Chapter 9

In the two weeks since Daryl and I first kissed, we spent more and more time together. We were almost inseparable, when I wasn't teaching and Daryl wasn't out hunting, we would just sit together. Sometimes we would sit with the kids, talking, laughing. At times it almost felt is if we were all just on some kind of extended camping trip. Other times we just sat by ourselves for a few moments, for a while we just sat apart, not saying anything. After a little more time, about a week, we would make sure that no one could see us and we would hold hands. We were like two twelve year olds. It had been a month and four days since the airport, Ethan was opening up, he helped out around the camp and was thrilled when Max asked him to help out with the snare traps, you could still see a certain sadness when he looked at Carl interacting with Lori, but I think he had resolved to be there for Spencer instead of crumbling, he was one strong kid and I told him so. He looked slightly embarrassed but still gave me a hug. Things were pretty good considering the circumstances, we had enough food, clean water, shelter and security in this little place. For some reason the Walkers never seemed to stray this far up the mountain path. I got along with most everyone at the camp, with a few glaring exceptions, Lori and Anna to be exact. Those two were thick as thieves, they were always gossiping about everyone else at the camp. It drove me insane, I confided in Carol that I couldn't stand Anna and she agreed with me, she told me that Anna had been shirking her responsibilities, going down to the water every day and sunbathing, leaving Carol with all the clothes washing. Carol told me she hadn't said anything to anyone for fear of being asked to leave the camp because everyone knew that the king and queen were Shane and Lori. I think this is why Anna was practically living in Loris pocket, she saw that if she was able to be in their ear, she could get her way. I promised Carol I would talk to her, it was not fair that she was lumped with everything. The poor thing was always exhausted and sore due to her brute of a husband, with new bruises every few days. I hated Ed, really hated him, the only reason I held my tongue was because Carol had begged me to.

That morning I had given the kids their lessons and helped Miranda prepare lunch. It was a sunny day with a warm breeze so we were all able to sit in the sun and relax for a little while. After lunch Carol got up to go down to the water and wash clothes, I stopped her and asked if she could show Camille how to braid hair, something I was no good at, and I would take over the washing for the afternoon. Carol looked relieved and readily agreed, Anna sauntered down after me with the second basket, which she immediately dumped before pulling a towel out of it and laying it out beside the water.

"Anna!" I hissed at her and she looked over at me snidely.

"What?" she groaned and I stood over by the baskets with my hands on my hips.

"What are you doing? You need to come help with the washing!"

"Yeah, no, I don't do washing, I don't want to chip my nails at all, I mean, I only have so much nail polish left." she replied looking horrified.

'Are you kidding? Look I know you haven't been pulling your weight and you either need to start, or leave." I snapped at her. Her eyes widened.

"You wouldn't kick me out?" she squeaked.

"Anna I wouldn't hesitate if I thought you were a detriment to the group, and so far you really haven't given anyone any indication you are an asset. You treat the kids like crap and expect everyone to do everything for you. This is the end of the world girl, wake up to yourself." I said letting months of frustration out in one go. Anna made some disbelieving noises but when she saw my face, she came over and began to wash the clothes with me. When we had finished we carried the clothes back and hung them up without saying a word. I went over and watched Camille attempting to braid Sophia's hair, to Sophia credit, no matter how hard Camille pulled she sat still. I checked on Ethan and Spencer, who were in our tent, Ethan was reading my copy of the Hobbit while Spencer napped. I mouthed a thank you and Ethan smiled before going back to the book. I left quietly as to not wake the baby and went to the kitchen area, I asked the ladies preparing dinner if they needed help. There were already four of them so I wasn't needed. Daryl was out hunting, so I went to talk to Dale who was playing cards with Jim and two others. I couldn't work out what game they were playing, it looked like a mix of go fish and poker. Turns out it was called bridge, I was watching for a while before Shane came over and asked to speak to me. We walked a little away from the group before Shane explained.

"Sorry to pull you away Zara but we have a few issues with one of the filters and I can't work it out how to fix it, I've moved it a little further away just so I can remember which one it is, will you come out and help me fix it?"

"Sure, I'll just grab my machete and we will go." I answered going to head back to the card game where I had put it down.

"No it's ok, I have my knife, my pistol and we won't be out for long, I'd rather just get this over with before dinner, so let's just go." Shane said gesturing his head out to the forest, I shrugged, it was a little odd but I knew better than to argue. Besides the quicker I went and fixed the filter, the quicker I could come back. We walked for a while in silence and when we reached all the other filters we walked a little further to the filter Shane had isolated. The second I saw the filter I knew something was wrong, it looked as though someone had removed one of the parts, I turned around to Shane to say so when he pushed me up against a tree. I went to scream out but he placed a hand over my mouth, I struggled against him.

"Shhhhh," he told me, "I had to get you out here, had to get you away, I know you want this." he said moving his hand, I let out a piercing scream that was cut short by Shane pushing his lips against mine and ramming his tongue down my throat. I gagged and he pulled back, putting his hand over my mouth again. I tried to bite his hand but he just laughed.

"This is what you want right? A bad boy? That's why you've been spending time with that dirty, scruffy redneck? Or were you doing it to make me jealous?" he rambled before trying to kiss me again, this time I was ready for him, when he put his tongue in my mouth I bit down as hard as I could. I could taste blood in my mouth as he pulled away, swearing. I screamed again and he slapped me across the face and pushed me back forcefully into the tree, completely knocking the wind out of me. I crumpled to the ground holding my chest, gasping for air when I heard a shout.

"Don't you fucking touch her!" the voice shouted. I looked up to see Daryl a few metres away from Shane with his crossbow aimed at his head.

"Daryl!" I gasped trying to stand.

"What the hell are you doing Shane, she told you weeks ago she wasn't interested, She made it clear! You are no better than a damn Walker, forcing yourself on her, you were a cop man!" Daryl yelled. Shane raised his hands in defeat but said nothing.

"Daryl!" I wheezed, I could see the rage on his face.

"I'm sorry but I can't stand men like you, better to put a bolt through your head before you hurt someone else!" he spat.

"No!" I yelled, "Daryl stop! If you kill him the group might not understand, he may be an asshole but we need him, think about Carl, he's already lost his dad, please don't make yourself a killer!" I puffed, still struggling to draw in air. Daryl growled loudly.

"Zara he could have really hurt you!" he yelled not lowering his bow.

"But he didn't, I'm fine, he won't do it again. Will you Shane?" I looked at Shane who hadn't moved. Shane nodded, I could see his hands shaking.

"Go then," Daryl snarled, "but you lay one finger on Zara or anyone else without their say so and I will take your ass down quicker than you can say knife. Got it?"

Shane nodded and took off towards the camp. Daryl kept his crossbow aimed at him until he was out of sight, he then rushed over to me as I slumped against the tree. He grabbed me and pulled me to him, I was quite a bit shorter than him, my head was up against his chest, he didn't speak for a few minutes. I could feel him trembling slightly with barely suppressed rage. I knew it had taken everything in him not to take Shane out.

"I'm sorry Daryl." I breathed, not wanting to end the moment. He kissed me lightly on the top of the head.

"Don't be sorry Zara, you're right, but that doesn't mean I don't want to beat his ass any less." he said through gritted teeth, I nodded and snuggled into him again. He lifted my chin and looked me in the eye.

"You gonna tell the others?" he asked and I shook my head.

"The group doesn't need it, he knows he went too far, it won't happen again."

"Ok well, just don't go anywhere by yourself or with him." Daryl's blue eyes scanned my face and I laughed.

"Don't let the accent fool you, I'm not actually stupid." I retorted, Daryl grinned at me before kissing me softly on the lips.

"we should get back." he murmured and I nodded, Daryl let me go but we walked back to the camp hand in hand. This time neither of us cared who saw.