MEGHANS POV

"You're my...you're my what...?" I couldn't breathe . I started seeing spots .

"I...It's...a long story..." He looked at me sympathetically .

"You gave me away! Why would you do that!?" I cried in anger and confusion .

"Your mom...she umm..she died and I couldn't take care of myself , let alone a baby...I only wanted what was best for you Meghan..." He grabbed my shoulder . I shrugged his hand away and I ran .

It was just too much...I can't take all of this...how...who was my mother...I kept running , I felt the tears streaming down my face when

WACK! I ran right into something and hit my head hard . I felt the red liquid running down my forehead . I brought my hand up to it . Eh...not too bad . But what did I hit ?

"Meghan , are you okay ?" Carl walked over to me holding his head .

Ooooohhhhh.....okay....

"Yeah , I'm sorry . I didn't see you there . Are you hurt ?" I asked him .

"No , I'm okay . Don't worry about it . But lets get you to Hershel , he'll get you some ice or something . Why are you crying...?"

"Well...I...Daryl is my father...and my mother is dead...he gave me away..." I looked down and stared at the ground .

"Hey..." He grabbed my chin and tilted my head up so I was looking into his beautiful eyes . "It's okay , At least you guys are together now . That gives you another chance . Out of anyone in the world , you two were brought together . I think there is a reason for that ."

"Thanks Carl . That's sweet of you to say ." I smiled and he wiped away my tears . "What would I do without you ?"

"The real question is , what would I do without YOU ?" He smiled widely . "C'mon , lets get you inside ."

******

"Ouch! That hurts!" I yelled .

"Well I gotta clean it out . If not it could get infected ." Hershel replied while dabbing my forehead with this strong smelling stuff .

"Are you almost done ?" I asked .

"Yeah , so how did this happen anyways ?"

"Well...I wasn't paying attention and I ran into Carl ."

"Child , I swear you are prone to accidents ." He laughed .

I laughed with him "I know , I know ."

Everything seemed to be getting better , but then sunset came .

"Carl , Meghan , wait in the other room . We are having a meeting now ." Rick said calmly .

"We wanna stay , please ?" Carl replied .

"Not for this one . Maybe another time ."

RICKS POV

"Okay , so I vote we keep him alive . Anyone else ?" Dale stood up confidently .

Everyone looked back and forth between each other .

"Dale , we gotta do what's best for everyone in the group . Sorry ." I replied .

"Rick , what about our humanity ? Are you really giving that up ? Well Im not gonna be there to watch ."

I ignored his remark and walked out to the barn . Shane and Daryl followed me .

"Wake up . We have reached our decision ." I looked at the stranger .

"What is it ? Do I get to live ?" Nobody spoke . Well all were awkwardly silent . Then he knew . "Please! Please don't!!!"

I held up my gun and pointed it at the stranger . I hesitated .

"Do it dad!" Carl said from the top of the barn where the hay sits .

Is this really what I want to teach my son ? And the little girl who looks up to me ? I can't teach them this .

"Meghan , come here ." Daryl said .

"Carl , you come too ." I said quietly .

They stepped down and walked to stand in front of us .

"We aren't going to kill him . We're gonna cut him loose ." I said . "And Stop doing things we tell you not to do . We say things for a reason , not to be ignored ."

"I'm sorry dad..." Carl looked at me sadly .

"Rick! You can't be serious!?" Shane yelled .

"Sorry Shane . I have to do it ." I replied .

We turned and walked away . I heard "THANK YOU!!!!" In the background . But we didn't look back . Except Shane . He stayed outside for a long while after we left .

-----***********-------