Remember Me (Daryl Dixon)

Chapter Forty-Four: It Happened

I continued trudging down the muddy path without a care in the world. The dirt mushing around under my feet told me that we were getting close to water.
I needed water. I was extremely thirsty. I also needed food soon. I was used to going a while without it, but I didn't know about Lily. I didn't think she'd even be able to eat with her anxiety the way it was. Every time she spoke, all she did was stutter.

I was actually beginning to question if she had the entire alphabet down.

"We're getting close to water," I began as I felt the moisture between my toes. "We need to keep going South."

Lily nodded slowly as she continued following me. She was always so silent, but she didn't have trouble keeping up with me. I would prefer to travel alone, however.

I could see a stream flowing in the distance as we continued. I knew you'd find water. You're an absolute genius, aren't you?

I pranced happily over to the water as I dipped my hands in, bringing the cool liquid up to my lips. It had been hours since I had anything to drink. This was like Christmas for me.

"Drink," I said to Lily as she stood awkwardly to the side of me.
She stared off into space for a moment before she kneeled down with me and began sipping on the water.

"We should find shelter before nightfall," I began as I looked up to the sky. "There's gotta be a cabin or something around here."

Lily didn't speak, she simply nodded as always.

I rolled my eyes at her silence and stood up once more. I continued in the direction that we had been going. I knew we would eventually come across some form of shelter, we had to.

We walked for what seemed like hours until we reached a small house. It was beaten up and broken, but it was good for a night. I smiled happily as I looked back at Lily.
She didn't smile back. In fact, she didn't even look my way. I bombarded up the steps and pushed the door open. I didn't even think about looking for walkers, but I just decided to assume the house was clear.

I plopped down on a small couch in the living room and smiled. This house would be just perfect. I may even decide to live here.

Lily stood at the door and looked around the place. She cringed at the filth and conditions of it, but I loved it. This was the perfect home.

"Lori," she began as she looked on the couch. "This is disgusting."
I rolled my eyes at her and stretched out on the sofa, "I see potential in it.:

"You're literally sitting in biter blood," she remarked as she pointed at the sofa. Biter? Did she call them biters?

"Like I said, I see potential," I remarked to her, trying to end this argument. There was no way she was going to ruin my mood. I was content here.

"You seem to see potential in everything," she replied skeptically. "Why are you always so positive?"

Lily sat down on a chair in front of me. She cringed at how dirty it was, but she sat down regardless.

"Well, nothing bad has ever happened to me."

"Nothing bad has every happened to you?" Lily asked, not buying what I was saying one bit. "You've never lost someone?"

"No," I replied as I tried to recall any trace of death. There was nothing there. "My boyfriend dumped me before all of this started, but that doesn't really count."

"Never had to kill someone?"

"No," I replied once again.

"That's where you're lying," Lily replied in a cocky tone. "You killed Brian."

I tried to recall what she was talking about, but I couldn't. I had no idea who this Brian guy was. "No idea who Brian is, but he seems fun."

"The Governor," she replied almost like a question.
I tried to recall that name, but I couldn't. I was completely lost with what she was saying.
"I have no idea who that is," I replied with complete confusion. "Are you sure that was me?"

"That was just a few hours ago, Lori. That was you," she answered urgently. She seemed scared by what I was saying. I didn't wanna scare her. She was the first friend I had since this started.

"I'm sorry," I said apologetically. "I really don't know what you mean."

"And that man that was killed," she continued. "That old man. I know you saw him. You knew him."

"Old man? You've got me completely confused right now," I said as I sat up. "Where were these people at?"

"The prison," she almost yelled at me. "The prison you lived in. That's where we met."

Prison? Old man? Some guy named Brian aka The Governor? This girl was completely insane.

"We met in a meadow, what are you even talking about?"

"Are you insane?" Lily asked in a serious tone. I wasn't the insane one. She was the one making up these stories in her head. She was completely crazy, but I wouldn't call her out on it.

"You know what your problem is?" I asked her as I began gazing at her. "Something bad happened to you and you can't let it go."

Lily bit her lip as she stared to the floor. I could tell she was getting upset.

"Just forget it ever happened," I continued as I laid on the sofa once more. "If you just forget it then it will go away."

Lily looked back up at me with tears in her eyes, "it wont. Just because you forget something doesn't mean it didn't happen."

"Yeah it does," I replied to her with a scoff.

"Is that what you did? You forgot?" she asked me as she peered at me through the darkness that was now settling in the room. "It's okay to hurt, Lori. You don't have to be strong."

I felt a pang of sorrow flow through me. I knew I would have to end the conversation there. I didn't need anyone prying into my head like that.

"Whatever, I'm going to sleep," I said as I rolled over to face away from her.
She never spoke another word to me that entire night.

I don't think she even slept.