Before we left for the woods we spoke to Hershel. He warned me of my three slightly cracked ribs, a concussion, and areas where I had stitches but other than that he let me go as long as we stayed close to the prison.
We just hunted. No talking. No noise. Just hunting.
I had six squirrels while Daryl had four. He wouldn't admit it if I tried to make him but I'm just as good of a hunter as him.
We were on our way back when we came across a camp site.
I walked across to it but Daryl called me back, "What're ya doin'? Tryin' ta git yer self killed? Gitcher tiny ass back 'ere!" He yelled but in a whisper.
"Aren't ya curious?" I kept walking.
"I ain't comin' after yer sorry ass when ya git caught. I'll leave ya 'ere." He warned.
"I'm fine with that. I can handle myself. Here," I tossed him my waist band that held my catches of the day, "Give these to Carol when you get back."
I turned my back to him and walked away. I didn't hear any leaves or twigs crunch behind me so I assumed he'd left.
As I walked up to the circle of tents, I stepped over a line of tin cans to warn them if walkers came through. Me being alive, I was smart enought to avoid them. I walked to the small camp fire built closest to where I can from. I bent down and held my hand over the charred wood. It was still warm, telling me they were here recently. I walked farther and looked into one of the tents, bow ready for whatever was in it.
I pulled the zipper and quickly yanked back the door. No one was inside so I slung my bow on my back and walked in. There was a dark green sleeping bag, several pairs of clothes, an empty water bottle, and an old watch with scratches all over it. I picked up the watch and looked it over. It looked familiar like something my father would have worn.
I put it back the way it was and stepped out. I went to the next tent and was about to open it when I heard a snap. I turned around and saw a figure move in the tree line across from me. It was dark by now so i couldn't see the face. They were walking slowly so I assumed it was a walker. I slowly made my way over to the treeline and loaded my bow. I looked back the opposite way. Daryl must have left. I looked back to the figure. They seemed to be holding something. I squinted as I heard a click. That's when I realized what it was.
I paniced as a gun shot sounded and a heavy force hit my right side. I was pushed to the ground, getting the wind knocked out of me.
I gasped for air, not bothering to sit up. Did I just get shot? No. I rolled over and laid on my side wincing in pain, and saw a pair of boots with washed out grey jeans. Thank God Daryl didn't leave. My eyes went into focus as I saw the two men aiming for each other's foreheads.
My throat was scratchy and my lungs stung but I wasn't out of breath. The two were just looking at each other. I still couldn't see the other man's face, "What are you doing here? I could have killed you guys. I thought you were ranks."
The voice was so familiar that it made me sick. I mean literally sick. I bent back down while vomit burned my throat as it came back up. I looked down to a puddle of red. I felt a hand rub my back. I looked up to see Daryl crouching down.
"Is she bit?" The man stepped closer to us gun aimed at me now.
"No she ain't bit!" Daryl hit the guys gun away, "She took a steep fall down tha' highway up the way. I think I shook 'er up a bit when I pushed 'er down."
I felt my head pounding heavily. The next part came in a quick blur. The man stepped into the moonlight when everything went cloudy not giving me the chance to see him.
I slightly remember the two picking me up and setting me in between them after hearing some choice words from the man about deja vu.
When I finally came around, I was sitting with my back against the tree. Daryl was sitting on a log, twidling a piece of grass between his thumbs when my vision came into focus, "What're you doing?" I croaked when I realized the terrible taste in my mouth.
I stood up, regretting it right after. My chest burned and my head stung so bad I closed my eyes and almost when back down.
"Tha's pro'lly not a good idea." He watched me attempt to sit up. He eyed me as I leaned against the tree for support.
"Did you kill him?"
"Wha'?" He asked.
"The guy at the camp. Did you kill him?" I asked squeezing my eyes shut in an attempt to block out the headache.
He chuckled softly, "C'mon. Le's git ya back before anyone notices yer gone."
I stumbled a bit trying to move my feet over to Daryl.
"What're ya thinkin'?" He looked down at an arrow he'd pulled out of his quiver.
"You ask me that a lot," I pointed out. He just shrugged keeping the gaze with the arrow, "I'm thinking that I feel like I just got hit by a bus."
That one earned a chuckle from him, "Sorry 'bout that." He looked up, meeting my eyes with his for a second, and then looking back down again, "But I saved yer sorry ass. By the way is that three or four now?"
I scoffed, "One to one."
"Wanna bet?" He leaned forward on the log that he sat on.
"No." I knew he'd been there for me several times so I didn't want to be proven wrong even though I knew I was.
He looked at me with a new born anger in his eyes, "What the hell's wrong with ya? Ya bipolar bitch." He got off the log and stormed away towards the prison. What did I say?
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Daryl's POV:
I didn't know what to do so I just ran off. I panicked. I've never been close to anyone before other than Merle. Sure I've been with women before but never more than a night and we weren't exactly sober. Besides I don't think about her like that. At least I don't think I do. Do I? No! I don't.
She was a good person, though. She didn't categorize me off the bat. Everyone assumes I don't get along with them well but no one even tries so how could I? Merle's the only thing I knew growing up. My parents didn't give a damn about us so I was left to think that we were alone. 'It's jus' you 'n' me, baby brother. Doncha ever fergit that.' Merle's voice echoed in my head.
I was almost to the gate when I heard Diana behind me with a heavy limp. I felt terrible for pushing her over that hard but whatever happened to her seemed better than a bullet in her skull. Looking up, I saw Rick. Great just the man I was looking for. He saw me coming and quickly opened the gate.
Once I got passed the gate I waited until Diana got halfway across the courtyard to speak to Rick, "We..."
"What the hell happened to you two?" He interrupted in an urgent tone but still not above a whisper.
"Rick we need ta talk, " I started, looking up to a curious Diana who was looking towards us now, "but not here." a stern look into his eyes earned a nod from him.
He eyed me carefully and nodded, "Just you and I?"
"This may be somethin' the whole group should 'ear."
"Alright..." He looked at me with both curiosity and a small trace of panic, "I'll call for a meeting. What about Diana?"
He glanced at me questioningly for an answer. I just looked back into his eyes and shook my head, letting him know not to ask. This was going to be a hell of a decision to make. Maybe even the hardest yet.
