What We Become

Chapter 11 - More Information

"You know your shit," I said, looking back toward the basement.

"Guess you do too. I just want to know as much as I can so I know where to look for our people."

I looked over at him confused.

"Which people?"

"Alden and Luke."

"Wait...they're not back yet?"

"No. Tara and some others found their horses skinned and cut open."

"Shit."

"Is that something they would do?"

"Yeah. But I...I don't know of a reason why Alpha would let them live. If they're even alive. I'm sorry."

"We ain't got the whole story yet. They could still be alive."

I nodded and looked back to the basement. I admired the glimmer of hope he had in his eyes when he said that they could still be alive. So different from them. I knew that the compassion this community had for their people would be another thing that would take time for me to get used to. I knew that I gave him shit in the beginning but standing out here with him, he wasn't so bad. I mean, he was a dick the first time I met him but that's only because of the fact that he really cares about these people. That I could respect. No one should ever let their guard down, especially when loved ones were involved. That was the world now. But maybe it didn't have to be like that all the time.

I focused my attention back to the basement door once I heard it open. Like I had predicted, Henry pulled through. He managed to get Lydia out of her cell in order for her to see what this place was like. Daryl and I watched them converse between each other. They were being cautious. Henry probably didn't want anyone to know that she was out but little did he know that Daryl and I were watching every move they made. Some other people started talking nearby but that was enough for Henry to take Lydia and duck behind a trailer.

"I don't want to leave her alone with him for too long," I leaned over and whispered to Daryl.

"He won't do anything to her. He's a good kid."

"She's not who I'm worried about."

I saw it click in his eyes and he had us both move a little closer. Not long after did the two of them emerge from behind the trailer and started talking once again. We watched Lydia carefully. When I saw her hands go behind her back, I knew she was about to try something. I was getting ready to make my over there when the sound of a baby crying stopped me. I looked over to Lydia and it seemed that that had stopped her as well. My heart beat had picked up quickly. I started inhaling and exhaling to bring it back down. Daryl was quick to notice.

"You okay?" he asked.

I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing but I couldn't calm down.

"Nat."

"I'm...I'm fine..." I breathed.

"You sure?"

"I said I'm fine."

Before he could say anymore, I turned around and walked away. I walked right into my little perch and settled in for the night. My breathing had calmed down once my head was resting on my arm. I ended up crying myself to sleep after that.

I woke up the next day with a start. Breathing in and out, I placed my head in my hands. I thought I had left all of that behind but I guess I never would. It was too painful to think about which is why I had buried it deep in the back of my mind. But it all came flooding back to me last night and it was just too much for me. I didn't mean to react the way I did but I couldn't help it and I wasn't comfortable in sharing the part of my life. It would hurt me too much...again. I ran a hand down my face and sighed. My mind then went to Lydia. I had told her that I would see her when I got back. Hopefully she wasn't upset for not keeping my word. I got up, stretched then made my way to the basement. When I opened the door and headed down, I turned the corner to see Henry quickly sit up. I had turned the corner just before their hands separated.