Our Extinction Event {Daryl Dixon}

Stranger

It felt like they were walking for a long time, but Parker didn't want to stop. She wanted to keep going until they found a safe place to stay. A place where Judith could be safe and Parker could spend the rest of her pregnancy without the fear of starvation or being eaten by walkers. She knew it was probably just a pipe dream because, after everything they had endured, it seemed like the world was constantly against them. 

Still, she clung to the hope that they would find somewhere. Somewhere safe. As she walked with Judith in her arms, keeping pace with Daryl, she realized how drastically this group had changed. They no longer had Herhsel or Beth, but they had formed unlikely friendships with these new people, and Parker knew she could trust them. In the same way she trusted Rick. 

They had set up camp for the night and Parker sat next to Daryl in front of the campfire. Daryl kept an eye on everyone as the group settled in for the night. Constantly ensuring Judith was alright, wrapped up in a blanket they had found. A rustling in the trees made both of them tense up, their eyes scanning the brush around them. Daryl quickly got to his feet, positioned directly between Parker, Carl, and Judith and whatever had caused the disturbance beyond the darkness. Parker pushed herself to her feet, her hand hovering above her gun.

"Do you see anything?" She whispered, her eyes darting around as she scanned the darkness, it was nearly dead silent.

"No," Daryl mumbled, "It's nothin'."

"Don't say that," Parker muttered, glancing at him through the corner of her eye as she slowly did a one-eighty. "I know you. You felt something."

"Someone could be watchin' us." Daryl finally told her. "I'm gonna see if I can find anything in the morning." Parker nodded slightly, letting her hand fall to her side.

"Don't let it bother you too much." She sat back down, laying Judith in her lap.

"You're going to be a good mom," Carl whispered from where he was lying, his arm being used as a pillow.

"I hope so." Parker smiled, shrugging off her mangled flannel and giving it to him to use as a pillow instead of his arm.

"You've been a good mother to me and Judith." Carl pointed out as he moved his stuff closer. "Even though you're our aunt. You never abandoned us."

"I could never abandon you," Parker told him, pulling him into a one-armed hug. "You're my favorite nephew."

"I'm also your only nephew," Carl hugged her.

"Yes, but we don't need to mention that part. Minor details." Parker smiled as Judith shifted in her lap, her face twisting in a way that made Parker's nerves skyrocket. She rocked her carefully, lowering her voice to a whisper. "Please don't start crying."

"She's fine," Carl said after a very tense moment. "Look, she's asleep again." Parker sighed in relief, her body visibly relaxing.

"For a baby, she's pretty quiet." She commented, looking down at her sleeping niece.

"I know," Carl agreed instantly like he had been thinking the same thing for a while. "It's like she knows not to make any noise."

"Exactly!" Parker whispered, happy someone else had finally agreed. "Hey, you tired?" She asked Carl when she noticed him try to stifle a yawn.

"A bit."

"Then get some sleep." She stretched her legs out in front of her so he could use them as a pillow. "There's enough room for both kids. Just use the flannel as half a blanket. " Carl smiled as he shuffled around in the leaves, trying to get comfortable.

"Thanks, Aunt Parker."

"You're welcome," Parker responded as Carl lay down and closed his eyes. Parker had fallen asleep that night with one arm around Judith and the other arm resting on Carl protectively.