Y'all, I feel like a big pile of crap for not posting this waaayyy sooner:( I have had probably the worst, the most painful, and miserable case of writer's block known to writer-kind! So I gravely apologize if this chapter isn't quite up to standards:( I will make up for it! I hope y'all enjoy & don't forget reviews!
"Rose?" I faintly hear a light voice calling my name, dragging me away from my dreams, "Rose, breakfast is ready." Now I sit up from my bed, rubbing my eyes to see Beth standing at the doorway.
"Oh crap, I'm sorry Beth what time is it?" I ask, noticing how brightly the sun was shining through the windows.
She takes a step in, "I guess around 8 or so." She answers me, uncertainty in her voice.
I look at her with curiosity, "Is everything alright?" Worry starting to creep through my body, "Everyone is okay?" I ask, pulling myself out of the cozy blankets.
"Yeah, we're doin' fine. Glenn just said you'd be talkin' to us today.." She answers me timidly, questions in her eyes.
I'm pulling on jeans now, "Yeah, just gettin' the house together." I say, taking a step towards her. "Some things happened last night, but I don't want any of you worry, okay?" I finish, giving her a reassuring look.
"We trust you. You're one of the good ones." She says back, a smile complimenting her doll-like features. I return the smile, unable to stop myself from giving her a quick, tight hug before excusing myself to the bathroom.
"I'll be down in just a sec!" I call as I close the door.
-Ugh, you're a mess. I think to myself as I look down and see Daryl's blood still staining my hands, then to the mirror to see the black tumbleweed that had formed on my head.
-Oh well. Worry about it later, no time for it now.
I quickly throw it up into a messy ponytail, rinse my hands and face off and head down the stairs. My stomach instinctively begins to growl as the sweet smell of ham wafts from the kitchen into the dining room. First thing my eyes meet though are Daryl's, as he props himself against the far wall, staying as far from the action as possible. I give him a small genuine smile followed by a more playful smirk at his obvious discomfort, he rolls his eyes slightly and gives me a nod. I quickly notice the purple and black, marring his face, is showing quite blatantly now, which I can feel is setting the whole group ill at ease.
Next, I find Beth and Maggie putting together plates and give them both a good morning and a smile. While Beth returns the gesture, Maggie only looks on at me with worried eyes. I give her a nod, and signal everyone to grab a seat.
-OK Rose, they trust you. They're the closet thing you got to family now, don't let them down. I repeat mentally, taking a deep breath as I look around at all the dark, questioning eyes meeting mine.
"Daryl was attacked last night." I say firmly, feeling the tension rise to unbearable levels in the room, "by a man who said that the shops we ran were his.." I continue, trying to keep my eyes away from Daryl's swollen ones, "..but he's dead now. There was no chance to question him, or find out his story, and that was a mistake made on my part." I look now at Rick, he gives a reassuring nod, understanding what I had to do. "He did hint around about a group though, saying 'we want it back'.. but no one can vouch for how true that is. We can only hope there's nobody else, and prepare best we can in case there happens to be." I finish, sinking back into my seat, feeling physically and mentally drained.
"Some.. Man? Who followed us all the way back, attacked Daryl?" Maggie asked in disbelief, looking to me for an answer. I simply nod, not knowing what else to say. "Well what did ONE guy have planned for the rest of us?" She asks again, anger seeping into her voice as she holds Glenn's hand.
I open my mouth to speak, still unsure what exactly would come out, when a deep voice comes from across the table to save me,
"Who knows. What ever it was, wadn't gonna be good for any of us. He seemed like he knew what he was doin' with me." Daryl says, not keeping his eyes on anyone person for long. "Said he liked our set up here, we need to hope now he didn't have no way of communicatin' back to his group..if there was one." He finishes, looking down at his untouched plate.
"Well..We need to do somethin'. We can't lose the farm, we can't." I jerk my head up, surprise taking over, when I hear Beth speak up, taking center stage at the table now, "We'll make sure it stays safe, Rose. I can give you our word."
Everyone looks on incredulously at the usually quiet girl, who was now acting like an experienced leader. When the initial shock wears off, they acknowledge the promise Beth had just made, and look to me, each giving a simple nod.
A single nod that tells me they're all with me. A single nod that tells me, "You're not alone in this.". I barely manage to force back the tears that want vainly to make an appearance as I look at each of them, unable to stop myself from resting on Daryl's just a moment longer.
Although I feel the silence can speak to legions in this moment, I can't stop the words "Thank you." from slipping through my lips in a whisper.
I'm answered with Carl taking my hand, giving it a little squeeze, "You're our family and a family always looks out for one another." He says matter of factly.
"We won't leave you." Glenn adds, giving Carl's word finality, and meaning.
-The closest thing to family? Not hardly Rose, these people are your family.
I look to Daryl, then Rick and Judith, Carol, Beth, Maggie and Glenn, Hershel, and finally to Carl, noticing my eyes growing more dampened with tears as the seconds pass. Once again, the little ember of hope inside of me sparks to life, my faith in this world growing every so slightly.
I'm not alone.