Wanderlust

Good intentions

Daryl stood in the circle with Ezekiel and his men completely irritated. Darkness had come and he could no longer track the trail he had been on to find her. Coming back to the Kingdom to pack some supplies and regroup, he was asked by Ezekiel to be at this little meeting.

“OK so we’re all in agreement, we all meet here tomorrow morning and go look together” Ezekiel asked as everyone nodded their head.

Daryl stayed quiet…..he didn’t mind them looking but he would be tracking on his own, he always did better on his own. Staring at the ground, he looked around and was stunned looking at a pair of boots. Looking up slowly he locked eyes with one of the guys named Richard. Those boots…..Daryl thought. Could it be? Thinking back of the morning he and Gypsy had walked to Ezekiel’s holding hands and how suddenly she had been afraid, clinging to his arm…..Richard had been there walking past them.

Trying to remain nonchalant Daryl dropped his eyes again as to not give anything away that he was thinking. He would watch Richard like a hawk and if he left, he would follow him. Nodding his head, barely understanding what Ezekiel was talking about, Daryl agreed to whatever he said then bid them all goodnight. Walking to Gypsy’s home slowly, he stood in the middle of the living room staring at her packed suitcases they had brought back his heart began to ache. This was so not fair…they were supposed to be starting something, not dealing with something like this.

Flopping down on the couch Daryl looked at her bags again and sighed. Deciding to pack some things for the morning, Daryl shoved some food and water into his backpack then looked at her bags again. Opening one, he pulled out a pair of jeans and a shirt of hers. Holding them to his face and breathing her in, he could feel his throat tighten and tears threaten. Quickly stuffing them into his bag, he shook his head. He was not going to fall victim of his emotions. She is out there and she needs my help, Daryl thought. Finishing packing, Daryl lay his head back and closed his eyes hoping sleep would find him quickly. He knew he had to rest to be at his best to track and find her, but getting the rest would be near impossible. Finally Daryl drifted off to sleep, still hoping and praying he would find her.

Daryl opened his eyes and looked out the window. It was barely dawn and would be a good time to start heading back to where they had crashed. Walking out of her door silently, he suddenly ran and hid next to the side of her house, watching a large shadow slink through the community. Watching him slip over the wall, Daryl’s heart pounded. Richard was up to something and he was going to find out once and for all what that was.

Daryl followed behind silently as Richard hiked for a couple of hours deep into the woods. Seeing overgrowth around an old abandoned trailer, Daryl watched as Richard went inside. Sitting there listening for anything, Daryl watched as Richard walked back out of the trailer and began heading back. He started to follow him again but something about that trailer was nagging at him. Making sure Richard was gone, Daryl walked over to the trailer and began inspecting the outside of it. Looking at the boarded up windows and the rust that ate away at the body, he heard a noise….it was coming from inside.

“Gypsy?” he said quietly

*******************

Gypsy sat on the floor feeling lower than she had during the night. Richard had returned this morning but thankfully didn’t say a word to her. He left some food and bottles of water but she wasn’t sure to trust what he brought, wondering if he might drug her so that she couldn’t fight him off again. Pulling the cloth around her shoulders tighter, she started to lay her head back down until she heard someone softly whispering her name. Was this a trick? Listening intently, her heart skipped a beat….Daryl!!!!

“Daryl I’m here!!” she yelled, listening for his voice again.

Daryl sighed a huge sigh of relief, he had found her.