The Remains of Tomorrow #wattys2019

Chapter 6

Well, we didn't stay in Alexandria for a week as I wanted too; so now here I was four days later hobbling through woods with a crutch that Daryl had made for me out of a tree branch practically screaming to every walker within a 10 miles radius that rare prime steak was on the menu. Bandit was back with my brother as I didn't want him coming out in the woods with me, although I felt hollow knowing I left him behind, he is still a pup. Finally, Daryl believed me when he saw that the walkers in the area immediately headed towards me as if I was a good smelling meal.

"I told you I was like prime steak for these guys!" I said as Daryl killed yet another walker who has ventured towards the roped off cans that we had strung around the old cottage. "I'm never going to be able to sleep with these fuckers coming from all corners," I said walking back towards the house when my crutch lands on something metallic in the ground. Slowly I knelt down and cleared away the grass and see a metal door with an iron ring for a handle. "Well, what do we have here?" 

As I was about to lift the hatch, Daryl moved me away so he could open the hatch himself. Once the door was open he threw a rock down the stairs and waited to hear if there was movement inside. Realising it was quiet he quickly descended the concrete steps only to come up a few minutes later to tell me it was safe.

"We can bunk here tonight and then head to Hilltop," he said as he lit an old oil lamp before closing the door above and locking the hatch in place. I looked around to see we were surrounded by tins of food, cooking utensils and an actual bed. Lying on the bed I sighed in contentment as the soft mattress enveloped my tired body. I expected Daryl to lay down next to me but he grabbed a chair from the corner and sat on it away from me.

"Daryl we are safe in here. Why don't you come and lie down; you need sleep too?" Tapping the bed next to me I waited for him to join me but he just sat there watching me through hooded eyes.

"You sleep...I'll stand guard." Sitting up I looked at him but he turned his face away so he wasn't looking at me. Reaching for a pillow I threw it at him and waited for him to turn around.

"Daryl why won't you come and lie down...I don't bite?" I said to him but he just looked at me heatedly before speaking,

"But I do!" He replied giving me one more look before turning away from me; feeling like I had been rejected I laid down and turned my back on him so he couldn't see the tears that fell down my face. Eventually, I fell asleep and let my dreams take me back to a time before the world went to shit.

He watched her sleeping but cannot get himself to move towards her; shifting his trousers for more room he settled in for what will be a long and painful night.

**

The smell of something cooking woke me and I laid there before turning to look at Daryl as he was cooking something over the small gas ring. Sitting up I looked at him, expecting him to turn to me with a smile and say good morning; but he doesn't which leaves me feeling deflated as he purposely ignores me. I could tell he knew I was up as his shoulders stiffened but he made no other acknowledgement. 

Getting up I head to a door in the corner of this bunker to find a chemical toilet with a sink and washing stuff; sniffing delicately I'm glad that it didn't smell rank like most chemical toilets so I quickly attend to my business. 

 Sighing in relief I realised my period had finally stopped so deciding to make the most of running water I quickly stripped off as best I could and wash. Once I'm feeling a bit more refreshed I step out of the small room to see Daryl has emptied what looks like vegetable soup into two bowls and is again sat on the chair eating one while another bowl is on the bed waiting for me. 

 Quickly we eat before gathering food supplies and water to put in an old rucksack I found behind the bed; Daryl was still ignoring me so I worked quietly humming to myself to ease the tension in the room. Before long I realised I'm humming a country song called The Dance which was one of my favourites growing up, in fact, it was one of the first I had learnt to play on guitar as my father was a big Garth Brooks fan and, living in Tennessee myself, country music was fully ingrained in my blood and soul.