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FRIEND OR FOE

Chapter 10

Daryl looked up to see Caleb walking into the shed carrying some clothes in his arms. Alex followed in behind him.

"Good morning Daryl…..it is Daryl right?" Alex asked.

Daryl didn't answer and just stared up at Alex.

"Look Daryl…." Caleb said proudly of the clothes he was carrying.

"What's all this?" Daryl asked Caleb.

"It's some of my dad's clothes….Mom thought you'd like some clean clothes." Caleb told him. "Alex thought it was a good idea too."

Daryl didn't know what to say in response.

"Caleb hand this to our friend Daryl….." Alex said as he passed something to Caleb.

Caleb held his hand out towards Daryl and as Daryl reached up to take it he dropped a brass key in his hand.

Confused Daryl looked up at Alex. Alex stood a fair distance from him, resting his hand on the pistol holstered to his hip. He gave it a gentle tap.

"Go ahead Daryl…..unchain yourself…we'll let you use the shower and stretch your legs a bit….we are civilized here. Just keep in mind I'll have my eye on you the whole time." Alex told him as he patted at the pistol on his hip.

Daryl wondered what Alex had up his sleeve. He didn't understand his sudden interest in "making Daryl comfortable." He almost felt better chained up in the shed. Not because he wanted to be but because it made sense. Daryl couldn't understand if this ploy of Alex's was supposed to be for his own or Caleb's benefit. He especially didn't like the tone of voice Alex had in speaking to him but any chance he could get to see what else the camp was like, he'd take it. Daryl unlocked the shackles around his ankles and stood up.

"Now give the key back to Caleb…..you didn't think you'd keep it did you?" Alex said with a chuckle. Caleb obediently handed the key back to Alex and he slipped it in his pocket, grinning at Daryl the whole time.

Daryl just glared at Alex and waited for him to make a move. Alex slowly backed out of the shed never turning his back on Daryl and keeping his hand on his pistol the entire time. Daryl stepped out, squinting as the sun hit his face and walked towards the lodge as Caleb and Alex followed behind him. The same man was still standing guard by the fence.

Once inside the lodge Daryl was able to see the crude set up of tents and sheets that were being used to divide "rooms" for the people in camp. He saw Naomi sitting with her back to them at the bar. Her face buried in her hands. Not exactly the look of someone happy to improve the accommodations of the prisoner. Caleb quickly caught up beside Daryl and then led him to the bathroom where there was a shower stall. Caleb sat the clothes on a nearby chair within reach of the shower.

"Caleb go finish your studies so we don't make your mom mad." Alex told him.

After Caleb left, Daryl turned around to face Alex.

"What?…..ya gonna watch me shower too?" Daryl said.

"Well it wouldn't be safe to leave you here by yourself. You might rifle through things looking for something to use to your advantage." Alex informed him.

"Fine…be that way….whatever floats your boat man!" Daryl stripped down naked throwing his dirty clothes on the floor.

Daryl's body was full of scars, scrapes and bruises. Normally he didn't like people seeing all his scars but he knew Alex was trying to play some sort of mind game with him and Daryl wasn't going to stand down. He didn't want to give Alex an ounce to think he was intimidated in any way.

Daryl stepped into the shower stall and turned on the water. The warm water hitting him on the back made him jump but he relaxed as it steadily streamed down his back. He looked down at his feet and watched the white tiles of the floor quickly become brown and full of dirt with the water swirling down the drain. Daryl was grateful for the chance to get clean even if it came with a weak attempt of bullying from Alex. Daryl closed his eyes and tuned Alex out so he could have a few minutes to enjoy the shower when he heard a knock at the bathroom door. Daryl assumed it was Caleb. Alex stepped over to the door and opened it wide.

Naomi's eyes widened not expecting Alex to swing the door completely open. She had a towel in hand and just handed it towards him without saying anything. Alex stepped back and motioned for her to enter. Naomi gave Alex a dirty look but slowly stepped in.

"Go ahead…..you wanted our guest to be more comfortable….I'll let you do the honors…" Alex told her with a smirk on his face.

"Daryl I brought you a towel and figured I'd take your clothes to wash." She called out to him but stared Alex in the face.

Daryl's entire body tensed up. Any chance he had of feeling some relief from a shower quickly flew out the window. Daryl slowly leaned his head past the shower stall careful to hide himself behind the wall and was able to see Naomi standing there next to Alex, both of them engaged in a staring contest.

"Fine…just put the towel down and leave….." Daryl hollered back. He quickly ducked back behind the shower stall so Naomi wouldn't see him.

Naomi hurried over placing the towel on the chair with the clean clothing, picked up Daryl's dirty clothes from the floor and rushed out of the bathroom.

Alex laughed out loud after she left. Daryl didn't find any amusement in it. In fact he was quickly getting tired of Alex's games.

After Daryl was done in the shower, he dried off and got dressed. The clothes belonging to Caleb's father fit well and Daryl hadn't realized how much he missed fresh clean clothes until he put them on. He took his time walking back to the shed with Alex so he could take in as much information as he could. Daryl didn't notice anyone he hadn't seen before…..three men, four women and one kid…..Daryl felt good about the odds…..