Shane and Rick took charge of things soon after, making sure there was a fire set up far away from the pile of dead so they could all sit, eat and discuss their plans. They had to leave, this place wasn't safe anymore. Shane nodded at Alice and the rest greeted her with hugs almost surprised she had returned. Carl clung to her like a bear cub and cried thankyous into her chest, she stroked his mousy brown hair awkwardly "It's alright, although I think your dad could use a cuddle." Rick smiled at her as she spoke, he was glad his son had someone he could open up to. Something had shifted in Lori and Carl's relationship, Rick knew that much at least, now he just had to find out why.
With everyone gathered Alice quickly took a seat next to Daryl who had saved the last space right by him, a tad suspicious but very welcome. He didn't pay attention to her but slouched as soon as she was by his side, relaxing. "I propose we head to the CDC." Rick announced. Shane rolled his eyes quite obviously objecting to this plan, "Rick come on, Fort Benning is a better idea." Shane figured that there was more chance that it was still standing; hopefully a safe haven military strong hold. Rick argued the point that the military had been one of the first to fall and the CDC might be still going, might even have a cure.
Alice tried to pay attention but something was bugging her, she peered down at her hands, only now realizing that they were still completely covered in blood. This is what the world had come to, she was drenched in blood that she had no idea who it belonged to. Looking over to the mound of corpses on the other side of camp slowly rotting away, bodily fluids forming a thick gooey pool underneath she felt sick. "Excuse me." she mumbled running toward the creek.
The thought of somebody's blood and brains splattered up her body was sickening. Diving into a nearby bush she vomited violently, she hadn't been sick in years, even after killing people she knew she hadn't reacted like this. Maybe tonight's slaughter had brought everything back?
She was starting to care about people again something she swore she would never do. Her throat felt so sore and her eyes were heavy and throbbing with exhaustion like crazy but she couldn't stay so filthy.
Leaving her clothes on the floor in a sticky red ball she stepped into the lake. It was freezing cold making her shudder and she was totally exposed to anything but she felt good. The water around her dirtied for several seconds before returning to a clear blue, the filth and trauma she kept bottled up washing away. She swam further out, gazing up at the full moon above, 'Come on. Pull yourself together' she urged to herself silently. Just feeling clean gave her a massive boost, she felt more like herself again.
It was relaxing to idly float there for a while, let everything sink in, the wind blew ripples around her naked body and rustled the trees so hard that the leaves came to float alongside her like little canoes. She knew she had to go back up to camp and deal with things, try to handle the hell on earth this world had become but part of her wanted to drift all night aimlessly. Plus she didn't want to put the same clothes back on again.
Out of the corner of her eye she spotted Daryl slowly making his way down the hill towards her backwards. It took a while for her to figure out what on earth he was doing but once she did her smile wouldn't fade. He knew she was naked and was making a point not to look. "Brought ya a towel an' some clothes." he stood on the bank still facing the opposite direction lowering the things onto the floor. Alice trotted out and pulled the towel around herself shivering, she wondered why he was still standing there. "Feel better?" He asked after a very awkward silence "Much better, thankyou...just freezing is all." Almost instantly he through his leather jacket around her shoulders and without another word strode back up the hill. Watching him walk away felt painful, "Daryl!" She called, chasing half naked after him. He spun round, forgetting she wasn't dressed and his mouth fell open. Nothing surprised Daryl Dixon, he could control himself and his emotions very well...until he met Alice anyway. No amount of self persuasion could keep his eyes from exploring her body, she had looked good before but now, damn, thank God it was a thin towel! "Oh sorry!" she apologized mistaking his shocked expression for what it was. She pulled the baggy brown jumper over her head and turned her back to Daryl while she slipped on the worn pair of jeans.
Slipping her trusty knife back into position she reluctantly handed him his jacket back. "How 'bout you? How are you doing?" She smiled warmly at him even though her lips were blue from the cold. He scanned her face for sarcasm but found only genuine concern. "Fine." he grunted trying to avoid staring at her erect nipples that were popping through the jumper. "What about your brother?" she quizzed cautiously, knowing that it was a sensitive issue. "I'm not worried about him. Nobody can kill Merle 'cept merle. Come on, they saved ya food." Alice didn't want to face anyone else tonight so was more than relieved when Daryl informed her that, apart from T-dog who was on watch ontop of the RV, everyone had gone to try and get some sleep.
While she ate he fiddled with his crossbow, discretely keeping an eye on her over the dying embers of the fire. It was still warm by the little flames and with food in her belly things were looking up. It was far too late into the night to start pushing any kind of communication so she was more than surprised when Daryl struck up a conversation with no persuasion at all "We're headed for the CDC tomorrow." She nodded shoving the last piece of crispy grilled fish into her mouth. She had tried to eat slowly so that the meal would last longer but it didn't work, she was so famished that she had practically inhaled it. "Shane weren't crazy about It." he added, moving onto cleaning his arrows, his eyes never leaving her once. When Alice had taken off earlier he had been concerned, Lori had been the one eager to check on her but Rick had suggested Daryl instead. Had it been anyone else in distress he wouldn't have bothered but sitting across from her now, just the two of them, he was very pleased that he had. "Not surprised." she interrupted his thoughts. "Why?" He was curious to know if she disliked Shane aswell. "'Cos it was Rick that suggested it." After shooting her a look that said 'Oh really?' she continued, "He's not happy that he's alive after screwing his wife." Daryl smiled, she'd said what everyone had thought but not dared to say.
"Who's clothes are these. By the way?" Alice pulled at the hideous stretchy brown top, "Carol's. Sorry she didn't have somthin' more yer style. Ya not goin' sleep?" Alice was looking really drowsy but made no attempt to leave where they were sitting, not that he minded. "I'm wide awake." she lied, trying to hide a huge yawn. The thought of spending another night alone, afraid of her own shadow certainly wasn't appealing. "Want me to leave you alone?" It had occurred to her that maybe he was hinting nicely that she should go away. He didn't, not one part of him wanted her to go, if anything he would prefer her a hell of a lot closer. Narrowing his sight at her curious expression he ignored her question with one of his own "You ever fired a crossbow before?" He had a cheeky look on his face, a naught glint in his eye, Alice thought trying to figure out what he had planned for her. "Of course not!" she laughed at the silly question. Just the way he was looking at her was driving her crazy, holding her gaze intently with his eyes piercing right through her, as though nothing else mattered but what was happening between them now. He stood up and beckoned her to follow, she didn't even consider not following him to the edge of the gloomy forest.
"Ya hold it kinda like a rifle." he demonstrated first before placing it in her arms gently. It was heavier than it looked but she was careful not to show her surprise, concentrating instead on his directions. Taking aim, she bit her lip and fired, the force of the bolt's release knocking her slightly backward. Daryl steadied her with his strong grasp, a mocking grin spread across his face "That was shit." The target had been a tree, which she'd missed, not only that she had missed any other trees and there was alot to choose from. She retrieved the arrow and attempted to reload it herself. It was certainly a man's weapon, after several embarrassing attempts she had no choice but to give up- it was too tough. Daryl did it with little effort and a bragging expression on his handsome face, loving the opportunity to impress. "Alright Dixon show me how." This time he stood behind her, so he could guide her movements into a perfect shot. His hands manipulated hers, his body guiding her into the right stance, chin hovering just above her shoulder to monitor the sight. Being so close again brought the same rush of emotion from Atlanta, an unbearable aching urge. He squeezed her finger into the trigger and they both watched as the arrow soared straight into the target. "Booya!" she cheered, proudly smiling at her amazing teacher. Another survival skill added to her end of the world resumè, alright so it wouldn't end up getting her an overpaid job but living longer was just as good. "Beautiful." Daryl's barely audible admission fluttered into the breeze, his strong and capable hand accidentally stroking her arm as the cool wind covered her in goosebumps. "My aim?" she turned to him inquisitively cocking her head. "Nah." he swiftly collected his arrow and headed back to camp almost desperate to get away before saying something stupid.
