This Is Reality

Chapter 12

*Dodger's POV*

When I walked away from Daryl and Carol, I figured going from tree to tree would be easier, sort of. No way to track me, nothing can eat me, no one should be able to find me easily. Only problem, food and water.

I went tree to tree from some time, passing the creek, then heading back to it. I made a "base branch" right above a nice set of rocks. From where I sat, I could watch the sun set perfectly.

Once the sun had set, I decided to sharpen my arrows and knife. Which isn't smart to do in the dark, risking all my fingers.

Eventually getting pissed off because I wasn't able to sharpen them correctly, I put them away and starting picking away at the tree bark.

It wasn't too long before I saw a flashlight shining around. Then the person with the flashlight, sat on a rock by the creek. I couldn't make out their face, but they let out a depressed, agitated sigh. It was a male sigh, raspy and low.

"Why did you run Dodger? I have nothing for her..." He is obviously talking to himself

Daryl came out alone to look for me?

"I need you..." He says again, hoping for someone to speak, an answer from an unknown voice

I decide not to speak, just to toss some bark in the creek. Tossing a larger piece down, the flashlight goes on to where the piece fell. Hearing the click of the loading of his crossbow got me worried, but I understand. I tossed another one, but behind him. Then another, into the creek when he wasn't looking.

"Come out, whoever you are, now" He commands to his 'unwanted visitor'

In a stereotypical southern voice I respond, "Why don't you find me first"

"I won't shoot, just show yourself" He says looking around

I toss a larger chunk in front of him, making him distracted. While he goes over to it, I quietly get down from the tree and sneak up behind him. I make fake ass dead people noises, only to get the butt of a crossbow to the face, sending me to the ground.

"Dodger!" He says panicking, getting next to me

"I-I'm fine... I deserved that..." I say coming to my senses and sitting up slowly

He shines the flashlight at my face, "Oh shit... 'm so sorry Dodger..."

"Daryl stop, it's fine. I shouldn'ta done that"

"Don't do that ever again okay?" He says taking my chin and wiping my face

"I won't, trust me" I smile through the pain

"Cheek's cut, nose is bleeding, busted lip... I feel like such an asshole right now" He says, feeling like this is his fault

"Knock it off, I told you this is my fault"

"But I hit ya..." He says putting a hand on my cheek

"I'm fine" I put my hand on his, trying to reassure him

He smiles, but it quickly fades, "Everyone's gonna think I beat you..."

"I'll just say you thought I was a dead thing and you punched me"

He nods and helps me up, "How do I tell them I found you"

"I'll do the talking, okay?"

He nods and hugs me tightly, "I thought I told you never to run away"

I just hug him back without a word. Truth is Daryl, I hated seeing you with Carol but I didn't have control over you and her.

"My bad..." I reply, my voice almost inaudible

He gently kisses my forehead and takes my hand, leading me back to the shack.

Our walk was quiet, not surprising. By the time we got back, it was about midnight-ish.  He slowly opened the door and went in, still holding my hand. Rick was still awake sitting by a fire with Carl and a baby. Everyone else was sleeping from what I saw.

"You found her? What happened Dodger, are you okay?" Rick said worried, coming over to me

"I'm fine, Rick. I snuck up on Daryl and he thought I was a walker... It's not his fault, it's fine and it's not that big of a deal"

"But you're a mess... In the morning Carol will have a look at you alright?" He says, still not noticing that Daryl and I are holding hands

"I probably have a mild concussion, my lip should heal within a few days, and my cheek will be fine too. I can take care of myself, Rick" I tell him, wiping the blood from my nose

"But still"

"Rick, I'm fine" I say, a bit agitated

He sighs, "There is some open space to sleep"

"Thanks"