A Broken World

Chapter 28

                                                                                    Daryl's POV

I wake to the sound of someone shrieking. It takes me a minute to open my eyes and realize that I'm in Chloe's room and that I spent the night. Things are getting a little serious, and there's a tiny part of me that knows this is a bad idea, but... the shrieking continues only this time I hear a name being called out. "Liam!" It's Chloe. Shit. I look next to me and she's not there. I stand when I hear her yell something else and quickly put my pants on. After throwing my dirty shirt over my head I scramble out the window. I don't even know why I'm still using the window, I already told Travis. I land on both feet, looking up I see Merle standing on the lawn right near her window. He gives me a look.

"I fucking knew it!"

He's about to chew me out, but then I hear her voice again and the front door slam. I'm running towards her before Merle can say another word. Liam is crying and yelling trying to sign to her. The lady taking him is carefully guiding him. Then I see her, she falls to the ground on her knees begging for them to listen to her. I pick up speed and race to my girl. I skid to a stop and land on the ground next to her.

"At least let me say goodbye," she yells.

The lady lets Liam go and he runs back across the yard straight into her arms. He's sobbing and so is she, and I can't help but feel like crying too. I know how much he means to her. The lady stands there with a scowl on her face and I'd love to go over there and knock her teeth in. Liam notices me, and let's go over her for only a second to hug me too. I push him gently so he can see my lips.

"You're gunna be okay buddy. We will fight for you, I promise!" I tell him.

He nods, and I'm thankful he understands. He goes back to Chloe and hugs her again.

"We need to leave," the woman says.

With shaking hands Chloe signs to him. I'm not sure what their saying, but he nods. He hesitates as the lady comes walking over to him. He looks from us to the lady and slowly walks to her. He looks back several times as they get into the car.

"You better have an interpreter for him!," Chloe whispers.

I look over at her, "Get him a god damn interpreter!" she yells this time. 

The lady ignores her and walks to the driver's side. Shutting the door of the black car she starts the engine. Liam's little face looks out the window, tears rolling down his cheeks. As they pull away Chloe screams, "No!" and jets after the car.

Shit! I stand and start after her, she doesn't get far, she trips over her own two feet and falls at the end of the driveway. She starts sobbing into her hands. I approach her slowly and kneel down. Her whole body shakes as she gasps for air between sobs.

"Chloe, let me take you inside," I whisper.

She shakes her head.

"C'mon," I say to her grabbing her arm. She smacks me away, "NO!" she yells.

I get down next to her and wrap her in my arms. I know Merle is watching but fuck him. If he has something to say about Chloe and I he can just shove it. I hold her as tight as she'll let me, this was her worst fear and now it's come true. She grabs at my shirt and bunches the fabric in her hands.

"Lemme take you inside," I say again.

She nods into my shirt. I let go and she grabs on tighter still shaking. I stand and sweep her up into my arms. I'll do anything to make her pain go away, anything. I walk by Travis and Merle, and I hear Merle mumble.

"You're such a little bitch!" he says.

I ignore him because the only thing on my mind right now is Chloe. I throw open the door and let it slam behind me. Chloe jumps and holds on tighter. When I get her back to her room I place her gently on the bed. To keep everyone out I go and deadbolt the door shut and then walk back to her. She's crawled in a ball, but has stopped crying. She stares off into space looking like she's just a shell. I walk around the bed and kneel in front of her, she's looking right past me.

"He... he's gone," she whimpers.

"You'll get him back, I know you will. You're strong and you can fight this!"

"No I can't, I barely have any money in my account..."

"I promised you I'd help, and I will," I say.

"Why?" she asks. "I know you said you'd stay, but I worry about Merle..."

"Fuck Merle, I'm staying here with you," I tell her.

She shakes her head, "Why would you do that?" she asks.

I look her in the eye, really look at her. It's like she's forgotten all about yesterday. There's got to be a way I can show her, I like this girl. I like her a lot. She knows how to push my buttons, and knows how to make me feel good. She fucking gets me when no one else does. I'm going to prove it to her.

"I meant everything I said yesterday, everything. I swear on my life Chloe. I need you to trust me, can you do that?"

"I don't want to be weak Daryl, I hate this."

"You aren't weak Chloe. You are one of the strongest people I know. You put up with a lot of shit," I tell her. "It's okay to need someone," I tell her.

"I just want to close my eyes, Can you stay?" she asks.

I nod, just as a crash causes us both to jump. I look towards the door and Merle stands there arms crossed with an angry look on his face. The door looks like it's been kicked in. I immediately stand right at the foot of her bed ready to protect her with everything I've got. He might be my brother, but I won't ever let him lay a hand on her, not on my watch.