(1) Wolf in Me (D. Dixon)

Chapter Twenty-Five

Diana lets out a breath as she looks out over the lake in the quarry, the morning sun breaching the sky. They are heading to the CDC today and that means leaving the quarry behind them. A somewhat safe space for them, at least until recently. If they set up some early warning systems and post sentries, then maybe it can be safe again. But the CDC is the best option that these people have. She could stay by herself, she might even be able to persuade Daryl to stay with her. But having two werewolves is a boost to their survival chances. Diana's bonded with the children, she cares for them, so she won't leave them unprotected. Her time in Beacon Hills has instilled that into her. Protecting children, albeit teenagers, has dug that moral into her and she can't walk away from them. She can't abandon them. Not now. Not after everything she has been through with them. Glenn hugs her from behind, burying his face between her shoulder blades to let out a whine at being awake so early. He is used to sleeping an hour or two longer than everyone else because they feel that he deserves it doing all of those runs for them. But today he is awake with the rest of them. But he has Diana. Comfortable and warm Diana. She smiles a little and pats at his arms around her.

.........

Daryl watches Diana and Glenn as they return to camp, talking and chuckling among themselves with an air or relaxation that no one else in the camp has. Their friendship is their comfort in a world that offers nothing but pain. Daryl's never been one for friends. He thought his lifestyle prevented him from getting too invested with humans. But Diana finds it easy enough to integrate, in a way that Daryl never thought possible. Even being among this group he finds it hard. He feels, has always felt, like an outsider around humans. Perhaps that is why he is drawn to Diana now that he knows what she is. Not that he didn't feel it when he thought she was human but he didn't have it in him to approach her. Not with Merle around. Merle's constant commentary on the females of the group was enough to keep Daryl away from them, to protect them from him. That's different now. Merle isn't here. He knows that Diana is a werewolf. Diana waves over at him with a small smile and he grunts, lifting his hand to wave back at her. A small gesture of 'good morning' between them across a crowded and busy campsite. Everyone else is busy packing for their journey to the CDC. Even the children are more muted this morning. There is an atmosphere to the group of survivors, one of hope but also pain and grief and doubt. It's a strange atmosphere. Shane clears his throat, drawing the attention of the camp. Everyone is ready to go. Vehicles packed up. They are about to hit the road, but Shane wants to make some sort of speech before they do. Daryl leans against his bike as he turns his attention to Shane, folding his arms over his chest.

"Everybody listen up" Shane starts, looking pointedly at Diana who is ignoring him and checking her pack instead. She rolls her eyes and pushes herself up to her feet, bag held in her hand. "Those of you with C.B.s, we're gonna be on channel 40" He informs them. "Let's keep the chatter down, okay? Now you got a problem, don't have a C.B., can't get a signal or anything at all, you're gonna hit your horn one time. That'll stop the caravan" Shane glances around those gathered, making sure that they all got the instruction into their heads. "Any questions?"

"We're, uh... We're... we're not going" Morales admits, sharing a look with his wife, Miranda at his side before she turns to look at Shane and Rick.

"We have family in Birmingham. We want to be with our people" She explains.

"You go on your own, you won't have anyone to watch your back" Shane points out.

"We'll take the chance. I got to do what's best for my family" Morales argues firmly, he is not budging on this choice.

"You sure?" Rick tries, softer than Shane.

"We talked about it. We're sure" Morales assures him and the two of them shake hands.

"Alright" Rick states and then pulls back to turn to Shane. "Shane"

"Yeah, alright" Shane understands what Rick is asking of him. Daryl lets out a breath, seeming catching on when Shane picks up the gun bag. They are going to give up one of their weapons to this family. They have so little to begin with. He glances over at Diana who is again ignoring what is going on. Instead, she is drinking from a water bottle and staring off through the trees.

.......

As the camp moves around her, Diana keeps her eyes on the trees, her mind had turned to Derek, Peter, Malia, and Cora. And her friends. Suddenly turned to them causing a sense of pain to fill her. She misses them. For all the bad that Beacon Hills threw at her. It gave her the greatest gift. A family. Made up of blood and chosen. A pack. A home. Being so far away from any of them, without knowing whether they are still alive or not. She hopes. Of course she does. And she trusts in their ability. But this is not a threat they have faced before. This is not a threat that is contained to Beacon Hills. This is everywhere. She lets out a breath and closes her eyes only to suddenly look down when Eliza hugs her legs tightly. Diana touches the top of her head and then gently pries her away so that she can crouch in front of her.

"Don't be sad" Diana tells her, touching her chin softly. "When we see each other again, you can tell me all about your adventures" Diana assures Eliza. "Draw me lots of pictures" She draws the side of her little finger down Eliza's nose with a soft smile. Eliza nods and sniffles as tears form in her eyes, she then thrusts out a piece of paper towards Diana. Her drawing of the rainbow unicorn-puppy. "Are you sure?" Diana asks her as she takes the drawing. Eliza nods and smiles up at her. "Thank you, Eliza" Miranda holds out her hand and Eliza rushes over to her mother. Miranda mouths a silent 'thank you' to Diana who nods back at her. If she can't protect her family in the way she wants, then she will protect this one. This huge pack of survivors.