Left Behind (sequel to Not Alone)

Ch. 5 - Inconsiderate Bitch

Daryl

"I'll take first watch," I said to the group as everyone gathered around the fire as it got dark. I didn't wait for anyone to object before I turned around with my crossbow in hand and headed over to the overturned prison bus by the gate we entered through. Figured I'd use the time to myself to think about everything I've lost to this damn world. First I lose my brother. Then I lose my girl and our unborn child. I still feel an empty feeling inside my chest every time I think about Anna and our child. I was slowly pacing back and forth on the bus, just thinking about how I had finally just been getting used to the idea of having a family of my own when she was taken from me.

I watched as Rick walked the perimeter of the yard we were currently in. I think something was on his mind but he wasn't letting up on it, probably still thinking about Shane. I don't know exactly how long I was up on that bus before Carol decided to walk over. I watched as she reached up, placing a plate on the side of the bus then began trying to climb up. I placed my shoulder strap to the crossbow over my head so it was resting on my back then trying to be nice, I held my hand out for her to take and helped her up onto the bus with me. "Thanks," she said as I nodded and looked down picking up the plate of food, "that's not much but if I don't bring you something you won't eat at all."

I looked up at her with just my eyes as I nodded slightly and began picking through the little food on the plate she brought. "Guess little Shane over there has quiet the appetite," I said as I put some of the food in my mouth. "Don't be mean," she said smiling and looking over at me as she lightly chuckled, "Rick's gotten us a lot farther than I ever thought he would, I'll give him that." I continued eating as she stood there, I wasn't really comfortable with her being here especially since she's been trying to get with me after I lost Anna. "Shane could never have done that," she said as she watched Rick walk around some more. "What's wrong," I asked as I watched her shift her shoulders a bit. "That rifle," she said looking at me, "the kickback. I'm just not used to it."

I looked at her as she looked to the others by the fire. I knew what she was doing and I didn't like it but I still promised Maggie in the woods earlier that I'd try and play nice. "Hold on," I said looking down as I placed my plate down on the bus and cleaned my hands off. I motioned for her to come here and turn around then placed both my hands on her shoulder and began massaging where she had the rifle at earlier today. As I did this, I was reminded of the time I gave Anna a massage back on the farm. It was just before I had been thrown from that damn horse when I was out looking for Sophia. I was brought out of my thoughts when I noticed her shift a little and was looking at me with a smile on her face.

I hesitated what I was doing then removed my hands from her shoulder and cleared my mouth of any food I had left over before I spoke. "Better get back," I said and looked away from her. "It's pretty romantic," she said looking at me smiling, "want to screw around?" "Ya forget I'm taken," I asked trying to hold back my anger. "By who," she asked as her smile disappeared from her face, "that little girl Anna? She's dead Daryl. She won't be coming back." "Don't you fucking say that," I snapped, "she'll come back even if you don't believe it!" "Why are you so work up over a girl," Carol asked, "she was too young for you anyway!" "Because she was pregnant you stupid inconsiderate bitch," I snapped and watched as her face changed when I said that. No one other than me and her family knew about her being pregnant at the time the farm was overrun.

I climbed down off the bus after that, help her down but as soon as her feet touched the ground I walked away. Inconsiderate bitch, I thought as I walked away from her and over to the group as I heard someone singing. Rick rejoined the group the same time Carol and I did. I stepped around so that I was away from Carol and watched as Maggie and Beth sang. Like her cousin Beth, Anna had a beautiful voice when she sang, but I rarely heard it. I looked down at my feet as I thought about that. I'd probably never hear her voice ever again, singing or not. I miss ya baby, I thought as I looked up to the night sky as Beth and Maggie finished their song, come back to me please.