My New Guardian

Found him

The next morning after that dreaded nightmare, things were different. Daryl had been treating me different- like a puppy who need protecting and constant supervision. Don't get me wrong, spending time with Daryl was nice, but him being clingy for the wrong reasons wasn't what I'd call dreamy. I'm wondering if I may have said more in my sleep last night because he seems to know more than I let on.

Nothing much had changed. Rick is still in a rage and Carl is still in mourning. There seems to be a cloud over the whole group. Everyone is struggling but we need to keep going. We need to stay strong. My leg has already healed significantly in just the few days it's been so I decided to go on a run. Nothing special just a quick supplies run into town. Currently I'm packing my bags with a couple bottles of water and a few pieces of fruit in case I need to take a longer route or hide out from a herd for a bit. "Hey." I hear a voice interrupt my thoughts. I whip my head to the door of the cell to see Daryl standing leaning to the left of the bunk bed. "Hey. Going on a run- I'll be back soon." I quickly replied trying to give him no room to insist on not going. "You sure that's a good idea?" I knew what he was implying my I just nodded. "Yup. You can come if you want but I am going." I took a moment to look him in the eye before finishing up packing. I snapped the button shut on my bag and continued out the door Daryl following close behind. I was happy he was coming and even more satisfied he didn't try and stop me from going.
...
We arrived at town about 3:00. The sun was still high casting a thick layer of heat and sweat over us. We continued walking down the main street always passing many stores, cafes, and other remainders of small businesses. We've resided of these stores multiple times though we still often come back looking for any bits and pieces we've missed. "How 'bout this?" Daryl said stopping in his tracks. It was an old convenience store not big at all but seemed one of the best preserved stores left in town. The sign read 'Walgreens'. It was covered in dust and a few of the letters were broken and falling but we're still in tact enough to read. I helped Daryl move the shelf we'd last placed infront of the doors to keep any unwanted living or dead from entering. We set it to the side as softly as possible and worked the doors open.
...
After searching the store for about ten minutes id found a few things nifty. A few protein bars, socks, and a couple magazines. Not the most useful but always a comfort. Me and Daryl met up in the front of the store after we finished scavenging the store he handed me his finding and I dumped them in the bad along with the rest of my supplies. Daryl jumps in and sits on the dirty conveyer-belt-check out which used to rotate at the touch of a button but now just sits coated dust and blood. I jump up next to him for an awkward moment waiting for one of us to break the silence.

"So you gon'a tell me about it?"

He suddenly blurted out. I thought about it for a moment though I instantly knew what he was referring to.

"It... It was nothing. Just a nightmare. Nothing for you to worry about."

He seemed to see straight through me.

"Come on. Don't give me that shit. You were screaming. You yelled my name like it was the last thing you'd ever say. You yelled another name.. Phil... Philip? Right?"

The moment I hear that name roll off his lips o cringe. It's painful to say. Painful to hear. Painful to think about. I didn't respond and instead focused on keeping the tears back. Daryl noticed.

"Philip as in.... Gov' philip?"

I wasn't sure what he meant so I proceeded to ask.

"Gov Philip? What does that mean?"

He had a sad look as if he was informing a child of a family death.

"The governor. He's more 'self elected'. He's bad business. 'Captured Glenn and Maggie themselves- tortured 'em. Only thing is... His name is Phlip."