Exhausted {Daryl Dixon Fanfic}

XIII. Kindness and Evil

slight tw. nothing is detailed but it is mentioned

When I woke up the sun was already high enough in the sky it shone through the top of my tent. I sat up to find pile of clothes and toiletries placed inside the tent. I smacked myself for sleeping through the morning and someone coming in my tent without my knowledge. I have to admit I felt better than I had in weeks. Placed on top of the pile was a note.

Feel free to use the shower inside! Just don't take up all the hot water please and thank you! I hope these fit.

I nearly jumped right up when I read "hot water". I hadn't had a real shower in weeks, let alone a warm one. I grabbed the pile and made my way to the big house. A few of the guys were crowded around a map and I assumed they were finding the best route to the CDC. Inside, I heard Lori and Rick happier than I had seen them before. I peeked my head in Carl's bedroom to find he was sitting up and was being tended to by Hershel. I knocked on the frame before letting myself in.

"He's awake," I smiled at Lori who was holding her son's hand tightly.

"You're the girl who brought Sophia back!" He said excitedly and held his stomach a little when the pain hit him.

"And you're the brave little guy who survived a bullet! I'm Cara," I shook his hand and let the family be.

I locked the small bathroom behind me and when I saw my face in the mirror I cringed. I was covered in dirt and dried blood and my hair was stuck in too many direction. I brushed my teeth and then brushed them two more times after that before brushing through my hair best I could. I stripped the clothes off and through them in the bin. There was no use in keeping them at this point. I hung my hoodie up, though, I refused to part with it.
When the hot water touched my skin I sighed deeply. I took time to wash through my tangled hair and scrub my body head to toe. Once the water ran clear, I shut it off. As much as I didn't want to, I wouldn't use all the hot water like I was asked. This time when I looked in the mirror I recognized the girl looking back at me. My blue eyes were bright again and my face was clear of all dirt and muck. I slipped on the shorts I was left, and assumed they were Maggie's, as we were nearly the same size. When I pulled the tank top over my head I was definitely sure it was hers. It hung off my chest as she was a bit more in doubt than I was, but I was thankful for the sports bra I wore underneath. I threw my hair into a high ponytail and tied my boots tight before making my way back outside.
I was met by several lingering eyes and my cheeks flushed in embarrassment. Dale smacked Glenn with his hat and they turned quickly back to their conversation. I did a once over of the camp and spotted Carol folding laundry near one of the wells. She greeted me with a small smile and I returned the gesture.

"Good morning," my tone was significantly more joyful after my shower. "Carl is awake," I informed her.

"Oh I heard! Sophia's been dying to go and see him," she balanced one of the baskets on her hip, "Why don't you go see what the boys are up to?"

Shane called me over towards the truck where Glenn, Dale, and Daryl were all situated. As I neared their small group, Shane held out a revolver to me. I didn't take it from him, and instead lifted my shirt to reveal my own gun. He simply nodded and passed the weapon to Glenn instead.

"This trip is going to be hell," Shane shook his head in frustration, "Especially with the extra people now."

"Well, I don't know if the Greene family is coming," Dale pointed out.