AN: I left off meeting Shane, it wasn't my favorite, but I am just going to move forward to better stuff.

Kali's POV:

It's been a week since we got to this camp. The nights are still a living nightmare, literally. I can't seem to catch a break from haunting dreams. But, you know what? Last night, just maybe, I think I actually got some shut-eye. Yeah, it was restless as hell, but at least it was something.

Sharing a tent with Daryl, though... It's starting to get on his nerves, I can tell. My constant tossing and turning, it's like a damn hurricane in there. He's getting grumpier by the day, and I can't blame him. I wish I could just sleep peacefully for once, for both our sakes. On top of that, he never lets me out of his sight around all these strangers. I don't even know if I'm grateful or annoyed about it all.

And then there was Merle, a constant presence in this camp. I was still giving him the silent treatment, maybe it was childish of me, but honestly, I didn't care. We didn't exchange words, and strangely enough, it brought a strange kind of peace. Sure, it created its own tension, a thick cloud of unresolved issues hanging between us, but at least it meant no heated arguments. And that was perfectly fine by me. I hated conflict anyways better to pretend it's not even there right?

The folks in this camp had a way of keeping their distance from my brothers, which meant I was often left alone by extension. I could tell they viewed us as nothing more than a bunch of dumb hicks. I couldn't really blame them, Merle had a knack for rubbing people the wrong way with his racist remarks and abrasive attitude. It was no wonder he was getting on everyone's nerves. It made me cringe, but there was nothing much I could do to rein him in.

But among the sea of unfamiliar faces, a few stood out. The Morales family, for instance, had some adorable kids. I found myself smiling whenever I saw them, their innocence a much-needed respite from the harsh realities of this world.

Then there was T-Dog, a big guy who seemed like a gentle giant. I could sense a kind-heartedness about him, someone you could rely on in tough times. He brought a sense of calm amidst the chaos.

Andrea seemed alright. We didn't interact much. But her sister, Amy, was a ball of energy. She was ecstatic to have someone close to her age around. She was a few years older than me, and her bubbly nature was a bit much for my liking. Still, she seemed nice.

Jackie was another presence in the camp. She was quiet, but she had a kindness about her that was hard to ignore. We didn't exchange many words, but her friendly demeanor made me feel a bit more at ease.

Glenn, now he was someone I appreciated. We played a game of cards together, and he didn't pry into my personal life. That earned him some brownie points in my book. It was refreshing to have a casual interaction without the weight of judgment or nosiness.

Lori, on the other hand, annoyed the hell out of me. She seemed to have a knack for asking personal questions at every opportunity. Well, I had made it clear I wasn't interested in sharing, and I stood firm in not answering her prying inquiries. Her son, Carl, though, was alright. He could talk your ear off, but at least he didn't ask invasive questions. We bonded over comic books and random stuff, finding common ground in the escapism they offered.

And then there were the Peletiers. I tried to avoid Ed as much as possible; he reminded me too much of my dad, and that was a painful reminder I didn't need. My heart went out to Carol and her daughter, Sophie. I couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for them, knowing the struggles they must have endured.

Shane, or sorry Officer Walsh, he was a whole different story. There was something about him that rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe it was his attempt to act all buddy-buddy like he was trying to be my best pal. Or maybe it was the fact that he was a cop. I couldn't shake off the inherent distrust I felt around him. I also actively avoided him.

But what surprised me most was that I wasn't afraid or shy of engaging in conversation when it did happen. I mean, I wasn't actively seeking it out, and it didn't occur often since I spent most of my time with Daryl. Yet, whenever someone did approach me, I realized that I actually enjoyed it, conversing. It was a revelation for me.

You see, I never really had friends, at least not in the traditional sense. Growing up in an abusive environment didn't really get me socializing. But being around these people, even if we weren't exactly friends. Sure, our interactions were limited, and I didn't let my guard down, it was nice.

Fingers snapped in front of my face, jerking me back to reality. It was Daryl, standing right in front of me.

"Earth to Kali," he said, his voice tinged with frustration.

I blinked a couple of times, feeling sheepish. "Sorry, I zoned out," I admitted, realizing that I had drifted off in my thoughts again.

Daryl ran his hands over his face, clearly trying to hide his irritation. I could sense his impatience and understood why. We were out in the woods, and he was trying to teach me self-defense. I had agreed to it, but my mind was having a hard time focusing. I just didn't want to learn. The idea of intentionally hurting someone physically didn't sit well with me.

He let out a deep sigh, as if battling his own thoughts on how to handle the situation. His frustration was palpable, and I found myself just staring up at him, waiting for him to make a decision.

"Don't look at me like that," he barked suddenly, catching me off guard.

"Like what?" I bit back, confused by his reaction. Was he angry with me now?

He sighed again, the tension in his voice subsiding slightly. "Nevermind, okay? You have to focus, Kali."

"I'm trying, I really am," I whined, feeling the weight of my own distractions.

"Try harder," he urged, his voice firm. "Now, what did I just explain?"

I hesitated, unsure of the answer. "Um...something about getting out of different holds?" I replied tentatively, my uncertainty evident.

"Mhm, and what else?" he pressed, his patience wearing thin.

My mind drew a blank, and I found myself shrugging helplessly. I hadn't been paying close attention, and now I was feeling the consequences of my lack of focus.

A deep groan escaped him this time, and a pang of guilt shot through me. I hadn't meant to frustrate him, but it seemed like my lack of focus was wearing on his patience.

"Y'know what," he said with a hint of exasperation, "let's try a new approach. I'm going to grab you, and you're gonna give it your all to break free from my hold."

His words hung in the air, and I nodded, understanding his intent. It was a different strategy, a more hands-on approach that required my active participation. I was determined to give it my best shot, to push past my hesitations, and to prove to both him and myself that I could learn.

Before I could react, he swiftly moved behind me and locked me in a headlock. Instinctively, I protested, my voice filled with both surprise and discomfort.

"Dude!"

Ignoring my protest, he challenged me, his voice firm. "What's your next move, Kali?"

My mind raced, searching for an answer. I didn't have a clue. All I knew was that I needed to escape his grasp. I started to wiggle and squirm, trying desperately to find any opening, any leverage to break free. But he held me firmly, his grip unyielding. The more I struggled, the tighter his hold became. It wasn't enough to hurt me, I knew he wouldn't intentionally harm me, but the sense of panic started to well up within me.

I struggled to contain the rising panic, but the tight grip around my head triggered memories of my father, sending me spiraling into a wave of fear and lightheadedness. It was overwhelming. I couldn't do this. I didn't want to do this.

"Let go of me!" I screeched, my voice filled with desperation, and he released his hold immediately. Gasping for air, I took a step back, needing the space to regain my composure. My breath came in ragged pants, and I placed my trembling hands on my knees, seeking stability in the midst of my shaking.

"Hey, yer alright, Kali," Daryl's voice reached my ears, but I couldn't bring myself to meet his gaze. I kept my eyes fixed on the ground, feeling a mix of shame and vulnerability. He extended his hands towards me, a gesture of guilt and remorse. I acknowledged his presence with a slight nod, my way of letting him know that I heard him.

Taking a deep breath, I slowly regained my composure and stood up straight, looking up at Daryl again. His face showed a hint of concern, his emotions masked by a stoic expression. He didn't need to ask what had happened; the guilt in his eyes earlier had already conveyed his understanding.

"You good?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine care.

"Yeah," I nodded. I wanted to reach out for a hug, for comfort but it felt wrong, Dixon's are stronger than this I needed to be stronger than this.

He eyed me for a moment, looking for a hint of a lie as he bit his inner lip. After a brief pause, he nodded his head decisively. "We're done for today," he stated, and a wave of relief washed over me. The intensity of the today had taken its toll, and I welcomed the break.

As we began to gather our weapons, Daryl's voice drew my attention once more. "But we'll do it again tomorrow."

I groaned audibly, unable to hide my dismay at the thought of going through another round of intense training. The exhaustion in my voice was evident.

"Hey," he called out, his tone firm yet caring, "I need to know that you can handle this, that you know how to defend yourself without panicking." His words hung in the air, his unspoken concern palpable.

I met his warning glare, understanding the unspoken message. I knew better than to protest. In his own way, Daryl was looking out for me, pushing me to develop the necessary skills. Well, skills he thought were necessary.

"Yeah, fine. Got it."