Disclaimer- I do not own any parts of the Walking dead.
This chapter starts is Day 8 from when my OC and Sophia went missing off the highway.
My previous chapter didn't get many comments, which is fine, I only hope that it didn't mean people didn't like it. If that is the case I hope this one makes up for it. This chapter has a lot of small hourly time jumps in it.
Danny's POV
Last night, after finding out they had kept Carl being shot from me, I made it very clear that I wanted to be left alone but Daryl didn't listen. He put his chair in the corner of the room and sat there unmoving and silent allowing me to be with my thoughts, and when I woke this morning I felt so much better, I was also glad that he hadn't left me alone. The guilt of Carl getting shot is still there, and probably always will be, because no matter what everyone else says he did technically get shot because I got lost. So it was my fault but I now know to keep it to myself, as no one else seems to agree with me or even wants to hear it. Except Shane, it's one of the very few things we actually agree on. He's kept his distance from me today but I don't miss the constant glares he keeps sending my way.
It took me ages but I finally managed to convince Daryl that I would feel so much better if I was out of this room. When he relented he told me I wasn't allowed to move from my chair under any circumstances, I have done my best to stick to that agreement; Not sure how much longer it'll last though, I'm getting restless.
I think Herschel was split on the idea of me no longer being on bed rest. The Doctor, or vet, part of him wanted me to stay but the other part of him wanted me out of his house, away from his family. I haven't spoken to him much other than when it's time to change the bandages but I get the distinct feeling that he isn't sold on any of us actually being here, but I don't blame him at all. I would have reservations about us to.
Daryl drops to the floor in front of me with a grunt, dropping the sticks he was holding. I squint at his appearance . "Didn't that shirt have sleeves this morning?"
"Yeah", he mumbles defensively.
"Seriously, you already have shirts with no sleeves". I mock gasp like I've had a thought. "You know what you could do when you get hot, change shirts like a normal person".
"Shut up", he's smirking though so at least I know he's in a good mood today, probably because he's back outside again.
He picks up one of his many sticks and starts running his knife along it.
"What you doing?" As soon as I've asked the question I realise it's a stupid question as it's actually pretty obvious.
"Makin' arrows".
"I can help". I try and reach down for my knife which is lying on the ground beside my chair but it hurts and I give up fairly quickly. "After you get that for me".
He chuckles and passes it to me along with a stick. "Don't waste my sticks". Meaning don't mess up, how hard can it be to make a stick pointy.
"Oh ye of little faith". I'm just glad I can actually help with something as I'm pretty useless at the moment watching everyone moving around doing things while I'm confined to this chair.
I don't know how long the two of us have been sitting here for, making arrows, but the sun is starting to get lower in the sky. Nearly all members of the group, plus a couple of Herschel's family, have gone out for shooting practice, I was surprised he allowed them to but they should be back anytime soon.
Not many people stayed, in fact I think Glenn and Dale are the only two people left here with us. Even Merle went but I only think he went because Carol and Sophia did, I believe he has a soft spot for them which is really sweet.
Carl's also gone which was the biggest surprise of them all. The first day he's back up on his feet and he somehow manages to convince his mum to let him go and shoot a gun. How he managed that is a mystery to me and he possibly needs to teach me his tricks.
My attentions drawn to Glenn as he walks past the two of us, something's up with him. Originally I thought his strange behaviour was just because Daryl is sat with me and he wanted to come over but I soon realised that that wasn't the case. He keeps meeting my gaze and then quickly looking away. He won't smile and he seems to be making sure he doesn't come within talking distance of me. He's deliberately walking a semi circle around me right now just to walk past us.
Now I've either accidentally done something or he has, or he's hiding something that he actually wants to talk about but can't. Yeah, that could be it, he's hiding something and with him being such a terrible liar he's struggling to act normal. It's clearly a secret too big to keep to himself and I feel bad for him because it's obviously something he wishes he didn't know.
I drop the arrow I've just made onto the ground by Daryl's crossed legs. My arrows look a little ratchet next to the ones he's made but as long as they go where he wants them to then I'm sure they'll be fine; And if they don't then I've wasted some perfectly good sticks.
The sound of engines coming closer alerts us both to the fact that the others are back. I wish I could have gone with them, not because I need to because I'm actually not a bad shot, but because I'm bored and I need to do something.
It doesn't take long for the loud conversations to start as everyone arrives back in camp. I focus straight on Merle who grins when he spots me.
I shoot a glance at Carol and Sophia as they walk off. "So did you have a nice time?" His eyes land on Carol's departing form and when he finally turns back to me I can see his lips twitch slightly as he tries not to smile. "Ooh, you did".
As he comes closer he reaches out and tugs on my ponytail. "Fuck off princess".
"You fuck off". Daryl quickly retorts back, "been heaven not havin' ya around".
Merle scoffs, "What, am I interuptin' time with ya girlfriend?"
Daryl makes a small noise in the back of his throat only just loud enough to hear and his cheeks have a slight red tinge to them. Well isn't that cute.
"Did you enjoy spending time with yours", I come to Daryl's defence. Merle just stares back at me. "Don't pretend I've not seen the sneaky looks you've both been giving each other. I saw you two looking cozy back at the CDC and definitely don't think that I haven't seen that that's your bag sat just inside the door of Carol's tent".
This time it's his cheeks that turn pink and he even looks around slightly to make sure no one else has heard me.
"Sometimes I wish we hadn't let ya follow us".
I scoff, "If I remember correctly it was you that followed me".
He just walks away, ears still tinged pink, embarrassed that his sneaking around with Carol isn't actually a secret. Obviously I'm happy for him but if he's gonna wind Daryl up then I'll do it back.
Daryl's gaze is firmly on what he's doing, I think he's refusing to look at me.
After helping me into my jogging bottoms and a hoodie Daryl then helped me into the bed in our tent. It was a lot harder than I thought because of how low I have to get, but I did it all without a single cry of pain because I knew that as soon as he heard it he would have said nope, and made me go back to the house. Disappointingly he didn't join me because it was still early, I only went because the pain started to become a bit too much and lying down flat could help with it.
I did get some sleep but when I woke I was still alone. It's dark now and I can no longer hear anyone outside. I laid here for a good while, fighting against the urge to get up and go find Daryl but I'm now losing that fight. With a huff and help from my bat I manage to sit up.
It takes way too long to actually stand up and about half way through I debate actually giving up, but somehow I push through. This is the first time I've used both crutches and gone anywhere without the help from another person and it's hard. After securing my bat to my back I struggle my way to the RV, where I can see Daryl perched atop the roof.
There's no doubt that he's heard me coming, the clicking of the crutches and my heavy breaths are a dead giveaway, but even so he doesn't even look at me as I stop below him.
"Does restin' not mean anythin' to you?" He questions.
I shrug and roll my eyes, "I don't understand the question".
He finally looks down at me, he's not happy I'm up. "Ya gonna be the death of me, ya know that right?"
"Well somethings gotta get you eventually. Why not me?"
He scoffs, "Yeah right. I'mma outlive the lot of ya. Especially if ya don't do what the fuck I say". He's joking, obviously, but I don't think he realises how true that actually is. I honestly believe him and Merle will outlive us all. They have a knack for surviving.
"I'm sick of bed rest, it's all I've done for the last four days". Well I think it's four. Lying in bed drifting in and out of sleep does mess with the days a bit. "I'm no longer tired". I eye up the ladder, I think I can get up there but I will need some major help from Daryl. All I've got to do is keep my injured leg straight and not let it touch the rungs. Easy... Maybe. "So you gonna help me up or not"?
"Are ya ever plannin' on doin' what ya told?"
"Not when I think your wrong". I grin up at him, very rarely has he been wrong but right now I need to stop being wrapped up in cotton wool. I need to get moving around, do things. In other words, walk it off. That's what my mum always said to me if I ever hurt myself. Granted this is a little worse than a strained ankle but if Carl can be up and about after being shot then I can give it a go to. "Look, I know my limits. If it gets bad or I start feeling worse I'll go straight back to bed. I promise".
He sighs. "Fine". He leans over the edge of the RV and holds out his hand. I prop my crutches against the RV and grip his hand tight and then with him basically lifting me I slowly climb up the ladder, one slow agonising step at a time.
Somehow we get me up onto the roof and down into the deck chair. He squats beside me, keeping his eyes attention on the fields in front of him.
"It's healing, you know that right?"
He sighs but doesn't stop scanning the darkness. "Not fast enough".
Yeah, he's right. It isn't healing at the pace it should be but at least it is healing. It's better than what everyone thought would happen because I get to keep my life and my leg, and all that I might be left with is a limp. I can live with a limp.
"I know but I am going to be okay, as long as no one needs me to do any running cause I don't think that'll be happening anytime soon". I was trying to make a joke but even I can hear the disappointment in those words. I love running.
"You'll get back into it, you'll just 'ave to start slow". Real slow.
I stay silent for a couple seconds trying to decide whether or not to say what I actually want to say, I don't want to make him uncomfortable.
...Screw it.
"I'm really sorry for everything I put you through by disappearing like that". According to the bits of information I managed to get from Glenn, it sounds like I put him through hell.
He still doesn't look at me. "Ya scared the shit outta me, I went fuckin' bat-shit. When I couldn't find ya I thought I'd lost ya". His hand grips onto the top of my right thigh, I place mine above his and grip it tight.
"You don't have to worry about me, you guys have taught me how to survive, how to fight. I will be okay". In fact if it wasn't for that stupid piece of ill placed metal I'd have managed to get us out of those woods, albeit a little frustrated that I'd gotten us slightly lost.
He lets out a deep and heavy sigh and starts rubbing his thumb against my leg. "Yeah I do, you're my girl; And I'll worry 'bout ya until the day I bite the dust". I don't bother hiding my smile cause he still isn't looking at me.
He doesn't understand how those three words make my heart swell in happiness. I know the two of us have only shared a handful of kisses and we've only slept together the once, although I would have rectified that if I hadn't injured myself, but I don't think our relationship is like that. I'm happy with the brief touches he gives me when he's near me, and the fact that he will always keep me company no matter how boring it is. I'm happy with knowing how much he trusts me to have his back and that he will always have mine. And I'm amazed at how you're my girl makes me feel.
I lightly grip the back of his neck and tug gently at the hair there. He finally turns his head to look up at me and that's when I attach my lips to his.
I open my eyes and smile when I realise Daryl is still asleep beside me, his arm across my stomach. After our little talk and his little confession I stayed for the rest of his watch shift and then when it was done he came back to bed with me.
The light snoring in my ear stops and then he's rolling onto his back and stretching his arms out above him.
"Mornin'". His voice is thick with sleep.
"Morning". I can smell something cooking as it wafts through our partially open door. "I'm hungry".
He sits up and quickly puts on a shirt. "Well lets get ya some food then".
He helps me from the tent and together we walk slowly towards the rest of the group, he doesn't touch me but I can see his hand hovering just in case something happens. The sight of everyone sat around camp makes me warm inside, it's so peaceful, no one looks worried. There's not even anyone sat on the RV which shows how at ease they are this morning. Carol is cooking what looks like eggs on a little fire pit. Andrea is sharpening a knife while everyone else is digging into their breakfasts.
I slowly lower myself into a camping chair beside Merle who mumbles around a mouthful of food. "Mornin' squirt".
"Hey".
I feel a little guilty as Daryl sits down on the still wet ground but there isn't much I can do about it. We can't swap as I'd never be able to get down there.
Carol hands me a plate and then starts evening out the eggs onto mine and Daryl's plate.
"Thank you".
She eyes me up and down and then smiles. "I don't think I've ever seen you wear trousers".
I chuckle. "I guess not although I'm gonna regret this outfit choice in an hour or so".
As she walks away I spot Glenn nervously walking around camp, he looks even worse than yesterday; And then he clears his throat. He has my attention instantly but the others barely acknowledge him.
"Um guys, so... The barn's full of Walkers". Well that certainly gets everyone's attention. For a second I'm not even sure I heard him right but when I look around at the others and see how utterly shocked and angry they are I realise I heard him correctly. There are Walkers in the barn.
Shane's the first to recover he jumps to his feet and starts stalking towards Glenn, who really looks like he's trying hard to hold his ground.
"Ya'll better be super clear on what you mean".
"Ther... There are Walkers in the barn. I saw them".
Shane doesn't need any more info to go stalking towards the barn, The Sheriff and the others hot on his heals. I can quickly tell, as Daryl helps me stand, that he wants to be following after the others but he doesn't. He's staying to make sure I'm okay.
"Go, I'll be okay". He opens his mouth, probably to say no but I cut him off. "Go".
"I'll help her". He sidesteps to look at Sophia who is stood behind him. "I'll walk with Danny". Daryl looks between us and then with a subtle nod of his head he runs after the group. One of us needs to know what's going on because I don't trust Merle to relay it correctly.
Sophia walks beside me as we start are long slow walk towards the barn. This is definitely one of those moments where I really wish I wasn't injured.
"Does this mean we have to leave? I don't want to leave."
I have no idea what this means. "I'm not sure".
"Well, I hope not. You and Carl aren't ready to leave and I like this place".
"I like it to". Not that I've managed to see much of it but the wide open spaces look amazing. Plus it's harder for us to be snuck up on out here.
"Herschel see's those things in there as people, sick people. His wife his stepson". We arrive just as Dale reveals that Glenn wasn't the only one who knew about this. I wonder if Glenn told him or if he found it out for himself.
"You knew", I can hear the slight betrayal the Sheriff is feeling in those two words.
"Yesterday, I talked to Herschel".
That seems to piss Shane off even more. "And you waited the night? "
"I thought we could survive one more night, we did". Dale retorts back defensively. "I was waiting 'till this morning to say something but Glenn wanted to be the one".
At least I finally know what had Glenn on edge. I don't agree with how long he kept this a secret for but I also get why he did. Now that Shane knows about it he's all riled up and that isn't good because no matter how much I hate the idea of sleeping next to this barn, Dale is right, we were safe.
"The man is crazy, Rick. If Herschel thinks those things are alive or" The Sheriff tries to calm Shane down but he isn't listening. "No..." Shane doesn't get to finish. The barn doors suddenly start rattling as the Walkers inside throw themselves against it, and then they start growling. I can't help myself I accidentally flinch, the suddenness of it causes a cry to slip through my lips as the movement causes me pain. Sophia's hands are gripping my arm tight, she's digging her finger nails into my skin but I don't shove her off because she's terrified. Truth be told, the loud groaning is putting me on edge. I haven't heard that sound since I left the highway nearly nine days ago, I've forgotten how bone chilling it is.
More than half the group reach for the guns they aren't even carrying, not that there's anything they could do if they did have them. This group is too reliant on its guns. Merle and I seem to get by without the use of a projectile, it's so much quieter. If they keep using guns then they are going to run out of bullets or accidentally draw passing walkers here. Guns shots do travel.
As the Walkers get louder the rest of the group start backing up. Carol appears to force Sophia into her side and then Daryl's next to me, I'm assuming he's ready to get me out of here but honestly if that barn door opened right now I wouldn't be going anywhere fast.
Merle seems to have the same thought because despite the situation he winks at me. "I ain't carryin' ya sweet cheeks."
"I have no problem knocking you down with this bat, I'll break your nose 'cause if they're gonna get me then they're getting you to". Harsh but he knows I'm joking.
"So ya ain't gonna sacrifice ya self for us?"
"No I am not, especially not for you, you jackarse". That's not hundred percent true. If we came across a situation that was so dire that it required a sacrifice, I think I could volunteer as long as it saved people. "We should probably back off from here 'cause the more they hear us the harder they'll bash into that door."
I was talking to Daryl but it's the Sheriff that answers me. "She's right. We need to stay away from this barn, allow them to calm down." He turns to face the rest of the group, "everyone back to camp", when he notices the slight hesitation from everyone he glares, "Now". You can tell that some people want to argue but in the end they do as they are told.
Merle stays with Daryl and I as we slowly follow after them.
He keeps his voice low. "What we doin' then. Do we stay with somein' like this on our doorstep or we leavin'?"
"We ain't leavin', Danny ain't fit enough to be on the road".
"We could make it work?" Merle offers but it's half-hearted.
I shake my head. "I'd be too much of a liability. I wouldn't be able to move quick in an emergency."
Merle jerks his head in what I can only assume is a Merle nod. "Okay then. Stay vigilant. I gotta take a shit". He then diverts off.
I take a seat glad to finally be able to sit back down. That's the longest walk I've done. "What do you think? I mean Dale's right. We are safe and now we know that Herschel just thinks they're sick and is not some Psycho, the news of Walkers in the barn doesn't sound so bad." I quickly correct myself before Daryl can disagree with me. "Obviously I don't want them there and I won't sleep easy with them there".
"The sooner the fuckers are gone the better, but I ain't compromising this place for it. Rick'll try and sort somein' out with the Doc. Hopefully 'fore Shane fucks it up".
"You seem to have gained some faith in our good ol' Sheriff". I don't mean anything by it but it is something I've noticed, especially back when I found out about Carl. Daryl wanted me to listen to the Sheriff which is something he wouldn't have wanted me doing before the farm.
"He ain't bad, he went back for Merle when he didn't 'ave to." He drops down into Merle's vacant camping chair. "He was the first to go after ya when ya went after Sophia and he didn't stop lookin' for ya both, even when Shane said he should quit".
I frown, "That..." I growl at a lack of a better word to call Shane. Of course he thought they should stop looking for us, probably jumped at the chance to say that.
"Yeah, well Rick didn't agree. He's done right by us and after everythin' he did to find ya, Merle's even forgiven him for leavin' him".
I had noticed that too although Merle didn't really seem to hold much of a grudge against the officer which really surprised me. I think seeing what happened back at the quarry seemed make Merle think the group had received their comeuppance.
"So you really think the Sheriff will sort this out?"
He did! The Sheriff had sorted it out and then along came Shane all wound up and ruined it. Now there's a possibility that we're going to have to leave this place but nobody knows for certain.
Whatever loyalty, or brotherhood there was between Shane and the Sheriff is no doubt gone. Shane is out of control and there doesn't seem to be anything that anyone can do, not even his brother.
To top this entire day off Herschel seems to have disappeared and our Sheriff has taken Glenn and gone after him which leads us to now. About an hour after the two went after Herschel Lori came marching over. She stands above us now waiting, having just asked for Daryl and or Merle to go after her husband and bring him back and that pisses me off.
I interrupt whatever Daryl was going to say. "No, are you serious? He's been gone, what an hour at most. I'm sorry 'cause this is gonna sound harsh 'specially considering what he did for me but if they're in trouble sending in two more people could just make it worse." She opens her mouth but I push on. "I just got back to my family and I can't have you sending them off on an errand they don't need to go on. Just wait for your husband to come back".
"Rick got you back to your family the least you could do was help him get back to his, don't be selfish".
I force my voice to remain level. "Your husband and Glenn know how to survive they will be okay".
Lori shakes her head and then stalks away leaving me staring after her and Merle chuckling under his breath.
When she's finally out of ear shot I scoff. "Selfish, really. So she's willing to risk two lives, who she doesn't care about, in exchange for her husbands. Talk about selfish".
"I could have gone?" Merle offers.
"No you couldn't".
Merle chuckles", alright then".
Daryl doesn't offer anything up instead he just puts his arm on the back of my chair and rubs slow soothing circles onto my shoulder blade with his thumb.