Until the End

Chapter Twelve: Home invasion.

That night Kirby and Mallorie slept with Daryl in his tent. Mallorie laid in between Kirby and Daryl, her back up against Kirby's front as Kirby held her close. Daryl had his arm thrown over them both as the three of them slept. When the first scream pierced the night air, Kirby was shaken awake by Daryl.

"They're walkers in the camp." Daryl explained, picking Mallorie up.

"Walkers? Here?" Kirby asked, frantic as they left Daryl's tent.

Daryl passed Mallorie to Kirby and grabbed his crossbow.

"Stay close." Daryl said, keeping his eyes and ears open.

More screams erupted from the camp, causing Mallorie to wake up startled.

"What's going on, Mama?" Mallorie cried out, her voice laced with sleep and confusion.

"Close your eyes, baby. Don't watch." Kirby said, even as gunshots rang out.

Mallorie jumped in Kirby's arms and looked behind them as they raced towards the group that was fighting back multiple walkers. Kirby stumbled over a walker's deformed body, falling to her knees. Clutching tightly to Mallorie, Kirby stood back up.

"Kirby!" Andrea screamed, making Kirby look over at her.

Her head was yanked roughly by her hair. Kirby let out a scream of pain as her grip on Mallorie loosened. Using one of her hands, Kirby fought to keep the walker from sinking its teeth into her flesh. An arrow entered the walker's head and it fell to the ground, taking a few strands of Kirby's hair with it. Jacqui took Mallorie from Kirby as the guys continued to shoot down any walker that was present.

"Were your bitten?" Lori asked, as Kirby placed her hand to the back of her head.

"No, but that fucker ripped out some of my hair." Kirby stated, wincing at the tender patch on her scalp.

"They came out of no where. We didn't even have time to grab a gun, before someone was attacked." Jim said, shooting another walker.

"Who did they get?" Kirby asked, looking around.

She felt relief when she saw that Carl and Sophia were alright.

"Ed among seven others." Dale answered.

When the last of the walkers were dead, everyone wondered around. Kirby's hands shook as she took Mallorie back from Jacqui. She ran her fingers through Mallorie's hair as she pressed her lips against her temple.

"Kirby." Daryl called out as he weaved his wave through the dead bodies that littered the camp ground.

She met him halfway and wrapped a free arm around his neck as he hugged her and Mallorie.

"Are you alright, Daryl?" Kirby asked, searching his face for any sign of pain.

"No. I thought I lost ya back there. I saw that walker had a hold of ya and it scared the life out of me." Daryl breathed, burrowing his face in between Kirby and Mallorie, cupping his hand on both of their heads.

"Listen up everyone! In the morning we're going to have to leave this place. I think it's best if we all stick together, but it's your choice. Whatever decision you make is fine. Just give it some thought and if any of you have an idea on where we should go, speak up." Rick said over the noise of mourning.

"Daryl?" Kirby asked, looking Daryl in the eyes.

He stared back at her and nodded.

"I think it's safest if we go." Daryl stated.

"What about the mountains? The cold and snow is bound to have some sort of protection from the walkers." Dale suggested, pulling his hat off of his head to fun his fingers through his thinning hair.

"That's a good start." T-Dog agreed.

Kirby bit her bottom lip as an idea formed in her head.

"Daryl, what about a marina?" Kirby whispered, wanting Daryl's opinion.

"Yeah, walkers can't swim or anything. I think that's a great idea, but--."

Kirby grinned up at Daryl.

"A good friend of mine kept his houseboat at a marina in Savannah. I have a spare key in my car. We could go there. There is plenty of room for everyone." Kirby said, excitement in her voice.

"His houseboat? You have a spare key?"

Kirby raised her eyebrow at Daryl.

"After all I just said, that's the only thing you picked up, Daryl?" Kirby asked.

Daryl huffed.

"Alright, fine. Speak up so everyone can hear you." Daryl said, resting his chin on top Kirby's head.

After Kirby finished telling everyone about her plan of going to Savannah, everyone's spirits seemed higher. For once, they felt like they had something to look forward to.

"Hey, you said that the spare key is in your car. Where is your car exactly?" Glenn asked, getting everyone's attention.

Kirby pursed her lips as Mallorie slept in Daryl's arms.

"About two miles from where you all first found Mallorie and I." Kirby stated and had a series of sighs of relief sounding through out the group.

"Jeez, I thought you were going to say some where further away." Andrea stated, grinning from ear to ear as she tossed her arm over Amy's shoulders.

"No, I ran out of gas soon after I made it out of Atlanta." Kirby said, her fingers playing with one of Mallorie's curls.

"Okay then. So everything is set. In the morning Shane, Daryl, and I will go find Kirby's car and get the key--"

"Hold up now. You don't even know what the key looks like, let alone her car." Lori voiced, giving Rick the 'look' as she folded her arms.

"True, but that's why Kirby can tell us." Rick pointed out, silencing Lori.

Kirby smiled at the two.

"My car will be the black Lexus RX350 sitting in the middle of the road all by itself. The key will be in the grove box in a bright blue key holder marked houseboat." Kirby explained.

"That was easy. I could have found the damn car and figured that out." Shane grunted.

Kirby narrowed her eyes at Shane. She went to say something, but Daryl beat her to it.

"Why don't ya shut your fuckin' mouth ya flea bitten pig, before I come over there a shove my size ten up yer ass."

Kirby hid her smirk behind a cough and noticed that Daryl had placed his hand over Mallorie's ear to block out his words. She wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head down on his shoulder next to Mallorie's.

"You want to fight you stupid no good hick?!" Shane sneered, taking a threatening step forward.

"Shane you need to shut your mouth and go cool off somewhere." Rick said harshly.

Shane spit on the ground, glaring at Daryl, before storming off.

"Fuck twit." Kirby hissed under her breath.

Daryl heard her and chuckled.

"He'll get his one day. Don't worry." Daryl whispered, patting Mallorie's back when she moved a little.