Between Arrows and Hearts - Daryl Dixon

Robin Hood of the apocalypse

Cass sat in the passenger seat of the RV, filling the spot Glenn usually claimed. As they neared the farm, her heart pounded, worry for Carl tightening her chest.

The moment Dale parked, Cass leaped out. The group —along with people she assumed were the farm's residents— waited just outside the house.

Cass went straight to Glenn, and they hugged tightly, relieved to see each other again, even if they'd only been apart a day. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Charlotte approaching Daryl, who gave her a gentle pat on the head, his way of showing he cared.

Rick and Lori moved to the front, but Cass couldn't hold back any longer.

"Carl...?" Her voice was barely a whisper, not even able to finish the question. She held her breath, bracing for the answer.

"He'll be alright, thanks to Hershel and his people." Lori said, a relieved smile on her face.

"And Shane," Rick added. "We'd have lost Carl if not for him."

Cass let out a shaky laugh, the tension melting away. She hugged Lori and Rick, sharing in their relief.

"Can I see him?" She asked Lori softly.

"After the funeral." Lori replied, her expression darkening.

Carl's shooting had been an accident. Otis, one of the men on the farm, had aimed for a deer, not noticing Carl was just behind it. The same man, trying to correct his mistake, gave his life by going with Shane in search of the supplies needed for Carl's operation. One life for another. 

The funeral was a quiet one. Most of the group hadn't known Otis, but they all felt a level of respect and gratitude, knowing the weight of his sacrifice.

Shane, who in Cass's eyes had a real shitty makeover —shaved head and dressed as a farmer, with clothes 3 times his size— gave a speech, describing Otis's last moments. Patricia, Otis's wife, wept openly as she listened.

Cass took in the faces of the Greene family: Hershel, the head of the household; Maggie, the girl she'd seen in the horse; Beth, a sweet-looking blonde; Jimmy, Beth's boyfriend; and Patricia.

After the funeral, the group started setting up camp, unloading their things and pitching tents.

"Glad to see you're looking better." Cass said looking at T-Dog. She huffed, annoyed, struggling with her tent.

"Feels good to be better." T-Dog laughed, glancing over as Cass fumbled with her own tent poles.

"How do you not know how to set up a tent?" Glenn asked, genuinely baffled.

Cass shot him a playful glare. "Maybe less laughing and more helping would be nice." She said, narrowing her eyes at both him and T-Dog.

They both cracked up but stepped in to help her assemble the tent. As they worked, Cass noticed Glenn's eyes drifting over to Maggie, who was walking by with a map in her hand.

Cass nudged him. "Close your mouth, Glenn. You're gonna catch flies."

Seeing the guys had her tent situation under control, Cass wandered off toward the young woman. A small group—Shane, Rick, Daryl, Andrea, Hershel, and Maggie—were already deep in conversation, planning how to continue the search for Sophia.

"Not you. Not today," Hershel's voice was firm as Cass approached. "You gave three units of blood. You wouldn't be hiking five minutes in this heat before passing out." He said, looking at Rick before turning to Shane. "And your ankle. Push it now, and you'll be laid up a month, no good to anybody."

"Guess it's just me." Daryl shrugged. "I'm gonna head back to the creek, work my way from there." 

Cass spoke up. "I can go with you."