Chapter 4: Judgement
I bit my lip. I understood where Rick was coming from and I really should be resting. I hoped my injuries wouldn't muck up me being able to use my bow. I had to be careful. I didn't want a bodyguard. I knew I still had to earn these peoples trust but having someone in my way just annoyed me. I reluctantly nodded.
"I'm trusting you" he said as he pointed me in the direction of Daryl's tent. I slung the bow and quiver on one shoulder and slipped the machete into its holder around my waist.
I stood in front of his tent and looked in, empty, crossbow was gone too. I looked back at the camp, and wondered if I should go back to find him. I then looked at the trees, I would only be gone a few hours. Hopefully this wouldn't burn my bridges with these people. I sighed as moved towards the tree-line.
As I neared the edge of the woods I took the bow off my shoulder, I slung the quiver properly over my shoulder and took a bold out ready as I made my way in. I scanned the woods for "wildlife", nothing but a few birds. I pushed in deeper.
I wasn't more than ten minutes into the woods when I felt a presence behind me, following me. Walker? It couldn't be, I would have heard or at least smelt it. I instantly thought Shane. Fuck. So Rick sent another bodyguard after me. I walked forward placing the bolt in the string in case of a sneak attack. I pushed back thoughts of being beaten or worse, raped. He was probably about twenty feet behind me now. I spun quickly, bolt ready, arm pulled back, my side hot with pain but pushed that aside. I was surprised to see Daryl standing there, crossbow raised.
"Come to finish me off?" I ask raising an eyebrow. I lower my bow.
"Do ya even know where yer goin'?" he asked, his tone sounding kind of pissed.
"I said to Rick I can handle myself..."
He cut me off "Fine!" he growled loudly and turned his back walking away.
"Daryl" I called after him, he ignored me and carried on walking.
I sighed. I surveyed the surrounding woods. No walkers. Maybe getting on Daryl's bad-side wasn't a good move. I didn't expect him to have such a temper though.
I carried on walking. Luckily I came across Daryl's trail from yesterday. I was sure because the impressions were deeper, this must have been where he was carrying me. I still kept my bow ready. The impressions became lighter further on and I could see my trail beside his. I followed it knowing it was near where I was injured. Then I heard sounds further up the trail, I scanned around me before proceeding. One walker was kneeling on the ground, moaning and pawing at something. I took aim, breathed, whistled to gets its attention. Its head snapped up at the sound and looked in my direction. I released the bolt.
Smack!
The bolt piercing its right eye. It slumped to the ground with a thud. I walked over to the rotting corpse, pulled the bolt over and bought my heel down on its skull, crushing it to an oozing mess. Double tap, always a good rule I smiled to myself. I wiped the bolt of the grass. I looked to where the walker had been crouched over. I noticed the dried out pool of blood. A lot of it. No wonder I had passed out or why Rick was concerned about me coming out here.
I found my trail easily after that, recognizing my markers.
I finally came upon the lone oak tree in the field as I stood at the edge of the woods. No walkers in the field.
I froze as I heard the soft crunch of leaves behind me. Clutching the bolt, I spun to see two walkers approaching me. "Fuck" I muttered to myself. The first bolt hit its target easily, the now twice dead body hit the ground with a thud. The second walker moved closer, picking up a little speed, as it moaned and drooled. I grabbed another bolt and placed it in the string ready to shoot. I was about to release when another bolt pierced its skull, it moaned slumping tot he ground. Daryl coming into view.
"Nice shot" he grunted at me.
"You missed me" I laughed. Daryl smirked at me. "I had it in my sights ya know"
"I know" he smirked again. He grabbed each of our bolts, wiped them on the shirt of the walker and handed me back mine.
"Thanks" I said quietly.
We walked in silence over to the tree.
"I hid my stuff up the tree in the cradle, out of sight." I said pointing to the spot. Daryl looked up, then put his crossbow down and went to climb the tree. He must have felt me looking at him, silently asking him what he was doing.
"You were shot yesterday. If ya pull yer stitches, I'll just have to carry ya back or shoot ya again" he said before returning to climb the tree. I knew he was right.
"Use the rope to lower the bags, there's a bottle of whiskey and some jars of moonshine I don't wanna waste." He nodded in acknowledgement.
While he lowered the bags, the horse came wandering over. She looked no worse from when I had left her yesterday. I saddled the horse and packed the bags and rifles.
"Ya'll didn't pack light" Daryl grunted as he hopped down from the tree.
"Everything but the kitchen sink" I mumbled.
Daryl picked up his crossbow and we started walking back.
"Ya owe me some shine" he said in his southern drawl.
"Deal" I agreed.
The walk back didn't take too long this time. Didn't even come across any walkers. Although Daryl did manage to find a few squirrels. We walked in silence and it was peaceful. I didn't feel like talking and neither did he. No tension, no awkwardness. Just silence.
I was happy to see the trees clear and the farm house come into view.
"Tell Rick I went to search for Sophia"
I scrunched my eyebrows in confusion, I hadn't heard anyone mention her. I turned to ask Daryl who she was but he was already walking back into the woods. She must have meant something to him if he was looking. I continued on my way back towards the farmhouse, leading the horse alongside me.
Andrea watched me from the top of the RV, as did Shane from the make-shift camp. I had the urge to turn tail and bolt. But I was sick of being alone. I just hoped the group would accept me.
As I neared the camp, Rick came over, Shane following close behind, a wild look in both of their eyes.
"Where's Daryl?" Rick asked irritated. Shane eyed me suspiciously.
"He helped me get my stuff, then once we reached the edge of the woods he said to tell you he went to search for Sophia...Who's Sophia?" I asked
Rick was silent for a minuted, "Carol's daughter. We lost her about a week ago on the highway, herd passed through, scared her, she ran into the woods. We've been looking for her since" Rick looked sad talking about her. Rick then looked up and his eyes narrowed. I knew then he had spotted the rifles. I rolled my eyes, here we go I thought. I unstrapped them both and held them out to him. He cocked an eyebrow at me surprised.
"It's about trust isn't it? I'm keeping my bow though. I'm not leaving myself unprotected."
Rick took the rifles and smiled, it even seemed genuine. "Fair enough" he replied. Shane snorted then stormed off. He obviously still thinks I'm a threat. "Don't worry about him" Rick said to me before walking off with the rifles.
I unloaded my bags next to the RV and led the horse round the back of the house towards the stalls. Hershel was inside.
"How are you feeling today?" he asked not looking up.
"Much better thank you" I said with a smile. "Do you have a spare stall I could put my horse in or somewhere I could store the saddle?" I asked cautiously.
Hershel eyed me before sighing. "There's a few stalls at the end that are free and there's feed in the room there" he said pointing to a room next to me.
"Thank you, it's much appreciated. I know you don't have to help and I'll only be here as long as I need to. Once I'm fit to travel I'll be on my way."
Hershel sighed again and went back to what he was doing.
I led the horse to the stall, took the saddle off, with a bit of difficulty and then shut the door behind me. She poked her head over the door and I rubbed it affectionately. Its funny to think this horse was my only friend in this world.
I filled the bucket with some feed, the horse greedily ate it. I then filled a bucket with water. I quickly brushed the horse down before making my way back towards the camp.
Lori and Carol smiled at me.
"Did you get your stuff ok?" Lori asked.
"Yeah, ran into a few walkers on the way, took care of it though. Think the horse will appreciate a few days of not dragging my ass around. Should be good to go in a few days." I said dropping my bags next to a tree and myself with them. I scooted over tot he tree and leaned up against it.
"You're leaving?" Lori asked concerned.
"I don't want to be a burden and its pretty clear not all of your group is too thrilled with me being here. Once I'm fit to travel I can be on my way." I said shrugging her shoulders. I winced, that hurt.
"You don't have to be out there alone" Carol said softly, I barely heard her.
"They're going to talk about it later today. I think you should stay. I'm sure Rick feels the same too. Now Shane and Andrea, don't worry about them. They will warm up to ya. Don't take it personally, trust me" she said trying to smile.
I sighed. I guess I could give it a few days if I'm allowed to stay. I got up and crouched down next to my bag. I pulled out the cans of beans I picked up the other day and two jars of moonshine. I placed them next to Lori and Carol.
"It's not a bribe. Just a thank you for fixing me up and hopefully ease some of the tension around me being here, even it is for a few days."
They eyed the jars and looked back up at me.
"Moonshine" I replied. They both smiled. "Shine and beans, excellent pairing" I said laughing, as did they.
"They'll appreciate it" Lori said. "You can put your bags in Daryl's tent" she said pointing to it near one on the other trees but furtherest away from the other tents.
"I'm not so sure he will like that" I said hesitantly.
"He's the only one with extra room and you're his responsibility" Lori said trying to sound like her husband. I scoffed.
"I'll sleep under the tree next to his tent. He can keep an eye on me from there" I said picking up my bags and walking towards the tree, not looking back to hear an answer.
I set my bags down and my bow, grabbing a blanket, I leaned up against the tree and used the blanket as a pillow. It wasn't as good as a bed but it would do for now.
I woke later to my side throbbing. I really needed to take better care of myself, hadn't eaten or taken antibiotics or painkillers. I felt my side, praying it was dry. Even the lightest touch hurt. I over did it today and if the group decides I'm not able to stay, I definitely needed to take it easy. I stirred, slowly opening my eyes, it had to be mid afternoon. I folded the blanket up, placing it on my bag. I looked over to the group, most of them had gathered by the fire. I guess my trial was about to start. As if cue, they started making their way towards the house and Daryl making his way towards me. Let my judgement come, I thought to myself.
Daryl walked past me and went into his tent, dropping his crossbow and lying down on his sleeping bag, one hand resting under his head. I turned back to watching the camp fire in the distance.
To pass the time I rummaged through my bag looking for my mini-kit for my bow. I hadn't cleaned it in a while and it was overdue for some maintenance. I methodically oiled the pulleys, tightened the screws slightly and waxing the string. I could feel Daryl watching me. I tried to ignore him but the heat of his gaze was distracting me. But I wasn't about to question him about it either. So I continued the maintenance.
The sound of a door slamming startled me. Shane was storming out of the farmhouse, sending a glare my way. I wasn't sure if this was good or bad news. I instinctively clutching my bow tighter.
"Should I be going over to find out my verdict?" I asked to Daryl. He shrugged his shoulders and lay back down.
A few more people started filing out of the house. I lay my bow against my bag and stood up feeling rather nervous all of a sudden. Rick came out and looked round till he found me and started making his way towards me. I too started walking, taking a deep breath. He stood in front of me and I looked down to my hands.
"When do I have to leave by?" I said nervously
"What?" Rick asked "The group voted for you to stay...That's if you want it want to stay...You don't have to be alone any more." Rick said placing a hand on my shoulder.
I looked up a little shocked. "What about Shane? He doesn't seem to agree with you." I asked
Rick shook his head "Don't worry about him. He'll warm up." he said trying to smile.
"Well if the group has agreed, I would really appreciate it. It was such hard work being on my own, exhausting really." I sighed.
Rick smiled. "Not any-more."
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