A/N: Thank's to everyone for following, favoriting, and reviewing this story. Here's the next chapter everybody, enjoy. Reviews are welcomed. :)

Disclaimer: I do not own The Walking Dead, It solely belongs to AMC and Robert Kirkman. I only own my character Shadow.

A Quick Run

Its now been five and a half months since we've been making this prison into something worth surviving for. Our farm has been coming along greatly, and everyone's been getting along with each other too, including Daryl with his antisocial personality, which surprises me. I'm happy that he's been a little more social with people, and has helped gather some much needed things that people have wanted when we go on runs. I was proud of him, and I hoped he continued to be a part of this community we've created here.

Daryl was out hunting right now, and I was at the prison helping where I could. The main place being the fence, which has been getting more walkers piling up then normal. It was strange, and we had no clue what was causing this weird dilemma, but all we could do was try to take care of the problem by taking them out.

As I made my way to help out at the fence, Glenn came over to me and asked, "Daryl's not back yet?"

"No, he said he might go on a longer hunting trip to find some more game. Why?" I asked my friend.

"Nothing really. It was just, I was going to ask someone to go on a run, and you and Daryl seem to have the best luck when you go out."

"Why don't we go, or you and Maggie? I'm sure either of us will be able to find something."

"I would, but we just went out a few days ago, and I had a close call, so Maggie decided we wouldn't go out for a while."

"Oh, I didn't know that. You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little nerve wracking, but its not like it was the first time, or the last time."

"Yeah, I guess we've all had our close calls."

"Yeah…"

"you know, where is the place that we're scavenging?"

"About a mile from here, there's a little mom and pop shop, called Shopping Easy. We passed it when we went out a few days ago, it looked untouched."

"Actually, I think Daryl and I passed it too. I'll go."

"No way, you aren't going alone Chloe."

"Glenn relax. I'll be fine. IRS a quick a simple run and its really not that far. I'll be back before you know it."

"I don't like this. We said that if anyone goes out that someone will accompany them."

"Yes, I'm aware of the rule Glenn. Don't worry about it, I'll be back before anyone even notices that I'm gone. Please Glenn, I can use some quality time to myself."

I watched Glenn as his face contorted into one of unsureness, before he nodded slowly and said, "Fine, but please be careful and get back as soon as you can. You know I'm not cut out for lying."

"Yes, I know that all too well. But don't think of it as lying, just stretch the truth a bit," I said as I patted him on the shoulder.

"Chloe…"

"Don't worry. I'll be back in a bit."

I took the paper Glenn handed me of the list of items we needed. I grabbed one of the vehicles we had running, and went to drive off towards the mom and pop shop. Carol and Carl looked a little hesitant when letting me out, but Glenn was able to reassure them, and they let me go.

It took me about ten minutes to get to the store, and it still looked untouched. Maybe I could find something good since no one has been in there. I parked the car out front, and went up to the door of the building. It was boarded up and I tried the handle, but the door didn't budge.

I let out a sigh, and went to see if any of the windows would be easy to get through, or if there was a back door. I went around the whole building and didn't find a single unboarded window, and the backdoor was the sane as the front door, locked tight. I had one idea left to get into the mom and pop shop, but I wasn't even sure if the had a door on the roof. I did see a ladder connected to the back side of the building, so it was worth a shot.

I went to the back of the building and climbed up the ladder. When I reached the roof, I was greeted by a roof door on the opposite side of where I came up. I smiled to myself, not getting too excited, because I'm still not sure if it'll open. I walked over to the door, and turned the handle, hoping that it would open. Thankfully, it did open, and I was able to make my way inside the shop. I was led to the attic first, and they had some decent supplies up there. Some can goods and hygienic products, Among some other items that we didn't really need. I bet the attic was one of their storage facilities to keep inventory.

I made my way downstairs, into the shop itself, and looked around for more of the items that were on our list.

As I picked up the items, I heard weird creaking noises coming from the attic. I wonders what the sound was and I hoped it wasn't a walker, but I haven't seen any since I've been in here. I made sure to stay alert though, just in case one wanted to sneak up on me.

I finished up the list, and went over it once more before I decided to head out. Just before I went to leave the shop, and get back to the prison, the stairs collapsed into a heap just a few steps in front of me. My mouth fell open as I looked at the mess in front of me. I couldn't believe the stairs crumbled just before I was about to leave, but I guess I'm glad it didn't decide to cave in while I was occupying them earlier. The only thing I had to worry about now is how to get out of this place.

I went to the front door, unlocked it, and tried my best to push it open. After the third time, I knew it was hopeless. So, I decided to go to the back door, and tried that. When I got to the back room where the door was located, it was filled with boxes, furniture, and several shelves. There was no way I could make my way through there, or push the large shelf away from the door.

I knew the back door was my last chance of getting out of here, so now I was stuck, tapped in this small mom and pop shop. I groaned in frustration and went against the wall, sliding down it to sit on the floor. I had no clue how to get out of here, and I tried to way out my options, trying to figure out some kind of way to get out of here.

As I sat against the wall, I heard a loud roar of a motorcycle engine coming up the road. There couldn't be many people with a motorcycle during the apocalypse, so the only person I could think of it being is Daryl.

I was glad Daryl was coming, if it is him, but at the same time, I didn't want to have to be rescued. It was supposed to be a quick, in and out run, but it didn't turn out that way, and now I'm going to get lectured and berated for this. But I guess its worth it as long as I can get out safely.

I heard the engine get louder, and eventually stopped outside of the small shop I was in. I started to believe that my theory was right, and that it was Daryl outside. He must have gotten back sooner then I expected, and wonders where I was at. I know Glenn wouldn't be able to try to keep my whereabouts under wraps for to long, especially when Daryl entered the picture.

"Shadow!? Are ya here!?" I heard Daryl yell from outside.

I got up from where I was sitting with a sigh and called out, "I'm in here!"

"Are ya crazy!? Going out alone!"

"Can we have his conversation later? I'd like to get out of here."

"Fine! How'd ya get in there in the first place?"

"The roof door, but the stairs collapsed, so there's no way I'm getting back up there."

"Any other doors?"

"The back door is filled with items, there's no way to get through."

"All right… I'll get ya of Shadow, just give me a few to figure out how to do that."

"Okay."

I knew he was angry with me, but I knew his first priority was to get me out of here, safe and sound. Then, once back at the prison, the lecturing and arguments will begin. I just hoped we could figure out a way to get of here, but I'm sure if he can't find a way to get me out, hell gather a few more people from our group to come and help. He wasn't going to leave me here to die, he'd do anything for me and protects me no matter what.

"Hey, I found a crowbar. I'm gonna try and pull some of these boards away from the door, and maybe we can get it opened," I heard Daryl say from outside the door.

"Sounds like the best plan we have," I said to him.

"Yup, now stand back, and let me pry these boards away."

I stepped back, and went to grab my bag of items that I collected, as I waited for Daryl to set me free. I heard him grunting and the sounds of boards snapping as he desperately tried to get me out of the shop. I figured it wouldn't be to long until he gets me out here because it sounded like it was going pretty well out there. The only thing I'm dreading about getting out of here, is the argument to come. I wasn't to fond of arguments, but who was, and the worst part is, it's with my best friend/boyfriend.

"I got most of 'em off Shadow. Push the door, and I'll pull. Hopefully it'll open up," Daryl said.

"Okay. Are you ready?" I asked him.

"Yup, go ahead. Let's get ya out of here."

I pushed on the door, and it slowly started to open up. I continued to push, and I figured Daryl was still pulling it opened. As we continued, the door flew open and I fell into my boyfriend, both of us falling to the ground below.

I groaned as I lifted my head to look at the man underneath me and asked, "Are you okay?"

"Uh-huh… I'm fine. How about you?" he asked.

"Yes, I'm fine."

"I'm glad."

I got off of Daryl, and helped him up even though he didn't need it. I grabbed the bag that fell off my shoulder and Daryl asked, "Ya find anything good?"

"I found quite a few things we needed. It was a good place to look, it just didn't end well."

He shook his head with a hint of anger on his face and said, "It could have gone smoother if ya didn't go out on your own. What were ya thinkin' Shadow?"

"I figured it be a quick run, nothing to serious. And what if I did take a few people with me, then we'd all be stuck in there, or maybe something worse."

"But that would've been better than you risking your damn life out here. Ya could've died Shadow, or been stuck in here without anyone knowing."

"Glenn knew, and he would have came to get me along with others if I didn't come back."

"Don't matter. It was still a stupid and dangerous thing to do. I could've lost ya."

"Yes, I know. I didn't want to worry you Daryl, but I didn't think you'd be back today. I just thought I could handle things myself, and get back without a problem."

He sighed and said, "Yeah, I know. Lets get back to the prison."

"Okay," I said through my own sigh.

We headed back to the prison, and there was a large welcoming party to greet us at the gates, and they didn't look to happy. We both parked inside, and as soon as I got out of the car, everyone was swarmed around me. Rick was the first to speak and said, "We don't go out alone."

"I know, but I thought it would be an easy and simple run. I should have followed the rules, and I'm sorry," I said.

"The good thing is that your all right, and Daryl got you. What happened out there?" Hershel asked.

"Just some old steps that couldn't hold up anymore, and blocked doors."

"Well, we're glad you're all right Chloe, and brought some supplies back. Just bring someone with you next time," Rick said.

Rick took the bag of supplies with him, and everyone followed him into the prison to get ready for bed. Glenn came over to me and said, "Sorry Chloe, there was nothing I could do. Once Rick noticed you were gone, everyone started worrying and looking for you. Once Daryl came back I panicked, and told everyone where you were, especially since you were taking longer than expected."

"It's fine Glenn. I'm glad you did," I said to my friend.

He nodded and walked off towards the prison. Daryl walked over to me, and I looked up at him cautiously, knowing our conversation from earlier was far from over.

"I ain't mad at ya. Maybe a little, but I know ya Shadow, ya were just tryin' to help," he said.

"I'm glad your not too angry with me. I was just trying to help, and I should have thought before I left on my own," I said.

"I know, Shadow. I just don't wanna lose ya, and ya know that. When I ain't there to protect ya, I can't control myself, and I get all worked up not knowin' what's happenin'."

"I understand, Daryl. I feel the same way when you're out there without me."

Daryl nodded and said, "I love ya Shadow, and I know ya can take care of yourself, but I can't help to make sure I'm always there to protect ya."

"I love you too Daryl. I know how you feel, and that's why you're the best thing that's happened in my life."

He smirked at me, before giving me a quick kiss on the lips. He pulled away and said, "Why don't we head inside?"

"Yeah, before everyone starts worrying again."

Daryl let out a snort of laughter as we walked towards the prison, and I laughed along with him.