𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐭 | d.dixon

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧

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"Get up." Daryl's voice shouts. Bentley looks up at him. She looks back down to the ground.

"You've been out here for hours, now get up." 

"Get up!" 

Daryl rips her up by her arm. Bentley locks her eyes anywhere except to the redneck in front of her.

"I ain't mean it." Daryl said quieter. "I'm sorry." He speaks, Bentley continues to avoid his crystal blue eyes.

"Say something." Daryl rasped. Bentley felt his hands grip onto her cheeks. He forced her to meet his eyes. She looked up at him.

"I didn't mean what I said. You know that. It wasn't true." Daryl spoke. "Then why'd you say it?" Her voice was raspy and hoarse.

"I was mad." 

"I was too, but I'd still never say those things to you." Bentley read the guilty expression he wore.

"I know, can we go back I don't wanna be out here in the dark." 

Bentley walks in front of the much taller man. They made it back to camp where Daryl set up. Bentley's eyes searched the ground. "Where's my stuff now?" Bentley questions.

Daryl clears his throat. "It's back to normal." Daryl states. Bentley nods. "I'll move it out." She sighs. Daryl reaches his arm out to stop her. "No." 

"Daryl." 

Bentley was taken back by the man wrapping his arms around her. She stiffened. Daryl wrapped her arms around her neck tightly. Bentley took a few seconds to decide whether or not to return the hug.

At last the girl wrapped her arms around his torso. Her eyes closed at the comfort his hug held. For a few moments she forgot the cruel words he previously said to her. 

The sadness Bentley felt didn't compare to the warmth she felt from his hug. Bentley pulled back as well as Daryl.

"Thank you." Daryl spoke just above a whisper. Bentley hummed in reply. Daryl lifted the girls chin slightly and kept his grip. "Don't take anything I told ya' to heart, cause it wasn't true." 

Bentley nodded her head as Daryl released her from his grip. "I'm gonna go check on Carol." Bentley sighs.

"Alright." 

Without another word said, Bentley made her way to the RV. Bentley opened the door to reveal Carol sitting sadly alone. Bentley hesitated before making her way over. She couldn't tell whether to say something or not. 

"It's okay Bentley." Carol spoke first. Bentley stayed silent. "It wasn't Sophia out there, she's up in heaven. That wasn't my little girl." Carol states. Bentley nods her head. 

"Their about to have a service for Sophia and the Greene family. You should go." Carol sighs. "Your not going?" Bentley questions, Carol shakes her head no.

Bentley turns to walk off but Carol stands up and stops her, she wraps her arms around Bentley. Bentley returned the hug. "Thank you for everything you tried to do for my little girl." 

"Of course." She smiles and pulls away from the hug. Everyone stood outside waiting. "She's not coming." Bentley shakes her head.

It wasn't a long service. They buried the dead and remembered the good memories. 

 Bentley stood beside Daryl who had his arm wrapped over her shoulder. She just thought of Sophia. No one really said anything as they mourned the dead. 

After a few minutes everyone parted ways. The Greene's entered their home. Daryl returned to their camp that was much more secluded than the rest of the camp. Bentley waited a few moments before walking up to the Greene's house.

Maggie, Glenn, and Beth were in the kitchen. Beth did the dishes quietly. Maggie sadly smiled. "Hey." 

"I'm so sorry." Bentley hugged the girl. She didn't know Maggie well but she could tell she was a sweet girl. Maggie nodded. Bentley pulled back and smiled to Glenn. 

Bentley walked over to Beth. She continued doing the dishes. "Beth, I'm sorry." Bentley softly says. Beth looks to her with tears streaming down her cheeks. Bentley only reaches forward hugging the girl.