𝓗𝓮𝔂 𝓐𝓷𝓰𝓮𝓵 | 𝓓𝓪𝓻𝔂𝓵 𝓓𝓲𝔁𝓸𝓷

Chapter 18: Sophia

"Angel, where the hell you going?" I called across the yard as I saw Daryl crossing the ground towards the stables.

"Out, looking for Sophia," He replied as I jumped up to join him.

"Well I would tell you that's a bad idea but you won't listen so I'm going with you," I declared walking in time with him.

Daryl eyed me up for a second and I stared back at him lips pursed together in a line.
"Fine. He conceded. "You better not get in my though."

"When have I?"

I followed Daryl as he grabbed a saddle then headed to the stables. I could see it was too much for him but when I tried to take the saddle from him he refused and kept moving eventually chucking it down on a table. I could tell it hurt but Daryl was stubborn maybe even more than I am. Which was why I had resigned myself to going with him at the very least I could try and keep him from hurting himself.

"You can't go, Hershel said you need to heal," The small voice of Carol fluttered through the air.

"Yeah, I don't care," Daryl grumbled continuing to get the horse ready as stood by the saddle. I had never ridden a horse so I would only get in the way for now.

"Well I do, for both of you," Carol spoke genuinely, wringing her hands together as she looked between Daryl and me with concern.

"Rick's going out later to follow the trail," She reasoned.

"Well, I ain't gonna sit around and do nothing."

"And neither am I, Carol," I spoke. "Look we just want to get back on track keep going out do we can find your little girl."

"No, you're both just gonna go out there and get yourselves hurt even worse.

"Lilith gimme a hand," Daryl said still facing away from Carol. I obliged still determined to head out and find Sophia.

"We don't know if we're going to find her. We don't." Both Daryl and I looked at Carol though Daryl seemed more annoyed than I was. I was more sad that she was beginning to lose hope.

"I don't." She looked practically broken.

"What?"

"I can't lose you." Tears had begun to slowly brush down her cheeks.

Daryl set the reigns down in silence before his anger bubbled over. He threw the large saddle to the floor in anger sending a flurry of dust into the air. Daryl doubled over in pain immediately causing Carol to rush to his side and me to try. Moving quickly still wasn't my strong suit with the long wound down my side.

"You alright?"

"Just leave me be! Stupid bitch," Daryl spat leaving the barn in a stagger clutching his side.

Carol began to cry more and I immediately wrapped her in a hug allowing her to cry as much as she wanted.

"Don't mind him, Carol. We both know you mean well and honestly, it's nice to know someone else cares," I spoke softly. "I remembered what you said to Daryl about him doing more for Sophia than her father ever had. Well...you've shown me more kindness and care than my own mother ever did in sixteen years."

I let go of Carol and she stepped back.
"You don't need to lie to make me feel better," she said wiping the tears away from her green eyes.

I laughed sadly.
"Carol, nothing would please me more than to tell you I was lying but my parents didn't give a damn about me. When I say you've been better to me in the time I've known you than they ever were. I mean it, " I said sincerely as Carol looked at me with sympathy.