Sneaky

Chapter 84

Daryl's POV

Rick looked at me, probably watching to see if I'd leave. But I don't really care one way or another what happens to this kid. I know Eve does, which is enough of a surprise. She usually doesn't have an opinion, much less on stuff like this.

I been wracking my brain tryna figure out why but everything I come up with don't fit. It don't sound like somethin' she'd do.

"Alright then." Rick looked over the group one last time. "Shane, Daryl, and I will take care of it in the barn, tonight."

I nodded, itching to get outta 'ere and go find Eve.

By the time I got to the door, Eve was halfway to lord knows where and I had to run after her.

"Eve" I called when I finally got close.

She didn't stop but I know she heard me. God it's weird hearin' 'er feet make noise.

"Eve, hold up."

She kept walking and I almost growled at 'er, catching up.

"I said wait god damnit—" I grabbed 'er arm, stopping the woman in her tracks.

"Don't" Eve ripped her arm from my grip but stopped.

I'd be lyin' if I said it didn't surprise me. I ain't never seen 'er act like this before.

"You good?" I eyed her carefully. I don' wanna get stabbed or nothin'.

Eve sighed, running exhausted hands over her face before shaking 'er head. "Thanks for backing me up in there. I know we didn't see eye to eye on this,"

I slowly nodded, still watching her tryna work out what's goin' on. Did she think I'd leave 'er out to dry?

"I can't be here right now. I need to leave." Her eyes turned towards the treeline.

I followed her line of sight and my gut sank a little. "It's gon be dark soon, you sure that's a good idea?"

"It isn't." So she knows it's a bad idea, why the Hell she doin' it then?

"I can't be here for this." She shook her head, not looking at me.

I watched her eyes and the determined set in her shoulders and a more important thought steam rolled everythin' else.

"You plannin' on comin' back?" I tried to keep the urgency outta my voice but a little more than I would've liked slipped.

Eve sucked her teeth, glancing at the rapidly darkening horizon. "Yeah"

That was less than convincing.

She looked at me, watching for a few seconds. She pulled one a 'er knives and held it out to me.

I paused, looking between her and the blade.

'Is she serious?'

She waited, showing no sign of retracting, or walking away.

She would never leave this— oh.

My hand came up by itself and Eve pressed the weighted handle into my palm. The worn grip is warmer than I thought it'd be. It's only been in 'er hand for a minute at most.

Eve turned not a second after I took it, and I didn't try to grab her again.

I hesitated but an image of her covered in mud from that hole I pulled her out of was enough to make me get over it. "Don't go too far."