It's very dark, and very late. You sit in the window, just where he sat earlier, watching the quiet street, and your group sleeping at your feet. The knife you got from the kitchen is in your hand, and its solid weight is comforting. You're really not sure what to make of it all. This day has brought so many changes, and while they all dangle golden promises in front of you something tells you this will not be a magic solution, fixing everything that was wrong about your life out there.
On the one hand, you understand why Michonne wants this place to work out so desperately. On the other, Carol's reservations are much closer to your own sentiments right now. Only time will tell whether Alexandria is too good a dream to be true, you know that. Still, the quiet and apparent safety are enough to keep you awake when you could really do with a rest.
You scan the room. Everyone else's sleep seems untroubled, for a change, and you are glad. Even Daryl, who lies closest to your vantage point (no use in hiding from yourself that that's why you chose this space for your vigil) is deeply, peacefully asleep. You let your eyes rest on his relaxed features.
He looks much younger in his sleep, you've noticed that before. His face is less pale now, and the fever seems to be on the way out. You saw to it that he took his antibiotics, and had some food, even though treating a grown man the same way you'd treat your own son was uncomfortable for you both. Daryl acquiesced to it all without much resentment, though. You think that he probably didn't have the strength to argue any more.
He even went to see the resident doctor without a fuss, a guy called Pete, who cleaned and rebandaged the wound on his arm.
"He says it's too late f'stitches, but it'll heal ok if I let it."
You have every intention to make sure he lets it heal.
Later, you got a small glimpse of Pete yourself when you walked around the neighborhood again. While you're grateful that he looked after Daryl there's something about the guy ringing all your alarm bells. You try and shrug it off. It's probably just the exhaustion.
What you are really interested in, now that Daryl is on the mend, is to find out where he'll land in terms of this new place. You have a feeling that despite his current compliance the hunter is less than delighted with the prospect of playing house in this gated community. For one thing, he's the only one who didn't jump at the chance to shower.
You saw the others giving him looks for that, but you are actually kinda glad. He's not so easily bribed as that, won't just abandon caution cos there's no walkers snarling up your ass every five minutes. You have a feeling he's willing to make a go at it, but that it won't be for his own sake.
You sigh at this last thought. Will there ever be anything, now, that he'll want to do just to please himself? And would that even involve the group? Involve your kids? Involve you?
You sincerely hope so.
