Daryl's Girl

Chapter 16

"Why didn't you say nothin'?"

"I didn't know..." I replied. "It's what he wanted to talk to me about before."

An uncomfortable feeling settled between us and I didn't know what to do. All I was doing was debating whether I should've just kept the information to myself and prevented this, but now it was out there, I couldn't take it back. It was only a matter of time before everyone else found out and the last thing I wanted was for it to reach Shane and give him a reason to manipulate the way people saw me so that whenever the truth does come out about Otis, they'd side with him.

I thought, at the very least, I could've trusted Daryl enough to tell him. 

"He had a photo of me and my dad when I was younger." I continued, hoping to bring us back to the awkward friendship we had. "I don't think I would've believed it if I hadn't seen it for myself." Don't get me wrong, it was nice to know someone cared, but they're still strangers and it's one hell of a bombshell to drop.

Once again, a silence settled between the two of us and I could feel my chest beginning to tighten. As much as I tried, I couldn't read him. Couldn't make out what he was thinking. If I didn't have Daryl, then who did I have to turn to? Who did I have to watch my back, fighting my corner? I wasn't strong like he was and I'm pretty sure the rest of the group just pity me. I was the girl who left a child in the woods. I was the girl who's friend left her on the highway. I was the girl who couldn't fight. I was just the girl they took in so they wouldn't have to feel guilty about leaving her on her own.

"Who else knows?" Daryl finally asked.

"No one. Just you and Hershal as far as I know." I replied. "But, I don't want the rest of the group to know just yet. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it all." 

Daryl nodded. "Alright." His response sending a wave of relief over me.

"Thank you." I sighed, wrapping my arms around him, bringing us into a hug. 

The second I realized what I was doing, I pulled away. Daryl looking as uncomfortable as I felt and I turned my gaze to the ground. I couldn't look at him. "Sorry." I apologized.

"Don't be." Daryl then said and I raised my head so that I was looking at him again. He really was something else.

As we stood together, out of the corner of my eye, I couldn't help but notice Shane standing on the other side of the yard watching us, and I felt my muscles tense. Daryl must've noticed as he glanced behind him and over toward where Shane was standing. He was dangerous and, whether or not he thought so before, Daryl knew it too. The two of us watching as Shane pouted and stormed off into one of the fields behind the house.

I did my best to hide the part within me that was terrified of him, of what he was capable of. The thought of being left alone with him with no one around making me feel sick and I didn't want Daryl to see.

"Why don't you stay close." I heard Daryl say and turned back to look at him. I hadn't even realized he'd been watching me and I shifted uncomfortably. I guess I needed to try harder to tuck my feelings away.

I didn't say anything as the thought of being somebody else's burden crossed my mind. I wasn't Daryl's responsibility and if I was gonna survive, I had to do it my way. I couldn't be weak and I couldn't let Shane get into my head. 

"Was thinkin' of takin' a horse tomorrow. Head down to the creek to look for Sophia. Could use some company." He said awkwardly.

I wanted to protest, but I knew it would get me off the farm for a while and being out there was better than being here. "Yeah. Okay." I agreed. It wasn't like I had anything else to do and it may be a chance for us to actually talk and figure out what exactly this is between us away from prying eyes.