The start

Something's out there

We kept walking, taking a break here and there. Just to catch our breath and supplies our food. I remember Jay's back pack had a few cans beans and corn. We distribute the cans that she had left in her bag to Rick and his people. He thanked me silently knowing that I have his back. Jay sat on the ground next to Carl try to get him to talk. I'm not sure if it was because he was not interested in her or if he just didn't trust her yet. I know he trusted me because as soon as I threw the can to him, he munch down on it. Where when Abraham and his group check the cans to make sure there was no poison. As if I would poison his food and let them turn into walkers, why would I do that? But I didn't say a word. I understand that they don't trust me, hell I wouldn't trust myself either. If these people give me one reason not to trust them, I'll kill them. Because not only am I putting my life at risk with them, I'm putting Jay's life as well. I will not allow one person or thing hurt her.

Rick decide to call it a night since it was getting dark. Carol and Daryl decided to keep watch for a few hours while everyone slept. There was no way I was going to sleep. So I watched my section of the group. I felt a little jealous that Daryl was spending more time with Carol. I knew they were friends and been with each other since the beginning but still.

"Harley you need sleep too." Jay rubs her sleepy eyes as she curls up into my lap. My fingers run through her surprisingly silky smooth hair.

"Can't sleep, I told Rick I'd help keep watch. You need your sleep. I promise I'll get some sleep once we settle down."

"We are," I cut her off before she completes her sentence.

"When we are at a good and safe place." She gets quiet and looks up at me. Her green eyes match my dark green ones.

"I had a bad dream. You didn't come back when you went into terminus."

"You and Carol took care of Terminus and I'm here. I'm right here. This is real, ok?" She nods her head as a small tear goes down her eyes. I take my ring finger and wipe it away.

"Get some sleep. I'm gonna go sit by Carol and Daryl. Want me to stay?" She shakes her head and rolls over to her side.

"Love you, Harls." She whispers.

"Love you too Jaybird." I kiss her forehead.

I get up and watch my step over everyone that was sleeping. I make my way to Carol and Daryl sitting right next to Daryl. They look at me then continue looking forward. I hope I didn't ruin their conversation.

"Thank you, Carol. For keeping Jay alive and not shooting her." Carol nods her head at me.

"She's a smart kid. You're lucky you have her. How old is she?"

"Just turned 15 last month."

"Same age as Carl. Hopefully one day he starts getting used to her and be great friends." Carol sighs.

"Yeah, I'll be watching him. Talking to my sister. Won't be making any moves on my watch." We all chuckle. Silence takes over between us. The only sound was the fire and occasional animal noises.

"Not gonna lie, that's the first time I laughed in years." I sigh.

"Who have you lost to become so hard?" Carol looks at me closely.

"My older sister. My brother." I don't really trust these people other than Daryl.

"Things happen. You can't stop it. You can only move on from it and become a stronger person." Carol says.

"I am now. I promised Jay she will survive even if it meant giving up my own life."

"Are you willing to do that? Sacrifice your life for hers?" Carol looks at me.

"With everything I have." A twig snaps further out in the woods as I suddenly get up raising my gun. Daryl and Carol got up too. Daryl hold his finger at us telling us to wait as he steps forward to look.

"Its nothing." He says.

"Somethings out there. I can feel it." I shove the gun in my pocket and sit down.

"Walkers, maybe animals." Daryl sits back down as Carol walks over to a crying Judith.

"Hey, you need to get your sleep." Daryl says.

"Can't sleep. Told Rick I would keep watch." My teeth chatter.

"You cold?"

"A bit but I'll be fine." Daryl moves over closer as he wraps an arm around me. In stead pushing him away, I molded into him laying my head on his chest. I hesitate but lay my hand on his chest.

"Funny how close we are now." I chuckled. Daryl grins.

"What you said, back at Terminus before we went in. You were going to say something." Daryl looks down at me.

"Yeah." I tried to keep a calm composure but really I was freaking out on the inside. I was hoping he wouldn't remember that. I was being stupid.

"What was it?"

"I was gonna say, I think I," I see a figure stand up out of the group. It was Jay walking straight to us.

"I can't sleep, Harls. The dreams are back." She rubbed her eyes. She need to sleep. I know that the time her and I were separated she didn't get much sleep.

"It's alright, come here." I let Jay lay up against me while I was still against Daryl. Jay soon falls back to sleep.

"Sorry, she gets nightmares. She hasn't grown out of it yet. They usually are about our father." I tuck a piece of hair behind her ear.

"Its ok. He hurt you?" He looks down at us.

"Yeah. More on Skylar and I. Sometimes Shane before he left us for the police academy. After Skylar went to military the beatings were more. I wouldn't let that monster lay a hand on Jay. I'd take the beatings for her. Raised her like she is my own kid."

"When she told you all she killed one person. That person was our father. One day he was drunk. It was only 2 pm but he was wasted. He saw me helping Jay with her homework. He got mad saying I had to work and not be a lazy bum. I was off of work that day. He hit me across the face with the belt. I fell to the ground as Jay crawled under the table. He hit me again and again and again till my skin was bruised by the belt. He then picked me up by my throat and tried to choke me to death. Jay shot him with Skylar's glock 21. It was stupid of us to keep it duck taped underneath the kitchen table with a drunk around but I was lucky."

"My dad beat me. That's why Merle left for Military." Daryl says. I shutter at the thought of Daryl getting beat.

"I wont hurt you or let anything hurt you. Not to you or Jay." Daryl's voice grumbles.

"I couldn't imagine you hurting us. After Joe, all I've ever felt being with you is safe."

Morning light hit as I noticed Daryl wasn't here anymore. I woke up on the ground. I didn't realize I fell asleep. We started back up on road again. We heard some twigs break right beside us as we lift our guns up and aim them in the direction the twig snapped. It was Daryl with a chain of squirrels.

"Surrender." He holds his hands up. I huff out and shove the gun back in my pocket.