Down by the water • TWD

Pretend.

Avery slept through the night in the farmhouse on the couch, alone there. She noticed everyone else but Hershel's family slept outside in tents. Lori introduced her to pretty much everyone on the land. She likes Lori, she was always so soft-spoken with her. Lori reminded Avery a lot of her mom. She also really liked Glenn, he was the baseball cap boy. He's good at playing guitar, at least that's how Avery sees it. Lori has been trying to encourage Avery to befriend Carl and Jackson but she didn't see the point in having friends her age. They're just stupid boys who will probably make fun of her for having a dog stuffed animal. 

Her stuffed animal.

She forgot about it since there's been so much going on. She had to get it back. She got up from the couch and folded her blanket nicely, she wanted them to see she was a good kid. She headed towards the door so she could go ask Lori, or even anybody, where her stuffed animal was. As she walked through the short grass she looked around and enjoyed where she was. She was so grateful these were nice people who took her in, even if it's not permanent. She loved how pretty it was in the country, how fresh the air felt. She walked up to the tents and saw they were all sitting around a fire eating breakfast. She spotted Lori immediately and rushed over trying not to catch glances from the others. 

"Good morning Avery" Lori smiled and handed Avery her plate of food.

"Wait no Lori it's okay, this is yours" Avery denied.

"Honey, you need to eat I can always get more" Lori rubbed Avery's back in reassurance.

"Do you know where my stuffed animal is?" Avery bit her lip slightly hoping she knew. 

"Oh yes. I believe Daryl has it." Daryl. Avery forgot about him until now. She wondered how he was doing with his injuries. Lori pointed to a tent by a tree providing shade to the group. Avery nodded back in the form of thanks. She walked over as Andrea seemed to be leaving. Andrea paid her no mind and continued on her way.

Rude.

She moved the tent flap open and peered her head through.

"I ain't want any more apologies" Daryl turned his head towards the door only to realize that it wasn't Andrea. It was the little girl he thought was fake by the creek. "Who the hell are you?" Avery stepped in the tent and Daryl shifted uncomfortably.

"I just want my stuffed animal back" Daryl leaned over the side of his sleeping bag and grabbed the dog. Avery's eyes lit up. He still had it. He threw it at her lightly, sort of like a toss.

"Thank you, sir" Daryl scoffed.

"Don't call me that" Avery immediately hummed in response and left the tent closing the flap as she walked out.

Daryl sat there thinking.

She was real.

Avery sat under a tree doodling in the dirt. She drew the sun, an apple, and a dog bone. She was so beyond bored but didn't know anyone enough to want to have them in her company. She looked around eyes landing on Rick and Shane. They were talking about something important she could tell by the way they were eye-talking again. It must be about Sophia, who Avery learned was Carol's daughter who went missing days ago. 

She then glanced at Jackson and Carl, they were passing a baseball back and forth. Laughing. Oh, how Avery wanted to experience that with a best friend. She shoved down the jealousy and looked away. She let out a huge sigh and went back to doodling.

"Look at her, sitting alone" Jackson was watching Avery doodle with a stick, he felt bad. He wanted to make her feel welcome but was scared she wouldn't like him.