Your Crying Shoulder

Hope

A few days later Mae's pov

My father is alive. The man that haunts my nightmares, that gave me my scars, that ruined my life is alive...and it's all thanks to me. If it weren't for me, daryl and officer grimes would've killed him right on the spot. They would've took their time with him, made him suffer. He deserved that, but I stopped them. Why did I stop them? That is something I'm going to ask myself everyday till I die. Just having his death on my conscious wasn't me. I couldn't..I'm not him. I'll never be him. I haven't left my cell for days, I just couldn't bring myself to move. I felt like I was dead...I wanted to be dead. Daryl and the others have made frequent visits and I'm glad they did cause if they didn't...I might've done something I would've regret. Sitting up from my cot I decided I couldn't just lay here for the rest of my life in fear of my father. I was stronger because of him, because of all this and I wasn't going to let this change me back to who I was. No matter how scared I was on the inside. Taking a deep breath, I got off my cot and started out of my cell. As I descended down the stares, I noticed all the looks I was getting from people, but I just ignored them knowing if I didn't I would've ran right back upstairs and cowered in my cell. Opening the door that led outside, I was immediately hit by the thick air of the Georgia heat. I coughed as it forced the air into my lungs and for a minute I thought I was gonna pass out. gripping onto the door frame, I took another deep breath and felt myself able to breathe again. Looking out towards the fields, I squinted as the sun seemed brighter than It ever was. I guess that happens when you sit in a dark cell for days. Noticing the others down by the gate, I smiled and made my way to them. The first one to notice me was T-Dog. A huge smile spread across his face as he dropped what he was doing and ran up to me. I chuckled as he picked me up and spun me around,

"Looks like sleeping beauty finally came down from her tower"

I chuckled and shook my head as I looked and saw daryl, officer grimes, and carol all looking at me. Carol was the second to run up and hugged me tightly. I looked off to officer grimes and daryl. Officer grimes had his hands on his hips and a smile of relief spread across his face. Daryl just starred at me with soft eyes. I smiled and walked down to the two and was immediately brought into officer grimes embrace. He hugged me tightly as I whispered,

"Thank you"

He pulled back and then kissed my forehead before embracing me tightly again. I chuckled as he released me again. Everyone turned as I made eye contact with Daryl. He looked to the ground and then back to me as the others decided to give us a minute. Daryl walked up to me and said,

"You good?"

I smiled and nodded,"yea...I am"

He nodded and turned to walk away, but I grabbed his hand immediately stopping him. He turned and looked back at me confused as I just shook my head and wrapped my arms around his neck bringing his lips to mine. He seemed shocked at first but wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed me back. I still didn't understand by how just kissing someone, being in their embrace could make you forget about everything, make you feel safe, but that's how I feel whenever daryl is around. Someone clearing their throat brought us out of our embrace and I looked over to see carol smiling at us, officer grimes looking awkwardly to the ground and T-Dog with a smug smile across his face. My face instantly reddened and I hid in Daryl's chest as I heard him chuckle lightly.

"Alright, let's get the other cars in. We'll park 'em in the west entry of the yard." Officer grimes said breaking the awkward silence.

"Good. Our vehicles camped out there look like a giant "vacancy" sign!" Daryl snapped causing me to look at him disapprovingly.