I woke early the next morning, with Daryl being fast asleep. Rick also said that I wasn't allowed to go searching for Sophia, as I was still not healed. I decided that I would do them all a care package to take with them. I headed up to the RV and said morning to Dale.
"is everything Okay after last night?" he asked.
"I think so, Daryl has calmed down now" I smiled.
Just then Carol woke up and came into the kitchen area. Dale went to bed after his night watch and I started on the sandwiches for everyone.
Slowly one by one everybody started to wake up, but no sign of Shane.
Daryl came in after he had washed and changed.
"I'm going to borrow a horse and go along the ridge, I will have a birds eye view from there" he said wrapping his arms around me from behind and kissing my neck.
"who are you taking with you?" I asked.
"No one, I'm better on my own, unless it's with you" he snuggled into me.
"I don't think that's a good idea" I said.
" I know what I'm doing babe trust me, I don't need anyone" he said.
I turned around after putting the last pack in a tub. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him.
He pushed me against the cupboard with his hands on my waist, kissing me passionately.
Just then someone cleared their throat, when I pulled away it was Rick.
"Morning" I smiled.
"Morning, Shane is going with Andrea today. I wanted to know what the hell went on last night" Rick asked.
"It was a misunderstanding" I said.
"obviously it wasn't just tell me what happened?" Rick asked again.
"he called me a whore and Daryl didn't like it" I said.
"we all know there was something more to it" Rick frowned and looked at Daryl.
Daryl turned to me "Just tell him. He's got away with it for too long" Daryl said.
"Daryl, what are you talking about?" I said with my eyes wide, trying to shut him up.
"What has happened Mia I am your friend you can tell me everything" Rick said touching my hand.
"Honestly there's nothing to say" I said getting tearful.
"There clearly is, do you want Daryl to tell me instead?" he asked.
"look its not the time or the place for this conversation, let's find Sophia first and then I swear I will tell you in my own words" I sighed "that doesn't mean you can tell him either Daryl, this is my story to tell okay"
"Understood" Daryl nodded and so did Rick.
Rick took the tubs out for everyone and Daryl stayed behind for a while. He just hugged and kissed me the whole time. When it was time for him to go he took his tub and put itin his bag.
"I will be back by sunset, I want you to be in bed waiting for me" he grinned.
"Becareful please, I want you back in one piece" I smiled.
"come here" he said grabbing my waist and pulling me into him. He kissed me hard and said goodbye.
I watched him walk over to the rest of the group, I didn't want to say bye to anyone else, I wasn't in the mood. I started washing up when Glen and Tdog came to the door.
"Thank you for the food and drink" Glen said.
"yeah appreciate that" Tdog smiled.
"No problem, you two be safe" I smiled.
"You too" they smiled.
I fist bumped them both and they left. Carol came in and gave me a hug.
"you are an angel" she said.
"I'm not if it was up to me I would be out there with them looking for her" I sighed.
"You need to heal, and what you have done has gone above and beyond for me and Sophia already. I couldn't wish for a better friend right now" she said hugging me again.
"Always" I said kissing her head.
We finished cleaning up and headed outside to do some washing. Hershal came over to me and asked if he could have a word with me. So I went for a walk with him over to the house. "I heard there was a bit of trouble last night with you and Shane" he said.
"yes I apologise for that" I said.
"I don't think you or Mr Dixon need to be apologising. I don't like that language, especially towards a woman and most certainly not to a woman like you. I know we haven't known each other very long but I can tell you have good morals and can see that you have a good heart. So what I'm saying is if you want me to throw that man off my property I will" Hershal said.
"No not at all, I don't want to go into it all but I have had to work with him like that for months, that's nothing compared to what he's done to me" I smiled.
"Well I won't put up with it, you're around Maggie's age and I wouldn't want anyone to speak to her that way" he said.
"you are a sweetie" I smiled, "can I give you a hug"
I didn't even wait for him to answer and hugged him anyway. He chuckled his head off. Maggie walked in, looked at us and smiled. "it's been a long time since I heard my Dad laugh like that" She said.
"and all it took was a cuddle from me" I laughed.
Carl was awake and feeling much better, so I decided to go in and see him.
He took one look at me and grinned from ear to ear.
"Aunt Mia" he said.
"hey my dude" I said plonking myself down on the bed next to him. "how you feeling?" I asked.
"Sore but I will be okay" he smiled.
We chatted for a while and laughed about things we had done before the world changed. Lori entered the room and I couldn't bare to be in the same room as her.
"I better get back, someone's got to feed everyone when they get back" I said rubbing Carl's head.
"Bring me something when you do" he giggled.
The rest of the day dragged, waiting for everyone to come back. The camp was spotless and I even helped Hershal and his family with some of the farm chores. As the day turned into evening, the groups started coming back. But there was no sign of Daryl. I started to get a sicky feeling in my stomach. I dished up dinner for everyone but couldnt eat myself. I took myself away and sat in the tent by myself. I stayed there for ages until Rick came in to see if I was ok.
"not really" I sighed.
"he will be back, you know what he's like he won't rest till he finds her" He said.
"he promised me he would be back" I said getting tearful.
"he will be, he's probably on his way back as we speak" Rick said. He hugged me for ages and kissed my brow.
"please can you eat something" he said.
"I will try" I sighed.
"I left you a plate in the RV, and I got you a little something extra too" he smiled.
"thank you. I will get ready for bed and then eat it" I said.
"I think you should sleep in the RV tonight, it will be safer for you" Rick said.
"I will be fine you know me" I said. He rubbed my head and left. I put my Pj's on and grabbed my plate from the van. Rick had gotten me a can of coke, which made me smile. I headed back to the tent and started eating my food. It was chicken casserole I had made and I really enjoyed it. I had done well, it was really tasty. I lay down with the book I had been reading, to try and keep my mind off Daryl.
I must have nodded off, because I was startled awake by a commotion from by the house. I jumped in my boots grabbed my gun and legged it to the house. When I saw what it was my heart sank. The horse was there that Daryl had borrowed, but there was no Daryl.
I broke down, that was it he was dead, I just found the perfect man and now he was gone.
