Left to Wander • • Daryl Dixon

Chapter Thirteen

When I awoke from the small nap the sun shined brightly into my eyes and i rubbed my heavy eyelids as I sat up. I stood up and went to the window gazing out before seeing my whole group standing around a fire by the RV. I looked confused and made my way out to where everyone was. Daryl had been talking about the man they had picked up, they were going to leave him to fend for himself but had brought him back for some reason. His knuckles were bloody from what I assumed he had beaten the kid for information from the end of the conversation.

"No one goes near him. We're killing him today. End of discussion." Rick stated and I looked confused and rather surprised that Rick of all people made this decision. He started to walk off and Dale followed as I glanced at Daryl walking up and glaring slightly.

"A word, please." I snapped and started to walk away from the group a bit. The rugged man followed me and I crossed my arms as I felt my blood boiling slightly. "What did you do to that kid in there?" I asked and he let out a small sigh as gave a small shrug.

"I didn't do nothin'. Just had a chat." He stated and I stomped my foot slightly as I glanced at the group then back to the man before me.

"Oh really? Is that why your knuckles are bloody now? So enough bullshit." The last sentence I heard my voice raise and I could see Carol and Lori glance at me. I looked back at Daryl. "Don't lie to me Daryl. I hate liars and I won't tolerate it from you of all people. You're better than you think you are and I'm sick of you completely ignoring what I say!" I said frustrated as I glanced at the barn where the kid stayed in. The stranger seemed to be Beth's age and I shook my head.

I had escaped to the RV, Dale followed and watched me as I sat at the small table looking through my stuff as I finally found my brush. I ripped it through my gnarled and tangled hair soon getting it back to being smooth before Dale spoke up.

"I need a favor from you Naya." He started gently in his compassionate voice and I glanced up at him. I felt a puzzled expression cross my face and I waited for this favor. "I need you to guard Randal, protect him." He started sitting across from he. I let out a breathless laugh and shook my head slightly.

"You're kidding right? You gotta be. Why don't you guard him yourself. You're always carrying around that rifle why not use it for a change?" I snapped harshley and the old man seemed relatively surprised by my reaction. I glanced out the RV window and then back at Dale. "Look, I don't want that kid killed, hell I don't even want him getting tortured, but wake up and smell the damn roses. There's dead people eatin the living. Why would we let the living get that chance too?" I said and sighed softly and Dale's face got pale.

"Exactly. So we shouldn't kill Randal!" He said obviously upset by everyone's thinking these days but I grabbed ammo and reloaded my gun.

"Fine, I'll guard him but if Rick comes along to kill him, I won't argue." I said simply and left the RV walking to the barn where Randal was waiting, chained and bloodied. I sigh softly and sat on a crate that sat outside. I heard rustling within and I shook my head slightly, leaning against the barn. I groaned softly as I tried not to be distracted by his pleading and begging but it started to get to much.

"Can I get a drink of water? I'm pretty thirsty in here. Please?" He continued to beg and I rolled my eyes. I looked at my old gun I had gotten in college and checked how much ammo I had. I haven't completely reloaded based on how much we had left. "You're gonna kill me aren't you?" He asked and I stiffened by the fact he said I was gonna do it. I shake my head slightly and tried not to think about it but I glanced in seeing his beaten face and his swollen eye that stared at me. I felt myself wanting to punch him. I didn't want to kill actually living people. I mean this Randal kid, he hadn't done anything to me!

"Shut your fucking mouth." I snapped angrily and he whimpered as he struggled against the chains again making me get up to pace around. Shane started to make his way over and chuckled softly. He looked around and scratched the back of his head.

"Lemme guess. Dale huh?" He asked and I stayed silent glaring at him as I crossed my arms unmoved. I noticed him coming closer and I place my sweating palm onto the gun that was on the crate next to me and Shane stopped. "What you gonna shoot me?" He asked and I felt myself pull away from the gun snapping to my senses.

"What are you doin huh? Gonna shoot this poor kid? What will Rick say? You keep going against what he says. I'm surprised he hasn't kicked you out of this group." I started to mouth off as a smirk came to my lips and he started to get angry from his body language and his breathing, I wouldn't be surprised if he'd hit me. He went into the barn hearing the chains rustling more and upon him entering, Carl and Randal stood. Shane shoved a gun into Randal's face thinking he tried to fool Carl. I quickly motioned for Carl to leave and I started to pull at Shane's clothes.

"Get off of him Shane!!" I yelled and he finally backed off feeling me pull and he left to talk to Carl about sneaking around. I glared at Randal and felt my nose and lips turning into a snarl. "Stay the hell away from us. Before you get yourself killed." I snapped and left the barn, closing the door shut behind me.