Carter's P.O.V
The drive to their farm was bland, other than me and Daryl glancing at each other while riding our bikes, R.V and other cars behind us. We stop in front of the house, hopping off our bikes as Rick and Lori walk out.
" Is he..." I trail off, looking at Rick. He gives a small grin, making me sigh in relief before giving a smile as well.
" Thanks to Hershel and his people. Shane helped him too," he replies. I glance over at Shane, seeing his head now shaved as Rick continues, " And thank you, for carrying my boy. Helped make sure he lost a lot less blood." I give a slight nod, Dale sighing in relief behind me, giving Rick a hug. Carol giving Lori one as well.
I sit on the porch, looking across the field as they have a funeral for some man who worked with the family, saving Carl too. Otis from what I remember. My stare lingers at the sight before walking inside the house, hearing Carl give a painful groan.
" Sh sh sh. You're okay sweetie, go back to sleep Carl," I whisper, rubbing his head.
" Where-Where's Mom?" he groans.
" They're having a funeral for the man who saved you. They'll be back soon."
" What happened to me, Carter?"
" I-um," I clear my throat, " It was just a stupid accident." I give him a small smile, him giving a tired one in return. " Go back to sleep Carl. You need to rest." He nods his head before closing his eyes, his breathing going at an even pace. I kiss his forehead before walking outside, seeing people coming back from the field.
---
Carter's P.O.V
" How long this girl been lost?"
" This'll be day three," Rick replies, us standing around the hood of the car, Maggie coming back with a map of the area, laying it out with rocks at the edges. " This is perfect, we can finally get this thing organized. We'll grid out the whole area, start searching in teams."
" Not you Rick. You gave three units of blood," Hershel argues, " And your ankle, you push it now, you'll be laid up a month. No good to anybody," he says to Shane.
" Guess it's me and Carter. We can go head back to the creek, work our way up from there," Daryl pronounces.
" We need gun training though. Can't go around with knives," Shane states. Hershel reacts by arguing we won't have any
" This is your property. You say no guns and we will respect that," Rick states, ending the conversation. He lays his Python on the map, staring at us. I look around before pulling my Glock out, placing it down as well, Shane following with his weapon. " First things first: Set camp, find Sophia."
" I hate to ask but somebody's got to. What happens if we find her and she's bit? I think we should all be clear how we handle that."
" She's gonna be fine," I interrupt, " Little girl is gonna be fine. Get your mind out of that territory Shane-O-Mac," I snap. He rolls his eyes before explaining a few things which I mute out before walking away, him calling my name before giving up. I grab my bow and quiver, slinging 'em on my back before walking off towards the forest. I hear faint footsteps behind me, making me give a small smirk.
" I can hear you, Daryl," I say, making him groan slightly.
" How'd you know it's me?"
" Only other person who doesn't stomp on every single thing," I answer, giving a light chuckle.
" Gonna go look for her?"
" Gonna keep lookin' 'till I find her Softie. I know you comin' anyhow."
" Shut up," he growls playfully, following me into the line of trees.
---
Carter's P.O.V
Making it through the dense forest we make it to one of the edges of the forest, seeing a plain of grass and a rickety house in the center. I stare at it, looking similar to my own before readying an arrow, Daryl doing the same with a bolt. He goes to the front as I go to the back door. I kick it down, hearing the same happening to the front door. I walk around slowly, looking in the room to my left before moving to the right, Daryl going upstairs. I look around the room, it happening to be kitchen before spotting an open can of sardines out, the fish guts inside still moist, juice still inside too.
I look up to see the pantry door open slightly, but not enough to show what's inside. I walk over, my bow up and ready before pulling the door open with my foot, only to see nothing. Looking inside, nothing is of use until spotting a small area at the bottom; A makeshift bed small enough for a kid. My eyes linger until I hear the creaks of the wooden floor, making me aim at the sound, only to see the redneck looking at the bed as well. I walk past him, going out the back door.
" Sophia!" I yell, Daryl doing the same behind me before he spots something in a bush. My face contorts in confusion as he pulls it from the ground, throwing his crossbow on his back and turning around, hiding the item behind him.
" What is it?" I question walking closer.
" Nothin'," he answers, his lips smirking on their own. I try and look behind him, only for his body to turn. I try a couple more times before giving up with an annoyed growl.
" C'mon man," I growl, glaring in annoyance. He laughs lightly, giving a small grin. " What's so funny?"
" If you're tryin' to be scary it ain't working on me Peaches." I stick my tongue out him, making him grin lightly.
" You ever heard of the Cherokee Rose?" he asks, showing me the two roses from behind his back. I give a small smile, nodding slightly.
" Yeah, the only thing I liked about my home. Kept growing all around there."
" So you know the story?"
" Ain't never gonna forget it," I state, finally looking in his eyes for a moment before looking down, clearing my throat. " Give 'em to Carol. She'll like it if you tell the story."
" Why not you?"
" Not the storyteller type," I answer before walking off, not giving him the chance to speak.
---
Carter's P.O.V
I sit in the tree on the farm, my foot dangling in the open air as I clean my arrows with Daryl's bandanna, hearing his footsteps again. " She like the story?"
" Didn't hate it from what I can tell," he grunts climbing up before sitting in front of me. " You always gonna take my bandanna?"
" Yep..... You didn't have to climb up here. Hang out with everyone else. Read shit. Murder animals or somethin'."
" What you don't want me here?" I roll my eyes, hearing the amusement in his voice.
" Just think you can do better things than hanging out with me."
" It ain't that bad Peaches." We stayed sitting on the tree in silence for a while. Only the sounds of the other group members and me cleaning my arrows being heard. I glance at Daryl for a moment before looking down, only to do a double take.
" Why do you have the other rose?" I question, staring at his hands.
" Don't know. Didn't think she needed two. Don't know where this one should go though," he answers quietly, looking at the rose twirling in between his fingers. He moves closer to me, his face becoming only inches from mine.
His hand moves towards my ear, setting the flower there. His hand lingers there, looking at me as I look to do with him. He goes back to his position before, his cheeks turning a light pink, my face becoming warm too. " Found it," he jokes with a small twitch of his lips, making a barely noticeable smile. I smile back, looking at my hands before putting my last arrow in my quiver, handing his bandanna back.
" I'm sleeping in your tent again?" I ask, him nodding in return before hopping off the branch. I follow in pursuit, not before grabbing a plate of food for dinner. By the time we get to his tent, I've already eaten half, giving the rest to Daryl before going inside the tent, closing the flap. I notice my stuff is already inside so I change quickly out of my gear.
I grab a book I stole from the C.D.C and delicately place the rose in one of the pages before closing it, placing it underneath all of my things in the bag. I untie my shoes, taking them off, placing them beside my bed before giving a whistle. Daryl opens the flap and comes in. He takes off his shoes, throwing them wherever before relaxing in his bed as I do the same.
" Night Peaches."
" Night Softie."
" I hate you."
" Feeling mutual Softie. Feeling is mutual."