Breathe Princess (Daryl Dixon Love Story)

Chapter Fifty Four

The smell of the musky sweat filled my nostrils as I followed the trails of the rest of the group in front of me trying to keep up the pace. I could feel the weight of my feet weighing down on me as the struggle of an easy daily task took over me making me kneel down for a moment, eyes throbbing, head spinning as I held on tight to my chest slowly standing up not wanting to cause a scene and making sure to put in the effort like the rest of them did.

In less than two days, we lost two people; Beth and Tyreese and I could tell you that on top of having no shelter nor a proper diet to depend on was starting to become a mental, emotional and a physical battle all at once. The tears, the sweat and the exhaustion wasn't a case of see through glass at this point among the group; it was loud and clear. The effects wasn't just temporary. They're permanent.

''Annora, have some water'' Glenn muttered pushing the bottle of water in front of me, adding a small smile of comfort.

''Save it for Maggie'' I said, pulling myself up walking along the same pace as Daryl did whilst he stood by my side.

''Daryl'' Water still offered in hand making Daryl narrow his eyes.

''Don't'' He shook his head, moving his pace faster than usual making me stop dead at my feet, wanting to ignore the interaction.

''Hey, we can make it together'' Glenn quoted pausing a bit then shook his head as he walked away making me furrow my eyebrows at how untrue it was starting to be. Sometimes I wonder if maybe, only maybe if I stayed back, all alone in Atlanta; I wouldn't have to deal with as much heartache of losing the people I cared about. It sounds quite horrible, understandingly but things would be easier.

I watched Daryl disappear into the woods, myself looking at Abraham giving him a sign making him nod as I followed Daryl's traces trying to shrug the pain I felt. It was starting to worsen, I knew it was and I knew there isn't a good outcome that would ever come out of it, I knew it would end soon but somehow I had to keep on going, not for my sake but for Daryl's.

I peered over the branches on tress that brushed loosely against my forehead, watching Daryl puff out his cigarette over an over again playing with the tip of his fingers, his eyes glistening with every puff. He slowly pulled it out and lit it off on the back of his hand, watching the light dig onto his hand, a pained look on his facing was starting to look emotionless. I weakly, hurriedly ran by, dropping down removing the ashes left as I coughed at the smell, hearing sobs slip up, as he gasped in between trying his best to hide it, showed me well enough this has got too much for him.

I ran my hand through his hair, pushing his face onto my neck as I felt his warm tear drip down, myself holding on to his now scarred hand. I moved my fingers in a circular motion against his scalp hoping to set an ease while my head stayed glued to his. His trembles moved through my hand and his breath filled the pain as he poured his heart out.

I lifted his head up looking through those beautiful eyes noticing the pain and sensitive side of him that he rarely showed. I pressed my lips against his forehead, moving closer as we stayed there in pure silence.

''That's not possible'' I said as Rick handed Daryl and I the note that read 'From A Friend', showing us the gallons of water placed on the floor, curiosity creeping in.

''What else are we going to do?'' Tara questioned making Daryl raise his crossbow for security, myself looking around for any signs.

''Not this, we don't know how left it'' Rick cautioned making me push myself along Daryl as I felt a wave of uneasiness wash over me, making him hold on to my hand.

''If this is a trap, we have happen to been in it. But I for one indeed think it's from a friend'' Eugene gulped eyeing down the water, looking at it like it has been the best thing he'd ever seen.

''What if it isn't? And someone put something in it?'' I pitched in squeezing Daryl's hand feeling my vision go blurry, trying to keep my composure, lifting my shoulders up and shaking my head.

I watched as Eugene grabbed the water, opening the cap and taking a sip before Abraham knocked it out of his hand adding a loud glut as it hit the floor. I looked up at the sound of thunder making me breath the smell of rain as it poured down. I let go of Daryl's hand as the rain poured down my air, myself taking it in.

It soon started to get louder by the second, I felt a ringing sound hurt my ears as I unsteadily stumbled with my feet. I winced at the pain pounding in my heart, feeling myself choke on nothing but air. I opened my eyes wide only for them to be shut close, soon losing feel of my feet, my body falling motionless as I snapped out of reality.

My eyes flew open to the sight of hay and the sound of Judith. I winced as I sat up, staring at the group in front of me. Daryl knelt down offering his palm as pills laid in them making me sigh.

''How long have I been out?'' I asked, popping and swallowing them no problem.

''Long enough that you slept through a storm'' He muttered making me chuckle as he kissed my forehead helping me up.

''Is there something you're not telling'' He whispered pulling me aside making me narrow my eyes as he looked at my chest and back up my eyes again ''there's more pain than usual''

''Hey! Everyone, this is Aaron'' Maggie's voice announced as the Barn's door creaked making everyone jump up and hold their weapons as Daryl shut the door standing right behind him , doing a body check ''we met him outside, he's by himself. We took his weapons and we took his gear''

''Hi'' He started making Judith cry out loud. He lifted his hand out making everyone cock their weapons, myself not included as I examined him. This guy wasn't danger.

''He has a camp nearby, he wants us to audition for membership'' Sasha said making me step a few steps in front, Daryl watching my every move as usual.

''I wish there was another word, umm audition makes it sound like we're some kind of a dance troop, that's only on Friday nights'' He chuckled, everyone expectantly seemed unimpressed, I wouldn't be either.

''It's not a camp, it's a community. I think you all would make valuable additions but it's not my call. My job is to convince you all to follow me back home'' He gulped looking around at the straight face everyone had. ''I know, if I were you I wouldn't go either. Not exactly when I know what I'm getting myself into. Sasha can you hand Rick my pack''

I watched as Sasha handed over Rick the backpack, him nodding at me before I took down to the ground uneasily following his instructions on where to find the envelope. I took it up, feeling the roughness of it hit my palm as I took a series of pictures out, one on top that seemed like a well constructed wall.

''That's the first picture I wanted to show you because nothing I say about of community will matter unless you know you will be safe. If you join us, you will be. Each panel in that wall is a fifteen foot high, twelve foot wide slab of solid steel, framed by cold steam beams and square tubing. Nothing alive or dead gets through our wall without our say so'' He informed looking at both Rick and I making me look down at the pictures in hope. Rick on the other hand was slowly getting tired of whatever was being invited to him

''Like I said, security is obviously important, in fact there's only one resource more critical to our community survival; the people. Together we're strong, you can make us even stronger. And we can help you too'' He said looking at me making me tense, feeling uncomfortable, Daryl glaring at him more than ever. ''The next picture you'll see inside the gate''' Rick stepped forward, knocking him out having the last straw of it.

''So we're clear? That look wasn't lets attack that man kind of look, he seems like an okay guy to me look'' Michonne confronted Ricking making me look down at Aaron as they cuffed him.

''We have to secure him, dump his pack, let's see who this guy really is'' Rick ordered Carl, slightly panicked as I narrowed me eyes at him shaking my head calling him as he walked away from me.

This is really what fear does to people.