Same Love

7: Searching

Lori had never paid close attention to him but as she watched her son and Carol's daughter help Sam sift through the cars to find useful things. They found games that Sam placed in a bag for them, entrusting their safe keeping to Carl. He laughed and Lori wondered if he'd had any experience with kids, he seemed good with them. The young man swept his hair out of his eyes, the length having grown to the point that he could tie it up. He found some disposable razors that seemed clean in an old Chevy, stashing them for use later and then continued to pick over the cars. Growling became apparent as he looked around for the others, seeing several walkers headed for them. He drew his bow, locking onto a target but quickly thought against it, seeing the horde advancing. He quickly signalled to Rick that they hide under the cars and he passed on the message as Sam climbed under a small Volkswagen that seemed foreign and waited, seeing other doing the same. He held his breath and the stench of death pervaded the area, decaying feet shuffling inches from his face and his heart beating wildly in his chest. The horde passed quickly and he saw the others breathe a sigh of relief before surveying them. Carol was sobbing and he looked around.

Where was Sophia? His head spun, searching for the petite child as he noticed Rick emerge from the woods on the side of the road, shaking his head. He started speaking to Daryl as Sam gave Lori a look, knocking an arrow and disappearing into the woods. They had no time to waste if Sophia was out there, they needed to find her. He heard the silent footsteps of Daryl, an experienced hunter like he was, behind him and they split up. Sam almost cringed at how loud Rick's steps were as they pursued the trail further. Sam killed and Walker and Daryl killed another, their arrows landing at exactly the same time. Reluctant but determined they set to work gutting the bodies. with Rick trying to keep his meagre meal down. Sam dug his arms into the body, entrails and blood spilling around him and shared a relieved look with Daryl. All these two had eaten were animals, birds and squirrels. A sound behind them caught Sam's attention and he turned, quickly seeing two arrows buried in a rabbit skull and laughing as Daryl grinned.

"Mine landed first"

"What?! No way!" Sam opposed, catching the arrow Daryl threw to him. It didn't take long for Rick to realise that Sam was an experienced hunter also and he felt his confidence in survival grow slightly as they made their way back to the camp after the trail went cold. It was growing dark and both Hunters knew that the darkness was no good and they wouldn't find her tonight, no matter how hard they tried. Carol blamed Rick as they re-joined the group and panicked at the blood she saw on Daryl and Sam, only to be reassured that it was Walker blood. Sam decided to walk up the road, past the blockage, to clear his head while the others slept. He was hoping to be alone when Daryl joined him, feet padding silently along the tarmac. Sam was impressed, for such a large man he was very quiet. They walked as the pale moon rose high above them in a comfortable silence when Sam broke it.

"Do you wish Merle was here?" 

"Nah, He'd be leavin' us in the shit"

"Oh really, I'd rather have him than Shane, the guy's an asshole" Sam grumbled, his hands running through his hair as Daryl let out a raspy chuckle, Sam found it comical yet out of place, almost as out of place as his toothy smile.

"Not gonna' argue with that" Daryl confirmed as Sam turned around to face him, walking backwards. He knew he could confide in Daryl and so took a breath.

"I don't know if I want to stay"

"Thinkin' 'bout movin' on?" Daryl asked, watching the neatly turned out male. They seemed to have bonded in the trip to the CDC and the trip to their current location and were relaxed together.

"Yeah, I'm not so sure you guys could survive without me though" Sam joked earning a light punch on the arm. Daryl didn't know why he wanted to leave but he was pretty sure it was because of Shane, something had obviously happened.