From Now On (Daryl Dixon Love Story)

Piggyback

Hershel had disappeared. Maggie believes he went to the local pub, which is where he used to spend Friday nights drinking before going sober.  Glenn and Rick decided to go find him. Lori was worried about Rick and that Shane was acting as if he was in charge of the place. She left to go get Rick and bring him back to the farm, but the car flipped when she hit a walker driving down the road. Shane went after her when he found out she left to find Rick. Shane just can't let go of the fact Lori loves Rick and not him. Shane coaxed Lori back to the farm by lying that Rick was already back and safe. Rick, Glenn, and Hershel all eventually showed up at the farm, but they had a kid with them. Randall.

Rick claimed that they couldn't just leave the kid to the walkers since his leg was caught on a fence post and his injury required Hershel's attention. Randall swears that he wouldn't do anything to us, but I don't know if I believe that. He could be trying to weasel his way out so he can run back to his friends and bring them here. Everyone in the dining room discussing what to do with Randall while Hershel and I patched the kid up.

"Lauryn hold him still, I need to clean out the wound more before were can stitch him back up," Hershel commanded as he grabbed the saline solution and started to flush out the debris in the wound. Randall screamed in pain as I held him down. I don't understand why they brought this kid back here and to use our medical supplies that we may need to take care of him. We stitched him up and he looked exhausted from the pain.

"I'm going to go get cleaned up, can you take his vitals and check his pupils make sure he is responsive before giving him the sedative?" Hershel asked kindly and of course, I couldn't say no. Hershel was staring at something behind me which caused me to turn around.

Daryl was at the shed door leaning up against it, "I wanted to make sure you were okay in here," he whispered. I smiled up at him and nodded, " I'm just taking his vitals and then I'll be done."

I turned back to Hershel, "Yeah no problem Hershel go get cleaned up," I said before tending to Randall as Hershel started to scrub his hands in the sink. Randall's heart rate is high, respiratory rate also high, and skin is very pallor. I pulled the blindfold up and used a flashlight to shine in his eyes. He winced before his eyes started to adjust to the bright light. Pupils dilated and constricted when I moved the light, which is good. I started to administer the sedative when Randall's eyes focused on me and croaked out a few words before passing out," Are you an angel?"

I laughed shaking my head as I took my gloves off and began to wash my hands. I glanced over at Daryl who was not amused. I wiped my hands off and walked over wrapping my arms around his waist hugging him tightly, " Are you jealous of some kid who is clearly out of his mind," I joked, but Daryl still was not amused. I stood on my tip toes giving him a kiss which made his expression soften. "C'mon everyone is in the dining room," Daryl said leading me back to the farmhouse. As we made our way back I surprised him by jumping on his back, " What the hell?" he said grabbing a hold of my legs so I didn't fall.

" I want mister grumpypants to give me a piggyback ride," I giggled and put my hands over his eyes so he couldn't see where he was walking. He started to laugh so I knew my childish behaviors worked. " Ya know I can't say no to you, but I would like to see where I'm walking," he chuckled. I dropped my hands from his eyes to wrap my arms around his neck. I leaned down to him to whisper, " You know it was kind of hot seeing you get jealous," I said biting his ear. This made Daryl's face turn bright red.

Daryl made it to the farmhouse porch steps and let me down so we could walk inside. "Woah Daryl, you okay man?" Shane questioned noticing Daryl's very red face. "I'm fine," he grumbled.

Shane didn't look like he believed Daryl but quickly forgot about it since Hershel walked in wiping his hands off from the minor procedure he provided to Randall, " Lauryn and I repaired his calf muscle the best we could, but he'll probably have nerve damage. Won't be on his feet for at least a week."

"When he is, we give him a canteen, take him out to the main road, send him on his way," Rick stated, but not everyone likes the plan.

"Just gonna let him go? He knows where we are," Shane pressed the issue which we were all concerned about.

"He was blindfolded the whole way here. He's not a threat," Rick promised, but I wasn't buying it.

"Rick, I trust you with a lot of things, but I don't believe some kid whose friends were trying to murder you and find the farm, isn't a threat, " I piped up and Rick looked defeated that I wasn't backing him up.

" Yeah and what if he wakes up and tries to escape to bring his buddies back here? I don't trust the little punk," Daryl demanded as he tightened the one arm he had wrapped around my waist.

"He's out cold, will be for hours," Rick reassured everyone, but I still wasn't completely convinced that Randall being here was okay. "We're not gonna do anything about it today," he said ending the argument that he was surely not winning.

"You know what? I'm gonna go get him some flowers and candy. Look at this, folks... We back in fantasy land, " Shaned scoffed walking towards the door but Hershel stopped him, "You know, we haven't even dealt with what you did at my barn yet. Let me make this perfectly clear, once and for all... This is my farm. Now I wanted you gone. Rick talked me out of it, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. So do us both a favor... Keep your mouth shut."

Shane rolled his eyes and was about to retaliate, but kept his mouth shut and walked out the door.

Daryl and I were walking to our tent and I could tell he was frustrated by something. He's not walking next to me, but instead behind me. I hear a bag of camping equipment fall over. I turn around to see Daryl kicking the bag taking his anger out on it.

"Hey hey hey what did that bag ever do to you?" I laughed putting my hand on Daryl's shoulder hoping he would calm down.

"I don't like the thought of that kid staying here. I don't care if Rick thinks he isn't a threat. Who knows what that kid is capable of!" Daryl yelled kicking the bag again.

"I don't like it either, but at the same time, I don't think Rick is that dumb to keep a dangerous person near the people he loves. I also think Hershel wouldn't let him on his property if they got a bad vibe from the kid. Let's just go lay down for a bit and cool off. Rick will make the right decision,"  I said guiding Daryl over to our tent. We put on some clothes that were fresher than the ones we had been in all day before lying down and took a very long and much-needed nap.