Daryl's Girl

Chapter 66

I was still sobbing when Rick came back followed by the others, including Daryl and Norman. I needed some air. I didn't want to be in the same room as the two men so I slowly pulled away from Briana and stood up.

"I'll go and keep watch." I turned to Rick and wiped my last tear from my face.

"Are you sure?" He asked. A caring tone to his voice.

"Yeah. Someone has to." I replied pulling my gun from my belt. It took all the strength I had to not shoot Norman then and there.

"Alright. Stay safe." Rick nodded.

I nodded back and as I started to leave the room I noticted Norman staring at me. Watching my every move until I was out of the room. A part of me hoped he felt guilty about what he'd tried to do but I've known him a long time. It wasn't going to happen. I just couldn't be around either Daryl or Norman right now.

As soon as I opened the door and stepped outside, I felt the cold winters night on my skin. I shivered but held myself together as I started to walk around the ware house. If I was out here, I might as well do what I said I would and keep watch.

Everything seemed alright as far as I could see. I'd only made it about half way round the perimeter and there were no gaps in the fences other than the one we'd made. Then I spotted a ladder fixed to the wall. I figured it would be better on the roof as I could see all around me without having to keep walking around in circles.

The metal was cold on my hands as I climbed up and onto the roof but I could see all around. It was definitely much colder but I could see a whole lot more up here than I could on the ground so the least I could do was put up with the chill.

For a little while, I walked around the edge of the roof, scanning the area around us. There was no herd to be seen. As far as I was aware, everyone was safe inside, for now.

Then the snow began to fall. The flakes were very fine and they sadly didn't stick to the ground. It didn't last long but I'm sort of glad it hadn't. There was already enough pain and stress without adding snow into the mix. Survival was hard enough as it was.

Once I'd walked around the roof another couple of times I made my way over to the centre and stood there quietly. I couldn't help but think that maybe it would be better if I left the group. Tried to find Tyler, if he's still alive. With all of this drama between me and Daryl and now Norman with his discusting behavior, how could I stay? What did I have left here? I mean, even if I didn't find Tyler, I could make it on my own, right?

I was so deep in thought that I didn't even see Tdog walk up besides me until he cleared his throat. "What are you doing up here?" I asked him, glancing in his direction.

"You didn't look too happy in there, so I thought I'd keep you company." He smiled and scanned the area around us.

"You don't have to do that." I sighed.

"I want to." He replied, looking towards me. "I'm not out here to ask you what happened. That's your business not mine. All I want to know is if you're alright and if that means standing here freezing my ass off then I'll do it."

I couldnt help but let out a small giggle at his response. In a way, I did sort of feel better just having him here. "Thank you."

Over the past couple of months I've noticed that Tdog doesn't get noticed that much by the others and neither does Carol. They just go with what ever Rick tells them to do and keep to themselves most of the time. I honestly don't blame them.

"How've you been holding up?" I asked changing the subject.

Tdog chuckled at my question. I couldn't help but giggle back. "I'm good, considering the circumstances." He nodded. "How about you?"

I looked over at him and he was still looking out into distance before glancing over at me. "I'm gonna be honest with you." I stopped as I debated telling him what I really thought. Maybe it would be best if I got it off of my chest. "I don't think I want to stay with this group any more." Tdog's head snapped towards me when I finished.

"What do you mean?" He questioned, shocked.

"With everything that's happened. Shane, Daryl and now Norman. I feel like I'm dead weight. That maybe you'd stand a better chance if I wasn't around." I shrugged my shoulders.

He looked at me and then back out into the distance. "Rick told us that we have to keep an eye on Norman. He didn't say why, but Daryl?" He questioned sounding as confused as I felt.

"We...broke up-" I started to be interrupted by Tdog.

"What?"

I looked towards him and managed to hold in my tears surprising well. "When we went to get the wood. I asked why we hadn't been speaking this past month and it all went from there really. I guess it wasn't meant to be...This is all my fault." I sighed.

"Lily, come here." He smiled and pulled me into a hug.

I didn't want it to seem too awkward so I pulled away after a secomd or two and looked back out. "So are you leaving then? What about all of us who care for you? I'm sure your dad and Briana won't want to see you go. I don't." He asked.

"I don't know. I don't want to hurt my dad, Briana, Hershal, you or anyone else. You're family, but Tyler is out there somewhere. I should've just gone with him and non of this would of happened. You'd be still on the farm." I sighed and broke eye contact, dragging the tip of my shoe on the roof.

"Things will work themselves out. You just need to go through bad to get back to the way you used to know. Tyler could be anywhere and we're here. Just think. If you did leave with Tyler, Briana would be dead. You saved her. Rick would be dead and you wouldn't have found your dad." Tdog smiled. "You've done more for us than you give yourself credit for." He smiled and started to walk to the ladder. "I'll leave you to think. Don't be too long."

That must've been one of the first times I'd fully spoken to Tdog.  His words were meaningful and I have to say, it did make me feel a lot better about the whole situation, even though I was still unsure about what to do.

"Thank you." I called over to him.

"For what?" Tdog asked, turning back to face me.

"For being there. Just talking. I'll think about it. Stick with what I feel is the most important." I smiled.

"I know you will." He smiled again turning back to the ladder.

I turned back around and walked a little closer to the edge when I saw it. A big cloud of dust. I quickly couched down and turned to look over at Todg who was just about to step onto the ladder. "Psst! Get down!" I whispered lowing my hand so he understood.

Tdog crouched down immediatley and we both looked back in the direction of the dust. I couldn't see what was causing it yet but I had a pretty good idea.