Daryl's Girl

Chapter 13

After thinking it through, I decided to keep the information Hershal had just told me to myself. I had so many questions like, why did my dad not ever mention Hershal? What even happened in their fight to make them fall out? Why should what happened between them stop my dad from telling me about it all? Did it mean they were hiding something? Were they bad people? Was he trying to keep me safe by not telling me? There were so many questions and the last thing I wanted was to step on anybody's toes, but those questions needed answers and for the time being, until I get them, it's best that no one else knows. I was already on shaken ground as it was.

Then it occurred to me. If Tyler was right and Rick and the others only wanted me around to help find Sophia, if I really was his goddaughter, I could always just ask Hershal if I could stay because, at the end of the day, it might give us a chance to catch up on lost time. If not, and this whole thing was a giant set up, I needed to get out. There were way too many scenarios going round in my head and it was starting to give me a headache.

I needed a distraction.

I turned back to face the camp and saw Carol enter the RV. As much as I was trying to avoid her, I wanted to at least go check up and see if she was okay. Apologize for what happened out in the woods and let her know that, if she ever needed someone to talk or cry to, then I'll be there for her. These were hard times and I can't image what it's like to lose your child. Not know if they're dead or alive. It was like how I felt about mine and Tyler's group, even him. I didn't know where they were and I'd let it happen to someone else.

I plucked up the courage and started to walk over when I bumped into Beth, who I'd been introduced to as Hershal's youngest daughter. She had long-ish blond hair and seemed a bit timid. "Have you seen Jimmy?" She asked. If I remembered right, Jimmy was Beth's boyfriend, who was a tall, dark haired boy.

"No sorry." I shook my head and Beth huffed before making her way over towards the stables.

As she did, I glanced back at the RV and knew I didn't have the courage to go in there. Not yet. Carol needed her space and she probably doesn't need someone like me trying to make it seem like everything's okay, when we all know it isn't. Instead, I headed up to the house. My mind still spinning with all the unanswered questions. At least if I went in and checked up on Carl, it would help distract me. If not, give me an excuse to find Hershal and maybe find out a bit more about this whole family situation.

I walked over, approached the front door and went in. 

Looking around, I saw Patricia sitting opposite the door at the kitchen table looking at some photos with tears in her eyes and I assumed the photos must've been of this guy, Otis. It reminded me of Briana's photo. If only she were here. If only I knew where she was, that the world wasn't how it was. That if things were normal, we wouldn't have lost so many people.

As for the house itself, it was spotless. Nothing looked out of place. It was as if the world outside these walls wasn't the world it is now. That the dead weren't rising, coming back to life. They were lucky they didn't have to deal with that. They were safe here.

"Are you okay, hon?" Lori asked from behind me, startling me slightly. I turned around to look at her. She had bags under her eyes and looked like she hadn't slept in a while.

"Yeah. I was just coming to see how Carl was doing." I replied. "How are you? Have you slept?"

Lori shook her head. "How can I?" A terrified tone to her voice.

"He's gonna be okay." I smiled and I was surprised when Lori smiled back, leading me into the bedroom.

Carl was lying on the bed looking at us in the doorway. His face was pale and I could see the bandage wrapped tightly around his waist peaking out from under the quilt. "Lily." He smiled. I wasn't even sure he'd remember my name. It wasn't like I'd been around long enough for him to recognize me, let alone for anyone to know me, but I was beginning to understand why Lori hadn't slept. This must be a mother's worst nightmare, after losing a child that is.