Hush Baby Im here

Chapter 19

The wind picked up even more,and I was so thankful when the heavy wooden barn doors swung shut. How would the walkers respond to this, the sound isn't really coming from anywhere, but its loud, where would they be drawn to. 

Maggie and Glenn settled in the corner, laying down their stuff, everyone else spreading among the area.

I laid beside the east wall, where no wind was blowing though the boards and there was a small hole the size of my arm, so I could see the outside.

Daryl laid right in front of the doors, making me a bit anxious.

Rick started a fire, which we all gathered around, except Maggie who was feeling more sick today.

"We are the walking dead." Rick stated clearly after a long speech. I was memorized by his words, all of us taking in the true fact.

"We ain't them." Daryl suddenly spoke.

I couldn't help smile to myself, for reasons unknown.

"Hey." Rick caught Daryl before he was going to walk away, "we're not them."

"We ain't them."

...

I laid awake again staring at the darkness though the hole in the board, sometimes a shadow would move and my breath would hitch in my throat. I think most of the group was asleep, but I don't turn around and check. The wind was much stronger now, if that was even possible. The whooshing noise reminded me of the ocean, and the beach and I almost took comfort in it, almost. 

I turned over, my arm pressing against the packed dirt ground. Daryl lay against the doors, his head down towards his chest, as if he was dozing in and out but wanted to be alert.

Maggie whimpered in her sleep, tossing and turning. I flew up, striding over to her, registering the look of surprise from Daryl when he saw I was awake.

Kneeling beside my sister I checked her pulse, it was going steady, but not to fast.

She was sweating though, even though her body temperature was cold. I collected my blanket and placed it over her, not wanting her to get anymore sick then she already was.
Stop it. I reminded myself, she's not sick.

I sighed, going back to my wall. My throat was dry and scratchy, so I swallowed hard. My attention was drawn to my jeans, they were ripped allot more now. I realize that the last time I got new close was at the gulf course with Daryl. I played with the fading strings attached to the holes when a pair of feet stepped in front of me.

I looked up and Daryl was holding a bottle of water down to me.

"Thanks." I said, grabbing a hold of it and taking a bit. Even just a tea spoon felt satisfying. He lowered himself onto the ground and sat beside me.

I turned my head to face him, "you alright?" I ask. His eyes meet mine and I can tell he is debating on weather or not to answer honestly.

He sighs in defeat and does tell me what seems like the truth; "Yeah, just taken off guard." I nodded.

"I'm sorry I was just being nice and-" I start to ramble, the thought of going back to the awkward square one with Daryl killed me. 

"It don't matter." He interrupted me, shaking his head.

"It just don't." I didn't know exactly what he meant, but I settled. I thought girls were supposed to be the confusing ones.

"Here," he said pulling me out of my thoughts. He held the music box in his outstretched hand, waiting for me to grab it.

"I fixed it for you."

"Thank you." I said my eyes widened in gratefulness.

He just shrugged his shoulders and leaned his head against the wall. I did the same and we sat there side by side, until his voice finally broke the silence.

I was thinking about streams and rain when he said: "where should we go now Beth?"

"What?" I said, confused a bit about his question.

"What now?" He repeated.

"We wait and find somewhere to live." I replied calmly, truly believing that the words I said would come true.

He shrugged again whispering under his breath about how it never works.

"Daryl." I said sharply, he turned, "its gonna be okay." I placed my hand on his arm in a comforting manner. His eyes glanced down at my hand but I left it there. I knew he asked me because he needed to hear my answer, he just wants a little hope. 

I slid closer to him, our thighs touching and laid my head on his shoulder.  His shoulders tensed but I didn't care, hell I don't care if he wanted me gone. Right now I was just so damn tired.

As I shut my eyes I felt a soft finger brush the hair out of my face, and I knew he wanted me here just as much as I wanted to be here.