Guardian Angel (Daryl Dixon)

Sophia

"I've told you all, it was going to go out soon." Dale sighed as I stared into the insides of RV, it was like a foreign land, I had no idea what was going on, only knowing that the smoke coming out was a bad sign.

"Can you just put more duct tape on it?" Glenn sighed making the same face I was.

"That's all it's made of and I'm out of duct tape." Dale complained looking around at our location. Cars blocked the highway, owners long gone, either mentally or physically.

"Search the vehicles for anything useful." Shane ordered making us all scatter, ever since Rick came into the group Shane has been worse. Angry for no reason, harder, and distant.

I walked upon a black rodeo and peeked inside, bags full of things lay in the back seat. A sure sign that someone had once been there. I opened the back door and covered my nose at the awful smell, rotten food maybe? I quickly scanned through the bags and took only what we needed, a few cans and some blankets.

I watched Daryl out of the corner of my eye, he searched a truck grunting about something, I smiled to myself and continued on searching more vehicles. I have no idea what Daryl and I had, hell I'm not even sure how I feel about that grumpy redneck. I do know that sometimes, when he let's me see the true Daryl Dixon, it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside.

"Get down." T-Dog hissed from a few feet away from me. I gave him a puzzled look and that's when I heard them, the walkers. I slid under a car near by, a few seconds later Daryl slid under the car next to mine and gave me an unreadable look. I watched the walkers limp between us, it was a whole herd. When they had passed, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

Daryl motioned me out from under the car and I obeyed.

A bone chilling scream filled the air, I looked over just in time to see little Sophia running from two walkers. Without thinking, I ran after her, Daryl yelled my name in protest but I was determined to save Carols only child.

I heard Rick close behind me, as I caught up with the two walkers. I felt for my bow, but realized I had left it in Daryl's truck. Damn.

"I'll lead them away, you find her." The sheriff ran off making noises, he must have left his weapons too. How stupid, of both of us.

"Sophia." I whispered looking under a few bushes and then came across a small creek.

"Sam?" A small head popped out of the brush with tears streaming down her face.

"Come here sweetie." She scurried over to me and wrapped her small arms around my torso. She looked behind me wide eyed, a few lone walkers stood in our path back to the highway. Grabbing her hand I led her off in a different direction, hoping we would find our way back. I may be good at tracking animals, but when it comes to directions. Let's just say when I go hunting I'm lucky Daryl goes with me.

DARYL'S POV

"What do yo mean you lost her?" Lori harshly whispered to her husband.

"I thought she would come back! I told her to keep the sun on her left shoulder, I even sent Sam after her!"

"Let me get this straight, you lost two girls, in less than 20 minutes!" I growled biting my thumb nail. Stupid Sam, running off like that.

"Sam's a big girl she can take care of herself, it's Sophia that I'm worried about." Lori bitched making me want to shout at her. Seriously, can she just not talk. That'd be great.

"Sam's directionally challenged, she'll never find her way out of there!" And with that, China man, Rick, and I set off to find them. Carol stayed behind and cried begging for us to find her little girl.