10.

She kept saying she had no idea, who that man was or what were his motives. She swore it on her life and even when Rick came down hard on her, she didn't budge.

But Daryl knew she was lying. He felt her wince under his grip after Sasha said the man was looking for a blind woman. And not just wince. If he didn't hold her arm as strong as he did, she'd collapsed. She recovered soon enough, so others didn't notice her weak moment, but he knew.

After they all left, he watched her through the barred wall of the detention room as she retreated in the corner like a wounded animal and wrapped her arms around her legs. He stayed. She was his responsibility after all.

He was more than fine with the silence between them. Speaking to her was the last thing he wanted to do. With all that went on down in the corridor he wasn't sure how to feel about her. Besides, there was an annoying feeling of shame that pestered him, shame from allowing Rick to hurt her that much.

As the evening drew in Carol brought him dinner. He forgot all about food, but once it was placed before him, he dug in as if he hasn't eaten for days.

"There's no need for you to keep guard. Why don't you go and take a proper rest?" Carol suggested caringly.

"I'm fine here," he replied between gulps.

"If you want me to replace you, or to keep you company, just say so."

He felt her touch on his shoulder. She was always so kind to him and he didn't know how to accept or return that kindness. He averted his eyes and shook his head.

"Ok, suit yourself."

As soon as she left he stopped eating, grabbed a bottle of water and carried it all inside the cell.

They had a rule not to waste food on strangers until a decision is made whether to expel them, kill them or keep them. This rule applied especially to the ones they deemed dangerous, which Niko definitely was. Nevertheless he felt obliged to share his dinner with her. He figured, she must be at least as hungry as he was, after all, she did kill quite a number of walkers. Perhaps even more than him. And even though half a portion hardly quenched his hunger, he considered it a fair deal.

Niko didn't react when he neared her. Her head was tilted forward, and her hair obscured her face. It was dark and he wasn't sure whether she was sleeping already. He placed down the water and the small pot with food, trying to make as little noise as possible, and retreated. He chose a place outside the room that allowed him a good view on her silhouette in the corner, sat down and leaned with one shoulder on the bars.

Time passed without any movements or sounds coming from inside the room. His eyes were slowly closing.

Voices from outside awaken him. He wiped the sleep out of his eyes and immediately checked on Niko. She was in the same corner, curled up against the wall.

He unlocked the door and went inside. The food he left for her was untouched and so was the bottle of water. This cannot be good, he thought, left the bottle and took the pot with him.

By the time he finished eating the remaining food, the voices outside faded. He locked the doors of the detention room and glanced one more time at Niko. Seeing there was no change, he left the block.

"Wait, I'll give you something for breakfast," said Carol when he brought the pot back to her.

"Thanks. I'll take it with me."

"How's the prisoner?"

"She's ok."

"I could spare two cans," she said in a quieter voice after passing him one.

"No need."

"Morning Daryl!" Beth greeted him with a big smile. "I was just about to go to the storage room for some supplies. Would you come with me? You know…just in case…"

"It's been all cleared there, you can go on your own."

"Can't you keep me company? It's not like you have to be somewhere else."

"Where's everyone?"

"Well, Rick's outside with Hershel and Maggie. They are checking if they can plant something on the land around the prison….I think the rest are at their usual guarding posts…"

"Frank?" he asked carefully.

"He's still up in his cell….he says he needs rest. He's nothing but a lazy bum, when your brother's not around," remarked Carol.

She was right about that, but at least he didn't have to worry about him sneaking into the detention room.

"I'll go and do a round, make sure everything's ok." He took the food Carol prepared for him and left.

Passing the block of the detention room, he noticed the outside door was open. He quickened his steps. It was closed when he left earlier.

He found Sasha inside, leaning with her hands on the barred wall and staring blankly at the corner where Niko lay.

"So what have you found out?" she asked.

"Nothing. Her last words were swearing to Rick, she knows nothing about that man."

Sasha turned to him. "You believe her?"

He placed down the can, mainly to avoid her stare. "Don't know. Surely it'd be one hell of coincidence if it wasn't about her."

"The man looked dangerous and determined. I'd be afraid if I was her."

She was afraid. So afraid, she'd rather take a beating than say anything. He scoffed. "Everybody looks dangerous these days."

Sasha directed her eyes at Niko again. "I wonder if it's a good idea keeping her here…"

He didn't reply to that. If it was anyone else he'd have an answer. But the way he felt about Niko, was too confusing for him.

After Sasha left, he went inside, stopped at a short distance from Niko and placed down the can Carol gave to him.

He stood very close, staring at her from above. Three days passed and she didn't touch any of the food or water he brought to her, she didn't move from her place and she didn't say a word. Once or twice he listened very attentively to make sure she was still breathing.

As usual, she was lying on her hip, facing the wall. Her sleek hair has become messy and sticky, its strands glued over her face with dried blood. Her shoulders were moving up and down in rhythm with her rapid, shallow breathing.

He squatted by her side, placed his hand on her shoulder and shook her. There was no reaction, so he turned her towards him. Her limp body unfolded easily and he noticed vomit beside her head. He removed some hair from her face. She was a mess to look at, her scar now barely noticeable amongst all the other wounds. He shook her again, this time strongly. She emitted a sigh and tried to curl up again, turning away from him. He prevented her from doing so and poured some water from the bottle over her face. She tried to fight him away, but she was so weak, he held her down easily by the shoulder. He stuck the bottle in her mouth and forced her to drink. After a few sips, she half raised herself on one elbow and, her eyes shut, attempted to punch at him. All her punches were in empty air.

"Go away…" Her voice was barely audible.

"Drink…" He pushed the bottle at her mouth again.

She refused, turning her face away. "What's the point? You people decide already, or you let me go or you kill me…I have nothing more to say to any of you…and I'm sick of being a prisoner too."

She sounded exhausted. He released her and she crawled closer to the wall, into the shadow.

He sat near her and took a sip from the bottle. "We decided to let you stay."

"By we you mean Rick?" she asked with a shaky voice.

"No I mean we, the group."

"The group, huh. You took a vote or something?"

"Something like that."

She chuckled. "I bet I didn't get Rick's vote."

"Actually, Rick spoke in your favor." So did he. Michonne and surprisingly Carol wanted her dead, Hershel and Maggie said they didn't know enough about her to make a decision and Glenn decided to trust Rick and support his vote. Others were not in the voting circle. The only reason he could think of why Rick decided in her favor, was that he found her useful somehow.

Tapping with her hand at the wall, she pulled herself into a sitting position. "You don't say. Must be the feeling of guilt…after all that beating he gave me."

"Rick isn't his usual self. Some real bad stuff happened to him lately."

"No shit…cause' the rest of us have it all peachy…" She took the bottle from him and drank with long gulps. "Besides, they say dire circumstances bring out the real you. "

"C'mon, get up!"

"Why?" She frowned.

"I'm taking you to meet the rest of the group."

"So…you're taking me out? Out of this room?" Her voice sounded unsure and suspicious.

"It's what I said."

"My glasses…there're over there. Could you pass them to me?"

As soon as she had them on, she scrambled to her feet, swung dangerously forward and, in attempt to counter that, fell fully backwards. He reacted promptly and caught her before she smashed her head against the wall. He seated her on the chair, opened the can he left for her the previous night and gave it to her. "Eat. You're too weak."

She accepted it and began to eat, swallowing the content of the can slowly.

"So if you let me stay," she spoke with her mouth full; "what will I do?"

"Don't know yet."

"Well, you know I'm not all that helpless. I can kill..."

"…zeds...umm, I mean walkers," she added after chewing on the food. "I think I've proven that. When will I get my sword back?"

"Don't get ahead of yourself. It'll take time before anyone trusts you."

Seeing she scraped every bit of food out of the can, he took one he received for himself and gave it to her. This time she ate much faster and finished the whole can in a couple of minutes. Tapping herself on the stomach she made a grimace. "I think I ate too fast."

"C'mon. We don't have all day."

She stood up, much slower this time and supporting herself on the back of the chair. As she regained her balance, she flashed him a smile and made an okay sign with her fingers.

"One more thing," he said.

"Yes?"

"I know you're lying about that man. You must have your reasons and I don't mind as long as it doesn't endanger my friends. But if anything happens to them, because of what you're holding back, it'll be your life for theirs. And I won't think twice about it."

If his words had any effect on her he couldn't tell. With her eyes hidden beneath the glasses and her calm composure he had a hard time reading her. All he noticed was a tiny provocative smile on her lips.

"I certainly hope I'll make a better impression on others than I did on you."

"I doubt that very much." He smirked. "But if I was you, I'd keep my mouth shut most of the time."

"Do you think I could wash up? I don't feel very presentable…"

"Later. Let's go already."

As they were about to exit the detention room, she placed her hand softly on his upper arm, which made him turn rather abruptly.

"It's just so I don't bump into something on the way," she clarified.

He continued, leading her along, feeling oddly self-conscious.

Thanks for reading. Leave your reviews and comments!