It was a week after my brother went missin', and I felt; for the first time in a long time, alone. Utterly and completely alone. I had the thought in my head that Merle was dead, and that this time he was stayin' dead. I shook my head just thinkin' about it. "The only thing that can kill Merle is Merle." I said to myself over and over again. I sat propped up against the tree I had my tent set up next to. Everyone kept lookin' at me, even the kids. I couldn't look at them the same way as the others; they hadn't done me any wrong.
I watched Carl follow his daddy around like a shadow, and Sophia skip around without a care in the world. Amy and her sister were bickerin', like that was somethin' new. Lori was probably bitchin' about somethin', because if she wasn't, she'd die. I looked at the ground between my feet. Ants marched over the toe of my boot and birds were chirping. If the world hadn't gone to Hell this day would've been perfect. But it wasn't, and I was constantly on guard. I didn't have anyone to watch my back anymore. I didn't trust any of these people to give me the time of day, let alone watch my back.
I'd thought about leavin' off on my own, but I never did. Everyday it was the same damn routine. Every once in a while I would go off by myself and kill some walkers; blow off some steam, since I couldn't find any booze. Merle wouldn't want me drinkin' again then he'd feel like he had to too. I chuckled, "Merle." I said with a smile and the lump in my throat got a little bigger. I tried to shake it off.
"Hey Darylina, you need a tissue? Stop bein' a little bitch and clean yer face off. Raised you bedder than that." I looked up, but there was no Merle. I shook my head again and stood up. My crossbow slung over my right shoulder and my pistol in the holster on my left hip rubbed against my jeans as I walked. I spit in the dirt as I approached the RV. Dale looked down from the "watch tower" and Sophia called it.
"I'm goin' huntin'. Be back in a few days." I said gruffly as he squinted in the sun to see me.
"Did you tell Rick?" he asked. Did I ask Rick?
"I don't need his permission, tell em' or don't tell em' I really don't give a shit." I spat. Who the hell does he think he is? Rick ain't my boss, he ain't my daddy, and he sure as hell ain't my friend. I didn't have any friends anymore. My only friend was dead, Rick left him chained to a roof and then disappeared. I shook my head as I walked away. My bow hit my back as I walked towards the woods. Nobody looked at me, or even bothered to ask where I was goin'.
"Daryl!" I stopped and whipped my head around to see Sophia running after me. I turned my body and faced her, almost dropping down to my knees. Her blonde hair when wild as a gust of wind blew past her. She was holding something in her hand and she walked towards me. "You dropped your knife." Her hand extended up to me, and I took the knife from her.
"Thanks babe," I looked over at Carol who watched, "take care of yer momma ya hear?" she nodded and smiled. I smiled back and patted her head and walked off into the dark forest.