Here it is! The awaited (hopefully) Sequel.

My time away didn't go as planned, so I didn't do as much on it as I hoped. It's going to be posted as I go, rather than finished first and then posted, like I did for the first one.

I hope you all enjoy it.

Feedback is welcomed. :)


Chapter One

DAY 1

3rd PPOV

Rick returns to where he left the two girls. It's empty. An icy feeling slithers down his spine, and for a brief moment his heart stops. There's a prone form on the other side. His breathing becomes short and raspy; the grip on his gun tightening. He creeps around the tree. It's a dead walker. His eyes close in relief and his hands tremble. Swallowing the bile, with his heart pounding, fear for the girl's safety plagues him.

Staring at the corpse,mind racing with thoughts of Lauren's injury, his teeth clench and shoulders push back. He turns back for the others, set on grabbing the Hunter to track them.

Carol is the first to see him. She stands with her arms crossed, holding herself, and stares out with red, swollen and glassy eyes. "Where is she?"

The CDC survivors gather at the front of the RV, all in varying degrees of worry. The young female Daryl, known as D, stands with one-arm holds the other at the elbow as she bites her nail.

Rick sighs and takes his hat off, running a hand through his hair. "They were gone when I got back."

"What do you mean gone?" Carol sobs, looking around frantically. "You just left my baby girl out there?"

D frowns at the older woman, pulling her thumb from her mouth and tucking it under her elbow. It's understandable that Carol's upset, her only child is lost. But to ignore the woman astray with her? "She's not alone." Her voice is strained. "Lauren wouldn't let anything happen to that girl!" Her façade cracks. "My best friend is gone! Stop acting like Sophia's the only one out there!" Tears well and she glares at the older woman, "You know damn well Lauren will give up her life for her!"

D spins on her heels and storms into the RV, failing to stem the tears. She stumbles to the back of the vehicle and sinks into the bed. Her body shakes with sobs and for the first time she's able to let go and cry. Amy's there instantly, Andrea by her side, and though the older sibling feels awkward, she offers comfort. Sophia was just a child and Lauren; she saved Amy's life. The siblings owed the red head a debt.

Lori comforts Carol; hugging the distraught mother to her side. "D's right, Lauren won't let a thing happen to your little girl."

"I don't want either of them hurt." Carol cries.

Rick watches the scene before steeling himself and looking for the Hunter. "Daryl?"

"Yeah?" Said man turns from scanning the trees.

"I need your help."

The two return to the site where the girls were last seen. With his expertise the Hunter is able to follow the tracks. They start by the corpse, where the tracks are easy to read, and then stop by a tree some yards away. Daryl kneels by the trunk, tracing over the scuffmarks and dirt.

"Somethin' happen'd." The Hunter mutters.

"Can you tell what?" Rick asks quietly, griping his gun tightly.

"Looks like someone was knocked ta the ground." He points to another patch of tracks. "Ma guess is that it was Red. She rolled ta her good foot."

"Let's keep going." Rick commands, keeping his eyes on the trail and hope in his heart that the two are safe.

The two men continue on and come across a walker. It's easy enough to dispose of. Its mouth is smeared with fresh blood. The two share a look. Daryl gets his knife out and cuts into its stomach.

It's not hard for him to hide his emotions, his family was never affectionate, and he never learned that it was okay to show how he felt. But he feels. And he doesn't want to find out that one of the few people that ever treated him like a friend is bitten. Even the thought of a little girl falling to that fate grips his heart.

Much to their relief the contents of the walkers' stomach are only forest critters, not human. The two make good progress but dark starts settling in. Though the tracks are still on the easy side to read, it would be too dangerous for them to continue. There's no choice but to head back and wait for daylight.

The next day arrives with blue skies and stifling heat. The group is out searching, bar Dale, Glenn and T-Dog. Daryl takes lead, hiding the knowledge that Lauren's ankle is getting worse and worse. He pauses to crouch, needing a better look at a covered track; everyone else stops behind him. D slips away from the siblings to stand beside the Hunter. She's still miffed at his avoidance, but buries her feelings, for now, her anxiety far outweighs her frustration.

"She couldn't have gotten far, not on her ankle." D whispers as Rick approaches.

"Red and the kid are going slow, but they're going." Daryl frowns, as he looks closer. "They were followed too." He admits, reluctantly.

"She doesn't have a weapon." D mutters to herself.

She wrings the hem of her shirt, it was once tight and form fitting, but now it hangs off in some places. D always worried about her weight, now it was the last thing on her mind; it helps that the work and the little food she eats is dropping the weight.

"What's through there?" Amy asks as she tries to peer through the dense foliage.

Rick and Shane turn to where Amy is pointing as Daryl stands, shifting so he's in a better position to pull D behind him if needs be. Andrea has a firm grip on her sister and Lori's got an arm around a distraught Carol. Rick takes lead, with Shane at his back and pokes his gun through the bushes. When nothing jumps out he steps through the shrubbery. In front of him is a tent. With the angle of the sun, a shadow of someone can just be made out.

"Rick?" Shane calls out, impatience coating his words.

"It's alright." Rick replies back to his 'Deputy'.

Shane leads the rest through the bushes and for a moment no one says anything. There thoughts are similar, 'Are they actually dead, or not?' But there's no groaning, or shuffling or movement of any kind. They find it safe to call them dead. Daryl says nothing as he pushes past them all and cautiously slips in. He comes out seconds later with a shake of his head and a pistol. There's a moment of silence for whoever it was, then they step back through the bushes.

"Oh my baby." Carol cries softly.

"It's going to be fine," Lori rubs her shoulders, "we're going to find them."

"They can't be too far away." Andrea adds, trying to support the older woman. "Lauren's ankle has to be agony to walk on to get them very far."

D's reaction is instantaneous. She freezes and sends the woman a lethal glare, clenching her fists. It's not uncommon knowledge that Lauren's injury is bad, but to have it voiced when she's lost in a walker infested forest, with no weapons and a life to protect, is cruel and unwarranted.

She's ready to retort, to slay with her words, but Daryl takes her wrist and pulls her away. "Red'll be fine, she's a stubborn fool."

Her anger at Andrea dissipates, his confidence and warm, calloused hand easing her worries. To her delight, he doesn't remove his hand. He continues walking, the pace slow so not to miss a thing, and D can't help but think that he hasn't realised it. They come upon a large and relatively easy to climb tree. D gasps, Carol cries out and the air grows tense. There are two dead walkers and a shoe.

"That's Loz's shoe." D chokes out.

There's an awkward moment where they stand about, looking at the shoe, each contemplating their own worries and fears. In the distance, church bells ring. With hope swelling in their hearts they follow it. When they arrive in the tiny, little town, the only church there doesn't even have a steeple.

Inside is riddled with walkers, which is left to Shane, Rick and Daryl to dispatch. It's quick and easy. Smashing them the heads with blunt objects, even Daryl forgoes his crossbow, to save on arrows. D sits in the front pew, vaguely aware when Rick, Shane and a few others head outside.

Amy slips into the seat next to D, staring thoughtfully at her but not saying a word for a moment or two. She turns from the brunette to the figurine of Jesus Christ, and clears her throat. "Sorry, about Lauren."

D nods, her head bent, and sniffs.

"If you need to talk, I'm here." Amy continues softly.

D nods.

"She should've stayed where she was, waited for Rick. Probably got herself and Sophia killed."

"She left to save their lives!" D bursts out.

"Right." Amy nods and then slips away.

D clasps her hands together, squeezing them, her thumb rubbing her palm. Her head drops and shoulders slump. Thoughts of what could be happening to her sister-friend, and the poor little girl.

"Ya know Red and the kid will be fine." Daryl comments as he stands by her side. "She's got a good head on her shoulders, and she ain't gonna make any mistakes."

She nods, swallows back a sob. "What if…"

"No point in talkin' like that, there's no what if's, she's gonna be fine." He states firmly, but then hesitates, his hand slowly coming to rest on her shoulder.

D lifts her hand and places it on his as Shane, and Rick come through the door, leaving it open. A faint scream is heard. The air itself seems to freeze, before urgency takes it's place and the survivors rush outside.

"That was Loz!" D mutters anxiously.

"We donnoe that." Daryl mumbles, his hand back on her shoulder.

"Here's what we're going to do." Rick starts, gathering everyone around. "Shane and I are going to have a look around. See if we can find where the scream came from. Daryl, you take everyone else back to the highway."

"No, dad, let me come." Carl demands breaking free of his mother.

"Carl, No!" Lori calls, fear evident in her voice.

"I want to help find them!"

"I'll look after him Lori." Rick concedes.

Lori nods, not uttering a word, staring until Carol pulls her away. Daryl leads them back, with everyone on high alert. D's mind races. What if it was Lauren, what if she was bitten, devoured? What if she was never coming back?

They're almost back to the highway when a lone gunshot is heard. Lori pauses and looks back. She isn't the only one concerned though but Daryl keeps them on track, telling them to quiet down. Andrea and Amy don't listen, the two chattering nervously, and for that, a walker stumbles out of the bush, lunging for Andrea.

A young woman on a white horse appears. The horse knocks the walker back, a hoof slamming into its chest. The woman on the horse has a slight build, short brown hair, and feminine features.

"Which one of you is Lori?"

"I am." Lori steps forward.

"Wait a fuckin' minute." Daryl pushes Lori back, "who the hell are you?"

"I'm Maggie, Rick sent me for Lori. Carl's been shot. We need to go."

There's a collective gasp and without thought Lori's on the back of the horse. Maggie rattles off directions to her family's farm and then rides away. Daryl shouts after them, furious. They don't know who she is, or if she's telling the truth. He glares after them, cursing Lori for just trusting a stranger.

"She's just going?" Amy asks Andrea, grabbing hold of her arm.

"Carl's been shot, oh god." Carol weeps.

D comforts Carol now that Lori's gone. "Everything's going to be fine."

"How can you say that?" Carol gasps, staring in disbelief.

She searches the older woman's eyes, hoping to find a fighting spirit. "Because I believe it."

When they emerge from the forest Dale's on top of the RV, Glenn is with T-Dog on the steps of the RV. The black man is washed out and pale, leaning his head against the vehicle.

Dale descends. "T-Dog isn't doing too well. If he doesn't get help he's not going to make it."

"I got somethin' that could help." Daryl mutters and goes for his truck. He emerges with a bag. "This here is Merle's stash he was takin' for the Clap. It might help."

The two go through the bag and take a few bottles out, checking the label before giving him two. Unfortunately there isn't much for the rest to do, other than mill about.

Amy slips away from Andrea's side to sidle up next to D, leaning against an abandoned car. "This is bad. T-Dog's getting sicker, Carl's been shot and the other two are lost."

"You could be a bit more optimistic." D mutters. "Glenn will take T-Dog to the farm, we'll find Lauren and Sophia, and Carl will get treated."

"D, you should probably prepare yourself for the inevitable. Lauren isn't going to come back."

D glares at the blonde and pushes away from the car. "Stop it!" The others stop to stare at the usually soft-spoken girl. "They're coming back, they're not gone so stop talking like that. Lauren is my best friend and won't leave me, not like this." D points an accusing finger at Amy. "Just because you couldn't survive on your own doesn't mean she can't. She saved your life Amy, you can't forget that. You'd be one of them if not for her."

With red in her vision and anger coursing through her veins she stalks off. She doesn't see where she's going, only knows she has to get away. The group is divided as it is, her words would only do more damage. She only stops when a hand closes around her arm, the grip tight, but not painful.

"Hold it, Lea." Daryl grunts as his grip tightens a little.

D turns at the name, a smiling slightly despite her anger. He never calls her that in public, not even when Lauren's around. That's what makes it so special. It's an acknowledgement of the time they spend together, that he listens. Especially since it's after her favourite brand of Chocolates back in New Zealand.

"She's not gone." Her voice hitches.

"Course she ain't."

"Then why does she keep saying it? Why is she so desperate for her to die!"

"She wants a friend she can solely call hers. She ain't exactly used ta this."

"Neither are we."

"But you got a friend and a sister," he steps closer, "she's got her sister, and she aint used to the same people all the time."

"How do you know?" D steps closer, the two just a breath away from the other.

"I know her type. Gotta have different people around, gotta be centre of attention."

"I want her back."

He nods, a hand coming up to cup her cheek, "I know."

"Daryl! D?" Dale's voice calls from the edge of the forest. "Everything alright in there?"

The two Daryl's pull back, D's face turning red, and the Hunter lets go of her, clearing his throat and rubbing the back of his neck. "We should go back." He mutters before walking off.

D traipse after, a small smile on her face and a slight bounce to her step. Her worry eases as her thoughts linger on the Hunter. When Lauren comes back, they'll have lots to catch up on. Until then, she'll keep her distance from Amy and help Daryl search.

Evening descends and Dale's once again lookout. Glenn left hours before, with T-Dog, for the farm as soon as the drugs kicked in. Amy curls up on the bed in the RV, falling asleep the moment her head hit the pillow, Carol follows, but she lays awake, her thoughts on her baby girl and Andrea sits outside, reloading the pistol magazine of her gun. This of course keeps both Daryl's up, the Hunter sharing the back of his truck with the brunette. Not that D could sleep much if she could. Despite her optimistic attitude that afternoon, her thoughts turn to more 'what if's'. Daryl on the other hand gets irritated with the sound; he grabs his crossbow, and a small torch.

"Where are you going?" D asks.

"Gonna go look for'em."

"Can I come?"

He pauses, eyeing her carefully but nods. He picks up her crowbar and passes it to her. "Just keep close."

The two get themselves ready and go to tell Dale that they're heading off. Andrea catches wind of it, and tags along. It's quiet at first, the two girls following after Daryl, he's crouched to the ground, torch focused on the dirt, hoping to catch sight of something useful.

"Do you really think we're going to find them? We heard one of them scream." Andrea asks, hope obviously wavering.

"I don't see why we won't." Daryl grunts as he stands back up, and walks, his eyes still trained on the ground. "After another drunkin' night, I hightailed it outta my place before my dad knew I was there. Merle was doin' another stint in Juvie. Got lost out in the pitch black. Couldn't find my way back. Took a couple days. I survived." Daryl halts and turns to the two girls. "The kid's luckier, she's got someone with her and people who love her who're lookin' for them."

"And Lauren knows what she's doing. She kept us alive, she's not going to do anything stupid." D added.

The more she thinks about it, the more confident she feels. Her redheaded friend could be a paranoid worrywart, the best kind of person to be in a time like this. Andrea glances at D not convinced, but she says nothing.

They come across a hanging walker; whoever it was had obviously attempted suicide. Now he's a walker piñata, with legs missing from the knees down. He didn't die straight away and was at a height that passing walkers could grab him. Struggling and moaning, it knows that there's food around.

"Why don't they do it fuckin' right?" Daryl grumbles, scoffing at the shoddy suicide. "Just leave it."

D stares at the walker, it's glassy, milky eyes staring at them. It's debateable if they can actually see. The world seems to stop for her, and in this moment, she wonders, 'is there any point to continuing?' 'Is this our fate?' It doesn't matter that moments before she was optimistic, even if they lived to old age they were going to turn anyway. They're all infected. What's the difference between now and later? A rough hand on her shoulder pulls her away from such macabre thoughts. Daryl stares at her, like he's looking through to her soul.

"I know she's your friend D, but you shouldn't give up on life just because she's gone." Andrea comments, having seen the look in her eyes.

Life and fire come back to her. Yes, she had a moment of weakness, yes; in the back of her mind is the question 'what's the point?' But at no stage does she want to die. She wants to see where her relationship with Daryl goes, she wants to see her best friend, her sister, she wants to see her happy with Rick. But the fire, oh, the fire burns from anger. The hypocrisy.

"Excuse me?"

"It's not the end of the world if she's dead." Andrea shrugs.

"I'm upset, I'm terrified that she's gone for good, but that doesn't mean I want to die. She'd have my ass if that happened. What would you do though, if it were Amy? Can you honestly say that you wouldn't have stayed at the CDC with Jenner and Jacqui if it wasn't for your sister?"

Andrea freezes and stares at D with a panicked expression. She had thought of it. In fact if it wasn't for the younger girl she'd have stayed and just got over this new way of life. How did she know though?

"So don't you dare tell me that, you and your sister need to keep you mouths shut." D's voice is quiet, as not to attract unwanted attention, but hard with anger. "You're not helping and you're not thinking. It's not all about you two."

Daryl slides his hand from her shoulder to her wrist and tugs her along with a smirk on his face. His girl isn't some wilting flower; she's tough. She might have doubts, but she faces them and comes back strong and fierce. Exactly what a Dixon woman should do. As he turns back round to shoot the walker in the head, his way of killing her demons, he intertwines their hands.

They return to the RV empty handed, but D's spirits have been lifted once again. It also doesn't hurt to chew someone out. Daryl guides her back to the truck, and sets up in the corner, eyes on the darkness to watch for any strays. D snuggles down into her makeshift bed, her eyes heavy, and heart lighter. During the night, D's arm stretches out in her sleep, her hand inches from Daryl. He slowly covers it with his, and settles in to watch the sun rise.

1ST Person POV

The church bells have been going off and on for a while now. I'm guessing it's Sunday. When else do those type of bells go? I'm debating on whether to go or not. It doesn't sound too far away, and if I can remember correctly, that's where D and the others are going to go. But after this morning…

A shrill scream wakes me, and my eyes open just in time to see Sophia plummet from our perch, as three walkers pass by. "Oh shit! Soph!"

It's a split second decision, as they stop and turn to her, throwing myself out of the tree. My land isn't ideal; my hip slams on to the head of one, that's going to leave a massive bruise. My elbow smashes right into the shoulder of another and the pain streaks up my arm, right into my teeth. I clench and gag, the skull exploding under the pressure of my weight and the other is shoved to the ground.

The second walker struggles to its feet, but I snatch a twig and shove it deep into its eye, right to the brain. My go to place to kill. I don't take into account the third, legless walker. It grabs my foot, and bites. Thankfully my shoe protects me from blunt teeth. Carefully slipping off my shoe, making sure not to graze my skin, I roll to my feet, mindful of my twisted ankle. I grab Soph's hand and run.

The bell goes again, and the memories fade, for now.

"Loz? What's that?" Soph's voice is groggy with sleep.

We took safety in another tree and Soph dozed off, curled up in my lap so she wouldn't fall again. She didn't get much sleep the night before. Then again, neither did I. As the adult in this situation all decisions and duties are forced on me.

"Church bells." I mumble back quietly. There's no way to know the right action. If we do head towards it, is something else getting its call? Or will we see our family again?

"There's a church?" She's a little more awake.

"Apparently," I gaze at the direction of the bells, "do you want to have a look?" My gaze turns back to her.

"Is it safe?" Her heads cocked to the side, with pursed lips.

"I don't know. There is a chance that the others have heard it..."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Soph manoeuvres so she's in position to climb down.

"Wait just a second Lil' Miss." I grab her hand to stop her. "Let me go first, it's going to take some time for me to get down."

She frowns, but nods. Taking a deep breath, my descent begins. It's not easy, or fast. My neck still twinges, though it isn't too bothersome anymore, and my hip aches, as does my elbow. My ankle is the worst, throbbing in time with my heartbeat. I really wish my foot could rest. It's getting to the point where I'm not going to be able to use it. I pray that when the time comes, there'll be a safe place for us.

However, one of the only perks of this apocalypse is the weight loss. I'd been a whopping size 20, well not really whopping, but with the media it felt massive. Now I've gone down a couple of sizes, which does make this excursion easier.

Luckily nothing dead meets us at the bottom. Not sure what we could've done. I'd rather not have to run, and climbing takes me so damn long. Our journey is silent, with the bell getting louder. Hope flares; they could be just beyond the dense bushes. There's a flutter in my belly and it takes all my self-restraint not to pick up speed. I've been blindsided by walkers before. But Carol will have her baby girl back, and I can curl up with D, listening to all that we've missed. Hear about her and the Hunter. I hope she's used this time well.

My clasp is tight on Soph's hand, and as we get closer to the bushes I hesitate. There's movement and unnatural sounds. It could be the breeze, it's been nice and cooling in this god-awful heat, but something doesn't seem right. Moaning is faint, but getting closer. The wind changes and we're hit with the smell of rot and decay. I pull Soph back.

We wait, the noises getting louder. It doesn't take a genius to know what's going on, but we're so close. They'll be there, beyond the dead. How can we b so close and be denied. My stupid decision costs us. Three walkers stumble out. No way we can take them on. Not three. I let go of Soph, pushing her to get her running. She takes off. I race after her, but my ankle gives out with an audible and excruciating crunch.

Nausea hits instantaneously, dizziness is close behind and I lie on the ground hyperventilating. All I taste is copper. Tears well up and there's no breath to scream with. It's almost impossible to focus on the oncoming dangerous, but it'll be the end for me if I don't.

Two of the walkers fall on top of me. I get my good foot up in time to thrust it at the head of one. The momentum of its fall and the force of the foot is enough to damage the brain within. It drops. The other is upon me, and I have no time to do anything but hold it back. It's snapping jaw attempting ot get flesh. I have no idea where the third one is!

Where is it?

I see it! Oh God it's coming right at me. I don't want to die!

I shriek. It falls to its knees, mouth open ready to tear me apart. My strength wanes. I close my eyes ready for the inevitable. Two loud, girlish grunts, and the walkers aren't moving. My eyes open and my own guardian angel stands above me. She has tears running down her face and a bloody rock clutched in her hand. She's pale. Shaking.

I sit up and pull her down next to me; we hug and cry. Clutching at each other. I'd love to stay here for the rest of the day, but it's far too dangerous. Soph helps me to my foot, and to the nearest climbable tree. Every move jars the injury and I gasp, clenching my teeth. It takes even longer than before but by dark we're in a comfortable tree.

We haven't eaten at all today, or last night. If not for the pain that's taking focus I'm sure I'd feel it. I can't imagine what Sophia's going through. Maybe her fear is overriding her own hunger. And thirst. All I know is that if we don't find anything to eat or drink tomorrow then we may as well pack it in. We won't survive to see the next night.