Let me go (twd/ daryl's daughter)

5~ Isn't it past yer bedtime?

Heyy! chapter 5 here! thank you for reading, please comment any concerns you may have! love ya x

Emerson jolts awake, the unfamiliar surface beneath her causes panic to spark up in her chest.

Her breathing picks up at the foreign blanket in her grasp.

where was she?

how did she get here?

She glances around, spotting a sleeping Glenn on the other couch. Yesterdays events fly around her mind as she finally calms down.

She peaks out the thin curtains of the RV to see the sun is still down.

must still be late...

She quietly rolls off the couch and tiptoes over to the RV door. Her hand dances across the handle as she opens it. The squeaky door being much louder than she would have liked.

She turns back to Glenn only to see him still asleep.

good sign.

With slow, cautious steps she exits the vehicle, no one else seems to be awake.

The bright moon illuminates the sky and reflects off the quarry water. Goosebumps rise on her neck, who knew Georgia weather could switch up so fast?

In the middle of camp the fire still sits, only a few sparks can be seen filtering against the cool breeze.

Emerson slowly inches closer to it, she's about to sit down when someone clears their throat.

Her head snaps up, and her body stiffens, eyes trying to find the source when her gaze finally lands upon a figure.

Daryl.

god damn Daryl.

His body is slumped down into a garden chair, a cigarette hangs lazily from his mouth.

"Isn't past yer bedtime?" He questions, smoke pouring out of his mouth before evaporating into the crispy air.

"Isn't past yours?" She retorts sitting by the fire and crossing her legs.

"Why are ya up?" He gruffly speaks up, eyes burning into her, studying her; like one would to an interesting book.

"Why are you?" She squint her eyes as she talks, eagerly trying to get under his skin.

"I'm on watch duty, now answer the question ya little shit" He retaliates, flicking his now finished cigarette away and pulling out another.

"Woke up and can't get back to sleep" She rejoins.

He grunts in response, the clicking of his lighter being the only sound audible, along with the odd rustling of bushes.

~~~~

The two sit in a weirdly comfortable silence for some time, the only movement being Daryl checking the tree line every once in awhile and Emerson shuffling around every time her legs cramp up.

A soft sigh escapes her lips as she watches the stars litter across the sky.

What would life be like if the apocalypse never occurred?

Would she still be stuck with her so called 'father'?

She would have never met these strangers.

Never become as strong as she is now.

Is she strong? She likes to think she is....in comparison to how scared she used to be. But in the end, she's just a child. No child should have to kill to survive, go hungry for days, always having to watch her back.

Fingers snap repeatedly in her face, breaking her away from her thoughts.

She slaps his hand away and shakes her head to remove her previous pondering.

"I've been saying yer name for awhile, ya fell asleep sat up or somethin?" Daryl smirks at his last few words before returning to his chair.

"Was thinking" She mumbles out.

"Get out of here and get some sleep before everyone wakes up" He replies, eyes briefly scanning the trees again before settling on her.

He was right, the others will be up soon, the sun becoming visible in the distance along the horizon.

Was she really thinking for that long?

"I'll get some sleep...but not because you told me to old man" She bites out, hands skimming her pants as she wipes away any stray dirt.

In response he rolls his eyes and shakes his head.

"I'll skin ya, now get to bed" He threatens, hands gesturing over his knife to justify his words.

"Do it then, ya dumbass" Her voice is muffled slightly as she walks further away.

"Little shit" He grumbles out as she closes the RV door.

(703 words)