CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Beth and I were laying in silence, her cot a few feet from my bed. I was half asleep and nearly dreaming, already.

"Kyra," she began, making me jump, "what was your old life like?"

"What'd you mean?" I asked, sitting up to find she was already sitting up, too.

"Like, did you have any siblings, did your parents get along, did you make good grades, did you have a boyfriend, were you popular, did you play any sports, etcetera."

"Oh..." I laughed slightly, "well, for starters I had a brother. He died when he was just a few months old. I was really little."

"Oh, I'm sorry!" she apologized.

"Don't be. I'm glad he didn't have to deal with the walkers and stuff. It's better that he was gone before it. But, my parents did get along. They were married until my mom died. She was bit by a walker when the plague first broke out. And my dad died a few years later due to the Governor. They were really happy. It crushed my dad when he lost her.

"No, I didn't make good grades. I tried, but it was good if I brought home a high b. I just never really liked school. So, I didn't get it.

"I've never had a boyfriend, no. I had a valentine once, but, to answer another question, I wasn't very popular. I kept to myself and boys didn't seem so important to me. And, I always had a thing for older gentlemen. Not like creepy granddad old. Just a few years older than me. And my dad didn't let me date older guys.

"The only sport I ever did was hunting and fishing. I could be alone with an excuse. It was quiet and peaceful and I could just sit there with my gun and wait. I was a pretty good shot with a scope. Still am. But, that's all I really can say. I was pretty boring. I read books, I drew, I listened to old music, my parents were good to me, I was never bullied and I had like two friends."

"Who were your friends?" she asked.

"Albany Creek was my closest friend. We met in sixth grade and she was in to most of the stuff I was. So, we bonded. I miss her a lot, but I try not to think about it."

"Do you think she's still alive?" she asked.

"I'm not sure. I wouldn't have thought I would be alive right now. It's a pretty big miracle. So, she may."

Beth nodded in the dark.

"But, that's my life. Nothing special. I would have never guessed I would be in a scandalous relationship with someone twice my age. Before I was even legal. And be pregnant. I guess the apocalypse has changed me." we both silently laughed, and I laid back down.

I didn't think my relationship was scandalous. Did she? It's possible. She's been there for me and been a great friend, but in the back of her mind, she could be judging me and think just like every one else. Was she part of the Daryl/Kyra/Michonne/Fetus family? Or was she putting on a fake face.

When I left, I wanted to ask Beth to come with us. But, I knew she couldn't leave her dad and Maggie. So, I wouldn't ask. I wouldn't even tell her I was going. The four of us, if Michonne would even leave with us, would just get up in the middle of the night and leave. Close the gate behind us and by then, maybe Daryl would have some place built up. Some place safe. And we'd stay there.

I would miss Beth. But, I have to. For Daryl and for the baby. She would never understand, and I can completely get that. She would have to go through what I've gone through to understand. I don't even understand Daryl's sad childhood. He won't let me know all of it, he just skims the edges. But, I know enough that I never want someone to hurt him again.

And they did. That's the part Beth doesn't get. That's the part that doesn't make sense to her. She thinks what Rick did was justice. That's why I'm pretty sure in the back of her mind she thinks I'm a whore. That Daryl and I don't love each other, and this baby will be a product of that.

Beth loved people. But, she didn't understand them. She was a good person. But, I didn't think she was part of the family. No, she wasn't a part of the family.

The next morning, when I woke up, Beth's cot was empty. I looked outside and the sun was just coming up. She must have went to pee or something.

I stretched, climbing out of bed. I was wearing gray pajama pants and a loose T-shirt. The shirt was probably meant for my later pregnant days, but I liked how it hung on me. So, I wore it anyway.

I made my bed, folded up Beth's cot, straightened the things on my desk, swept the room, and scrubbed some icky thing off the window, before I decided to go down to breakfast.

I was still pajama clad, and hadn't bothered to brush my hair. So, when I walked in it wasn't a surprise people gave me some looks. I didn't care. They were always giving me looks.

I took a biscuit and sat at an empty table. I slowly chewed my first bite, realizing how burnt and nasty it was. Were they always like this, or was it the hormones? I continued to eat it anyway, although it left a foamy taste in my mouth.

I looked around the room, still wondering where Beth had went off to, and found her sitting with a few people. I didn't want to interrupt her conversation, so I just got up and left, throwing the rest of my biscuit away as I walked out the door.

I didn't have anything to do today, and it was currently day 8. Without Daryl to run off with, the prison was extremely boring.

So, I decided to look for Michonne. I found her in the library reading a book. Her head snapped up when I came in, smiling when she realized it was me.

"Hey, Kyra. You're up early this morning. I was about to give you the stuff you asked for. I got a few different baby books," she held up the one she had been reading, "and a message from Daryl." she slid a piece of paper across the desk. I snatched it up, stuffing it in my pants line.

"Michonne, you're beautiful!" I reached across the table and hugged her, she hugged back, and I was pretty surprised. "So, is there any update on him?" I asked, sitting down across from her.

"He hasn't found a place to stay yet. He rode for two days straight the first night. So, he came back and slept at the department store where we got your clothes. He's made quite the fort out of ugly sweaters. But, he's heading out again tonight."

"I'm not sure if I like him on his motorcycle all night. If there was a herd, there'd be no way he could get out of there in time." I rested my cheek on my first, propped up.

"I know. I warned him, but he likes the motorcycle. He said after he finds a place he may get a truck or something so he can haul stuff better. I hope so. It'd be an upgrade."

"Agreed. Have you ate breakfast, yet?" I asked.

"No, but I hate those biscuits. But, I have lunch patrol. So, I'm going to head down there and get a biscuit soon."

We sat in silence for a few minutes and I reached for one of the baby books. A little yellow book with different names and their meanings.

I flipped through the pages and found a few cute names. Nothing that I would want to name my child though.

Eventually, Michonne got up to eat and I rushed back to my room, hauling the baby books with me. I sat them down on my desk and took out the letter.

'Kyra,
I still haven't found a place to stay. I'm staying in this department store until I can find something. But, it's too close to the prison. I'm leaving to find something else after Michonne leaves.

The only baby name I can come up with is Daryl Jr. (Yes I know you won't go with it. Sorry).

I could care less if it's a boy or a girl. I would love it either way. It's name could be Nail and I would love it.

How are you doing through your pregnancy? Hershel says medically you're fine, but are you getting sick, cranky, are you craving stuff? Get Michonne to buy you some pickles or something.

I don't know why I said pickles. Don't a lot of women crave pickles when they're pregnant? Or is it all different? Either way, pickles.

I've been living off of cold spaghetti O's and stale crackers. I actually used to eat this all the time, so I'm pretty content.

I can't wait to see you and the baby. Have you gotten any bigger? I can't wait to be able to put my hand on your stomach and feel the baby kick.

How are you and Beth? I hope you've put some distance between you two. I have a good reason. I'm not just trying to separate you guys. I swear. I just can't explain it right now. I need to say these things in person.

I miss you. This time is going way too slow. I love you, Kyra.

Day 8
-Daryl'

I wiped back a few tears and folded the letter up. I opened up one of my drawers and took out a blue book. I opened it, the pages cut out, and set note number two inside. I carefully placed it back in the drawer and closed it, sitting back and closing my eyes.

"God, I miss you." I whispered in the air.

I felt so lonely. I couldn't talk to Michonne out in the open and it was like I was hiding all over again. I couldn't even talk to Beth anymore. It was like I couldn't escape this lonely little girl hidden inside me. I hated it and I wanted Daryl back.

/

So, my ideas for upcoming chapters are probably going to piss some of my readers off. Specifically one in particular. But they won't come for a little bit. Review my lovelies!