Now here I go again, I see the crystal vision
I keep my visions to myself
But its only me who wants to wrap around your dreams and
have you any dreams you'd like to sell,
dreams of loneliness?
-Fleetwood Mac "Dreams"
Danni opened her eyes as the first light of dawn broke through the dusty windows. She couldn't remember where she was. The cement floor was hard under her sleeping bag. Paint was peeling off the high ceiling above her. She thought she was alone in the gray, colorless place until she heard his voice.
"You up?" Daryl asked.
"Yeah, did watch go okay?" She rolled over to face him. He was sitting next to her head, back against the cinderblock wall. He must have observed her sleep for a while and noticed when her eyes opened.
He nodded. "Nothing I couldn't handle."
"I came up here, hope you don't mind?" She asked.
"Nah. It's good. It's good you're here."
After that, they were quiet. His silence didn't bother her.
She sat up, her back to him.
He touched her hair saying, "Gettin' long."
It wasn't like him to comment on her appearance. He kept stroking the black strands near her face brushing her cheek with his calloused fingertips. Her skin was soft and pale. He was gentle.
"Yours too."
He grunted a little. "Yeah, guess I got other things on my mind."
"Like staying alive?" she deadpanned.
His hair had darkened some as it had gotten longer. It fell over his forehead and ears in wisps he continually pushed back. His cheeks had hollowed out some as had her own and the deep circles under his eyes were more prominent. Still, she found him more attractive than ever. She sensed his hesitation and felt her own, but she wanted him.
"Would you kiss me?" she asked without looking at him, hoping her request would give him the permission he seemed to need. She turned and moved on him straddling his thighs.
"You don't gotta ask." His voice was low.
"I think I do," she smiled a little.
As her hand moved to push his too long bangs off of his eyes, she tilted her head to encourage him. Her fingers came to rest lightly at the base of his neck, and she drew his face closer to her own. He reached around behind her, slipping his hand under her shirt The feeling of his palm pressed firmly against the skin of her back caused her to gasp softly, opening her mouth to start the contact. She softly bit his lower lip. " I go where you go," she whispered. His face was rough and his mouth hungry for hers.
"Hey..." she objected softly as he suddenly stopped kissing her.
"Open your eyes" he demanded gently.
"Open your eyes."
She awoke with a start and for a minute she couldn't catch her breath. Glenn was looking in the van where she was sleeping.
"Are you all right?" He looked concerned. "You weren't at breakfast this morning, I just came to make sure everything was okay."
"Yeah, I'm fine. I can't believe I slept so late."
"You look really freaked out," Glenn observed.
"A dream, I was having this weird dream just now..."
"A nightmare? We've all been having those lately I guess."
"Nightmare, yeah..." her voice trailed off. "I'll be out in a bit."
He nodded and left her.
Danni felt her underwear soaked at the crotch. A quick pang of embarrassment shot through her. Not because of the dream itself, but because she was actually disappointed she woke up.
"Okay, girl, you have been out in the woods too long." She comforted herself with the rationalization.
Like a heartbeat, drives you mad
in the stillness of remembering what you had
and what you lost...