Daryl's Girl

Chapter 36

Briana and I sat on the porch and talked for quite a while just speaking about all the things we've been through together and about how none it is remotely similar to what's happening now. That we could've never have imagined doing the things we've had to do to stay alive. Thinking about all those people we've lost.

In that time, we'd also been back inside, where I introduced her to Beth, who'd woken up for a little while and was happy to see Beth and Briana getting along as well. It was almost as though they'd been friends for years when the reality was, it had only been a couple of hours. That, and it was nice to see Beth smile again after the barn and it filled me with warmth. It didn't last long though.

It was just after mid day when I heard the cars and looked up and over to the driveway. Sure enough, there they were. Rick in the car up front with the others driving behind, parking next to the RV. I instantly felt my stomach drop. This was going to be the hard part. 

I'd introduced Briana to Hershal, Dale, Lori, Shane and Beth and, as of yet, other than Shane and possibly Lori, they all seemed welcoming of her. The others on the other hand, I couldn't get a read on. I'd like to assume those like Glenn, Maggie and Tdog might be okay, but it was mostly Rick I was concerned about. He had the most authority and people listened to him.

I had to try.

I felt a knot beginning to form in my stomach as I watched them all climb out of the cars. Rick, Patricia and Jimmy heading our way up to the house. This was it. No turning back.

"Who's this?" Rick yelled across the driveway. This caught the attention of the others. None of them looking comfortable as they set their eyes on Briana, following on behind Rick. I expected as much. She was a stranger. I'd be uncomfortable too if I were them.

"I'm Briana. Lily's friend from before." Briana announced.

They didn't care. No one was listening. All they did was began yelling over the top of one another.

"We don't know her." 

"What if she's with someone?" 

"Where did you go? Are you okay?"

"What were you thinking?"

I glanced over at Briana and couldn't help but notice how deflated she now looked. After a warm reception from Dale, Hershal and Beth, this was the opposite of what she'd hoped would happen. I did warn her it wasn't going to be easy.

"Enough!" I yelled, waving my arms and stepping in front of her. Everyone fell silent. "She's not with any other group. You can trust her...Trust me."

"Lily, you can't just bring people back here." Rick replied. Hypocrite. 

"So it wasn't you who bought that kid back here after his group attacked you?" I snapped, gesturing back to the house. That was gonna come back to bite me. "She's not a stranger. She's not with any other group. She's alone. I've known her for as long as I can remember and trust her with my life."

Once again, everyone fell silent and I noticed a few people sharing a glance at what I'd said. Whether they were coming around to the idea of her staying or shocked at what I'd said to Rick. I couldn't be sure. Without Hershal, Dale and Beth out here to help fight my corner, I was facing an uphill battle.

"I get it. I do. You have no reason to believe me, but I'm not gonna lose her again." I begged.

"We can't take that risk." Rick sighed, shaking his head. I knew he was putting the welfare of the group first, but I could also see the exhaustion in his eyes. He was tired of making these types of calls and all it did was piss me off.