Surviving. (Book Two.)

Chapter Twenty Three.

*Sarah's POV*

We had been in the house for almost half an hour. Well, according to the clock on the wall. The only thing was that we hadn't moved from the sofa. In fact, we hadn't said very much either.

Even I had to admit that this all felt really strange. I couldn't bring myself to move. I mean, there was a shower doors away, just waiting to be used but I just couldn't do it.

"You wanna take a look around?" I asked quietly and Daryl immediately shook his head. 

"'m fine here." 

I nodded and got up, giving his shoulder a light squeeze as I passed by him, going into the small kitchen that was here. Everything was so nice and clean. 

I checked out the bathroom next, surprised to see the that the shower was fairly large compared to the size of the room itself. I then moved to the mirror that was hanging above the sink and was slightly startled at how I looked. 

I didn't look too bad, which was a miracle but there were some fairly large bags under my eyes. My hair was limp and well, greasy and my skin was covered in blood, dirt and grime. 

Maybe a shower wasn't a bad idea after all.

I returned to where Daryl was, intending to tell him about my plan to shower but I saw that Carol was now with him, along with Zeus and when I entered the room, they both stopped talking, the dog coming over to greet me. 

"What's going on?" I asked, looking between the two of them. 

Carol glanced at Daryl, "I may have done something really stupid." 

"May have?" Daryl snorted, "Ye' told tha' Deanna woman tha' Sarah's my wife!" 

"What?" I exclaimed, "Carol?" 

She gave me an apologetic smile, "I'm sorry. It slipped out. It sounded so natural for me to say it, so I did." 

"'nd she wants us to play along." Daryl huffed. 

"You need to play along," Carol said, sensing that he was going to argue, "If you don't and they find out that we lied, that I lied,"

"They could throw us out." I whispered, turning to Daryl, "She's right, I know that it's not ideal but Daryl..." 

"Exactly," Carol said quietly. 

"Alrigh'," he sighed, "I'll do it." 

She sighed in relief and rest her hand on my arm, "Thank you. I really am sorry." 

When she leaves, Daryl turned to me and ran his hand through his hair, "Well Mrs Dixon, wha' the hell are we gonna tell them if they ask?" 

****************

*Daryl's POV* 

Sarah had finally gone into the shower after we had been visited by a young blonde woman named Jessie and she handed over some clothes along with a small amount of food. 

I was still in the sitting room but I got up  and decided to take a wander around the small house since we might be staying here for a while. Walking by the bathroom, I entered one of the bedrooms. It was plain with pale blue walls but the main thing was the bed and even I had to admit that it was pretty impressive. 

It was a large four poster with lovely white sheets on it. 

The second room I looked into looked more like a study. It had a desk and a leather couch along with shelves that were full of books. 

Sarah was going to enjoy this. 

Speaking of her...as I was walking back through the house, I notice that the bathroom door was opened a crack and in my passing, I just happened to look in on time to see her wrapping a fluffy white towel around her body. 

I slowly push the door open and she looks up when it lets out a small squeak. 

Her face is clean of any dirt and I smile. She looks so much more relaxed. Younger even. 

"How was it?" I asked and she sighed happily.

"Amazing. You're gonna love it." 

"Nah," I shook my head, "'m not takin' one the now. Maybe after I meet Deanna." 

"Okay," she shrugged, "But Daryl, can you maybe get rid of the possum? Maybe put it outside or something?" 

I stepped forward and placed a kiss on her lips, "Not gonna happen. Yer stupid dog will eat it." 

"Our stupid dog," she smiled, her arms winding around my waist, "I am going to go get dressed and then we can head across." 

"Woah, woah, woah," I murmured, hands catching her waist as tries to pass by me, "What's the hurry? Besides, I kinda like ye' in this. Jus' keep tha' on." 

"I will if you have a shower," she smirked, "But I don't know how I feel about walking across in this. All those people looking at me..." 

I scowled as I thought about the many folks who would stare. I know that we hadn't seen that many people about but I'm sure that there was bound to men in the community. Plus, who wouldn't stare? She's a gorgeous woman. 

"No," I said quickly, smushing her against my chest, "Ye' can't go in tha'. I don't think tha' outfit would be in any way appropriate." 

She giggled and pecked my cheek, just as a loud knock came from the door, "Shall I get that?" 

"Not a chance in hell," I said, tugging her back as she tried to pass by again, "I'll get it." 

She smiled again and shut the bathroom door to put on some of the clothes that Jessie had brought over while I went to answer it. 

Aaron was stood on the other side and his smile faded slightly when he saw that it was me answering the door but I ignored it, "Yeh?" 

"Deanna," he said, pointing behind him in the direction of her house, "She said that the two of you can head over now if you'd like." 

"Alrigh'," I murmured, "'m jus' gonna wait for Sarah 'nd then we'll head over." 

Just as I finished talking, Sarah appeared beside me, running a towel through her hair and she gave Aaron a large smile, "Hi! How's Eric?" 

"He's still at the surgery right now. I'm heading back over there after I've been here." he replied, "So...I'll maybe see you both later." 

"Bye!" she chirped and pulled me out of the house. 

I sighed quietly to myself and followed behind her. Better get this over with now rather than later.