I clutched the dead woman's ankles, my hands slippery with blood. I dragged her across the wooden floor, her body leaving a trail of blood behind it. She was pretty heavy but I tried my hardest to get rid of her. I dragged her all the way to the graveyard where all the other bodies of the intruders and fallen Alexandrians were. I let go of her, standing up to catch my breath. I wiped my hand across my forehead before wiping them on my pants to get rid of the blood that still lingered on my palms.

I could hear mumbling as I made my way back onto the streets. All the Alexandrians, including our group, were gathered in a clump listening to Rick. Hope filled my heart. Was Daryl among them? I scanned the gathering for him, stepping closer to see better. My eyes ran over Rick but went back to him a second time. He was staring at me with concern. He was probably off-put by the blood on my face. A few Alexandrians turned to look at me. I scanned the crowd once again to hopefully find Daryl. I had no success. A lump began to form in my throat, tears brimming my eyes. Was he killed in the attack? Carol slowly stepped towards me. She was covered in blood, just like me. My eyes desperately traveled back to Rick for answers but he was focused on the ground. I shook my head and turned away from everyone.

"Aften," Rick called out. I ignored him, running back to my house. I stood on the porch in disbelief. "Aften," a low voice whispered. I turned around to see Rick standing on the stairs. He must've chased after me. "Daryl's with Abraham and Sasha. They haven't made it back yet, but they have vehicles. They'll be back soon, I know it," he promised me. I bit my lip, tears welling up in my eyes. I rushed over to Rick and hugged him. Rick wrapped his arms around me, holding me close. "Daryl fights for you, to get back to you, always," he whispered in my ear.

I stayed there in his arms for while for comfort, a stray tear running down my cheek. I pulled away, sniffling. Rick squeezed my hand before slowly stepping back down the stairs. Once he left, I shrunk down in the corner of the porch where Daryl and I used to sit. I pulled my knees up to my chest, putting my head in my hands. I wished Daryl were here. I wanted him next to me and for him to tell me he was okay, our town was safe and I was too. I quickly wiped away a few stray tears.

Why was I crying? Daryl is strong. He can handle himself any day against anyone.

I leaned my head back against the railing, taking a deep breath. I loved Daryl; I loved him with all my heart and soul. I gazed off at the walls where a few ladies were painting the names of our fallen. The list grew by the minute. My eyes flicked to the bannister in front of me. Merle sat on it, surprising me. I sprang to my feet, hugging him tight.

"Holy shit, I thought you left me for good," I whispered, almost knocking him over.

"I wouldn't do that to ya," he smiled as he ran his hand over my head.

"Is Daryl okay," I asked him, grabbing his hand and holding it.

"He's just fine and so are you, I promise," he assured me. "Now stop worryin', Red! He loves you and you love 'im. If I were you I'd be fantasizin', not cryin'."

"God," I groaned, slightly grinning as I gazed down at the ground and blushed. He chuckled before I felt his hand leave my grip. I knew before I looked back up that Merle was already gone. I guess he thought all I needed was that small blip of reassurance that I wasn't being abandoned by anybody. My eyes flickered back upon the wall of names, writing in heavy black letters.

My heart sank. There was no way. He couldn't be dead! How would they know, anyway? He wasn't even here. I haven't heard any conformation of his passing and news here travels fast. I sunk back into Daryl and I's spot, staring at the letters in disbelief. I couldn't take my eyes off of them. There was no way... there was no way.

The cold rush of autumn air blew my hair back as I sat on the steps of the porch. I could feel a presence next to me that came out from the house for some fresh air.

"Mind if I sit here," a voice asked. I craned my neck to identify the speaker. It was Glenn.

"Go ahead," I sighed, scooting aside. Glenn sat down next to me.

"We haven't really talked much since the prison, have we?"

"We really haven't."

"Then let's start over," Glenn stuck his hand out. "I'm Glenn and you are...?"

"Aften," I laughed, shaking his hand.

"A pleasure to meet you."

"And you as well." Our laughter slowly fizzled off into silence. I stared at the houses lining the streets, the people out and about. Glenn began to speak.

"You know, it was brave of you to kill your dad."

"I had to do it," I admitted. "He was gonna hurt everyone. I couldn't let him do that. You people saved my life."

"I-I was abandoned at the prison," he admitted. "I woke up on one of the catwalks, dangling over a swarm of walkers. Everyone was gone except for Tara. We tried to find the whole group but just Maggie, Sasha, and Bob turned up together. We went to Terminus then we found you." Glenn paused before speaking again. "Where did you go?"

"Daryl and I found a cabin. We stayed there for a few days until it got overrun. Carol eventually found us, but we got separated again. Daryl and I found Rick, Michonne, and Carl; they were going to Terminus too like we were. We followed them there and now," I sighed. "Here we are."

"What happened when they took you," Glenn whispered. I tensed. "You don't have to answer if you don't want to..."

"Let's just say it was basically a wrestling match between me and some huge dude." My voice was lowered to what seemed like a grumble. Glenn placed his hand on my knee endearingly.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered.

"It's alright," I smiled.

"Why do you think that," he questioned me honestly.

"They're dead now. They can't hurt me anymore; they can't hurt us anymore."