Daryl's Girl

Chapter 12

Shane took a deep breath and stepped forward. All eyes were on him, expecting an explanation, and I couldn't do anything other than prepare myself for what he had to say. Whatever it was, it was gonna be some sort of a twisted version of events. A way the story would work out in his favor. I could see it written across his face, whether everyone else wanted to see it or not. A small part of me hoping that somewhere inside him, he was a decent human being. I wasn't holding my breath.

"We were about done." He started. "Almost out of ammo. We were down to pistols by the end. I was limping. It was bad. My ankle all swollen up." He laughed and looked around at the group. I think trying to make light out of the situation and convince us he wasn't the bad guy. "We gotta save the boy. See that's what he said." His face now more serious, once again trying to win over Hershal and his people. "He gave me his pack and shoved me ahead. Run he said. He said I...I'll take the rear and I'll cover you. When I looked back..." 

He stopped and I couldn't help but glance over the rest of the group. Almost all of Hershal's people were crying. Everybody else just watching on. Dale and Daryl on the other hand, had the same expressions as me, and after catching Daryl's eye, I think he too knew he was lying. Only everyone else seemed to be falling for it.

"If not for Otis." Shane continued and I turned my gaze back to him. "I wouldn't of made it out alive, and that goes for Carl too. It was Otis. He saved us both." Turning to look at Patricia. "His death had all the meaning." 

Silence ensued as we all watched him hobble over to the rocks, picking one up and placing it on top of all the others. I just shook my head at the pathetic excuse for a human being. These people were stupid to believe him.

Patricia, out of everyone, had obviously taken in what Shane had said as she nodded and turned around to cry into the arms of another short brown haired woman. The same one that we'd met in the woods and rode away with Lori. I think I heard someone say her name was Maggie when we were making our way over, but I couldn't be sure.

There was nothing else to be said so, after another moment of silence, everyone started to disperse. Shane being the first of which to leave, almost like he was physically and metaphorically running away from what he'd done. It only cemented in my mind that something other than what he'd said had happened. The question was, what?

"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Daryl asked. His voice quiet enough so that no one else could hear. I hadn't even noticed until now he'd sped up to walk besides me.

"If you're thinking that that story he just cooked up was bullshit, then yeah." I nodded. Why was he asking me? "I know I don't know him, what he's like, but I can't shake the feeling that something else happened. That maybe he killed him to get away. He comes back, makes up some story about how the guy's a hero and there's no one to tell him otherwise."

Daryl nodded and the two of us watched as Shane made his way into the house. "Don't add up." That was something we both agreed on.

I didn't know what it was about Daryl, but I felt I could be my true self around him than I did anyone else. He didn't see me as just some liability, despite my lack of experience around walkers. I respected him and I'd like to think he did me, or I'd like to hope he did. He knew how to handle himself and with me being the outsider, he was a lot easier to talk to compared to Rick and the others. I trusted him more than I did them. All I had to do was get out of this cycle. To stay on his good side and not ask too many questions. 

"Heads up." I heard him say as we made our way back towards the vehicles. I looked over my shoulder to see Hershal headed straight towards us. 

"What do you think he wants?" I asked. 

Daryl shrugged and the two of us stopped walking. To my knowledge, neither of us had done anything wrong, and surely his attention would rather be on Rick or Carl and the others.  

"Can I speak to you for a moment." He asked, looking at me and glancing at Daryl, silently gesturing for him to leave. I nodded and so did Daryl, who then continued up the yard, leaving me and the old man stood facing one another. 

"I didn't catch your name." He said softly.

"Oh, sorry. I'm Lily. Lily Riggs." I replied with a subtle friendly tone. It seemed like he was going a bit out of his way just for an introduction, but I couldn't help but notice the sudden change in his expression as Hershal's face lit up. It made me rather uncomfortable. "I'm sorry, but is there a problem?"

There was now an element of excitement in Hershal as he watched me. "Are you by any chance related to a David Riggs?" He asked.

I froze. "What?" I replied, trying to process what he'd just said. "He's my dad. Why? Do you know him?" I finally answered and crossed my arms. How did he know who I was? How the hell did he know my father's name? Was he here? Were the rest of my group here?

"Your father and I. We went to school together. I'm surprised you don't recognize me. Did he ever show you any photos of him when we were younger?"

"I'm sorry, but no." Was this the reason he'd been staring at me since the moment I stepped foot on the farm? "My dad never talked about his days at school." 

"I'm sorry if I made you uneasy, I just had a feeling I'd seen you somewhere before and I had to ask." He apologized. Uneasy wasn't really the word I'd use. "You know, you take after your father. His personality, his quick wit, but you have your mother's eyes." He chuckled again. He knew my dad and now he knew my mom too. It was freaking me out and made me question what else he knew. Maybe he knew more about me than I did. "Your dad and I were good friends through school. When you were born he drove you and your mother all the way down here to tell me I was going to be your godfather-"

"Wait...wait. Sorry, what?" I gasped interruptingly. "You're my...my...?" I don't even think speechless was the word. What the hell was going on?

It was like all the colour drained from Hershal's face. "You didn't know?" I shook my head. If I knew, maybe I'd recognize him, but I didn't. I knew nothing about any of it. "Your father and I, we had a disagreement after your christening. Still, I thought he would've told you about me." The poor man looked defeated. "You know, you and Maggie are the same age. Your father is her godfather too. Is he still alive?"

"I...I don't know. We got separated. I don't know where he is." I sighed, still in shock. The truth was, I didn't know if he was even still alive, if he was, I was going to kill him. I had a family out here I didn't even know about. What else didn't I know? What else hadn't he told me?

"I'm sorry." He shook his head. "I hope he's okay, but it's good to see you again. We'll have to catch up soon so I can get to know my god daughter." He then hugged me. I just stood there, not knowing what to do. "I better go check on Carl." I nodded and with that, he made his way back over to the house.

I stood in shock. Shock wasn't even the word to describe it. What other secrets had my father held from me? Did I have more family out there I don't know anything about? What the hell was I meant to do with all this? The whole thing being a hell of a lot to process, as if my mind wasn't already tripping all over the place...