This chapter reveals a secret about Leann that she did not know. And something very cringey. But not as cringey as the next one! ;)

"We should go to my house." Mr. Man said. "Well, the house I was staying at. It's just down the street."

"Why?" My brother asked him giving him a weird look.

"It's safer. Fenced in. Help keeps the dead ones away."

Daryl looked down at me and I looked back up at him. He put his hand on my head. "All right."

I packed my stuff in my bag. I didn't really care where we went, as long as I had a roof over my head and my brother by my side.

The three of us walked down the road to the house Mr. Man was talking about. Daryl had his arm around me. We arrived at the house shortly after, we checked inside just to be safe. There were three bedrooms. I absentmindedly walked into the one in the middle. It had bunk beds and there was a giant stuffed animal dog in the corner. I think I want this room.

"It suits you." Mr. Man said from behind me. I spun around. "Good enough space for a girl your size." He walked more into the room and looked out the window. "Perhaps we can go look for some supplies later?"

"Um…I don't thank so." I turned away.

"Something wrong?"

I hesitated. "…just…why'd you lie?" He gave me a surprised look. "I heard ya last night. Ya told my brother ya had a daughter named Robin, but ya told me you was alone. Why'd ya do that?"

He looked nervous and like he was trying to think of something to say. "I just…don't worry about it." He snapped and walked out of the room. I stood there dumbfounded. I was so confused. Did I make him mad? Maybe he just didn't like talking about his daughter? I began to feel guilty. I hope he's not mad at me.

"Mr. Man!" I called as I walked down the stairs to the basement. "Mr. Man?" He emerged from somewhere with a startled look on his face. "Sorry." I said. "I didn't mean to scare ya." I walked the rest of the way down and looked around, the basement was kind of creepy. I shivered. "So, uh…I'm sorry about this mornin'. I didn't mean to be pushy and upset ya. You don't have to talk about yer family if ya don't wanna."

"Hey, it's okay, sweetheart." He lifted me and sat me on a table. I thought it was kind of strange, he doesn't know me that well and I don't really like being lifted by anyone other than Daryl. "I just didn't want to upset you. I had a pretty sad life. Not something I want to dirty your mind with." He tucked a stray hair behind my ear. "You remind me of her." He looked down sadly and backed away.

"It's okay." I smiled. "I understand." He smiled back at me.

"Okay, so here's how you play." Mr. Man told me after dealing out the cards. "The numbers go in order and you wanna try to stay with it. If you don't have the next number you can lie, but the other person can call it if they think you're lying. Then, you have to pick up the whole deck." He finished. "But, see, it's better if you have more people."

"Wanna play with us, Daryl?" I asked my brother who was looking out the window not really paying attention to anything.

"Nah, I'm good, baby." He replied without looking at me. Disappointed, I turned my attention back to the game.

We played a few rounds, it was really fun! "I really like this game!" I giggled.

"I told ya it was fun." Mr. Man smiled. "But, you know, I said it's better with more people."

"Yeah, I wish my brother would play."

"Would you like to play again?"

"Yes! I mean…yes, please."

"All right." He shuffled the decks and dealt out the cards. We played another round, I called bullshit on him and was right so he had to pick up the whole deck. I laughed loudly. I absentmindedly looked over and saw my brother staring at me. I thought it was a little odd, but just shrugged it off and went back to the game.

"You won again." Mr. Man said.

"It's a good game."

"Hey, Le." Daryl said walking over. "Ya wanna play some poker with me?"

"No, thanks." I declined him. "I'm playin' Bullshit with Mr. Man."

"Oh." My brother said. "Okay."

"You should play with us." I said.

"No, I'm just gonna, uh…take a walk." Daryl said quickly and walked towards the door.

"In the middle of the night?" Mr. Man asked him.

"It's okay." I waved him off. "He does it all the time. He'll be fine."

"Okay." Mr. Man said and let out a small laugh.

"I don't go out all the time." Daryl said to me.

"Ya do it enough." I said while shuffling the cards. My brother gave me a weird look and turned back to the door. He's acting strange. I wonder if something is wrong?

"I won't be long." He finally said opening the door. "And when I get back, ya better be in bed, Le." He pointed at me.

"I ain't a baby." I snapped. Daryl looked like he was about to say something but Mr. Man spoke first.

"Ya gotta listen to your big brother, Leann. He's knows what's best for you and," he checked his watch, "it is pretty late. You'll need you're rest for the next day." He smiled at me. I thought about what he said and put my head down.

"Yeah, yer right."

"Good girl." Mr. Man said. I heard my brother snort then walk out the door. There's definitely something bothering him.

Mr. Man and I played a few more card games then I went up to bed. "Ain't ya comin', too?" I asked him stopping on my way up the stairs.

"No, I'm gonna wait for your brother to get home."

"Oh, then I'll wait with ya." I started walking back down the stairs.

"No, honey. You go on to bed. I'll be all right." He smiled. "Besides, Daryl wants you in bed when he gets back."

I stood there thinking for a minute then sighed. "Okay." I climbed up the stairs and into my room. I took my boots off then my pants and got into bed. I slept on the bottom bunk. I never liked the top bunk, I don't know why. I pulled the covers up and got comfortable then soon fell asleep.

I awoke soon after, to voices downstairs. I sat up rubbing the sleep from my eyes and climbed out of bed. I could hear my brother and Mr. Man talking. I wonder what they are talking about?

I quietly walked over and sat on the steps listening to their conversation. "I wanted to thank you." My brother said. "She was laughin' and havin' fun. That's somethin' I don't see from 'er very often no more." I looked down, that made me feel bad for Daryl.

"It's really no trouble."

There was a brief silence. "How'd ya do that earlier? Ya told 'er to go to bed and there was no argument. She just listened."

"I'm just good with kids." Mr. Man said. "I had a lot of practice. They always liked me and I always liked them." I realized I could smell cigarettes and figured my brother was smoking. Maybe Mr. Man, too.

"Yeah, but…Le is…special." Daryl said.

"All kids are special, Daryl."

"No, but I mean…she's dyslexic." I crossed my arms angrily. I hate when he tells people about my learning disability. Why do they have to know?

"Well, kids like that just need a little extra love. That's it." Mr. Man said. "And it's better not to yell. You have to be calm." He paused. "And…I'm not telling you how to raise your sister, I would never do that. I don't have the right. But…I don't think spanking is very good for children…like Le." My face flushed. Are they really talking about this?

"Its…it's just how I—we was brought up." Daryl said. "We're from Northern Georgia. Everyone whooped their kids, even the older ones."

"Well…put it this way," Mr. Man started, "when you were the one getting whooped, did you like it?" My brother was silent. I didn't know what to think right then.

"I could tell." Mr. Man said.

"What?" Daryl asked him.

"That Le is special. And I don't mean that in a bad way, it's just…she has an innocence about her even at fifteen years old."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. And I hope you don't get offended for her, but I've been around a lot of children, ones with learning disabilities, too, and Le shows some signs of A.D.H.D."

My eyes widened. I remember Merle saying that.

"Oh yeah." Daryl said slowly. "Our oldest brother, Merle, thought that, too."

I put my head down sadly. Why am I like this?

"But…the thing is," my brother started, "somethin' happened to Le when she was little," my head shot up, "and she doesn't know about this so, I'd like to keep it that way." He said roughly.

Now I was really interested. I was all ears.

"Okay." Mr. Man said.

Daryl cleared his throat. "When Le was two or three, her mom…had some coke, her mom and our dad used and drank, and she left some out…Le got into it…she had to go the hospital."

I gasped and my eyes were bugging out. WHAT?! Why wasn't I ever told this?

"Oh my." Mr. Man said. "That's terrible. I'm guessing it affected her brain growth?"

"Yeah. That's why she…acts a little younger than you'd thank and has some trouble understandin' thangs."

There was a brief silence. I was feeling very sad and betrayed. So, that's why I'm so stupid.

"Well," Mr. Man started, "you were blessed to have her in your life. Always remember that. And you are very good with her. I've never seen siblings as close as the both of you."

"Yeah." Daryl said. Another silence. "Thank Imma go to bed. "I'm gonna check on Le." I silently gasped and quickly but quietly ran to my room and got back in bed.

I heard my brother climbing the stairs and pretended to be asleep. I was facing the wall so I couldn't see, but his footsteps stopped just outside the door. I was expecting him to come in but he didn't. I was disappointed, I kind of wanted to hug him. I felt bad after hearing what was said during their conversation. I heard the footsteps finally walk away.

I rolled over and just laid there. I had all these thoughts running through my head. I should be more obedient to my brother. I know I said it before, but I didn't exactly go along with it. I should really try, though. He has enough worries as it is. And Mr. Man is right, he knows what's best for me. I still want to ask him about my "incident" though. I have to wait for the right time.

I sighed and switched positions again. It took me a while to get comfortable but when I finally did, I fell asleep.

"Le. Le, wake up." Someone was shaking me. I opened my eyes, it was Mr. Man. "Hey." He smiled. "I thought we could do something nice for big brother and make him some breakfast. I've got pancake mix."

"Okay." I smiled at him. "Just gimme a minute to get ready."

"All right." He smiled and tapped my nose. "I'll see you down there."

After he left, I jumped out of bed and quickly got dressed. I pulled my hair back in the center so it wouldn't be in the way then headed downstairs.

Mr. Man and I made pancakes together. While I was mixing up the the batter, I mixed it too hard and got a little of it on him. I covered my mouth. "I'm so sorry." I apologized to him. "I didn't mean to."

"It's okay, Leann." All of a sudden he dipped his finger in the batter and smeared it on my face. We laughed together.

We sat the remainder of the pancakes on the table. "You want to go wake up your brother now?" He asked.

"Okay." I took a few steps and saw Daryl already on his way in here. "Oh, we don't have to. Here he comes." I smiled. "We made pancakes!" I said to him once he got closer.

"I see that." My brother said. "Why didn't ya wake me up?"

"Well, I was goin' to but…I thought I'd wait till breakfast was ready." I smiled up at him.

"All right. Well, next time wake me up." Daryl said. He was looking at me funny. "What's on yer face?"

I touched my cheek. "Oh, that's pancake batter." My brother snorted and wiped my face with a napkin. I giggled.

"Well, let's eat." Mr. Man smiled.

"Yeah!" I sat down right where I was standing. My brother and Mr. Man sat across from each other.

We ate and made small talk. Daryl kept giving me and Mr. Man weird looks. Why does he keep acting like that with us? It's almost as if he doesn't want us together.

"After yer done eatin', wanna go huntin' with me, Sissy?"

"No, that's okay." I said with a mouthful of food. "Mr. Man and I are gonna go look fer supplies, right Mr. Man?"

He smiled. "Only if it's all right with your brother."

"Oh." Daryl said. "Okay."

"I like your hair like that, Leann." Mr. Man said randomly while we were eating. "You can see your pretty face better. I didn't even know you had blue eyes." He teased.

I smiled. "Oh, shut up, Mr. Stupid Man." I giggled. He laughed with me.

"Leann! That wasn't nice!" Daryl scolded me. "Apologize."

"…I was just kiddin'."

"Don't care." He said immediately. "Apologize. Now!"

I looked down. "Sorry, Mr. Man." I said quietly.

"Look at him." My brother said and grabbed my face forcing me to look up. My face flushed.

"I'm sorry."

"It's all right, Leann." Mr. Man said. "I wasn't mad."

"Good." My brother said and let go of my face. "Now, go to yer room." I gave him a disbelieving look.

"But Daryl—

"Go!" He snapped. I just sat there and stared at him, he gave me a stern look so I decided not to push him. I sadly walked upstairs.

As soon as I got to my room, I slammed the door and the tears started pouring. I sat on the bed and cried. Why was Daryl acting like this? He pretty much just humiliated me in front of another person and what was the big deal? I was joking! Mr. Man laughed when I said it and he even told me it was okay and he wasn't mad. So, why did my brother flip out like that and treat me like a child? Was he mad at me for some reason?

I was so angry as I sat there trying to figure out what just happened. I was so mad I could spit! I could…I could break this window. The thought crossed my mind. Nah, that would just make him more mad at me.

I just sat back down and wiped my tears away. I don't know what Daryl's problem is but I know it ain't me. I didn't do nothin'!

A while later, I heard footsteps then my door opened, it was Daryl. "Hey." He said. I ignored him and turned over facing the wall. I didn't want to talk to him right now. He walked over to me and sat on the bed. "I'm sorry I yelled like that." He rubbed my back. I didn't answer him right away.

"Why'd ya flip out like that?" I snapped. "Ya knew I was only jokin' and so did he!"

"I just—

"You embarrassed me! Again!"

My brother sighed. "I know and I'm sorry. Please don't be mad at me." He continued rubbing my back until I finally rolled over to face him.

"I wanna know why?"

He seemed to hesitate. "…I just been…on edge is all. I just lost my temper." He sighed. "I don't really know why, baby. But I am sorry."

I thought about what he just said. "Well, maybe next time you should chill out." I snapped. He glared at me then I giggled. I heard him make a noise through his nose then he looked straight ahead.

"Hey, kid? What's goin' on between you and that guy?"

"What do ya mean?" I gave him a questioning look.

"…yer always like together and he's…makin' ya laugh and stuff."

"He's my friend." I shrugged.

"Well, it's…kinda weird." He looked at me.

"Why?"

"Cuz he don't know ya real well." My brother narrowed his eyes.

"He likes kids." I smiled. "'Sides, he said I remind 'im of his daughter."

"Well, you ain't his daughter, yer my baby sister." Daryl snapped. I gave him a weird look then his expression softened. So, that's what's bothering him.

"Daryl…are you jealous of Mr. Man?" I gave him a smile and teased.

"No, I ain't." He said roughly. I just kept looking at him the same way. "Well…yeah, maybe a little." He looked down.

"Why would ya be jealous?"

"Cuz yer hangin' round him more than me. Yer mine." I got up and hugged him from behind.

"Ya got no reason to be jealous 'a him or anyone else fer that matter." I smiled. "You'll always be my favorite person in the whole wide world."

"I am, huh?"

"Uh huh." I nodded.

"Come sit on my lap then."

"I'm too old fer that stuff." I scrunched my nose.

"Oh okay." Daryl sighed. Then he reached around and grabbed me and pulled me onto his lap. I scowled at him, he laughed. "Sorry, I just cain't resist ya." He cradled me.

"Are ya still goin' huntin'?"

He hesitated. "…I don't know. I feel weird 'bout leavin' ya alone with him."

"Ya did last night." I pointed out.

"Yeah, but it weren't fer very long."

"We'll be fine." I said. "What could possibly go wrong?"

"I could thank of a lot 'a thangs." He glared at me. I gave him a look then he just stared at me for a long time. "Yeah, yer right." He finally said. I smiled. "But…ya gotta gimme a kiss first."

"Ew." I cringed.

"What do ya mean 'ew?'" He sounded like he was going to laugh.

"Yer ma brother." I said. "I didn't even like kissin' daddy." I grimaced.

"But I thought I was yer favorite person in the whole wide world?"

"Ya are. But…" I got up and went to the window and smirked at him.

"But…what?" He asked. "Don't make me come getcha."

"I'll go out the winda." I said with my hand on the windowsill.

"You ain't goin' nowhere." He came over to me and grabbed me. "You gimme a kiss." He said. "You gimme a kiss." I giggled and tried to get away. Eventually, he grabbed my face causing my lips to pucker and gave me a kiss then finally let go of me.

"Ew." I wiped my mouth. "Gross."

"Yeah, I fergot. I'm gross, too." He raised his eyebrows.

"Only sometimes." I said. He laughed.

"All right." Daryl said. "I'm leavin'. You be good." He pointed at me.

"Pretty sure I always am."

He let out a small laugh. "That's a good one, Le."

"I am! When am I bad?" I stood there waiting for an answer. He just looked at me.

"Yeah, yer a good girl." He nodded. "Let's keep it that way." He turned and walked out the door. I heard him leave.

I stayed in my room for a while before going back downstairs then decided to go see what Mr. Man was doing. I quietly walked down the stairs and through the living room. I could hear him breathing heavily but didn't see him. I hope he's okay.

I looked around the corner, he was sitting at the dining table. He was like panting. "Mr. Man?"

He jumped, I must have startled him. "Oh, Le! Stay there!" He stood up quickly and buckled his belt. He knocked his bag over in the process and some pictures fell out.

"Oh, are these some of yer work? Can I see 'em?" I reached for them.
"No!" He snatched them up quickly. "These aren't for you."

I blinked in confusion. "Oh. I'll help ya pick 'em up at least." I reached for them again.

"No!" He hurriedly bent down and picked up the remaining pictures. "I said these aren't for you! Now, get away!" He yelled at me. I was confused and felt like I did something wrong. I was about to cry.

"Sorry." I said giving him a sad look. "I didn't know." I sadly walked into the living room and sat down on the couch. I sniffled.

"Hey. Hey, I'm sorry." Mr. Man came over and sat down next to me. "I'm sorry, Leann. I didn't mean to make you sad." He rubbed my arm. "I just…I'm very private about my portraits. They're—they're for my eyes only, okay?" He smiled.

I sniffled and nodded at him. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay." He smiled. "Come here. Sit on my lap."

I blinked. "No, that's okay."

"No, no. Come here. I made you sad now I have to make you feel better." He held his arms out. It almost felt weird to say no. I mean…I tried to look at his pictures and he didn't want me to. I guess I did something wrong and kind of owe him. I got up and sit on his lap. "That's my girl." He enveloped me and rested his head on top of mine. He hummed softly. I just awkwardly sat there. We stayed like that for a while.

When I assumed that was enough, I said, "Are we still goin' scavengin'?"

"No." He slowly shook his head. "We're just going to hangout here for today, okay sweetie?"

"Okay." I said quietly.

"Yeah." He looked at me and smiled. "You look tired. Why don't you get some rest?"

"I'm fine."

He smiled. "Just rest, okay?"

"No." I went to get up but he tightened his hold on me. I looked at him. "What are ya doin'? Let go 'a me!" I pushed him and got up then just stared him. He looked upset.

"I'm—I'm sorry, Leann. You just…you remind me of my daughter so much, it's insane. I didn't mean to…I just…" He trailed off and put his head in his hands. I felt really bad then. Losing a child must be awful. I should just be nice to him even if it makes me feel awkward. It will make him feel better.

"No. I'm sorry, Mr. Man." I swallowed hard. "I was just weirded out cuz somethin' about you reminds me of my dad and…he wasn't the nicest person." He looked up at me then. I smiled. "It's okay, though." I went over to him and sat back on his lap. He smiled at me.

"Oh, you. You're such a sweetheart." He tapped my nose. I just let him hold me and leaned my head against his chest. It wasn't as weird this time.

"So, what were you and your brother doing earlier before he left?" Mr. Man asked after some time. "I heard you laughing." I had to think about what he said.

"Oh, yeah." I said. "He wanted me to give him a kiss before he left and I didn't want to." I let out a small laugh.

"Aw, that's sweet." He smiled. "Why not?"

"I don't know." I shrugged. "Just cuz he's my brother, I guess."

"Aw, well…" He lifted me a little so I was sitting up and not leaning on him. "Could you give me a little kiss?"

"Sure." I smiled. I kissed him on the cheek.

"Aw, you're such a sweetheart." He pinched my cheek. "How about another? On the lips this time?" I didn't even think about it, I just did it. "You're a cutie." He said. I smiled.

"I thank I hear my brother comin'." I said.

"Oh." He quickly lifted me off his lap. "Um, Le?" I looked at him. "I don't think you should tell your brother about any of this?"

"Any of what?"

"You know, you sitting on my lap and stuff."

"Oh." I blinked in confusion. "Why?"

Mr. Man hesitated. "…well…he might get jealous." I gave him a weird look. "I overheard your conversation earlier. I wasn't eavesdropping, I just…"

I smiled. "That's okay, Mr. Man. I won't tell 'im."

He nodded. "Thanks." He smiled at me.

"Hi, Daryl." I greeted my brother when he walked in.

"Hey, baby."

"Did ya get anythang?" I asked him excitedly.

"Just some squirrel."

"Squirrel is better than nothing." Mr. Man said and let out a small laugh.

"So, what'd y'all do while I was gone?" Daryl asked me.

"Oh, nothin'." I said. "Just played some cards."

"Played cards?" My brother questioned. "Is that it?"

"Yeah." I shrugged. I looked at Mr. Man, he smiled at me. For some reason, I got a weird feeling right then.

Please review and tell me what you thought of this cringe worthy chapter!