16
In the darkness I dreamed of an ocean. A black ocean that was carrying me away. I was floating and my heart was slow and light, I wasn't numb, I wasn't hurt. I could felt the coldness of the waters. I could hear the roar of the waves. The dark blue water was leading to somewhere unknown, it was leading me to something infinite. A peaceful atmosphere was surrounding me and I could not find a better place on earth. Even the ice cold drops covering me were comfortable. Suddenly a hot thing was pressed in my chest almost near my left upper side. The flame burned in my skin too and I felt it. Now I was numb, now I was hurt. The pain and sting burned inside my skin like a hand pressed against hot coal. And I felt something tearing at my flesh and then a piercing thing cutting in and out, first on my chest and then on my back. Exhausted and stressed I reached out in an attempt to swim my way out of the water. But the dark ocean moved and I was drowning, being carried into the vast infinity of the sea.
All around me was blurred, blank walls and furniture I couldn't tell where they belong to. A full bag, a chair, a grey floor and metal bars. There was a black leather jacket over the chair and I recognized that jacket, it was mine. I parted my lips feeling them dry and when I gulped a soreness traveled through my throat. My first thought was that I needed to lift myself up. Groggy as I felt my mind and whole body, I could tell that I was over a soft surface. I tried to move finding myself covered with a large fabric from my chest to my feet, and I was dressed because I sensed it. My body ached with every sudden movement that I wanted to make. This sure was one of those nightmares where you try to wake up but your mind is still asleep.
With an effort coming from the inside of myself. I lifted my left arm and leaning my weight on my elbow I tried to sit myself. But the sharp sting of something tightly pulling in the skin of my back and chest made me let out a sob and gasp from my mouth. I breathed out heavily and loudly, noticing a glimpse of sunlight shinning down on the cell door.
- Hey, 's okay. Don't do that — A gruff voice told me, but I knew that voice and even if I felt half awake I'd recognize it.
- Daryl? — My own voice sounded foreign in my ears. Looking up I saw the archer standing by my side his gaze focused on me. That made me realize that I was in my bed and that I wasn't dreaming anymore. He lifted my face lightly by touching my chin with his fingers; I tilted my eyebrows in doubt. His chest was going up and down like he was breathing with nervousness and then he glanced at the doorway.
- She's awake! — He called out — Hershel! Carol! C'mere!
The sound of voices was heard followed by the sound of hurried footsteps and part of the group entered the small space of the cell. Hershel came first, looking at me with soft eyes and a small smile. I saw my sisters, the three of them were giving me and expectant glance and I saw Rick and Carol too. I tried to say something but I was interrupted before I could speak.
- How're you feeling? — Hershel questioned while placing a hand on my forehead like checking my temperature.
- I... — My voice cracked and I tried to clear it — I'm thirsty. — Finally my vocal cords managed to verbalize something.
- Here — I saw a bottle of water close to me and I noticed that Daryl was the one who stepped forward handing me the thing. Taking the impulse to sit on the bed the uncomfortable pain again made me stir and hiss under my breath. Daryl leaned close to me and carefully slipped an arm behind my lower back and with the other he grabbed at the back of my neck helping me to sit in the most delicate way.
- You were shot Mary — Began to say Hershel — Do you remember that?
- Kind of, I was fighting walkers with Rick and then I felt numb and... — I replayed the moment in my mind repeatedly, the pain crossing me and how I fell into the unconsciousness.
- You passed out — Maggie said while I drank the water and felt a little better — Daryl carried you and when he got inside the prison, you were bleeding out. We had to do a transfusion while dad patched you up.
- The muscle was teared; I did almost a surgery on you. — The old man explained giving me a small smile. — You need to rest and take some antibiotics so it won't get infected.
They were looking at me with relief on their faces, and I suddenly started to comprehend why. I waited a little to catch everything I was hearing; Axel was dead, Andrea had come to talk with Rick, we were on a warpath, Merle being locked up in one cell and I really didn't understand how long I've been slept. Funny thing is all the times I tried to ask they didn't let me speak. Afterwards, Hershel turned around telling that I could sleep a little more Effy and Beth were the first on refusing and they approached me quickly. The little blonde kissed me on the cheek and smiled at me. I thought for a moment what would it be like to be in a world without them, but I pushed that thought aside. I knew that I'll always do the impossible to protect the ones that I care for. And it doesn't matter if I get shot in the process because I'll always escape death.
- How long I've been sleeping? — Beth and Effy exchanged a look and then Effy sighed.
- A day and a half. — Replied Effy glancing at me with her pretty eyes but I wasn't surprised at all. — You must be hungry, even though Hershel used an IV with serum, you need to eat. Beth, go get Judith I'm gonna make some breakfast. — Effy leaned and gave me a kiss on the forehead before stepping out the cell following Beth — I'll be back soon.
Moving the blanket away, I moved my legs out of the bunk looking for some shoes to wear in my feet. I found I was wearing some pajamas shorts and a big t-shirt, I frowned but when I looked up Daryl was still there standing on the door frame and staring at me.
- Ya shouldn't be movin' — He mumbled walking to me and with the same carefulness as he helped me before, he moved my naked legs back to place on the bed. The slightly touch of his rough hands over my skin took away my breath for a brief second, and then I remembered that he had left. In an impulse of sudden anger I moved and pushed his hands away from me.
- Why are you here? — I asked bitterly. He seemed confused at first but eventually he snorted.
- Where the hell am I supposed to be? — He replied. I felt even angrier with that.
- Oh, I don't know maybe hanging out with your beloved brother — Rolling my eyes away from him, I retorted.
- Well, maybe I'm here to make sure you don't get yerself killed. — That pissed me off.
- Excuse me? — He paced like a caged lion and then he stopped without looking at me.
- Yeah, what the hell were ya thinkin'? Runnin' in the middle of a gunfire, ya almost die! — Daryl said angrily, his eyes shining with rage and concern at the same time.
- Rick needed my help, he was surrounded and you know what? Maybe if you hadn't left, you'd be here and they wouldn't have shot me.
The words slipped from my mouth uncontrollably. I couldn't believe he came back just to argue with me. The archer glared at me even more bothered than before.
- Ya blame me? I was there! I saw how ya ran, how ya were shot and nearly bleed out to death! — He retorted.
- That does not change the fact that you left us.
- I'm here now, what's the matter with you? — My temper just got bigger with every word he said.
- I'm pissed at you! — That came out as a yell — You left us, you... You just went away like anything we've been through means nothing to you. And you just can't do something like that and expect me to be happy about it.
I tried to stand up in the most reckless way and my poor attempt only made me stir in pain as the skin of my wound pulled with my moves. So instead of getting up I awkwardly almost fell on the floor making a fool of myself. Almost, because Daryl rapidly catched me and lifted me up effortlessly. He got his hands wrapped around my own arms but my feet weren't touching the floor. I tried to shove him away hitting his chest, but it was like I was fighting against a wall because he remained unmoved. Glaring up at him I noticed how he was just looking at me with the same worry I saw before. So I stopped.
- Are ya done with the childish bullshit? — His voice sounded annoyed and concerned.
- Let me go, Daryl — But he didn't. He kept myself like that for a couple of minutes until I felt too aware of our closeness, I could not help but sense his scent, he smelled like smoke, cigarettes, leather and the forest. Gulping, I couldn't keep his piercing gaze so I looked away from his eyes.
My anger didn't matter anymore, I felt that I needed to pull myself out of his hands but in a dark corner of my head I didn't wanted to, I mean we rarely touched. In fact, Daryl wasn't a person who's craved for physical contact he absolutely avoided it the whole time and didn't seem to be comfortable. Eventually he grabbed at my waist and helped me to sit on the bunk. I yelped a little feeling the stitches pulling in my wound once again.
- Damn it fancy, I don't wanna fight with ya — He admitted, glancing at the floor. — Now, now ya just need to get fine.
Someone cleared their voice and we both found Carol standing on the doorway with a bowl of food in her hands. She smiled warmly to us and she gave a look to Daryl.
- Why don't you go and take some rest Daryl? I can take care of Mary for now.
Daryl seemed hesitant at her words but then he grabbed his crossbow that I just noticed in that moment, and reluctantly he left. Carol moved the chair close to my bed and he sat handing me the bowl with a spoon. I ate in silence feeling the warm food filling my empty stomach and giving me a better mood. Before I could ask something, Carol gave me some clean blue jeans and one of my shirts so I could change my clothes. She helped me a little so the bandage wouldn't move out of place and I didn't hurt myself. I put on my boots and sat down again.
- You heard us don't you? — Carol grunted as she was sitting in front of me.
- Pretty much — She said — But you need to know that Daryl hasn't slept in two nights. He's been here watching over you while you were unconscious.
- What? Why? — Now I was ashamed for how I treated him. Carol let out a snort.
- Come on, Mary — Carol grinned and then she started to talk — I know you got mad because he left with his brother. But men like Merle get into your head, and the fact that Daryl came back, it means he doesn't have the same perspective as before.
- So Merle's not only an asshole but an abusive brother?
- He is. But Daryl, he is not the same, he has changed a lot. — Carol gave me another warm smile — That's why he's very fond of you. — I looked up and I scoffed in disbelief.
- Yeah right, that's why he called me a stupid brat and a spoilt girl. He's just doing this because he's a good man and... Well you know — I poorly countered. Carol's eyes flickered as she snorted.
- Oh really my sweet girl? Keep telling that to yourself.
We didn't talk about Daryl again after that. Instead Carol took me outside to the common area so I spent a little while with Sophia, Beth and Hershel. I felt a little unsettled, and being honest, I was uncomfortable. Carol's words were running in my mind like a rushed car, so I tried to distract myself with small talk and obviously asking about that thing about Andrea coming to the prison and how was the situation with the Governor.
I asked after a moment if I could go out for some fresh air, they were reluctant at first but then Sophia stepped for me and explained how I needed to see the sun. When we went out the cell block and into the prison's grounds I noticed that Rick and Carl were checking out the Hyundai. Carl saw me first, waving his hand at me and grinning. Rick looked back and he approached me in a few steps. He stroked my cheek when he got close and my mouth curved with a smile at the comfort the small caress brought. I was use to that gesture coming from him, Officer Grimes was like the big brother I never had.
- Feeling better? — I nodded as an answer — Good, 'cause we're going on a run to find more guns and ammo.
- They explained me all that happened, and you have my support as always. That bastard shot me and he will pay – The sheriff narrowed his eyes and gave me a nod.
- You're right Mary. But first you have to get better — Rick replied before walking again to the car.
Michonne was spotted in the yard carrying her sword and making her way to the car, and I walked to her in my own faintly pace with Sophia by my side. She seemed incredulous when I stopped near her but the woman gave a nod as a greeting.
- You seem better – Michonne muttered her black eyes flickered at me.
- Yes, a little – I doubted when she remained silent – Michonne I... I'm sorry for kicking you in the gut, and for calling you a psycho bitch when I was the one acting like a psycho bitch. – She peered at me catching my gaze and unexpectedly she chuckled.
- It's fine, you're a good fighter. – I could not help but grin at her answer – I'm glad you're alive.
After they left, I walked inside with Sophia and spent the rest of the day being scolded by every single person in the prison at every move I made. First was Effy, then Beth, followed by Maggie and Carol, all of them. Even Daryl, and honestly I thought he wouldn't speak to me.
This was going to be a long recovery.
Hello! New chapter here ;)
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