Silent Fighter- ENGLISH VERSION

Pardon

Rick wasn't an idiot. He saw the girl's insecurity and also her confusion. She didn't know what he was going to do to her now, and that seemed to scare her.

He led her to one of the empty rooms in the prison, and closed the door behind him.

Jodie looked uncertain as she sat on a chair. The only chair in the room.

She was looking around. The walls were grey and smooth and looked rather bleak, even with the barred window through which the sunlight fell.

"Daryl told me you didn't feel safe here anymore. That's why you left, isn't that right? "

Jodie hesitated, but then nodded without looking at Rick.

Rick knelt before her and laid his hands on hers.

"Jodie? Look at me, please, "he asked gently and hesitantly, Jodie raised her head.

Her gaze was filled with fear and insecurity.

"I know you're scared, but no one here wants and will hurt you, okay? You don't have to be afraid. We've locked Roderick and the others away, and they'll never hurt you again, I promise," he said softly to her.

Jodie pulled out a pen and wrote something on her arm.

Rick read.

"And if someone else tries to hurt me? Or kill me this time? "It was there.

Rick hesitated, but gently pressed her hand.

"We won't let that happen, even if we have to give you a protector, but no one will ever hurt you again. And to be honest: we need you here. You learn a lot and you learn fast. You can do a lot for your age, and you've proven that you can survive out there on your own, and that's the kind of people we need here. People like you, "and his voice became more urgent with every sentence.

Jodie looked at him seriously. Rick saw in her eyes that she understood him.

"Please stay, "he followed gently.

He saw the hesitation in her eyes and finally nodded to her.

"I can't and I won't to make you, Jodie, but we really need you here. Daryl needs you here! And if you don't want to make a decision right away, please think about it, okay? Will you think about it? "he asked her.

Jodie looked at him and nodded.

"Promise? "Rick asked, she nodded again.

"Okay, thanks, "Rick muttered relieved.

Jodie gave him a little smile. Rick smiled and then gently hugged her. It took him a moment before he felt Jodie's arms wrapping around him and her head briefly in his shoulder.

Rick smiled, and suddenly he understood Daryl better, too. This Girl was quite special. And she felt so fragile in his arms.

Like she was made out of glass. And Daryl probably had the same feeling every time he held her in his arms. Which is why he had this urge to protect her.

She seemed so infinitely fragile, even though she wasn't. She was strong, but he needed her.

Rick gently untied the hug and brushed a strand behind her ear, which made her smile.

"Roderick and the others are still here. We locked them up, but honestly, we don't really know what to do with them right now. And we thought about, that you should decide," Rick said to her.

"Whether you want them to stay here or leave, or some other solution. We thought you might feel safer if you made that decision, "he explained as he noticed the confused look of Jodie.