Almost 14,000 reads, 400 votes, and 200 comments!! Y'all are freaking awesome!! I love you all!! It's totally made my day seeing that!! And I just got a kitty!!!!! After many months of convincing my mom she is currently sitting in my lap while I write this! Her name is Peek A Boo!

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"There's no way we're gonna be able to get to the cars with this many," I whispered to the three men. We were currently hiding behind the store sign on the roof trying to figure out what to do. "So we're just gonna sit and wait?" Rick whispered back.

I glared over at him. "You want to be bait then be my guest otherwise shut it," I growled. I snuck away to the other side of the roof to avoid any other arguments. I peered over the side and noticed it was clear. I heard someone come up beside and I looked out of the corner of my eye to see Daryl.

"Ya know what direction they came from, right?" he asked me. I barely nodded. "The housing edition, hopefully everyone was smart enough and stayed inside and didn't try to fight them off. We don't need to lose anyone else," I said. Daryl snorted quietly.

"Less mouths to feed," he said. I smacked him on the chest. "Less people to keep you in line and watch your ass," I said. Daryl glared over at me. "Watch it, girly," he said while pointing a finger at me. I chuckled and stuck my tongue out at him. He rolled his eyes.

"We could cause a distraction then dart for the cars," I said. Daryl nodded slightly. "But how?" he asked. I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. I looked around the roof when something caught my eye. "Well well well, it's my lucky day," I mumbled while walking over.

I picked up the flares and waved them in front of Daryl's face. "Presents!" I said while tossing the flares at him. We walked back over to Rick and Glenn who were still behind the sign. "Look what I found," I said while grabbing the flares from Daryl's hands.

Rick turned around and a slight smile came across his face. "Perfect," he said. I tossed a couple to Glenn. "Alright Glenn and I will jump over a few building and throw the flares further. Hopefully the sound and spark will attract then. Rick and Daryl get the cars ready," I said

I felt Daryl's hand grasp my upper arm and pull me backwards. "I don't know how I feel about this. Let me go," he said. I shook my head. "I can't drive your bike, and I know they can't either. Even if they could you wouldn't let them drive it. We don't have time to argue."

Daryl let out a deep breath before nodding slightly. He bent down and kissed me lightly. "Stay safe," he whispered. "Don't worry; if I get trapped I'll throw Chinaman overboard," I said. I watched Daryl's eyes become a little wide before he smirked.

"I'm rubbing off on you," he said. I rolled my eyes. "Whatever," I slung my crossbow over my back and followed Glenn. Luckily the gaps between the buildings weren't too far apart and it was an easy jump. Glenn and I jumped three building over before stopping.

"Ready?" I asked him. He nodded and we both pulled the flares and sent them flying. We watched as they hit the ground and rolled a little. Walker heads turned left and right as they were suddenly interested in the flares that had fallen on the ground. Boy would they be disappointed when they figured out their new meal wasn't kicking and screaming.

All of them started shuffling towards the flares. "Alright, let's go. Quietly," I whispered to Glenn. He nodded and we quietly started running across the rooftops again. I could feel my ankle burning, so much for staying off of it. I could hear Glenn running behind me.

We quickly went back into the building and as I ran down the stairs I suddenly felt the weight of Glenn on me and we went tumbling down the stairs. I groaned as I felt a bolt from my crossbow pierce me in the shoulder. I quickly stood up ignoring the pain and helped Glenn up.

"How do you always manage to get me into some sort of shit?" I growled as we snuck out. I could feel the blood dripping down my back and I was hoping we wouldn't attract any attention. I saw Daryl and Rick ready to drive off right as soon as we jumped in.

I saw Daryl's jaw set as I shoved Glenn towards Rick's car. "What happened?" Daryl growled. I waved him off as I jumped on the back. "Just get out of here!" I said. I didn't have to tell him twice as he quickly started his motorcycle and sped off towards the houses.

I buried my head in his back as I tried to control my beating my heart. I felt like everything was up in my throat. I knew it was the adrenaline. Daryl slowed a little and I lifted my head to look around, bad idea. I felt dizzy and I laid my head on his back again.

"You okay?" he shouted over the roaring engine. I groaned and tried to speak but I felt like I was going to be sick. Daryl slowed to a stop and slid off his bike turning to me. "Em, what's wrong?" he asked. I slowly peeled the crossbow from my back and I heard Daryl growl.

"Son of a bitch," I watched him stop towards Rick's car. He ripped the door open and pulled out Glenn before slamming him against the car. "I should kill you! You always get her injured. Damn chink," he said slamming him into the car. "I'm gonna stomp your ass."

"Daryl stop," I croaked. My voice was hoarse and I felt weak. "We don't need to fight. We don't have time to fight. Let's just go before we attract unwanted attention," I said while slumping against the bike. Daryl growled and slammed Glenn against the car one more time before coming back over to me and starting the bike again.

"You better hold on," Daryl growled. I tightened my grip around Daryl's waist as he took off. I buried my head in his back again and sighed taking in his woodsy scent trying to distract myself. The bike slowed a little and then finally stopped. I looked up to see that we were back at the houses.

I quickly hopped off the bike. Daryl stopped me. "Go to Rick's. We don't have time to go back to our house. We need to get the bolt out of you and get you patched up," I nodded and we walked into Rick's house. I laid on the couch on my stomach.

"This might hurt," Daryl said. I grunted. "Just do it," I said. I felt Daryl grip the bolt and just like that it was out. "Well you didn't hit anything too bad so at least you're not bleeding that much," Daryl grumbled. I tensed a little as I felt the cool burning alcohol in the open wound.

I sighed as I felt the tape pressed to my skin. "All done," Daryl said. I slowly rose up and shrugged my shoulders a little. Daryl was rolling the bolt in between his fingers. "Thanks," I said while standing up. Daryl nodded a little. "What happened?" Daryl asked.

I sighed as we walked out the door. The group was all standing together. "Glenn tripped on the stairs. I went tumbling with him," the conversation was dropped once we approached the group. Everyone looked concerned and some of the women had tears.

"What's going on?" I asked. Rick had one hand on his hip and the other was running through his hair. "We have a problem," he said. I sighed and placed my hands on my hips. I could feel Daryl's chest pressed against my back. I cocked an eyebrow at Rick waiting for an answer.

"Carol...got bit," Rick said slowly. I felt my breath catch. How did she get bit? "How did she get bit?" Daryl asked reading my thoughts. Rick sighed. "A walker got in through the gate and grabbed her," he said. I let my head drop. I felt bad for her but I truly felt bad for Sophia.

"She uh wants to talk to you," Rick said. I looked up at him. "Both of you," he said. I nodded. "Where is she?" I asked. Rick pointed to the house across from his which I knew was where Carol was staying. I looked around and found Sophia wrapped up in Lori's arms.

Daryl and I walked over hand in hand and opened the door to the house. Carol was sitting in a chair looking weaker than ever with a towel pushed to the bite mark. I felt my breath catch. She was going to be gone soon. I slowly walked over to her with Daryl.

I crouched down in front of her and rested a hand on her knee. "Hi Carol," I whispered softly. Her eyes slowly opened. "Emery and Daryl," she whispered back. I smiled a little but I could feel the sadness in my eyes. I sighed and squeezed her knee a little.

"I heard you needed to talk to us," I said. She barely nodded. "What about?" I asked. Her eyes connected with Daryl before connecting with mine. "I need you to do me a favor," she said. I nodded a little letting her continue. "I need you to take care of Sophia."

I felt my breath catch. I couldn't keep track of Sophia, could I? "Listen, you are the only girl that knows how to survive and you've had a good teacher," she said that last part looking up at Daryl. "She needs to be around someone that isn't afraid. She needs you."

I sighed and broke the stare with her. "You can teach her how to fight and survive. I couldn't do that. I know deep down Daryl won't let anything happen to you or her whether he admits it or not," I felt a smirk ghost across my face. Carol placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Please for me? I don't trust anyone else out there," she whispered. I nodded and reached up to squeeze her hand. Before I could respond I felt Daryl's hand come up and cover mine. I looked up at him but he wasn't even looking at me. He was looking at Carol.

"Don't you worry about your little girl, she's gonna be just fine. We won't let anything happen to her," I smiled and looked back at Carol. She had a content smile on her face. "Thank you. Thank you both," she whispered. We both nodded and stood up.

I followed Daryl out of the house. "Looks like you get to be a mom after all," Daryl whispered. I froze at his words. "I could never replace Carol," I whispered back. Daryl squeezed my hand a little. "I know, but I already know Sophia will look up to you."

I squeezed his hand back. "She will you too," I said. Daryl nodded as we approached the group. I pulled Rick to the side. "Do it quietly and not in the house. We still need to get Sophia's things from there and I don't want her to see anything or hear anything."

Rick nodded slightly and I stepped back. "Come on, Sophia," I said while holding a hand out to her. I watched as the little girl crawled down from Lori's arms and came running over to me. She wrapped her arms around me and buried her face in my side.

I sighed and brushed my fingers through her head. "We're gonna head back to our place if y'all need anything," I said. The group nodded and I turned away with Sophia still attached to my side. I sighed and ran my fingers through her hair again. She pulled back and looked at me.

I smiled down at her as she grabbed my hand. Daryl was walking on the other side of Sophia, looking at the ground, hands swinging at his sides. "Am I going to be safe?" she asked quietly. I stole a quick glance at her before looking in another direction.

"Yes Sophia, we're going to protect you now," I said. I heard her sigh. "Promise?" she asked. I looked back down at her but noticed she wasn't even looking at me. She was now looking at Daryl. I watched as he slowly looked down at her. "Promise?" she asked again.

Daryl looked up at me before quickly looking down at her again. He nodded and I watched as she hesitantly grabbed his hand. I watched Daryl stiffen a little before relaxing. He looked up at me and smiled a little before looking down at Sophia again. "Yeah, I promise."

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