CHAPTER 6

Noel became increasingly worried as they made their way through the dense forest. She knew that Daryl normally walked silently with his head down looking for tracks and listening for any sounds. Today he wasn't remotely quiet and his eyes were glued straight ahead of him. It was clear that Daryl wasn't out here to hunt, he was bringing her somewhere and Noel was filled with fear as she followed him. I should just turn and go back, right?

But it was too late for that. Daryl slowed as he entered a small clearing, and if Noel weren't so terrified she would have stopped to admire how beautiful it was. It all happened so fast. She was looking around the clearing wondering why she was here then her rifle was pulled off her should dropped to the floor along with his cross bow.

Her body was slammed into the tree behind her and she felt one of his hands grip the back of her neck and pull forcefully. His lips crashed onto hers and she quickly realized why she was here. How could I be so stupid?

She had never been kissed like this before, with such intensity and desire. His tongue forced its way into her mouth and she pushed her hands against his chest; she wanted him to stop. Didn't she?

He just deepened the kiss and she felt herself kissing him back, fisting her hands in his shirt. STOP! She screamed at herself. What am I doing? I don't want this. His hands slid up and down her body and it was clear Daryl had one thing on his mind. He pressed himself against her but she pushed his chest harder and he broke the kiss. She couldn't look at him; she looked down at her feet and saw his shirt drop next to them. She jerked her head up as his mouth crushed down onto hers again.

This was too much. It was overwhelming. She couldn't handle this. She wanted him to stop. But his hands unbuttoned her flannel shirt and his lips trailed down her neck and chest nipping and sucking down to her breasts. Her shirt was off and her bra was next to go. She tried to stop him but it was no use, she was enjoying this as much as he was. His mouth closed over one of her nipples and she bit her lip hard to stifle her moan.

"Daryl, I-" she whispered as she pushed him off of her and she took a deep breath in, but then she was on her back in the grass with him on top of her. Her pants were at her ankles and his were too. His lips were on hers again and she felt his hand slide down between her legs and she realized her underwear were gone. Her heart was slamming in her chest, she was unsure of the cause, fear or excitement?

He rubbed her with this rough fingers and she felt her body betraying her as her hips bucked up against his hand. He slid his fingers inside her and he groaned at the tightness. And in a moment his hard length replaced his fingers as he pushed roughly inside of her. She bit her lip hard enough to make it bleed as he rocked in and out of her. The pain was intense and she gripped his shoulders roughly.

He took her mouth again and kissed her passionately tasting her blood. He broke the kiss and buried his face in her neck and his rhythm steadily increased. She felt the tears falling down her cheeks but was surprised when she felt a growing feeling of pleasure replace the pain as he pushed into her over and over. His hand was in between their bodies, touching her, driving her mad.

She gripped him harder as she began to loose control, pleasure rippling through her like she'd never experienced before. Her head rolled back and all she could hear were his grunts and panting and her own shaky breath as she felt her muscles contracting around him. He pumped harder and gripped her hip hard enough to bruise as he came roughly inside of her.

Their bodies remained entwined as they each caught their breath. Daryl then stood and began to dress with his back to her. She wiped her tears and pulled her underwear up quickly, not wanting him to see the blood between her legs. She stood and when she finished dressing herself Daryl handed her the rifle, his own crossbow already on his back.

She didn't how she was able to remain so calm the rest of the hunting trip but she was glad they were done relatively quickly and she was never so happy to see the camp a few feet away.

Daryl said nothing to her the entire time, he barely looked in her general direction but as they parted ways he held a hand out to take the game she caught and locked eyes with her. It was only for a moment so she couldn't tell what emotion was behind those eyes but there was something there; guilt, confusion, anger, affection, she couldn't tell.

She walked away from him quickly feeling the blood between her legs threaten to seep through her jeans. She hadn't gotten her period for a while with everything that happened so she didn't have anything. She scanned the camp and walked quickly to Lori's tent, not trusting anyone else.

"Lori? Can I come in?" she said in a quiet voice.

"Sure sweetie." She said as she popped her head out. "What's up?" She asked as she let Noel enter.

"I, uh, just got my period and don't have anything. Haven't gotten it in while." She said shrugging with a small fake smile. Lori clearly bought it and smiled at the young woman.

"Here." She said handing her a pad. "I'll bring a box over later with the laundry so you don't have to carry it back where everyone can see it." Noel smiled again, but this time it was genuine.

"Thank you so much." She said quietly before she left. When she got to her tent she quickly stripped down throwing her bloody underwear in the garbage. When she finally sat down on her bed she realized she was crying, sobbing, and trembling. She curled into a ball and slid under the covers.

She didn't come out for dinner but no one really noticed because Daryl didn't either. She'd struggled to fall asleep; replaying the day's events in her head, trying to make sense of it.

Noel woke up in time to see everyone departing on Merle's rescue mission. Her and Daryl made eye contact before he got in the truck but his eyes were empty, no sign of the emotion that had lingered there the previous day. She just stared until the car was out of sight and retreated back into her tent.