Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

This is staring in season one. It won't follow exactly what we seen on the show or the exact time line. People and events have been changed to suit the stories needs. I'm not sure how long this is going to be. Also I can't guarantee daily updates. I already have three other posted stories, a writing challenge, NaNoWriMo, plus other commitments outside of FF but this story has been nagging at me for weeks. I gave in and started it because obviously I need another WIP. I hope you enjoy.

Turning towards the sound and focusing on pinpointing on where it came from he moved with precision. Unsure of what he was hearing at first he made sure to step with care not wanting to alert whatever it was of his presence. The world was different now and you couldn't trust people. Swallowing thickly when he came to edge of the woods before it dropped down into a steep trench. Eyes sweeping for the sound of distress. His eyes widened when he seen her. Nothing slowed down like they showed in those shitty ass movies. No it was the exact opposite when the adrenaline kicked in; he felt like he was seeing everything at hyper speed as his breathing picked up.

Moving quickly down the side of the trench ignoring her altogether, he had tunnel vision as he focused on the main threats. His eyes were on the walkers that were making their way right for her. He was barely registering that her distress was no longer sounds but actual words. Vaulting over her using the downed tree his knife found it's home right through the first eye socket. Without pausing he slid the his spare free and brought it up through the jaws of the second as it neared. Both fell at his feet his chest heaving and waiting. Two more were nearing him getting tripped up on the same thing she had.

"Help!"

Looking over his shoulder he scanned around her seeing her free of danger. He stood between her and what would hurt her. Spinning his knives in his hand he sneered at the two dead women. Merle would get a kick out of them. They looked like street walkers. Hell knowing Merle he'd likely brought them home at some point. From the looks of them they'd been rode hard and put up wet long before the infection really took a hold of the population. With precision accuracy that his own dad would be proud of his knives made quick work of them both.

What he knew he should feel wasn't really there. Sure there was something there. These use to be people. But he wasn't naive like the people back at the camp. These weren't people anymore. They were husk of they use to be. Just a shell. No this was a mercy for them.

Wiping his knives on his pants he moved back towards the woman still trapped. Finally he got a chance to really look at her he swallowed. He couldn't leave her here in good conscience. He was raised better than that. Merle of course was going to tell him he was a fucking idiot for risking himself and that was all he needed right now.

"Are they dead?"

He met her eyes as he looked at the down tree that was pinning her in place. "If I get you free from this you think you can walk or is something broken?"

Her eyes were wide and fearful, "I can walk."

"Can you run?"

She smiled at him suddenly. "Yes."

He snorted and slid his knives back into the sheaths. He gave her a pointed look and made the motion for her to lay back. She grimaced when she did as the mud came up around her arms and throat; coating her body. Straddling her legs over her groin he turned his back to her. Getting a grip on the tree he lifted with everything he had trying to give her enough room to pull herself free. When he heard her triumphant whoop he let it fall and stumbled back. She was already scuttling through the mud further back from him. He just raised a brow but didn't say anything. What did you say when you just killed four people who were dead walking around while a woman crab walked in mud? Nothing.

Righting himself he surveyed around them and sighed. Hunting was wrecked for today that was for sure. Which was a shame he was trying to distract himself from people being gone to Atlanta. It always made him nervous when they left. It was unsafe and to risky to send such a big group. He didn't like that his own family was there in town now with all those people. When it'd been just his family or Glenn going things were quick, efficient. No fucking around. Now with Andrea, Morales, T-dogg, Jacqui, and Glenn going plus his family it was a shit show. It'd turn into a power struggle. These people didn't have the sense God gave them to survive.

"Thank you." Her voice was skittish.

He turned back towards the woman and gave her a barely there nod. "You're welcome."

He started climbing out of the trench. The sky was darkening and he wanted to be back by the time the group made it there. If they got back before him he knew that there was going to be shit to be had. Merle told him already that being out here was a bad idea but how could he say that when he'd just saved someone. Hell if he got to much shit he'd throw that in his face. In everyone's faces. He grinned and cleared the top and looked back down seeing the woman right behind him. Reaching down to her he pulled her the rest of the way up. She only hesitated a second before taking his offered help and that was at least a plus. Someone trusted his damned judgement, even if it was a stranger.

"You didn't get hurt or anything did you?" Her voice was soft, worried.

He snorted derisively, "Nope." Popping the P.

He heard her light chuckle and looked over. "I'm lucky you came up on me. Where did you learn all of that?"

"My dad."

He walked in silence watching as the sun set further. Yeah he was going to get shit. They were almost there as it was.

"Where are we going?"

"I'm going back to camp. I'm not sure where you're going." He laughed shaking his head, "Tagging along?"

He paused when he didn't hear her walking anymore next to him. Looking back at her she was standing still and looking around the woods. He arched a brow and swiped the sweat that was threatening to get into his eyes.

"I don't have anywhere else to go." She sounded defeated, "I came here because of what they'd said on news but Atlanta; it was too late."

"Count yourself lucky then." He chewed his lip and then swore under his breath, "We got a group. You'd be safer there."

She looked over at him and studied him. "Name's Carol."

He grinned at her suddenly and shrugged. They started walking again. He couldn't stand most of the group. They were lazy and self involved. He thought it was a hazard staying with them but didn't say anything. Better her staying with them then alone in the woods. The only one who seemed to realize that shit wasn't going back to normal was Shane. Problem with that was Shane was pussy blinded and was making shit decisions.

"Logan Dixon."