𝐈𝐍 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐒 - The Walking Dead

ꜰɪꜰᴛᴇᴇɴ

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ꜰɪꜰᴛᴇᴇɴ || ᴇᴅᴅɪᴇ
4x01

᯽

It had been six months since Woodbury moved into the prison, and life there had changed in ways Daryl never could have predicted. The prison was thriving, a small community in the middle of a broken world. They had animals, crops, and flowers—Ottilie and Aderlee's favorites. The girls would run to the garden every morning, tending to the colorful blooms with more care than they showed for anything else.

Everyone contributed, and in return, the prison had become something resembling a home. People smiled again, they laughed, they shared meals together under the sky by the outdoor cooking spot. There were benches scattered around the yard where people would sit and chat, the sound of their conversations mixing with the chirping of birds. It felt almost normal.

Michonne had been out a lot, constantly searching for the Governor and Jonathan. They had vanished after Woodbury fell, and it left everyone feeling uneasy. Either they were gone for good, or they were out there planning something worse. Daryl had helped with the search too, but his focus was on the girls now.

Aderlee was sure she had turned eight recently, though she couldn't be exactly sure when. So, one night, they decided the next day would be her birthday. Daryl had gone out to find something for her, returning with a stash of treasures, coloring books, colored pencils, and a book about wild animals. He knew Addy loved animals, and her face had lit up when she saw the gifts. When she woke up to Daryl giving her them and Ottie singing happy birthday she was so happy.

Aderlee was doing great. She was still friends with Lizzie, Mika, and others, and now everyone adored her. She had become the bubbly, friendly kid who was always laughing. Though she had developed a bit of an edge recently, Daryl had caught her punching a kid who'd pushed her down. The kids parents were so mad and demanded she say sorry but she didn't apologize, and Daryl didn't make her. He figured it was part of her adjusting to this new world, and she only used her fists when someone truly deserved it.

Ottilie, though, was different. She still struggled to find her place, she always had. Daryl had hoped she would adapt like her sister, but six months in, she still clung to him wherever he went. Carol had said it was probably because she had always stuck by Aderlee for protection, and now that Addy was out playing and making friends, Ottilie sought the same comfort in Daryl. He didn't mind most of the time. She'd shadow him around the prison, talking more now that she'd opened up. Although sometimes he would have to tell her to go with someone else.

She had made progress in her own way though, she spoke freely with him, and with Rick, Carol, and the others from the original group. But she still avoided most of the people from Woodbury.

One thing Ottilie loved, though, was helping Beth and Rick with Judith. She would sit for hours, holding the baby or helping feed her, a small smile on her face. It seemed to bring her peace in a way nothing else did.

Since Ottilie's last FND attack, she had only had one more, and Rick had been there to hold her through it. The whole group was informed now, Daryl made sure that everyone knew how to help her during an attack, keeping her safe without scaring her. It was just another part of life at the prison, something that brought them all closer together.

For Daryl, the past months had been hard. He was still dealing with the loss of Merle, and now he had the responsibility of caring for Aderlee and Ottilie. There were nights when the weight of it all felt overwhelming. The girls had their moments, too, crying themselves to sleep or bickering over small things. But they had made it through, and Daryl was there for them every step of the way. He held them when they needed comfort, helped settle their little spats, and tried his best to be there when they went to bed, flipping through their favorite picture books of flowers and animals.