Hello everyone! Hope you are all well and enjoying the story! Don't worry, we'll be getting some more Merle in the next chapter, I promise :) And to make up for it, I gave you a lot of Daryl in this one! One Dixon brother is better then none :P Enjoy!
Chapter 4: A Trip Outside
A couple of weeks passed and Mae was still bed ridden in her 'cozy' cell. Her leg was healing nicely, but it still hurt whenever she tried to walk or put weight on it and she had expected as much. She was grateful for the rest she was able to have but she was beginning to become frustrated and irritated at the fact that she was still unable to move her leg properly. She wanted to be able to get out of bed with little to no pain and be able to, at least, manage a few steps.
As the days passed by, she had attempted to put weight on her leg but it was too painful. She had begun to worry about whether or not the injury to her leg would allow her to walk properly. The feat of not being able to walk in the same manner again was always on her mind, and the dull ache in her leg was a painful reminder.
It was just that she was getting stir crazy and hadn't been outside in weeks. Nerves or muscle could have been damaged; she really didn't know, but she scared herself anyway with the idea. She gave her best attempt to walk yesterday, but the pain sent her right back to bed to stare at the walls. She wasn't used to being confined to bed, she was always on the go and it was a shock to her system.
It wasn't all bad, though. Maggie visited her every day, and they formed a close friendship over those couple of weeks. Mae got to know her sister, Beth, well too. Some nights Maggie would bring up Glenn and they'd play a few rounds of cards or just talk till it was time for lights out or until one of them had to go on guard duty. During the day, Carol would stop by for a while and keep her company, fill her in on everything that was going on. Rick did his daily visits with Hershel to see how she was, but he never stayed long. Mae didn't really see Daryl or his brother that much, only hearing them shout from time to time. She appreciated everyone and all they did. If only she could help them...honestly she was too scared she'd hurt herself further if she tried. She'd never been hurt like this before and she couldn't bare the loss of use in her leg. Not at a time like this.
Mae picked her bag up from the floor and laid it on the bed. She took out her notebook and a pen, meaning to do a little writing when suddenly she heard someone coming up the cell block steps. She thought it might be Carol for she always came around this time, but the steps were heavier. When she looked up she found it was Daryl standing in the frame of the cell.
"Rise and shine," he said, walking in.
"What do you mean?" She smiled, a little confused.
"No more layin' around, princess. Time for a little exercise," he said, folding his arms.
Mae stashed her notebook back in her bag and set it on the ground, but paused and looked up at Daryl.
"I... I can't yet," she said, disappointed with herself.
"I don't wanna hear that. You can and you will. Now come on, I'm gonna help you," Daryl said, out stretching his arms for her to take.
She looked at him curiously, surprised he offered to help at all.
"I ain't gonna stand here all day," he said with a slight grin. "And unlike you, I'm able to."
Mae carefully swung her legs over the side of the bed. Both of her feet touched the ground, setting her stomach in a knot. Daryl watched Mae expectantly, waiting for her to get up in her own time. He could tell that she was struggling and he extended his hands out to her. She grabbed his hands and pulled herself up. Already feeling pain, she shifted all of her weight onto her left leg, but those unused muscles gave out on her due to the excessive new amount of strain on them. Mae leaned over; and her hands slipped out of his and she found herself hurtling to the ground till Daryl caught her and pulled her up.
"You can't put all your weight on one leg, you gotta equal it out or you're gonna damage them," Daryl said. "Go ahead, stand up straight. Take it slow, now."
Mae held onto Daryl's arms for support as she tried her best to stand up, equaling out her weight on both her legs, just like Daryl said. She flinched at the stinging pain that shot through her leg, but fought against it as best as she could. Before long, she found herself standing face to face with Daryl. She smiled at her smile achievement, and Daryl found he was smiling too.
"See? Told you ya could," Daryl said. "Even though it looks like you shit your pants, you're standin' pretty okay."
Mae let out a laugh as she tried to straighten up better, even trying to let go of Daryl's arms.
"Woah," Daryl said, taking her arms before she wobbled over. "Don't get excited, now. We're just getting started."
"Sorry," Mae said, a blush coloring her cheeks. "What's next?"
"Thought you'd might like to go outside," Daryl said.
Mae's face lit up at the mere thought of it. Her whole body surged with a new found energy just begging to be taken outside.
"But," Daryl said. "You're gonna have to walk to get out there."
Step by step, and by step it was a very slow shuffle, Mae was able to walk down the cell block steps and out into the courtyard all with Daryl's help. Mae felt the warm sun on her skin and inhaled the fresh air all around her. Mae looked at Daryl and they exchanged a set of delighted smiles at each other.
"See, you did it!" Daryl said.
"With your help, of course. I wouldn't be out here if you didn't come to drag me out of bed. Thanks..." Mae said. "I needed the push."
"Don't thank me yet, twinkle toes. We ain't done yet," Daryl said. "I'm gonna let go now-"
"Wait, don't!" Mae clutched onto Daryl's arms, the strength in her legs fading. "I... I can't yet. "
"I told you, I don't wanna hear ya can't. You can. I'll take it slow," he said, standing her up straight again and sliding his arms away slowly.
"Remember to put equal amounts of weight on both sides, keep your balance... there you go."
Even though Daryl only stood inches away, Mae was standing up all by herself. It felt good to be up on two feet again.
"Mae!"
Mae looked up to find Maggie jogging towards her, a big smile on her face.
"You made it outside!" Maggie said jovially, looking between her and Daryl.
"Daryl got me out," Mae said, admiration gleaming through her eyes as she looked up at him.
"Gonna be gettin' her to exercise and get her legs back to workin'," Daryl said, smirking.
"How nice," Maggie said to Daryl. "I'm sure daddy will be happy to hear you're up and walkin'. Bet you missed the outdoors, huh?"
Mae looked all around, taking in the green grass and the lush forest surrounding the prison. She also noticed the dead walking around near the gates and her stomach twisted.
"Yeah, I did," she said. "Didn't miss those guys though. Nearly
forgot..."
Mae had lived the past few weekend without having to worry about the dead walking around or trying to eat her as well as being faced with danger every single day. The prison made her forget all of the horrors that waited outside its thick cement walls. Now all those days being cooped up with nothing to do but sit seemed like heaven. But she needed to press on and keep going. She needed to keep on living.
"If only forgetting could make them go away," Maggie said.
Looking out at the forest made Mae think of Audrey and Max. It had been a month since she saw them, and suddenly the separation was getting to her. She wondered about them from time to time, but now, being out in the open again and
face with the dangers that were lurking outside of the prison, it hurt Mae's heart not having her cousin with her.
Daryl saw how Mae's eyes searched the forest as if looking, hoping for a sign that her group was alright. He understood that feeling of separation between family members, knowing how empty she must feel. Hoping to distract her thoughts,
Daryl took her arm and gently smiled at her.
"Come on. I think you'd better rest now. Don't wanna push yourself too much," Daryl said. "We don't wanna see you dancing on the tables too soon."
Mae took one more inhale of the warm air and nodded in agreement.
"Me and Glenn will be up later, Mae," Maggie said. "Hey, maybe you'll be able to come down and eat with us tonight!"
Mae smile, telling Maggie she'd love to and hoped to be there too. It would be great to be there with everyone all at once. She missed the company of eating with someone, even though it was something so silly and small. It was just comforting to Mae and reminded her of old times. Times when the dead were buried and stayed buried and not walking aimlessly around looking for their next meal.
Daryl helped her back into the prison and to her cell. She thanked him again, and he replied with a nod.
"Same time tomorrow," Daryl said. "You're gonna keep it up every day."
Every day sounded like a lot of work, but she was up for it.
"How long do you think it'll take?" Mae asked.
"Till you're healed? Maybe another month. You should be running in a few weeks," Daryl guessed.
"Good," Mae said, mostly to herself.
Now that she had got herself up and out bed thanks to the help and support of Daryl, the ambition to find Audrey and Max was surging through her body. As soon as Hershel told her she was good, she'd be out looking for the pair of them...
"Hey," Daryl said, gaining her attention. "We'll find 'em. Audrey and Max. Sure they're looking for you too."
Mae gave him a smile before he left her, leaving her alone with her notebook and pen once again.