On the verge of twilight; breaking through the under bush, shoulders tensed and muscles clenched, she found herself on the edge of the lake.
Hauling herself down to a sitting position, she shifted her legs towards her as she pressed them to her chest, eyes reluctantly drifting towards the southern.
Musky and humid air greeting them, the low rumbling in the sky, hinting at an upcoming storm broke their silence.
"What'cha doin' out here, Ami?" The southern spats while cleaning up his bolts. "Best be off back at camp with the others, it'd be pourin' soon 'nough."
Looking up, her breath hitches, only for a moment before sighing softly. "Best if I stay 'way from them. Got too much on my mind."
Wiping the blood and dirt off the bolt he was holding, Daryl stepped towards her, narrowing his eyes downwards. "What's eatin' ya?"
Groaning heavily, Ami laid back before shifting in a vain attempt to get more comfortable. The silence threatens to seep back in when finally, she quietly replied. "It doesn't feel safe 'round here."
Daryl's shoulders tensed resolutely. "What'cha mean?"
Clothes loose around her slim frame, dark hair hanging in lax waves on the dirt, her tired eyes with black circles subtly around them fixed on him. "Somethin'... Somethin' doesn't seem quiet right 'bout Shane."
"Shane?" He scrunched his eyebrows together as he observed her.
Ami huffed, lower jaw jutting out in frustration. "Nevermind."
Shoulders straight and taut, he leaned down, inquiring. "Nevermind my ass. What'd you say 'bout Shane?"
Biting her lip in, she moved slowly up, gritting her teeth in the process while stretching outwards. Gazing at him, Ami rubbed the back of her head, pondering whether or not she should confined in him about her worries. "It's just that..."
"Won't ya' spit it out 'ready."
"I been a little bit uneasy 'round Shane lately." Her voice caught slightly. "Somethin' 'bout him... Just doesn't feel right. Ya know?"
Legs hobbling downwards, her fingers toyed with the dirt beneath her. "Daryl... I'm startin' to think he's batshit crazy."
Daryl squinted his eyes at her before running a palm through his face. "Don't cha worry 'bout it."
Her eyes met his. "What?"
"There's no need for ya to worry 'bout it." Daryl sneered smugly.
"Daryl."
Scoffing, he turned around, trying to avoid her gaze before replying in his husky southern drawl. "With me here, you got nothin' to worry 'bout."
Face masked of confusion, the corners of her mouth quirked upwards before she quietly lowered her head trying to hide the small smile that surface.
Stifling a chuckle, she felt protected knowing Daryl would always have her back.