Torn (TWD Fan-fiction)

Cold Blooded

"Don't look. Don't look!"

I snapped out of my thoughts as Daryl's gruff voice brought me back to what was happening. With a heavy heart, I watched as Carol fought to be freed from Daryl's embrace. She glanced at Sophia quickly before breaking into an uncontrollable sob as she ran back towards the camp. I turned to look as Beth ran towards her mother's dead corpse. Rick tried to stop her but she pushed right past him. I exchanged glances with Rick before I pointed at Beth. "Beth, watch out!" The walker that used to be her mother growled as it grabbed Beth by her arms. Her mouth was opening and closing as it hungered for a taste of her soft tender skin. We all rushed to her, trying to save her from meeting the same fate as her mother had. Daryl stood in my way as I ran towards Beth. I opened my mouth to say something, but Andrea fatally stabbing Beth's mom in the head with a scythe caught everyone's attention. There was an awkward silence that surrounded us. The only noise flowing through the wind were Beth's cries of sadness and pain. 

As everyone walked back towards Hershel's house I stayed back with Daryl. "What was that?" I asked as I crossed my arms in front of my chest. Daryl scoffed as he picked his gun up from the ground. "What was what?" He mumbled. I looked at Beth's mom's corpse. Daryl followed my gaze. He furrowed his eyebrows as he annoyingly said, "They had it covered." He had a point, but it bugged me that he did that. I didn't know what to say to him. "I'm gonna go talk to Carol. I'll see ya later." Daryl said as he kicked the dirt with his boots. I nodded as he lingered for a moment before heading off. I decided to walk out and find Dale. He could be overprotective and whatnot, but he was still the wisest out of all of us. I headed out towards where our cars were parked when I saw Shane yelling at Hershel. I stood from afar and watched just to make sure that Shane wasn't going to harm Dale. He was too far from me to make out anything he was saying. Eventually, he got into a truck and drove off. 

A few hours later we were all standing around the graves we dug for Hershel's family and for Sophia. I looked around and noticed that Carol hadn't attended. Daryl was acting distant too. He barely muttered two words to me the whole time. After the service, everyone went their separate ways. I walked over to the RV and waited around for Dale. I must have been there a good while when I noticed Rick and Glenn leaving the property. I stood up and walked outside to see if anyone could tell me what was going on. There was no one in sight when suddenly Lori and Dale came out of the house and started walking towards camp. I hid behind some trees as they got closer to me. I could make out bits of their conversation, it was about Shane. I slowly made my way closer as I tried to make out what they were saying. I crouched down to avoid being seen.

"I think he killed Otis."

Lori stopped walking as Dale looked her dead in the eye to show her how serious he was. Lori put her hand up as she said, "Otis was killed by walkers." I could feel my heart thumping, the last thing I wanted to do is be caught snooping around people's private conversations. Dale shook his head, "He knew how to handle walkers. Otis was the one who was putting them in the barn." I bit my lip as I silently agreed with Dale. I squinted my eyes as I tried to hear them clearer. Lori raised her eyebrows as she said, "You need to be really clear with me right now. What are you saying?"  I quietly waited for Dale to answer. Ugh, my thighs are burning from crouching so long. Dale took a deep breath as he said, "I believe that-- that Shane sacrificed Otis. I can't prove it, but I-I-I-- I think that he-- I think that he shot him and left him for bait so that he could get away." Lori's mouth was open as she tried to wrap her mind around what Dale was saying. She slowly shook her head as she said, "Shane may be a hothead, but he's not a murderer. And--and why would he kill somebody who's trying to help?" I rolled my eyes. Yeah, and he's totally not a sick perverted asshole either Lori. Dale then said, "I don't know. Maybe he was pinned down. He said-- he said it. He all but threw it in my face. I'm telling you-- I knew guys like him, and sooner or later he's gonna kill somebody else." I watched as Dale walked away and went inside his RV. Lori stood there taken back by what Dale had said to her. She shivered as she rubbed her arms and walked out towards the fields. It wasn't cold, my guess was that the thought of Shane killing Otis in cold blood gave her the creeps.

I knocked on the RV door. "Come in." Dale sounded tired. I walked in and gave him a warm-hearted smile, "Hey, how's it going?" Dale took his cap off and took a drink of water. He shrugged, "Seen better days. How about yourself Ellie?" I shrugged, "Guess I could say the same." I slid into the seat across from him and stretched my hands out on the table. I yawned. "You know, Ellie? I've been meaning to ask you. What happened to your wrists?" I sat completely still as I noticed my wrists were showing. The ugly dark marks stood out so much against the white table top. It made me furious and sad at the thought that it might never go away. I hated that there was a possibility it would be a part of me forever. I started to pull my arms away when Dale gently grabbed my forearm. He gave me a concerned look, "Ellie, you still haven't answered my question. What happened?" I don't know what it was, but Dale made me feel like I could confide in him. I told him everything. From meeting Rick to hearing him and Lori speaking. Dale stayed quiet the whole time. I rambled on and on about everything. I was able to speak my mind and not shed a tear. I stared at him, waiting for him to speak.

"Wow, Ellie. You have been through so much-- and Shane, I can't believe it. Actually-- I take that back. I can believe it. Have you told Rick?" He seemed calm yet very upset at the same time. I shook my head and rapidly said, "No! He can never know! No one can ever know..." I realized that my outburst had been a bit extreme. Dale nodded his head, "I understand Ellie, but he can do this to someone else. He's dangerous. Just like you heard me telling Lori. I'm pretty sure he killed Otis. You need to speak to Rick. If we both go to him, and you tell him what you told me then maybe something can be done about this." I sighed in frustration, "Ugh. I shouldn't have come here. I don't know why I thought I could confide in you." Dale looked taken back as he softly said, "Fine. I understand Ellie. Just... please, think it over." I stood up and walked to the door before I turned to Dale and said, "Give me a few days." 

I walked out of the RV and sighed as I rubbed my face. I started walking towards Daryl's tent when I noticed it was gone. Daryl's tent was gone. I stood there dumbfounded as I tried to figure out why Daryl had removed the tent.

 I heard Lori call my name behind me. I turned to see a look of anger cross her face. "What's up?" I asked. Lori crossed her arms as she said, "I asked Daryl to go after Rick and help him bring Hershel back. Now, I understand that Daryl is-- well, Daryl, but that doesn't mean he can disrespect me and treat me like dirt. Just thought you'd out to know. Maybe you can fix him." My fists balled up as I took a step towards her. I found myself looking at her stomach. I gritted my teeth as I counted to 10 in my head. "For your information Lori. I don't control Daryl. You think he'd listen to me? HA. Funny, Rick said you were smart." I turned my back on her as I walked to the tent, but not before calling out over my shoulder, "When you see Rick. Tell him I need to talk to him." I walked out towards where Lori had come from. I was pissed as hell. Why would Daryl just up and leave?

I muttered under my breath, "You're gonna get it Daryl Dixon."