An Arrow Dipped in Ink

Chapter 8

Everyone ran back to camp as quick as their legs would carry them. There heard gunshots and screaming the closer they got to camp. Even though Rayne's legs burned she ran faster than ever before. She had to get to camp to make sure that everyone was alright. When they got into camp there were walkers everywhere. Rayne kept close to Daryl as they both took down every walker they came to. Daryl was using a shot gun instead of his trusty crossbow. Rayne switched over to her 9mm. She had always been a good shot when it came to guns. Her dad had taught her well. At least something he taught her finally paid off. After all the walkers were taken down she stood there in a daze. She couldn’t believe what she was looking at. Amy was dead and so were a few others from camp. Not anyone that she talked to on a regular basis but it still broke her heart to see the all the dead laying around her. Daryl came up to her side and put his hand on her lower back. She clung to his shirt for fear that she may start to lose her footing. Lori and Carol gathered the children up around the main campfire. They were going to put them in the RV but because Amy was was laying in front of it. Lori thought it would be better for everyone to stay away in case Amy got back up.

Rayne sat down on the ground outside her tent. Daryl came and sat beside her not saying a word just sitting next to her. Rick walked over and asked to look at her head.

He looked to her, “You might have a mild concussion but I wouldn’t worry about it too much. Daryl, you are going to have to watch over her tonight. Your going to have to wake her up every few hours.”

Daryl looked at him and asked, “Why me?”

“Because your the one that threw her down.”

“I don’t think that I'll be able to sleep anyway but thanks Rick”,said Rayne.

Rayne and Daryl sat there together for a long time not saying anything just watching everyone. Most everyone in camp had fallen asleep by the time that Daryl started to get up. He went into her tent and grabbed a blanket. He came up behind her and grabbed her by the waist. He pulled her close to him and wrapped the blanket around them. Daryl had built a small fire to keep them warm. He moved her hair away from her neck and watched the glow of the fire dance across her pale skin. They sat the same way they did in the woods that night. He enjoyed feeling her pressed against him. She leaned her head against his shoulder.

He whispered to her, “Are you still mad at me?”

“I was for awhile but after those Mexicans took me, all I could think about was that I would never see you again. I forgive you Daryl. I cant imagine what your feeling right now. But lets not make a habit of this, OK.”

He ran his fingers lightly through her hair and tucked it behind her ear some more. He took a deep breath and a familiar chill ran up her spine, “I'm sorry I hurt you baby”

“I know you are but don’t worry your going to make it up to me later”,she said with a slight smile. He held her tighter and ran his hand across her stomach. When he spoke to her this time his lips were almost pressed to her earlobe.

“I usually don’t talk about my feeling and shit but I thought that I was going to lose you. I was so caught up with Merle being gone that I wasn’t thinking clearly. I should have protected you and I’m sorry that I didn’t. I uh um I... I care about you Rayne. I don’t know why cuz I have never really cared for anyone else before.”

“Its not your fault Daryl so please don’t beat yourself up over it. I’m fine now and I’m here with you. That’s all that should matter.”

She looked over at him, locked eyes and said, “I care for you too. I'm kinda a loner myself so I understand how you feel more than you know. I get up, go to work, sleep, go to work again, then come home and get drunk. Then I go to bed by myself. Its a very boring life.”