Daryl's Girl

Chapter 19

I woke up the next morning with a sick feeling in my stomach knowing I needed to tell Daryl about Shane before he did. 

I had tried after it happened, but my ankle wouldn't hold up. Every time I attempted to leave, I could barely even stand and it only frustrated me. Even when Hershal came to check on me and hand me some more painkillers, I knew he knew I wanted out. I'd told him as much, but he insisted I stay. That I needed to rest in order for my body to heal. I knew that, knew he was looking out for me, but I just couldn't get the disgusted images of Shane and this room out of my mind. I wasn't going to be his little plaything. 

Whether my ankle could take it or not, I was leaving. I sat up, swung my feet over the side of the bed and placed them gently on the ground. So far, so good, but as soon as I stood and put all my weight onto my ankle, the pain shot through me and I couldn't help but wince, immediately grabbing the bed post to stop myself from falling. 

I wasn't going to let that stop me. I wasn't staying in that bed any longer. I wasn't staying in this room.

Using the bed post to lean on, I started to limp around the bed, easing the pressure on my ankle with each step until it was somewhat bearable. That was when I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

My skin was covered in dirt and my clothes were all ripped and bloody. From a distance, I didn't look to much different to the dead and I definitely needed a shower. Then, in the reflection, I spotted a set of clothes folded neatly on the bedside table. There was a pair of skinny jeans and a top similar to the one I already had on, only not completely unwearable. Next to them was a small note which read;

'Thought you could do with some clean clothes. These should fit you. Maggie x'

I smiled and slowly hobbled my way towards the door, picking up the clothes on the way, putting as much of my weight on my other foot as I could. Once at the door I twisted the door handle and walked out.

I wanted to straight into Daryl's room and tell him everything, but what was I gonna say? How was I gonna say it? The last time I'd told him about how I felt about what Shane had done, it didn't go as I expected. Why would now be any different? In the end, I figured it was best for me to at least get myself cleaned up to buy myself some time and try and work out what I was going to say. 

Luckily, there was no one around outside the bedroom so I slowly limped over to the bathroom. My ankle becoming accustomed to my weight with each step, but that's not to say it was becoming any easier as I still needed some support. Once I finally entered the shower though, the warmth of the water on my skin felt amazing against all my aching joint and it was enough for me to forget the pain I felt.

I couldn't remember the last time I'd showered so I definitely made the most of it. The feeling of being clean rather than covered in all the blood and filth was something I just couldn't explain. 

Just to think, I never thought I'd ever be taking having a shower for granted. 

I turned the shower off and wrapped a towel around myself where I instantly felt the cool air on my legs. I then dried myself off and changed into the clean clothes Maggie had left me. Sure enough they did fit and I already felt so much better than I did being clean and fresh. I had to remember to thank her for the clothes, but first, I had other things I needed to do.

I limped out of the bathroom and down the corridor to the room, I assumed, Daryl was in and went to knock on the door when I stopped. I hesitated. I was scared and it was like my body had a mind of its own. No matter how much I tried, I couldn't bring myself to do it. I didn't know how he'd react and what that meant for us. If we were and us. All that build up last night only for me to back out.