Something More than This. (The Walking Dead)

Reflection

I scrub at the dishes planning out what to tell Daryl. I swear as a stray knife cuts my finger. I pat my hands dry on my pants and go in search of a bandage. I find the upstairs bathroom, and open drawers.

"Gotcha!" I exclaim, pulling out a bandage.

I notice footsteps from the hall. "Hershel?" I ask.

"Yes my dear?" He answers walking towards the bathroom.

"Do you think, um, that is... Can I please shower, my clothes are filthy and I stink."

Hershel laughs. "Of course. Just don't take too long. Beth may have clothes around your size."

"Thank you." I say. I rap on Beth's door, and hear a drawer closing. She opens the door a crack.

"Your dad said you may have some clothes, but I may be a size or two up."

"Sure. C'mon in."

I look at Beth, her body is so petite compared to mine, but I've been losing weight. I'm not fat, just chubby, and curvy. I notice that she's holding her arm behind her.

I pull open some drawers, finding a long sleeve, and a pair of leggings.

"Thanks," I look down and finally notice it. Blood. "Beth. Can you show me your arm please?"

Her face goes white. "Beth." I repeat. She shakily pulls her arm out, and I gasp. The cuts aren't bad, but they're there. "C'mon. Let's get you fixed up." I grab her right hand and pull her into the bathroom. I sit her down on the toilet and notice she's crying. I wet a towel and dab at the wounds feeling empathy for her.

"D-don't tell my daddy." She begs.

"Shh. Don't worry sweetie, it's safe with me." I pour some rubbing alcohol over the towel and dab again.

"Promise?" Her voice seems strained.

"Of course. Just please Beth. Come find me when you want to. Not even to talk. I'll just sit with you." I pull the frail girl into a hug. Before I leave I pull up the sleeve on my sweater, to just below the elbow. She looks at my scars and understands.

I walk back to the bathroom, turning on the shower, I let the warm water wash over my aching muscles. I watch the dirt, blood, who knows what else flow down the drain. I wash up quickly and get out.

I pull on Beth's clothes and look in the mirror. My hair is still a mess. I run my fingers through it, and decide to cut it. After I'm done it sits just above my breasts. I smile at my handiwork and leave.

The house door slams behind me on my way out, causing me to jump. Damn door.

I light up a cigarette and sit on the porch. I notice the fire that the group is having and decide to join them.

I sit down, placing my bag down on the ground, I rummage through it and find what I'm looking for. My phone, I made sure to turn it off when this all hit. I power it on, the white light illuminating my face. I boot up the camera and take a picture of the fire, I smile at the picture seeing Lori, Carl and Rick sitting together. I change it to the front camera and lean into the person beside me.

"C'mon Dixon, give me a smile." I tease. I take the shot and frown when I look at it. "No smiles? Damn, that's too bad."

Daryl's POV

The flash semi blinds me. How Mina has a charged phone is beyond me. She told me to smile, but I couldn't. Haven't been able to in a long time. She looks at the picture, and teases me, before shutting her phone off. I sigh and pull my stick from the fire.