Left to Wander • • Daryl Dixon

Chapter Five

Awakening the next day we had created the sign the night before, allowing us to head to the farm that had been mentioned. I hummed softly a tune softly as we drove and Daryl glanced back over his shoulder.

"What are you doing?" He asked curious as if he's never heard a song. I rolled my eyes and sighed.

"I know humming isn't the best sound ever but no need to act like you've never heard singing." I groaned softly and huffed looking out the window, feeling the seat shift I glanced up noticing Daryl stare at me with curiosity. He smirked slightly which made me tilt my head to the side slightly with confusion.

"I know stupid, but I've never heard you sing Little Ram." He teased and I felt my cheeks heat up immediately to a coral pink. I shook my head looking away quickly.

"You've never known me before..." I sassed and glanced back, he still had his gaze in me. I sighed and finally looked back at the man that sat before me. "Look, can't you just leave me be?" I asked like it was a plea and he shook his head with the smallest chuckle. I huffed and the RV started to rumble and shake tremendously as we started onto the dirt path as I walked to the passenger seat curiosly. I gasp softly as the farmhouse came into view. It was beautiful, untouched, and a reminder of home. I smiled brightly as we pulled up and I left out a breathless laugh. "It's beautiful!"

Dale finally parked the RV and we all filed out curiously for the new place we may or may not call home, but for now we were invited in to wait for news updates of Carl. When we had arrived, Carl had just woken up from the surgery the night before and was recovering slowly. I covered my mouth slightly as tears welled in my eyes seeing the boy slowly wake. I excused myself and went onto the deck I wiped my tears on my shirt and took a deep shaking breath. I bent at my waist and held onto the deck railing, trying to calm down from the overwhelming happiness. I heard the small slam of the wooden screen door and I looked over my arm slightly to see Carol. She had a small smile of her own and she came over.

"Hey there, Naya. What's the matter?" Her voice was gentle and filled with concern as I gave a weak smile in return. I sniffed and stood.

"He just... I'm glad he's okay. He's so strong and just reminds me so much of my brother is all. I just saw Vincent in him." I explained gently and rubbed my eyes slightly, straightening out my hair with my hands. I took a deep breath and nodded slightly. "I'm fine, just a little overwhelmed by the situation was all." I explained as she held my hand softly giving it the gentlest squeeze.

"Thank you for sharing that with me Naya." Her voice was sweet and caring and I gave her a gentle hug in response. I felt her hug me back and I relaxed slightly, before pulling away with a smile I nodded and walked back into the home. I sat on the couch that squeaked softly with the use and I relaxed softly. The group was out in the field collection stones and rocks in a wheel barrel for the lost member of their family. I watched as the grave was created and the family and our group gathered for the the funeral in memory if there lost member, Otis.

The service was quick and sweet along with the story of the mans bravery and his compassion for others told by Shane. Honestly, I didn't believe much of it myself but I can't exactly prove it wrong myself. Not long after we had came up with a plan to search for Sophia yet again. Daryl was the only one going out and he said he preferred it that way. I glanced around and I was really the only other person that could go. I sighed softly and nod.

"Okay I'm going with you." I said simply and started to get my stuff together. I went to the house to change into something else and I stretched. I entered a bedroom and glanced around, it had a neatly made bed and I slowly started to pull my shirt past my head and shimmy the jeans off. I changed into a black pair of jeans before hearing the door creak painfully in protest.

"Who gave you permission to..." I heard a familiar gravelly voice and I felt my cheeks heat up. I felt my eyes sting with tears as the scar that lined the middle of my chest was exposed and the artistry of red roses and turquoise butterflies lined my ribs and stomach. I looked away from Daryl and shook my head. "Get out." I grumbled coldly and I glared at him, throwing my brothers jacket at the attractive man in the door way. "Get out now Daryl!" I screamed and he backed up slightly and I slammed the door. I rested my back against the door and fell to the ground. I felt my little sobbing escaping and my lung had the slightest burn as I hugged my legs close. I heard Daryl walk away from the door and I hid my face into my arms.

After my episode of grief had passed I wiped my eyes and nose slightly as I threw on a red tank and opened the door. I opened the door to see my jacket neatly folded on the ground and I quickly slid it onto my shoulders taking a deep breath. I went outside, noticing Daryl's bike gone. I found Dale and looked curious. "Where did Daryl go?" I asked and he looked at me with a smile.

"He went looking for Sophia. Weren't you supposed to go?" He asked confused as he carried a lot of rope over his shoulder.

"He doesn't need my help. Besides, you might. Whats the rope for?" I asked and he led me over to where they were getting ready to send Glenn to get the walker out of the well that was ours to use. Instead of getting it out it ripped at the lower abdomen, letting the guts and blood ooze and splatter into the water below. I looked away feeling nausiated from the display to which I walked off to the RV, Dale followed.

"Okay... What's wrong? What happened between you and Daryl?" He asked, his tone confused and I glanced away. "It's nothing." I mumbled softly and I crossed my arms hearing the motorcycle approaching and sighed. "If he asks I'm not here." I mumbled and entered the RV sitting on the bed with the curtains drawn. I felt the shake and noticed his handsome rugged figure enter the RV.

"Alright... What the hell's your problem?" He asked as if walking in on me changing wasn't bad enough.

"Are you really that close minded, or just plain stupid?" I snapped coldly and he slammed his crossbow down.

"Sorry that I saw a tattoo and a bra." He replied harshly and I felt my eyes start to burn again as tears threatened to spill.

"It wasnt the tattoo idiot or the fact I was half naked. You saw... Look it doesn't matter. I don't let anyone see me undressed alright?" I mumbled with pain and hurt. He sighed scratching the back of the head like he didn't know what to do now in this confrontation of this conversation. I sniffed and glanced out the window. "Its just a sensitive thing to just let anybody... See you that vulnerable." I explained quietly and he looked around uncomfortably before handing me a tissue.

"Clean yourself up Ram... You're stronger than that." He grumbled like he was dissapointed i was crying. I took the tissue softly as I whimper softly. I wiped my red eyes and blew my nose. He left the RV and I took a deep breath relaxing. When I glanced up there was a white rose in a beer bottle and i gave a shaky sigh. Trying to forgive him but still was the slightest bit upset at him.

Its not his fault though. He doesn't know why and I didn't give him much explanation.