One way or another [Daryl Dixon]

[33] SON OF A BITCH.

"It's better to be a lonely lion than a popular sheep."
-Anonymous.

Last night, sleeping was out of the question. For miles, I'm surrounded by nothing but trees and leaves; the forest is familiar territory, but the people around me aren't. There isn't a single bone in my body that trusts these men.

Closing my eyes felt risky for a variety of reasons, one of which was not knowing what they were capable of. It drove me crazy and caused my mind to go into overdrive.

Joe promised me that none of these men would touch or approach me without my permission, but only because Daryl had practically told them we were together. Normally, I'd object to lying but I'll be eternally grateful for his fast thinking for that one white lie.

Daryl never left my side the entire night. I don't think I could have gotten much closer to him if I tried, and he never once questioned anything or told me to move. Instead, he rubbed calming circles down my back and brushed his fingers through my hair, attempting to calm my nerves.

However every time I did end up drifting of to sleep I'd quickly wake up thinking about;

Rick.

Glenn.

Maggie.

Michonne.

Theo.

Carl.

Little Jude.

Merle.

And everyone else we lost that day at the prison.

Knowing Daryl was by my side the whole night though made me feel a whole lot safer in every way possible.

He made me a better version of myself. He always had, the thought of why used to scare me it still does. But slowly that fear is turning into a weird curiosity.

When I felt him move about, slowly get up, and swiftly grab his hunting gear, it was still dark, probably just before morning. Before he could even ask if I was coming, I mimicked his moves, grabbed all my weapons while trying not to wake the other men.

Daryl eventually turned to where I had been lying, searching the forest floor with his gaze. When he was greeted with nothing but leaves I noticed the color drain from his face. He was already fearing the worst.

When I lightly tapped him on the shoulder to catch his attention he quickly turned around, his eyes scanning my body for any injuries. When he saw me all packed and ready to go, he cracked a little smile and shook his head.