Daryl followed Danni to the living room. They put the squirming babies down in the playpen. Danni stared at them with the realization of a mother's devotion. "I can't go. I can't leave these guys. Not again." She looked at Daryl. "I don't want you to go looking for the others without me."
Daryl saw the frustration on her face so he touched her elbow gently. "Merle might be right. Not about Rick and them being stupid, but about us looking out for ourselves. Never thought I'd say Merle is right."
"Oh, I just wanna wipe that smug look off his face. Did you hear him? Calling me missy? Saying he deserves respect. God he can be so...I mean he's so full of himself."
Daryl chuckled, feeling relieved that Danni and Merle were back to their comfortable annoyance with each other. The natural order seemed to have returned. "He has a point Danni, about us learning from what happened, from being separated."
"But searching for the rest of the group is the right thing to do."
"Right for who? Them or us? Remember you told me once that we ain't supposed to know some people forever, that some folks are just a part of the journey we are on? Well, some are and some aren't. Maybe Rick and them…maybe they aren't meant to be in our lives for forever."
"Woah. You really listened to me."
He shrugged and let his lip curl into a small smile.
"But Rick is your friend."
"Yeah and you're my wife, these are my kids. Besides, Beth and Tyreese knew I was coming here to find you. If they met up with the rest and they all want to come find us, they can. It's up to them."
"I just worry about Sophia missing Carol. I was up all night with her. That little girl has a mom not worth losing. My mom on the other hand-"
"Danni, if you want me to go look for them. I will."
She shook her head. "No, I don't. I don't want you to go. And that makes me feel guilty."
"Beth knows Sophia came here with your dad. They know where we are. Danni, when the prison fell and I lost you I knew that maybe I needed to be looking out for us more. I needed to put us first. It's time to do that. My kids ain't gonna grow up without a dad or a mom if I can help it." He circled the playpen, the babies' eyes followed his every step. He started to speak but hesitated.
"What?" She asked.
"We're gonna stay put. I think its best."
"Okay." She said softly, realizing he'd taken charge and made a decision.
He nodded and stood taller, his chest out, it wasn't her imagination. Danni slumped onto the couch. "Sometimes I like it when you tell me what to do."
"Bullshit."
She laughed. "I do."
He sat beside her leaning forward resting his forearms on his thighs. He moved his head from side to side cracking his neck. "Hey, you feeling better about things? Around here?"
"Trying."
"Hey Danni, ain't no tiger chasing you."
She leaned forward beside him. "No?"
"Not no more."
He looked sure of himself. His longer, scruffy facial hair grayed at the chin. His experience worn face, hollowed cheeks and, if it were possible, clearer, more mesmerizing eyes, gave conviction to his words and all that was behind them.
"You look tired. No sleep at all last night huh?"
She shook her head. "After Sophia finally crashed, these two guys woke up."
"Should have gotten me. I'd have taken care of 'em."
"No, it was fine."
"Look why don't you go get some shut eye. I got them for now."
"Really?"
"Go on. And don't feel guilty. Not about nothing okay?"
He gave her ass a push as she stood. She grabbed his hand and held it there for a moment. "Love you."
... ... ... .. ..
Danni reached the top of the stairs and made her way down the hall to the last door on the left. Her room it felt odd saying that. She sat on her bed and reached for her journal on the night table.
Danni felt blessed to have Daryl. She realized he possessed that rare and fantastic combination of true intellect, stealth-like perception, deeply rooted compassion, the ability to see logic in any setting, and a knack for putting her mind at ease. It was worth more than all the gold and diamonds in the world. He had it all along but was finally comfortable with himself, finally able to shine.
This isn't to say that he didn't worry sometimes himself, but lately of the two of them, she tended to be the one who worried far more. Especially about things that, objectively, were not worth fretting over for two seconds, let alone days or longer. He knew she was a good mother; he knew she could run this house and most of all he assured her she wouldn't be alone while doing any of it.
The universe was forever throwing curveballs their way and with the state of the world now, they literally did not know what life would be like, from one day to the next. But worrying was a waste of energy. Instead of running from imaginary tigers, let's assess each worrisome situation as it comes our way. We need to remind ourselves that we likely have the strength and coping skills needed to survive it. It's time to spend our days less consumed by stress and more filled with peace, happiness, and all of the amazing things that we're fortunate to have. We've lived so long not knowing if we'd have a tomorrow yet we've fought like hell to make sure we'd get one. And another and another... despite the not knowing, we've never stopped. I think this place is a sanctuary. Finally.
She held her tarot cards them in her hands feeling what Daryl must experience with his crossbow. The cards were an extension of herself, her weapon, her life source, and her navigation system. She hadn't touched them since before the prison fell. She clutched them to her chest and breathed deeply feeling their energy and feeding them her own. After a shuffle, she focused and pulled one card. The Queen of Pentacles. Nan's favorite card. The Queen of Pentacles excels in the home. She knows exactly what to do while raising a family and tending to the tasks of daily life. There is potential for her to become wrapped entirely around her children and home while feeling the need to do more. This is a source of turmoil at times. She often has qualities of a healer and is very connected to nature.
Danni felt a new chapter beginning. She wasn't fighting the domestic instincts that began to surface. Yes, there was much to practice but this card foretold that she would succeed. She felt Nan's presence and remembered her welcoming, safe, loving house that was the only real home Danni had known. This card was Nan's way of telling here to create a home here for herself and her own family. She would plant a witch's garden, keep a witch's kitchen. She would teach her children the old ways and legends. It was time. She fell back on the pillows and studied the cracks on the ceiling until her eyes closed.
After a few hours, Danni woke feeling as if she was being watched. She sat up expecting Sophia but the room was empty. She was restless so she sat at the oak vanity and gazed into the glass at her reflection. Her hair was a tangled mess, ready to form dreadlocks if she didn't brush it out soon. She looked back into the mirror and saw something unexpected. The Lady was sitting on the bed.
She froze as she stared at the image in the mirror. Danni calm yourself and act naturally. Don't let her know you know she's here until you know what to do about it. She continued to mess with her hair, looking up at the mirror every few seconds, hoping it was just her overactive imagination, but at this point she know it wasn't. Now the vision was smiling. Her porcelain complexion gleamed in the sunlight that poured through the unshuttered window. Danni nodded and the apparition smiled even wider; she knew that Danni knew she was there.
"You." Danni whispered. She turned on the seat to face Lorelei.
"Me." She answered pointing to her chest.
"What are you doing here?"
The first words Danni heard were in a song. "Why won't you come over here? Why won't you come over here?" Lorelei sang. "are you frightened of me?"
Danni shook her head. "No I just didn't think you'd be here anymore. I thought I reunited you with John, aren't you at peace now?"
Lorelei smiled softly and began to speak. "There are things you should know. I was born in 1842," she began, "In this house. My parents were Irish immigrants that had moved here a few years before and built the place. My mother died of illness when I was five, leaving my father and me. It was October 1860 when I met John. He had been helping around the homestead here, my father depended on him a great deal and he and I became close. Before the war, the years were good. He courted me I guess you would say. We always planned to be married and to start a family and continue the legacy here in this house. When the war began, we were sure its end would come quickly and with a victory for the South. As the Southern economy started to fail, we lost money but managed to keep this house. Over the winter of 1862, the Yankees had formed another plan to attack Vicksburg in Virginia. This one worked. They were surrounded by the middle of May, under siege. Battalions were being called up from Arkansas to Tennessee to Georgia. Still, we were confident that we'd be fine. After time had passed, John became swept up in war fever like the rest of the boys. He enlisted and was sure that the South wouldn't fall. As you know, we married the day before he left. I remained hopeful he'd return, I took care of things here with my father, but soon, reality stepped in. With the daily cannon fire, the lack of food, and the sudden disease outbreaks, our arrogance turned to feelings of betrayal. We had felt so sure that we'd be victorious, but we continued to suffer. That is when I knew I had to find him. I set off as a nurse. The rest I believe you know from my letters. That I was too late. "
Danni nodded. "But you are together now aren't you? When Daryl and I came last year and I read your story and validated you, I saw you together... you thanked me."
"Yes, we are together here in this house. We are grateful for that. But there is something else. More."
Lorelei rose from the bed; her white nightgown covered her feet and made it seem that she was floating as she approached and stood beside Danni.
"What else?"
She shook her head slowly. As they gazed into the mirror side by side, Danni noticed, for the first time, how strong their resemblance was. Lorelei pointed to a small blue crystal cut bottle on the table. Danni hadn't seen it there before. She picked it up and Lorelei nodded. The gardenia perfume.
"Should I?"
Lorelei nodded again. Danni dabbed the perfume on her neck and pulse points and some behind her ears. "Pretty…" She murmured. Lorelei's image started to fade.
"Wait...what else? What else do you want?"
Danni was alone as if the apparition had never appeared.
"Hey, your dad made chow. We're waiting for you downstairs," Daryl said entering the bedroom, jarring her back to reality.
"Give me a sec." Danni stood and approached him. "Sleep made me feel like a new person."
"Who were you talking to just now? The cat?"
She hesitated and contemplated telling him the truth, but didn't want to worry him with the ghost stuff. Not yet, so she said, "Yeah, just the cat."
"What's that smell?" Daryl asked. When nosing her hair, he detected not her usual honeysuckle scent but a sweeter, citrusy note that sent an uneasy loneliness shooting through his gut. He dropped his hands from her shoulders and stepped back.
"It's this perfume, I think it's the same one I found in the trunk last time we were here." Danni held up an elegant blue, crystal bottle. "Gardenia."
Daryl shook his head, "Wash it off."
Danni's smile disappeared when she saw how serious his face was. "You're kidding right?"
"It's not you."
"Daryl?"
"I mean it." He stalked away, running his hands through his hair. He paced by the window.
"I want a change." She kept her voice light.
"I don't. Ain't right." His glance shot to the open trunk at the foot of the bed.
"What's with you? C'mon this is cool. Look at these dresses they are so beautiful, I mean talk about vintage, look at the-"
"its not your stuff!" Daryl's voice stopped her and she dropped the black crêpe gown. "Shouldn't be messing with it."
"Daryl you're being silly, this is our house she wants us here… she wants-"
"Stop talking about her. Ain't our house ain't our stuff. We're just staying here for now."
"You sound upset. Why do you sound so upset?"
He shook his head and grunted.
"Let's talk about this."
"How long has this been going on?"
"There's nothing going on."
"Fine." He turned.
"Are you leaving?"
"Supper is ready. The kids need to eat too."
"Let's talk about this. It's not just the perfume is it? What's bothering you?"
"Danni, I'm hungry. I'm gonna go eat and I don't want to fight in front of other people. It's rude."
"No, it's rude to silently sulk through dinner and make them all feel uncomfortable because they know we're fighting and we're pretending we're not fighting."
"We're not fighting. Yet." Daryl left the room and stomped noisily down the stairs.
... .. .. ... .. .. .. .. ..
Danni pushed the food around on her plate as Daryl continued his irritated silence. Merle was finishing narrating a story about a card game gone wrong and Kieran bragged about his famous chili but they noticed the heavy silence between Daryl and Danni. Finally, Kieran addressed them "Okay, did I miss something? " He asked, shooting his glance back and forth between the couple.
Sophia answered matter of factly "Danni and Daryl are fighting."
"We're not fighting." Daryl muttered.
"No, we don't fight in front of people." She quipped.
"It's rude." Daryl emphasized looking up rom his plate.
"Yeah, and we wouldn't want to be rude."
"Everything is fine. Just eat." Daryl paused. "What's that?"
"Chili." Danni answered.
"Who the hell made Chili? We got enough rabbit and squirrel to eat here."
"My dad made it. My dad, who we don't want to be rude to."
"I'm not the one who started this."
"I'm sorry, are we talking about this now?
"You knew how I'd feel about it."
"You have absolutely no reason to be upset."
"I don't? You were hiding-"
"I wasn't hiding anything. You didn't let me explain. I was about to tell you what happened."
"Wasn't the right time to talk about it."
"So you'd rather just sit and stew and be mad for no reason?"
"So, it was just a weird coincidence that I walk in and you're putting on that ghost's stuff. First the perfume and then what? All them clothes in that trunk? You said they were at rest now. Last year you said it. Now you're going off the deep end with this stuff. It's like you have another reason for wanting to be here."
"This is not fair! Why does this make you so upset?"
"I have a right to expect honesty from you."
"Fine! You want honesty? I'll give you honesty. I saw her okay? I saw Lorelei. She was here and she talked to me. She needs something else from me."
"You told me you fixed things with them last time we were here."
"I thought I did. But she needs something else. I don't know what it is. Not yet."
"Well, thank you very much for your honesty. I think we should leave this damn house."
"Everything okay?" Merle asked raising an eyebrow. "Who these people you talking about?"
"Leaving here? Why would we do that now? I am missing something." Kieran added. "Are you two alright?"
"It's fine. We don't fight in front of people." Daryl answered in an irritated tone. He stared hard at Danni. "I said we are leaving this place, hear me? "
"Oh, my god! You major drama queen!"
"I'm done." Daryl pushed his chair back noisily from the table and stomped out of the kitchen.
The babies started to cry. Danni went to tend to them. She was in no mood to follow Daryl at the moment.
"Are you okay love?" Kieran asked.
"Yes. I'm sorry, you guys." Danni put some of her uneaten roasted squirrel on the floor for Fionn, who trotted over and started nibbling happily.
"Was it because I made my chili?"
"Yes dad, it was." Danni answered with a humorless chuckle.
"Daryl needs to go kill something, that's all. Boy's too wound up. Tomorrow I'll get him out hunting. Always helps him to blow off steam." Merle explained.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ..
Danni and Sophia washed the dishes in the sink. Daryl had snaked out and reconnected the pipes earlier that day so they had running well water in the house. Danni waited for Daryl to come in and start talking, but instead, when he entered the kitchen he picked up the babies from their high chairs and left, murmuring to them. He refused to look at Danni. She pushed a noisy breath from her chest.
"Are you really okay?" Sophia asked concerned.
"Sure. Hey, sorry Daryl and I were yelling at dinner."
"My mom and dad used to fight all the time. It was really bad when they did." She added softly, "This isn't so bad. I bet if you talk to him he'll understand. He just doesn't know the Lady like we do. She said Daryl would be afraid. You have to tell him not to be."
"How'd you get so smart bug?" Danni leaned down and kissed the top of Sophia's head drawing out a giggle from the girl. "What are you up to now?"
"Oh Sirius and I are gonna play scrabble. He's got it set up in the living room. "
"Merle too?"
"No, he always makes bad words, you know swear ones, so Sirius won't let him play anymore. He just plays cards by himself."
That brought a smile to Danni's face. My dad playing scrabble with Sophia. What I would have given to have done that at her age. Danni began to feel pained but realized Kieran was getting his second chance. He would have played games with her, if he'd been there.
"Well go on get in there and kick my dad's butt, you smart cookie. "
Danni put the last of the dry dishes in the cabinet and fought the urge to shut Daryl out and to just go to bed without trying to resolve anything. If he wanted to withdraw well, she could withhold too. She peered out the kitchen window into the darkness making out the shadows of trees swaying in the breeze. Branches bending not breaking. She took a couple of deep breaths and counted to ten. She realized he hadn't eaten, so she put some of the chili in a bowl and headed to the parlor.
The soft, hesitant off-key voice stopped Danni in her tracks. She peeked into the sitting room. Daryl was softly singing to the babies. He was holding Ryder bouncing him gently coaxing that smile. Well, he was talking more than singing.
Daryl stopped and looked at her as she leaned against the door frame. She gave him a crooked smile and spoke. "OK, see, we're married; you can't run away anymore. I know we got off track for a while, but back at the prison we were getting this shit down…um….communication, I think it's called."
He was silent.
"I brought you something to eat. You're going to need sustenance if we're going to go another ten rounds."
"I'm never going to be okay with you not being here in our life."
"I am here."
He shook his head. "Maybe staying here isn't such a good idea."
"Look, today-"
"We can't hide things from each other. You getting in deep with this ghost shit again. I don't like it. It changes you Danni. Worries me, how you get."
"I know. It's hard to understand."
"All your conjure stuff, magic, seeing shit I'm okay with it. you know I am, but not if it takes you away from us." He motioned to the kids. "This life. And we have to tell each other everything."
"Agreed."
"That's the only way this is going to work."
"I know." She put the bowl on the side table and stood over him. He put Ryder in the playpen then sat back on the couch.
"You really hate the perfume? " She asked tentatively
"Yeah. I really hate it. It's just not you. But I'm sorry I told you like that." He took a deep breath. "So, how are Merle and your dad doing?"
"I think they enjoyed watching the show. It's been a while since television."
"Come here." He ordered in is soft, gruff rasp.
Danni slid over to sit on Daryl's lap. She swung her legs over his and leaned her head on his chest. "I want a Barbie and a unicorn and roller skates and roller skates for the Barbie and for the unicorn-" he silenced her sing-song list for Santa with a kiss.
"No, secrets?" He asked.
"Cross my heart and hope to die."
"I hate that fucking saying."
"No, secrets."
"Daryl?"
"Yeah?
"I'm sorry."
"Me too. Sorry I was a dick. C'mon let's get to bed."
She shook her head and kissed him while her hands gripped his biceps to steady herself as she shifted to straddle him. She whispered in his mouth. "They're sleeping." she motioned to the babies with her head Daryl ran his hands down her thighs to cup her ass and drag her closer to his crotch. She ground her hips against him sighing in his mouth.
Danni laid her palms on his chest, feeling the hardness. She rubbed her hands over his shoulders to rest lightly on his solid biceps. His muscles moved under her hands and she felt an answering tightness low in her belly.
She broke off the kiss to move down his neck to the center of his chest. She moved her hands under his shirt over his stomach stopping when she reached the waistband of his pants.
At that moment, raucous laughter bellowed from deep in Merle's chest across the hallway and Kieran's voice became loud with animation and as if on cue the twins began crying.
"But they ain't sleeping no more. " Daryl muttered annoyed at the interruption.
She nodded into his neck sighing with her own disappointment.
… … … … … … … … … … … … …. .. … … … … .
After the babies had fallen into slumber in their cribs, Danni tiptoed out of their nursery holding her breath to make sure they'd stay asleep. She nodded to Daryl, who waited in the hallway, "They're down," she mouthed silently. In one fluid motion, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her across the threshold of their bedroom.
"Hey..." She laughed and hit his chest. "Shh...if they wake up..."
He laid her on the bed and brushed the hair from her eyes. "Be careful." He knew she was still thinking about the ghosts.
"Always." Her small smile had him staring at the chip in her tooth and he suddenly felt empty when she added, "I have to help them. If being reunited last time didn't allow them to cross over, then there is something else. I'm missing something."
He sprawled down beside her and stared into her eyes. "I don't wanna have to miss you anymore. You go somewhere with this stuff...somewhere else and I just want you here."
"Hey you know you can come too. If you let yourself."
He sighed and lay back with his arms beneath his head. "What were we talking about earlier, huh? Putting ourselves first?"
"We are. Daryl, their peace is our peace. Whether you like it or not we are connected to John and Lorelei. We need resolution as much as they do. Can you imagine being in a prison of your own worst thoughts and fears, that repeats and repeats and repeats and repeats? Can you imagine being trapped in the event that killed you or something you did that you regret, something that keeps you here? That's hell. Being stuck between worlds. Hell."
He pulled her on top of him and kissed her hungrily. She kissed him back and then rested her head on his chest as he regained his breath. "Hate fighting with you."
"Me too. You're not going to sleep are you?"
Daryl's eyes changed and took on that dark, animalistic glow that sometimes frightened her. Their eyes locked and his piercing stare met hers. His blue irises darkened with something primitive. They bore into her as he answered, "Hell no. I want to fuck you more than anything right now. I need this. Not asking."
She nodded. After all this time he could still make her feel weak in the knees and bring out those damn butterflies in her stomach. Her destroyer of no. She began to undress, but his hands took over, rapidly tearing her clothing away aggressively. He stared at her naked form, his beautiful eyes heated her body where ever they went. She leaned over and kissed down his chest, unbuttoning his shirt and pushing it off as her long, soft hair fell over his bare skin and she moved slowly to his stomach. He reached down and started to unbuckle his belt but she pushed his hands away and freed him herself and lazily kissed down to his cock.
He wanted to stroke deep inside of her, to fuck her hard and take control so he wrapped his arms around her and rolled them over. He ended up on top of her and she circled her legs around his waist. He thrust into her forcefully without giving her a chance to prepare. He pushed harder when she let out a small cry of pleasurable pain. His hands were running from her breasts down to her thighs. He wanted to claim every inch of her. He wanted to drive the sudden emptiness out of his soul.
He leaned down to kiss her as he pounded into her releasing his tension and worry. She was his; he needed to keep her here. She was moaning into his mouth and she squeezed her arms around him grasping him to her tightly as she came hard on him. He could feel her walls convulsing and he had to slow down his strokes before he lost control. In the midst of her orgasm she had scratched his back and his sweat was now making the small wounds sting. That helped him take his mind off his impending climax for the time being so he continued to thrust into her.
She was writhing beneath him, sweat covered her body. Daryl didn't hesitate; he knew what he wanted, to dominate her. He withdrew and ordered, "Turn over. Now." He was the only man she trusted this way and he needed to feel that part of her, the part that submitted to him completely. No arguing, no analyzing, no secrets or distance between them.
"Hear me? Said now."
Danni couldn't help the whimper that escaped her, not from fear but from his raw need. She moved too slowly so he grabbed her hips and flipped her, then slipped into her from behind. She gasped at the new angle of his cock. He felt so much deeper inside her and she moaned loudly as he began to stroke in and out. She arched her back so that he could fuck her harder. He responded by slamming against her ass, thrusting his cock deep into her pussy. She knew he needed this, like the time in Atlanta, like the time in the boiler room back at the prison. When he felt threatened and that he was losing her something took over in him and he dominated.
Her hands reached up and gripped the headboard as he thrust hard into her from behind. Her long hair cascaded down her back and Daryl moved it to the side so he could kiss her spine. At each kiss her pussy clenched around his cock. Daryl bit her gently on the shoulder and she began bucking wildly against him, coming hard once more, her world falling away around them.
He moaned against her loudly trying his best not to come as she convulsed around his cock again. He pulled her back against him so that she was kneeling in front of him. He gripped her hips and held her around the waist so she couldn't move. Daryl kissed the side of her neck and whispered into her ear. "Don't fucking move Danni. I'll come if you move and I want this to last." His voice was raw, broken glass, shredded desire and she'd never felt more wanted or treasured in her life. "Mmm..me too." She barely formed the words.
She stayed perfectly still; breathing heavily and leaning back against his solid chest. Daryl planted small kisses along her elegant neck. They stayed there locked together for a moment and then he started to slowly slide in and out of her again.
Daryl moved his arm up and cupped her breast with one hand while he reached down to tease her clit with the other. They fucked slowly, while Daryl held her against him. Danni's own arms were wrapped back around his neck as he kissed and nibbled her shoulder.
It was intense even though they were barely moving. He thrust deeply in her and brought her to the brink each time but then slowly withdrew. Danni was going insane. She moaned his name and squeezed his cock with her pussy. "What the fuck..." she gasped "Fuck Daryl..., please..."
"Please what?" He grunted against her neck and thrust hard into her.
"Make me come, please..." she was almost crying.
Her desperation triggered him and as he held her tightly to him he released deep inside of her. She cried out as she came with him and slammed down on his cock hard. He continued thrusting into her roughly as he spilled inside. Her pussy was milking his cock, squeezing it until he was empty and sated. Daryl fell backward onto the bed dragging Danni down to his side.
They breathed heavily and neither of them could speak. Daryl was lying on his side with his arms around Danni. She was lying on her back snuggled against him, lightly running her fingers up and down his arm heavy over her waist. He leaned down and kissed her forehead, then moved lower to nuzzle her neck.
"I'm not gonna say something as cliché as we should fight more often if this is the result." Danni murmured.
"You just did." He pointed out.
"Are you okay baby?"
" I'm not letting you slip away, not when I just found you again."
"I'm not Daryl. Don't worry, she won't hurt me. We're not supposed to leave."
"Shut up and sleep." His voice was gruff and weary, but affectionate. "Love you, you know, right?"
"Yeah." Danni knew he was processing. She snuggled closer, sure they'd talk tomorrow.
... .. .. .. .. .. .
Danni wasn't sleepwalking, but she couldn't remember how she got outside. The last thing she remembered was drifting off in Daryl's arms, his comfortable warmth beside her and muscular chest beneath her head. Her legs were intertwined with his and she relished soreness between her thighs. Yet, here she was, the cool night air softly blowing the hem of Daryl's shirt up off her knees. She knew this wasn't a dream. The full moon shone down and fireflies danced and flitted about the posts of the front porch casting a warm glow on the white wood. There were panels of white bed sheets, hung out to dry from the second-floor balcony, gently blowing in the breeze.
She felt a chill race up her spine; an eerie feeling crept over her. As she gazed into the darkness, she could make out a hazy cloud, hovering in one spot. She blinked, shocked, as it almost seemed to move toward her. Then it was gone. She felt alone, bereft, until the cool air, like a cold breath, brushed her neck.
She was alone, but suddenly, she was not alone. She could not see anyone but could feel a presence close by, a closeness that would normally have made her uneasy. Now she felt comfort.
A second form, gray and shadowy floated up the front path directly toward her. It began to coalesce, to take a vague shape. At first she couldn't make out details, but it was the form of a man. As it came closer, it became clearer, but all she could tell for sure was that he was about Daryl's height and was wearing the gray uniform she'd found in that trunk last year.
"John?" Danni asked hesitantly.
The figure nodded. His resemblance to Daryl was uncanny. He looked like Daryl when they'd first met with short dirty blonde hair and less beard; he looked boyish yet dignified in his uniform.
He looked puzzled for a moment then pointed to the magnolia tree. Danni saw an image of John in an embrace with a beautiful woman.
"You and Lorelei? You loved her?" She asked.
John's face twisted in pain as he motioned her to look again. Two grave markers that hadn't been on the property before came into view as the mist lifted around them. Lorelei was kneeling prostrate on the ground before the markers, her shoulders hunched with sobs.
Danni was not close enough to read the writing on the wooden crosses. "Who...why are you showing me this?"
He started to dissolve into mist once more.
"But what happened?" Danni asked desperately. "Why are you here? What do you want?" She whipped her head back and forth from his dissolving form to the vision under the tree fading from her view.
Suddenly Daryl was behind her. "Danni? What the hell? What are you doing outside in the middle of the damn night? Alone? Can't be coming out here like this, Walkers can still get through the damn fences."
"I'm not alone. Didn't you see him?" She asked desperately. "Her?"
Daryl grabbed her shoulders and spun her to face him. "See who?" He looked worried. "Danni what the hell is goin' on?"
"The graves." She twisted from his grip and ran to the markers, but they were gone. She fell to her knees and ran her hands over the grass. "But they were here...two...who were they for..."
"Danni what the hell are you talking about?" Daryl pulled her to her feet.
"They need me Daryl."
He noticed her wild-eyed stare, felt her feverish skin, almost clammy to his touch and the way her body trembled with adrenaline. When her teeth started chattering, he grabbed her and pulled her close. All she had on was his flannel shirt.
"This is what I'm talking about. This isn't good for you. You're doing it again." He looked up at the house and scanned the second floor windows. He did a double take when he thought he saw Danni standing in their bedroom window wearing the ghost's dress. But Danni was here in his arms, he was holding her. So why could he see her in the house?
"We need you Danni...I need you. Stop taking about them."
"Daryl, there were two graves. Right there."
He wouldn't let her turn her head away so she continued. "Two. And there were two cribs in the attic...two highchairs. All the antique baby stuff my dad found. Two of everything ...I think there were children. That's what I'm missing..."
He held her tighter, apprehension twisting his gut as she kept up her breathless questioning.
Daryl glanced up at the window again, but the figure had disappeared. Don't bring the kids into this...damn ghosts, not my kids...
Danni's eyes clouded and she began to recite in a distant voice.
"But there were pictures
snapped in my mind
that I wanted to record in words
before days and years
and nights and nights and nights
thieve them away from me.
Maybe I'm tired
maybe I'm alone
and all my love
is in an envelope
that I could not send to you
when I could not fit myself in, too.
This is how we all save each other.
We've lived and died so many times.
And death shall not win tonight."
"Danni?" He shook her shoulders trying to bring her out of the daze. She was sounding and acting the way she had that night at the prison describing the battlefield like she was someone else. "Danni come back, dammit."
Her eyes refocused on him. "The are trying to tell me something." She whispered.