Dixons Little Shifter (Daddy Daryl Dixon)

Chapter 7: An Emotional Night

After Luna's escape from Daryl, she races through the dense undergrowth, her heart pounding with fear and adrenaline. She knows she needs to put as much distance between herself and the farmhouse as possible to ensure her safety.

As she runs, Luna's mind races with thoughts of Sophia and the rest of the group. She feels a pang of guilt for leaving her friend behind, but she knows she needs to protect herself first. With every step, she pushes herself to go faster, her instincts guiding her deeper into the forest.

Meanwhile, back at the farmhouse, Sophia watches with a mixture of worry and confusion as her mother and the rest of the group tend to Daryl's wounds. She can't shake the feeling of unease that lingers in the air, knowing that Luna is out there somewhere, alone and vulnerable.

She glances at her mother, who is busy apply a bandage to Daryl's injuries, and then at the forest beyond the farmhouse. The older man named Hershal had left the farm earlier, so her Mom had taken to caring for Daryl and Beth in his absense.

The sun was begining to set, its glow turning the fields an orangy colour.

Sophia's heart aches as she thinks about her friend, wondering where she is and if she's safe. It was not fair how she was here safe, with a full tummy while her friend was still in the woods.

"Hey, are you okay?" Carl asks, his voice breaking through her thoughts. She turns to face him, her expression softening.

"I'm just worried is all" she confesses.

Carl looks at her with concern. "I'm sure your friend is okay. She's a wolf, right? She can take care of herself."

Sophia nods, trying to reassure herself, before a thought clicked in her mind.

"Carl..." Sophia says slowly.

"Yeah?" He replies.

"I'm gonna go find her."

Carl looks at her with wide eyes. "What? No way, it's going to get dark soon. "

Sophia shakes her head.

"I can find her."

Carl's eyebrows raise, a look of uncertainty in his eyes. "Are you sure? What if you get lost...again?"

Sophia takes a deep breath, her resolve firm. "I'm going to find her, I know I can. I've been out in those woods with her."

Carl bites his lip, looking out into the woods. "You know I always thought it would be me who found you...I'll go with you, we can search for her together."

Sophia looks at him with appreciation.

It was at this point, that Lori came over to them both.

"Carl, Sweetie. Stay close to Carol"

"You too Sophia" Lori states as an after thought, noticing her standing by Carl.

"Okay Mom," Carl replies.

"Yes, Ma'am" Sophia replies.

Sophia looks to Carl.

"Now is our chance, while everyone is distracted" Sophia tells him, and he nods, his expression determined.

"Wait" Carl says.

Heading towards the RV. A few minutes later Carl comes out with a smile.

He hands Sophia a wind up torch.

"Just in case"

"Do you still have that knife?" Carl asks Sophia. Sophia nods, Carol had tried to take it a few times during the course of the day but each time Sophia refused.