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;"They have been walking for an hour when Sarah looked behind her back. Trees, all she could see was trees. They had walked straight, then they had turn left on a small path, they have been following a brook with clear water, then they had crossed in and turn right again. Then they had... then they... where had they walked? /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Looking back nothing was familiar but just trees. She took a deep breath as she turned to be sure Daryl was still there and she felt so much relief seeing him walking ahead. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"She wasn't alone, she was not going to get lost. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"But then she felt the need to look back. How was it possible for her to not recognize where they came from? /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Ya 'right?" Daryl's voice made her stop with a gasp. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What?" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What is it?" he asked looking around, making sure not walkers were around. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Walkers. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Right, there were walkers too. What if one came out? What if she was bitten? What of Nicki then? And what if Daryl got bitten, because of her? /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Sarah" he called her stepping closer, observing her as the girl forced herself to take a deep breath, not getting enough oxygen. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It is alright" Sarah said starting pacing back and forth as Daryl kept his gaze fixed on her movements. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Not look like it" Daryl said as she put her hands on her hips trying to take a deep breath. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Just a panic attack" she said gasping once again. He immediately walked closer, but she shook her head "It's alright. It's alright." /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Then Sarah leaned her back against the bunk of a tree. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Give me a minute" she said getting another deep breath, finally starting to feel even just a bit of air entering her lungs "It is already better." /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"In her head she counted to three, before taking another breath. She was feeling so much better, it felt good breathing. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It happens a lot?" Daryl's voice made her look up. He had a small frown on his face, his blue eyes scanning her up and down. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Remember the mall episode?" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""When ya got lost?" Sarah nodded her head with a frustrated chuckle. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It happens when I get lost" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"It had always been like that. The sensation of feeling lost, not knowing anything and anyone. Not being able to figure out the right way to make it back. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Yar not lost" he told her making smile. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"That was true, she wasn't alone. Daryl was there. Nothing would have happened, they would keep searching for Sophia, they would find her and then come back to Nicki and the others. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I'm sorry" she said stepping away from the tree. Daryl lightly shook his head, chewing his lips. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It's alrigh'" he said before gesturing to her to walk ahead. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah adjusted her backpack on her shoulders and started to walk. They were silent as they walked, but she could feel Daryl's eyes on her, making her bit her lips. She had made a fool of herself. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You are probably thinking you've made a mistake" she said chuckling nervously "Bringing me with you. A stupid girl who gets a freaking panic attack just by walking in the woods." /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Yar not stupid" he said from behind her, making Sarah turn with wide eyes. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You always call me stupid" at her words he snorted and walked pass her, walking just few feet ahead of her. She really couldn't understand that man, but she found herself smiling wide as she followed behind. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""How did ya find yar way back?" he asked suddenly as they kept looking around for Sophia "When ya got lost?" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah felt shy thinking about every time she got lost. Since she was a child, in supermarkets and the beach or in a crowded street. She had always like to wonder around, but it had always been so difficult to make it back. Once she went with her family on a camping trip, with other families and she managed to get lost in the woods for four hours, then her father found her. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Someone always found me" she answered thinking about her parents "First my father, then my friends or my boyfriend, well ex-boyfriend actually" he turned slightly towards her, chewing his lip before looking ahead once again. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Ya miss them?" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Immensely" she said taking a breath. She was worried for her parents, wondering how things in San Francisco were going. She had seen what had happened in Atlanta, what if it had been like that? Her grandparents, would they make it? Her friends? They were always so happy, so lively. What was of them? And their families? And she thought about David too. He had been her first boyfriend, her first kiss and date to the prom. He had been very important to her, but since they would have headed for two different colleges, they had decided to break-up. She just hoped that he was alright. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""And you?" she asked, making him frown. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Me what?" Sarah frowned a bit as his harsher tone than before. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Well," she said shrugging her shoulders "You're in the woods a lot. Have you ever got lost?" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I have" he answered looking around, making the girl quicken her pace to walk next to him. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""How did you make it back?" she asked curiously. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""On ma own" he answered simply, making Sarah observe him. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""For how long?" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Nine days" he said turning to her for a moment. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""How old were you?" Daryl shrugged his shoulders at her question. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Younger than Sophia." /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"He had been younger than Sophia and no one had found him? From the look on his face, she could guess that no one had even went to look for him. How did he managed to get back? /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Don't look at me like tha'" he said in a small growl. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Like what?" she asked with a frown. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Like pity" he said, but she stopped him putting her hand on his forearm making him turn to her. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I don't know why you seem to believe that" she said thinking back at their conversation that night in the CDC "But Daryl, I do not pity you." /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Daryl glared at her for a moment. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Whatever" he scoffed before turning to walk again. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"She couldn't understand why he would think that. If anything, pity was the least she felt for him. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It is true though" she said starting to following him "I've been scared of you" he glared at her "Don't look at me like that, you were quite frightening at first" she smiled at the memory. She felt so silly, thinking about that "But then, I've seen how you cared for your brother when he got missing. You've saved my life more than once" she still remembered when the walkers invaded their camp back in Atlanta. How she was scared and surrounded by walkers and then Daryl came, bringing her to safety. And in the CDC, he made sure that she got out. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""And then the way you're helping with this girl" she kept saying "Many are already losing hope, but not you" he observed her chewing the side of his cheek as she spoke "There's nothing to pity you for" she finished before started to walk again. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"They hadn't talked much as they kept walking. They looked around searching for Sophia, but there was no sign of her. Even Daryl didn't seem to have found any trace of the girl. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Luckily, they hadn't met many walkers on their path. At some point there were three of them just few meters away. They didn't spot them so as Daryl shoot his first arrow in one of the three's head, Sarah took a large rock throwing it on a side making the other two walkers following the noise. She saw Daryl observe her for a moment, before shooting another arrow. At this point the last one turned, but it was too far away to harm them. Daryl loaded his crossbow once again, before shoot again. As the corps went limp, Daryl turned towards her. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Good move?" she asked with a small smile. He observed, before nodding chewing his lip. Sarah smiled at him, feeling a bit proud. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Next time" he said with a little smirk "Ya'll try 'n kill one" Sarah chuckled before they started to walk again. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"It wasn't long before they found a wooden house. It was just a house, in the middle of the forest. Sarah wondered who would have lived there, before all of that. There was nothing around. But what once could have been a strange place to live in, it was perfect as a hiding spot. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Could she be here?" she asked looking up towards Daryl, that was observing the house. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Let's find out" he said stepping forward. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"As they arrived at the door, Daryl put a hand on the handle, before turning to Sarah. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Ya stay back" he said "Look 'round an' be ready. If there's a walker, ya hit it in the head" Sarah nodded her head, holding close Daryl's knife. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Daryl opened the door that made an awful cracking sound, that made Sarah's heart bit faster. If a walker was in there, it would have surely heard it and come that way. He stepped inside, looking around carefully. Sarah made his exact same moves, not wanting to mess up, but she cringed every time the wooden floor made a sound. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"They looked in the living room, it was nice and just a little bit ruined. It didn't seem that someone had slept there, nor walker being around. Sarah and Daryl shared a look, before moving to another room. They came across a bathroom, but that was empty too, Sarah decided to take the band aid that were left inside the drawer. She thought for a moment if someone maybe lived there, and she was taking away something from them, but her group needed supplies. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Ya right?" Daryl asked in a whisper, making Sarah nod. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I was just thinking" she whispered back "I never thought that I would have found myself stealing band aids inside a bathroom" then she took a breath "Well, there are many things I had never thought of doing" Sarah found him observing her before she smiled a little exiting the bathroom. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Then they arrived in the kitchen. No one was there. Again. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah walked around the kitchen, as she noticed Daryl walk closer to the garbage can and she frowned noticing him picking up an open tin, someone had eaten it recently. Suddenly a cracking noise behind her made Sarah jump and turn in that direction. Daryl step towards her, that was now looking at the closed door of the food storage. The two of them looked at each other before Daryl raised his crossbow and carefully opened the door. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"There was nothing inside. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Look" he muttered pointing at the ground. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"A thins sheet was laying in the narrow space of the food storage. There was a pillow even, but only a child could have fitted in there. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Do you think it was her?" she asked as she knelt down. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It could" he answered looking around "We should look outside" Sarah nodded her head getting up and following Daryl outside. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Sophia!" he called once they stepped outside. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Sophia!" Sarah called too, but no answer came. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"If she had been there, why would she leave? It seemed a quite safe place. So maybe if she had moved, she probably was around there. Or maybe she was trying to get back to the highway. Sarah took a breath, she just hoped that they would have crossed paths at some point. It was the only way to find her. But they weren't many and that area was big. Then she turned towards Daryl who had been walking few feet away from her. She frowned curiously as she saw him touching a white flower. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""This is so pretty" she said stopping next to Daryl, who looked towards her "What is it?" she asked curiously, observing the flower. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""A Cherokee rose" he muttered, making her repeat the name with a smile. She didn't know he was interested in flowers. Even if probably to be outside in the woods so much he might have had some experience about plants. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I've never seen one" she said caressing one. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""There's a story behind it" he muttered from next to her, making Sarah widening her eyes. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Truly?" she asked as he nodded biting his lips "Tell me." she said smiling. Daryl observed her for a moment, before speaking again. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""When American soldiers were moving Indians off their land on the Trail of Tears, the Cherokee mothers were grieving and crying so much, 'cause they were losing their little ones along the way" he started saying as she touched the white petal again "A lot of them just disappeared." at that Sarah looked up to him, that was observing the flower. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""So the elders, they said a prayer, asked for a sign to uplift the mothers' spirits" Daryl said "The next day this rose started to grow right where the mothers' tears fell." /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah couldn't take her eyes away from Daryl. He was really a difficult man to understand, so rough and grumpy, but seeing him being so sweet, was something that she never thought she would have seen. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"When he turned towards her, Sarah noticed him averting his eyes when he saw her staring. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It is beautiful, Daryl" she said with a smile, making him shrug his shoulders. She would have never believed to witness this, but she was glad. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Do ya believe in signs?" he asked suddenly, making her blinking curiously. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Like what?" she asked softly, but it made Daryl shook his head. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Nah, never mind" he said, but she took his forearm in her hands to prevent him from moving away. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Daryl" she said with an encouraging smile. The man looked down at her, biting his lips; his eyes moved from her to the flower. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Maybe..." he begun unsurely and when he stopped, she gripped him a little tighter, to try and be encouraging. Daryl took a breath "What if it's for tha' girl? And her mother?" Sarah couldn't help but smile again. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You want to bring it to Carol" she said looking at him, but he turned his eyes away, almost with shyness. But there was no reason. That was probably the most thoughtful thing someone had done for Carol in all that situation. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I think she would love it" she said without stop smiling as he turned towards her, always biting his lip. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"They had been out for another hour or so when Daryl decided that it was better to be back to the farm before dark. The way seemed way shorter than before. They had seen a walker and as he had promised, he made Sarah kill it. It was mostly thank to Daryl if she managed, since he blocked the walker to let her hit it in the head with the knife. She was just sad that they didn't manage to find Sophia. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"When they arrived at the farm, Sarah noticed Nicolette hitting a tree with her arrows. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""She's still there?" she asked out loud a bit concerned. Daryl followed her gaze, stopping next to her, to see Nicki groan as she missed her target. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""She's getting impatient" Sarah said, notice how her sister's bow arm trembled a bit. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Do ya want her to go out there?" Daryl asked, making Sarah take a breath. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I don't think she would listen to me anyway" she said. She knew her sister, she was stubborn and closed off. If she decided to do something, she would have done it. What kept her there was her still not being able to kill moving targets. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Would you teach her?" Sarah asked turning to Daryl "Like she asked?" the man studied her quietly, before looking towards Nicki. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""If ya'r sure" he said, making Sarah feel relieved. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""If I'm not able to keep her here, I want to be sure she can take care of herself" Sarah said nodding her head towards him, that bit his lips. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Alright" he said softly. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Really?" she asked turning to him. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Mm, mm" Daryl muttered biting his lips "But Imma need ya help" Sarah looked at Daryl in confusion. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""My help?" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I need targets" he explained "Somethin' tha' moves. Ya can do that?" Sarah couldn't help but smile, maybe he remembered her idea about the 'allarm system' she had made back at the camp in Atlanta and her mind started to wonder, looking around to find anything that could be useful. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I can do that" she said nodding her head. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""A'right" he said nodding his head "Wake her up early, I ain't got all day" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah smiled "Thank you" and he nodded his head in silence "Not only for this, but for today. I feel a bit better" Daryl looked down hiding a smirk. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It was nothin'" he said as she smiled. Then she looked at the flower in his hand. She didn't want to keep him from bring the rose to Carol, so she put a hand on his forearm before thanking him again and walking away. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Daryl Dixon was really an interesting man, more sensitive than he liked to let out. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"She was walking towards her tent when she noticed Glenn sitting with his back against a tree and a dreamy expression on his face. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What's with that smile?" she asked as she walked closer. Glenn looked up towards her shielding his eyes from the sun. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I could ask you the same think" he said as she set down next to him. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I went to look for Sophia with Daryl and it went better than I thought actually" she said turning to her friend. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""No fight?" he asked with raised eyebrows. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Absolutely no fights" she said, looking at the grown taking a breath "We didn't find Sophia though" it was the only bad thing about the day. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""We will" he said nudging her knees with his. She really hoped they would. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Then she turned to Glenn. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""But tell me about you" she said "What happened?" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I've been on a run" Glenn brought his fingers on his lips, hiding a grin, making her frown. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You seem far too happy about it" she said suspiciously. Glenn looked around before turning to her and whisper. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I went with Maggie" Sarah remembered the name. Nicki had mentioned her when she went to get Lori. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Isn't she the brunette girl?" Sarah asked making Glenn nod his head, with a strange light in his eyes, almost mischief. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""She is" he said nodding his head. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Have you...?" Sarah said unsurely "Have the two of you...?" Glenn smile widened and nodded his head. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""No way!" Sarah whisper-yelled with a smile, before hit his arm. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Sarah!" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Isn't she the doctor's daughter?" she asked. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Well yes" he answered confused, making her laugh out. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You are so dead, my friend" she said making him frown. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Why?" and that made her laugh again. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Fathers always want to kill whoever goes to bed with their daughters" that made Glenn got pale as he looked around, making sure Hershel wasn't around. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Well, so now I have to have a chat with this girl" she said trying to light up the mood. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What? Why?" Glenn asked with a big frown. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Glenn" she said turning to her "I am your best friend; I have to know her if you are dating" but his silence made her frown a bit. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""We are... not..." he said unsurely. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Not dating?" she asked, as he shook his head "At all?" he shook he head again sadly "Well, then tell it to your face" she said with a smile, nudging his arm making Glenn chuckle. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""But seriously, Glenn" Sarah said "If you like her, you should tell her." he took a breath leaning back. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You make it too easy" he wasn't wrong. But a situation seemed always a lot easier on the outside than from the inside. Even if living in a world like that surely made it clearer that all those many difficult decisions were actually easier. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""We should make them easy" she said leaning her back against the tree, before turning to Glenn with a smile./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;"They have been walking for an hour when Sarah looked behind her back. Trees, all she could see was trees. They had walked straight, then they had turn left on a small path, they have been following a brook with clear water, then they had crossed in and turn right again. Then they had... then they... where had they walked? /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Looking back nothing was familiar but just trees. She took a deep breath as she turned to be sure Daryl was still there and she felt so much relief seeing him walking ahead. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"She wasn't alone, she was not going to get lost. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"But then she felt the need to look back. How was it possible for her to not recognize where they came from? /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Ya 'right?" Daryl's voice made her stop with a gasp. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What?" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What is it?" he asked looking around, making sure not walkers were around. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Walkers. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Right, there were walkers too. What if one came out? What if she was bitten? What of Nicki then? And what if Daryl got bitten, because of her? /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Sarah" he called her stepping closer, observing her as the girl forced herself to take a deep breath, not getting enough oxygen. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It is alright" Sarah said starting pacing back and forth as Daryl kept his gaze fixed on her movements. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Not look like it" Daryl said as she put her hands on her hips trying to take a deep breath. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Just a panic attack" she said gasping once again. He immediately walked closer, but she shook her head "It's alright. It's alright." /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Then Sarah leaned her back against the bunk of a tree. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Give me a minute" she said getting another deep breath, finally starting to feel even just a bit of air entering her lungs "It is already better." /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"In her head she counted to three, before taking another breath. She was feeling so much better, it felt good breathing. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It happens a lot?" Daryl's voice made her look up. He had a small frown on his face, his blue eyes scanning her up and down. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Remember the mall episode?" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""When ya got lost?" Sarah nodded her head with a frustrated chuckle. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It happens when I get lost" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"It had always been like that. The sensation of feeling lost, not knowing anything and anyone. Not being able to figure out the right way to make it back. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Yar not lost" he told her making smile. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"That was true, she wasn't alone. Daryl was there. Nothing would have happened, they would keep searching for Sophia, they would find her and then come back to Nicki and the others. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I'm sorry" she said stepping away from the tree. Daryl lightly shook his head, chewing his lips. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It's alrigh'" he said before gesturing to her to walk ahead. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah adjusted her backpack on her shoulders and started to walk. They were silent as they walked, but she could feel Daryl's eyes on her, making her bit her lips. She had made a fool of herself. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You are probably thinking you've made a mistake" she said chuckling nervously "Bringing me with you. A stupid girl who gets a freaking panic attack just by walking in the woods." /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Yar not stupid" he said from behind her, making Sarah turn with wide eyes. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You always call me stupid" at her words he snorted and walked pass her, walking just few feet ahead of her. She really couldn't understand that man, but she found herself smiling wide as she followed behind. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""How did ya find yar way back?" he asked suddenly as they kept looking around for Sophia "When ya got lost?" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah felt shy thinking about every time she got lost. Since she was a child, in supermarkets and the beach or in a crowded street. She had always like to wonder around, but it had always been so difficult to make it back. Once she went with her family on a camping trip, with other families and she managed to get lost in the woods for four hours, then her father found her. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Someone always found me" she answered thinking about her parents "First my father, then my friends or my boyfriend, well ex-boyfriend actually" he turned slightly towards her, chewing his lip before looking ahead once again. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Ya miss them?" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Immensely" she said taking a breath. She was worried for her parents, wondering how things in San Francisco were going. She had seen what had happened in Atlanta, what if it had been like that? Her grandparents, would they make it? Her friends? They were always so happy, so lively. What was of them? And their families? And she thought about David too. He had been her first boyfriend, her first kiss and date to the prom. He had been very important to her, but since they would have headed for two different colleges, they had decided to break-up. She just hoped that he was alright. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""And you?" she asked, making him frown. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Me what?" Sarah frowned a bit as his harsher tone than before. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Well," she said shrugging her shoulders "You're in the woods a lot. Have you ever got lost?" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I have" he answered looking around, making the girl quicken her pace to walk next to him. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""How did you make it back?" she asked curiously. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""On ma own" he answered simply, making Sarah observe him. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""For how long?" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Nine days" he said turning to her for a moment. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""How old were you?" Daryl shrugged his shoulders at her question. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Younger than Sophia." /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"He had been younger than Sophia and no one had found him? From the look on his face, she could guess that no one had even went to look for him. How did he managed to get back? /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Don't look at me like tha'" he said in a small growl. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Like what?" she asked with a frown. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Like pity" he said, but she stopped him putting her hand on his forearm making him turn to her. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I don't know why you seem to believe that" she said thinking back at their conversation that night in the CDC "But Daryl, I do not pity you." /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Daryl glared at her for a moment. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Whatever" he scoffed before turning to walk again. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"She couldn't understand why he would think that. If anything, pity was the least she felt for him. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It is true though" she said starting to following him "I've been scared of you" he glared at her "Don't look at me like that, you were quite frightening at first" she smiled at the memory. She felt so silly, thinking about that "But then, I've seen how you cared for your brother when he got missing. You've saved my life more than once" she still remembered when the walkers invaded their camp back in Atlanta. How she was scared and surrounded by walkers and then Daryl came, bringing her to safety. And in the CDC, he made sure that she got out. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""And then the way you're helping with this girl" she kept saying "Many are already losing hope, but not you" he observed her chewing the side of his cheek as she spoke "There's nothing to pity you for" she finished before started to walk again. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"They hadn't talked much as they kept walking. They looked around searching for Sophia, but there was no sign of her. Even Daryl didn't seem to have found any trace of the girl. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Luckily, they hadn't met many walkers on their path. At some point there were three of them just few meters away. They didn't spot them so as Daryl shoot his first arrow in one of the three's head, Sarah took a large rock throwing it on a side making the other two walkers following the noise. She saw Daryl observe her for a moment, before shooting another arrow. At this point the last one turned, but it was too far away to harm them. Daryl loaded his crossbow once again, before shoot again. As the corps went limp, Daryl turned towards her. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Good move?" she asked with a small smile. He observed, before nodding chewing his lip. Sarah smiled at him, feeling a bit proud. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Next time" he said with a little smirk "Ya'll try 'n kill one" Sarah chuckled before they started to walk again. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"It wasn't long before they found a wooden house. It was just a house, in the middle of the forest. Sarah wondered who would have lived there, before all of that. There was nothing around. But what once could have been a strange place to live in, it was perfect as a hiding spot. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Could she be here?" she asked looking up towards Daryl, that was observing the house. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Let's find out" he said stepping forward. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"As they arrived at the door, Daryl put a hand on the handle, before turning to Sarah. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Ya stay back" he said "Look 'round an' be ready. If there's a walker, ya hit it in the head" Sarah nodded her head, holding close Daryl's knife. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Daryl opened the door that made an awful cracking sound, that made Sarah's heart bit faster. If a walker was in there, it would have surely heard it and come that way. He stepped inside, looking around carefully. Sarah made his exact same moves, not wanting to mess up, but she cringed every time the wooden floor made a sound. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"They looked in the living room, it was nice and just a little bit ruined. It didn't seem that someone had slept there, nor walker being around. Sarah and Daryl shared a look, before moving to another room. They came across a bathroom, but that was empty too, Sarah decided to take the band aid that were left inside the drawer. She thought for a moment if someone maybe lived there, and she was taking away something from them, but her group needed supplies. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Ya right?" Daryl asked in a whisper, making Sarah nod. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I was just thinking" she whispered back "I never thought that I would have found myself stealing band aids inside a bathroom" then she took a breath "Well, there are many things I had never thought of doing" Sarah found him observing her before she smiled a little exiting the bathroom. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Then they arrived in the kitchen. No one was there. Again. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah walked around the kitchen, as she noticed Daryl walk closer to the garbage can and she frowned noticing him picking up an open tin, someone had eaten it recently. Suddenly a cracking noise behind her made Sarah jump and turn in that direction. Daryl step towards her, that was now looking at the closed door of the food storage. The two of them looked at each other before Daryl raised his crossbow and carefully opened the door. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"There was nothing inside. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Look" he muttered pointing at the ground. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"A thins sheet was laying in the narrow space of the food storage. There was a pillow even, but only a child could have fitted in there. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Do you think it was her?" she asked as she knelt down. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It could" he answered looking around "We should look outside" Sarah nodded her head getting up and following Daryl outside. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Sophia!" he called once they stepped outside. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Sophia!" Sarah called too, but no answer came. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"If she had been there, why would she leave? It seemed a quite safe place. So maybe if she had moved, she probably was around there. Or maybe she was trying to get back to the highway. Sarah took a breath, she just hoped that they would have crossed paths at some point. It was the only way to find her. But they weren't many and that area was big. Then she turned towards Daryl who had been walking few feet away from her. She frowned curiously as she saw him touching a white flower. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""This is so pretty" she said stopping next to Daryl, who looked towards her "What is it?" she asked curiously, observing the flower. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""A Cherokee rose" he muttered, making her repeat the name with a smile. She didn't know he was interested in flowers. Even if probably to be outside in the woods so much he might have had some experience about plants. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I've never seen one" she said caressing one. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""There's a story behind it" he muttered from next to her, making Sarah widening her eyes. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Truly?" she asked as he nodded biting his lips "Tell me." she said smiling. Daryl observed her for a moment, before speaking again. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""When American soldiers were moving Indians off their land on the Trail of Tears, the Cherokee mothers were grieving and crying so much, 'cause they were losing their little ones along the way" he started saying as she touched the white petal again "A lot of them just disappeared." at that Sarah looked up to him, that was observing the flower. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""So the elders, they said a prayer, asked for a sign to uplift the mothers' spirits" Daryl said "The next day this rose started to grow right where the mothers' tears fell." /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah couldn't take her eyes away from Daryl. He was really a difficult man to understand, so rough and grumpy, but seeing him being so sweet, was something that she never thought she would have seen. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"When he turned towards her, Sarah noticed him averting his eyes when he saw her staring. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It is beautiful, Daryl" she said with a smile, making him shrug his shoulders. She would have never believed to witness this, but she was glad. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Do ya believe in signs?" he asked suddenly, making her blinking curiously. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Like what?" she asked softly, but it made Daryl shook his head. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Nah, never mind" he said, but she took his forearm in her hands to prevent him from moving away. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Daryl" she said with an encouraging smile. The man looked down at her, biting his lips; his eyes moved from her to the flower. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Maybe..." he begun unsurely and when he stopped, she gripped him a little tighter, to try and be encouraging. Daryl took a breath "What if it's for tha' girl? And her mother?" Sarah couldn't help but smile again. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You want to bring it to Carol" she said looking at him, but he turned his eyes away, almost with shyness. But there was no reason. That was probably the most thoughtful thing someone had done for Carol in all that situation. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I think she would love it" she said without stop smiling as he turned towards her, always biting his lip. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"They had been out for another hour or so when Daryl decided that it was better to be back to the farm before dark. The way seemed way shorter than before. They had seen a walker and as he had promised, he made Sarah kill it. It was mostly thank to Daryl if she managed, since he blocked the walker to let her hit it in the head with the knife. She was just sad that they didn't manage to find Sophia. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"When they arrived at the farm, Sarah noticed Nicolette hitting a tree with her arrows. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""She's still there?" she asked out loud a bit concerned. Daryl followed her gaze, stopping next to her, to see Nicki groan as she missed her target. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""She's getting impatient" Sarah said, notice how her sister's bow arm trembled a bit. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Do ya want her to go out there?" Daryl asked, making Sarah take a breath. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I don't think she would listen to me anyway" she said. She knew her sister, she was stubborn and closed off. If she decided to do something, she would have done it. What kept her there was her still not being able to kill moving targets. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Would you teach her?" Sarah asked turning to Daryl "Like she asked?" the man studied her quietly, before looking towards Nicki. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""If ya'r sure" he said, making Sarah feel relieved. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""If I'm not able to keep her here, I want to be sure she can take care of herself" Sarah said nodding her head towards him, that bit his lips. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Alright" he said softly. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Really?" she asked turning to him. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Mm, mm" Daryl muttered biting his lips "But Imma need ya help" Sarah looked at Daryl in confusion. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""My help?" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I need targets" he explained "Somethin' tha' moves. Ya can do that?" Sarah couldn't help but smile, maybe he remembered her idea about the 'allarm system' she had made back at the camp in Atlanta and her mind started to wonder, looking around to find anything that could be useful. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I can do that" she said nodding her head. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""A'right" he said nodding his head "Wake her up early, I ain't got all day" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Sarah smiled "Thank you" and he nodded his head in silence "Not only for this, but for today. I feel a bit better" Daryl looked down hiding a smirk. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""It was nothin'" he said as she smiled. Then she looked at the flower in his hand. She didn't want to keep him from bring the rose to Carol, so she put a hand on his forearm before thanking him again and walking away. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Daryl Dixon was really an interesting man, more sensitive than he liked to let out. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"She was walking towards her tent when she noticed Glenn sitting with his back against a tree and a dreamy expression on his face. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What's with that smile?" she asked as she walked closer. Glenn looked up towards her shielding his eyes from the sun. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I could ask you the same think" he said as she set down next to him. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I went to look for Sophia with Daryl and it went better than I thought actually" she said turning to her friend. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""No fight?" he asked with raised eyebrows. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Absolutely no fights" she said, looking at the grown taking a breath "We didn't find Sophia though" it was the only bad thing about the day. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""We will" he said nudging her knees with his. She really hoped they would. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;"Then she turned to Glenn. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""But tell me about you" she said "What happened?" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I've been on a run" Glenn brought his fingers on his lips, hiding a grin, making her frown. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You seem far too happy about it" she said suspiciously. Glenn looked around before turning to her and whisper. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""I went with Maggie" Sarah remembered the name. Nicki had mentioned her when she went to get Lori. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Isn't she the brunette girl?" Sarah asked making Glenn nod his head, with a strange light in his eyes, almost mischief. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""She is" he said nodding his head. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Have you...?" Sarah said unsurely "Have the two of you...?" Glenn smile widened and nodded his head. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""No way!" Sarah whisper-yelled with a smile, before hit his arm. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Sarah!" /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Isn't she the doctor's daughter?" she asked. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Well yes" he answered confused, making her laugh out. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You are so dead, my friend" she said making him frown. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Why?" and that made her laugh again. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Fathers always want to kill whoever goes to bed with their daughters" that made Glenn got pale as he looked around, making sure Hershel wasn't around. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Well, so now I have to have a chat with this girl" she said trying to light up the mood. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""What? Why?" Glenn asked with a big frown. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Glenn" she said turning to her "I am your best friend; I have to know her if you are dating" but his silence made her frown a bit. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""We are... not..." he said unsurely. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""Not dating?" she asked, as he shook his head "At all?" he shook he head again sadly "Well, then tell it to your face" she said with a smile, nudging his arm making Glenn chuckle. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""But seriously, Glenn" Sarah said "If you like her, you should tell her." he took a breath leaning back. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""You make it too easy" he wasn't wrong. But a situation seemed always a lot easier on the outside than from the inside. Even if living in a world like that surely made it clearer that all those many difficult decisions were actually easier. /p
/div
div style="margin: 0px;"
p style="margin: 0px;""We should make them easy" she said leaning her back against the tree, before turning to Glenn with a smile./p
/div