No Rest For the Wicked ~ A Walking Dead Fan Fiction

Chaper 5: Scar Tissue

Chapter 5

Scar Tissue

Third Person

        “I don’t want you to go.”  Elsie tried not to whine.  Kate was kneeling in front of her in a fresh, dry pair of jeans.

        “I know but we need food.  It’s a safe trip; I’ll be back in a day or two.  Amy says she’s really looking forward to hanging out with you.”  The woman said, tucking her sandy waves behind her ear.

        “Well alright.  But hurry back okay?  I’m just fine with eating berries.”  Elsie informed her, causing Kate to laugh a little.

        “I’ll keep that in mind.”

        “Bye, Kate.”  Elsie bid adieu, wrapping her little arms around her guardian.

        “Bye Elsie.”  Kate hugged the girl back tightly before releasing her and standing.“I’ll see you soon.” She promised.                                                                   

            “You comin’?”  Daryl yelled at Kate from the edge of the woods, cross bow slung over his shoulder.  She glared at him before retrieving her bow and heading after him. 

 *

        They sat aside a small campfire after dusk had fallen.  Daryl decided they shouldn’t hunt until they were on their way back since anything they caught would be bad by the time they got back so they had nothing but three squirrels, two for him and one for her.  The orange light illuminated their faces.

        “What happened there?” Daryl asked, flicking the back of Kate’s right hand.  Beneath her middle-finger knuckle was a circular scar, an old burn mark.

        “Cigarette burn.”  She explained nonchalantly.  “Happened at a party where we’d all had a bit too much to drink.  It happens.”

        He gave her a look.  “You’re a shitty liar.”

        “Or you’re shitty at knowing whether you’re being lied to.”  She shot back, even though he was right, she was lying.  Or at least half of it was a lie.  She was actually an excellent liar so it surprised her Daryl saw through her.

        “I know what I am and what I ain’t.”  He said.

        “What are you then?”  Kate asked.  “We’ve been living together for ten days now and I know absolutely nothing about you.”

        “Whadda want to know?”

        “Anything.”

        “You’re gonna have to be more specific.” 

        Kate rolled her eyes.  “First dates don’t go well for you, do they?”  She teased.   

        It was his turn to roll his eyes. “What about you, Goldielocks?  Care to share your life story?”

        “Well I’m 27, I was born and raised in Calgary where I worked as an urban planner for four years.” She summed up the very basics of her life.

        “How personal.”  He said sarcastically.

        “Well that’s something, more than the nothing you gave me.”  She pointed out.

        “Touché.”  Silence fell for a minute as both worked on eating their squirrels.  Kate licked her lips and handed the rest of hers to Daryl, having eaten all she wanted.  “You sure?”  She nodded before yawning.