Four

Starting on Saturday, I will be in New York City on a mission trip until the following Saturday. Because of this, I'm trying to dish out as many chapters as I can, as I will not be bringing my computer. Really didn't want to have to take a break this early into the story, but oh well. Please review and message me! I love the encouragement and also just really like to talk to people in the community.

Eventually, the group found a convenient store along the side of the small road. They had driven about two hours north away from Terminus.

"We should stop." Rosita said to Abraham from passenger seat of the truck. "We need the rest, and we gotta gather up more supplies before we go any farther."

The red-head looked in the rear view mirror at Rick, who nodded in agreement. Slowly, the truck pulled off the road towards the store. Glenn grabbed a knife from Maggie's backpack, getting prepared to kill a few Walkers, then looked at Daryl. June was still asleep in his arms, looking a little less pale than before, but not by much. Daryl glanced over at Glenn, then down at June.

Glenn pressed his lips together and offered his hand. "I can take her."

Immediately, Daryl began to shimmy out of the bed of the truck. "No. I got 'er."

Glenn walked away once Daryl was sitting on the edge of the truck, his feet hanging off the end. He looked down at June. He felt this overwhelming need to protect her, to make sure that she didn't leave his sight. He wasn't sure why this was, but he didn't really care at the moment. He and the entire group owed this woman.

It had only taken a few moments for the large group to clear out the store of Walkers. They dragged them outside, trying to get rid of the smell of death. Once everyone was inside and settled, Abraham, Glenn, Maggie, Rick, and Carl began working on blocking up the exits. Rosita, Bob, Tara, and Sasha started to collect all the good supplies that they could in the store and organizing it. Daryl brought June over to one of the back corners of the store. Michonne laid down a small towel onto the floor that she'd found in the back closet.

As Daryl slowly laid the girl onto the floor, he could see her eyes begin to open. They seemed lost and scared, and she reached out for something. He gave her his hand and the fear faded from her eyes. Slowly, they closed again. Daryl held her hand for three hours as she slept. He drifted in and out of a dream world, and each time he woke up, he would make sure that his palm was still pressed tightly against hers. Finally, June's eyes opened wide.

"W-wha…?" She mumbled, pressing her hand her forehead. The one that had been holding Daryl's gripped onto his.

Rolling over, he nodded. "Hey."

She squinted and looked up at him. Quickly, she yanked her hand away and began to sit up. "Y-you're one of them, right? One of the people who helped me…?"

"Yeah." Daryl nodded slowly. "There're more of 'em around here. Everyone's asleep though, so they'll have to make their introductions later."

June kept her distance from the man as she spoke. "Why did y'all help me?"

There was so much force in the question, and a hint of anger. It confused Daryl. He'd just carried this girl for a good few miles and this was the thanks he was getting? Shrugging, he looked away from her sharp gaze.

"You helped us. These people… they don't just let shit like that go." He looked over at a sleeping Rick, and an on-guard Glenn. "We found you. Couldn't just leave you in that room… like that."

"You should of." She spat at him, her gaze narrowing. She was so angry at him, the man who practically saved her life. "You should have just left me there."

Daryl blinked back in surprise at her words. "Well we didn't… and you don't have to be such a goddamn bitch about it."

He pushed himself up off the floor. Not bothering to look back at battered and angry girl behind him, Daryl went over to Michonne on the other side of the store and sat down next to her.

"She's pissed." He mumbled to the woman.

Michonne sat up a bit and looked over at him. "What?"

"June. She's pissed off that we helped her, that we got her out of Terminus." He wiped a hand over his face in frustration.

"Why?"

"How the hell am I supposed to know?" Daryl spoke through his teeth.

Michonne hadn't ever seen Daryl angry. She wasn't even sure it had been possible until now. And it was over someone that he barely even knew. Daryl had started to get attached to this girl who hadn't even known his name until two minutes ago.

Michonne smirked a bit. Daryl glanced over at her. "What? Why're you smilin'?"

"Daryl, she just woke up in a strange place with people she's never met before. Just give her some time to adjust, ok?" She laughed a bit and looked back over at him. "Besides, you're a big ole teddy bear. She can't hate you for too long."

As soon as dusk appeared through the cracks in the windows, Rosita began to dish out the small amount of food to everyone in the store. She walked around, handing out crackers and cans between small groups, until she got to June. The girl had been sitting in the corner in the back of the store for what seemed like hours, not talking to anyone, wrapped up in the small towel that had been laid down underneath her earlier. Her eyes wandered, staring at nothing. Rosita was about to offer her food until Daryl grabbed her shoulder.

"Let me." He mumbled. Rosita shrugged and handed him a roll of crackers and a small can of green beans and walked off.

Slowly, Daryl sank down onto the floor next to the girl. She didn't even turn to look at him as he offered her the crackers. Shaking her head, Daryl shrugged and tore open the bag. He pulled his knife out of his back pocket and began to work at the can of beans while simultaneously shoving three crackers into his mouth.

"Why didn't you just let me die?" She whispered to him. Reluctantly, her gaze went to him.

Daryl stared at her. "We couldn't just leave you there…"

"Do you know what they're going to do if they find us? It's worse than you could possibly imagine."

Daryl watched as she bit the inside of her lip. She was trying to fight back the tears in the corners of her eyes, daring them to fall down her cheeks. Now he understood why she'd been so mean to him before; she was terrified of what might possibly come. Quickly, June looked away, wiping the tears from her eyes.

"Well," Daryl started carefully. "We won't let 'em find us, then. Look… I know you don't trust me, but I can promise you that I won't let 'em hurt you."

It felt like ages before June slowly turned her head to look at Daryl again.

She swallowed roughly. "Can I… Can I have some of that?"

She motioned to now-open can of green beans in Daryl's hand. He looked from the can, back to her, and managed a small smile, handing it to her. He watched as she downed half the can.

"Thanks."

Although she didn't say it, Daryl knew she wasn't just thanking him for the beans.