Solitary {2} : The Walking Dead

Chapter Fifty.

I know a place.

Iris opens her eyes and looks over at Daryl still sleeping, she pats Dog on his side and he carefully jumps down, Iris slowly moves her legs from Daryl's lap and walks upstairs with Dog, she opens the door and lets him run outside before she makes her way to the kitchen.

"Mornin'" Judith smiles, walking into the kitchen to fulfil her promise, "morning kid" Iris says, grabbing the oats, the pair start making the oatmeal, "what do you think about skipping school today and coming out with me?" Iris asks the girl as she starts filling the bowls with oatmeal.

"Really?" Judith asks, "yep, i need some help with hunting while i'm still healing" Iris explains, putting the bowls on the table, "am i not going to get into trouble?" Judith asks, "not if i told you to do it" Iris says, she walks upstairs as Judith starts eating her breakfast, "lydia, breakfasts ready" Iris says, knocking against her bedroom door.

Iris moves to RJ's room, finding the boy still sleeping, she carefully picks him up and carries him downstairs as he slowly wakes up, Iris sits the boy and the table and they start eating Lydia joining them a few minutes later. Daryl stands in the doorway, watching Iris as she helps RJ, she looks up and catches him, "your food is gonna get cold" Iris says, smiling at the man as he sits down at the table and starts eating.

When everyone finishes eating Iris takes the bowls to the sink as the kids head upstairs to get ready, "i'm taking Judith out today" Iris says, looking up at Daryl as he sits at the table watching her, "are you healed enough?" Daryl asks, "my legs stopped opening and my rib is getting better" Iris explains.

She walks over to him and he gently pulls her down to sit in his lap, "what are you doing' today?" Iris asks, "i'm gonna do some work here" Daryl says, "RJ and Lydia have school, if RJ wont eat his vegetables hide them in a sandwich" Iris explains, Daryl smiles as he listens to her talk, "make sure he's brushed his teeth before bed and he'll go to sleep if you tuck him in" Iris continues.

She look at Daryl and notices his smile, "what?" she questions, "your pretty good at this" Daryl says, a small smile spreads on her face, "you ready for school?" Iris asks as the three kids make their way into the room, "yeah" Lydia says, "i'll take 'em" Daryl says, Iris stands up and Daryl makes his way to RJ, "have a good day" Iris says, watching them leave.

"I'll go get dressed and we can go" Iris says to Judith before making her way downstairs, Iris pulls on her t-shirt, she clips her belt on and grabs her backpack, Iris makes her way back upstairs and Judith follows her out of the house and to the armoury, Iris picks out a bow and grabs a quiver of arrows.

They step out of the armoury and Dog comes running over to them, Daryl a few steps behind him, Iris and Judith meet him in the middle, "see you soon" Iris says, kissing him on the cheek and stepping back, "be safe" Daryl says, "we will" Iris says, "i love you" Daryl mumbles, kissing Iris, "i love you too" Iris smiles, pulling away and walking off.

Daryl watches the two walk down the street and towards the gates, Dog runs after them, slowing down and walking by Iris's side, the redhead looks back at the man as he shakes his head, Iris smiles and shrugs her shoulders before turning back again.

..........

Judith stays close to Iris as they make their way through the woods, keeping quiet and scanning their surroundings, Iris holds out her hand and stops Judith from walking any further. Dog sitting down with them, Iris points at a rabbit in front of them.

She pulls back the string of her bow, holding an arrow between her fingers, she breathes in, aiming the arrow at the animal and letting go as she breathes out. The arrow flies through the rabbit, Iris walks over to the animal, Judith stays in her spot and waits with Dog, the woman reaches down and picks up her arrow, bringing the Rabbit with it.

Iris walks back over to Judith and Dog and shoves the rabbit into her backpack, sliding her arrow back into the quiver, "come on" Iris whispers, leading the way through the woods again. Together they manage to get a few more rabbits, "it's getting dark" Judith whispers to the woman, Iris looks around, "i know a place we can stay" Iris whispers.

Judith grips onto her sword as Iris grips onto an arrow, holding the string from her bow back as they slowly walk towards the old farm house, Dog runs ahead, going around the house and Iris creeps up to the front door, "stay close to me" she whispers, looking back at Judith before knocking on the wooden door with her foot.

They stay still and listen out for any movement, when they hear nothing Iris reaches down and opens the door, they slowly walk in, scanning the rooms and seeing if it's clear, they make their way upstairs and clear the rooms. "We can stay here tonight" Iris says, putting her arrow back into the quiver and walking downstairs again.

She lets out a whistle and Dog runs into the house, Iris closes the front door, pushing a coffee table in front of the table, "the beds pretty comfortable so you can sleep there" Iris says turning back to Judith, "are you gonna sleep?" the girl asks, "i'm gonna stay on watch. Take Dog with you and get some rest" Iris says, "goodnight" Judith says, "night kid" Iris says, watching the girl walk up the stairs and go to the bed with Dog close by her side.

Iris sits on the stairs, gripping her knife tightly as she watches the front door, she listens to the sound of the night, she cant help but hope for a knock on the door, Tara on the other side, her bright smile, her contagious laugh. She cant help but imagine Juniper sitting in the living room, reading her book and drinking hot tea, Iris lets out a sigh, shaking the thoughts from her head.