5.

Daryl was glad she answered. If she didn't, Rick would deal with her, or even worse, they'll leave her to Frank. And he didn't want to see that happen.

"Who locked you in the cell?"

There was a pause and a sigh. "The members of the group I was with."

"Why?"

Her chin dropped downwards.

"It's pretty obvious isn't it?"

"Why?"

She made another heavy sigh. "I guess I was a fuckin burden to them."

He understood their reasoning and yet it angered him.

"Were you with them from the beginning?"

"No…I was alone at first. When I found them, I begged them to take me in."

"And they did so, despite…"

"Yes. I appealed to their religious conscience…you know, to do right in God's eyes…"

"So why they left you behind now?"

"The group was bigger at first, but many got killed along the way. Their ways of doing things were…restricted by their beliefs. I tried to reason with them at first, but I soon realized it's no use to go against the word of God. So I went along, trying to stay alive. The group was getting smaller, till one day it became too small for having somebody like me around."

"How many?"

"How many what?"

"How many were you at the end?"

"Eight, including me."

"How long ago, since they left you here?"

"I don't know dammit…"

"Think!"

"I guess, a week ago or so."

"So, they gave you food, locked you in and let you there for good?"

"Yes."

"How do you know they are not planning to come back?"

"Umm…they told me so… they made it clear they did their duty and it was now up to God what happens with me."

"They had no plans of settling here?"

She shook her head. "They heard of a settlement up north. That's where they're heading. The prison was just a stop on the way. We stumbled upon a back entrance in the woods by chance and decided to spend a night. Next day they decided it was a good place to dump me."

"A back entrance?"

"Yeah, I remember we came through a tunnel of some sort, from the woods."

He needs to check this out, the sooner the better.

"You need to tell me where that entrance is…where exactly did you enter the cell block?"

She didn't answer right away. She turned her face at him, as if she looked him in the eyes. He wondered again, if she sees anything at all.

"I can't remember, but… I'm sure I'd remember once I'm down there."

Smart, very smart. "Forget it."

She shrugged. "Your call, but I bet that horde of zeds that overflowed that corridor below, will only get bigger."

Right, with all that's been going on, he completely forgot about the walkers he left behind. For now the closed door will keep them away, but it was a dangerous thing having so many so close.

"You suggesting they came in from the outside?"

She nodded.

"We'll deal with it."

"I could help you."

"We don't need your help."

"Did you tell them? About ….umm, what happened down there…between me and you?"

It was bound to come up sooner or later. No, he didn't tell and he'd prefer to avoid it all together. He didn't want anyone from his group to know. He couldn't even fully understand it himself. The hell possessed him to do that? But she was no idiot. She'll figure it out it's something she can use to her advantage. He has to play it cool.

She chuckled. "I see, nobody knows."

"Nobody cares."

"Hmm, it's a gentleman's way, but you are no gentleman." She tilted her head to the side. "You don't want others to know. Why?"

"You seem handy with your sword…stick… sword whatever that is…where did you learn that?"

A smug smile appeared on her lips. "What's your name?"

He took another cigarette. "Just answer the question…"

"Yes, I'm good with the sword. Something I learned before the zeds came to be. What's your name?"

"Were you not blind before?"

"Tell me your name."

He puffed out the smoke. "Daryl."

"Well, Daryl, I was blind since I was born. It's, well, not the usual blindness. I told you already, I can see things, just differently than you or others do, and as long as there is no light in my face. So you see, I'm not completely helpless, I was able to do many stuff before, and I can still do it now."

He leaned forward, closer to her face.

"Do you see me now?"

"Yes."

"How exactly?"

"Would be no use explaining it."

"So you can fight, you can see enough to get by, as long as you have glasses. And your eyes explode or somethin, if you happen to lose them on a sunny day? "

She smiled. "Well, more like my brains and it's not just the sunlight."

He took another drag and chuckled. "Why do I get the feeling, you're just screwing with me?"

"You're suspicious, it's normal-"

"No," he shook his head and took on a serious tone. "It's not just that….it's more like you have an agenda…"

"I don't, I really…I could help your group, if you just …." Her words crumbled and she turned her face away from him. "Just let me go, please."

"What?"

"Just take me somewhere far and leave me there. I'll go my own way."

"Can't do that."

"Why not, dammit!" She suddenly pushed forward strongly, moving the legs of the chair with her. "I can't do any harm."

"You can bring somebody back."

She laughed out. "You still don't get it. There's no one who'd listen to a creep like me. I'd be killed or avoided. I'm right up there with the old, the invalid, diabetics… apocalypse is a big no no for us. Wasn't supposed to make it this far."

He stared at her in silence. There was some sad truth in what she said.

"How many walkers have you killed?"

"Walkers?...oh, you mean zeds…That's' how you call them, really?" she frowned. "I killed all that came in my way. "

"How many?"

"I haven't exactly kept count…"

"How many people have you killed?"

"Before or after the zeds?"

Shit, this was not a reply, he was hoping for. "Both."

"Two before. None after."

"Why did you kill them?"

"Why should I tell you?"

"If you don't-"

"It was them or me."

He took one last drag from the cigarette, flipped it to the ground and crushed it with his foot. It didn't look good. She had that air about her that just screamed trouble. And she was holding something back, probably thinking he's too stupid to notice.

If he tells Rick his true opinion about her, Rick will kill her. He himself had all the reasons to kill her now. Nobody would blame him. But something deep inside was preventing him from doing that. Or letting others to do it.

The fuck was wrong with him, he was never so hesitant in all his life.

"Hey, kid…" the voice came from the door. "I came to relieve you of your duty."

Shit, the last thing he needed right now.

She jerked forward in her chair. "Daryl, please… I'll do and say whatever you want, just please, stay with me."

Hearing her saying his name, pleading him in hushed, desperate voice… there was nothing more he wanted than to reassure her. He just couldn't utter the words.

He already knew where this situation was heading. Trouble, she was definitely trouble.

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