Animal Gone Wild [DISCONTINUED]

47

NEW ACQUAINTANCES

GUEST STARING: Niall Horan as Cheshire "Chester"

I stared at Daryl's face as he slept. I had woken before him today, so I decided to wait on some of my duties and stare at Daryl's face.
    "You done," Daryl grumbled, cracking open his eyes.
    I smiled lightly and shook my head childishly. Daryl smirked, bringing his hand to cup my face. I sighed contently and closed my eyes.
    "I love you."
    I opened my eyes and stared at the fire in Daryl's eyes. It wasn't uncommon for his eyes to have that fire, but to have it while saying such a thing...yeah, it was kinda hot.
    "I love you too," I whispered, softly kissing him.
    One kiss turned into two, three, to making out. This was probably our first time since the prison that we actually had any privacy. Daryl loomed over me and rubbed his thumb over my hip in a circular motion,  causing me to hum.
    "Daryl," Rick called from downstairs.
    We broke apart, panting. Daryl's eyes had turned wild with a different kind of hunger and was obviously a bit annoyed with Rick for interrupting.
    "This isn't over," Daryl growled, giving me a quick kiss before climbing off me.
    "I'll be waiting," I teased, watching him readjust himself and head downstairs.
    I got up myself and headed downstairs, getting ready to go out on my own to hunt. I picked up my crossbow and through it over my shoulder. I exited the home and sauntered towards the exit.
    "You goin' out," Eugene asked.
    "Yep. Huntin'," I nodded, "should be back around noon—sunset at the latest."
    "Be safe out there June."
    Eugene opened the door for me and I gave him a small salute in response as I drifted off into the woods. It was a nice walk. Being on my own, no one barking orders at me...it was nice for once.

    I had wandered through the woods all morning, catching squirrels and rabbits, a few birds if I was lucky. I planned on being out here until sundown, so I was gonna make a small camp and feast on one of the squirrels. Squirrels weren't liked a whole lot, but we all suffered through it. People wanted rabbits or deer, mostly deer but those were harder to come by.
    I hummed while I set up the quick little barrier while the meat cooked. It was one of my older styles set ups, but it was efficient. It didn't take me long to put up the wires and returned to the fire just to flip the squirrel meat.
    "I was wondering who's smoke that was," I heard someone mutter.
    I stayed relaxed, like I didn't hear anything, but I easily gripped my knife inconspicuously. More people? I don't know if I'd even be able to handle them. I started humming again  while trying to pinpoint the unknown visitor.
    "They can't be that stupid, could they? Humming like that, letting anything and anyone know where they were? Telling by the amount of food they have...group?"
    "If you're done analyzing," I called out casually, "you gonna come and join me or starve?"
    I heard a thump and a grunt. I looked at the culprit of the noise with a raised eyebrow. The blonde shaggy haired, blue eyed man-child slowly sat up while rubbing his head.

"How'd you know I was there?"
    "Unlike most, I have some extraordinary hearing. Now get over here or I'm eating it all."
    "You don't even know me..."
    He got up and slowly came towards me, cautious about our interaction.
    "I may not know you, but you're very observant. Unlike most people I know."
    I smirked slightly thinking of Glenn. The male sat across from me as I pulled the meat off the fire, handing him a stick.
    "What's your name anyway kid?"
    "Cheshire...people used to call me Chester for short," he mumbled, taking a bite of the squirrel.
    "Cheshire? That's an interesting name, you related to the Cheshire cat," I joked, taking a small bite.
    Chester chuckled before shaking his head no. We talked a bit more, and he seemed like a pretty alright guy to me. His family died a few months ago and he had been traveling solo since, only running into a few groups that wanted to pillage others...or tried to kill him.
    "I got some questions for ya," I stated.
    "Shoot."
    "How many walkers have you killed?"
    "Uh, wow. Um, okay...I'm not sure, a lot? It's been awhile...I used to keep track."
    "Okay, how many people have you killed."
    Chester looked at me like I'd grown a second head before letting out a sigh.
    "Fifteen."
    I nodded slowly, "why?"
    "They tried to kill me...and my family."
    I frowned, understanding where he was coming from.
    "Alright, c'mon. I promised someone back home I'd be home by sundown."
    I got up, destroying the small camp and picking up the animals and my pack.
    "Where are we going?"
    Chester looked confused, following me willingly. I chuckled.
    "Alexandria. Welcome to your new home," I smiled.
    Chester looked shocked as he followed me. He started questioning while I'd bring him along and all this other mumbo jumbo as I just smiled at him. He was a good kid, and I think he'd be a good addition to Alexandria.
    "You'll be fine," I comforted, chuckling, "especially since I picked you up."
    "Why is that," Chester asked.
    "Because I normally don't bring new people back with me. Consider yourself lucky."
    We got closer to the gate so I let out a whistle, letting them know I was back.
    "June's back," Rosita called, "open the gate."
    I pulled Chester closer, throwing my arm over him as we headed towards the gate. I sauntered like I owned the place while Chester walked awkwardly next to me.
    "Who's this," Maggie asked, after we entered the gate and was meeting up with me.
    "This," I pointed, "is Cheshire. Goes by Chester. Picked him up while I was hunting, not as quiet as he looks."
    "Oh my god," Glenn exclaimed, "June's brought home a friend! Quick, someone find a camera."
    "Glenn," I exclaimed, reaching forward to smack his arm, "you act like I'm anti-social!"
    "You are!"
    I scowled back at Glenn as he gave me a shit eating grin. I rolled my eyes, letting Maggie talk with Chester while I headed to the pantry to keep the meat fresh.

    I was helping Chester get settled in with Maggie and Glenn. It was dark, Rick and Daryl weren't back yet which put me a bit on edge.
    "They should've been back by now," I mumbled, regarding Chester who was near.
    "Hey," Maggie comforted, "they're fine. You know that deep down, you just choose to ignore it half the time."
    "I know they're fine, I just worry. I wouldn't like it if it were you and Glenn or anyone else."
    Glenn placed his hand on my shoulder, Chester was watching us with a confused look.
    "Daryl wouldn't let anything happen to Rick and vice versa, especially with how you'll react."
    "Who's Daryl and Rick," Chester asked.
    "Rick's the leader," Maggie explained, "and when we brought June into the group, she protected him a bit more than the rest of us. Daryl's her boyfriend, just as protective. She's protective of all of us, but there are a select few she's extra protective of."
    "Ember," Carl grinned, walking towards me with Judith, "find any deer yet?"
    I scoffed, "you wish pipsqueak."
    I bent down slightly to kiss Judith's cheek before taking her from Carl's arms. She cooed and started playing with my hair.
    "You're pretty popular," Chester chuckled, giving Judith a small wave.
    I looked at Carl, interested in why he was over here.
    "Somethin' ya need?"
    "Just wanted to see you before bed," Carl shrugged.
    "You mean before you put Judy to bed," I chuckled.

    I sat on the couch in the home, rubbing my eyes waiting for Daryl to show up. It was late, very late when Daryl turned up. I looked at him and rushed him into a hug.
    "I'm alright," he mumbled, "what you think happened?"
    "Don't ever do that to me you asshole," I mumbled, hugging him tighter, "I thought you were stuck, dammit."

AUTHOR'S NOTE
I know it's a bit short, but this is June going on her own adventure (once again). So it's a bit harder to describe what's happening with a deadline lol. So it's not as detailed as the journey with Kaitlyn and Linda(...or was it Lora? Fuck, whatever her name was). There will be another solo adventure for June coming shortly that'll be better written. Thanks for reading!