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Chapter 13
Shane didn't know how long he sat there with the younger kid leaning on him but it was a long time. Daryl didn't have any more nightmares that night and the house was quiet. He slowly laid Daryl down on his own bed again and then got up stretching his legs and shaking out his foot, which had fallen asleep. He walked out and ran into Carol who was walking down the hall. "What are you doing up Carol?" he asked. Carol shrugged, "I knew you were up with Daryl so I figured you might want to give him one of the extra blankets." Shane nodded gratefully, "I'll give it to him tomorrow morning." Carol smiled and headed back to her room she shared with Sofia. Sofia. He hadn't seen her around anywhere. She hung out with Carl a lot. He wondered if she was scared of Daryl too. He shook his head. He wished that there was some way that he could show everyone that Daryl wasn't bad. He headed to his room and knew he only had a few hours of sleep for himself.
Waking up the next morning, Shane was immediately shivering. "Oh god this is not fun," he muttered. He got up to see Daryl coming out of his own room with a thin jacket pulled on over himself. "Morning Daryl," Shane yawned. Daryl jumped slightly but nodded, "Hey." Shane had to smile a bit, "Sleep ok?" Daryl sighed, "Yea I guess." Shane walked down the stairs with him but his mind was wandering. Had Daryl had more nightmares after he left? He decided not to ask. Daryl didn't take anything to eat but walked outside instead. Even after their talk Daryl was still being a pain. Shane picked up extra food on his way out and found Daryl sitting on the fence. "Hey, you missed breakfast," Shane said pointedly. Daryl shrugged, "I don't want anything. I'm not that hungry." Shane nodded, "Ok. Here have something." He gave Daryl a bit of squirrel and the kid ate it without complaint. "There that better?" Shane asked. Daryl sighed, "I guess." Shane shifted slightly, "It's cold out. You should come in." Daryl didn't move, "You can go in. I'm fine right now." Shane sighed, "You're closing yourself in again. Can't you just ever try to be nice? Maybe the reason everyone here hates you is cause you don't make an effort to be liked."
He regretted saying it as soon as he had said it. "Daryl, I'm sorry. I just don't know why I said that. It's wrong," Shane started but Daryl was talking. "So they do hate me then? You do to? I mean I guess it's true. I'm not a likeable person. So you're going to turn away from me?" Daryl's voice was shaking, "After I told you everything?" Shane shook his head, "I never said anything like that." Daryl spun on him, "You just said everyone hates me Shane. Everyone does. I know its true." Shane tried again, "I just want you to stop closing yourself from people. It doesn't help." Daryl snarled at him, "Yea well I wasn't closed off to you and look where that got me! I thought you were different from them. Was it just some act? Just to try and pull one over on me? Make everyone laugh when I try to trust you and you push me into the dirt?" Shane stayed silent as Daryl went on. "Were you telling everyone what I told you? I bet you all thought it was a real good laugh." Shane grabbed the kid's arm, "Why the hell would I ever think something like that was funny? I told you that I would never think badly of you and it's the truth. I haven't told anyone what you said. That's your life and I can't go telling people." Daryl yanked his arm away, "You said everyone hates me and I know you're right. I thought I would've heard that from Hershel or Lori, but not you. I thought that maybe you would actually care."
And with that Daryl turned away and walked back to the house. Shane stood there feeling like a complete idiot. He had let his worry for Daryl and anger at everyone else get the better of him and it had come out at the wrong person. He went back to the house slowly and when he got back in Glenn looked at him. Shane just shook his head. Glenn nodded slightly and then pointed upstairs. Shane nodded his thanks but didn't go right away. He knew Daryl would need his own time. He'd go back later tonight.