Forsythia - Daryl Dixon (BOOK TWO)

Chapter Thirty Two

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As Maggie wrapped Eric's broken ankle in the water tower hideout, Natalia and Daryl were outside keeping watch and waiting for Rick and the rest to arrive.

Adjacent from Natalia, Daryl stood by the door and curiously watched her; she nervously and anxiously chewed the inside of her cheek as she would seldomly brush her frizzy curls behind her ear.

Daryl had spent enough time with Natalia to understand what her body language spoke out loud when words betrayed her— the man was also very observant and Daryl trained himself to take note of every detail of Natalia so he would know what she was feeling or thinking.

"They're coming." Daryl reassured Natalia softly as he snapped her out of her thoughts— leaving his post to be beside her.

"I know— but that was a lot of walkers they ran into." Now, his arm was plastered against hers as he attentively craned his neck in Natalia's direction attentively.

Another thing Daryl had noted, but wasn't sure if Natalia picked it up from Rick or if it was just how they were born, was how they carried themselves as leaders; constantly putting the needs of others first hiding their fears and worries. However, Daryl told himself that he read her well enough to know what was bothering Natalia— after all, Natalia, did break down her walls for him.

"And we've been waiting quite a while."

"Michonne and Glenn are with Rick— they're going to be okay. Even if Rick was alone, he'll be okay." Daryl reassured.

Natalia raised her brows in concern and bit down onto her lower lip, nodding her head; Daryl couldn't help but melt— he instantly cupped her cheek and rubbed her cheek with his thumb.

Before Daryl could lean in to place a comforting peck on her nose, a whistle in the distance caught their attention.

Daryl and Natalia's head whipped in it's direction only to see Rick, Michonne, Glenn and Aaron.

"Told you." Daryl said lowly to Natalia as he reassuringly squeezed her waist— Aaron immediately ran into the water tower hideout as Rick rushed to his sister.

"You okay?" Natalia nodded at Rick's question as the older brother placed a peck on the top of her head.

"Are you guys okay?" Everyone replied to Natalia with synced nods of their heads before everyone made their way in.

After greeting his partner, Eric, Aaron had thanked everyone for saving Eric and suggested driving to their community, Alexandria, the next day.

After a little struggle between Aaron and Rick, everyone had settled down and opened cans of food for their dinner.

Natalia and Daryl shared a can of pineapples as they sat closely to each other. After their light food, Natalia's shoulder slumped in exhaustion as her eyelids grew heavy.

Carl had already fallen asleep with Judith beside him and her instinct of always watching over them could finally be put to rest. While Natalia always had her eyes on Carl and Judith, Daryl always watched over her— the man beside her noticed her slowly begin to drift and immediately licked the pineapple juice off of his fingers before wrapping his arm around her shoulders, pulling Natalia in his side so she could sleep.

———

Immediately after sunrise, the group began to head to Alexandria, their new home.

Natalia, taking a break from driving, had settled in the car with Michonne, Rick, Carl and Judith. In the backseat beside Carl, Natalia constantly bobbed her leg nervously as she bit her nails; the woman wasn't sure if Aaron's community was as great as he preached it to be. What if it was another community just like Althea's?

At the thought of Althea's community, Althea began flashing in Natalia's mind, sometimes, her mind would drift to Agatha.

When the RV's battery died and everyone waited patiently for it's revival, Natalia mustered all her strength to fight Althea and Agatha away from her mind, trying to bury them in the back of her mind. Unfortunately, Natalia could feel her anxiety took over her; Natalia's stomach flipped as she felt her throat tighten.

Quickly on her feet after Rick excused himself, Natalia found herself in the woods— to prop herself up, Natalia leaned on one of the trees with her hand as she slumped over.

As she gagged, suddenly Natalia could smell the heavy metal odor the moment Althea's mutilated body flashed right before her eyes.

Painfully, Natalia heaved and spilled her stomach contents. Unfortunately, she couldn't take a moment of privacy. Carol had noticed her odd behavior and followed Natalia.

Carol placed a hand on her shoulder, grabbing her attention.

"Hey— Nat, honey, are you okay?" Carol's eyes filled with concern as her brows smashed together.

"I just...I just— the pineapple. It was the pineapples we ate."

Carol didn't believe Natalia but decided not to dwell on it too much.

"Well, the RV's running again— we'll get you some painkillers." Carol lovingly wrapped her arms around her and guided her back.

Once they were back on the road, it wasn't too long before they had stopped in front of a rusted gate— only then did Natalia realize she was staring at Alexandria itself. It was well secured and covered, shielding what was waiting for them inside.

Suddenly goosebumps ran up and down her arms as many positive and negative thoughts fought in her head.

Carl had noticed her wide eyes and he knew his aunt had many concerns and anxiety and only decided to encourage her with a soft smile, taking her hand and squeezing it in his.

"You ready?" Natalia heard Michonne say to Rick as she held his hand over the steering wheel.

Natalia was the first to exit the car and at the sound of kids running and laughing, Natalia couldn't help but exhale shakily.

Althea's community was always quiet; kids never played, cried or laughed; her mind encouraged her to take it as a good sign.

Following in her footsteps, everyone exited their vehicles and inched closer to the gate, following Aaron.

Right at the gate, everyone was startled by the trash can falling over and immediately Daryl shot an arrow through the culprit that scared them, a possum.

The rusty gates finally opened, revealing an unknown member of Alexandria, Daryl raised the possum.

"We brought dinner."

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A/N: very short chapter :) didn't want to drag it any longer! It is time for Alexandriaaaaaa!