Heart of Dixon
Chapter 17: Alone with a fake smile...
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Robin's POV
I do not own the Walking dead.
I nearly wanted to cry as Daryl held me so close to him. One I was in Daryl's arms and two he was squeezing to hard that it was killing my arm. I couldn't ask him to let go of me because I wanted so badly to stay in his arms forever. I silently whined when he finally pulled away even though my arm felt relieved.
"Where you been, Bitty? You hurt? Why is your arm tied up like that?" He asked in a hurry as he checked me over.
"My arm is dislocated." I answered simply. Hug me again damn it!
"How'd that happen? And you didn't answer, where have you been?" Daryl asked again.
"It happened when I…fell. Please, Daryl can we get back to the group. I've haven't eaten in two days." I pleaded. I really didn't want to talk about what I went through now. I just wanted to be somewhere I felt safe and eat something. Daryl made me feel safe, but I doubted he had a cake hidden somewhere on him.
Daryl nodded understanding, "You haven't been bit have you?" He looked like he didn't want to ask me that question, or more likely he was afraid of what answer I'd give him.
"No, I haven't been bitten. I've barely seen any walkers around." I replied, he still looked at me worried, "Feel free to check yourself. Just a little warning, I stink really, really bad."
He shook his head with a smirk and he was blushing when he said, "Come on, Bitty, let's get you back to the farm." Daryl scooped me up into his arms. I let out a tiny squeal as I was lifted up. I wasn't expecting him to do that, but I appreciated it since I felt too weak to walk anymore. I couldn't complain either since my face was so close to his.
"Farm, what farm?" I asked sleepily. I felt myself getting more tired as he walked. My eyes closed as I listened to him breathe.
"Well, while we were looking for you and Sophia, Carl was shot." He explained.
My eyes flew open, "What?! Is he ok? Who shot him?"
He sighed, "Let me finish, Bitty. He was shot on accident by one of the people on the farm. Hershel, the old man who owns the farm fixed him up. So he's fine."
I let out the breath I was holding in, "That's good. Wait, you said you were looking for Sophia, she didn't run back to the highway?"
"No, we've been looking for her too. We were hoping she'd be with you." I could hear the disappointment in his voice.
"No, I saw her before I fell." I said. I felt the sleep coming back as I stuck my face into Daryl's neck. I felt him flinch but he didn't say anything. I breathed in Daryl's manly scent. I nuzzled my face against his neck breathing in more, he smelt woodsy too. As I nuzzled my hunter, his breath picked up, but I nuzzled on. I traced his jaw with my nose feeling his stubble and goatee scratch my nose.
"W-," He swallowed, "What are you doing?" He asked.
"I missed you." I whispered against his chin. I looked up at him with my sleep-heavy eyes.
Daryl stared at me as he walked, so much emotion was on his face that it was unreadable. He opened his mouth but nothing came out. I waited for him to say something but nothing. Finally he spoke, "Go to sleep, Bitty. I'll wake you up when we get there." He saw me losing the battle against sleep.
"Okie dokie." I mumbled and off to dream land I went. By dream, I mean nightmare. In the dream I was running, but from what I didn't know. I looked back many times, but only darkness was behind me. What was I afraid off?
Daryl's POV
I was feeling so many different emotions, all of them I didn't know what to name. The only one I knew was how glad I was. I felt the rush of joy when she raised her hand and waved. I thought at first I imagined it until she flipped me off. Never before was I happy to be flipped off. She did the peace sign and the Star Trek thing too. I didn't stop myself from throwing down my crossbow and wrapping her up into my arms. I wasn't a touchy feely type but I couldn't-wouldn't have stopped myself from hugging my Bitty. She was alive.
I didn't know what I was feeling when she was rubbing her face in my neck and along my jaw. It certainly turned me on, but there was another feeling with it. I felt like there was a weird feeling like my stomach, like something was squirming around in there. My heart was beating a mile a minute like I was on a hunt, it felt…natural. I don't know how to explain that emotional shit.
Now my Bitty was asleep in my arms. I've got her back now and she was safe with me, but something was strange. She avoided my questions about where she's been and about her arm. In her eyes, I could see panic. She was hesitant when she did tell me how she hurt it; she looked like she was looking for some story to tell me. Hopefully she'll tell me once we got back to the farm. If I had to, I'd make her tell me everything.
I watched her as she slept in my arms. She was a peaceful sleeper, every so often she'd flinch hard, but I never dropped her. She must have been dreaming, I wondered about what. Maybe it was what she went through while she was missing. I wish I had been with her throughout whatever it was; she'd been safe with me.
The sun was already down by the time I got to the farm. Lights were still on in the house and I saw the lights from the lanterns. Good, I wouldn't have to wake anybody up. Up on the roof of the RV, Dale was me coming. I heard him call out to the others; I knew that wouldn't be able to see that it was me so I called out, "It's me!"
I heard a sigh, "It's just Daryl. Wait, a second he's carrying someone." Dale called out to the others.
I knew what they were hoping; they wanted it to be Sophia. Carol ran around the RV eyes filled with hope, they quickly died out when she saw Bitty in my arms. The others followed her around.
"Is that Robin?" Glenn asked.
"Yea, she needs Hershel to look at her. Her arm's dislocated." I called out looking at Rick. He nodded and sent Glenn to tell the old man.
"Where'd you find her?" Dale asked.
"She was stumbling around in the woods. Thought it was a walker at first." I grunted, my arms were getting tired, I've been holding her for a few hours without rest because I didn't want to wake her up.
"Good think you didn't shoot her." Andrea remarked, "How did you know it was her?"
"She waved." I nearly chuckled.
I felt her stir in my arms, "Daryl?" She slurred.
"It's ok, Bitty. We're at the farm." I said as soft I as could.
She lifted her head from my neck and looked around. Her eyes met Rick's, "Hey Rick." She mumbled then stuck her face back into my neck.
"Hey Robin." Rick chuckled. The door on the front porch was open with Hershel and his people standing there. They made way for us to walk in.
"Something wrong with her?" Hershel asked leading me to bedroom.
"Her arm is dislocated. Plus she's starved, thirsty, and exhausted. Oh and she stinks." I answered.
"Fuck you." Bitty mumbled against my cheek.
Right away the old man led us to an upstairs bedroom with Rick following close behind. Downstairs the others waited. They wanted to know what happened and if she knew anything about what happened to Sophia.
"Put her left arm where it can dangle off the bed." Hershel ordered.
"What's happening?" Bitty woke up again as I was adjusting her.
"Hershel's going to fix your arm." Rick answered.
"Oh this is going to be fun." Bitty groaned making Hershel and Rick laugh.
"This is going to hurt." Hershel warned.
"I bet it will, certainly hurt when it popped out." She said.
"You ready?" He asked.
She nodded. Hershel untied her arm from the swing and placed it to the side. He took her wrist in one hand and the crook of her elbow in the other. From the look on Robin's face I could tell it was painful, though she didn't make a sound yet. I reached for the other hand, right away she squeezed down hard.
Hershel moved her arm slowly closer to her side; Robin breathed faster and she squeezed my hand harder. When her elbow was tucked close to her side, Hershel guided her upper arm out to the side with her wrist and elbow. Robin let out a gasp and a whimper.
"Do you want me to stop?" Hershel asked.
"No!" Robin grunted out, "Just get it over with."
"Alright, take a deep breath." Hershel ordered. Robin breathed deep and let it out slowly. Hershel continued to move her hand out to the side while holding her elbow into her side. When her arm was down to the side of the bed, he started to push up shoulder up back into the joint. Robin was gasping and whimpering until finally a loud pop came from her shoulder. She was out a grunt and then laughed dryly. With her right hand, she wiped at her eyes.
"I'll give you something for the pain. It's best that you sleep on your right side and avoid doing any work with that arm." Hershel advised.
"Take two pills and call you in the morning, got it." Robin nodded.
"Robin, would you like to tell her about what happened?" Rick asked walking to the bed with his hands on his hips.
Robin looked panicked for a moment then looked normal again, "Can we do this later, right now all I like to do is shower and eat something. I'm so hungry, if Daryl wiggled an uncooked squirrel in my face, I'd eat it and his hand."
Rick laughed, "Yea, we'll talk about this tomorrow." He looked up at Hershel, "Is it alright if she took a shower?"
Hershel nodded, "I'll have Maggie help you out."
"Thank you, Doc." Robin smiled. I didn't notice that she still held my hand until she let go.
"Does anybody know what happened to my stuff?" She asked getting up from the bed.
Rick shook his head, but I answered, "I got it."
Robin looked up with obvious panic, "Oh…um…thanks."
"I'll bring it up for you." I said. I noticed how panicked she looked about the bag, it made me think about her journal. Maybe there was something written about me in there. I should have read more while I had the chance. I wanted to find out more about Erin and the douche Jeff. I couldn't exactly ask her about it now without telling her I read her book.
I left the house and went straight to my tent. I stuffed her clothes back into her bag; I hope they didn't smell like me since I've been using them as another pillow. I picked up her journal, I wanted to read more, but I didn't have enough time so I shoved it at the bottom of her bag. I didn't put her lacy black panties back, she wouldn't notice if they went missing.
Robin's POV
I found Maggie, or at least who I thought was her in the hallway pulling some towels from a closet, "Excuse me. Are you Maggie?"
She turned and smiled, "That's me." Maggie was that type they made me jealous because of her looks. She was beautiful not like other women who caked on make-up to look pretty; she was a natural beauty with her short brown hair and greenish-blue eyes.
"Hey, Hershel said you'd help me." I put on a smile.
"Sure, here's you some towels and a rag. My bathroom is in there; feel free to use the shampoo and soap. I'll make you something to eat." She walked away, when I remembered about my arm. I would have to take off my shirt and unhook my bra, and that was going to be painful.
"Um…I hate to ask." I felt so awkward for thinking about asking this stranger.
"Whatcha need?" She turned to me still with a friendly smile.
"My arm is still sore as hell and I can't move it without wanting to scream, could you help…" I couldn't say the rest, it was too embarrassing.
"Help you take off your clothes?" She offered.
"Yeah." I nodded with a grimace.
"Wow, we barely know each other and you want me to get you naked. You best buy me a drink first." She joked.
I laughed hard and loud, "How dare you, I'm a good girl, I am."
"I best next you'll say you'll call me tomorrow." She laughed.
"You caught me!" I held up my right hand, "I'm a scoundrel."
"Come on, I'll help you get undressed." Maggie shook her head laughing and led me to her bedroom. She opened a drawer and handed me some clothes, "Here ya go, we look about the same size."
"Thanks." I took the clothes. Then she led me into the bathroom, she set my stuff on the bathroom counter then helped me take off my shirt, starting with the rest side first. She helped me with all my clothes.
"Call me when you get out and I'll help you get dressed again." Maggie said closing the door.
I smiled until I heard the door clink, the smile disappeared and I no longer had to fake it. I still felt numb from the killing those four men. They deserved it and it was either them or me, but I still felt like a dirty murderer. The act itself was easy, easier than it should have been, but now I felt hallow.
I barely registered the hot water pouring down on me, usually I would have danced and sang in happiness, but I just stood there. I washed quickly instead taking my time enjoying the water. I rinsed and used a disposable razor to shave real quick then I jumped out. I dried and wrapped the towel around me then stuck my head out the bedroom door, "Maggie!"
I heard someone running my way and it wasn't Maggie. Running down the hall was Daryl looking like freaked out, "Bitty!"
"Ahhh!" I let out once Daryl turned the corner and saw me wearing nothing but a towel. A very small towel I might add, it was low on my breast and ended just under the curve of my butt. The front was trying to come undone revealing myself to Daryl.
Daryl's face turned a bright red when he saw me. He spun around with a hurried apology, "I thought you were hurt or something." He mumbled.
I hid partially by the door, "No, I need Maggie's help getting dressed."
"Maggie is helping Patricia make you some food." Daryl replied.
"Damn it, guess I'll have to grit and bare it." I mumbled. Or you could get Daryl to help you get dressed…?
Shut up, inner pervert now's not the time to be thinking or acting that way.
"I see you back in your room." He ran off like the devil was chasing him. I laughed at that, a real laugh. Who wouldn't thought Daryl would be so bashful?
I went back into Maggie's room and breathed deeply. I could get dressed with one hand but it was going to be a struggle. Putting underwear on wasn't that bad, either was the pj pants. I decided just to skip putting on bra on. It wouldn't be too comfortable to sleep in anyhow. The shirt however was going to be a challenge. I took another deep breath and put it on. Several grunts and curse words later I had it on. Just when I was pulling it down, Maggie walked in.
"I'm so sorry that you put them on by yourself." Maggie apologized.
"It's ok, the only challenge was the shirt but it's fine." I smiled.
"I just got blessed out by a redneck." Maggie play frowned and handed me a sandwich and a glass of milk.
"What?" I frowned.
She sat down on the edge of her bed, "Daryl marched down the stairs into the kitchen and raised hell that I wasn't in there helping you put your clothes on. Gosh, your boyfriend is really protective of you."
I blushed now, "Daryl isn't my boyfriend."
She smiled big, "Are you sure? He seems to care about you a whole lot. And he calls you Bitty, which I think is really cute by the way. I heard from Glenn the only one that could handle him is you."
I laughed at that, "Well I'm sorry he yelled at you, that wasn't called for."
"It's cool; it was really cute and funny to see." Maggie smiled, "I'm glad there's another girl around here. Finally I can have a friend that's my age. I think we'll be fast friends."
"Well you did see me naked." I tease making her laugh so hard she snorted. That only spurned us to laugh harder.
"Well I'm going off to bed after I eat this. My hunter is in my room." I said opened the door.
"Oh your hunter?" Maggie quirked a brow teasingly.
"Goodnight Maggie!" I stuck my tongue at her.
Maggie was great, she helped me forget the numbness, but it was still there. I just hoped it wouldn't be there long; the others were going to start asking questions tomorrow. Questions I wasn't quite ready to answer.
Daryl was sitting on the bed with my stuff beside him. He jumped up when he saw me enter. The blush from earlier was still on his face and I knew he was thinking about it the way his eyes checked out my body.
He cleared his throat, "Doc wanted me to give you this." He held out a white strap, "It's a real arm swing. Don't have to use a hoodie anymore."
"Oh thanks." I said. Awkwardness was thick in the air. We eyed each other; every so often Daryl would look away and glance around the room like he was looking for something to talk about.
"Do you like milk?" I asked randomly.
He eyes shot up at me, "Uh, yea."
"Maggie gave me some milk, but the thought of drinking milk makes me what to gag." I handed him the glass.
He took it and down it fast like it was a big shot of a liquid courage, "Thanks."
"Welcome. Well I'm going to eat then I'm off to La la land." I put on a fake smile.
"Alright then. Goodnight." He stood there for a moment like he didn't know what to do or say.
"Good bye, Daryl." I smiled bigger.
"Right, uh, bye." Daryl rushed out of the room nearly knocking the chair by the door over. I smiled lightly at the adorable awkwardness, I really missed him.
I ate the sandwich without really tasting it; I was so hungry that it was painful. I gulped it down in a few bites then curled up in the bed. Now that I was alone and safe everything I've been refusing to feel, rushed back on me tenfold.
Tears kept falling from my eyes. I was a killer and I didn't have my brothers here to help me get through this. I knew they were just a hallucination but right now I'd give anything to see them or hear them. I guess I would have to get through this like I always do, alone with a fake smile.
The next chapter or two won't be as funny as Robin usually is. She is trying to cope from what she went through, so she's going to faking a lot of smiles and maybe even fight...
'Til next time, I love your faces ^_^