Thanksgiving is tomorrow and honestly I'm looking forward to all of the tips I'll be getting. Today I have off so I'm going to take it as a day to relax and get some laundry done. I bought TV dinners earlier in the week so Liam and Travis are set for the game.

I come into the kitchen to start prepping for tonight's dinner. I'd bought all the ingredients to make for chili. It's the perfect night for it as the clouds are rolling in. Mom's sitting at the table smoking a cigarette, at least she has the decency to keep the window open.

"I need you to go to the store," she tells me.

I grab a can of tomato sauce from the cabinet and put in on the counter. "Why?" I ask not bothering to turn around. I reach for the can of kidney beans as I wait for her response.

"I'm cooking thanksgiving dinner tomorrow night. We are going to eat as a family." Her voice raspy from years of smoking.

I nearly choke on my own spit. I turn around and look at her like she's gone mad. We haven't had thanksgiving dinner together since we moved here.

"Your cooking?" I question.

"Don't sass me, yes I'm cooking. Those boys from downstairs look like they could use a nice family meal."

"Thank god I won't be here," I mumble.

"Oh you'll be here, it's a family dinner."

"Since when do you care about family?" I question setting up the crock pot.

"Excuse me young lady?" Ever since we moved here she's tried putting on this fake southern accent and its really annoying, because her heavy Long Island accent is clear as day.

"I'm working," I tell her.

"No you're not, your boss called said something about cutting hours," she says.

"And you were going to inform me when?" I ask.

"Oh, he called this morning, didn't want to wake you," she says.

"Great. I needed that money too," I say.

"What you need money for?"

"To get out of this shit hole." I start the pan to brown the meat and throw away the packaging. She's watching me closely.

"If you think your taking my son with you, you have another think coming," she says.

"Oh I plan to alright. I mean when was the last time you went to a school function or picked him up from school. Oh and did you know he's being bullied? I picked him up a few weeks ago and he was crying in the main office. The school doesn't take me seriously because I'm not his guardian," I inform her.

I let the meat cook and go to dump the other ingredients into the crock pot.

"Oh he's fine he's a big boy he can handle a few bullies," she says.

I slam the lid onto the crock pot and walk over to this woman who's supposed to be my mom. I lean on the table to get closer to her without getting too close.

"He's not fine mother! Do you know what being bullied can do to a kid? What happened to the mom who stood up for me when I was bullied? Why aren't you there for him the way you were for me? You've turned into a dead beat parent since we moved to Georgia, you don't deserve custody of him and I will do everything I can to take him out of this awful house!"

I'm screaming and can feel my face burning with fire. Without any emotion she puts out her cigarette into the small ash tray on the table and stands. I think she might attack me, but she doesn't. She turns to walk away, but stops just in the doorway.

"The list is on the table make sure you get everything on it."

She doesn't turn around, and walks right out of the room. I pick up her stupid ashtray and slam in on the floor. I seem to have some anger issues lately. Travis catches me again of course. I'm standing in the middle of the kitchen breathing heavily staring down at the broken tray on the floor, ashes scattered everywhere.

"What the fuck Chloe? I know you didn't just drop that this time," he says remember a few weeks ago.

"Are you going to be around?" I question stomping towards the broom in the corner. I make sure to stir the beef before I start for the mess on the floor.

"Yeah, why?" he questions watching me with his arms crossed.

"Liam wanted to nap and I have to run to the store, just wanted to make sure someone will be in the house," I say.

"The boy will be fine. Clean up and go get the food for tomorrow," he says.

I finish cleaning, and setting up the crock pot then I head out for the store. I slam my car door as I get in and race down the driveway almost running over Daryl's stupid bike. The store is overcrowded with people buying things for the holiday. I just hope there's some Turkey's left, thankfully it's a small town so maybe I'll be in luck.

I get finished with shopping just as the sun is setting, it's starting to get a bit chilly out and I forgot my sweatshirt. I throw my reusable bags into the car and head back home. I was able to get one of the last three Turkey's in stock, the shelves were almost bare. I pull up in the driveway and in the distance at the side of the house I see Merle and some guy getting into an altercation.

I grab the four bags and make a beeline for the front door. Thankfully they don't notice me. I get inside and set everything down. I can hear Merle yelling in that obnoxious voice of his. I grab the Turkey and make space for it in the fridge, when I hear a gunshot go off. What the fuck? Why are they bringing their dirty work here? Shit Liam.

I run for his bedroom to check if he's there, and he's not. Not even in his closet where he normally hides. I don't think I need to panic yet because sometimes he hides in my room. I push open my door and can just barely hear Travis yelling tell someone to get off his property. I know he won't call the cops though afraid he'll get caught. I don't think anyone is hurt or dead, at least I hope not. My main focus right now is to find Liam. He's not in my room either, shit. I go knock on my mom's door and when she doesn't answer I open it. She's laying on the bed passed out snoring, she didn't even hear the gun shot she's so wasted. Guess I'm making dinner tomorrow. I rush into the living room and still don't see him.

Now I'm getting worried. I rush outside not caring that someone out here has a gun. I hear the sound of a truck rumbling and guys yelling. I ignore it and go around the other side of the house. I check the back porch and the shed where he likes to hang out. He's not anywhere. My heart is thumping hard as I reach the side where everyone is. It's only now Merle, Travis, Daryl and two other guys, who I think were at the restaurant that day. They don't seem phased by anything that just happened.

"Travis!" I yell out.

He turns when he hears my voice and I run up to him.

"Have you seen Liam?" I question.

"He was in the kitchen last I saw," he says.

"What the hell was with the gunshot?"

"They followed Merle here, no one got hurt I fired a warning shot," he says.

"Okay whatever, just can you help me find him?" I ask.

"Kids will be kids, probably just out playing somewhere," Merle interrupts.

"Don't even start with me Merle," I warn. Travis steps in between the two of us, his eyes pleading for me to stop. I think he knows that I don't get along with his new friends.

"Did you look in his room?" Travis asks. I give him a look that says, are you kidding me? I'm losing my patients.

"Of course I did, I checked every room in the house!"

"I'll look in the basement," Daryl offers.

He's got some kind of crossbow over his shoulder. I'm beyond confused but have no time to question it. I nod and then turn my attention back to Travis.

"I'm sure he's fine," Travis says.

"If he's not I swear to god I will call the cops on all this shit," I warn.

"Don't threaten me." Travis is angry with me, but I don't care he lost my brother, he's responsible to find him. If he doesn't I'll call the cops, I won't hesitate.

"He's not down there," I hear Daryl say as he jogs over.

"Shit," I say tugging at my hair.

It's starting to get dark and I'm getting even more worried. It's not warm out either a cool fall breeze has taken over. I shiver and rub my bare arms.

"I'll go track him down," Daryl offers.

"I'm going with you," I say.

"Do you know how to track?" he questions.

"No, but I know those woods I could..."

"I track alone, don't need anyone holding me up," he says.

He starts heading for the trees and I follow. He turns when he hears the leaves crunching behind him.

"You should stay in case he comes back. Go ask the neighbors if they've seen him," he tells me.

"I can't just..."

"Stay," he growls.

I throw my hands up in the air and let him do his "tracking" or whatever. Seriously how does he expect me to just sit here?

"Merle you think you could be somewhat useful?" I question.

Merle looks at Travis and then back at me, I can tell he's holding back saying his usual bullshit. He's afraid to mouth off to me in front of Travis, because he knows he'll fire his ass and kick him out.

"What?" he grumbles.

"Can you scout the neighborhood while I knock on doors?" I ask.

"Whatever sugar lips you owe me," he says.

Travis eyes him but doesn't say anything.

"I'll do another sweep of the yard and house, see if your mother..."

"She's passed out cold," I tell him.

He doesn't say anything, but heads towards the house. I highly doubt Merle or Travis are really going to do any looking. For the first time since I've met him I need to trust Daryl. He's the only one that offered to run off into a wooded area at twilight to search. I run up the street to the few neighbors we have and start knocking at doors. No one has seen him, and by the time I get back to the house it's pitch black. I run back inside for a flashlight. Luckily I have some in the kitchen on the window sill.

I don't see Merle or Travis so I make my way back outside. It's only been about a half an hour, but it feels like forever. If he doesn't come back in the next hour I'm going in after them. I do another sweep of the yard to see if he maybe had come back. I check the shed again, and the porch in the back I even look under the porch. I am so close to calling the police it's not even funny.

I search the outside edge of the wooded area, I don't go far in just check close by in case he didn't go far. I come back out and Travis is calling his name. What a dumbass it's not like he can hear him.

"Any luck?" he asks.

I shake my head. I want to cry, but I need to keep my composure. My stomach hurts from hunger and anxiety and I feel like I might be sick.

"I'm sure Daryl will find him, He's really good at finding people," he tells me.

I look at him and shake my head. I'm not sure what else there is for me to do, but to sit and wait. I sit down on the grass and pull my knees up to my chest.

"The chili should be ready if you want to eat it," I say into my knees. "Just put it on the warm setting," I tell him.

He doesn't hesitate to go, and I know where his priorities are. I shine a flashlight in the distance hoping to see something. The only thing I see is Merle walking back from down the block. He walks over to me and sits down close too close.

"No luck," he tells me.

"Thanks," I say.

Merle scoffs and starts to stand. I know he's done looking, I'm thankful he did it, but he's still an asshole.

"Dinners in the kitchen," I say laying my chin on my knee.

"Do I get a payment for helping you today?" he kneels down behind me whispering in my ear.

"Are you fucking kidding me right now?" I question.

"C'mon I could really use some..." he goes to touch my face, but I stand and push him over in the process. I look down at him and cross my arms.

"Don't you dare fucking touch me you prick!" I yell.

"You better watch yourself girl, like I said if I wasn't working for your daddy I would have ..."

I hear the sound of trees moving, and Merle stops talking. I shine the flashlight out where I heard the sound. I hear Merle standing up behind me, but honestly I don't care.

"Daryl?" I call out.

The bushes move again and I shine the light in another direction.

"Probably just an animal," Merle says.

He stands next to me, but doesn't come close. I shine the light again and nothing, sitting back down I feel defeated, but I will not cry in front of Merle. If they aren't back soon the cops need to be called this is crazy. It's not that I don't trust Daryl's "mad" tracking skills, but this is my brother he could be anywhere. Merle huffs and turns on the flashlight he's holding. He walks back towards the front of the house, when I hear the sound of crunching leaves.

I stand and rush for the opening in front of me. Just before I reach it Daryl comes walking out with Liam in his arms. Liam's holding the flashlight to guide them. Thankfully he's wearing a light jacket and doesn't appear to be hurt. I dart for Daryl and when I get close he sets Liam down. I barrel into Liam taking him into my arms.

I pull back and start signing like a mad woman. I ask him where he was and he said he ran off because he got scared. He says he was playing outside when the guys with guns and knives came rushing into the yard. He saw them with the gun and he ran into the woods. I tell him that he can't do that anymore, that if he's scared he can hide in my room.

I almost forget Daryl is standing there, I look up at him and mouth, "thank you" to him.

"Is he hurt?" I ask him.

Daryl shakes his head, "Nah, he was hunting down a squirrel when I saw him," he says.

I look from Daryl to him and ask him what he was doing with the squirrel. He signs that he was trying to track him like Daryl showed him if he ever got lost in the woods. I shake my head and pull him back in for a hug. I sign to him that chili is ready and he should go inside and wash up to have some dinner. He doesn't hesitate he's happy about the chili.

I stand up and wipe off my clothes. Daryl doesn't say anything, and he's about to walk away. I don't look at him, but I grab onto his wrist as he passes by. I stare down at my doc martins.

"Thank you," I whisper.

His hand slides down out of my grasp as he takes my hand in his. He squeezes my hand twice and I shiver. My hand grows warm as we stand there for a few seconds both not looking at each other just holding hands. I swallow hard trying to stay calm because all I want to do is cry, because that hour and a half was probably the worst in my whole life.

Daryl pulls away and starts walking away and the warmth I felt vanishes, and I hate that I crave his touch. I shake my thoughts and turn to start walking back inside. Daryl heads downstairs and I head into the kitchen to make sure Liam's okay.

Liam sits at the table eating dinner with Travis and Merle, who's standing up leaning against the counter. I go to get myself some chili as Daryl walks into the room. I remove the cover of the crock pot and grab two bowls handing one to him. He nods his head and silently we both fill our bowls.

I sit down next to Liam and Daryl sits across from me. Liam taps me on the shoulder. He tells me about how Daryl found him. I'm watching him and attempting to pay attention, but my mind is somewhere else. I feel like a zombie, if I had lost Liam I wouldn't have anything left. I can sense Daryl staring, but I don't look his way. I barely finish my bowl when I stop Liam from his story. I apologize and tell him I'm really tired. I ask if he will be okay getting himself ready for bed, and he tells me yes.

I can feel all eyes on me as I leave the kitchen. When I get to my room I change out of my grass stained clothes and put on some pajamas. I put on my favorite flannel pajama shorts and a black tank top and crawl into bed. I set the alarm early because I know I'll be the one that has to cook that turkey. I pull the comforter up to my chin and lay there staring out the window. I wait for sleep to consume me, but it doesn't.

It's been hours since I've come to bed and I still can't sleep. It's almost midnight, this sucks. I start to roll when I hear tapping at my window. I ignore it and start to roll again as the tapping continues. I throw the blankets off of me and slowly creep to the window. I'm a little nervous thinking what if those guys come back? They probably would to shoot up the house. I take a deep breath and open the curtains.