AN: REVISED

6: Kind Old Annie

Just as with the day before, I woke to a knock on my door. At least I was relatively ready for it this time. Once I rolled out of bed I quickly put on my work clothes and boots, with the gun tucked into my waistline and hidden, checking briefly in the mirror that I looked halfway decent before gripping the doorknob. I opened the door and without a word I walked past Daryl and down the stairs.

"You know it'd be easier if you just let me do it myself." He seemed almost angry, but I shook it off.

My voice still showed signs of sleep, or was it crankiness, "And have you die out there with my keys God knows how far away? I don't think so."

"I can handle myself."

I looked back at him as I descended the stairs. "I'm sure you can, but still." Once we'd ventured across the yard ,I unlocked the gate and let him out. "Just holler when you're back." He nodded, disappearing into the woods. I locked the gate back up and did my daily inspection of the fence. As per usual there was nothing out of the ordinary; there hadn't been in weeks. Thirty minutes later it was deemed 'all clear,' so I set to watering. As winter was approaching the heat didn't hit me all morning as it used to when I first got here. That isn't to say I wasn't sweating heavily the whole time.

After the watering was done I harvested a handful of apples as well as five potatoes. I was still getting into the hang of exactly how to do the whole agriculture thing, but everything at least looked okay, so I felt good about it. I then set out to replenish the house's water supply, which involved getting water from the stream, boiling it, letting it cool and then pouring that into the various containers I had in the house. It was all done before the sun hit its peak. I guess having the same routine every day does that. Things get to be second nature and you start to think you can do it all in your sleep, even the things that used to take gross amounts of time. I went to work in the kitchen next, making a fresh loaf of bread from the supplies that hadn't spoiled yet. I was only half-way through letting it rise when I heard Daryl yelling. I grabbed the bat, the bat that I never let get too far from me, and headed to the gate. The stroll didn't take long, but as I grew nearer I saw something in his hand. "Is that what I think it is?" I unlocked the gate while eyeing the wild turkey he was holding by the neck. "Bless my soul, I think I'm in love."

He laughed casually, "It's just a runt."

"Still." All I could think that this was actual meat, real meat like the kind that I used to eat before all of this. It was a turkey. I don't know the last time I've been so happy, and it showed in my voice, "It's like Thanksgiving." He laughed as we got onto the porch. I was so happy that I had a brief moment of generosity. "Hey, can I see one of your arrows real quick?" It was a long shot, but a turkey. A real turkey, and I'd get to eat it.

"Why?" He held one, but hesitated to give it to me.

I just smiled, holding out my hand. Sounding as sweet as possible, I answered, "I'll give it right back, I just want to check something." He handed me one and I was off.

"Don't break it," he yelled after me.

Unlocking the bolt on the door, I went into the garage and hurried over to the weapons selection which could nearly be called an arsenal, then to the arrows. I held up several to compare against his until I found the right ones. "Perfect," I mumbled to myself as I grabbed every one I had in its size. There was a bounce to my steps as I went back outside, and a playfulness in my voice that surprised me, "I've got a present for you." He was on the back porch now, taking the feathers off of the poor dead delicious creature. When he heard me he looked up.

He stood up straight and took the bolts from my hands, beginning to examine them. "Where'd you get these?"

"I have some things stored up, just stuff I collected, most of it on the way here. I know I normally wouldn't part with any of my stuff, but I owe you for this." I eyed the bird.

His eyes were still assessing the gift when he droned, "Thanks." He went back to the turkey.

"Well, I'll be on the roof if you need me." He didn't say anything, or even indicate that he heard me, so I just left. I brought one of the more basic medical textbooks up with me to review. It was on emergency medicine, potentially the most important of the medicines at this point in time, and I had put tabs on important pages so it had begun to look a little worse for wear. I did a scan of my surroundings and sat down. I turned to a page with blood in the corner; the only time I ever had to use this book this was the procedure I had to do, and it was on myself. I looked at the scar on my calf, and still couldn't believe I made it through the scrubbing and stitching without passing out. It even healed pretty nicely considering it was my first real attempt at stitches. I'd need more medical supplies, hell, I'd need more of all my supplies if Daryl's people were going to live here leeching off of my stuff. I'd need to make a run out to get what I'd need before he left. I should anyway, at least while I have someone to look after the property. I did another scan, and then kept reading.

After a while the silence was broken by the gravely voice that had become nearly familiar over the past couple days, "No singing today?"

I looked up, "Nope, not today."

He took a seat by me. "So how many walkers come out here?"

I closed the book, keeping a finger on the page I'd just been reading. "It used to be one or two every couple days, but now I sometimes go weeks without seeing any." I looked out towards the gate. "I think it's because this place is so far up. They probably don't like hills. Too much energy required."

"Seems safe enough."

I glanced back over to him, a smile beginning to appear. "I wouldn't go that far," I laughed, "but it's better than anywhere else I've held up."

He looked at me with narrowed eyes, "You'd really let me bring my group here?"

"Sure, why not?" I stood up and did another sweep, this time surveying the grounds for a moment longer than really necessary. "I can make room for the non-essentials I've lifted in the sheds, clear up some of the bedrooms. I'd need to get more supplies, though. I need to get more anyway... I was just thinking that."

"What kind of supplies you talking about?" He shifted slightly, perhaps concerned, but it was hard to tell and I was tired of trying to read the man.

I started to list off a few things, counting them on my fingers as I spoke, "Meds, some more equipment from the hospital, more canned food and non-perishables, more seeds, maybe another fridge or two. Basically more of everything." I paused, sighing, "And I've already bled the town down there dry, except I can probably snag a fridge from there with someone to help." He just nodded and it was quiet for a minute. My curiosity got the better of me, so I asked, "So, you think y'all will be staying here then?"

He just shrugged while looking off towards the gate. "If they ain't found a better place."

"Fair enough." I nodded as I re-opened the book and kept on studying.