Shattered

Chapter Twenty-Two: Leaving

       I slowly came back to see the ceiling of the prison cell and the smell of blood hit my nose. Looking around I was alone. My leg was bandaged so I got up and put my pants on. I winced when I hit my fingers on the wall. Damn things really did break.  I walked out of the cell holding my leg until I saw the group. I let go and walked as normally as I could. They all stared at me making me uncomfortable. "Is this your sister's?" My face paled and I looked over at Maggie. She looked worried as well. Daryl stood off in the back. "Yeah but I don't know how it could end up back in my pocket." "It doesn't make sense. I know we buried it with her." I looked down at the ground thinking back to the day I put her down. I walked outside not bothering to say a word. I lit a cigarette and sat against the building. "I've been thinking about Merle and Andrea. He was willing to do anything to find you. Andrea told the Governor about us so what would happen if Merle told the Governor where the farm was so Merle could go find you but instead the Governor is using it now to fuck with us." 

       He shrugged knowing I was just ranting. I really didn't need an answer because that's what I thought and that's what I'll always think until my hands are draining the life from the Governor's neck. Carol walked down from the guard tower so I took her spot. I kept looking through my scope checking the woods. I was scanning the tree line when my scope fell on the graves. I put my gun down and rubbed my face. A hand was placed on my shoulder. I put my hand over theirs but nothing was there. I looked back and saw I was alone. There's only one person I could think of who it was. It made me wonder if I was going to lose it like Rick did. Sometimes I wonder if I just lost it for a bit if it would help me get over everything that's happened. A pair of arms were wrapped around my waist making me smile. "You're getting close to me Daryl." "So.." He put his head in the curve of my neck sending chills up my spine. "I don't know you're just opening up." "That a bad thing?" "No." I kept looking out at the woods and put my hands over his. His touch was so gentle it made me want to cry. Made me wonder if he felt the same way about this whole thing. 

         An hour had passed before either of us said anything. He knew I was upset and I knew something was bothering him. "I want to get out of here." "We can go on a run if you want." He gripped the railing and shook his head. "I'm not used to being around people. We can come back if you want or we can stay if you want." I looked over at him shocked at what he was saying. Maybe this is what he needs. To just get away from the place where his brother once stood. I put my arms around him and nodded. "We'll go. We just need to tell the group."  I kissed his cheek and walked down the stairs. I sat down at a table and Daryl soon joined me. Slowly the group came in and sat down as well. "What's this about?" "We're leaving." I watched a few of them surprised and I looked over at Daryl. He gave me a slight nod to continue. "We're going to gone for a while. We may or may not come back." I stood up and went to my cell. I started packing and Maggie walked in. "Do you even want to leave?" I sighed and zipped up my bag. "No I don't but there's no way I'm leaving Daryl." She left angry and I met Daryl outside. I said goodbye to everyone and stopped in front of Carl. "You take care of yourself man." He smiled and nodded. "You too. Come back when you're ready." I gave him a hug and smiled. "I will."

          "You can't do this!" I sat against the wall smoking while I let her scream at me. "How am I supposed to do everything without you? We never leave each other." "It will be fine. I'll be gone a year at the most." She stopped and shot me the dirtiest look. I couldn't tell if it was even safe for me to laugh. "Take care of yourself Mary." "You too. Just promise me you'll come back." "I promise. Now give me my keys." She got mad and handed me my keys. She honestly thought stealing my keys would make me stay. I was going down the road when I saw her start running after me. I started laughing and got out. She threw her arms around me crying. "I don't want to lose my sister!" "Thanks for the confidence boost, Mary."

       I looked back at the prison and rested my hands against Daryl's waist. I just hope he knows what he's doing.  We stopped in a town and got gas for the motorcycle. I walked around looking into windows and just not really doing much. I walked past a jewelry store and smiled down at the jewelry in the window. I wanted to walk through the street with the shop doors open, families walking in and out. The husband forgot the wife's anniversary so he hurries for a last minute gift. Normality is what I want. 

     Daryl whistled knocking me out of my small day dream. I hurried back over and jumped on the back. "You sure about this?" "Wherever you go, I go." He nodded and pulled out of the town.