Here's the next chapter for you guys, I would really appreciate some more reviews…

If you haven't checked it out already, there's a link to the trailer I made for this story on my profile (or on the previous chapter).

Chapter Twenty Three

Lila lay on her back in the truck, Daryl hovering above her as she bit into her fist to stop herself from screaming. It was dark and Lila was made to hold a flashlight as Daryl forced the needling through her skin. Tears filled her eyes unwillingly as he pulled the thread through.

"This is just your way of getting back at me for calling you a lying piece of ass," Lila hissed as Daryl continued stitching up her wound.

"Yeah, this ain't for your own good or nothin', not like you'd be bleedin' to death right now if it weren't for me," He replied sarcastically.

"I'm sorry I pissed you off, I feel like an asshole after all of this going down," Lila said, closing her eyes and holding onto the car seat in an attempt to breathe through the pain.

"You were right, I was being a child. You have bigger things to worry about than me going off on some vengeance trip." Lila finalised quietly.

"I'm sorry, is this little miss know it all admittin' she was wrong?" Daryl smirked but only slightly and it disappeared too quickly for Lila's liking.

"Just next time, just ask me if you want me to stay put, don't go drugging me, it gave me the headache from hell."

"They really did a number on you, didn't they?" Daryl asked, his eyes meeting Lila's. She struggled to swallow as she turned to look out the window.
"I was kept prisoner, used for one thing and one thing only," She replied, causing Daryl to wince as anger swelled in his stomach, "But that was then. I'll survive I guess, I'll get over it, move on or whatever." There was an awkward silence between them for a few minutes, Daryl struggled to come to terms with what had happened to her, the thought of anyone using her like that made his neck flush red with rage and his heart try to punch its way out of his own chest.

"All stitched up, try not to go climbin' any houses or shit for a while." Daryl changed the subject and Lila turned the flashlight towards the wound, looking at it and sighing.

"That is gunna be a nasty scar," Lila said quietly as Daryl placed a bandage over the top of it.

"You'll pull it off," Daryl replied, his eyes not reaching hers, instead concentrating on putting away the bandages from the first aid kit.

"I really am sorry," Lila said quietly, her eyes catching Daryl's in the moonlight.

"Quit doin' stupid shit and I might believe you," He replied, but his voice seemed lower, gentler. Just as Lila could feel the warmth of his breath on her lips, he pulled back.

"Get some sleep, we got a long road ahead of us." Daryl grabbed his things and opened the door of the truck.

"Oh…I'll help keep watch, I don't mind," Lila replied.

"Don't worry bout it, I got you," Daryl said, closing the door and walking off towards where Rick and Glenn stood, a map in front of them.

Lila lay back, finding that the second she thought of going to sleep, her eyes closed and she drifted into unconsciousness.

It was dark and cold, she could feel the soil beneath her finger tips as she lay there. Her own clothes were torn, ripped and dirtied. Bruises patterned her skin, a pain in her back stopped her from drawing in any long, much needed breaths.

"Bitch is still cryin'," A voice from the other room sounded, as Lila tried to claw her way into the corner. If she could just find somewhere to hide.

"I can shut her up," Another voice replied, she recognised it this time. It was low, heavy and filled with authority. She knew as soon as she heard it that it was about to begin all over again.

His hands found her, grabbing her by the ankle as he dragged her out of the corner she'd been hiding in. She screamed and held onto the floor so hard her nails began to bleed. She didn't stop screaming as he ripped her clothes from her and held the knife at her throat, he turned her over, moving the knife to her back as he made one long, slow cut.. All there was was screaming.

She woke with a jolt, a sheen of sweat covering her face and chest as her breathing grew erratic.

"You're alright," Daryl soothed as best he could, "Just me," He reassured, but Lila's eyes didn't register and she began to panic, "It's me come on, Daryl," He continued and she closed her eyes, listening to the sound of his voice. His hand went to the back of her neck as he moved down to her level.

"Bad dream, can't have you attractin' walkers with all the screamin'."

"I'm sorry," Lila managed to mumble, wiping the sweat from her forehead.

"Here," Daryl took out a rag from his pocket and doused it in a little water from his bottle before pressing it to her neck. She tried to calm her breathing as he dabbed the moist cloth on her feverish skin.

"What the hell you dreamin' about that's made you get in a state like this?" He asked.

"Nothing important," She replied, opening her eyes.

"You're shakin', some shits got you pretty worked up, musta been some nothin'."

"I need to do something, get out of this truck, help out, anything," Lila said, forcing the rag Daryl was holding away from her as she grew anxious.

"We think we mighta found some place to go. Farm house or manor of some kind just ten miles up the road, might hold us for a while." Daryl said, his voice sounded normal but Lila took note of the worry in his eyes.

"What can I do?"

"We're headin' there now, you can help us check the place out, as long as you stick close to me and don't go wanderin' round like a lost puppy."

Soon enough the cars were packed and everyone was heading up the road towards the mystery farm house Daryl had mentioned. Lila stared out the window as they drove, enjoying the breeze on her skin. As they pulled up to the house, she grew more cautious, rolling the window up she pulled her knife out of her bag. As soon as the car stopped, she climbed out, her side stinging with the movement.

"Me and Glenn can check out the grounds, Daryl if you wanna see what's goin' on inside, make sure there's no strays," Rick ordered.

"I'll take Lila with me, check the place. If we ain't out in a half hour she's got us both killed," Daryl stated in all seriousness, Lila swung her hand into his stomach lightly.

"Chill, I was jokin'," Daryl shot her one of his trademark crooked smirks as he made his way inside the house.

"Didn't sound like joke to me," Lila muttered under her breath.

They entered the house cautiously, Lila followed Daryl just as he had asked her, although she had to fight her curiosity in an attempt not to explore the place in detail. There was something brutal about entering what used to be someone else's home, the abandoned family portraits on the walls told the story of a happy couple with a few kids. She didn't like to think what had happened to them when the end of the world was on their doorstep. Daryl set a hand in front of Lila to stop her suddenly, bringing her back to earth with a shock. She followed his pointed finger with her eyes, taking note of the sounds of shuffling and groaning. Barely visible from the hallway, was a walker – a fully grown woman who had wasted away to nothing. Just as they were about to make their way into the kitchen to take care of the stray walker, another appeared at the bottom of the stairs, black, putrid blood dripping from its decaying mouth. It's reaction seemed slower than usual, as Daryl shot an arrow straight through its head. Lila turned to find the other walker jut a foot away from her, in her moment of panic she drove her knife through its eye, bringing it to an immediate halt.

"Nice one," Daryl stated.

"Is it just me or do they seem slower than usual?" She frowned as they continued their search.

"Probably not eaten in weeks, months maybe, means this place is as good as deserted, doubt a lot of the walkers have stuck around to starve." He replied nonchalantly.

The pair exited the house fifteen minutes later, having found no more walkers, to the awaiting eyes of the group.

"Two walkers, looks like they were locked in there, stupid sons a bitches couldn't open the damn door," Daryl stated loud enough for everyone to hear.

"The grounds look secure enough, it doesn't look like a permanent settlement but it'll do for tonight, maybe tomorrow," Rick added as he and Glenn came around the corner.
"I'll get burnin' the two we found," T-Dog said as he made his way into the house.

"Don't move all your stuff in, leave it with basics. Don't wanna get too comfortable," Rick added as the group began to disperse.

"You don't think this could keep us for the winter, building looks sturdy enough, no walkers in the area," Lila said as she and Daryl grabbed their bags from the truck. He shrugged as if uninterested.

"We have to move we'll move, don't make no difference."

The bedrooms upstairs were clean enough considering they'd long been abandoned; there'd been no looters so the pantry was filled with canned foods and the place had some running water, which despite it being freezing, was a relief.

Lila stood in one of the bedrooms, unpacking her things, or what was left of them. She fondled the radio in her hands, it had been crushed in the fight and wouldn't even turn on, never mind find a signal.
"Knock, knock," Daryl said from the doorway, leaning his shoulder on the frame as he chewed on his thumbnail.
"Things broken," Lila laughed apathetically, "After all the effort to get it in the first place." She threw the radio down on the bed and sat down, placing her head in her hands as she breathed. She felt the bed lower beside her and suddenly there was a feather light touch appeared on her shoulder, Lila turned her head to see Daryl gently rubbing the skin with his thumb.

"Don't need your sympathy," Lila smiled, "But I appreciate it." Silence overcame the room as they stared at each other, Daryl's ice blue eyes staring into hers. Before she could comprehend her next move, his lips were already on hers. His hand found its way around her neck as they pushed to get closer to one another. Gently Lila found herself being pushed further up onto the mattress, Daryl's weight above her as his tongue caressed hers. The whole thing was slow yet desperate as Daryl pushed Lila's vest up over her shoulders and tossed it aside. His mouth left hers as he allowed his fingertips to trace the bandaged wound at her side.

"Sure do get yourself in some trouble, LB," He said quietly.

Lila swallowed nervously, finding herself trembling beneath him, "I'm about to get myself in a whole lot more." She replied, finding his mouth again.

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