Last on Earth
Chapter 11
Layla laid on the bed next to Daryl. He turned to his left as best he could, stuffing a pillow behind him to not be flat on his back and she laid down facing him on her right. Layla curled up in her blanket and looked over at Daryl. Daryl was staring at her. When her eyes caught his he looked away.
"Can I ask you something?" Layla couldn't stand being that close to him and not at least trying to talk to him.
"Yeah….." Daryl responded.
"Where did you come from? I mean, before the accident, where had you been?" She asked.
"Here and there, just on the move a lot." he told her.
"What about others? Was anyone with you? What about loved ones and friends? I would think there is someone out there looking for you." She asked. Layla could see the change in his face as soon as she said it. It didn't take a genius to see that something bad had happened.
"I'm sorry, forget I asked…..it's none of my business." Layla said as she turned over to her other side with her back to him. Layla felt tears welling up in her eyes. She fought them back as hard as she could. She couldn't let herself cry here right in front of him.
"There was a group I was with…." Daryl paused as he started to tell her.
Layla turned back around to face him and listened intently.
"Me and my brother Merle were with this group. My brother disappeared, I still don't know where he is. A bunch of stuff happened though. I couldn't stay with them. I didn't deserve to." he told her.
"Why would you think that?" she asked him.
"Because it is what it is." Daryl replied sharply.
Layla wanted to understand more what he meant but was afraid to ask him. This was the most he had talked to her since she had found him. She didn't want to do anything to make made and quit talking all together.
"I left the city when everything changed. I almost didn't make it out here. My uncle had lived here for years. He was a simple man but it's funny now, seems like he was more prepared for disaster than anyone. My car broke down a ways out. I had to walk the rest of the way in. My uncle had an idea of what was happening from the radio but he didn't have a full understanding until I showed up. I felt so relieved when I finally made it here and saw him. " Layla told him
Daryl just stared at her in silence. Listening to every word.
"I really thought he was just showing me how everything worked around here, the generator, the wood stove and all the other stuff because he wanted to make sure I was able to help out and pull my own weight. He showed me how to use all his guns. But that wasn't why he did it, he did it because he knew he wouldn't be around to help me." she told him as she had to pause for a moment.
"What happened to him?" Daryl asked.
"I was outside getting some firewood when he came outside. He was carrying one of his handguns. He turned towards me and told me he loved me and that he was sorry. Before I could even say a word, he put the gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger." Layla felt a tear stream down her face. Daryl kept eye contact with her hardly even blinking.
"I was horrified! He was the only family I had. I left him there for an entire day. I just couldn't face it. Finally though I knew I had no choice. I dug a grave behind the house and buried him in it. I've been looking for others ever since but never found anyone. Until you that is….." Layla could feel the tears steadily rolling down her cheeks. She just let them fall.
Daryl didn't know what to say to her. Here was a woman that was longing to be with other people and he didn't want to be with anyone. Strange how fate had brought them together.