Daryl's Angel (10th Anniversary Edition)

Chapter 24: Marked

I wake up in my tent as the sun rises. My eyes itch—not enough sleep—and the urge to close them again is strong. Instead, I sit up, get dressed, and step outside.

The air is cool and morning dew clings to the grass. I check the fire, burnt down to ashes, and purse my lips. I have no idea how to start a fire without matches or a lighter. I could go gather some firewood, get some sticks and tinder, and maybe ask Daryl for tips.

Speak of the devil, he emerges from his tent, wearing his angel wings vest over a long-sleeved denim button-up. He still has the rifle Shane gave him yesterday and his crossbow slung over his shoulder.

"Morning," I say. "Sleep well?"

"Fine," he says. "You?"

"Fine."

Nothing happened last night after I embraced him. He calmed down, gave me a long look as he pulled away, and disappeared into his tent for the night. I stayed by the fire for a little while longer before I retired to bed too.

"Shane said he'd go looking for Rick today," I mention as I get to my feet, brushing my hands on my jeans. "You going hunting?"

"Gonna help," he says. I cock my head at him, smiling a little, and he scoffs a bit. "Don't think about it too much."

"In case they don't say it, thank you," I say, moving closer to him. I start to reach for his arm, but I stop myself. "You're not an errand boy. I hope you know that."

He shrugs a bit, giving me another long look. He comes closer to me, just for a second, and my heart rate jumps.

"I still wanna talk," he says, voice low. "Wasn't a good day for it yesterday."

"I get it," I assure him. "No pressure."

"Thanks."

We walk back to camp without much fanfare. Shane is packing up his car already with T-Dog's help. Andrea and Dale speak to each other by the RV. I walk with Daryl to the car, then step back to let them do their work. I glance over at the house as Lori crosses my mind.

"Guys," Andrea says.

A red and grey Chevy Silverado appears over the ridge, coming down the road at full speed, engine rumbling. We jog to meet it as it pulls up in front of the house. Lori, Carl, and the others spill from the farmhouse. Our missing men climb out.

"Dad!" Carl calls, rushing to him.

Rick embraces him tightly with one arm, dragging him along with the other outstretched towards his wife. Lori hugs him and I see her visibly relax in his arms, eyes closed as she takes a long, deep breath.

Maggie runs right past her dad and into Glenn's arms, but he releases her after only a second. Hershel gives them a brief look before continuing to the house, expression stony.

"Patricia, prepare the shed for surgery," he says as he walks past her and Jimmy.

"Are you hurt?" Lori asks.

"No, but what happened to you?" Rick asks, touching her face gently as he pushes her hair away from the small cut on her forehead.

"I was in a car accident."

"Accident? How?"

"I went looking for you."

"Snuck out on her own," Shane pipes up. "Brought her back."

"Are you crazy?" Rick asks, keeping his voice low. "You could've—"

"Who the hell is that?" T-Dog interrupts, pointing to the car.