❛ now daryl, daryl was gray. he always seemed to be bitter and emotionless with no other dimensions to himself; his mere presence was the only one. gray was intriguing, almost acting like an acquired taste, but it had the potential to be beautiful t...
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thirty six.
I woke up on the porch, my head on Daryl's shoulder. The air of the early morning was cool but sticky from last night's rainfall. My clothes and hair were still damp, but my leg had been dried and wrapped in a fresh bandage. I lifted my head from his shoulder. He turned to look at me.
"You were asleep for a while," he told me, looking back out at the trees.
"You tire me out," I teased him. Daryl half-smiled in response. "You sleep at all?"
"Nah, had to keep watch." He twirled the blade of his knife around on the boards of the porch.
"Why don't you sleep now," I suggested. "Everything's fine."
"Nah," he repeated, gently placing his hand on my knee. "I'll sleep tonight." Carol walked up to the screen door, opening it and gazing out at us.
"I thought I heard you guys out here." She noticed our damp clothes and fully stepped out onto the porch to get a good look at us, adjusting the gun on her shoulder. "Were you two out playing in the rain last night?" I just smiled in response, holding back laughter. "I never would've expected that from you of all people," Carol smirked, nudging Daryl with the toe of her boot.
"I'm full of surprises," he muttered, biting his thumb nail.
"You sure are" she grinned. "Anyways, I'm heading out for a bit."
"Why don't you stay here and rest? Lay low," I said, observing her tired features. "You've been out there for a long while already."
"I just want some fresh air," she stated, stepping off the porch towards the trees.
"Be careful," I called after her.
"I'll be quick, I promise," Carol called back to me before disappearing.
Hours had gone by of Daryl and I shootin' shit and screwing around, but Carol hadn't made it back yet. I was growing worried as the sun set, the crickets beginning to chirp and a few stars starting to shine. I stared out the screen door for what felt like the hundredth time before climbing up the ladder.
"Don't be so worried," Daryl said to me as I crawled over to him and into his arms. He laid down on the mattress, my head on his chest.
"She's been gone for a long time, though. It's already dark." I raced through various horrifying scenarios in my head of what could've happened to her. I just hoped and prayed she found a safe place to stay for the night at this rate.
"She'll be back," Daryl assured me, his fingers running through my hair. "Just close your eyes; go to sleep. If anythin' she'll be back by the time you wake up." I sighed and obeyed him, closing my eyes and trying to fall asleep. The both of us were at peace, Daryl and I on the verge of finally drifting off when we were jolted awake by a large thud.
