Fighting to Survive: The 3rd installment to Daring to Feel

Chapter 19: Parties and Games

"Daryl?" I call out after something moves behind the tree's.

The body stops and I walk down the back steps of the porch. He emerges from the woods and the moonlight shines onto his face, "hey" he grumbles lowly to me.

I pick up my pace and jog to him throwing my arms around his neck, "where have you been?" I ask in a hushed tone.

He pulls back after hugging me, "just out. Yew look nice" he compliments me.

"Thanks. Why were you walking away? Come on in." I grab a hold of his arm to get him to follow me back into the house.

"Naw, I don't wanna go in there." he stays standing where he is.

I tilt my head in his direction, "okay, that's fine." I let go of his arm, "let's stay out here, want to go for a walk or somethin'?" I ask him.

"No. You go on in, have fun. I'm just gonna head back to the house." He tries to push me away.

"Daryl.." I try to urge him to not walk way.

He interrupts me from going on, "naw really Sadie, go inside. I'll see yew at the house." He leans in to me, kissing me on the cheek but walks back into the neighborhood after that. I stand there confused for a moment but eventually go back inside the house.

I find Rick talking to Jessie inside, "hey, I'm sorry, but Rick, I'm gon' head back to the house and wait for Daryl." I tell him in a whisper.

"He's still not here?" He asks me taking a sip of his drink.

I shake my head, "maybe he's at the house." I say not telling him I know he's going there.

"Sadie, did you get a chance to meet my husband, Pete?" Jessie then asks, interrupting us.

"What?" I question her not sure what she's talking about.

She smiles, "well he is the doctor here so you'll be working together, come on, you should meet him!" She takes me by the hand and starts to drag me further into the house. I look to Rick for help but he just shrugs with a small smirk. I sigh out with reluctance and let my feet shuffle to where she is taking me, "Pete, this is Sadie, she'll be starting tomorrow working with you!" She says to her husband touching his arm.

He swings his arm from her touch, "can't you see I'm talking to someone here?" He grunts towards her with anger.

"yes, sorry. I just thought you'd like to meet her." Jessie says lowly to him.

Pete turns to me, thrusting his hand out, "Hi. It's nice to meet you. I'm sorry about my wife, she can be persistent about things." He gives her a warning glare.

She mouths the word sorry to him and backs away from us, "It's fine, it's nice to meet you." I say flatly back not caring about any of this. My mind is elsewhere, my mind is trying to get back to the house to talk to Daryl.

"So, you're a nurse they tell me?" He smiles taking a sip from a glass.

"no, no. I was a temp in a hospital. I learned a few things from watching, assisting nurses out. I didn't get to do any hands on stuff until after the world fell a part." I inform him. I keep looking down at my watch, trying to make up an excuse.

"Is there some place you have to be?" He asks me flatly.

"oh, what?" I ask, not realizing how rude I was coming off, "yes, sorry. I just really need to get out of here. I start work tomorrow, you know." I try to play it off with a smile.

He laughs a fake laugh, "you sure do. It was a pleasure, Sadie. I'll see you tomorrow morning." He nods and then turns back to the people he was talking to before Jessie pulled me over. I leave the house, and walk briskly back to our home.