Something Missing [Daryl Dixon Love Story]

Chapter Nine

CHAPTER NINE

When I wake up it's night. It could be the same night but I have a feeling it's not. My first hint is the smell. The horrid scent wafting in an out of my nostrils as I breathe is the unmistakable smell of decaying flesh that's sat for two to three days. My eyes travel up and I see him. He's on his stomach with a hole through his whole head. The gun that's taken the lives of three is still in my hand. The sight of it no longer sends me into a panic. They're safe now. I'm glad all of them are dead. Nothing can hurt them.
I become aware of my injures immediately after I regain my senses completely. My head is pounding and my wrist is surging with pain. "You broke it again, Dumbass." I muttered to myself with a pathetic laugh.
Next I realize what's awaken me. A whimpering is coming from the back of the house. I slowly regain my feet and stumble to the backdoor. When I open the door I see rain is pouring down. For a moment I am captivated by the sound. It makes me want to curl up and go back into sleep again. Maybe I can sleep myself to death...
I hear the whimper again and it pulls me from my thoughts. I look down and there is a Australian Shepard pup sitting on the doorstep.
I look at it in shock. "A puppy?"
The pups eyes look into mine desperately.
"I'm not alone?" I ask it.
A whine escapes the puppy.
"I'm sorry... You must be freezing." I bend down and pick him up. I unzip my jacket slightly and slid him in. His head pokes out near mine and he rests his head on my shoulder.
I go to the bottom of the stairs and sit. I hug the puppy close to me and rest my head on the wall. His soaked fur leeches its wetness into my clothes. It makes me shiver but I don't car. I'm not alone.
I close my eyes and let the rain calm me into more sleep.

I dream about my new friend when I reach the dream faze of sleep. We are in a park. Not the kid with swings but a nature park... We are traveling down a trail in the woods that is unfamiliar to me but my feet seem to know it well. My new pup is in front of me but he stays close. I get the feeling he's under the impression he's my little guardian. We reach a clearing but the dog stops abruptly. A low growl begins to escape his throat. I'm only curious for a moment. Until I hear them. There is two men up ahead in a clearing. I can hear their voices but they are unfamiliar to me. By the sound I guess it's a teenage boy and an adult man.
I began to focus on what they were saying.
"So, what're we doing out here?" He asked.
An annoyed sigh escaped the adult. "We're scavenging. Our group is four strong since you and your dad joined. We gotta have supplies."
"Ohh, I get it. We are like hillbilly's...cuz they go through trash and steal things from people's yards..."
"Who the hell told you hillbilly's do that?" The man asked.
"My dad. He thinks you're a hillbilly, ya know?"
I could hear the man taking a deep breathe. "Well, I think you're father is a dumbass. Now shut up, those things can probably hear your loud ass mouth all the way out here."
I began to panic when I realized their voices were coming closer. What if they saw me? They would kill me.

I woke up before I had to find out. My dog was whining and liking my cheek.
"What is it, buddy?" I asked.
He whined and looked toward the kitchen.
"Food? Are you hungry?" I asked stupidly.
He barked and I assumed that was it.
I stood up still holding him and made my way to the pantry. Now that it was just me the shelf seemed so much fuller.
"Hmm..." I said as I scanned through the various canned foods. "Do you like beef stew? I'm not a fan but perhaps you are..." I took out the canned beef stew and a can of corn. "I'll eat corn." I grabbed a fork and can opener before walking back to the foot of the steps.
I opened his food first. I looked at the sharp edges of the can and started pouring it out on the wooden steps. When I finished I put him next to it. He happily started to eat. I watched with a smile. "I won't let anything happen to you...."
Suddenly a thought dawned on me... "You don't have a name do you..." I looked at the little black and brown dog. "I think I'll call you Beck..." I patted his head and opened my can. I ate a few bites and I noticed Beck had finished. I took another bite of mine and then drained the water into his empty food can. When I looked back into the corn can I saw that it was almost halfway empty. I looked at Beck then back to the can deciding to let him finish it.
He ate it happily then snuggled himself on my lap. I laughed quietly when I realized he fell asleep.
Had my guardian stayed up the whole time I slept?

Author's Note: Sorry it took so long everyone! I've been really busy lately. I hope you're still liking this and not thinking I'm forgetting about the Daryl Dixon part! Don't worry he will show up very very soon! Until then please let me know what you think so far.

As always sorry about the bad spell check... I'm on a phone typing all of this.
~TWT