Left to Wander • • Daryl Dixon

Chapter Eight

I awoke to the smell of fried jerky and scrambling eggs, the slightest pounding to my skull. I rubbed my temples and walked out of the RV seeing a plate set aside for me and I smiled gently. I ate quickly, somewhat ravenous from the lack of food the day before, I simply forgot to eat the day was too busy. Everyone had already woken up, me being the last and I suddenly heard someone speak up.

"So you finally join us?" Dale teased and I laughed shyly as the group shared in the joking. I scratched the back of my head as I looked at my lap.

"Sorry. I didn't get much sleep the day before. Guess I needed more today." I explained slightly as I finished my plate requesting seconds which they gave me the extra leftovers. I glanced up at Daryl and he had a playful smirk. I looked a little nervous from such a devious expression and I looked at my lap quickly and continued to eat. Glenn stood up and I looked up curiously.

"U-uh... U-um guys..." He started shakily and a stutter to his words. This caught everyone's attention and I felt my brows furrowed slightly as he hesitated to speak. "The barns full of walkers." He admitted and this caught everyones attention. I felt nausiated from the large portion of food I ate and I took a deep breath covering my mouth. The group made their way to the barn with fear and confusion as to why this farmer had a barn full of dangerous people... Things! Tensions were high as is and now this? Shane,  of course, started this argument and then voices raised and punches were thrown although, Lori and Rick kept everyone from beating each other, particularly Daryl and Shane. In this fight, Daryl tried to start it but kept his cool relatively well.

"Hershel sees those things as people. Sick people. They just need a cure in his eyes." Dale explained saying he talked to him the day before about the barn. Glenn and Dale both knew but Glenn wanted to be the one to tell. Shane started to raise his voice yet again and I quickly back up nervous, placing my hand on my gun. I noticed Daryl glance at me and I shook my head as I walked off back to our camp.

Shane kept an eye on the barn and Lori and I helped Carl with schooling so he at least learned a thing or two. Carl started to explain how he didn't want to leave without Sophia and I could tell Lori was struggling to keep up hope of staying on the farm. I decided to pitch in to help.

"You know Carl..." I started getting his attention and I grinned brightly. "You are a lot like my brother. He was strong, compassionate..." I started and Carl looked happy from the fact that he was like Vincent. I tapped his forehead playfully. "...smart too! I can tell you are going to be a fine guy. So don't change little dude okay? Hey, if you want we can take a walk later and I can tell you what it was actually like to live on a farm." I offered glancing at Lori and so did Carl he looked so eager and excited.

"Mom?" He asked permission and she nodded. "I don't see why not." Lori replied as he continued with math and I followed along. I soon saw Daryl walking to the barn and I sighed. I had a feeling he'd steal another horse so I ruffle Carl's hair and stand, making my way to the barn and so did Carol.

"He's gonna hurt himself again." Her voice was filled with concern as we walked to the barn together where Daryl lifted a heavy saddle. I sighed as I walked over to the leather and worn saddle. "Hershel said you need to heal first." Carol spoke up at Daryl to which he replied he didn't care. I rolled my eyes at his stubbornness. And he calls me hardheaded. He continued to get the horse ready and I could tell Carol was loosing hope and wanted Daryl to stay safe. "We don't know if we'll find her Daryl." She admitted finally, facing the facts and I looked at my feet in despair as she finally said what we all thought.

He turned around with a small rage growing inside from what I could tell. "I cant lose you too." Her voice had given out and I saw her tears fall to dampen her cheeks. I saw Daryl throw the saddle onto the ground in an angry fit. He stomped off and I could hear him call her a stupid bitch. I noticed her take a shaky deep breath and I took her in my arms. I couldn't hear her cry but noticed the shoulder of my jacket start to get shiny with her tears.

∆∆∆

As the day progressed Carl and I had finally gone to the fields to go on the walk. It stayed silent for a bit as I admired the peace and quiet before Carl finally spoke up.

"Naya? Aren't you going to talk about your farm?" He asked and I laughed gently I nodded as I glanced at him.

"Sorry, yeah. I just noticed a drastic difference today. Hershel's cows are a lot quieter than the ones I owned. Oh good lord they would moo like if they didn't they wouldn't be a cow anymore. They were so sweet on my farm back in Wisconsin. They'd let you ride on your back if you were light enough and would listen to you forever." I explained about the sweet cows and I laughed softly. "I owned my very own cow. Hiland, she was the sweetest cow ever. She made pretty good milk too. But you know what's the best?" I asked as I stopped and he looked curious as I made a fake cup. "The best is pure milk when you have to scrap all the extra fat off the top." I said pretending to do it before him and he made a gross look. I laughed brightly and shook my head.

"Do you ever miss Wisconsin? Thats where you said you grew up right?" He asked with child like curiosity and I nodded with a far off dreamy look.

"So much, but I love it here too. I've met some amazing people." I said gently and gave him a wink showing he was one. I nodded and I continued on our walk. Soon making our way back to the RV. I felt my hand being tugged and I looked back at Carl and he had a playful grin on his face and I shot a fake suspicious look at him.

"Can I ask one last question?" He asked and I nodded with a shrug.

"Go ahead shoot."

"Is Daryl your boyfriend now?" He asked and I noticed his cheeks rise with heat. I sigh softly and shook my head slightly.

"No Carl, we're just friends." I answers gently and he looks a little surprised as I finished leading him back to the RV. Carl went to the house to play checkers and I met up with Daryl who came back with more Cherokee roses. I smiled as he offered me one.

"Sorry I walked in on you the other day. I forgot to tell ya." He said simply as I took the rose from him.

"Thanks it's beautiful." I said gently and looked up to see Carl staring. I let out a soft giggle. "Carl thinks we're dating." I said gently and I heard his chuckle errupt as well.

"Well if that's the case, you wouldn't have freaked out and you shouldn't be ashamed of me walking in now would ya?" he questiined and I tensed slightly at the mention. I nodded gently as I relaxed slowly.

"Maybe someday I'll explain why I freaked out..." I mumbled softly as I look at my feet and he sighed.

"Your dream...?" He questioned and I shook my head slightly.

"Not exactly up for explaining it. Lets just say, it was a bad accident." I explained and I held my arms gently, hiding my scar that was already covered by my shirt.