Left to Wander • • Daryl Dixon

Chapter Six

Searches were organized for Sophia yet again but Carol, Lori, and I all stayed at the beautiful ranchhouse. We made our way to the home and asked permission to cook a home dinner meal for Hershel and his family. Us girls laughed and talked the evening away I peeled potatoes along with the carrots to steam them. The beer bottle rose sat in the kitchen and Lori looked at me with a teasing smirk. "So who gave you that Naya?" Her voice poked fun and I felt my cheeks heating up shyly as I shook my head slightly.

"Daryl did, but it's nothing really." I mumbled softly and Carol elbowed my side teasingly as well, finding this whole situation funny. "He did it after he messed up. Like all men do." I mumbled softly and they all stopped their teasing immediately. Lori glanced at Carol nervously as to how to approach what seemed like a touchy subject. When we suddenly heard a gunshot I immediately ran out confused and noticed Shane, Rick, and Daryl.

Daryl had collapsed with a bullet grazing the side of his head. I helped him into the house where he had two holes in his side. I brought the rose into the bedroom he laid as he got stitched up and had his head bandaged. I stayed by his side and gave him anything he needed. I held his hand slightly as he rested from the painkillers. He awoke with a groan about a half hour earlier to which I gasped and pulled my hand away quickly.

"Oh my god, hey. Daryl. You doing okay? How you feeling?" I asked my voice laced with concern as I watched him wide eyed. He seemed surprised and a little thrown off guard by my worry as he pulled the blanket up higher.

"I'm fine, I ain't no pussy." He grumbled as he looked up at me. I sniffed and shook my head, staring at my lap. I looked at the rose with admiration before looking back.

"Never said you were." I sassed playfully and grabbed the sandwich as well as the soup we had made for dinner. "You worried me out there."

"No use in worrying. Besides have you eaten?" He asked as he started to eat and I propped him up a little to help his eating a little easier. I shook my head looking away sheepishly.

"I haven't left. I was too scared you'd drift off." I said gently as I looked at the door. "Hershel kept checking in though..." I explained and let out an embarrassed and happy giggle. "Said he was 'checking in' but he's probably worried we were doing something he didn't want us to in his bed." I teased and I rolled my eyes shaking my head as I gazed out the window.

"The butterflies and roses... What do they symbolize?" He asked around a mouthful and I sighed softly as I looked back at him. I felt frustrated and my blood felt like it was starting to boil.

"You ever go a life changing surgery?" I asked bluntly and he looked caught off guard. I looked at him staring into his ocean blue eyes, my arctic ones cold and upset. "Well I did. Thats why I have the flowers and butterflies on my ribs. I think that's enough explanation on me for one day, don't you think?" I snapped coldly and he hushed down looking at his food as he finished the plate. "Look, Daryl you're important to me. I don't want to regret that, okay?" I ask gently and I looked into his eyes pleadingly as I stood up taking the empty plate and bowl. "Get some rest okay?" I asked and I left the room closing the door behind me.

I came back later in the evening to check on Daryl's stitches but he had already let himself rest, seeing as it was almost midnight. I sat in the chair next to the bed and crossed my legs over the arm of the seat. I tried to stay up but soon drifted off myself resting my head onto my hand. My eyelids got heavy as I drifted into sleep.

∆∆∆

"Come on Vincent! You're going to miss it!" My voice cheered happily as my little feet pattered across the carpeted living room floor. I had ran to the window, snow fell outside and my small heart raced. My eyes were wide and innocent as I stared at the beautiful blizzard that was falling from the sky. I heard my brother stomping down our two story houses stairs just as eagerly as I had.

"I'm coming Naya!" His voice cheered happily as he came running in large fuzzy bear slippers. I heard a little "oof" and a thud cause me to turn slowly. I looked up as I saw our Christmas tree fall onto the floor, making our rug catch ablaze in a bright orange and red haze like fireworks. Smoke clouded and started to make my eyes burn. Coughing and my whimpering and crying erupted. I felt someone's arms around me.

"Naya!"

"NAYA!!"

∆∆∆

"Naya! Wake up!"

I felt someone shaking me roughly as I awoke from my screams. I jolted as my eyes were wide and I shook violently. I looked at the strong and muddy arms that held me, looking up I saw Daryl staring back at me. I felt myself let go and I started to sob yet again, hugging him tightly as I cried into his bloody shirt but I couldn't have cared less.

"Shhh, you're strong little ram. It was a dream, don't let it make you its bitch." His voice grumbled into my ear trying to calm me and I looked up, blood smeared my forehead and nose. I shook my head slightly.

"It wasn't a dream Daryl. It was real. It was real. He was so stupid." I whimpered softly and he took a piece of his shirt and ripped it off, rubbing my face slightly and I shook my head.

"Shut up. It's okay, it can't hurt you now, its a memory." He grumbled as I hugged him close resting my head against his chest as I slowed my breathing I swallowed shakily as my scar felt like it was burning. I whimper in his arms.

"How can anyone live like this?" I asked confused as I looked back up at him.

"You don't, you survive." He grumbled and I sigh already exhausted for the day from such a long night.