Cowboy

6) Scars

Alicia laughed to herself as the hot water ran over her body. Even back in her and Jordan's shared apparement there was no hot water. The power had shut down and the water heater was electric.

She smiled, lathering soap all over her body, scrubbing until there were red marks. For the first time in weeks she felt clean.

Maybe it was because she was in a clean and safe facility. Maybe it was because she didn't rush to shower because the water was so cold. Or maybe it was because she could finally crawl into an actual bed and sleep soundly.

She sighed, turning the water off and immediately missing the feeling. She wrapped her towel around her before stepping out.

It took her a minute to get dressed, wanting to stay in the steamy room forever. She groaned realizing she had to face the outside world eventually.

Alicia and Daryl were sharing a room. There wasn't enough for everyone to have their own and Alicia didn't know how much she liked the idea of being alone.

Daryl was the one who suggested it, saying they could take the room with the bed and pull out couch.

It surprised her that he was the one who came up with the idea but she agreed. She couldn't help but wonder though... no that was crazy.

The real reason Daryl suggested this was the look on her face when Jenner told them that some of them would have to share a room. He saw the way she nervously looked around at people, mainly Shane.

So his mouth was moving before he could even process what he was going to say.

Another reason might have also been because Daryl could actually stand to be around Alicia for more than a few minutes. He'd much rather share a room with her than Carol, or Glenn... or Shane.

Alicia opened the door to their room, expecting Daryl to be fully clothed. She had to hold back a gasp when she saw him with his back turned to her, only his shirt missing.

"Daryl..." She mumbled, taking her eyes over the scars that littered his back. "What-"

"Nothing." He said hurriedly, turning to face her so she couldn't see his scars.

"I have them too." She said quickly, rolling up her leggings to reveal the long silver scars that covered her calves.

Daryl stood for a moment, staring at her scares before he looked back up, meeting her eyes. "Your parents?" He asked.

She nodded. "My dad."

He grunted, sitting down on the bed. "Mine to."

She slowly walked to sit beside him, trying not to stare to much. Not because of his scars but because he was beautiful.

Most people wouldn't see it this way but Daryl Dixon was beautiful. The way his wet hair fell just slightly onto his forehead. How his arms tensed when she sat down close to him.

She particularly loved the tattoos he had adorning his chest. Alicia could watch him like this forever.

He was simply stunning, and she found herself growing comfortable in his presence.

"My dad would hit me whenever he was upset. It wasn't just if I did something wrong." She started. "The scars on my legs are from tree branches. He would hit me over and over again until there was a long, deep cut. Most of the time he wouldn't stop until I was covered in blood."

Daryl turned to look at her. "Where is he now?"

Alicia sighed, shaking her head. "Dead. Or at least I think he is." She shrugged. "I haven't seen him since I left for college. Only a few phone calls."

He nodded. "What about your mom?"

Alicia let out a dry laugh. "I'm pretty sure he killed her when I was fifteen. He told me she ran off, even went as far as filing a police report but... I saw the look in his eyes and I remember the little spot of blood on his shirt."

"They never found her body?" Daryl asked.

"Nope."

They sat in silence for a few minutes, staring at the wall in front of them. Alicia could practically hear the wheels turning in Daryl's head as he thought.

"Why're you telling me all this?" He finally asked, completely turning now to look at her.

She gave him a small smile, playing with the shark tooth necklace that hung around her neck. It took her a minute to answer, looking down at the floor.

"Because." She finally looked up. "I trust you."