The Walking Love Story (The Walking Dead fanfic)

Chapter 3: Repairs

I woke with a jolt, my breathing ragged and sweat rolling down my cheeks. I had to get out of this tent. I looked to Daryl and slowly stood up. Careful not to wake him I climbed over his body, which was to close for comfort to me. I grabbed my crossbow, unzipped the canvas flaps and climbed out.

I needed to get away, I needed to be alone, and the woods offered what I needed. I walked across the damp yard and through the hay that was growing closer to the fence. I pushed the barbed wire fence down enough that I could climb between the strands. And then left the woods envelope me into it's darkness. I instantly felt at home, safe, which is ironic. I scanned the ground looking for tracks. Spotting a set of fresh deer prints I slowly followed them careful not to muck them up. It didn't take long until the tracks led me to the doe. Who was happily munching on the grass. I pulled up my bow and trained it on the deer. I took a breath and held it before firing. To no surprise the arrow hit its mark and dropped the doe. I put my bow on my back and grabbed my knife while I walked towards the animal.

Once I was there I field dressed it and dragged it back to camp. Only needing help when I came to the fence which thankfully the colored man, T-Dog I believe, helped me.

"Here." I said to the scrawny women with short hair. She looked up at me with fear in her eyes. I soften my tone this time. "Think you can cook it up for everyone? I can help if you'd like."

She gave a faint smile. "Thank you and-" she looked to the black haired lady, Lori. "I think we can manage it."

I nodded my head and turned to walk away. "Riley." I heard a man's voice call. I turned my head to see Rick who was waving me over.

"You kill that?" He asked once I reached him on the porch. I nodded my head again. "Thank you." I nodded again and started to walk away. "I need you to help Daryl with something. Ya up for it?"

I squinted my eyes from the sun. "What is it?"

"Hershel's farm is covered with cattle." He started.

"Might as well be ringing the damn dinner bell." I sneered.

Rick nodded in agreement. "That's why we are checking the fences. I need you and Daryl to check the left side. Make sure everything is up, intact and sturdy. Think you can manage that?"

"Yeah." I said. "I'm not a child." I said softly as I walked away.

"Riley! Riley wait up!" Daryl called from behind as I grabbed some tools from the barn and placed them in my truck.

"Hurry up we ain't got all day." I said back. While climbing into the truck and starting it.

As soon as his door was closed I sped off to get started on the fencing. Which in fact didn't take long at all. Everything was in good shape, just a few fencing steeples here and there. It was getting later in the day and it was time to head back. I pulled up next to our tent and climbed out.

"Hey guys!" I heard Glenn call. "Time to eat!" He said before disappearing back inside the house.

I looked to Daryl who in returned shrugged his shoulders. We walked towards the house and went inside. Using proper manners I left my bow by the door. I needed it close by but I didn't need it at the table.

"I would like to give a toast to our new member. Thank you for bringing us this treat." Rick said and everyone raised their glass to me. "This is Hershel and his family, Beth, Maggie, Jimmy and Patricia." They all gave me light smiled before returning to their separate table....awkward.

"Riley I saved you a seat next to me." The small boy said.

Lori rubbed his hair down. "Honey-"

"Thank you little man." I smiled, something that is extremely foreign to me. I walked over and sat down beside him.

We all grabbed some food and began go eat. It's been awhile since I've sat at a dinner table. I kept my eyes to my plate as I ate. I wasn't much for small talk, and these people don't like me.

"You guys better take some extra blankets tonight and try to keep warm. It's gonna get chilly. Good night, hopefully we all wake up tomorrow without being a walker". Hershel said smiling to us...I didn't think he liked us. Guess I was wrong...for once.

That night I laid in my sleeping bag, chattering. I was always cold my hands and feet would freeze in hundred degree weather.

"Ye cold?" Daryl mumbled his voice laced with sleep.

"N-N-N-No." I chattered my body shaking as it tried to get warm.

"Here." Daryl said and I felt something being laid on me.

I rolled over and grumbled. "N-No yo-you n-need it." I shivered as I have the blanket back to Daryl.

"You are cold, you need it." He said and I just gave him a cold stare...irony. "Fine either you take the blanket or we combine our sleeping bags so we share body heat." He looked me over. "Or lack there of."

I rolled my eyes at the comment. Either I'm warm and he's cold or we are both warm. But then we are closer together and I don't like being close to anyone. Not wanting him to freeze I sneered out. "Fine."

I slowly sat and stood up so he could maneuver everything around. Once he was finished I laid on top of the two sleeping bag thick mattress and under the six blankets we now shared. I laid on my normal side and he did the same. I could instantly feel the warmth. I gladly accepted it, my body starting to unthaw.

"Better?" He asked.

"Mhm." I said softly.

"Damn your feet are cold." He jumped a little. I must have accidentally stuck my feet on his legs.

"I'm sorry." I said meekly.

"It's fine...goodnight." He said softly.

             "Goodnight."