Exhausted {Daryl Dixon Fanfic}

XVII. Accidents

  Tension seemed to grow by the minute at camp. Andrea had finally left the Jeep but the Greene family still refused to join us around the fire. Lori and Carol helped pass around berries and fish and everyone began relaxed with food in their systems. Shane kept casting death glares at everyone and Glenn had puppy dog eyes for Maggie, who was still busy comforting her sister. 
  I sat a little ways from the group as I tried to clear my head. As the sun set on the woods, the air grew a bit colder and I watched as people huddled a little closer to the fire. Some talked amongst themselves but most were quiet. I hummed to myself in hopes of lightening the dark atmosphere around me. The fire dulled a bit and Rick prodded it with some sticks and leaves to keep it alive.
  The thought of going back into the heart of Atlanta on the off chance their might be answers at the CDC seemed like a death wish to me. The place had to of been evacuated after the disease spiralled out of control. If there wasn't anyone left then we would be trapped in Atlanta surrounded by the dead. We would end up losing more people than anything.

We, we, we, I thought to myself.

  When did I begin grouping myself with these people and why hadn't I left yet? That I could answer simply. I didn't want to leave. These people took me in and accepted me as one of their own. I put faith into a little girl on the off chance I could bring her home to them and they were grateful for that. Perhaps they only allowed me to join them because they felt obligated to, but the kind smiles I got from most of them told me otherwise. They wanted me here.
  I looked around the fire, person to person. Everyone had their own battles they had fought to be here. Lost families, broken spirits, and even scars. I let my eyes fall to Daryl, and was surprised to find him already looking my way. He was looking at me with an unreadable look on his face, his brows furrowed in thought. I offered him a half-hearted smile. He didn't return the gesture and instead turned away. I nodded to myself and continued to study the group. Lori ran her fingers through her son's hair and gripped Rick's hand tightly. I didn't miss the angry look Shane threw their way, and he didn't miss the fact that I noticed. He glared at me and abruptly stood and stormed off from the fire. I tried not to watch his retreating form and instead went and curled up next to Sophia on her blanket.
  Sophia smiled at me and rested her head in my lap. I tapped her nose gently and chuckled as she scrunched it up under my touch. I combed through her blonde hair sith my fingers until I was satisfied it wasn't tangled. She closed her eyes and after a few moments her breathing slowed and I figured she was asleep.
  Suddenly, Shane stomped back over to the fire. He had something in his hands and I couldn't make what it was out until it was too late.

"Here," he smirked as he tossed my jacket into the fire.

I couldn't stop the shriek that left my throat and Sophia's eyes shot open. I tried to get her to sit up quickly but by the time Carol pulled her from my lap the fire ate through the fabric. My mouth hung open and I kneeled next to the fire watching the jacket disintegrate with the heat. I felt something fall on my knees. Bringing a hand to my face, I realized I was crying. The group looked between Shane and I in confusion.

"What the hell did you do?" I screamed at Shane as I stood to face his still smiling face.

"I meant to hand it to you," his voice was anything but apologetic.

"Like hell you did," my tears burned my cheeks, "You did that on purpose!"

"Accidents happen," he shrugged and laughed.

I threw myself at him. I landed a hard punch to the right side if his face but before I could get another in someone hands wrapped around my waist and pulled me away from him. I tried to break their grip but they were far stronger than I was.

"Calm down, come on," Rick was the one who pulled me away.

"I'm calm," I snapped as I furiously wiled my tears away. Rick let go of me hesitantly and I took a few angry breaths. Shane still had that fucking smile on his face.

"We'll get you a new one," Carol offered gently.

"A jacket is a jacket," I said, "But you can never bring back the boy who wore it," I turned to face Shane angrily, "That was the last thing I had left of my brother."

With that, I stormed off to the RV and slammed the door behind me. I took one of the empty benches and laid down. The inside of the camper was cold and I hugged my arms around myself. Once the commotion outside dulled down, I started to cry again. It felt like hours before I was able to fall asleep.

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Hey yeah this chapter wasn't the best™️ or anything. It was really just meant as a filler chapter before we get into a bit more...well you'll see.