𝙇𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙒𝙖𝙧𝙢 𝘽𝙤𝙙𝙮 : ̗̀➛ 𝙙.𝙙

𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙖𝙧𝙣

: ̗̀➛
"Dinner was amazing again, thank you girls," Hershel thanked us as he made his way out the room, back to his room. "Also, Del, could you go make sure the horses get fed?"
Without saying a word I left the room, walking toward the stables. I saw a figure standing in the aisle, causing my heart to jump. I slowly grabbed my knife from my waistband, making my way towards it.
"God, Delilah, almost gave me a heart attack." Dales voice made me freeze. I placed my knife back in the waistband and let out a sigh.
"God, Dale, I could've killed you. What're you doing?"
"I like to see the horses, don't see many alive animals. Theyre majestic. Do you ride?"
"I used to. Used to be passionate about it. Don't have much time to do any of my old hobbies."
"I miss my hobbies. I loved fishing."
I grabbed a bale of hay, feeding it to Nelly.
"I miss going to the grocery store.. something I used to hate but now I would do anything for a random talk to a stranger."
"Its nice to have new faces. You and Hershel and his girls have been so kind. So welcoming."
"Its all Hershel. He's got a good heart, a man of god." I moved onto the next horse.
"And thats a hard thing to be in these times," He said. I nodded in agreement , thinking about how I forgot to read my bible that morning.
"Can I ask you a question, and i'm not meaning to overstep any lines."
"Ask away."
"I noticed you wear that ring, but I have to meet your husband.. so i'm assuming here but did you lose him?"
I looked down at my ring, twisting it around my finger. The big diamond on it winked at me, as if it were taunting me. I thought about David. His face, his smell, his hands.
"I was engaged. I came back here to visit my family from Ohio when everything went to shit. I lost all contact with him. His name was David. He was supposed to become a doctor."
"I lost my wife.. cancer. Forty-three years together."
"I'm so sorry." I felt silly even thinking my loss was hard.
"The thing i've learned is the pain and missing them never goes away.. you just make room for it." He gave me a hopeful smile, I gave him one back.
"Now can I ask you one more thing?" He asked.
"Yeah?"
"Why does Hershel have walkers in the barn?"
My heart dropped. I felt my blood run cold. I snapped my head towards him.
"What?"
"I was taking a stroll earlier.. I heard the moans."
I stood with my mouth open, just staring at him, at a loss of what to say. Racking my brain in a way to defend Hershel, but there was none.
"I.. He thinks they're sick.."
"They are not sick, Delilah. You're a smart woman, you know that."
"This is not my conversation. This is Hershels home.. not mine."
"But you-"
"Dale, stop, okay? This isn't about what I think."
"You know its not safe."
"I... Goodnight Dale."

: ̗̀➛

Dishes clinked in the sink as I wiped down the kitchen counters, everyone chattered.  It was so crisp out that morning, so nice and peaceful, but my hands shook at I replayed Dale and I's conversation. The look in his eyes when he told me he knew. I had felt like a kid being caught in a lie, a horrible, dangerous lie.
"You okay, Del?" Beth asked softly. Before I could answer yelling erupted outside. We all hurried towards the yelling. Herhsel stood on the porch, yelling in Shanes face, Rick trying to pull Shane back.
"Those things are monsters! They aint people!" Shane barked.
"Shane." Rick tried to pull Shane away again. Shane shook him off roughly.
"I want yall off my farm!" Hershel barked back. My eyes met with Daryl's.
"You're having us sleep next to those things! We have kids! An unborn baby!" I looked over at Lori. "You think they're sick?! No man.. You're sick!" He stepped toward Hershel. Maggie ran up and gave him a swift slap across his face.
"Don't touch him!"
Hershel looked at Rick, staring him down.
"Off my farm."

: ̗̀➛

"Daddy! Please hear Rick out! Please-"
"No Maggie! Damn it! Those people have ate up our food, drank up our water, came into our home! We have done enough!"
I stepped out the screen door, taking a seat next to my sister, trying to escape the yelling. It was my fault. These were secrets I had held.
"I'm personally happy they're leaving."
"Thats cold hearted, Kay."
"We don't know these people," she replied so nonchalantly it made me sick.
"And you don't know what its like out there." I stepped off the porch.
I made my way toward Daryls tent calling his name out, getting no response.
"Hey T? Wheres Daryl?" I yelled over to T-dog as he snacked on some crackers.
"He said he was going out to look for Sophia!"
I thanked him, biting my lip from the nerves of everything as I made my way to the horse stables.
"Morning Nelly- Nelly?... God damnit.."

: ̗̀➛

I sat on the porch steps, bouncing my leg and chewing my nails. The night air was so cold it stung my skin. I would do anything for a cigarette. I kept my eyes on the fields.
"Why are you awake?" A soft voice said from beside me. I looked over to see Beth, arms crossed across her chest.
"Just thinking, Bethy. Why are you?"
"Just thinking." She gave me a half smile, "You know what I was thinking about?"
"What?"
"How you, Jake and Eddie used to come over and Eddie always helped me with my homework. I always had a crush on him but he had a crush on Maggie," she giggled, "And you taught me how to wash my hair and how to do a cart wheel. I miss it. I miss it everyday. I miss momma. I miss Shawn. Daddy says they're still here but... they aren't really. Momma can't cook us meals, Shawn can't tease me and Eddie can't help me with my homework." She looked at me with wide eyes, "I'm sorry."
I sighed deeply, hurt that she felt the same pain I did. I opened my arms and she fell into them. I felt small tears fall onto my shirt as I held back my own.
"I don't want those people to leave. Its so lonely here."
I stroked her hair, holding her tightly.
"I know." My voice cracked.

: ̗̀➛