Life after the dead
C10

Daryl couldn't sleep that night. They had moved two mattresses to the yellow bedroom, and put the girl up in he bed. The little one had only briefly woken up as Gwen had moved to change her into something softer than he jeans she was wearing. She had given the girl a shirt that was slightly too big for her, which Daryl found quite funny. Gwen had stocked up on all kinds of clothing, but there was nothing in he little one's size. She had whined a little and swayed from side to side like a little drunk as Gwen tried ever so desperately to change her. The moment she was done she drifted back into a fast sleep. Gwen said that she was healing that way and he was inclined to agree with her. Sleep was the best medicine against every ailment, physical and mental. People needed time, and peace, and so did that little girl.

Daryl had taken her from Gwen and tucked her into bed. Again like before, during the transfer she had clutched herself to his chest and only let go when Gwen pulled at her hands. He felt light and almost giddy as he put the girl to bed. He wasn't stupid enough to think her to be his, or to think that he could care for her forever. In all likelihood her parents would come back and take her away, but for just now, she made him feel okay, even if the sight of her triggered his memories.

Gwen had beckoned him to bed, she herself exhausted. He didn't know when she had changed, but he was glad that she chose to wear shorts to bed this time. Daryl had just taken off his crossbow, and set it down beside him. Gwen had offered him a change of clothes but he had declined. He wasn't about to take off his kit in front of her, or have her see him in any state of undress. Like the night before, he had taken off his boots, but when he moved to blow out the candles, Gwen had practically shouted at him to stop. "I like seeing things" she had said, though he didn't understand why. It wasn't like she actually woke up during the night, and them candles were a fire-hazard if ever he saw one. Though irrational and clearly wrong, he nodded at Gwen and did as she asked.

Gwen had shoved the two mattresses together, to Daryl's annoyance, but he wasn't about to complain. He'd be fine, as long as she didn't touch him. However, as the night pressed on, and Gwen fell asleep, he make himself comfortable enough to sleep. He'd slept on floors most of his life, so it wasn't that he wasn't comfortable, and their situation wasn't different from the night before, yet he couldn't fall asleep. Gwen had folded herself, her hands together and resting next to her hair as if she had fallen asleep praying. Her ponytail had shifted to the side of her head, and even more hair had sprung free from the tie. Daryl considered clearing her face of hair, gently brushing them aside, but as soon as he thought of touching her, his body started to tingle.

He could still feel her lips on his forehead, even though he had wiped it with his arms at least a dozen time. He had even splashed some water in his face, but he could still remember it vividly and it was driving him nuts. Gwen was seriously screwing with his head. She had more mood swings than a calender had Sundays. One moment she was cold and harsh, the other she did things like- like kiss his head, and cuddle up to him, and smile in that way that made him want to scream. He turned her head to take her in and she was just as lovely as she had been the night before.

It had been hours since she had fallen asleep and he had spent most of that time counting her breaths. For an hour or so, a lock of hair had covered her nose, and with every exhale it had moved slightly. He had studied her, and thought himself lucky to have been found by her. He too let his eyes close for a moment, only to be woken immediately after.

But as he opened his eyes, the ceiling had changed. It was no longer the weird pale yellow, but a light blue instead, and as he turned to look at Gwen she was already awake and looking at him, bright eyed and surrounded by more blue. She flashed a smile, and before he could say anything she leant towards him and gently pressed her lips to his. His eyes flashed open to see her tender lashes closed and inches from his face. Her hand found his side, and brought herself closer to him as she parted her lips to kiss him again. She claimed his lower lip as hers, before slowly pulling away. "Good morning" she whispered, her voice sounding different, looking at him kindly, her hands resting on her chest. Her expression however quickly changed as he remained silent. "You okay, Daryl?"

He was stunned, frozen in place even. Confused and disoriented he pushed her from his chest and rose. He found himself in a room completely different than the one he was in just a moment ago. He found himself in a big queen sized bed with thick blankets, there were night-stands and a closet with robes on hangers hanging from the doorknobs, there was a chair in the corner with a stuffed animal, and next it a crib with white arrows painted on it. He was in a completely different house. His breathing grew laboured till he felt a slim hand on his arm and Gwen appeared next to him. "Did you have nightmares again?" she asked as she reached over his face and turned it to her. His eyes darted over her face as panic began to set in. Instantly she moved, and dug under his arm and held him tightly, and she slowly shushed him. "Shh shh, it's okay. It's okay, Daryl" she chimed.

His eyelids lowered as he drew in a breath and smelled the lavender on her skin. Instinctively he moved to rest his head on hers. "It's okay" she repeated as she rose to look at him again. She flashed him a smile, then her head turned away from him as the door to the bedroom opened. There the little girl stood, in purple pyjamas, looking healthy and well. Excited she ran over to the bed, and Gwen stretched out her hand to help her climb it. "Morning little pumpkin!" she called, as the child called her mum and snuggled up to her. The girl flashed her brown glitters at him "Morning Daddy" she muttered, smiling innocently. Gwen nudged the girl "Daddy's having nightmares again, you know what that means right?" she said quickly, to which the girl nodded.

"Kisses and hugs!" She called, and immediately launched herself towards him. With tiny hands she managed to hug about half his torso, but it knocked the breath out of him. The girl had not only spoken but called him dad, called Gwen mom, Gwen had kissed him-

He wrapped his arm around the girl, his hand trembling as he moved, she was warm and soft. Gwen smiled at him, and shifted out of the bed, but not before leaning over and planting a kiss on his cheek slowly and steadily she rose and turned at him. She stretched in her light blue nightgown, the cuts on her arm reduced to tiny scars, and as she brought back her arms to her front, she held them to her stomach. "You think it's showing yet?" she asked, squinting her eyes to catch herself in the reflection. "w-what's showing" he stuttered to which she chuckled and pulled a face.

"C'mon pumkin, lets get Daddy some breakfast, I think he needs it" she said, reaching for the girl who giggled in agreement. She lifted her and balanced the girl on her hip as he headed for the door, her hair swaying in a messy braid.
Nothing made sense, and everything was just plain wrong! Gwen wasn't that motherly, and she'd never... The girl couldn't speak! This place and this bed, it was all wrong, but he didn't care. He couldn't care. He could breathe and nothing hurt. There was colour and he could see it and there was love and he could feel it. It was enough to rip his chest in two. His hands found his face and his hair, it was longer now and clean. He drew in another breath, and just as he as about to smile a sharp screech sounded from downstairs. "Daddy!"

Like lightning, Daryl threw himself off the bed, finding his legs unstrained and light, and stormed down the stairs to find Gwen shielding the girl in the corner, a small knife clutched in her hand. "Daryl! One broke through!" She screamed, but as he turned, his hands raised to kill, he looked strait into familiar eyes.

" Little brother..." he muttered, slow and ghoulish, blood dripping with yellow hollow eyes. Then he laughed, in his usual jagged way and offered up his metal hand. "Playing house I see?" he mouthed, a sliver of flesh dropping from his jaw.

"Look man you gotta go" Daryl threw, holding up his hand for Merle to keep his distance. The little girl whimpered and Gwen threw some abuse their way, telling him to leave. Merle turned his head and pouted "No place for ol' Merle no more eh, you gots yourself a new family now, a better family" he started "You think you're the good guy now? She lure you in with her- sterling...personality and you think can have yourself a nice woman, some kids littering your yard? You think you belong here now? You can't even belong in a prison! Think you can protect the kid, that girl and that thing growing in her gut?! You gonna leave them to the biters, like you did your old pal, like you did your friends?" Daryl choked and froze at his brother's words. "You gonna leave them to turn? Hmmmmm?"

"New family after new family after new family...what did they ever do to deserve you?"

Daryl woke with a start and tears running from his eyes, it had been a while since he had seen his brother in his dreams. It had actually been a while since he had dreams at all. He drew in a breath, and eyed the candle lit room. The girl was still sleeping soundly, and Gwen had yet to move. He reached for his head but as they passed his eyes he could see them tremble. They were clam and cold, and he smelled of sweat.

Trembling and shaking he slipped out of the duvet. He hovered there for a second before swinging his crossbow over his shoulder. He fled into the darkened house, and out into the yard.