A/N: Sorry for this uber late update! I was in a summer class that took 4 days of my week and then worked 3 nights a week so things got hectic. Hopefully updates will be weekly/bi-weekly from here on out if not sooner! Send me those reviews with constructive criticism and praise or just fave/follow my story. I get all kinds of excited when I see notifications. Enjoy a little Daryl and Devin time! The burn is finally taking hold!
A chill ran down my spine as my fingers touched the stainless steel of the gun in my hand. How cold the weapon was made me think of the weather. It seemed unnaturally cold during this time of year. Not one of us really knew about what time of year it was. Our clothes had changed to adapt to the weather. I still had my long sleeves, but now I had a pullover hoodie to keep me a little warmer during the climate change. I loved sweatshirts, but if it was around the time I think it is, I would be needing something heavier within the next month. I figured the time I ran from Atlanta was early to mid-June, then I was on my own for almost two months, probably just shy of it being so, before I found the Greene's. Rick's group showed up a week later and stayed for about three weeks… Now we have been out of the farm for possibly over a month so I'd assume it was about mid to late October. I let out a small chuckle, thinking about it. My birthday was coming up. Or had just passed. Happy 25th to me.
"What're ya laughin' at now? Pay attention, girl. Ya got a weapon in yer hands." I heard the scolding come from behind me, making me flinch. Looking back behind me, I flashed a small smile at the annoyed man. His southern accent coming into full swing was making me even more giddy. When he was angry or anxious, he spoke faster which caused his country drawl to be more prominent instead of his gruff and low growls.
"Well other than the fact that when you get angry you sound even more like a redneck." I giggled, watching as his blue eyes glare even harder at me. Holding the gun by my hip I turned to the man, giving him a half smile. "Also, it's my birthday. I think… Well around the time of it anyways." I laughed nervously, running my free hand through my knotted hair. Daryl's features seem to lighten at my comment as he releases his arms from his chest, walking over to me. Looking up to him, I grinned, placing my hand on my hip. "I'm twenty-five." I smirked, watching his face change slightly. I let out another laugh, which only earned a growl from him. "Don't think too hard, hun."
Daryl scoffed, waving his hands in an upward motion, telling me to pull my gun up and get back to practicing. "Just get back to work, kid." He growled, crossing his arms over his chest. Letting out a sign, I stared down at the gun in my hand, blinking slowly, before taking it properly in my hands. Just like how Daryl showed me, my right hand around the grip of the gun, index finger extended and resting on the frame of the gun, with my other hand on top of my right. "Ya standin' all wrong." Daryl gruffed out, using his feet to reposition my legs beneath me. His hands landed on my shoulders, turning me, then leaning forward to grab my forearms. "Remember to keep ya finger on the frame until you're ready to shoot. Then put your finger on the trigger." His voice traveled across my ear, nicotine breath hitting my cheek, as he stood close behind me, trying to make sure my stance was correct and I was aiming at my target correctly. "Alrigh' go ahead, girl." He kept his hands on my arms, keeping them steady. I let out a breath, trying to ignore the fact that he was so close to me and took aim at the tree I had been shooting at. I pulled the trigger, frowning as I didn't see bark flying from a hit. I missed. Daryl shifted around me, sending me a harsh glare. "What I say about closing your eyes. Keep 'em open." He grumbled, repositioning himself behind me. Taking another deep breath, I aimed and pulled the trigger once more. The bullet hit this time, causing me to grin and look back at Daryl. The corner of his mouth turned up and he nodded his head in approval. "Good job. Do it again."
I smirked, still feeling his hands on my arms, keeping them up. Pulling the safety of the gun, pulling my arms down, and turning at my waist to look back into his face. I pressed my backside up against him, my ass into the front of his pants, listening to his change of breath. "Think a kid could have done that one?" I giggled, watching his face turned red. I wasn't really referring to the shot and felt this was the perfect opportunity to tease him. I saw him instantly become uncomfortable as he let go and paced backwards. Grinning back at him, I held the gun back up, taking it out of safety, aiming, and shooting three consecutive shots at the tree, each time hitting it. Finishing off the bullets that I had, I smiled, seeing that each one had hit. He was right. As long as I kept both eyes open, it worked. I jumped up, throwing my arms in the air. "I did it!"
I heard a growl from behind me as Daryl gave me a harsh glare, instantly making my grin fall. "Quiet, girl. Yer still holdin' a weapon so ya gotta be more careful than tha'!" He walked over to the tree he left his crossbow up against. He set it up, placing a bolt onto it, and started walking back in the direction our camp was waiting for us on the highway. I frowned, running after him and attempting to reload my gun, not really paying attention to what was going on in front of me.
I looked up to make sure Daryl was in sight and out of the corner of my eye I saw a walker just out of arms reach, causing me to freak out. I dropped the gun, it not being of any use without any bullets in it and reached for my knife, but I had to reach my left arm out to keep the walker away. It pushed against my arm and was proving to be strong enough to where I almost had to use my other hand to hold the walker back, but I grabbed my knife in time and slammed it into the zombie's head. The walker slumped against me, making myself stumble, but I froze hearing another moan. Peeking behind me, I watched as another walker coming up from behind me. "D-Daryl! Little help!" I cried out, pushing the unmoving walker with all my strength, causing it to topple over and me to stumble over to the side. At that moment Daryl slammed his knife in the other walkers' head, killing it permanently, the body falling to the ground. I let out a shaky breath, licking my lips as I looked up to the man. I studied him a moment. Just looking at him. His chest was heaving as all the adrenaline that was in his body left just as quickly as it came. His brow had a few drops of sweat on it, causing his hair to look slightly wet. His shirt now had a few drops of black blood from him ripping out the knife from the walker's head. His blue eyes were glued to me, wide and weary. I licked my bottom lip, starring back at him, nervous, and a little ashamed that I needed help. "Thank you." I sighed, looking down at the gun and magazine that was on the ground. "I… don't know why I keep asking you to help me nor do I know why you agree to help me with these things. All this seems to get is us in trouble and I don't want you to get hurt cause I'm… just so incompetent."
The man was quiet for a moment, I'm assuming it is to process what I had just said. All he seemed to do is shove his knife in its sheath and sling his crossbow over his shoulder. "Group needs someone who knows how to take care of them when they're sick or hurt. You're important to the group. Ya helped Carol get away from them walkers at the farm. Helped Carl get better. Ya helped me. Just doin' right by ya. If it were me in your situation just now I woulda needed help too. S'don't worry about it an' don't apologize for me helpin' ya out." Daryl seemed a little uncomfortable now. He was playing with his thumbnail, close to his mouth, but not biting it.
Leaning down and picking up my gun and magazine, I finally was able to load the gun and put it away, tucked into the waist line of my pants. Walking over to Daryl, he averted his eyes to the ground, looking rather uncomfortable. "I think that was the most I've ever heard you speak at one-time Dare." I giggled, offering a small smile. "Thank you." I spoke softly, lifting up onto my toes, and pressing my lips to his cheek before motioning for him to follow me back to the camp with the man grumbling behind me the whole time.
We finally got back about thirty minutes later, Rick was pacing up and down around the camp. I paused slightly, causing Daryl to stutter step behind me and grumble in annoyance. I jutted out my chin into Rick's direction. The man looked pissed. Probably because we were out there longer than we should have been. Daryl walked forward first at a brisk pace while I had to trot to keep up with him. Rick turned to us, glaring as he walked forward. "Where were you two?" He asked, voice low and stern.
"Took her to practice her shootin'." Daryl grumbled, looking down momentarily, before looking back up. "S'her birthday an' it's 'bout time she learns how to shoot good without worryin' about walkers chasin' after her." I blushed, crossing my arms under my chest as I looked between Rick and Daryl.
Rick softened a little, his shoulders going slack before looking at me. "Next time don't stay out so long. We have to keep moving and need to stay safe, but to do that we need to stick together. From now on, no one stays out longer than one hour." Rick was sure to look to Daryl and myself before motioning us all together to discuss where we would be going to next.
We were packing up to head out. Since Daryl and I told the others of the two walkers we killed in the forest, Rick was afraid that the herd of walkers would be making their way to us shortly and he didn't want us sticking around. We needed to find a spot to hole up for the night and to also keep looking for food and supplies. Just a matter of time we either starved or ran out of ammo and became food ourselves. I was praying we would stay at a house tonight instead of outside in the open. Rick didn't like the idea of staying in houses claiming that we would get too comfortable there and wouldn't be able to move out fast enough if trouble were to come our way. Sighing, I leaned against my truck, wiping off the light sheen of sweat off of my forehead. Looking to my right, towards the bed of the truck, I quirked a brow as I watch Carl and Beth make their way up to me, grinning excitedly. "Can we ride with you please? Daddy's getting annoying and Carl said he didn't know if he can handle the tension with his parents anymore." Beth spoke out, pleading with me with her beautiful blue eyes.
I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose. When kids give those puppy dog eyes, it's hard to say no. Not that she was a child by any means, she was probably around seventeen or eighteen at most, but she was still so young. "Fine, fine. Let me double check with your parental units so I don't get in trouble for taking ya." Looking around I spotted Lori. "Hey Lori, did Carl ask you if he could ride with me?"
The woman nodded her head, carrying a small box to the truck. "If it's alright with you, it's fine." She grinned, watching as I scowled. Even through the scowl, I really liked them to be truthful. Found out Carl liked to pull little pranks and I seemed to be the only one who ever easily reacted to them. Enough to pull some of my own on him. Beth wasn't as playful, but she was warming up. I often heard her humming when she was alone and she was smiling more and more every day.
"Maggie." I heard Beth say with her country twang, rather loudly causing me to jump animatedly and cup my hand over her mouth and shake my head. The young blond blushed, letting out a quiet giggle. My brunette friend stopped to look in our direction before giving me the thumbs up, instantly knowing what I was going to ask. The two kids grinned up at me, smiling with glee.
Daryl rode up on his bike, stopping next to us before rubbing his hands together. "'M takin' point. Ya kids listen to her al'righ'?" He gave a stern look to the two that would be riding with me. Their smiles instantly fell, followed by them nodding hastily and retreating to my truck. I let out a laugh, watching them scramble into it, settling in for the long ride ahead. I walked forward to Daryl, giving him a toothy grin. I watched his shoulders tense up with me coming closer to him, but his posture relaxed a bit as he just cleared his throat and continued his thoughts. "Honk, quietly if ya need to stop for any reason. If it's dark, flash 'em."
"I know the drill Dare. Don't you worry about me. I ain't riding bitch in the line today anyway. I had that duty yesterday. Just remember about whoever is in the back of the line alright?" Yesterday I was at the back of the line and at one point I needed to stop and get gas and my truck ended up running out of said gas cause no one was paying attention to my 'light honking'. As soon as my truck stopped I had to blare the horn a little louder than what Rick wanted, causing the man to jump down my throat.
Daryl, licked his lower lip, nodding his head. He was quite amused it seemed. His lip was quirked and he held a glint of amusement which made me squirm. It was rare for this man to do anything, but glare. I'd take whatever other emotion I can get. "We ever gonna decide on our nicknames, doll? Or is 'Dare' what you're gonna be callin' me?" He asked suddenly, quirking a brow. I could only laugh and watch as he moved ahead of me, taking the front of our caravan. Hopping in my truck, I repositioned myself, getting ready for a long ride ahead.
The ride wasn't too unpleasant to say the least. I was just tired of driving. I've never been much for driving and always hated it. I was never that stereotypical sixteen-year-old who just got a license and wanted to drive everywhere. I wanted to someone to drive me around. Even now I wanted to someone to drive and even considered letting Beth or Carl take the wheel tomorrow if they would be riding with me again. Today was different though. I could only assume the reason why I enjoyed it so much was because of the company with me. Beth and Carl were quite a hoot. They teased each other, along with including me in on it, they complained like normal children about their parents, and Carl was definitely smitten with Beth. He was probably about twelve or thirteen and it was just adorable how he had a crush on a girl that was way out of his league. Or maybe not. Maybe when they are older something could strike up. Some kind of relationship could form. I laughed to myself at the thought, stopping the truck along with the rest of the gang. Seemed like this was the spot we'd be staying at tonight. We went off-roading about five minutes ago and were now up to a house on a couple acres of land. It wasn't crowded with other buildings or a barn. Just a single house on this big plot of land. "Wait here, y'all. Myself of one of the group will let you know when to come out. Gotta make sure this is the place." I said to my two companions. They nodded their heads as I got out of the truck. I knew Carl had a gun on him so I wasn't too worried about the two in my truck.
Hopping onto the ground I looked behind me to see Rick, Glenn, T-Dog, and Maggie all hop out of the vehicles. First things first. We needed to clear out the house of any walkers there might be, before we decided to settle here for the night. Daryl was next to me, meeting everyone half way in a small circle. "This where we going to stay?" I asked peeking to Daryl.
"Yeah. For tonight. Just have to clear it out. We'll leave early in the mornin' and get gas at the closest town we find." He mumbled, looking to everyone who nodded their heads.
"Good plan, Daryl. We need to scout out the house first before we let everyone get inside. Devin and T-Dog will go around the sides of the house and meet in the back. Glenn, Daryl, and myself will go into the house and clear it. Maggie, stay out front and keep an eye out. T-Dog and Devin, when you meet in the back, wait for us to get the door. Once we get everyone moved in, we'll decide who takes first watch. Remember not to make any loud noises that will attract anything our way." We all nodded our head at Rick, getting ourselves set up to go check out the house. I opened up my gear box, pulling out my bow. T-Dog nodded to me, informing me he was taking the right side of the house.
As everyone was prepared to go inside, I finally got up to the left side. T-Dog, Maggie, and I watched as the three men disappeared inside the house. Through one of the windows I watched as Glenn slowly made his way up the stairs. Maggie seemed nervous, watching as her boyfriend ascended the stairs, but she held her gun firmly. Our eyes met and she nodded her head at me before jutting her chin towards the back of the house, telling me to get to work and get moving. Making my way around the side of the house I tried paying more attention to the land, to make sure there were no walkers in that direction. Looking up, I noticed a large tree, changing colors, with red, yellow, and brown leaves. It was over grown, limbs reaching over the roof, which looks like they have caused some damage to the house. It also looked like the tree would provide the perfect amount of shade, especially for the back porch that I was slowly getting close to. Around the tree, fallen leaves littered the ground. I was surprised at the amount there was on the ground and was surprised that the tree wasn't bare already. My feet crunched onto the leaves. I loved that sound. "Devin?" I heard a loud whisper, from T-Dog towards the back of the house, making me hustle a little, and under the tree. All clear on this side. I stepped onto something that wasn't just crunching leaves. The metal bars that shot from the leaves and clamped onto my leg made me let out a sharp, quick scream before I clamped my hand over my mouth. "Devin?!' I heard T-Dog say louder.
I crumpled to the ground, bow falling next to me as my hands reached to the trap attempting to open it, biting my lower lip violently to prevent myself from screaming again. Well whoever used to live here was smart in putting a bear trap here. Looking at the trap I spotted the chain that was attached to it, staked into the ground. They would stop walkers that's for sure unless the zombies ended up ripping one of their legs off. I watched as T-Dog rounded the corner, his eyes widening as he saw me on the ground, trying not to cry out. The longer this thing stayed on, the more it would compress my leg, cutting off circulation. Also the fact that my leg was probably broken, now. T-Dog was about to come forward before I shook my head. "D-Don't! There might be more." I cried out, still trying to open the trap from around my leg.
Daryl came running out of the house, surprised that no one was there. Spotting T-Dog to the side of the house, he grumbled, walking over to the man. "What tha hell? Thought we said, wait at the back door." When the redneck came from around the house, looking angry, his blue eyes widened, seeing me sitting on the ground. He looked closer and watched as I failed to get the trap off once more and started heading towards me. "Quit pullin' on it, girl. S'only one way to open it!" As he got closer, he looked at the ground in front of him, using his foot to slide along the ground. Smart move. At least he won't step on another one. I watched as his foot hit another bear trap and watched as he kicked it out of way and to where it was now visible to others. As he got next to me he crouched down, pushing on the levers that were outside of where my leg was trapped. "Traps open! Pull yer leg out, girl." He growled, obviously having some problem holding the levers. I did as he said, only having a slight problem with lifting my leg, but got it out safely as he let up on the levers, causing the trap to snap closed again. I whimpered, pulling my leg up to me, cradling it. I needed to take off my boot and have a look at how bad the damage was, but I didn't want to move.
Rick came around the front with Glenn and Maggie, looking for everyone. When they spotted me on the ground they ran forward, but Daryl waved them to stop as the trio approached. "Don't. Bear traps." Was all he said as he looked at my face. A warm finger tilted my head up and my blurry vision allowed me to see Daryl with worried eyes. "Can ya move yer foot, doll?" He asked, picking my right leg up behind the knee and holding the top of my calf. I attempt to move, it and got it to move ever so slightly. It just hurt too much to try and move.
"Mhmm." I breathed out, trying to catch my breath. "It ain't broken at least. Or… I hope it ain't anyways, since it's moving." Daryl nodded his head, putting my arm around his shoulders and his own arm around my waist, helping me to stand up. I groaned out, leaning against him heavily, but he didn't seem to mind.
"House all clear Rick?" Daryl asked, leading me towards the back door, receiving an affirmative. "Get Hershel an' tell him to come take a look at Devin!"
We made our way up to the house and inside. We were in the dusty kitchen that had a lone wooden table with a couple chairs around it. The cabinet doors were hanging from their hinges or wide open with nothing inside besides plates, kitchen utensils, and other useless crap. Upon further inspection the rest of the house seemed to be very dusty as well from what my view was from the kitchen. I was able to peer into the living room which had half torn red curtains still hanging up, dirty mattresses scattered on the ground from previous use, and opened cans on the ground. So much for getting supplies here. Daryl sat me down at one of the chairs in the kitchen and knelt down in front of me, untying my boot for me. He slowly took it off, making me flinch. Blue eyes looked up to me warily, watching me wipe my cheek of a fallen tear. This might be a break of some kind after all. The pain radiated up and down my leg and it just made me really get a hankering for something to take the edge off. I leaned forward, slowly rolling my pants legs up to check out the wound. "Not bad… seen worse. S'ya lucky, doll." I heard Daryl say as he was observing the wound as well. There was a ring of blood just above my ankle where the trap dug into me. I was just lucky that the trap was blunt and used for holding animals and not to really maim. It didn't have that saw tooth look that I envisioned all bear traps having.
Observing my wound a little bit more, I knew that it would be alright once it was cleaned and taped up. From leaning forward, I peered up to Daryl, whose face was close from his squat next to my leg. "I'm mostly worried about the bone underneath, Dare. It hurts too much to even move my ankle." I murmured, biting my lower lip to stifle a gasp from me trying to move my leg again. I shivered, feeling Daryl's hand run against the back of my calf again, to straighten my leg out. "I'm not much use with a broken leg." I sighed, biting my lower lip.
Daryl just chuckled, peering up at me, our faces close together. Probably too close for comfort for Daryl because I sure didn't mind. He didn't move away though, stayed put right where he was which surprised me some. Our breath mixed together into a heady concoction that I was beginning to enjoy and become light headed from, making me forget about the pain in my leg. Momentarily. Hershel came in, making me sit up a little straighter, getting away from Daryl a touch. "What you do, Devin?" The man asked, pulling over a chair and taking a look. He was already unpacking some medical supplies as I explained to him what happened. "Lemme clean up the blood and see if you need stitches anywhere and then I'll try and see if I can find a break. It's hard to check because your leg doesn't look deformed in any way." The man spoke, opening up a package of gauze and pouring alcohol on it. "This might sting."
"I'm sure it won't hurt as bad as my ankle is feeling right now." I growled out, the man beginning to clean the wound. Daryl kept holding my leg up for me and I am sure his knees were going to be hurting from staying in that squat for so long. Grabbing his hand that was on my calf I pried it away which he only replaced, gripping my calf more tightly now. "You can let go Daryl, I can hold it up. Besides, I'd prefer to have shaved before you start touching my legs." My comment got me a chuckle from Hershel and T-Dog, a giggle from Carol, and a growl from Daryl. His ears turned pink though, which made me smirk at the thought of making him embarrassed.
Hershel finished cleaning my wound and wrapping a bandage around it to keep it from bleeding. "No stitches and there should be little to no scarring. Now try moving your leg around one last time. If not, we'll have to brace it and assume it's broken."
Hearing that I groaned, tilting my head back. I attempted to move it again, it twitched to the side, but still hurt too much for me to move it. "Ahh fuck it's broken." I whined, taking a sharp intake of breath.
Hershel shook his head, digging through his bag. Pulling out what looked like a compression wrap, that I could find in the health section of any supercenter, he placed it around my ankle, being careful not to move my leg too much. "We'll try this. It's swollen, but in two days that should go down and you should be able to use it…" Hershel sounded like he wanted to say more, but he stopped his sentence, worrying me.
I cleared my throat, watching as the man stood up and grabbed his thing. "But… I'm goin to be a little gimpy for the next couple days huh?" I asked, getting a nod from Hershel.
"Hopefully it's just swollen and not broken. If it is, there's no way to fix the break and you might have a limp." He informed me, making me roll my head back and whine. I was basically useless. Rick came into the kitchen, giving me a weak smile as I pouted.
"Ya hear that Rick? I'm a sack of shit that can't do… well shit 'cause I can't friggin' walk." I growled out, angry at myself. Rick just chuckled coming over and patting my shoulder carefully.
"Don't worry, girl. Someone here'll get, ya. Can ya walk?" Daryl asked me, offering a hand to help me up. I grabbed it gratefully and stood up, wobbling slightly. I attempted to put my bad leg down to the floor, but flinched. There was no way I was going to be able to walk or even hobble around. I patted Daryl's arm lightly and he pulled away, but stayed close enough to catch me if I were to fall. I hopped on my left foot into the living room, causing Carl to chuckle at me. Flashing him a glare, I looked around and saw that there were quite a few mattresses on the ground and was happy none of us would be sleeping on a hard floor. I smiled, spotting my rutty red sleeping bag close to me and the kitchen and hopped over to it, before using the wall to help me down to the ground.
We were all in the same room now and Rick was leaning against the stairs that led to the second floor. "We all better get some rest. If you want to eat, do it now too, just remember to save what we can. Our plan tomorrow is to get out of here and go to the closest town. We haven't headed to it yet so hopefully we'll get some food and gas there. I don't know what we are going to do with Devin now…" Rick looked in my direction, making me scowl. I really felt useless now. "We'll have to figure out who'll drive her truck… or we'll have to leave it. Also how we are going to get her out of here if there's an emergency."
Daryl, who was leaning against the wall next to me, biting his nail, perked up a little at the statement. He readjusted his bow in his hands, clearing his throat. "I'll help her." My green eyes looked up to him and I smiled, ever so slightly. Rick looked between us before nodding his head slowly.
"Just drop me if you can't protect yourself Daryl." I said, letting out a light laugh. He glared down at me, obviously not amused with my sense of humor at the moment.
Hershel was in front of me again, causing me to turn my attention away from the glaring man next to me. He was holding out two white, oblong shaped pills in front of me. I cocked my head to the side while knitting my brows together. "Vicodin. For the pain I'm sure you're feeling."
If I wasn't pale already, I paled even more at the offer. I was in a good amount of pain. Not the worst, but my pain right now would have to be a six or a seven out of ten. Vicodin would definitely take care of that… I just couldn't though. Shaking my head, I offered a half smile. "No can do Hershel. Have anything else?"
Carol spoke up from her mattress, pointing towards the door. "What about those pills in your glove compartment? Percocet was it?" My eyes widened at the offer and I shook my head furiously.
"No, no, no. Um… I was thinking more along the lines of Tylenol or Motrin? Toradol if we have it. I need to hand over that Percocet to you Hershel. It's just been sitting in my truck for almost a year now and I don't like using narcotics much."
Hershel nodded his head, putting the Vicodin up and handing me Motrin instead. "Is that really going to help you? I'm sure you're worried about the addiction to the narcotics, but your pain needs to be under control too. That way you can heal faster and properly." I wanted to roll my eyes. I know Hershel. I know. I'm a nurse. I've said what you are saying right now to who knows how many patients I have had and said the same thing. It's just this time, if I get addicted, there's no way for me to crawl back out of that rabbit hole. "Although, I'm sure you already know that. Often wonder what kind of nurse you were." Hershel added, giving me a soft smile. Was he a psychic now and could read my mind?
Smiling back, I popped the two Motrin into my mouth, taking a swig of my water. "ER." I answered, getting a look from Maggie, who only grinned at me. Everyone seemed to be settling in for the night. Daryl was standing against the wall, looking out the back kitchen windows while Rick was at the front. I was assuming that they were going to take first watch. Then probably switch off with Glenn and Maggie or Hershel.
"I've been trying to find out from you for a while now what you did before all this shit happened. I knew you were a nurse, but you kept denying it. You told me you were a CNA instead, but that sure wasn't true. You know too much, especially with how you helped Carl and Daryl." Maggie practically sang, her country twang making me smile.
I licked my lips, unzipping the sleeping bag underneath me as much as I could before I would get in. I giggled, hearing Carl ask what a CNA was before looking over to the smaller boy. "Certified Nurse Assistant. I was one though, Maggie. I wasn't lying." I flashed a grin. "It's what I did while I was going to school."
Hershel let out a laugh, relaxing in his sleeping bag. "So you could've taken care of your leg yourself?"
Letting out a small laugh of my own I nodded slowly. "I could have. I'm usually a big baby when it comes to me getting hurt. When it's others, I… kinda like it. When others get hurt I mean. I focus more and able to think straight. If I'm alone though I'm actually a big baby about these things. I'm sure I'll be faced with… well walkers, I can push that acting like a baby shit aside. That's why I can hobble and hop by myself for the most part. I'll make myself walk on my ankle if I absolutely have to. Just hopefully I won't have to do that. I think I just like being babied when I am hurt I guess." I slowly maneuver myself into my sleeping bag and laying down. We needed to get up early in the morning, so sleep was good. Glenn was already passed out, probably because he'd have to wake up in a couple hours.
Just as soon as I closed my eyes, it was like they opened again. It felt like minutes when I was sure it had been at least a couple hours. My ankle felt like it was on fire and I knew the Motrin already wore off. I wouldn't be able to take more for another couple of hours too. Sitting up, I let out a small groan, causing the two watch dogs to turn and look at me. Glenn had replaced Rick, but Daryl was still up and leaning against the frame that separated the kitchen from the living room. I murmured a quick sorry, before sitting up and pulling myself out of the sleeping bag. Grabbing my pack, I pulled out my gun before using the wall behind to get to a standing position. "What are you doing?" I heard Glenn whisper, giving me a weird look from his position by the front door.
"Need to go pee. So I'm takin my gimpy ass out the back and by a tree." I used the wall as best as I could to be able to get myself towards the kitchen. Daryl stood up straight, walking over to me to try and help, but I just shook him away gently. "It's alright Daryl, I got it." I flashed him a gentle smile, making my way towards the door.
A worried look passed over Glenn's face. "Daryl, go out with her. To keep an eye on her." I heard Glenn command as I rolled my eyes. I hobbled out slowly with the redneck following even more slowly behind me. Opening the door, I listened first, listening for any strange growling or shuffling, before taking the short hop down onto the deck. I walked over to the railing, leaning my butt against it and letting out a shuddery breath.
"I thought you… ah. Had to go?" Daryl spoke up, looking awkward, running a hand through his hair which only made me laugh.
I dug around in my pockets, pulling out a cheap lighter, then looking up at Daryl with a sweet smile. "Got a pack of my smokes on ya?" I asked as he quirked a brow and digging in the pocket on the front of his shirt. Handing me the pack, I grabbed it, pulling out a cigarette. "Also I didn't need to go go. Just wanted a cigarette because it'll get my mind off my leg for a bit." Closing my eyes momentarily and inhaling from the cigarette in my mouth. I felt the railing shift to accommodate the extra weight that Daryl now put on it. I turned my attention to him, observing him. He was leaning on his forearms on the railing, looking out around the land. He leaned his crossbow against a post at his feet, actually relaxing for a moment. I took the cigarette out of my mouth and tapped his shoulder with my arm, getting his attention, and offered him the cigarette I had. He looked at it, before looking at me with those deep blue eyes that always seemed to make me nervous by what they saw. Daryl didn't speak much, but I knew he was always thinking of something. Observing his surroundings. Reading everyone's body language. Trying to figure out what the motives were of the people around him.
Taking the cigarette out of my hand, he put it in his mouth, taking a long drag. "Why do ya always want to share a cigarette with me? Ya got enough packs to last a few months."
I only giggled at his question, taking the cigarette back from his offering hand, placing the smoke in my mouth. "Closest thing I can get to a kiss from ya." I laughed a little harder, hearing him scoff and turn his head away from me. It was too dark to see him blush which was a shame because I am sure his whole face was red.
I didn't say anything after that. Waiting for him to make the next comment or just giving him time to calm down. I felt my cigarette being pulled from my mouth and placed in his, which only made me smirk. "So why none of the hard stuff?" His question confused me. I cocked my head to the side, turning my attention back to him. Seeing my confused face, he blew out the smoke from his lungs before speaking again. "Why don't ya want better meds?"
His question made me look down at the ground. Was this really another question I wanted to answer? Looking to him, I leaned my shoulder into him, staying there. He was a little alarmed by how close I was to him, but he didn't make any attempt to move. "I don't think I'll be answering that, angel. You already know this and that about me. Tell me about yourself, then I might consider telling you." I smirked, thinking it only as a fair trade. He turned his head away from me, inhaling the smoke even deeper, frowning. I frowned as well, leaning my head on his shoulder. "You know about my cut. The fact that I had a shitty boyfriend in high school… I've had multiple shitty boyfriends though. Couple shitty girlfriends too. None as bad as the first though." I hummed.
I felt him move his head, as if to look at me and felt my hair ruffle slightly from his chin being in my hair. I was mentally praying he wouldn't take a big whiff in and smell my hair. I'm sure it was rather rank. "Girlfriends?" He asked in almost a state of disbelief. I only giggled and nodded my head against his shoulder. Feeling a sigh leave him he put out the cigarette butt, and leaned away from the railing. "Alrigh', what do ya wanna know?" He asked, looking down at me as I pulled away from his shoulder. "Smokes?" I grinned at him, pulling the pack out of my back pocket, handing it to him.
I waited until he lit up another one before beginning my questions. "What were you before… this?" I asked, waving my arm around to indicate our world today.
"Nothin'." I paused to wait and see if there was more, but he didn't continue. He was once again leaning on the railing of the back porch, keeping an eye out and smoking the cigarette, planning on making it quick I was sure. I only had until he was done with that one I was certain.
I turned around, facing the same direction as him, placing my head on his shoulder once again. I also put a little weight on him, just to help out my leg. "Not a good answer, angel. What were you doing? What did you do for a living? Where did you live?" I felt him shift again, turning his head, stubbly chin bumping into my forehead.
"I was movin' 'round Georgia with my brother, Merle. Never stayed in any place for long 'cause Merle wound up getting' in trouble. Had to save his ass more than once. Worked at a mom and pop garage with him. Often would end up goin' to a bar after work, Merle would leave with some girl he'd find, I'd drink a little more just to pass the time an' give 'em space. Then go to the apartment I shared with my brother and sleep off the night. Do it all over again."
I gave him a small smile, stopping his hand from pulling the cigarette up to his mouth. He gave me an offended look as I took the cigarette from him, placing it in my mouth. "Mechanic huh?" I asked only to get a grunt from him. "Must be good with your hands." I giggled, watching as his face turned away from mine as his shoulders tensed. "Sorry. Just so fun to tease. Was your brother a mechanic too?"
Daryl hesitated a bit before nodding his head. "Yeah. When he wasn't runnin' drugs... or doin' them."
I smiled sadly at him, inhaling from the cigarette in my mouth, before releasing my breath. I let out a light chuckle, handing him back the almost burned out cigarette. "You ever run drugs or did any Daryl?" I asked, eyeing him.
"Nah. I've tried small stuff, yeah, jus' didn' like it. Then when Merle got into the harder stuff, didn' like what they did to him so I never had the desire to try it, is all." He grunted, finishing off the cigarette.
I nodded my head slowly, biting my bottom lip. It made me happy that he wasn't exactly like his brother. It made me happy to know that Daryl seemed to have attempted to make an honest living and the worst thing he seemed to do was drink. "Did you have to leave anyone behind when this all started?"
"Uncle I guess? He got bit by walkers. Had to put him down." Was the gruff reply as Daryl stood up a little straighter, crossing his arms over his chest and bringing his thumb up to his mouth.
I watched him run his thumb over his lower lip, knowing he was ready to start chewing at the skin any moment. "What about Merle?"
He looked at me with his stone cold gaze, easily making me shiver. Did I ask a wrong question? "Dunno. Rick handcuffed my dumbass brother to the top of a building and when we went back for him we just found a hand. Merle cut off his own hand to get away from walkers. Tough son of a bitch burned the area of his hand with a hot pan from a kitchen in the same building. So he got away… just don't know if he's alive or not." He shrugged, looking out around our surroundings before looking back to me. "How many more questions ya gonna ask, girl?"
I flashed him a small smile, looking down at my leg momentarily. "Sorry. I'm just curious about you is all. I mean… for the past month and a half we've been going out hunting together and sharing smokes at night and I still didn't know a single thing about you. I want to ask more, but I think I'll save the questions for another time. Give you a break." I said with a giggle.
The corner of his mouth twitched upward as he nodded his head. His eyes snapped to my leg as I winced, trying to readjust myself and get comfortable on the railing that was now behind me. "Ya gonna tell me now why ya don't want anything for that leg of yours?"
I frowned, letting out a deep sigh. I did say I'd answer after he answered my questions. It just made me wish I asked a few more invasive questions like this one. I'd have to ask about those scars on his back, but I'd save that question for another time. "Um… I had a narcotic addiction. I had just got my fancy Nurse Practitioner license and had a loser boyfriend at the time who was selling drugs already. It was usually weed or cocaine, but when he found out I could write prescriptions he asked me to write him one for Oxycodone. Watched him take it, he offered it to me… anyways I was hooked. Kept writing him prescriptions so he could sell and we could use. Got caught by a friend and colleague of mine. He was also a favorite professor of mine. Told me to stop taking narcotics, get back in school, and leave my boyfriend. So I did and wound up in Atlanta." I mumbled to myself, pushing off the railing. "I guess I've been sober for about a year now?"
Daryl nodded his head, watching me begin towards the door and grabbed his crossbow. "Ya don't look like all this would happen to ya. Ya don't look like a person bad things happen to or you get involved in things like that." I heard him mumble causing me to stop and look back at him with a small smile.
I turned back towards him, flashing him my teeth. "Too innocent looking?" I asked with a small giggle as he blushed. "C'mon. Let's go back inside. I think we have been out here a little too long for Glenn's liking, I'm sure." I mumbled, grabbing his arm and pulling him along inside. "Thank you, angel, for telling me a bit about you tonight and being my listening ear." I said, kissing his cheek once more.
He grunted, not really responding to the kiss on his cheek. "Angel? That my nickname now?" He asked, quirking a brow at me.
I could only grin and nod my head excitedly. "That and Dare. Don't worry though, angel will be between you and me." I winked, about to reach for the door.
I felt his hand on my arm, causing me to give him a questioning look. "Why? I don't even have a nickname for you and you're already set on those for me?" He asked, confusion lacing his voice.
I patted his hand that was on my arm, running my fingers over his rough knuckles. "You call me doll all the time, so I do have one from you. Also, I call you angel, because you are always there when I need help and you protect me. Whether it's from walkers or bear traps. So it's like you're my guardian angel. The vest just only proves that even more."
Daryl paused behind me, before letting out a light chuckle. I grinned hearing that sound as I turned my head towards him. "Angel it is." He murmured.