be every direction. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""If we heard them, then maybe Sophia does, too" said Carol as Glenn walked closer to her. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Someone's ringing those bells, maybe calling others" he suggested. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Or signalling that they found her" tried Andrea. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""She could be ringing them herself" said Rick. They all got some good options but the only way to know was finding the sorce of that sound. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"They kept running through the woods and Sarah could feel her heart beating fast and a sense of hope coming over her. If they were right, they would have found Sophia and maybe other people, maybe even a safe place. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Wait, did it stop?" asked Nicki at some point, making Sarah realize that the sound couldn't be heard anymore. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Wasn't far" said Daryl as they kept running. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"After some moments they arrived in what seemed like a graveyard with a church in the middle of it. But looking at it, Sarah couldn't help but frown a little with disappointment. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""That can't be it" she said panting lightly. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""She's right" said Shane as disappointed as she was "Got no steeple, no bells" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Could there be another?" asked Sarah turning to Glenn "Maybe on the map-" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Rick!" she heard Shane say, before turning to see Rick running towards the church. They all look at each other before following the man. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"As they arrived to the side of the church, Rick gestured to them to stay quiet. Rick and Shane were leading the group. Sarah was next to Glenn and Daryl just after the first two. As they got closer to the steps of the church, Daryl extended his arm in front of her and Glenn, making the both of them stop. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Stay here" he said before running up the stairs. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah observed Rick and Daryl look at each other before opening the door. What was inside was truly creepy; there were three walkers sitting on the pews looking straight ahead of them, like they were praying. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""That's disturbing" Sarah said before Daryl pushed his crossbow in her arms as Glenn handed him his knife. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Daryl, Rick and Shane entered as the three walkers looked towards them and killed them one by one. Luckily it had been easy for them and they were all alright. As there was no more danger, Rick yelled for Sophia as Sarah started to look around with her eyes, but she couldn't see the little girl anywhere. Maybe there was a room at the back of the church. As she was looking for a door, the bells started to ring again. They all looked up before starting to run. Daryl was so fast to try and get out of the church that almost knocked Sarah over. As she was able to avoid collision, she followed Daryl and Glenn that lead the group at the back of the church, stopping in disappointment when they saw a speaker on the roof. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""No..." she muttered just before Glenn ran to the battery to make the noise stop. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Timer" said Daryl panting as the others reached them "It's on a timer" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah looked around to see everyone as disappointed as she was feeling. She really thought they had found her. That all situation seemed a cruel joke. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I'm gonna go back in for a bit." said Carol trying to stop herself from crying before starting to walk towards the church, followed by Lori. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Want to get inside too?" asked Glenn making Sarah shake her head. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""No" she said feeling the fatigue from the running "Need some air, see you later" she said looking towards Nicki, that stared at Sarah back before entering inside the church with Carl. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah took a breath before walking to the other side of the church to sit under a tree. Her breaths were laboured and her legs hurt a bit. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I should really get in shape" she said to herself, holding the knife in her right hand and grasping the grass with her left. She looked up, observing the leaves over her head. It was the end of the summer; it was still enjoyable being outside. But soon the winter would have arrived. She was sure they would have found Sophia before the cold weather, but at night it was already chilly. Sarah just hoped that Sophia had found a safe place to hide, something to eat, something to get warmer. She wondered what she would have done in Sophia's place; Sarah never walked around alone, she was always with a friend, or her family, or her boyfriend... she really didn't like to be alone, because she knew that at some point she would get lost. Even now Sarah had no clue where they ended up. They were in Georgia, that she knew, but nothing more than that. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"As they were walking into the woods, she observed Daryl's every move and she really couldn't figure out how he managed to follow traces. She couldn't see anything on the ground, but it was easy to understand that he knew perfectly what to do, where to go... /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"In all honesty Sarah couldn't help but feeling a bit jealous of that. She was sure she would have not survived alone and that scared her. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What are you doing?" looking up Sarah had to shield her eyes from the sun to spot her sister's frame walking closer to where she was sitting. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Needed some air" Sarah answered "You?" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Needed some time" said Nicki as a warm breeze made her wavy black hair move "Carol is crying and I'm sorry for her" Sarah nodded her head listening to her sister's words. She could just imagine how hard must that all be for Carol. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""She blames it on herself" Nicki kept saying making Sarah curious. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Why?" Nicki shrugged her shoulders. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Wished for Ed's death" she answered sitting next to Sarah taking a breath shaking her head. Sarah looked at her sister; she knew well what Nicki thought about Ed, not that she was wrong about him. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I thought she was going to be here" Sarah said leaning her back against the trunk of the tree. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Yeah, I know..." said Nicki after taking a breath "Will she be ok?" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""She will" Sarah answered nodding her head making Nicki turn to her direction with a surprise expression. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You seem the only one" Nicki said calmly "Everyone are throwing daggers at Rick" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah had seen that, since he had come back from the woods without Sophia. Carol had blamed him immediately of course, not that she was to blame, her little girl had disappeared and Rick was the last one to have seen her. But again, he was the only one who had followed Sophia in the woods. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You ran behind him and shoot an arrow" Sarah said "The fact that you put yourself in danger like that was probably stupid, but you saved Rick and nothing happened to you. No one can know what would have happened if you stood hidden" Nicki nodded her head listening to her sister's words. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I see your point" she said. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Choices had been made, now we can just wait" Sarah said with a little smile. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Oi" both the girls looked up hearing Daryl's voice. Everyone was standing next to the church "Com' here, ain't got all day." /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"That man surely had fast mood shifts. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Both sisters got up, brushing the dirt from their clothes before walking towards everyone else. Sarah was really curious to know what their next move would have been as she noticed Rick and Shane talking not that far away. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Any news?" Sarah asked walking to stop next to Glenn who shook his head looking at the two men. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Y'all gonna follow the creek bed back, okay?" suddenly Shane said walking towards the group "Daryl, you're in charge" Sarah looked towards the man who had a little frown on his face "Me and Rick, we're just gonna hang back search this area another hour or so just to be thorough" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You're splitting us up. You sure?" asked Daryl. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Yeah, we'll catch up to you" answered Shane taking a breath. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I want to stay, too" said Carl surprising everyone "I'm her friend" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Rick observed his son before look up at his wife. Then he turned to Shane and both of them shared a smile. Maybe it wasn't a bad idea, it was like Carol had tried before, Sophia wouldn't get scared like that. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Just be careful, okay?" said Lori before taking her son's face between her hands lovingly. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I will" he said. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""When did you start growing up?" she said hugging him before kissing his head. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Still short though" Nicki said taking a step forward as Carl glared in her direction "I want to come to" Sarah looked towards her sister. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Really?" she asked making her sister nod her head. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I would like to be useful as long as I can, I don't want to go back to the RV" Nicki said before turning to Rick "I mean, if I can" Rick was smiling at her before looking at Sarah. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I'm good if you're good." /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah knew that Nicki had impressed the group with her skills and surely even with her attitude, she never seemed scared. But even if she felt anxious about it, Sarah understood Nicki's wanting to be useful, making the difference and between the two of them right now, she was the only one that could help in some ways. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You'll be always next to Rick, right?" said Sarah looking at her sister that nodded her head. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I promise" at her sister's answer Sarah took a breath. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Alright." /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Rick smiled before walking towards Lori to give her a sweet kiss reassuring her that they would have been back soon. Sarah put a lock of her sister's hair behind her ear, silently asking for her to be careful. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Here, take this" said Rick handing his gun at Lori "Remember how to use it?" but the woman shook her head. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I'm not taking your gun and leaving you unarmed" but before Rick could say anything Daryl walked to Lori with a gun in his hand. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Here, got a spare" he said but seeing that she wasn't moving he insisted "Take it" Lori was surprised but accepted the weapon anyway. As Daryl turned to walk away from the two, he came face to face with Sarah meeting her eyes. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What?" Daryl asked with a frown before walking past her, that in that moment realized she was smiling. Sarah turned one last time towards her sister, waving at her, hoping that Nicki would be careful, before starting to follow Daryl's steps with Glenn and the rest of the group. /p
/div
p style="margin: 0px;"SARAH /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"The next morning everyone had woken up early to organize the research to find Sophia. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah was awake thanks to Glenn, who had shocked her arm slightly to make her open her eyes. The girl had stretched her back before getting on her feet. Glenn went to the bathroom, as Sarah noticed Dale knelt down next to T-Dog. The man wasn't looking great, he was sweating a bit and he seemed very tired. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""How's our patient?" asked Sarah as she moved to get closer to Dale and T-Dog. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I slept" T-Dog said "But it hurts like a bitch". /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah had not doubt about that. She had just a cut on her hand and it wasn't deep as the one he had on his arm. Sarah had been lucky enough to get it stitched up and she just hoped that what they had done for T-Dog was enough. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"In front of the two men there was Andrea that was getting her bag ready in silence. Sarah remembered how the woman had scoffed at Nicki the night before. She had never spoken much with Andrea, she had spent more time with Amy, but after the CDC she was angrier and distant. For as much as she wanted to talk to her, Sarah really didn't know how to approach her. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Carol came walking closer from the RV's bedroom. She was already ready; comfortable clothes and a bag hanging over her shoulder. Sarah wasn't sure she had slept that night. Her eyes were full of sadness and tiredness, and they were red surely due to the crying. Sarah smiled weakly at the woman who tried to do the same. She really couldn't understand what she was feeling, only a mother could get that type of sorrow. Sarah wanted to help, she wanted to find that girl. Sophia was a smart girl. They would have found her, for sure. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Once she hopped down from the RV, Sarah shielded her eyes from the sun to search her sister with her gaze. And after a moment she noticed Nicki sat on the hood of a car talking with Rick. Shane was getting the riffle ready for the day as Lori was next to Carol's car with Carl, where her family had slept. Nicki seemed fine as she spoke with Rick, so Sarah decided to walk towards Lori. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Morning" she said once she got closer. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Good morning" Lori said with a smile "Everything good tonight?" Sarah nodded her head. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""All good" then she turned to Nicki "The same goes for her apparently" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Are you worried?" asked Lori making the girl taking a breath. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Aren't we all?" she said before spotting Daryl next to the guard rail "But I feel that we are safe together." /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""That's true" Lori said nodding her head. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""And together we'll find Sophia" said Carl form next to his mother, making Sarah look down at him. His blue eyes were determined, with no fear. He was so young but he was so much like his father. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Of course, we will" Sarah said, making the boy smile. Then she turned to look at Daryl again, before excusing herself from Lori and Carl and walking towards him. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Hey" she said as she was just few metres away from Daryl, that turned with a small frown. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Hey" he said before turning to look at the trees. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Where are we heading today?" she asked crossing her arms over her chest as he looked in her direction. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Ya comin'?" he asked making her shaking her shoulders. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Sure" she said "Carol is... my friend, I think. But most importantly Sophia could be my sister" she explained looking toward her sister "I want to find her and I think we will" that seemed to surprise him as he observed her chewing the side of his cheek. He was looking at her, studying her and Sarah couldn't help but blush under his gaze. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked feeling shyness come over her. But instead of answering he just shrugged his shoulders. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Daryl was a strange man. Strange indeed. He could be so rough and angry, but after a moment he got very quiet and unsure. Shy even. Sarah couldn't help but smile thinking at him be so strong and so timid at the same time. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What?" he asked after a moment, making her almost jump. She didn't think he would have talked again. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What?" Sarah asked confused. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What's with that expression?" he asked, moving a finger in front of her face. Sarah smiled even wider, shaking her head. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Nothing" she said "Just, thank you for making my sister feel better." /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah saw Daryl frown a little. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I heard you talking to Nicki" she explained "Making her feel better. I don't feel like doing it anymore." /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"It hadn't been long since the outbreak, but it seemed ages ago. She felt older, she saw her sister getting older and those people that were around her now meant so much to her to feel like family. She felt like forgetting her mother and father's voice everyday more and that terrorized her. It was so strange living like this, and to still be alive. Too many things to worry about, so many things that Sarah didn't feel ready for and many that she knew she had to face soon. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What ar' ya talkin' abou'?" Daryl said with a scoff "Ya think ta much, that's your problem" Sarah looked at him almost amused. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Oh, so you've got all figure it out?" she asked with crossed arms and smile looking at him. Daryl looked briefly in her direction before nodding his head. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Yeah" he said making her grin getting wide as he hinted a smile. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Is that a smile?" she asked in surprise "Are you laughing at me?" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Daryl snorted a little before nodding his head again. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Yeah" Sarah let out a chuckle observing the man looking down kicking at the ground with his right foot. On his face there was a little amused smile. She had never seen him like that. Daryl had yelled at her and glared and so did she. He had saved her life more than once, but they never had a normal, calm conversation. He was still distant, but he was starting to open up with all of them slowly. And Sarah couldn't help but feel glad about it. And she felt even a bit proud of herself; it was the first time she had made him smile. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Don't get too cocky, sir" she said jokingly "I'm might be an anxious wreck, but I have my aces up my sleeve" he bit his lips once more as he nodded his head, still looking down. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Can I wait here?" Nicki's voice made them turn as she set down on the guardrail putting the bow resting between her legs. Her eyes were closed and her expression seemed annoyed. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What happened?" asked Sarah frowning at her sister's behaviour. Nicki took a breath. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Andrea and Dale are arguing" she explained making Sarah turn her head, shielding her eyes from the sun with her hand. Dale and Andrea were standing just outside the RV talking with each other. Andrea didn't seem quite pleased as Dale seemed confused and gloomy. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What's going on?" Sarah asked as she noticed Glenn walking awkwardly towards where they were. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Andrea's still angry" Glenn explained adjusting his white hat over his head. Sarah looked over the woman again. Andrea hadn't talked with Dale after the CDC. She avoided him and seemed always annoyed when he was around. It was painful to watch. Andrea and Dale had always got along very well, it was sad thinking that they had come to those terms. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It was meant to happen sooner or later" she said "Just hope they're going to be alright." /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"It wasn't long before Carol, Rick, Andrea, Lori, Shane and Carl walked towards where they were in silence still glancing towards Andrea. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Alright" said Rick getting everyone's attention "We'll go back where we stopped yesterday. Then we'll all follow Daryl" Daryl nodded his head "I want everyone to stay close, quiet and with open eyes. We are going to find her" they nodded their heads, agreeing with Rick's plan. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Hey" Glenn said nudging Sarah's arm and when she turned, she saw him handing her a big knife with black and orange handle. It was huge and heavy; she couldn't help but let out a shocked laugh. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Where did you find it?" she asked looking at the sharp blade. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I didn't" Glenn said "Carl did, it was probably the best thing we could find." /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Don't let him hear that" Nicki said adjusting the quiver on her shoulder "He will never let it go otherwise" Sarah looked at her sister with a smile. Nicki and Carl found always new ways to bicker. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Let's go" Rick said making all of them to move. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"They walked in the woods in line. They were all silent and careful to be as much as observant as possible, trying to find some kind of movement in hope that was Sophia. Daryl was leading the group with Rick, then Andrea and Carol followed. Behind them there were Glenn, Sarah and Nicki and at the back of the group there were Lori and Carl followed by Shane. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""We'll find her" Sarah assured looking at Glenn. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You seem very sure" he answered a bit anxiously. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah shrugged her shoulder. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You helped Rick and it turned out to be Carl's father" she said "Life's shit now, but we already saw some miracles, we just need one more" Glenn turned to her with a smile, nodding his head as they walked. Suddenly Sarah noticed Nicki turning around, with a little frown. She did that a couple of times; she looked behind and then turned ahead walking and then again turned. Sarah followed her gaze to look at Lori walking next to Carl that had a sad expression on his face. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What is it?" asked Sarah to her sister who turned to look up at her. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Shane's spending too much time with Andrea" she said making Sarah frown "He's getting bitchy" Sarah's frown couldn't help but getting deeper. Lately Andrea and Nicki had behaved strangely around one another, even if Sarah had never seen them talk to each other. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What's going on with you and Andrea?" Sarah asked looking ahead towards the woman. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""She's not my favourite person" Nicki answered simply. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""But why?" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It's not like we chose who to survive with" her sister said shrugging her shoulders, moving a lower branch aside so that she could keep walking "I think I'm lucky I don't like one person only" Sarah nodded her head following the group. She couldn't say that Nicki was wrong, but she was still a bit confused by what was happening. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"They walked for some more, when at some point the group started to walk slowly. Had they saw something? /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Getting curious, Sarah fastened her pace to get a look at what they had found. Daryl was ahead with his finger raised towards them in silence, before kneeling down, followed by Rick, Andrea and Carol. Getting on her tip-toes to see what they were all looking at, Sarah spotted a tent some feet away from where they were. It seemed quiet and desolate. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""She could be in there" said Shane stopping next to Sarah. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Could be a whole bunch of things in there" Daryl said getting up and starting to head towards the tent. As they walked, Sarah saw Rick stopping Carol whispering something to her before the woman started to call her daughter's name. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Stay close to me" said Lori to Carl and Nicki that nodded their heads. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"As they got closer though, no one answered to Carol. Daryl walked closer to the tent putting his crossbow on the ground and taking his knife ready to defend himself in case there was a walker in there. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah could feel her heart beat as loud as a drum inside her chest as she observed Daryl open slowly the tent. She hoped that Sophia was there, but she hadn't answered... at that point she just hoped that inside that tent there was no walker ready to eat Daryl in front of them. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"He disappeared inside the tent as Rick got closer too, coughing in disgust. Sarah tried to listen closely, but luckily there was no fighting sound inside the tent, but then why was he getting so long to come out? /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah turned to Carol that had a terrified expression on her face as Lori got closer to her trying to bring her comfort. Did he find Sophia? /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Daryl" Carol asked with a trembling voice. Sarah wanted to get closer to the tent, she didn't like for Daryl to be in there for so long, but Glenn took her by the shoulders to keep her still. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Daryl" called Carol again just as Daryl walked out. Sarah took a breath seeing that he was unharmed, but sadly he was alone. She turned to the woman, that tried to keep a sob from leaving her lips. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What's in there?" asked Andrea with curiosity. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Some guy" Daryl explained "Did what Jenner said. Opted out. Ain't that what he called it?" Sarah couldn't help but glare in his direction, before turning to Andrea that looked down at the ground. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Suddenly the sound of bells echoed in the air making them all look up and around to understand where it was coming from. After a moment they all started to run, following Rick through the woods. Sarah looked behind to make sure that Nicki was there and she saw her running next to Carol, so she turned again adjusting her bag to run better. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What direction?" asked Shane as they arrived in some kind of a clearing. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I think that way" said Rick, pointing in front of him. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Yeah?" asked Sarah taking deep breaths. br /"I'm pretty sure" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"She really hoped he was, because it was really hard to understand where that sound came from. It could be every direction. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""If we heard them, then maybe Sophia does, too" said Carol as Glenn walked closer to her. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Someone's ringing those bells, maybe calling others" he suggested. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Or signalling that they found her" tried Andrea. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""She could be ringing them herself" said Rick. They all got some good options but the only way to know was finding the sorce of that sound. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"They kept running through the woods and Sarah could feel her heart beating fast and a sense of hope coming over her. If they were right, they would have found Sophia and maybe other people, maybe even a safe place. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Wait, did it stop?" asked Nicki at some point, making Sarah realize that the sound couldn't be heard anymore. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Wasn't far" said Daryl as they kept running. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"After some moments they arrived in what seemed like a graveyard with a church in the middle of it. But looking at it, Sarah couldn't help but frown a little with disappointment. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""That can't be it" she said panting lightly. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""She's right" said Shane as disappointed as she was "Got no steeple, no bells" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Could there be another?" asked Sarah turning to Glenn "Maybe on the map-" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Rick!" she heard Shane say, before turning to see Rick running towards the church. They all look at each other before following the man. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"As they arrived to the side of the church, Rick gestured to them to stay quiet. Rick and Shane were leading the group. Sarah was next to Glenn and Daryl just after the first two. As they got closer to the steps of the church, Daryl extended his arm in front of her and Glenn, making the both of them stop. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Stay here" he said before running up the stairs. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah observed Rick and Daryl look at each other before opening the door. What was inside was truly creepy; there were three walkers sitting on the pews looking straight ahead of them, like they were praying. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""That's disturbing" Sarah said before Daryl pushed his crossbow in her arms as Glenn handed him his knife. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Daryl, Rick and Shane entered as the three walkers looked towards them and killed them one by one. Luckily it had been easy for them and they were all alright. As there was no more danger, Rick yelled for Sophia as Sarah started to look around with her eyes, but she couldn't see the little girl anywhere. Maybe there was a room at the back of the church. As she was looking for a door, the bells started to ring again. They all looked up before starting to run. Daryl was so fast to try and get out of the church that almost knocked Sarah over. As she was able to avoid collision, she followed Daryl and Glenn that lead the group at the back of the church, stopping in disappointment when they saw a speaker on the roof. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""No..." she muttered just before Glenn ran to the battery to make the noise stop. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Timer" said Daryl panting as the others reached them "It's on a timer" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah looked around to see everyone as disappointed as she was feeling. She really thought they had found her. That all situation seemed a cruel joke. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I'm gonna go back in for a bit." said Carol trying to stop herself from crying before starting to walk towards the church, followed by Lori. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Want to get inside too?" asked Glenn making Sarah shake her head. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""No" she said feeling the fatigue from the running "Need some air, see you later" she said looking towards Nicki, that stared at Sarah back before entering inside the church with Carl. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah took a breath before walking to the other side of the church to sit under a tree. Her breaths were laboured and her legs hurt a bit. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I should really get in shape" she said to herself, holding the knife in her right hand and grasping the grass with her left. She looked up, observing the leaves over her head. It was the end of the summer; it was still enjoyable being outside. But soon the winter would have arrived. She was sure they would have found Sophia before the cold weather, but at night it was already chilly. Sarah just hoped that Sophia had found a safe place to hide, something to eat, something to get warmer. She wondered what she would have done in Sophia's place; Sarah never walked around alone, she was always with a friend, or her family, or her boyfriend... she really didn't like to be alone, because she knew that at some point she would get lost. Even now Sarah had no clue where they ended up. They were in Georgia, that she knew, but nothing more than that. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"As they were walking into the woods, she observed Daryl's every move and she really couldn't figure out how he managed to follow traces. She couldn't see anything on the ground, but it was easy to understand that he knew perfectly what to do, where to go... /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"In all honesty Sarah couldn't help but feeling a bit jealous of that. She was sure she would have not survived alone and that scared her. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What are you doing?" looking up Sarah had to shield her eyes from the sun to spot her sister's frame walking closer to where she was sitting. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Needed some air" Sarah answered "You?" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Needed some time" said Nicki as a warm breeze made her wavy black hair move "Carol is crying and I'm sorry for her" Sarah nodded her head listening to her sister's words. She could just imagine how hard must that all be for Carol. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""She blames it on herself" Nicki kept saying making Sarah curious. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Why?" Nicki shrugged her shoulders. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Wished for Ed's death" she answered sitting next to Sarah taking a breath shaking her head. Sarah looked at her sister; she knew well what Nicki thought about Ed, not that she was wrong about him. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I thought she was going to be here" Sarah said leaning her back against the trunk of the tree. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Yeah, I know..." said Nicki after taking a breath "Will she be ok?" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""She will" Sarah answered nodding her head making Nicki turn to her direction with a surprise expression. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You seem the only one" Nicki said calmly "Everyone are throwing daggers at Rick" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah had seen that, since he had come back from the woods without Sophia. Carol had blamed him immediately of course, not that she was to blame, her little girl had disappeared and Rick was the last one to have seen her. But again, he was the only one who had followed Sophia in the woods. /p
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p style="margin: 0px;""You ran behind him and shoot an arrow" Sarah said "The fact that you put yourself in danger like that was probably stupid, but you saved Rick and nothing happened to you. No one can know what would have happened if you stood hidden" Nicki nodded her head listening to her sister's words. /p
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p style="margin: 0px;""I see your point" she said. /p
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p style="margin: 0px;""Choices had been made, now we can just wait" Sarah said with a little smile. /p
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p style="margin: 0px;""Oi" both the girls looked up hearing Daryl's voice. Everyone was standing next to the church "Com' here, ain't got all day." /p
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p style="margin: 0px;"That man surely had fast mood shifts. /p
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p style="margin: 0px;"Both sisters got up, brushing the dirt from their clothes before walking towards everyone else. Sarah was really curious to know what their next move would have been as she noticed Rick and Shane talking not that far away. /p
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p style="margin: 0px;""Any news?" Sarah asked walking to stop next to Glenn who shook his head looking at the two men. /p
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p style="margin: 0px;""Y'all gonna follow the creek bed back, okay?" suddenly Shane said walking towards the group "Daryl, you're in charge" Sarah looked towards the man who had a little frown on his face "Me and Rick, we're just gonna hang back search this area another hour or so just to be thorough" /p
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p style="margin: 0px;""You're splitting us up. You sure?" asked Daryl. /p
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p style="margin: 0px;""Yeah, we'll catch up to you" answered Shane taking a breath. /p
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p style="margin: 0px;""I want to stay, too" said Carl surprising everyone "I'm her friend" /p
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p style="margin: 0px;"Rick observed his son before look up at his wife. Then he turned to Shane and both of them shared a smile. Maybe it wasn't a bad idea, it was like Carol had tried before, Sophia wouldn't get scared like that. /p
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p style="margin: 0px;""Just be careful, okay?" said Lori before taking her son's face between her hands lovingly. /p
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p style="margin: 0px;""I will" he said. /p
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p style="margin: 0px;""When did you start growing up?" she said hugging him before kissing his head. /p
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p style="margin: 0px;""Still short though" Nicki said taking a step forward as Carl glared in her direction "I want to come to" Sarah looked towards her sister. /p
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p style="margin: 0px;""Really?" she asked making her sister nod her head. /p
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p style="margin: 0px;""I would like to be useful as long as I can, I don't want to go back to the RV" Nicki said before turning to Rick "I mean, if I can" Rick was smiling at her before looking at Sarah. /p
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p style="margin: 0px;""I'm good if you're good." /p
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p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah knew that Nicki had impressed the group with her skills and surely even with her attitude, she never seemed scared. But even if she felt anxious about it, Sarah understood Nicki's wanting to be useful, making the difference and between the two of them right now, she was the only one that could help in some ways. /p
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p style="margin: 0px;""You'll be always next to Rick, right?" said Sarah looking at her sister that nodded her head. /p
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p style="margin: 0px;""I promise" at her sister's answer Sarah took a breath. /p
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p style="margin: 0px;""Alright." /p
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p style="margin: 0px;"Rick smiled before walking towards Lori to give her a sweet kiss reassuring her that they would have been back soon. Sarah put a lock of her sister's hair behind her ear, silently asking for her to be careful. /p
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p style="margin: 0px;""Here, take this" said Rick handing his gun at Lori "Remember how to use it?" but the woman shook her head. /p
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p style="margin: 0px;""I'm not taking your gun and leaving you unarmed" but before Rick could say anything Daryl walked to Lori with a gun in his hand. /p
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p style="margin: 0px;""Here, got a spare" he said but seeing that she wasn't moving he insisted "Take it" Lori was surprised but accepted the weapon anyway. As Daryl turned to walk away from the two, he came face to face with Sarah meeting her eyes. /p
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p style="margin: 0px;""What?" Daryl asked with a frown before walking past her, that in that moment realized she was smiling. Sarah turned one last time towards her sister, waving at her, hoping that Nicki would be careful, before starting to follow Daryl's steps with Glenn and the rest of the group. /p
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