Jason's pov
Daryl is out hunting and me and Miranda are collecting firewood. "So yesterday, you said you were a real outlaw." She says, picking up some sticks. Uh oh. "What did you do?" "That's a long story. It's not something I want to go into. What did you do before the apocalypse?" "Me? Nuh uh mister! Not until you tell me your story." Ugh. "I don't know hun, it's a pretty gruesome tale." She stays quiet and keeps on picking up sticks. I can't tell her. She screams. I look over and she's staring into a tree, pointing. I look where she's pointing and drop my firewood in shock. Maggie is hung in the tree by her own intestines!! "Oh my God! Who would do such a thing?!" She screams. I try not to throw up. Someone is sick and twisted. Who did this?! "What's all the yelling!?" Daryl gripes, coming into view. I'm too shaken to speak. All I do is point to the body. "Oh good God!" He gapes, a hand over his mouth. She runs away into the woods. Shit! Both of us calling for her. I take off after her with Daryl hot on my heels.
Miranda's pov
I hit my knees in a clearing. Where is everyone else? Did they suffer a fate worse than hers? I can't hold it back. I throw up then lean against a tree, trying to stop crying and shaking. Then a walker pops out from behind the tree and clamps a hand on my arm! I scream bloody murder and try to get free.
Jason's pov
I hear her terrified scream. "Shit! Come on!" Daryl shouts. I run into the clearing to see a walker, holding her in place. "Don't move baby!" I shout, grabbing Daryl's crossbow and shooting it. The walker slumps to the ground and I run over. "Sweetheart, are you okay?" She cries into my chest. I hold her tight. She's shaking and crying. "Just make it go away. Make it all go away." She whimpers, her voice muffled against my shirt. "Come on let's go back to camp." Daryl says, sighing. "What's the point? Why not die quick, get it over with." She whispers. Suddenly she grabs my pistol and steps back. "Babe, what are you doing?!" I cry, terrified. "I'm sorry Jason. I just can't handle it. I can't take it anymore." She whimpers, putting it to her head. "No! Don't kill yourself!" I scream running forward and grabbing the gun. "Let go of the gun." I say, gently. She releases it and hits her knees. I hold her up. "It's okay. Nothin' is gonna get you. I'll protect you." She grips my shirt tightly, crying again. "Jason! Look out!" Daryl yells. I turn around as a walker runs at me. Suddenly she shoves me to the side. I land on my knees and she's completely vulnerable!! I dig my heels in the dirt and run forward, grabbing the walker around the waist, throwing it away from her. Then Daryl shoots it with the crossbow. "I pushed you out of the way for a reason!" She says. What's she talking about? "What reason?" But she doesn't answer. "Let's just go back to camp." Daryl says again. We make it back to camp. "I just need something good to happen. All this bad shit. I need a miracle!" She gripes, sitting down. I work on building a fire. Daryl goes back out to hunt. She jumps in her seat. "What? What happened!?" I gasp, running over. "I think I just felt the baby kick." She whispers. I smile. "Really? Well, there's your miracle." I say, pointing. She grabs my hand, putting it to her stomach and I feel it. She wasn't kidding the baby is kicking. "That's not the miracle she needs. This is." Daryl says. I turn around confused. Michonne! She jumps up and hugs her. "Hey! I heard someone is eating for two now." She says, making me laugh. "Oh thank goodness you're okay." Miranda whimpers. "Of course I am. Most badass chick in the apocalypse. And I don't even use a gun. Speaking of anyone seen my katana?" I smile and unclasp it from my belt. "Thanks." "No problem. Just keeping it warm for ya." I actually want to keep it. That is one gnarly weapon. "Do you know where anyone else is?" Daryl asks. "What? I thought they were with you?!" I sigh. Obviously that means she doesn't. "I hope wherever they are, they're okay." She whispers, a hand on her stomach. I don't say anything but I highly doubt they are. "I'm sure they are baby girl. Those guys know how to handle their own." I say, kissing her forehead, one arm around her, protectively. Daryl starts cooking the squirrels he caught. "I'm gonna go lay down Jay." She says, kissing my cheek. "Ok babe. Love ya." "Love you too." She goes in the rv. I sit down on a log. I almost lost her today. I glance back at the rv. "I'll keep you safe baby." I vow.
