Between Arrows and Hearts - Daryl Dixon

Brave and kind

Cass had cut up an apple and a peach. She knew Randall would be handcuffed, so it made sense to prepare food he could eat easily. She found the largest glass in the kitchen and filled it with water, ensuring he'd have enough to drink.

Daryl said nothing, merely watching as she prepared the food and then walking beside her.

When they reached the barn doors, Daryl moved ahead, unlocking the latch and stepping inside first.

"Uh, no, no, no. Please, man! I already told you everything!" Randall's panicked voice made Cass flinch. His fear was palpable, and the mere sight of Daryl seemed to send him into a state of panic.

Cass stepped inside quickly, hoping her presence would calm him. "He's not here to... do anything," She assured him, stumbling over the words. "He's just here with me. I brought you some water and food."

Her eyes fell on Randall. She hadn't paid much attention to his face the night they'd brought him in —it had all been too chaotic— but now she could see the aftermath of his beating. One of his eyes was swollen shut, his face a patchwork of bruises and dried blood, and the wound on his leg looked painfully raw.

"Please! You were there!" Randall pleaded, shuffling as close to her as his bonds would allow. "You know they left me! I won't—"

"Don't talk to her!" Daryl barked, his voice like a whip. He took a threatening step toward Randall, his presence radiating danger. "Don't 'ya even try talking to her."

Cass blinked, startled by the sheer intensity in Daryl's tone. She had never seen Daryl like that. And even when she wasn't afraid of him, in that moment, she understood perfectly why Randall was terrified.

The young man froze, his words dying in his throat. His wide, desperate eyes flicked between Cass and Daryl, but fear kept him silent.

Quietly, Cass approached and handed him the water and fruit. It felt strange to feed him piece by piece, but he was handcuffed, and leaving the food on the floor like he was an animal wasn't an option.

Randall ate quickly, his hands trembling slightly as he took each bite. When he finally swallowed the last piece and drained the glass, he whispered. "Thank you."

His gaze darted to Daryl, who still loomed behind Cass, glaring at him with barely restrained menace.

Cass nodded stiffly and bent down to pick up the plate and glass, ready to leave.

"I didn't do anything! I swear!" Randall blurted, his voice rushed and frantic. When Daryl moved toward him, Randall recoiled instinctively. Cass reached out, grabbing Daryl's arm to stop him.

She turned back to Randall, her own emotions swirling. For a moment, she saw the fear in his eyes, his desperation to explain himself. But then Daryl's words came back to her. The girls, their father. How scared had they been? The anger flared in her chest, overpowering the brief flicker of pity she'd felt.

"No, you didn't do anything." She spat, her voice cold. "You just watched."

The impact of her words hit Randall, his face crumpling with shame.

Without another word, Cass turned on her heel and strode out of the barn. She waited outside as Daryl secured the lock, her thoughts a storm of frustration.

As they walked back, Daryl's voice broke the silence. "Ya' think I'm bad 'cause I don't want him to live?"

Cass stopped abruptly in the middle of the road, turning to face him. She met his gaze directly. "Do you think I'm stupid for bringing him food, for wanting to find another option?" She replied, tilting her head slightly as she searched his expression.