Farmer's Daughter (Daryl Dixon Love Story)

Chapter 42

Melinda's POV

"Married?" Joe ask in an amazed voice. He laughs as he rocks on his heals. "I may be wrong, but I don't see any rings." He points to his own finger to indicate where the ring would sit.

"Got married after everything went down. Lived with a priest for a while." The lie floated out of his mouth so effortlessly. Each word was calm and to the point.

"Well that changes the rules a bit." Joe whispers softly. I small breath puffs out of my mouth. I squeeze Daryl's shoulder in praise. A small smile etched across my face for the first time today.

"No Joe! That ain't no fair!" Frank yells over to their leader. He storms over and gets in his face in pure rage.

"Keep yer voice down!" Daryl hissed.

"Man I don't have to do anything you say!" Frank stomped over our way, Daryl raised his knife ready to impale the man.

"Daryl don't!" I stepped between them and pushed at Daryl's chest, making him back away from the deranged man. Joe aided me with the claimer, taking ahold of his shirt and jerking him back with the other men.

"Alright now if we're gonna be traveling together we can't be at each others throats!" Joe barked.

"Who said we're gonna be traveling together?" I spoke up. I could feel Daryl's chest rising and falling on my back as he breathed hard. "We're looking for someone."

"Yeah, we're looking for someone too. Maybe we can travel together, and then find them along the way." Joe insisted. He shrugged his shoulders and looked between Daryl and I.

"You're married. No one will touch your wife if that makes any difference." He added.

I looked back at Daryl and gave a light nod. Traveling with them would mean greater chances of survival. They have food, and protection. It would be a greater chance to find the group. To find Charlie.

"Yeah." I answer for Daryl. "We'll go."

"It's settled then" Joe claps his hands together. "We'll get going in the morning. For now, we set up camp."

The men that had stood behind Joe scattered all about. The word claimed was being shouted in every direction as people got the things they wanted for the night. And all Daryl and I could do was stand there and watch it all unfold.

My head ached as I watched each man set up their own tent in all different places. No one was within ten feet of each other. I couldn't help but think of the distances this group held. They obviously didn't care for one another. Or anyone new for that matter, I had yet to have been told any of their names.

"Daryl." My head snapped to the left as I saw Joe walking our way with a bag in hand. "I got some supplies the other men hadn't claimed yet. There's a tent, a flashlight, and blanket, and a first aid kit for your wife." He pointed to the dried blood on my head.

"Thanks." Daryl mumbles before taking the supplies from his outstretched hands. Joe nods before turning his back and walking into the small camp.

It was silent as Daryl started to unpack the tent. I grabbed the metal rods as he laid out the tarp like home. Each rod slid into the exact flap it was made for, creating a small dome.

I slid the zipper open and entered the one person tent, Daryl following close behind. Once both inside, I closed the entrance, blocking the outside world from our view.

"Come here." His rough voice spoke softly. A dull light filled the tent as he handed me the flashlight. I swiftly sat in front of his crossed legs. "Hold the light up so I can see what I'm doing." He grabbed my arm and moved it to the spot he needed. The dull light hit his face ever so lightly, showing off his tired eyes.

He opened the first aid kit and rummaged around before finding what he needed. He turned back to me with a small package in his grasp. He ripped it open and the smell of rubbing alcohol hit my nose in an unpleasant manner.

"Alright it's gonna sting, don't move." He brought his hand up and slid it to the side of my neck. My eyes closed as chill bumps begin to linger on my skin at his touch. His thumb lightly brushes my cheek as he sits there for a moment. I lightly open my eyes to make contact with his icy blue ones. He awkwardly clears his throat and brings the wet towelette to my beaten face. I lightly flinch at the stinging pain.

"Ye gotta stop getting hurt all the time." He teases. I lightly smile at his attempt at a joke.

"I'd like to thank you." I change the subject.

"For?" He ask. I lightly laugh at his question.

"Don't act like you don't know, Daryl." I pause. "For lying to them about the marriage." I add quietly in case of any peeping toms.

"Rick would've done the same." He shrugs. I scrunch my brows together at his statement. He acted as if it wasn't a big deal that he saved me from an insane person.

"We aren't talking about Rick though." I whisper. "We're talking about you." He sighs as he throws the rag back in the box and closes the lid.

"I'm not much to talk about." He dismisses. "We just gotta live that lie so they don't try to hurt ye."

"Where'd you learn to lie so well?" I pick as I grab the blanket Joe had given us.

"In my house ye lied to live." He simply states. My mind flashes back to many weeks ago when we had fallen down the ravine, when I saw the many scars that lingered on his back from a not so kind hand.

The light smile on my face was wiped away as I realized what he meant. I bowed my head in regret.

"I'm sorry." I apologize. I fluff out the blanket and lay underneath it. Daryl crawls underneath as well, but keeps his distance.

"It's nothing." He mumbles and folds his hands beneath his head. He stares at the fabric above our heads.

"These guys don't seem stable." I mumble as I turn on my side. "I'll be happy when we find our family." I softly added.

"Just never leave my sight and ye'll be fine." He whispers.

A/N

I'm sorry if this was really bad... But I updated like you all told me to. I hope this tickles your fancies.

Please comment!

-Melinda