Chapter 7

The next morning I woke up human. I stretched out and then gathered my things and walked back out towards the farmhouse. It was just as the others were arriving. I smiled and ran forward. T-dog and Glenn came out of the house and saw me.

"Redcliff!" They shouted.

I turned and smiled at them. I ran forward and hugged them.

"Where were you!? When you didn't come back with Shane we all thought…"

"Trust me it will take a hell of a lot more then walkers to bring me down." I said.

"I was more worried about what Daryl was gonna do if he got back before you." Glenn said.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

Glenn smiled and I turned and found Daryl standing there. He smirked and then walked off. I bit my lip and looked back at Glenn and T-dog. They smiled and then Maggie walked out and Glenn was instantly distracted. I smiled and pushed him towards her. He looked at me and I jerked my head in her direction. He smiled and followed her. I looked back at T-dog.

"So what happened last night?" I asked.

"Well I've been waiting to tell you this!" He said excitedly.

I waited for him to go on, even though I already knew.

"Last night Shane came back. Started to tell us all about that wolf. Remember? Well apparently it protected him and Otis. Last night after they came back we all hear it howling. I went out to the woods and it came out to me."

"It didn't attack you?" I asked.

He smiled and shook his head.

"Nope. It looked kinda submissive. It ran back into the woods." He said.

I smiled.

"Very cool. And what about Carl?" I asked.

"That kid's made of tough stuff. He made it." T-dog said.

I smiled and hugged him. I pulled away and grasped his shoulder and then walked off. There was a little funeral held for Otis. We all gather around a pile of stones. Hershel read from his bible and then we each walked up in turn and placed a stone on the pile. As I did I stopped.

"I'm sorry I couldn't save you. I hope one day we meet again Otis." I said.

I stepped back and someone put their hand on my shoulder. I looked up and my green eyes widened in surprise. It was Daryl. My thoughts were interrupted.

"Would you tell us of his final moments?" Hershel said.

I looked over at Shane.

"We were running. After that wolf left an all it was just us. Couldn't find Redcliff and we were down to our last. He told me to keep going that we had to help the boy…."

As he continued his story I knew that my suspicions had been correct. Shane had sacrificed Otis to save his own skin.

You filthy low life bastard!

He walked up and placed a stone on the pile and then his eyes met mine. I glared at him and then turned and walked off. I should have never run off. I should have stayed. Maybe then Otis would still be alive. I knew I had to calm down before I turned and everyone found out. I took a few deep breaths but it wasn't working.

"Redcliff?"

The sound of his voice made my eyes widen and I felt the anger in my heart disappear. I turned and looked at Daryl.

"Ye kay?" he asked.

I couldn't find any words to say. I looked at him, just looked at him. He rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

"Look…..I uh….bout yesterday." He said.

"What about?" I said.

He looked at the ground.

"Shoulda gone with ya." He said.

"No…..I had to go alone. You needed to keep the others safe." I said.

He shrugged and I walked a little closer to him. He looked into my eyes. I smiled up at him.

"I do better on my own. I'm grateful that you're concerned about me at times…..but you should be concerned for yourself when you're around me. As I said when we first met I am dangerous. I can't really tell you why…."

"Why not?" He asked.

I looked down.

"You wouldn't understand." I mumbled.

"Don'tcha tell me what I can and can't understand." He growled.

"Trust me….if you knew….well you don't want to." I said.

I looked up and he scowled at me.

"Ye wanna be alone fine! But don'tcha come running te me when yer sick of it." He snarled.

He walked away and I sighed. I knew this was for the best. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I ever hurt him.

"I'm doing this for you. Because…I think I love you Daryl Dixon." I whispered.