XXXXXX
Snuff - Chapter Five - No Regrets
Justified anger or not, no one could deny the tension that had built in the room even with Rick's leave. No one else really knew what to think of the new comer, let alone Daryl's reaction to things. While he was always one to take things a bit far, in this instance he was a bit right in what he did. Or so they saw it that way, however no one dared follow the two outside. Even Carol fought back the temptation to follow and lend a helping hand to the two who were obviously very lost at the moment. Everyone knew Daryl would never admit to needing help, or being lost or stuck on a situation. But this one seemed obvious, even if he had made up his mind about the girl. The tension and issues it would obviously bring to the group weighed on him, and everyone but him seemed to see it. Though once again, no one would dare say a word.
Kira followed closely to Daryl as he paced back and forth outside. He was mumbling to himself and going no where but back and forth. As soon as this fact made itself known to Kira she stepped away and took a seat on the grass to watch him. She had such gratitude for his heroism and attempts to keep her around, yet the guilty feeling in the pit of her stomach made her uneasy, and brought about second thoughts in her choices to follow him. "Perhaps I should go..." She whispered loud enough for him to hear, but quiet enough she'd hoped he hadn't.
Daryl's pacing seemed to not be helping as it usually did. All he could think about was how wrong Rick was, and how if it had been him to bring in someone new, everyone would have to suck it up and accept it. He couldn't deny Rick had done good for the group, and had rarely been wrong in a choice. Even if it had been wrong at the time, it always turned out right in the end. Daryl however knew his choices varied. He was a poor choice in character at times, taking his own brother in as an example. No one could tell him a foul word about Merle, and while Daryl would know it to be true, in his head and heart he'd fight it. While he had defended this girl so far already he himself couldn't even believe every word was true. As far as he knew she still had a brother out there as well, who was no doubt looking for her if he was alive. Worse was, what if he did find help? They'd be overrun with even more people... The risks were insane, yet when Kira spoke of leaving Daryl's heart jumped. Not from joy, but from the fear she might actually do it.
"Go? After what I jus' went through for ya?" He laughed sarcastically before continuing to pace, though his steps became shorter and slower. "Sure, sure why not? Jus' go on an' make me look like'a liar!" He waved towards the gate they'd come in at. "Hell maybe if I'm lucky you'll get 'yer ass eatin' before ya' even get to the woods! Even better if 'erbody saw it! Then I'd really be off the hook!" Daryl's voice had slowly risen to a yell with each passing word. He could almost feel Kira flinching with each step he took now.
"Y... You really want that?" He heard her small voice followed.
He stopped again, shutting his eyes tightly before slapping both hands to cover them. He let out a low growl that turned into a frustrated scream. He threw his hands down to his side "No! I don't want that" he mocked refusing to look at her. In fact the very thought of it made him sick. Not only because of the wasted life, but because... Well she wasn't so bad... "Ya can't leave, 'cause chances of you getting' eatin' like that with errbody watchin' isn't likely so it'd be a waste" He tried to sound joking, anything to break the new mood he'd brought on with his stupid mouth yet it didn't work. He didn't like this girl, she got her feelings hurt too damn fast and anything involving feelings made him feel more awkward than ever. Surly she would be the death of him, simply for that.
"What am I supposed to do then? I'm not as good as you lead on... you know that!" She stood now, trying to show some sign of life, but she wasn't fooling him. She was nearing a breakdown of epic proportions and honestly he couldn't blame the girl. Having no where to go, to being somewhere you're not wanted couldn't have been easy. Yet he could understand, even after all he'd done for this group he still didn't feel as wanted as he should have. Well, by Carol maybe... But one person doesn't exactly make up for a while group, yet here Daryl was hoping to prove that theory wrong with Kira.
"I'll teach ya'. We got time in the mornin' when people are sleepin'. When I'm keepin' watch or whatever I can teach ya some stuff. You just can't let me down. I'm puttin' a lot of effort into you! Don't be wastin' my time!" The mood had finally shifted with Daryl's plan. Kira seemed to perk up a bit, almost as if the very idea excited her. At least she was eager about things, and that alone put Daryl in a better mood. "Least ya' know how to shoot a gun so we won't be wastin' bullets." He added, trying to ignore the smile on her face. If there was anything worse than a sad, crying woman it was one who looked to be on the verge of a happy crying woman. Those kind were just annoying.
Things seemed to be going a bit better, till the door opened and Carol made herself known. Daryl sighed a bit. "You know how'ta use a knife right?" He asked Kira who's sights were on Carol, only not as fearful as before. Kira nodded in response. "Good, make yerself useful.." He tossed his covered knife towards her "there's two birds and a squirrel in a bucket over 'round back. Clean 'em" Kira looked a bit bothered, but quickly rushed off to do the chore.
"You know Rick means well..." Carol stated as soon as Kira was out of sight. Daryl nodded a bit, he didn't feel like having this conversation but knew it was hopeless with Carol. She'd grown so much in the time they'd known each other. From a woman more broken than Kira to a woman who could hold her own, even against Daryl. While he would never try on purpose he could imagine it would be nearly impossible to make her cry or cower like he used to. While this made him happy and even proud in a sense, it also meant that when she wanted something she got it. Even if it meant making Daryl listen to a sob story about how he should try harder. "He's just worried for the group is all." She added when she knew he didn't plan on replying.
"An' I'm not?" He shot back, feeling almost offended. "Dammit Carol she was alone out there, she'd been dead in a matter of days had not been fer me! What was I suppose to do?" While he'd started in a yell, he ended calm. He saw no reason in starting a yelling match. No doubt Kira would hear it and he was currently trying to build her up, not break her down.
Carol sighed, all to used to this from him. "You did the right thing, no one is doubting that. But, you have to see it from his side as well... He'll calm down soon enough, and I'm sure she'll fit right in." Carol stopped and sighed a bit "though... I don't know how well with you as a teacher..." She teased, to which Daryl just scoffed. Carol reached out to pat his arm before making her way back inside.
