Between Arrows and Hearts - Daryl Dixon

The Barn and The Beatles

"Can I eat more eggs?" Charlotte asked looking at Carol,  who was distributing breakfast among to the group.

Carol responded sweetly, trying not to make the girl feel bad. "I'm sorry, sweetie. Everyone has to eat first."

"Here." Daryl said curtly, dumping the rest of his scrambled eggs onto the plate of the girl sitting next to him. "'M full."

Everyone knew that was a lie, but no one said anything as Charlotte happily thanked him and dug into her extra portion.

Cass shifted her gaze to Glenn, who seemed even more distracted than he had been the day before. When she saw Dale motioning to him, she gave him a quick jab in the side, trying to snap him out of his trance so he'd explain what was going on.

Glenn stood up, drawing the attention of the entire group. "Um, guys... so... The barn is full of walkers."

For a second, Cass felt nothing but a ringing in her ears, questions forming rapidly in her mind. Why were there walkers there? Did Hershel know? How long had Glenn known? And why hadn't he told her?

None of her questions made it out, as the group quickly hurried over to the barn to see firsthand what new threat they were up against.

Cass hadn't been near the barn since they'd arrived, but now that she was close, she realized how obvious the signs had been. The place was padlocked, and the sounds of grunts and banging made it clear there were at least a dozen walkers trapped inside.

Shane's anger flared immediately, confronting Rick. "You cannot tell me you're alright with this"

Rick, looking equally uneasy but calmer, replied. "No, I'm not. But we're guests here. This isn't our land."

"Oh, God. This is our lives, man!" Shane's voice grew louder, his frustration boiling over.

Glenn, visibly anxious, tried to hush him. "Lower your voice."

Andrea joined in, echoing Shane's worries. "We can't just sweep this under the rug,"

Shane, becoming more intense, went on. "We've got to either go in there, we've got to make things right or we've just got to go. We've been talking about Fort Benning for a long time."

Cass watched him carefully, unnerved by the edge in his voice. It was like a switch had flipped ever since he'd shaved his head, leaving him constantly on the verge of rage.

"We can't go." Rick's voice was steady as he pointed to his friend.

"Why, Rick, why?" Shane argued back.

Carol spoke up, hurt and defensive. "Because my daughter is still out there."

"Okay," Shane rubbed his face, nearly laughing. "Okay, I think it's time we all start to just consider the other possibility."

Cass clenched her fists. How could he suggest giving up so easily, as if Carol's hope meant nothing?

"We're not leaving Sophia behind." Rick insisted.

Daryl stepped forward, defiant. "I'm close to findin' this girl. Jus' found her damn doll two days ago."

Shane sneered. "You found her doll, Daryl. That's what you did. You found a doll."

Daryl surged forward, shoving Shane. "'Ya don't know what the hell 'yer talkin' 'bout!"

"Look, man. I'm just saying what needs to be said. Now you get a good lead, it's in the first 48 hours!" Rick quickly intervened, but Shane's anger kept building.

"And let me tell you something else, man. If she was alive out there and saw you coming at her all methed out with geek ears around your neck, she'd run the other direction!"