Daryl hadn't spoken to Jayce for about three days now; he was always hunting or talking with his brother. Every time she would cast a glance in his direction, he either didn't notice or was forcing himself not to look at her. This was for the best. "Who are you trying to kid? He was the only one you wanted. You know he is a shit load better than the last one" Ignoring the voice is her head proved to be too hard and she was left stumped. "You can say it was for the best but you know it's a lie. But hey, go back to being the loner girl that minded her own business and was always considered one of the freaks" "Don't say that word. You of all people know you shouldn't say. That. Word" Jayce bit back.
For the rest of the day Jayce had kept to herself, just like the brain voice said she would. This was the way she would now possibly spend the rest of her life. Jayce spoke barely five words to anyone and she was up on watch early. "For someone who doesn't want anything to do with him, you sure have got his persona down pat"
Sighing she sat down, "It's times like this when I need my IPod" She mumbled, "Or a radio of some sort" She rubbed her hands over her dusty, grubby face. The rest of the shift passed with only the crackle of the fire and the chirping of crickets to keep her from sitting in the dark silence and possibly falling asleep. When her shift was up, she noticed Merle coming out of his tent, one hand above his head as he stretched and the other was down the front of his pants. "Must they both do that?" Jayce shook her head and kept walking to the tent that was waiting for her body.
"Ya like what ya see girly?" He smirked.
"Oh yeah Merle" She called back sarcastically, "It just gets my all hot and bothered" Ducking her head into her tent, she heard him laugh. Jayce hit the bed with a grateful moan as she felt her muscles relax, but still she forced herself to sit up so she could take her shoes off and dress for bed. Considering it was a warm night, getting dressed for bed meant removing the white bra, jeans and socks. She laid down and stared at the roof of the tent as she kicked the blankets to the base of the bed, her toned bare legs spread a little. If anyone was to look in the small tent window they would get one hell of a show, seeing her in only a tank top and a pair of skimpy boylegs. Jayce's body was covered in scars mostly from being a rough tomboy but there were a few that were from more recent incidents. She wasn't afraid to having them showing but if she could keep them covered it was better.
Jayce knew that she had slept in, she knew it as soon as her eyes opened. The sun was already high in the sky and the faint lingering smell of breakfast had drifted into the dull blue tent.
"Looks like I'm bathing in the dark tonight" She mumbled while pulling her boots on and headed out to work the day in silence. Jayce helped Carol with the laundry, helped Glenn collect more wood and she also helped Amy look after the kids while Lori and Carol took some time out. The others had sensed a change in her and she could tell. They hardly made the effort to talk to her anymore especially since she only really gave them the bare minimum answers.
After dinner Jayce walked into her tent and grabbed a change of clothes, her towel, shampoo and soap and a lantern and headed off to the water.
"You shouldn't be going anywhere alone Jayce" Shane called out.
"I'm a big girl Shane, mind your own" She didn't turn to face him, the mood to fight just wasn't there. Jayce wanted to soak in the half clean water and lose herself. When everything was set on the log, she grabbed the shampoo and conditioner bottles and then the lantern. Jayce even dropped the clothes she had been wearing next to the clean ones before setting the lantern in the course sand at the edge of the water before diving in.
It wasn't til she came up that she even noticed the cherry end of a cigarette between her and her clothes.
"Ya shouldn't be down here on ya own" The first words Daryl had spoken directly to Jayce since she basically insulted him.
Venom unnecessarily spread through her voice, "Well you and Shane can be satisfied that I'm not alone anymore" Jayce was far enough in the water that she could stand comfortably and not have Daryl see anything.
"I only came down here after I heard the splash" She turned.
"So you're spying on me then?" He just glared. Jayce watched as he turned and was sure he was leaving but he headed to the log where her clean clothes were. He didn't say anything else and for the most part she ignored the fact that he was even there, until it was time to get out.
"Daryl?"
"What?" He quietly answered.
"Close your eyes and turn around"
"What for?" He gruffed.
"I'm getting out and I don't like my shit made public" Jayce said before walking out. Once she had the towel around her, he turned back around. "You gonna watch me change too? Maybe try and get a peek?"
"What the hell is ya problem? I ain't done nothin' to ya and ya actin' like a fuckin' bitch ta me an everyone in camp" He snapped.
"Nothing's wrong with me Daryl" Jayce slipped on the clean underwear before she dropped the towel on the log. After ringing out her hair she wrapped it in the towel and pulled the shirt over the top of it.
Daryl was quiet for a minute as he drank in the sight before him, "Yeah right, ya ain't talkin' ta anybody an now ya goin' off by ya self"
"So what?" Jayce got up to his face, a subtle hint that she had no intention of backing down, "Why should anyone give a shit about what I do? It's none of their business and it certainly isn't any of yours" She bent down and gathered her things before heading up to the tent without a word to anyone.
