〰

It had been several months since the fall of the farm. Since then, they had been constantly on the move, searching through one building after another. Rick's plan to find a permanent place to stay hadn't happened yet, but Elodie remained hopeful. Surely, there had to be somewhere out there they could turn into a real home—a place they could stay forever.

There had to be a place like that, right? Surely not every spot had been claimed by walkers or other survivors.

The cold was biting, forcing them to layer up until it was almost suffocating. Elodie wore two pairs of socks, two shirts under a—in her opinion—hideous knitted sweater, and leggings under her new, oversized jeans. Daryl had managed to find a fitting belt for her soon after they found the jeans, solving that problem.

Since leaving the farm, Elodie had noticed a change in Daryl. He seemed to care more about their well-being, especially hers. He made sure she got enough sleep, though she struggled with it, ensured she ate, and had enough warm clothes.

It was a bit confusing to her, but she didn't mind it. It was reassuring to have someone to rely on, whether it was for simple tasks like tying her shoelaces or dealing with a walker grabbing her leg. Daryl was becoming that someone for her.

Lori's pregnancy was progressing rapidly; her bump was becoming more noticeable by the day. Elodie found it a bit strange-looking and wanted to ask Lori questions about it, but she held back. She thought of her mother, who would have said it was rude to ask such questions, so she kept her curiosity to herself.

The reason Elodie wasn't getting much sleep was that every time she closed her eyes, she saw the faces and heard the voices of the people they had lost. It started with her mother, followed by Jamie's voice and agonizing screams. Sometimes images flashed before her—Jimmy torn apart, Shane turning into a walker. Dale's face lingered longest in her nightmares after Jamie.

She'd rather not sleep at all.

Currently, she sat in the back seat of the car, idly swinging her legs as she waited for the others to finish scouting the houses. The rhythmic tapping of her finger against her pouch filled the silence as she stared out the window, lost in her thoughts. She jumped when her car door opened, turning to see Daryl standing beside her.

"Hi," she said, giving him a smile. She'd been waiting for them all to get back from searching the houses, and it was taking a long time. Even Carl had wanted to help, but Elodie still didn't feel comfortable killing, so she opted to stay in the car.

"Hey," Daryl said, leaning against the car door. "Got a surprise for ya."

Elodie's eyebrows shot up. Surprises were rare these days, and often not the kind you wanted. "Surprise?" she echoed, sliding out of the car. "Like what?"

"You'll see," Daryl replied. He led her across the clearing to where his motorcycle was parked.

Elodie stopped in her tracks, eyeing the motorcycle warily. Daryl patted her shoulder blade before walking over to the bike, already settling down on it. When he noticed Elodie hadn't moved, he turned and patted the seat behind him.

"Hop on," he urged her.

She bit her lip, shuffling her feet nervously. "Will ya be careful?"

Daryl shrugged. "It's just like that horse we rode. Just hold on tight to me, and you'll be fine."

"I fell off that horse," Elodie reminded him matter-of-factly. "We both did."

Huffing out a laugh, Daryl shook his head. "Yeah, well, the bike don't buck and run off when there's a snake. Just runs it over."

Elodie looked horrified at the thought, her mouth forming a small 'o' of shock. "Runs it over?"

Daryl paused seeing her shocked expression, before waving it off. "Nevermind. Point is, you'll be fine."

"Okay," she agreed reluctantly, taking a hesitant step closer to the bike.

"Good. Now hop on," he instructed, patting the seat behind him.

Elodie took a deep breath and climbed onto the motorcycle behind Daryl, her small hands gripping his waist tightly as she settled in. 

"Where are we goin'?" she asked, her voice muffled against his back.

"It's a surprise," Daryl replied, starting the engine with a roar.

"What'd ya say?"

"Surprise," Daryl repeated louder, glancing over his shoulder.

"But what 'bout everyone else?" she questioned, her grip tightening as the motorcycle vibrated beneath them.

"It's fine," Daryl reassured her, adjusting the position of her hands for a more secure hold. "We'll find 'em after."

〰

"Are we goin' to the beach?" Elodie shouted over the wind, her voice almost lost in the rush of air.

Daryl winced at her loud voice right next to his ear and gently nudged her head back behind him. Sometimes, Elodie seemed to forget that she was the only one who needed people to shout for her to hear them every now and then. "Nah."

Elodie frowned, thinking hard. "Zoo?"

He glanced back at her, waiting for eye contact before shaking his head.

She scrunched up her face, determined to guess right. "A movie theater?"

"Ya think there's still any movies playin'?"

"That a yes?"

"No."

Undeterred, Elodie continued. "A candy store?"

Daryl scoffed. "You wish."

She sighed dramatically. "A water park?"

"No."

Elodie's face fell slightly, disappointment evident in her eyes. She slumped against Daryl's back, thinking hard. They continued down the road, the wind rushing past them as they traveled through the quiet, desolate landscape.

After a few moments of silence, she perked up again. "Giant pillow ford?"

"No."

"Treehouse?"

"Nope."

"Doll store?"

He hesitated for a moment, a small smirk betraying him before he managed to muster a serious expression and shook his head. "No."

"Ya hesitated," Elodie accused, a knowing smile spreading across her face.

Daryl glanced back at her through the rearview mirror, a small smirk playing on his lips despite his attempts to stay serious. "I didn't hesitate. Just thinkin'."

Elodie narrowed her eyes at him, still grinning. "Thinkin' 'bout a doll store."

"Ain't no doll store 'round here," he said, shrugging nonchalantly.

"Yes there is!" she persisted. "We passed one last week, I think. Ya said we couldn't go."

Daryl sighed inwardly, knowing he was caught but not quite ready to admit it. He focused on the road ahead, trying to steer the conversation away from the inevitable.

"Ya sure 'bout that?" he replied, realizing he was losing this battle of wits with a ten-year-old.

"Yes," Elodie said with a nod. "'Cause it had a big sign with dolls 'n stuff."

He couldn't help but crack a small smile at her persistence. Grumbling under his breath he said, "Ya talk too much, kid."

Elodie's hair whipped around her face as she leaned closer to Daryl, trying to catch his words over the roar of the wind. "What?"

He glanced at her through the rearview mirror, his smirk faltering slightly. "Nothin'."

Elodie frowned, not catching his muttered remark. She crossed her arms with a huff, resigning herself to the fact that she might not get a clear answer from him. She leaned back against Daryl's back, feeling the rumble of the motorcycle beneath her.

"I give up," she grumbled.

Daryl hummed in amusement at her exasperated tone. "Good. 'Bout time."

The landscape blurred past them as they continued down the road. Daryl remained focused on navigating the terrain ahead, occasionally glancing over his shoulder to check on Elodie. She sat quietly behind him, her disappointment evident in her frown despite her efforts to hide it.

As they approached their destination, Daryl slowed the bike and rolled to a stop in front of a small, run-down storefront. The sign above the door was faded and nearly illegible, but the colorful, dusty display of dolls in the window made it clear what kind of store it was.

Elodie's eyes lit up with excitement. "I knew it! Liar."

Daryl smirked, cutting the engine and steadying the bike. "Whatever. Stay close," he instructed as he swung his leg over the bike and got off. 

As she hopped off the bike, Elodie's eyes remained on the doll store. The windows were grimy, and the once-bright paint was peeling, but to her, it was the most exciting sight in a long time. "It looks so cool," she breathed.

He stretched his legs before walking toward the store's entrance. The door creaked ominously as he slowly opened it to test if it hadn't been blocked. Then, he glanced back at Elodie, who was practically bouncing with excitement.

"I'm gonna check the place, make sure there ain't any new walkers inside," Daryl said, glancing back at the store. "Stay put."

"New?" Elodie scrunched her face in confusion, narrowing her eyes at him. "Did ya already clear it?"

Daryl shrugged nonchalantly as he pulled out his crossbow. "Couple days ago."

"Is that where ya went? Ya didn't tell me!"

"Wouldn't be much of a surprise then, would it?"

Daryl pushed open the creaky door of the doll store all the way, stepping cautiously into the dimly lit interior. The air inside was stale and musty, filled with the scent of old wood and dust. He scanned the shelves and aisles, crossbow at the ready.

He spotted movement in the back corner—a walker, its jerky movements betraying its undead nature. With practiced ease, Daryl raised his crossbow and fired, the bolt piercing through the walker's skull. The creature dropped to the floor with a soft thud.

He approached the fallen walker cautiously, checking to ensure it was truly dead. Satisfied that it posed no further threat, he crouched down and gripped the arrow embedded in its skull, pulling it free. He glanced over his shoulder, making sure Elodie couldn't see what he was doing.

With a grunt, he heaved the walker's body into a small storage room tucked away at the back of the store. The room was barely larger than a closet, filled with old crates and shelves stacked with dusty boxes. Daryl closed the door quietly behind him, the sound echoing faintly in the stillness of the store.

Satisfied that the walker was securely hidden away, he straightened up and headed back towards the main part of the store, where Elodie was eagerly waiting by the door, her fingers tapping the doorframe repeatedly as she shuffled her feet from side to side.

"All clear," he said, holding the door open for her. "C'mon."

Elodie didn't need to be told twice. She dashed into the store, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the sight of the dolls. "Wow," she whispered, running her fingers over the shelves. "So cool."

Daryl stood near the entrance, keeping a watchful eye on Elodie while trying his best to avoid the dolls' stares. He couldn't help but feel a chill creep up his spine every time he glanced at their glassy eyes.

"Yeah, if ya like creepy," he muttered, avoiding eye contact with the rows of dolls. "Looks like they're followin' ya with their eyes." 

Elodie turned to look at the rows of dolls, her grin widening. "It's like they're alive."

She wandered further into the store, admiring the variety of dolls. Some were porcelain, with delicate, painted features, while others were rag dolls, their fabric bodies worn and faded. Despite the dust and decay, she could see the remnants of what must have once been a child's paradise, and what was now hers.

Daryl glanced away from the staring dolls, trying to focus on Elodie. "Ya sure ya ain't creeped out by all this?" he asked, genuinely curious.

Elodie looked up, her eyes meeting Daryl's skeptical gaze. "Nah. Look, this one's smilin' at me." She held up a doll with a crooked grin and wiggled its arms, making it wave at Daryl.

"Jesus," he muttered, turning his head away to avoid looking at it. Elodie only grinned wider and put it back.

As she picked up another doll, she looked back at Daryl with a mischievous grin. "This one's got your eyes," she said, holding up a doll with piercing blue eyes and a slightly grumpy expression.

"Very funny," Daryl replied, trying to suppress a smile.

Elodie wiggled the doll in her hands, making it nod. "It says ya should lighten up. She thinks you're funny."

"Great," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Now the dolls are makin' fun of me."

With an amused grin, she wandered deeper into the store and spotted a doll that particularly caught her eye. It was a beautiful rag doll with golden curls and a dress adorned with tiny lace details. Elodie's curiosity got the better of her, and she reached up on tiptoes, stretching her arm as far as she could.

She was nowhere near being able to reach it though. She grumbled, and instead of asking for Daryl's help, her eyes started to search the shop.

Spotting a nearby chair, she dragged it over to the shelf, the legs scraping loudly against the dusty floor. Climbing up, Elodie stretched her arms, her fingertips just grazing the doll's dress. With one final stretch, she managed to hook her fingers around it, but in her excitement, she accidentally nudged the shelf.

The chair wobbled precariously, and before she could react, the entire shelf began to tilt. Dolls of all shapes and sizes cascaded down, their plastic bodies clattering against the wooden floorboards. Elodie gasped, her heart pounding in her chest as she watched the dolls tumble around her.

She froze, her eyes wide with shock as she watched the dolls land in a tangled heap on the dusty floor. She immediately felt guilty.

"Oh no," she whispered, climbing down the chair and hurrying to kneel beside the fallen dolls. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."

Daryl hurried over, his boots crunching on the debris as he joined her by the fallen shelf. He crouched down beside her, looking at the mess she made. "No harm done," he reassured. "They're just dolls."

Elodie bit her lip, guilt tugging at her. "But I broke their shelf..."

Daryl glanced at the toppled shelf, its contents scattered across the floor. "Nah, it was gonna fall sooner or later," he remarked casually, trying to ease her concern. "Accidents happen."

He picked up one of the fallen dolls, inspecting it for any damage. It seemed intact, except for a few scuff marks on its porcelain face. Elodie hesitantly reached out, taking another doll into her hands and checking it over carefully. To her relief, it seemed undamaged as well.

Daryl glanced at her with a small smile. "See? They're tougher than they look."

They carefully gathered up the fallen dolls, arranging them against the wall since the shelf had collapsed. Elodie apologized the entire time, inspecting each doll for any signs of damage. Surprisingly, most of them seemed unscathed despite the chaotic tumble.

"There," Daryl said once they had arranged the dolls against the wall half an hour later. "Good as new."

He picked up the rag doll with golden curls and a delicate lace dress—the very one Elodie had been reaching for before the shelf toppled over.

"This the one ya were tryin' to grab?" Daryl asked, holding the doll out to her.

"Yeah," she said, a frown tugging at her lips.

He nodded. "Keep her," he said simply, his voice softer than usual.

Elodie's eyes widened in disbelief. "Really? But—"

Daryl cut her off gently, his tone softening. "Ya went through all that trouble to get her. Figured she belongs with you now."

"Really?"

"Yeah, really. Ask one more time and I'll be changin' my mind."

Grinning, she clutched the doll to her chest as if afraid it might disappear. "Thank you."

Daryl merely grunted in response, standing up and dusting off his hands on his pants. "Alright, enough of that. We should get goin'. Sun's settin' soon."

Elodie's eyes widened in protest, her bottom lip jutting out in a pout. "What? But I haven't even seen everything yet!"

"You've seen plenty. Time to go," he told her, raising an eyebrow.

She pretended to ponder her decision dramatically, her eyes scanning over the dolls one last time. "Fine," she finally relented with an exaggerated sigh. 

She stood up, grimacing at her dusty hands before quickly wiping them on her jeans, momentarily sticking out her tongue in distaste. Looking up at Daryl, who was waiting for her, she saw his amused expression.

"Let's go before I start seein' these dolls in my nightmares, " he muttered quietly, to which Elodie huffed but grinned.

As they made their way back to the entrance, she looked back at the store one last time. "Do ya think the dolls will miss me?" she asked with a grin.

Daryl scoffed, holding the door open for her. "Nah, they'll be too busy creepin' out the next poor soul who walks in."

"They're not that creepy," Elodie mumbled, slipping under his arm to exit the store.

"Keep tellin' yourself that."

Daryl watched Elodie as she headed towards the motorcycle, her new doll clutched tightly to her chest. He knew there was something he needed to talk to her about, something that had been weighing on his mind since that day at the CDC—the way Elodie had been so ready to stay behind, to end it all. No one had really talked to her about it since. He sighed, feeling a knot of worry tightening in his chest. He had never been good at this kind of thing, but he knew he had to try.

"Elodie," he called out, striding over to where she was already seated on the motorcycle.

She looked up at him, her new doll cradled protectively in her arms. "Yeah?" she asked, tilting her head curiously.

He hesitated for a moment, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "We gotta talk for a minute."

"'Bout what?"

Daryl took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "Back at the CDC... when ya wanted to stay behind... we never really talked 'bout that. Ya wanna talk 'bout it now?"

Confused, Elodie narrowed her eyes at him. It had been months since the CDC, and he wanted to bring it up now?

She shrugged, avoiding his gaze. "I was just bein' stupid," she muttered.

"Nah, ya weren't bein' stupid. You were feelin' somethin'. And it matters."

Elodie didn't respond, her shoulders tense and eyes fixed on the doll in her lap. Daryl sighed, running a hand through his hair. This wasn't easy for him, but he knew he had to try.

"Elodie?" he pressed.

She sighed, her fingers playing with the doll's lace dress. "I just felt like... maybe it didn't matter if I stayed or went. Everything was so messed up, and I thought... maybe it was better to just... stop."

Daryl sighed, crouching down to be at her eye level. "Ya got people who care 'bout ya, 'Lo. Me and everyone else. It matters 'cause you matter."

'Lo. That's a nickname.

I've never had a nickname before.

Elodie blinked, clearly taken aback by his words. She looked away, biting her lip. "I know. It's just hard sometimes."

Daryl's brow furrowed as he listened. "Ya doin' okay now? With everything that's happened? Dale, Shane, Jimmy... it's been a lot."

She shrugged again, her gaze fixed on a distant point. "I'm tryin' to be."

"Yeah, I get that," he replied gruffly, shifting his weight. "Ain't easy, any of this."

Elodie glanced at him briefly before returning her focus to the doll. "I just... sometimes it feels like I can't keep up. Like everything's changin' too fast."

Daryl nodded slowly, his eyes studying Elodie's expression. He wasn't used to these kinds of conversations—emotional talks weren't his forte. But something about Elodie made him want to try.

"Yeah, I reckon everything's changed," he agreed, his voice rough but gentle. "But ya ain't gotta keep up with everythin'. Just take it one step at a time."

Elodie sighed softly, her shoulders relaxing a fraction. "I guess."

He looked up at her, noting the slight shift in her demeanor. She seemed to be processing his words, her fingers still idly tracing the doll's delicate features. He didn't press further, knowing sometimes she just needed a few moments to absorb everything.

"Do ya think squirrels remember each other?"

Daryl blinked, caught off guard by the sudden change of topic. Seemed like she's done with the serious talk.

He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "What kind of question 's that?"

Elodie shrugged. "I dunno. Just curious."

"Alright, let's get movin'. Sun ain't waitin' for us," Daryl said as he straightened up, patting Elodie's knee before getting onto the bike in front of her.

Not long after, they were back on their way home.