Left to Wander • • Daryl Dixon

Chapter Ten

I managed to find Daryl way out in the fields, near the woods starting to create a wood arrow as he carved with his knife. I looked at my feet before I took a seat on the ground next to him. I gazed out over the field and had a dreamy look as I stared out. "It's peaceful out here. Away from chaos. Away from the death. I see why you picked it." I said gently and gazed up at him as he continued to remove the bark from the branch. "Sophia wasn't your fault Daryl. You did all you could." I said gently and I heard him stop, he glared at me as he pointed his knife at me.

"What do you know? All you know is living in the past or being a scardy cat. I ain't no bitch but if I keep hanging around you I will be!" He growled in that gravelly tone he had and I sighed. I nodded as I took one of the bark shavings off the ground.

"You know what? I am scared. You got that right. I'm scared I might die tomorrow. I'm scared I'll become like Sophia. I'm also scared to loose you. You may not like it Daryl, but you can't just walk into someone's life and expect them to not care." I started staring up at him but he refused to meet my gaze. I shake my head as I looked at my lap. "Baby it's cold outside." I said simply and that's what got him to look at me.

"What?" He asked confused as I glanced back up at him.

"You said you'd maybe want to learn the song I used to sing with my brother, we sang Baby, It's Cold Outside. It was a stupid song but we loved it. You probably don't remember asking. You were completely hammered and I don't blame you." I explained and I rubbed my temple. I looked at him and I gently took the knife from his hand, replacing it with my small hand to try and pull him to my feet. He reluctantly stood and I smiled weakly. I yawned softly and looked out at the field. In the distance I could see the group building a pile of walkers to burn.

"I can barely stomach the smell. The burning flesh and melting bones just make me want to hurl. How can you handle this?" I asked curious and glanced up at him as he stared off.

"You just deal with it. Like anything else now-a-days." He said simply and I looked towards the ground before kicking a pebble on the ground.

"I guess you're..." It was all I managed to get out before I felt a hard yank on my ponytail causing me to scream out in pain. "D-Daryl!" I cried out desperately as I felt the hand soon release my hair and I watched the corpse fall to the ground, a knife sticking out of the side of his skull. I fell into his arms shaking slightly as I stood in shock. I hadn't noticed him sneak up and it made me terrified to be alone.

We sat in silence at his little camp and I had gone to get food. We ate the jerky and peaches silently as I had my gun and knife out in fear he glanced at me and rolled his eyes. "Buck up a little, nothin is going to get ya." He grumbled around a mouthful of food. I sighed as I continued eating before finishing the plateful. I hugged my knees as we made a small fire.

"I'm fine." I mumbled and I sat somewhat away from the fire even though I was cold. Carol soon ran up to us with news that Lori has gone missing. I placed my forehead on my knees not caring at the moment from exhaustion of the day and just sick of everybody getting hurt or lost. Carol had of course asked Daryl to go looking for him and Daryl was frustrated from everyone expecting so much from him I assumed and I didn't blame him. He started to walk off and I followed quickly, I grabbed onto his arm trying to get him to stop but he whipped around catching me on my cheek with a loud smack. It made my ears ring as I clutched my cheek and I stared at him horrified. I realized it was in the heat of the moment from frustration but I started to make my way back to camp, frustrated myself and upset.

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When reaching camp I found Lori emerging from the car and I sighed softly, my cheek still had a red tint but didn't look that bad. I watched as she asked for Rick but he wasn't back yet,  neither were Hershel and Glenn. I suddenly heard Shane explain that he needed to keep the baby safe along with Lori. Carl was obviously upset from not being told but it was obviously the night had rattled us all. I, for one wanted to sleep and was offered a bed in the house. I sighed as I laid on the plush mattress letting out a relaxed groan and I stared up at the popcorned ceiling. I felt tired but I couldn't sleep I sat up and glanced around the room before leaving the bedroom yet again.

I started walking downstairs but stopped when I heard Lori and Shane talking. I listened in, eavesdropping like a little snoop but I couldn't find anything else to do. A lot was muffled but I got the gist that Lori thought her husband had died, that Shane was a mistake for the affair. I ran back up the steps to the bedroom and laid in bed. The world got so messy so quickly, it's surprising the people on this planet did too.