CHAPTER 4

Beth's POV

I glared at the house as I quickly swept through the ground floor. Why did Daryl have to be such an annoying bastard? I pretty much saved his damn ass and he doesn't thank me! Typical redneck! It was annoying the hell out of me. I was getting better at surviving as the days roll on, so him being a drag wasn't helping me develop even further! He probably still thought of me as a damn child, only good for raising Judith!

I visibly flinched as the girl came to mind. I clenched me eyes shut, pushing away all of the memories of my family. Maggie, Glenn, Rick, Carl, Tyreese, Sasha, Judith, everyone at the prison. I missed them all terribly, and being stuck with a redneck who didn't talk other then grunts wasn't helping me cope the way I should be! I opened my eyes again, turning towards the oak wood stairs that looked like they'd fall apart at the slightest bit of weight. Even though everyone these days were pretty much twigs, we still weighed something, so I walked up, putting slight weight on the bottom stair.

Sighing in relief as it held, I picked up my other foot, putting my whole weight on it now. Still held. Maybe it wasn't as bad as I thought? I still checked the next step, and then the next, and after about four steps holding, I gave up and just started to walk up. They creaked horribly as if there was a walker up there, it's be eating my face in already.

I quickly raced up the last three steps. Huge mistake. The last step gave out from under me and I fell in, barely catching myself with my arms. I didn't scream out, I didn't cry. I just angrily cursed. Guess Daryl was rubbing off on me.

"Fuck!" I softly muttered, arms shaking as I lifted myself up, quickly scooting away from the hole as I looked down the hole and then down the stairs to see Daryl.

"Asshole!" I yelled down to Daryl, who had decided to just watch me instead of helping me. "Don't care enough to help me?" I added, huffing as I stood up and looked around. There were 6 doors, one to left, three to my right, another two farther down the hall. The room to my left was open so I just took a quick looks inside. It had an old bed with a bunch of games and stuff. Probably used as a play room for their kids. The first door to my right was closed, so I held up my knife as I swung the door open and stepped into the room.

It was empty and had a frilly bed with lots of pink. Probably a young daughter's room. I walked back out an to the next door, which was open. It was just a hall closet that looked ransacked in a hurry. The next door was ajar but no fully open, I pushed it open with my foot, waiting for a walker to show up. Never did. It was a plain room with a Queen bed, plain black comforter. It had a TV and some comic books. Son's room. His closest was open and ransacked. I'm guessing they grabbed stuff before they left.

Walking back out I heard the creak of the stairs. I rolled me eyes. So now Daryl decides to come help. Pushing him from my mind I checked the next room. It was a plain bathroom that was ransacked of toothbrushes and other toiletries. I walked out and stood at the other door. It was closed, and without thinking, I didn't grab my knife I just threw it open and stepped inside.

A male walker with half his skull, came barreling at me, teeth chopping in excitement. I was pushed to the ground as I held up my arms, my hands pressed onto his bloody shoulders. Adrenaline rushed through my veins as he came closer and closer to my neck. He had my beat by weight, he had to be about 190 pounds or so! I kept struggling, grunting and cursing as I pushed him farther away, but not far enough to get up yet.

Just as his teeth were inches from my upper arm, a crossbow bolt sunk into his left eye. His dead weight fell on my and I pushed him off, glaring down at it.

"Yer welcome," Daryl spoke gruffly, as if helping me was a burden. I stalked past him, ignoring him as I trotted down the stairs, looks around the connected living room and dinning room. It was a glorious open floor plan. I walked into the kitchen, dropping my satchel on the counter as I looked through the cupboards.

There was only a couple cans of fruit and a stale bag of Fruity Pebbles. Not enough but it was all they had. We had some of our own food so we'd be fine for at least two days, but if we stayed here, we'd need to go on a run, and soon.

Grabbing a can of peaches, I cut along the top with my knife, tossing the piece of metal into the sink as I jumped up into the counter and began to eat, well, more like devour. I was starving, not even going to lie. Trying to find food after the prison was hard, and almost everywhere we went it was ransacked already.

I watched silently as Daryl walked up, grabbing a can of beans and doing the same, but stood leaning against the wall instead of up on the counter like me. I took a couple bites but always ended up looks back up at him. I don't know what it was, but I felt safe around him. It was weird, I know but I couldn't shake it.

"So are we gonna keep moving or?" I questioned, causing the man to look up from his sucky meal. His dark eyes landing on my own baby blue optics.

"I dunno'," he muttered, shrugging along with his useless words. God damn, couldn't he put a whole sentence together anymore?! God!

"Your an annoying asshole. You do realize that right?" I snapped quickly, glaring straight at the gruff looking redneck before continuing, "I thought you were only suppose to be a dick when your drunk!" I muttered, smirking as I watched him squirm as I talk. Hell, I never use to cuss, I hated doing it now but it just seemed more mature now a days. What better way to show I wasn't no god damn girl? Well, okay they're could be better ways but whatever.

"Well if you wake up and I'm not there, then you'll know I decided to do what I want and won't be stuck with an emotionless redneck," I muttered, stabbing at my peaches as I heard a short intake of breathe. I didn't look up, I couldn't. I wouldn't of been able to take the look he would be giving me. Guilt stung at my heart as I tried to ignore it. I hadn't meant it, I wanted a reaction, some emotion. But I wasn't Daryl, I was soft and kind and innocent. "I'm sorry Daryl, I didn't mean it I swear," I quickly spoke looking up shyly.

Squealing as I saw that Daryl now stood in front of me, only inches away from me. He leaned down, starring at me as his lips lightly touched mine, with purpose but not forceful. He wasn't holding me there, but I stared at him for a quick second before pressing my lips back against his. I don't exactly know why, but I knew I had a crush, if you'd like to call it that, on him back at the prison but I just pushed it away as impossible. I was about to wrap my arms around his neck when he pulled back suddenly, stepping back multiple feet.

"I'm going to bed," his voice was strained as he spoke, quickly leaving me with feelings I wouldn't be able to contain, or understand. I could only guess what he was feeling. I smiled softy to myself, a pink blush rising on to my cheeks. He had shown me emotion, and lots of it. I couldn't help but wonder how long he'd been feeling like that. Or if he was just playing with my feelings. Oh god, if he was just playing with me I'd defiantly be different around him. More so then how'd I'd act around him after tonight.

My thought swam in a million different directions, but each one had something to do with Daryl and that kiss. It had been short but it had meaning and purpose. Not some little kid kiss you get when someone is dared to do it. Daryl had kissed me with meaning, with purpose. I still couldn't fathom it. I probably would never be able too.

I still sat on the counter, my peaches to my left side. Silently and slowly, I began to clean up the kitchen, putting garbage in a pile and food that was still good in another. Sighing, I walked out of the kitchen, looking intently around the house hoping to find Daryl. After not finding him on the first floor, I gave up and just walked up the stairs. I turned to go into the closest room and frowned. The door was closed. Pressing my ear against the door, I listened silently, wondering why it was closed.

Freezing, I took a step back and quickly went across the hall and into the room, shutting the door and starting at the ground. I had heard Daryl in the other room. Moaning. And not just plain moans, he was moaning my name.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Little cliffhanger for you guys! So, I decided while writing this, which I rewrote more times then I should of, that it was going to be more of Daryl who was controlling feelings, instead of Beth. She'll grow the same feelings soon but I'm not promising any smut for the next chapter, or even the next one.

So! Because i'm a sucker for praises, I'm going to need at least 6 more replies before I'll upload the next chapter. Hopefully this one wasn't too short and you guys liked it!

Until Next Chapter! -Vix