Chapter 3: Choice

I spent the next day or two in that room, talking with Vincent about what had happened to the group, what had happened to me and what had happened to him. Every now and then a lady would come in with some water and some tablets for me to take and I had never thought I would be so keen to shovel barely warm spaghetti into me.

"We drove for as far as we could," Vincent started, referring to the morning we were separated, picking at the bread on my plate as I chewed on my stale breakfast, "every town we stopped in was flooded with the biters, there was nothing I could do, I didn't know how to keep them safe." He hung his head, his hand reaching out to pat Trix who stretched out beside me on the bed, eyes droopy as he snored slightly. That was my brother, taking on too much, feeling responsible for people and things he didn't need to.
"We kept off the roads," I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck as I thought back all those months ago, "but not even that was safe." I gave Vincent a weak smile and he patted my knee as I crossed my legs on the bed. A stab of fear jolted me and I grabbed my brother's hand, turning it over and traced my fingertips over his palm. There were three or more red raised scars, one stretching from his thumb to his wrist and I reached over to grab his other hand, Vincent offering no resistance as I looked at his scared palms. I looked up at him, wanting to know what had caused these and he just looked at them as I held them, Vincent wrapping his hands over mine and giving a weak smile.
"Like I said, I didn't know how to keep them safe."

It was painful to see and Vincent just shrugged his shoulders, taking his hands back and getting to his feet.
"Well, I think you've been in bed long enough, up for a walk?"
Before he could even finish his sentence I got to my feet, startling Trix but he didn't mind as I slid my plate of half eaten breakfast to him, licking the plate clean hungrily.
"You have to tell me where we are, and how you save me."
Vincent smiled, something that brought joy to my heart and I walked to him, wrapping my arms around him and resting my head on his chest. Vincent returned the embrace, his chin resting on top of my head and I sighed as I listened to the thud of his heart.
"Sure will, but you need a shower."

It was like I real had gone to heaven; a place where there was hot water, the food wasn't all that bad, my brother was here and people were alive and smiling at me as I walked down the corridor. The only thing was that they were carrying guns and every now and then I could hear shots being fired from the building roof.
Turning the tap off I towelled myself off, carefully stepped onto the tiled floor, still a little wobbly but it felt good to be up and moving. Stepping across to the bench, I wiped the steam off the mirror, staring at the person I saw. She didn't look the same, it wasn't how I pictured myself. I didn't know how I would be different, I felt silly as I stood there staring at my reflection, but there was something different. My skin was still pale, probably more so, my hair long and dark as it draped in a tangled mess over my shoulders, I was still too bony and I let the brown towel drop to the side. There just above my hip was the bite mark, where that son of a bitch of a walker took a chunk out of me, the wound that would turn into a scar that would forever remind me of how I was nearly killed. I found that medical supplies Vincent had left on the bench for me, carefully applying the cream and tensing as it stung, covering it with the large sticky band aid. I looked up at the mirror again and to the sad looking specimen of a girl but as I leant in closer, my green eyes staring back, there was something different about them, I just couldn't put my finger on it.

A knock at the door startled me and I secured the towel around my body before I cleared my throat.
"Yes?"
The door opened ever so slightly and I rolled my eyes as Vincent's arm reached in, a bundle of clothes in his grip.
"Let me know if these don't fit."
I took the clothes from him, grinning at the material, wondering where they had found clean clothes.
"So this is where you live?" I asked, Vincent leaving the door ajar, the cold air stirring the steam and made me dry off quicker. I could hear Vincent outside the door clearly, and if I knew my brother he was leaning on the wall with his arms crossed like the cool cat he tried to always be.
"Pretty much. We found a heap of generators in the basement and every now and then we turn them on. Not many people live here, this is more of a… temporary base."
Slightly confused, I was going to ask him to clarify for me but instead Vincent asked me one.
"So what's going on between you and Daryl?"

Pulling the fitting dark purple tank top over the slightly loose dark green cargo pants, at least the bra and undies my brother picked weren't too big, I tried my best not to blush, shoving my arms into the warm black cardigan and opening the bathroom door. Vincent was sitting on the bed, looking like a man that had the world on his shoulders and some of my embarrassment vanished, he was just being protective. I twisted my damp hair over my shoulder, drying it as best I could with the towel and avoided Vincent's eyes. I wasn't embarrassed, there was nothing to be embarrassed about; I loved Daryl, but it was a different think telling my brother, the same brother that had threatened every other boyfriend I brought home with a shotgun like a father with his daughters prom date.
"We're… we are part of a group. We got separated by these lunatics and I got bitten. How did you find me?" I frowned slightly and Vincent returned the scowl, knowing I was trying to change the topic but he didn't force me to answer like he would have done in the past.

"I was doing a run when I found him carrying you." He looked up at me with those dark green eyes, "he obviously cares for you, and he didn't leave the room while you were unconscious, not once."
Great, now I felt even worse, I hadn't seen Daryl for a day or more, he didn't come to see me and I wasn't allowed to leave, not with that crabby lady ordering pills down my throat and rest.
I moved to sit on the bed beside him, the towel dropping in my lap and I sighed, smiling to myself.
"I love him," I chuckled as Vincent turned to look at me, "I had been on my own for so long, I had thought that was how I was going to be until I died but then he came along, he took me to his group which welcomed me and things, things kind of just went from there."
I looked up at my brother, smiling like a giddy school confessing to her friend about her crush. I couldn't articulate just how real it felt and how strenuous it could be, how it had taken me a long time to get over my fear of admitting it to myself let alone Daryl. I was strong, and he was strong also but if anything was to happen to Daryl, I wouldn't know how to cope. Half expecting Vincent to argue, to say that it couldn't be love, I braced my emotions and thought of every come back I could but instead Vincent leant across and kissed my temple.
"That's great. Something like that, I never thought I would hear you say it. Now put your shoes on, slow poke."

I watched as he stood up, fixing his light blue tee shirt over his black jeans before he shrugged on his jacket. Shoes were on my feet before long, and I was lacing up the boots when I realised that something was missing.
"My necklace! My ring?" I looked around my brother apartment, hoping that they would leap out at me but they didn't and I felt bile rise in my throat. Had I lost them or had someone stolen them? I felt along my ears, all my piercings were still in, but where were the two things I cared for the most?
A hand was in front of me suddenly and I looked at the gold chain necklace and ring, the locket resting on Vincent's scared palms and I sighed with relief, taking it from him.
"Thank you,"
Vincent just nodded, watching me as I put my necklace on and slipped the ring back over my thumb, not feeling completely naked anymore.
"Ready to go?"

Nodding, I followed my brother from his small room and out into the corridor. Large windows allowed the sun to shine through, not a cloud in sight but I still shivered at the cold that seemed to seep in through the walls.
"I found this place a little while ago with a few people that found me. Since then we tried to make this place as safe and as liveable as possible to survive the winter."
As we walked, people would smile and wave at Vincent and we had to stop every now and then so that he could discuss things with them. I tried not to listen but some were to do with a leak on the roof or they didn't have enough blankets, one woman asking when they would be leaving.
"Soon," my brother promised and I raised an eyebrow when he returned his attention to me.
"This isn't where these people will stay, we need a safer place; our only problem is that we are kind of trapped.

He led me up the stairs and before I even reached the fourth floor I was out of breath, my ribs ached but I pushed through it before Vincent noticed. Pushing open the door to the roof a few levels later, I covered my eyes as the sun swept over me before I wrapped my arms around myself, shivering at the cold wind that blew up from the surrounding forest and empty country city. Except it wasn't empty and I stepped closer to the edge, the thin metal bars all that stood between me and a long drop to a sea of walkers. They were everywhere, banging against the doors or pacing as they waited for someone to grab.
"How did you get us through that?"
Vincent joined me after calling over a few people who lifted their machine guns from over the barrier. He stood next to me, sighing as he peered down at them.
"There's a door on the other side, not as crowded. We got you in with the expenditure of ammunition. It's easy to get one or a small group out, but we have twenty or thirty people here, I don't want to risk it."

"Sup boss?"
I turned to the new faces, standing in front of us with a fierce determined look in their eyes before they looked at me, shock now replacing their looks.
"This is Sierra, my sister. Sierra, meet my loyal dogs, this is Armstrong," the large built man gave me a smile, his face brutish but I could see that he was kind, "Hughes," the younger of them smiled, blonde hair sweeping across hazel eyes, a piercing on his eyebrow, "And last but not least Trisha."
The woman looked me up and down, her dark skin beautiful and lean, sharp eyes watching me as she flicked short brown hair from her face.
"I thought you were dead." She said, almost disappointed that I lived and I did my best to smile through it.
"We'll glad we have another O'Kane in the group, we could always do with more help." Armstrong grinned, reaching out with his large hand to shake mine and I returned the grip as tightly as I could muster, feeling a little odd using the old custom of greeting new people, I thought the only way now was with a gun.
"The girl that lived," Hughes chuckled, dropping his smile as Trisha looked down at him sadly.
"Geek." She mumbled, walking away and Hughes bit his lip but I chuckled as well, nodding my head.
"I guess I am. Think I could make a book and movie series?"
Hughes smiled at me and I looked to Vincent.
"I prefer Jasmine. I've used it for a while now, I guess I am more used to it."

Vincent looked down at me, his mind thinking it over but he nodded.
"Alright then Jasmine," he said, rolling my new name over and over on his tongue and I sighed, if he kept doing that I might just get sick of it. Glancing around the roof top, I saw Trisha perched on a fallen power box, glaring at me from the distance.
"Don't mind her," Armstrong said, nudging my shoulder, "She lost her partner a few days ago."
Sadly I looked up at the large man, knowing full well why she might not like me.
"A bite?"
Armstrong nodded and turned, returning to his post and I folded my arms over my stomach, feeling the band aid pull at my skin as I moved and I turned away from Trisha. I was sorry, but it wasn't my fault I lived and he didn't, hopefully she would see that, but then again I didn't want to make friends, that wasn't why I was here.

"Vince?"
My brother turned from Hughes, giving him some quick words before he walked over to me.
"How did I live? I thought everyone that got bitten would die."
Vincent nodded his head, biting the side of his lip and putting his hands on his hips, moving the jacket to reveal the gun holstered at his side; was that what he would have shot me with if I didn't live?
"We don't know. We had some medication and we were quick to act." He swallowed hard, looking away from me and I tensed, waiting to hear what he was going to say.
"You did die," he managed to choke out, "Only for a minute or something but it felt like forever. You were out for a couple of days and we weren't sure if you would pull through, and if you did if you would all be back." He said, pointing to his head and I sucked in my lips, keeping my own panic and sadness from showing on my face. I was an odd thing to hear that I had died, it made my nightmare seem more real and I sighed, giving Vincent a smile.
"I'm all here. I remember everything, I still feel the same." I tried to laugh, but it came out more as a cough and I felt goose bumps raise all over my body.

"Come on, let's get you back inside."
I nodded, walking beside my brother and as we reached the stairs, I looked back up at him when he stopped, someone calling his name from the roof.
"You remember the way back?"
I nodded but before Vincent turned away I grabbed his hand.
"Daryl, do you know where he is?"
A cold feeling spread like ink through me; had he left, without saying goodbye?
Vincent gave me a funny look and before nodding, stepping down to my level before gesturing with his hand.
"Same floor my room is on, if I'm right he is still in the room at the very end."
I was about to set off when Vincent gently grabbed my shoulder, turning me around and pulling me into an embrace, his arms wrapping tightly around me and I felt safe as I leant against him.
"I'm glad your back, I missed you."
"Shame we don't have Sean here." I mumbled, feeling my heart ache for our youngest sibling but I stepped back, smiling at Vincent before making my way down the stairs and towards the room.

As quickly as I could I reached the room at the end, knocking on the door. Running my hands over my clothing and through my hair, I tried to make myself look somewhat presentable, despite the fact that Daryl had seen me dying.
The door opened and my shoulders relaxed as I looked at Daryl, his face tight and solid like stone, his eyes staring straight at me and I had words on my tongue ready but they died when Daryl stepped forward, his strong arms wrapping around me and I buried my face in his chest as he gently gripped the back of my head, pinning me to him. I gripped his jacket, breathing him in and thanking whatever God that I was here to enjoy this, to be with him and my entire being felt joyful, luckily he was holding onto me or I felt as though I would float away.

With tender fingers that were calloused Daryl lifted my face to his, kissing me. It wasn't fast, it was hot or desperate, and it wouldn't lead to anything else but what it was, a kiss that we both thought we would never share again. Slowly he pulled away, his fingers tracing over my collar bone and jaw line, my owns hands resting on his shoulders as I stared at his stormy eyes.
"I'm going to start charging people for hugs." Was all I could manage, giggling as Daryl took a step back, inviting me into the apartment. It was very basic, the carpet old and the walls losing their floral wall paper but the trinkets lined up neatly on shelves and the large Indian inspired tapestries on the walls made it feel homey.

There was a familiar bark and I chuckled and dropped to my knees, Trix rushing up to me. He rubbed himself over me, rolling on the ground as I played with him.
"He hadn't stopped starin at the door the entire tim' waitin for ya." Daryl said behind me, and I just laughed as Trix sat before me, lifting his paw repeatedly for me to shake.
"I'm just glad you two are getting along now."
"Ain't me he here for."
A pair of feet appeared in front of me and I looked up at the elderly man who smiled down at me.
"This is Ashwin, he don't speak much English. He didn't stop doing a chant in front of your bed the entire time you were out."
Carefully I got to my feet, the Cherokee man inclining his head and I returned it, giving him the best smile I could muster.
"Thank you, I am grateful for your help."
He simply nodded his head, his old wise eyes sending a chill down my spine before he moved into a different room, Trix leaving me to follow him; which kind of hurt.

Turning to face Daryl, I gave a small snort of laughter, it was odd to see him standing there without his crossbow over his shoulders, he looked as though he didn't know what to do with his hands.
"How are you?" I asked, moving over to take a seat, my legs feeling tired. Daryl leant against a heavy bookcase, crossing his arms and shrugging his shoulders. He looked terrible, his eyes were heavy with tiredness and his scruffy stubble was getting longer just like his dark hair, at least I had a valid excuse and I winced as my side twinged.
"Not worried 'bout me, how about you, you feel any… different?"
"Like have a craving for flesh?" I looked up at him, resting back in the seat and running my hand through my now damp hair, shaking my head.
"No, I feel fine, just a little exhausted you know?"
"Think you strong enough to head off tomorrow?"

For a second my blood ran cold; I hadn't thought about leaving, and instantly I felt sick knowing I would have to make a choice. My jaw fell slack before I tightened it to the point where I couldn't give him an answer. Daryl saw this and that hard marble face returned and he nibbled on the inside of his lip like he always did when holding back.
"Daryl, I just found my brother. I thought he was dead,"
He nodded quickly, straightening his stance and squaring his shoulders.
"I know, I get it."

He stepped out of my vision for a second, and when he returned he had his crossbow over his shoulder, his poncho folded over his arms ready to go and I sat forward in my seat.
"Daryl, you're not leaving are you?"
"I have to find the group. You have to stay, your family is here. Mine is out there somewhere."
I knew his words didn't mean to hurt, there was no malice in them but it did hurt and I felt my face turn into a scowl as I got to my feet. Why did it have to come to this? I couldn't make Daryl stay, I was just one person, a girl he could sleep with compared to the others out there. I felt terrible not having thought of them, not having a drive to go out there and find them. Part of me said I had done my part, I had practically died saving them, but I did care for them.
But I had just found my brother; years of growing up together and being blood made my bond stronger than to a group of strangers I survived with.
I was going to offer that, find the group and bring them back here, we could all get through this but Daryl fished around in his pocket, stepping up to me and lifting a small green stone.

I took it from him, my fingers brushing against his but he kept his distance from me, hanging his head as he watched me twirl the penny sized stone in my fingers. The deep green was almost a shiny smooth surface, stripes of different shades of green and brown layering it and I looked up at Daryl.
"Its jasper, thought you might like it, didn't 'ave much else to do around here while you were…"
He sucked in his bottom lip and gave a curt nod, spinning around and leaving the apartment before I could even blink. I ran my thumb over the stone, the once rough surface smoothed over and I looked at its rich colours that shone in the sunlight behind me.
Right then I wished I could rip myself in half, I needed to be in two places; at Daryl's side and then at Vincent's side.

Dropping back into the seat, Trix padded out and rest his head in my lap and I stared back at him, his deep brown eyes watching me carefully.
"What do I do hmm?" I asked, wishing he could give me an answer.
Glancing at my shoulder, I looked at the wrinkled hand that held it, following it up to Ashwin's face as he looked down at me. I felt my eyes sting and forced myself not to blink, I couldn't cry in a stranger's home, but I couldn't make up my mind. Well my mind knew what to do, stay here with my brother but my heart was breaking, stretching at the seams.

"Pay attention to the whispers," Ashwin said, his English not very well pronounced but I focused on him and what he was trying to say, "So we won't have to listen to the screams."
Somehow that didn't make me feel any better, only worse and I looked down at the piece of jasper Daryl had polished for me and squeezed my eyes shut. I tried to find those whispers, tried to think of every possible situation, everything she could do but my mind and heart just didn't want to agree on anything and I opened my eyes. I didn't need to listen to either of those stupid organs, I was going to do what I wanted; I was going to do what was right.

I wonder who she will choose, oh no. Think something will work out?
Let me know what you think, thanks for reading!
Silver Kirin
xXx