𝕃𝕠𝕧𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝔽𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 | Daryl Dixon

16 | TOO WEAK FOR THE WORLD

The small shed a little aways from the farmhouse was rundown; the wooden planks that made up the walls were slightly rotten, aged with the many years they'd been a part of the four-walled structure.

That woody scent hit Tori's senses as she pushed the creaky door open. She only went in looking for a bucket, but she'd grown curious to look around the small room when she saw several tools and items all up on a peg board on the wall opposite the door.

There were saws and sharp tools, probably for woodwork, like building and repairing the fences surrounding the fields and stables. There were a few clamps, spanners, wrenches, and all sorts. Tori was surprised that Dale hadn't discovered them yet. Her eyes drifted along the wall, and she paused when she came to a bow.

It was a compact hunter's bow, folded down as it hung from two pegs, probably to protect the string from too much strain. On the little square table in the corner, there was a small bucket with at least twenty arrows standing up in it the way flowers stand in a vase. Tori reached for the bow, holding it in her hands. She inspected it for a moment before unfolding it, the weapon feeling surprisingly light.

The shed door squeaked as it was pushed open further, and Maggie Greene appeared in the doorway. She smiled at Tori in a greeting, then noticed the bow in her hands.

"That was Otis'," the younger woman said with sadness behind her tone. "Used it for hunting sometimes."

"Sorry," Tori said softly, folding the bow back up. "I only came in to get a bucket and I... well, I got nosey."

Maggie chuckled, "No, it's okay. You shoot?"

"Nah," Tori shrugged. "But in school, there was an archery team. Boys only," she rolled her eyes, and Maggie smiled. "I used to watch them practice, thought it looked like a cool thing to learn."

"You know, you can take this one if you want," Maggie offered.

Tori still had the bow in her hands, folded up, as she tilted her head. "You sure? If it belonged to Otis, I don't just wanna take it."

"Honestly, it's fine," Maggie assured. "Not like any of us know how to use it," she laughed lightly. "If you want it, it's yours."

"Umm, well, if you're sure, then thank you," Tori nodded with a gentle smile.

She knew that a lot of the others were headed out later on to do some gun training with Shane and Rick, so Tori figured she'd head out alone and do her own practice. She grabbed the bucket of arrows from the table, and Maggie grabbed an empty one from the ground to take to get the vegetables before they both left the shed, closing the door behind them.

Tori left the bow and the arrows in front of her tent before heading off to help with the chores for the morning. After going down to the gardens to fill the bucket with all the ripe vegetables, she went straight back to the camp and set them down with the other food.

Glenn came over holding a large bucket of peaches. Without saying anything, he went up to stand in front of Tori, holding the bucket out.

"Thanks," she smiled, taking a peach. "You good?"

"Nothing," Glenn quickly said, his eyes wide, like he'd been caught out.

Tori frowned. "Nothing... what?"

"Oh, uh, I meant, yes, I'm good," Glenn corrected himself, stuttering over his words.

"Okay," Tori nodded. "What's up with you? What are you hiding?"

Glenn shook his head, nervously chuckling, "Huh? I'm not hiding anything, why do you ask?"

"You're being weird and look guilty," Tori shrugged, answering bluntly. "C'mon, spill."