Carol leads us through the streets and alleyways until she stops at a door and tries it "It's locked"
"I got it" Daryl steps forward and starts working on the door as Carol and I keep watch.
Two walkers come towards us "Two more." Carol says
"I almost got it." Daryl replies then the door pops open. Not going to lie, it turns me on when he's so manly like that. Makes it hard to hate on him.
I look over my shoulder to see Carol has moved from my side to the edge of the stairwell. The shadows of a few dozen walkers appear in the close distance and Daryl grips my arm and shoves me through the door. Carol is close behind me and Daryl closes the door behind him on the way in.
We have ended up in some office building. I can't see a sign anywhere that identifies any companies. We proceed with caution, not knowing what might jump us. We come across a singular, non-moving corpse. Carol and I move forward but Daryl leans down to grab something. Keys by the sounds of it.
Carol opens a door that has 'Service Centre' written on it in gold letters.
"You used to work here or something?" Daryl asks as we inspect the small reception
"Something." Carol replies
Daryl and Carol move a desk in front of a door and Carol moves to open the one furthest away from me. It's locked.
"Oh, here" Daryl says handing her the keys.
She unlocks the door and leads us in. I flash my flashlight over the room once more before following them in. I follow Carol. The room reminds me of a hostel. Shared bathroom, small kitchenette, no stove, just a microwave, sink, fridge, coffee maker and a hot plate. I follow Carol into a small bedroom with bunkbeds and a desk.
"What is this place?" Daryl asks
"It's temporary housing" Carol replies.
The light from Daryl's torch flashes over a book titled 'Treating Survivors of Childhood Abuse' My heart skips a beat, it hurts. It hasn't felt like that in a while.
"You came here?" Daryl asks still staring at the book. He hasn't spotted me watching him yet.
"We didn't stay." Carol replies.
I stand there awkwardly. This place represents a past these two have in common. Sure, my ex-boyfriend cut me up but I never considered myself a victim of abuse or anything else. I just see it as bad judgement of a personality. I smile at Daryl a little, I never made that mistake again though.
I drop the smile as I see Carol turning to look at me "I'll take the top bunk. I think that one's more your style." She says with a grin.
"You two should sleep. I'll take first watch." Carol says and walks over to the window
"This is locked up pretty tight and Gwen and I share a bed" Daryl says as he pulls off his leather jacket
"I know." Carol replies
"Then we're good, then." Daryl says
"I'll keep first watch. I don't mind." Carol says
"Suit yourself." Daryl says then sits on the bed. He opens his arms to me but I simply drop my bag and lean against the wall.
"You said we get to start over." Carol says to Daryl but is looking at me
"Yeah." Daryl says dropping his arms to his knee
"Did you?" She asks looking at him
"I'm tryin'." Daryl says looking at me.
I chew my lips and avoid the question. I don't think my heart can deal with starting over.
"Why don't you say what's really on your mind?" Daryl says
"I don't think we get to save people anymore." Carol replies and my heart hurts again.
"Then why are you here?" Daryl asks
"I'm tryin'." Carol replies. I find a slither of light on the wall next to me very interesting.
A hand grips mine gently. I look at Carol surprised as she pulls me over to the bunk and pulls me down to sit between her and Daryl. She lies back, pulling me with her. I turn my head to look at her confused. She smiles at me and uses her index finger to move a strand of hair out of my face.
"When we were out by the car... what if we didn't show up?" Daryl asks. I stare at Carol.
"I still don't know." She replies tucking her arm under her head.
Daryl lies back. His bicep touching mine. His face so close that if I did turn my head our lips would touch. The thought was tempting but I hold my ground. Kisses and whispered sweet nothings will not cut it this time. We have to talk first. We have to talk first. A distant banging catches my attention and I'm on my feet in seconds. Daryl pushes me behind him as we walk up a corridor lined with bedrooms, searching for the source of the noise. We turn a corner and there is a walker pressed against a, kind of see-through, presumably locked door. A second, much smaller body presses against the window next to the bigger walker. I can't contain the noise that escapes my mouth. I internally scold myself for being so weak. Carol moves for the door.
Daryl stops her "You don't have too"
She grips the handle and Daryl pushes it away "You don'" With that she turns and walks back the way we came.
I stare at the door. Daryl stops next to me "Gwen"
I ignore him. He sighs and grips my bicep. I shake him off "Stop it!" I snap at him and turn to walk away. Carol is waiting at the end of the corridor but Daryl tackles me into an empty room.
"Daryl!" Carol hisses.
"Just go back" Daryl tells her then closes the door behind us.
