The start

The Return

4 and a half years hard, emotional, painful, difficult, long years. It put Daryl and I through it. We've been through a lot but really not. We stayed away from the Kingdom, oceanside and Alexandria. They were glad I was alive but we needed to do our own thing. The sanctuary was vacant no one was there. It was dead. We traded things with hilltop but when the years started piling up we stopped going. Maggie left hilltop leaving Jesus and Tara in charge. Carol and Ezekiel had the Kingdom still. Michonne kept Alexandria running without Rick. I guess it was good that she had RJ and Judith with her. It was hard to say or mention his name around Daryl. I knew how he was with his emotions and Rick was someone not take away from him. Rick was his brother. They were almost inseparable even though they didn't agree at the end. Honestly not much has changed after that. People didn't get along or people went their separate ways. We assumed people were still expanding or building their kingdoms even with Rick gone. We never repaired the bridge. I don't think anyone could move on from that. Daryl and I decided to stay away from the groups and stay in the woods. It's what he wanted. Wherever Daryl went I went. I couldn't lose him but I felt like I was.

"Going out for wood." Daryl said as he got up, grabbed his gear and left. That was that.

We had a tent by the river. Close enough to the bridge. Daryl spent years searching for Rick but never found him. I guess thats one of the reasons why we are still out here. He was hurting and not finding a body wasn't helping him get over it. He was hurting more than I could imagine. They were close. They were together in the beginning. Daryl was there for Rick when he lost his wife, son and friends. Rick was there when Daryl lost his brother and friends. I know what hes going through. When I lost Jay I lost myself. I didn't think I could ever move on. I couldn't get over it. I still think about her everyday.  I think the other reason could be because of Leah. I think Daryl had real feelings with her. And I don't blame him not one bit. But it still hurts. It hurts me deep down that I spent months trying to get to know Daryl. I spent years trying to be his. And it took her less than that. It hurts me. Just recently we started sleeping together again. Before that I couldn't even touch him without feeling disgusted. That another woman laid with him.

I could hear the rustling noise of  twigs and leaves crumpling up on the ground sounded like somebody was walking. I poke my head outside the tent knife by my side. It was dog chewing on a stick. I sighed in relief as I put my knife back. Daryl trained him to stay and help us. He lets us know when walkers get into traps or food gets into traps. I don't mind having a pet around. It's actually comforting. It's not just Daryl and I alone.

"Come here dog." I tell him as he runs up to me inside the tent. I lay on the sleeping bag as he cuddles in to me. He definitely gives me all the affection I need since Daryl can't right now.

It was soon evening. Daryl should've been back by now. Speaking of, people's voices from a distance. I poke my head outside the tent as dog runs out. Three figure were coming this way. It wasn't walkers from the sound of it.

"Carol?" I called out as I walk out of the tent. Daryl drops the wood by the on going fire pit I made an hour ago.

"Harley. It's been so long." She smiled as we hug. smiled back as I look at the teenager she brought with her.

"Wow, Henry. You've grown so much." I smiled as he nods his head. His cheeks were blushing.

"You didn't fix the boat since last time?" Carol asked. Daryl sets his gear down and goes to the river to wash off his hands. He stands up and goes over to dog.

"Good dog." Daryl tells him as he hands the dog a stick. He takes the walker hand away from the dog.

"When was the last time you ate?" Carol asked.