The Walking Dead

Chapter 26

 “Wow she actually updated”

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The next few days, Daryl progressively started talking to me. At first, it was sneaking in quiet conversations when Carol wasn’t paying attention or was busy washing clothes down at the river bank. Admittedly, I wasn’t that good with conversations quite yet, but I’d try to at least talk back to the guy. Sometimes I’d space, retreat into my mind suddenly before I’d yank myself out and apologize profusely before asking him to repeat what he said.

He always repeated it, no matter how many times I would be pulled from reality. Sometimes a person I was talking to would leave while I was in my head, getting frustrated with the fact that a regular five minute conversation was stretched to ten or possibly fifteen minutes. I, however, was proud of how far I had come. Within the time of a week, I was able to have a full conversation without getting lost in my head or having to ask someone to repeat what they said.

The dullness that had ruled over my eyes for the past few weeks was gone, replaced by a slight spark in them. That was enough for me though.  For me, it was a sign that the old me was slowly coming back. That I was recovering.                                                                  

“Hey, Faith!” Daryl said, approaching me at a slight jog.

I blinked at him, surprised before looking around the camp. My eyes almost fell out of their sockets when I saw that Carol was still at the camp and staring straight at us. “What are you doing?” I hissed. “Carol is still here. And watching us.”

Daryl shrugged. “I’m done sneaking around her. If I want to talk to you I will. That’s just how it’s gonna be.”

I looked back at her. She met my eyes with a narrowed glare before she turned around and walked off, clenching her hands into fists as she went. I blanched.

“Okay, but if she comes at me, I’m throwing you under the bus and blaming everything on you.” I warned with a mock glare. My act was ruined when I smiled at him.

Daryl scoffed, “Yeah, okay. I don’t wanna be attacked by her either!”

I laughed, “Shouldn’t have led her on then! Looks like you’re in too deep this time, pal.”

He sighed, but nonetheless grumbled, “I wish I hadn’t gotten involved with her. All she ever talks about is the way you killed Sophia and all she does is complain and put the blame on you for literally everything bad that has happened.”

I shrugged, “Some people are just filled with hate. I can’t change that, but I can choose whether to allow what they say about me effect me.”

Daryl smiled, “How have you been? I’ve noticed you haven’t been sucked into your head recently. You’ve been completing conversations more lately.”

“Yeah, I’m getting better at staying in reality. At first it was harder than I expected but it slowly got easier. I feel bad for the people who couldn’t finish a conversation with me earlier.” I explained.

“They should have been patient with you. Everyone could see you were a complete wreck. I-I mean. Not that that’s a bad thing. Well, yeah it is actually but- this is coming out completely wrong…” He stumbled over his words, a blush burning on his cheeks.

I snickered, “I know. It was a rough time and it was bad for everyone. But I’m good now. Or at least I’m on my way there. They’re going to have to come around sometimes. For all we know, we could be the only group left that’s actually human.”

Daryl watched me carefully, “And what about Carol?” He asked hesitantly.

I shrugged, “If she wants to talk to me she can. Forgiving her is a different matter and forgetting everything she did is out of the picture. If I do end up forgiving her, it’ll be gradually over time. I mean, the woman basically abused me for something I didn’t do. I can’t just forgive that and go about my business as if it didn’t hurt me.”

Daryl nodded, “That’s understand able. I’m sorry she hurt you so badly though. Blaming you for every little thing that didn’t go her way was really dumb… I better go see what Rick is planning to do now. He’s been restless lately and I’m starting to worry about his mental condition.”

I smiled, “Tell him I say hi?”

“Of course.”

“Thanks Daryl.” I smiled before walking away, my hands tucked neatly into my front pockets.

I hummed as I walked, my eyebrows furrowing slightly as I started thinking. I could just barely remember a time before my dad turned into a psychotic scientist and ruined me forever. My mom was the sweetest of people. She wouldn’t have hurt a fly, which is why she stayed with my dad. She never fought, but she never really showed how weak she was until the end.

I remember how she would spend time waiting for me to finish tying my shoes before we would drive to the little grocery store by our house. “Would you like a cookie?” She would ask as we stepped into the shop. I’d smiled and nod my head vigorously at her words before she’d smile and send me off the get each of us a cookie.

I smiled slightly at the memory, brushing aside a tear. I inhaled deeply, then let it out in the form of a sigh and shook my shoulders loose. Just as I’m about to reach up to climb up the tree where I had made my home, a hand lands on my shoulder, gripping tightly.

I froze immediately at the iron grip, slight uneasiness shooting through my core at the thought of Carol being behind me. As I turned around slowly, my eyes widen to the size of saucers and I backed up as far as I could go until my back roughly slamed into the tree behind me.

“It was Daryl’s idea I swear!” I shouted.

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I’m so glad I could update today. I’m still not sure about the schedule however. School-caused stress is starting to pile up on my shoulders and my grades are slipping. Everything is incredibly chaotic right now. I promise I’ll try to update as soon as I can.

Comment, Vote, Share, Follow, Private Message me i don't really care. I'd love to talk to you guys.

xxThree