Daryl Dixon's Weakness

Chapter 19 - Like A Daughter

I watched the sun slowly rise from its slumber, streaming light through the trees. Sunrises had always fascinated me, the way the different shades of fresh golden light would dance across the sky. I had easily been able to watch this one due to the fact I hadn't slept at all that night. The memories of my father and the hurt on Daryl's face after I walked away from him had constantly circled my mind, keeping me wide awake in thought.

Today was another day of the search for little Sophia but this time I was allowed to help. I decided to get out of bed and throw on some clean (sort of) clothes which consisted of a plain black tight long sleeved top and some skinny dark blue jeans along with my brown leather ankle boots. The heat was getting more and more difficult to manage with my long sleeved tops but I was not prepared to show my arms or any skin to anyone just yet. I knew that our group was filled with nothing but good people but I wasn't ready for any sort of judgement or questions from them.

I stepped outside and took a long deep breath of the crisp morning air. As I tightened my pistol holster I heard footsteps approaching from behind me. I turned and saw a tired looking Rick approaching me with a weary smile.

"Mornin' Officer," I joked as I gave him a little pretend salute. He shook his head and chuckled lightly at my gesture.

"Mornin' Saskia," He replied as he tapped me on the shoulder. "How are you feeling? Your wound still healing okay?"

"I'm fine Rick, thanks. You can stop worrying about it." I smiled at him, glad that he cared so much.

"Good but you still need to take it easy, okay? Can't be losing anyone else.." He said glumly looking towards the forest where Sophia was missing.

"Hey, don't say that." I sternly spoke. I placed my hands on his shoulders so he looked directly at me. "You haven't lost Sophia. She's right there in those woods and all we need to do is get her. She's just resting, waiting for us I'm sure." I tried to reason with him. "Look, no one blames you for Sophia not being here right now. No one. Especially not me. You put your life on the line running after her like that, and I admire you so much for that. This world is so tough and complicated now and I promise you you're making the best out of a terrible situation. You're strong and smart and anyone who thinks otherwise is plain stupid. I've got your back one hundred percent." He smiled widely at me with watery eyes. He slowly brought me into a tight hug resting his head on my shoulder.

"You don't know how badly I've needed someone to say that to me." He whispered trying his best to hold himself together. "Thank you Saskia. It's so difficult to tell if you're doing the right thing anymore but for once I actually believe in what I'm doing. You're like a daughter to me and if there's anything you need, anything at all, I'm right here okay?"

"Thanks Rick." I felt emotional thinking about what it would feel like to have a father who cared for me like Rick. Although I didn't grow up with one, I was glad to have a decent father figure now. We separated from our hug as we heard more people emerging from their temporary shelters. I gave Rick a quick nod and then went to greet everyone else.

A few moments later everyone was gathered around whilst Rick told everyone about the plan to search for Sophia. Whilst this took place I could feel a pair of eyes watching me closely, never breaking their stare. As I looked around the group I soon discovered who it was and a pang of guilt hit me. I quickly avoided Daryl's stare as I remembered our conversation from last night. I knew that I had unfairly lashed out at Daryl but it was only because I've never known any different. Whenever I was younger and people would question me about my father, my defences automatically came up and I pushed everyone away in fear of being punished by him. Luther Claymond. The name of the man that I wished desperately to forget.

I wasn't sure how to even approach Daryl, let alone try to fix things between us. I couldn't tell if he was angry or just hurt by my irrational actions from last night. There is a missing little girl out there Saskia, get your head together.

We soon all got our necessary weapons and equipment together and began to head out into the woods. I stayed at the back of the group so I could scan the area from behind and to stay as far away as possible from Daryl who was leading at the front. A good hour or so went by without any progress apart from finding a dead guy in a tent which is not what I would call progress. Everyone was getting frustrated at the fact that Sophia was no where to be seen and the sun was baking us alive.

I knew I was overheating badly from my long sleeves, however, there was nothing I could do. As we were sitting down for a short break Glenn approached me.

"Hey Sask, you okay?" He asked as he took a seat next to me. I smiled and nodded my head.

"Yeah I'm alright, just super hot! How are you holding up?"

"I'm good." He smiled back, trying to lighten the mood. "I've got an idea, let's cut the sleeves off your top to help cool you down." He suggested with excitement. My eyes widened at his proposal however I tried to play it off cool.

"Nah, Glenn, it's fine honestly, I'm feeling a lot better now.." I tried to explain although he continued to bring out his knife.

"We might as well anyway to stop you overheating again. Plus all your tops are long sleeved, you can change it up a bit!" He lightly laughed, nudging me with his elbow.

"No, I would really prefer not to." I explained trying not to come off as harsh. Glenn grabbed a hold of one of my sleeves before I could react and began to bring the knife towards the fabric. "No!! Glenn, please!"

"Hey! China man! She said no!" I heard a deep voice shout. Glenn froze and then released my top. I let out a silent sigh of relief. I looked up and saw Daryl standing over us, his hands balled up into fists.

"Fine. Talk to you later." Glenn grumbled as he sulked off to go and talk to Andrea. I stared at Daryl for a moment processing what had happened.

"You okay?" He asked gently, as if I could snap at any moment. I nodded my head 'yes' as I continued to stare at him, unsure of what to do. Guilt had taken over me and I decided I couldn't take anymore so I abruptly stood up and started to walk away from the group. I wasn't sure where I thought I was going but I didn't get far before I felt a rough hand grip my wrist. "Where the hell ya think you're going?" Daryl spoke sounding kind of pissed off.

"I don't care. Anywhere." I sighed sagging my shoulders in defeat, still refusing to face him. In the end he gently pushed one of my shoulders so my body turned towards him.

"I ain't letting ya out of ma sight, so think again." I looked up at him confused.

"Why? You don't have to care about me, not after how I treated you last night.." His face softened at my words.

"That was nothin Sask. If anything I should be apologising. I didn't mean to push ya into talking about stuff you weren't comfortable with." My heart melted at his words, knowing he wasn't angry at me pushed a massive weight off of my shoulders.

"It's okay, maybe one day I'll be ready to talk about it." Daryl slowly nodded his head, satisfied with my answer.

"Well I'll be here if ya need me." My heart swelled with happiness and I felt butterflies flutter through me. This man just keeps on surprising me. I gazed into his eyes smiling a little longer as we both appreciated the peace and content between us.

Daryl took a hold of one of my hands and just as Daryl opened his mouth to say something else, we all heard a loud ringing bell in the distance that sounded like it was coming from a church. I looked towards the direction the noise was coming from.

"What the hell is that??"