Everything Changes (Sequel To Daryl's Girl)

Chapter 13

The morning approached and I wasn't the first on up. Rick was stood in the kitchen making something and didn't look very awake. I looked besides me to see Daryl asleep. I didn't want to wake him, as it's very rare he does sleep, so I slowly stood up and placed the blanket I was laying on over him and walked over to Rick.

He had bowls laid out, so they covered the kitchen table, with cereal in all of them. "How long have you been up?" I asked.

"Not long." He replied and handed me one of the bowls.

"I told you. It was the right call. Aaron wasn't lying. We need to learn to trust people again." I told him.

Rick smiled and shook his head. "Yeah. You were right. It doesn't mean we don't keep our guard. We don't know these people." He spoke with a more stern tone of voice.

In some ways he's right but we need to give this place a chance. Who knows what could happen. This could be our fresh start. "We'll go take a look around today. See if there's anything we need to be concerned about." He looked over at the others.

"Rick. We don't-" I stopped myself from continuing and ate my cereal as the others began to stir and wake up. I didn't want them overhearing what me and Rick were talking about and unsettle them.

Together, as everyone woke up, me and Rick handed them a bowl of the cereal. Then after they'd eaten everyone left the house one by one to explore or to start their jobs that Deanna had given them.

I walked out onto the porch and noticed Daryl had stepped out and sat down next to the railing with his crossbow next to him. Rick then came out as Carl managed to get the buggy down the steps. "They said explore. Lets explore." Rick gestured to the community.

"Naa. I'll stay." Daryl bought his knees to his chest. It was like he didn't want to be here. As if none of this was right.

"Alright." Rick began to walk from the porch. I still can't get used to Rick having no beard. It's like he's one step closer to becoming the man he was before. I smiled and just as I was about to talk to Daryl, Rick stopped. "Lori and me. We used to drive through neighborhoods like this. Thinking one day..."

"Well here we are." Daryl shrugged.

"We'll be back." Rick walked from the porch and on after everyone else.

I waited for a scond before approaching Daryl and sitting next to him with my back against the railing. "You alright?" I asked. Daryl nodded his head and didn't reply. I just needed to come out and say it or we wouldn't get anywhere. "You're acting like you don't wamma be here."

Daryl looked at me and started to pick the dirt from his fingernails. "Don't feel right."

"We're out there and you're close to giving up. We're in here and you'd rather be out there. I don't understand. Deanna told me that she aaked you if you wanted to stay. You said for Carl, Judith and me. To keep a roof over our heads. If you feel differently just say." I loosened up.

Daryl ignored what I'd said again and continued picking at the dirt under his nails. I stayed sat there waiting for an answer as Rick came back. "Could you take Judith for me? I need to look into something. Carl's at Rons place if you need anyhing."

"Sure." I stood up and walked off the porch to take the buggy from Rick. He looked down at Daryl and both men nodded at each other. Rick then left us and made his way back down the street.

Daryl came and helped me lift the buggy back onto the porch and he perched himself on the railing. I took Judith out of the buggy and stood next to him as Carol came out of the house. "Time to punch the clock and make the casseroles." She adjusted her bright blue blazer. I couldn't help but smile.