Folks, I feel bad why it's taken me a month to get a new chapter out to you. I've been lazy to be honest, haven't really felt like writing really. School sucks, home life sucks, I really don't feel like doing anything at all but reading; and it's not even fanfic I'm reading. It's books I have sorely neglected the last 16 months of school. I'm hoping with the new season starting tonight that the muse will find it's way back to me so I feel like writing again. I hope you enjoy this chapter, and please, leave me a review in the box when you're done. Those reviews make a writer want to write, because it proves to them people are really reading their stuff. Thank you to the fans who have stuck with me, reviewing, favoriting and following. It's my sincere hope that I can keep up writing on a regular basis to complete this story.
~Riain
Daryl woke up to Natalie crammed up in his armpit, head on his shoulder with her leg draped over his hip. The ache in his shoulder throbbed; even though it had been weeks since the shooting, Daryl had been out from sun up to sun down looking for Allie; as well as helping get the farm in order. He hadn't had much luck; there were plenty of places to hide in the county, if they were even hiding in the county. Daryl felt a failure for not finding Allie, much like he felt with Sophia. Even though he knew it wasn't his fault, he still felt responsible. Sophia wasn't really his responsibility, but Allie was his own daughter. Natalie had cried herself to sleep almost every night since Allie was taken four days ago. It was getting the better of Daryl, his heart was starting to ache much like Natalie's. It hurt him to see her hurt, the guilt was eating him up inside.
Daryl grunted, carefully sliding out from under Natalie; who grumbled at the loss of body heat. His footsteps were silent in the dark of the bedroom, finding his way into the bathroom. Daryl flipped the shower knob over to hot, leaning against the outer shower wall. He was weary, his body ached every day; and Daryl was definitely not getting any younger. Steam began to build in the bathroom, warming his cold skin, clearing his lungs. Daryl felt arms come around his chest, Natalie's head laid lightly on his back. Daryl clasped her hand into his, pulling their hands to his heart.
Natalie sighed against Daryl's back; it took a good bit of self control not to break down crying. "What's the plan for today? You going back out again?" Natalie knew the answer to her own question, but she needed the reassurance from him that he was going. She wasn't about to give up hope on finding Allie; her daughter had a fighter's spirit, just like her father. Daryl never gave up unless he had proof it was the end of the hunt. Natalie remembered many times when he would take off to hunt; gone for days that she would just start to worry about getting dressed and hunting him down. Daryl would come tearing down the lane in that old truck of his; pulling up outside the cooler. Natalie's eyes would light up when he would drag the deer out of the bed of the truck. Allie getting taken was no different; Daryl hadn't gave up yet, Natalie was sure he never would. Not until he found her or the worst happened; which Natalie wasn't thinking about anytime soon.
Daryl pulled Natalie tight against him; he could feel her heart beating against his back. The steady vibration kept him grounded, gave him one more reason to keep going in this hell they now called life. "Mmmh, after I get breakfast and Zip ready I'm heading out. I gotta find her Natty." Daryl sighed as he stepped into the shower, the hot water burning his skin. Natalie crawled into the shower with him, her hands a welcome comfort as she washed Daryl's skin. In this moment, Daryl was vulnerable with her, a side no one else in the group was allowed to see. Natalie's eyes closed as Daryl's arms came around her; pulling tight against him. His hand wove into her dark tresses, as the other cupped her hip. Daryl's head fell onto Natalie's shoulder; the breath escaping his lungs on a near sob. Natalie's heart felt like it was in a vise at that moment, her chest ached with the pain radiating off Daryl's body.
"I ain't giving up till I find Allie. She's my blood, my daughter. I didn't give up looking for Sophia or Merle. Not until I knew for sure. I ain't losing another one of my babies Natty. I can't see you go through that again." Daryl huffed as he let loose of Natalie, sluicing the suds off his body before side stepping past Natalie to dry off. She could hear him brushing his teeth; his presence gone with the slamming of the bathroom door. Natalie felt herself jump at the sound breaking the near silence; the water suddenly turning cold. She kicked the knob with her foot; sending water splashing all over the shower as the water quickly died. Nothing seemed to be going right today; Natalie was almost scared to see what else this day had in store for her.
Natalie found Daryl in the kitchen after her shower. He was standing just where her father stood every morning; drinking his cup of coffee staring out across the pasture. Natalie choked up a bit at the sight of Daryl standing there; he was taking into account of the horses, the cattle and every other thing that crossed his line of sight. Natalie stood next to him; tying her damp hair up into a top knot, watching along with him. Natalie saw Glenn and Maggie talking in the barn lot, Beth was carrying water into the horses as she chatted with the Grimes boy. The farm carried on with less people than it started with a few short months ago. Natalie sighed as Daryl set his coffee cup in the sink; placing a quick peck on her cheek before heading out into the sunlight.
Natalie busied herself washing the breakfast dishes; her hands moving on autopilot, her mind wandering to the list of things she had planned for the day. There was so much to be done; but the group had done well picking up the slack of Allie's absence. Natalie dried her hands on the kitchen towel, before heading out the door towards the stable; where she was sure to find Daryl saddling up Zip. Natalie had it in her mind that today would be different; today she would be going out with Daryl to look for Allie. She couldn't handle the sitting and waiting anymore. It had been nearly five days now, and even if the police force was still functioning, they would have given up after five days with no leads. It was as if Allie had just vanished into thin air.
Daryl looked over Zip's back at the sound of footsteps in the dirt floor of the stable. He assumed it would be Rick saddling up to go with him, the cop had learned a bit about tracking and hunting over the year plus they had been traveling together. To his surprise Natalie stood there with her hands on her hips eyeballing him.
"Ya ain't going out with me today. I told you in the house, I wasn't gonna deal with seeing you hurt. It's best you stay here and help get things ready for winter, if last year's got anything to say about it, this year's gonna be worse. It's already September as it is. I love you Natty, but don't tear my fucking heart like this." Daryl stood his ground, watching the emotions pass across Natalie's face. What if he did let her go with him and they found Allie dead or turned? It would be the end of Natalie as he knew her, and it would be more painful for him than Merle's death. Daryl just couldn't do it, he couldn't force himself into it.
Just as Natalie opened her mouth to fire back at Daryl; Carl came running into the stable. His hands were on his knees as he fought for breath; the run getting the best of him. Carl gulped down a lungful of air, as he pointed at the front of the house.
"Truck I never seen here before just pulled in. Man and a woman got out, asking for Natalie. Ya better go check it out, Dad and Glenn got 'em stalled in the yard." Daryl darted past Carl, Natalie hot on his heels. It could be anything coming and looking for Natalie; much like Rick had come looking for Natalie when Daryl had been shot. Anyone who knew about Natalie would come knocking on the door, which was good enough reason in itself for Daryl to hang around; keeping his woman and daughter safe.
Daryl stopped short when he saw the soldier standing there in woodland cammies. The guy had to be every bit six-foot-five and a solid 240. His short cropped black hair, piercing blue eyes screamed military, not to mention someone not to be fucked with. Daryl recognized the face but couldn't place from where, but he knew he had seen it before. The bundle in the man's arms began to slowly move, his grip visibly tightening. The patches on his uniform identified who he worked for, but not who the man himself was.
Natalie shouldered past Daryl, running for the man taking up space in the front yard. Daryl reached out to grab Natalie, but she slipped through his fingers. Daryl chased after her; seeing the man's eyes soften at the sight of Natalie. Natalie recognized him as well, that was apparent. Natalie's hands trembled as she uncovered the face wrapped in the blankets; recognition hit her as she crumpled to her knees sobbing hysterically. Maggie wrapped Natalie in her arms, pulling her away from the scene. Daryl moved to take the weight from the man's arms; but the man pulled away defiantly.
"No Sir, can't let you take her. I'm not letting her go unless it's her mama looking her over. Sorry." The voice was commanding, not an ounce of fear in the words. This guy wasn't afraid to be a leader, wasn't afraid of Daryl; that alone made Daryl like the guy even more.
Natalie began to speak through her tears, the words tumbling from her lips, "It's ok Daryl can take her into the house…." The sound of Natalie's voice was lost on Daryl's ears as his eyes locked onto the face in the blanket, Allie's eyes slowly opened.
Through parched, cracked lips that began to bleed with the word that escaped as nearly a whisper Allie spoke, "Daddy?"