I woke up the next morning to Daryl tossing an apple onto my bed. It hit me in the stomach causing me to sit up really fast and hit my head on the bottom of the top bunk. He apologized but the smirk that he was trying to hide was fairly evident on his face.
He portrays himself as a hard ass who can't bring himself to care about anything but his crossbow, but underneath he cares.
I have terrible night mares so I almost never get enough sleep. I didn't think about it until the first one I had last night. I woke sweating and gasping for air when Daryl ran in with his crossbow, probably thinking that a rank had gotten in and was attacking me. I apologized and dismissed him.
After the fourth time, however he just threw his crossbow up and fell asleep on the top bunk above me. He snored a little bit but after a while I fell asleep and didn't wake up again that night.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Over the next five days I did little movement. I never saw anyone except when someone would bring in food or water. Hershel was my only regular visitor. He came in every day to check up on me. Daryl stopped coming after the first night. I'm guessing he wanted sleep and wasn't getting it here with me waking up every hour.
Today was the day I'd try to get around on my own and see how it worked.
Hershel came in and helped, "Alright, try to stand on your right leg and slowly put pressure on your left leg when you are able to."
After a few minutes I was able to step around a bit but it still hurt like hell.
"Thank you. Really. For everything you and your group has done for me. I appreciate how much you guys risked taking in a stranger like me."
Hershel looked sadly into my eyes, "Seems to me like you're saying your good byes."
"I don't fit in here. I'm definitely not wanted here. My only room mate left me after one night. And Rick doesn't trust me."
"Give it some time. Rick'll warm up to you. As for Daryl, well, he doesn't get along with anyone. It's a miracle he even stayed the whole night."
"It's been five days and the only people I've talked to are you, Rick, and Daryl. If I'm not trustworthy enough then it's obvious that I need to leave. Besides you did fine before I came around and shook things up. I can't stay somewhere where I'm seen as a danger. If I'm not wanted then I'd much rather take my chances on the road." I sighed. Daryl and Rick, I could live without but Hershel I'd miss.
"I hope you know you'll be missed. I see so much of my daughter in you. If you stayed you'd be able to meet her but I understand why you want to leave. If you ever find trouble and need a place to come back to come and find me. I'll be here." He smiled sadly and kissed my forehead.
"Thank you." with that I grabbed my back pack, laced up my boots, and made my way over to the door.
When I reached the patch of grass between the fence and the tree line I saw Rick and a boy along with others that I hadn't meet yet. I had retrieved my bow along with the rest of my weapons, so when Rick saw me he looked skeptical.
"What are you doing out of your cell block?" He asked in a low tone.
"I can't be caged up like that. I don't mind being isolated but the whole every one thinking I'm a convict doesn't rank very high on my good feelings list. I'm sorry but I'm leaving. Thank you, though, I appreciate everything you've done for me."
"You have food here, shelter, protection. Are you willing to give up the only safe place you'll ever see for open road. Give it a few days, I'll introduce you to Lori, my wife. Carl, my son. Give me some time I'll help you get settled. This is all an offer of course. I'm not gonna make you stay but if you want to think about it. Just know you have a place to come back to if need be."
