Chapter 7: Daryl's POV

I open my eyes to find Nilah, loosely curled up on the cave floor and sleeping. I knelt beside her with one knee and stroked the strands of golden hair from her face. She was so beautiful.

Don't push it, a voice rang in my head.

Daryl, give me a break. I wasn't about to let him boss me around. She's my best friend.

She's my best friend too, Pierce.

I had no idea why I even applied Daryl's name to me. People address me to that name and only he and Nilah really calls me by my real nickname. I guess I was more attached to this body than I thought.

She became your friend when she became mine, I countered.

Well, I don't like you touching her that way.

You just don't like me at all.

Nilah was moving stiffly but asleep. I carefully slid my arms under her knees and back, and then carried her to the mattress. I realize she was lighter than before as I remember the time she fell on me while at soccer practice. We just laughed about it.

I sat on the floor, facing her. I gave a light chuckle as I reminded myself that the only one who I completely trusted was human. Of all my species, I only told my secret to someone unlike me. In addition, that one was someone I love.

You're not the only one, Daryl muttered and I sighed. Then I heard someone at the entrance. It was one of the people I saw in the van.

He entered, holding two trays of food, and ambled towards Nilah. He glanced at her then settled himself in the other corner of the cave. He began eating and I looked away. I heard a few swallows until the sudden quietness filled the atmosphere. I turned back and saw him sliding the other tray beside my knee.

"This is Nilah's," I said.

"I'll get her another one," he replied then returned to his corner.

I stared at the food and my stomach growled. I briefly glanced at him and he seemed preoccupied with his own tray. Then I started eating.

Who's that guy? Daryl asked and I literally shrugged.

You don't think he's her…? he questioned and I pondered.

He can't be, I thought sternly.

A little competition, you think?

I'm already competing with you.

Man, you have got to work with me. He was irritated. Once I get my body back, then that's when we deal with our problem. But right now, our future's not looking so good.

Just because of this guy? I asked skeptically, raising my brow.

Well, let's see, he started with sarcasm, we're trapped in whatever this place is, and no one trusts us because we're not human. Well, you aren't. -I rolled my eyes - Moreover, this guy comes along and he seems closely attached to Nilah. Are those not problematic enough for you?

Okay, okay. But we can't do anything about it. We don't even know who he is, and as for this place…Humans can't be that bad.

Some humans aren't, but you'll never know. People are different in this planet. Not everyone's that friendly.

We'll just have to stick to Nilah then.

After a while, she stirred then was finally awake. I bent over her and the other guy was a a little behind.

"Daryl," she sat up and gazed around the mattress curiously, though she said nothing. "Jamie," she rested her eyes on him then back at me. "How long have you been awake?"

"About thirty minutes ago," I answered casually.

She stood up and the three of us just remained motionless.

Say something, Daryl urged.

Like what?

"Nilah, I'll get your lunch," the guy - Jamie - offered and reluctantly left us alone. He was trying to do something.

"It's lunch already?" she asked mostly to herself. "I must've overslept. Did Jamie carry me to the bed?"

"No, I did," I responded, smiling. "You weren't comfortable sleeping on the floor."

"Oh," she flushed. "Sorry about that."

"No need for apologies. So do we have any plans for today?"

"Well," she began uncertainly, "I honestly don't know. I guess I could…"

"Show him around?" a husky voice suggested from the opening. It was the middle-aged, bearded man who said I had no choice but to stick around. That I'd be in a cyrotank if I were to leave this place. That sounded threatening.

Not really, Daryl said. If you'd be in a cyrotank, then I'll have my body back.

Not a chance.

Why not? We're not very fond of each other anyway.

Well, I won't let you touch her, I clarified.

"Jeb, this is your house," Nilah uttered sensibly. "I think you should do it."

"He doesn't trust me," the man laughed lightly, "Why don't you come along, Nilah? That way he'll feel more at home."

"Okay."

The hall was dim and the four of us (Jamie returned and joined our little group) walked from cave to cave. Once we were in the grand room where the people passed by to go to different parts of this "volcano", most stared at us.

They're staring at you, Daryl emphasized.

I know they are. Can't you tell I'm ignoring them? He was getting on my nerves.

Sorry, man. I'm just trying to help.

By doing what?

Well, since we'll be stuck here for who knows how long, you might as well get used to folks like me.

"That's the end of it," Jeb announced with a grin, and now we were in the kitchen where only a few lingered by.

Nilah placed her hand on my arm then gestured me towards an empty section of the long table. She sat down and I sat beside her, Jamie sitting across from us.

She ate in silence, and the room was surprisingly heedless to my presence. They were used to someone like me, I'm guessing.

You're not a showstopper after all. I thought I always was. I could sense the smirk.

Were you always this cocky? I thought to him derisively. When you were ten you seemed so innocent, but I guess that only applies on the outside.

Ouch. All right, I'll admit I'm a lot more confident than other people. But a lot has changed as you grew up in my body. It made me realize things.

Realize what?

He was silent for a few minutes and when I prompted my unanswered query, he began speaking solemnly in my head.

I was reckless, he stated then continued, I disobeyed my parents-I was a rebel against anything I didn't like. That's why I was caught. Because of my stupidity, my body was given up.

Sorry.

It's not your fault. If I were smart enough, I would've survived the invasion -no offense- I could've survived on my own.

Sorry I took your body, I murmured.

Daryl was quiet for the rest of the time. I didn't try to talk to him. Usually, his voice would just come whenever he feels like it and we would have our daily arguments. We were like brothers who repeatedly argued, but it was never serious. I got used to him years ago.

The hours turned into days, days turned into weeks, and eventually, I survived a month. I did chores like everyone else. I even got the chance to play soccer.

One day, I was working on the humid corn field when the sound of people chattering came from the grand room, not far away.

We made our way to the room, people welcoming the others who came back from another raid. They weren't alone, though.

"Everyone, we have ourselves some visitors," Jeb declared with a huge beam. He gestured towards the people beside him and there were quite a few.

Five in total, Daryl said. Wait -hold on. Six people -other tall one's hiding behind.

Indeed, there is another one - the most obvious one, since he had bright ginger hair and was the tallest of the strangers. He seemed perfectly human until he stepped into the light and his silver irises illuminated in the low-lit setting. A soul.

Note: Aw, shoot! I was on a writer's block for the past week. Sorry for the delay =( I might not update as quickly as before but I'll try.

Anyway, what did you think of this perspective? (I couldn't find a name for this chapter.)

*Updated: Oh wait, yes I have.