𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐊𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐑 • 𝐓𝐖𝐃 ✔︎

3

It's been two hours since Rin and Daryl went hunting, Merle was checking the yard for the third time that day as the cottage area was surrounded by trees for miles.

Merle had been feeling quite paranoid of Rin. That's never really been a problem.

His paranoia only started the day Rin threatened him, which was only three days ago.

It probably wasn't common for people to think walkers were actually people, right?

It probably isn't normal for people to play around with walkers, right?

Was Rin sick?

Merle always thought she was just plating around or was just crazy but could Rin be sick? Was she having delusions?

Or was it all just in Merle's head, and nothing at all was wrong with her, and she just wanted attention?

Was that why Daryl never said anything about it often?

Merles thoughts were interrupted by Daryl calling out to him, turning around, Merle, who saw the two walking back to the cottage with their crossbows in hand and a bunch of squirrels over Rin and Daryl's shoulders.

"Hey, Darylina, Rinny, how was huntin'?" Merle asked in a playful manner.

"Fine, didn't really find much but the usual squirrels." Rin spoke.

"Hey, it'll last us a little while before going for another hunt, lighten' up would ya, kid." Daryl said as he ruffled Rin's short hair.

"Dad! Stop it!"

Daryl chuckled as he looked back to Merle, "Any walker trouble?"

"Nope! It's been clear all day." Merle said with a cocky smile.

Rin sighs, "Ya know, just because we have to kill them doesn't mean we have to, they're people too, and ya kill them anyway..." She said before walking into the house, leaving the brothers alone.

This statement had Daryl and Merle sigh tiredly. They've heard this so many times, and it's always upset them.

Merle gave Daryl a look before he walked back to his spot where he was looking out for walkers, Daryl shook his head and rubbed his forehead in frustration.

"Merle!"

Merle glances at Daryl, "Hm?"

"Squirrels in one hour, got it. Or else Rin will take 'em for 'erself."

Merle nodded, and Daryl made his way back into the house, seeing Rin sitting by the table, skinning the squirrels.

"Baby, can we talk?" Daryl asked softly.

Rin didn't glance up but nodded anyway. She heard Daryl take a seat next to her, putting the remainder of the squirrels on the table.

She was scared that she was in trouble over something she did. These talks always scared her, even when it was something not that bad. Though she couldn't control that fear and get over it, she wanted to, but she couldn't.

"Baby, I need you to look at me."

She did, putting the squirrel and the knife down on the table.

"I know what yer thinkin' right now, and no, I'm not mad at ya," Daryl said, "Please don't ever think I'm mad at ya anytime we talk, but I do have some news ya probably won't want to hear Rin."

Rin nodded.

"Tomorrow - even though we have this place to live - were gonna look for more supplies because we're already low on some stuff and if it ends up being far, we'll have to pack up, okay?"

Rin looked at him, confused. They had hunting for animals and crops to farm, so why did they need to leave?

"But, dad, we just need animals."

"Yeah, but what is their isn't any left anymore? What if you get hurt? Anythin' can happen, so that's why we will be leavin' this place tomorrow, bright and early as normal." Daryl explained with a stern but soft tone.

Rin looked down at the dead squirrel and was then silent. There was no response for Daryl, who sighed and left Rin to process the information that was just told to her.

Before leaving, though, Daryl kissed her head and said softly to her: "I love ya, Rin. Don't forget that."

Rin then heard Daryl grab the string of squirrels and a knife and went to the fireplace, Merle soon walking in once the food was made.

The three were silent the whole night. It wasn't uncomfortable silence, but it also wasn't pleasant. Rin just couldn't speak to either of them, Rin wasn't always this quiet with them, but it's become normal by now for Merle as he was always the source of Rin's mood swings.

Rin had wish the next day didn't come, morning had come by so quick as she, Daryl, and Merle were on the road, leaving the cottage house behind. They were already halfway gone by the time noon hit.

Rin was once again in front as she liked leading.

Rin could always hear mumbles of conversations from her father and uncle once ever now and then. It didn't bother her, but she did wonder if those conversations were about her.

Five minutes later, Rin stopped in her tracks as she heard a branch break.

It wasn't a walker.

People - or a person was nearby.

Rin held up her crossbow and cautiously looked at her surroundings. She heard a loud crunch being heard again.

Rin quickly shot an arrow at the location and heard a voice yell a 'Ow!'.

"Let's go." Merle said as he walked to where Rin had shot.

Merle chuckled once Daryl and Rin were behind him, "Well, look who ya caught Rinny. Ya caught yerself a girl!"

Rin saw the girl, about her age, 15-16, black short hair, green eyes, and an arrow in her shoulder.

"Heh, not a bad shot, girlie." Merle continued with his usual cocky smile.

Daryl crouched down to the girl's level, "Do ya have a group?"

The girl nodded, not facing him.

"Look at me, girl!" Daryl said, "Do ya. Have. A group?"

The girl mumbled out a 'yes', and Daryl seemed happy with that answer as he stood back up, then Merle spoke.

"Show us."

Rin looked at him with a confused look, Merle didn't explain further but kept pressuring the injured girl to lead them.

She didnt talk at all to them as she walked, it was only a three minute walk from where they were to the community she lived at.

The place was huge, looked like a normal neighborhood, until they arrived at the gate two men aimed their guns at them.

"Don't shoot! They brought me back," The girl yelled out, "Open up!"

God, her voice was so beautiful...

Rin had never had a crush before so this mystery girl was her first, and boy was she ever already infatuated with her.

Was she actually letting them in this community? Rin didn't think that was very wise or careful of this girl but they did need supplies.

Maybe this could work out, maybe leaving the cottage wasn't so bad.