Solitary {2} : The Walking Dead

Chapter Forty-nine.

Talk to me.

After a few hours Iris wakes up again, she slips her boots back on and makes her way out of the house. "How was your day?" Iris asks, watching Judith and RJ walk over to her, "good" Judith says, smiling up at Iris, "you got any homework?" Iris asks, "no" Judith says, the three of them walk to the community hall, Iris grabs the kids food and sits at a table with them.

"Hey boss" Jerry says to the redhead, "hey Jerry, you okay?" Iris asks, "yeah, i just wanted to see how you're doing" jerry says, Iris offers the man a small smile, after what happened she's been catching him and Aaron watching her, keeping an eye on her, "I'm okay Jerry" she says, watching the man nod and walk away.

Once the kids have eaten Iris takes them back to the house, sitting back as they start to play together, the door opens and Daryl walks into the room, Iris watches the kids jump up and hug him, Iris stands and walks over to Daryl, wrapping her arms around his waist as the kids go back to playing, now joined by Dog, "what happened?" Iris asks, looking up at him, "the usual" he mumbles, holding her tight and kissing her gently.

"Why don't you go clean up and I'll bring you some food?" Iris suggests, Daryl nods, kissing her again before making his way downstairs, Iris walks into the kitchen and starts making him some food, "its almost time for bed. Can you go and get ready and i'll tuck you in in a second" Iris says, she watches Juddith and RJ walk upstairs before she picks up the plate and makes her way to Daryl.

"Here" she says, handing him the plate, "thanks" Daryl mumbles before shoving the food into his mouth, "I'm gonna go get the kids to sleep, i'll be back in a minute" Iris says, smiling at the man sitting on the couch and walking up to the kids rooms, "hey, you okay?" Iris asks, watching Lydia walk into her room, "yeah i'm fine" the girl mumbles.

"hey, stop" Iris says, Lydia stops and slowly turns around, "whats going on?... Talk to me" Iris says, "it's just weird... i still dont feel like i belong here" Lydia mumbles, "you know thats not true. It's gonna take some time but it will get better" Iris says, she walks over to the girl, pulling her into a hug, "go get some sleep and try again tomorrow" Iris says, pulling away and holding the girl in front of her.

Iris watches Lydia walk into her room and close the door behind her, Iris makes her way into RJ's room, finding him sitting on his bed waiting for her, "did you brush your teeth?" Iris asks, the boy smiles and nods, "good" Iris says, pulling the boy's blankets back and waiting for him to lay down before she covers him in the warm blanket.

"Goodnight" Iris whispers, leaning down and kissing him on the head before walking out of the room and quietly closing the door, she walks into Judith's room, "did you brush your teeth?" Iris asks, "yes" Judith says, "you got any deep questions for me again tonight?" Iris jokes, but her smile fades when she sees the look on Judith's face.

Iris sits on the end of the bed, "what is it?" Iris asks, Judith thinks for a minute before speaking, "how did my dad find you?" she asks, "I'll tell you if you get into bed and promise to help me make breakfast tomorrow" Iris smiles, holding out her pinky finger, "i promise" Judith says, linking her little finger with Iris's.

Once Judith is comfortable in her bed she looks up at Iris waiting for her to speak, "what do you want to know about it?" Iris asks, "how did he find you?" Judith asks, "it was his first week at the sheriff's department. I had planned to leave home in the night without my dad knowing. I decided I was old enough and I needed to get out of that place" Iris explains.

"My dad found out and it angered him... we had a new neighbour move in a few weeks earlier so when they heard what was happening they called the police. Your dad was one of the responding officers, when they showed up I was really hurt. Your dad stayed by my side, he visited the hospital on his days off and when it was getting close for me to be discharged he let me live with him, he helped me get my own house, and i joined the academy with his help" Iris continues.

"What happened to your dad?" Judith asks, "they arrested him that night but he made bail and was home by the morning. A few years later i was the responding officer when he overdosed. He died a few minutes after i arrived on the scene" Iris says, "I'm sorry" Judith says, "dont be sorry" Iris says, smiling down at the girl.

Iris leans down and kisses the girl on the head, "goodnight" she whispers before walking out of the room, closing the door behind her, she looks up to find Daryl leaning against the wall, he steps forward and wraps his arms around Iris, Iris pulls away and looks up at him, "come on" she whispers, taking his hand and leading him down to the basement.

Iris kicks off her boots as Daryl sits on the couch, Dog resting his head on the mans lap, Iris lifts her top off looking down at her side and inspecting the bruise, "it's lookin' better" Daryl says, "well i took two days off so it should be better" Iris says, picking up one of Daryl's shirts and pulling it on, "you rested?" Daryl asks.

"Yes" Iris sighs, rolling her eyes and walking over to Daryl, "i slept and i healed, why is everyone making such a big deal about it" Iris says, sitting next to him and laying her legs across his lap as Dog moves to be closer to her, Iris lays back and watches Daryl's eyes slowly close, she looks down at Dog laying his head on her chest, sleeping peacefully. Iris closes her eyes and falls asleep as she listens to the faint breathing of Daryl and Dog.