In love with the man with the crossbow

Chapter 3 - Anew

Violet's P.O.V -

With the help of Hershel and two crutches, I wobbled down the front stairs and to where Rick's group, the leader of the group, camped among the trees.

A dozen so people watched me closely as I was still in my old shorts and tank top and my hair was in a ratty pony tail.
I stood near the fire and cleared my throat,
"Hi - I'm Violet, thank you, so much for helping me. I promise as soon as I'm healed I will move on and not cause you any trouble. Thank you.", after I said this I bowed my head a little in respect and sat down on the stump by the fire.

The group all smiled and a friendly looking woman with long brown hair smiled at me and spoke up,
"It's nice to meet you Violet, I'm Lori I'm Rick's wife. That's Dale on top of the RV with the gun, he guards. My son beside me is Carl.", She said pointing to a young boy beside her with shy eyes. "Then there is Glenn, who was the other man who rescued you, and Beth, Hershel's other daughter, Patricia and Andrea, T-Dog, Carol and her daughter Sophia, and Shane.", she said.

I waved to everyone and smiled.
I noticed the man named Daryl who was the one I yelled at sitting alone by his tent off in the distance.

Rick's voice brought my attention back,

"Now don't think we want you to run off once your healed. Your a sweet girl and you seem like a fighter. We would love if you wanted to stay, but you have to work hard and be one of the group.", Rick said to me.

I smiled humbly and looked around at the group.
I could save myself but being with people again was good and this place seemed well and safe, despite the awful redneck man.

"I would love to stay, thank you. Kinda sucks being on your own, like I have no one to tell my jokes to!", I said laughing.

With that I was part of the group and I wanted to make sure I did my part.

I excused myself from the circle, leaving the group laughing and waddled over to the Daryl man.

He looked up at me from the arrows he was making and grunted.

I spoke up,
"I uhm. I wanted to apologize for the way I talked to you. That wasn't nice of me and I'm sorry.", I said my voice wavering a little. This dude was plain scary. "I hope you can forgive me. And also thank you for helping me that day."

Daryl looked up with a little surprise in his eyes but then returned to being cold,
"Well ye sure was a bitch.", he said coldly.

I staggered a little bit in surprise,
"I said I was sorry man, why continue to be an ass!", I said in shock.

Daryl stood up getting close to me, making me remember my bad past with my old group, I flinched and held my chin high with my head turned.

Nothing came.

I looked slowly back at Daryl to see hurt in his eyes.

"I ain't that good of a person but shows you are a jerk if you think I'd done hit a lady.", he said before storming off.

"Asshole!", I yelled back.

I waddled as fast as I could back to the group and plopped down beside the friendly looking Carol.

"Rough time with Daryl? Don't worry he's like that to everyone. Just gotta let him warm up to you.", she said softly.

I nodded as I watched Daryl walk off. His muscles moved underneath his cut off plaid shirt he wore. His brown hair shined in the sun and those blue eyes took in everything.

"Damn he's fine.", I whispered to myself. "But an asshole.", I snarled.

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LATER THAT DAY -

Daryl's P.O.V -

That little girl who showed up at camp proved to be a hand full. Not only was she rude but seeming to be a brat.

I watched her from a distance as she hobbled around the fire trying to help, only making things worse. She knocked a pan in the fire and stepped on T-Dog's foot.

But even with her dirty hair and stained, torn clothes she was rather pretty. More beautiful.

I walked back to my tent after a hunt and found a small woven bracelet with a smooth black stone intertwined in it, just my size. Under neath it was a note which read,

Daryl,
I wanted to apologize for the way I have been acting. Though I don't like to admit it, you saved me that day I fell out of the tree. I'm not good with words at time and I do apologize for calling you an asshole. Me and you are a lot alike. Quiet and distant but we would protect anyone we have to. Hope you can forgive me.

- Violet

I grunted and fiddled with the bracelet. It was well made.
I slipped it onto my right arm and it fit perfect.

I shook my head. What a confusing girl.

• • •

Violet's P.O.V -

After I had put the bracelet I had made for Daryl with a stone little Carl gave me with a note I wrote on his bed, I was anxious to see what would happen.

I wobbled up the house to see Maggie on the porch.
I gave a little wave.

"How ya doing?", she said sweetly.

"Well I've been better, I'm getting better at crutches, though I feel like a drunk college kid stumbling around.", I said laughing, "but is there anyway I could take a shower and perhaps have a change of new clothes? I can work it off for you, I just haven't had a shower in... In months.", I said.

Maggie smiled brightly and led me up to her room,
"Here is some jeans and a navy blue and white stripped shirt with lace on the sleeves, and some brand new boots!", she smiled as she handed them to me.

"Oh gosh thank you so much Maggie, this means so much to me.", I said smiling back. I could see me and her becoming good friends.

Maggie showed me where the bathroom was and I wobbled in.

I let the water warm up and I jumped in, watching the dirt leave me. I scrubbed all over and washed my hair 3 times. I stepped out smelling like cotton and put my new underwear and bra Maggie had also given me on along with my new clothes.
I brushed my hair out, it was nearly halfway down my back, and let it air dry in soft waves.

I took my little silver locket out of my duffle. It was my mothers and had my parents photo and then a family photo with me and my parents and my sister. I put it on along with my moms little pearl earrings.

I looked up in the mirror and barely recognized myself.

I was strong and tan, my little freckles marching across my face and my hair bright red.
I loved that I never had to wear my makeup, clear skin and dark lashes helped with that.

I looked like a normal person. Finally, I felt hope rise in me.

I kept all my things in my duffle incase we had to leave, and I zipped it up and walked out of the bathroom, walking down the Stairs where everyone was together, already eating dinner.

People literally dropped their forks when they saw me.

I smiled and saw that Shane looked at me up and down and Maggie beamed at my clothes looking so good. Hershel smiled at me kindly and Lori shook her head in approval.
But what touched me most was Daryl looking me up and down and then me noticing he was wearing my bracelet.

I found hope and a family here.
I'm home.