Endure and Survive (Sequel to How We Live Now)

Chapter 18

I lost track of how long I had been there but my butt had started to feel numb. I stretched my legs out in front of me and was getting ready to get up when some footsteps startled me. I looked up to see Daryl with a canteen in his hand. He knelt down next to me and reached for one of my hands.

"Hold still," he said.

He poured some water over my hand and started to rub the blood away with his.

"Is everyone still freaked out by me?" I asked.

"They're just worried about ya," he said.

"Those weren't worried looks they were giving. At least that was clear in Hershel and Maggie's eyes," I said.

"They're worried about ya. We all are," he said.

"Even you?" I asked, not believing that he was worried too.

"You gonna make this a bigger deal than it is?" he retorted.

"I'm just asking a question, Daryl," I said.

"It ain't ever just a question with you," he said.

I sighed.

"Gimme your other hand," he said.

I lowered my right hand and picked up my left.

"I could have done this myself, you know," I said, looking at him.

"Yeah? Then why didn't ya?" he asked.

"I needed a little time," I said.

"Uh-huh," he muttered.

"How are you doing?" I asked.

"I'm good," he said.

"Daryl...you just lost your brother. It's okay not to be fine," I said.

"You counseling me now?" he retorted.

"All right. Forget I asked," I said.

"It sucks. That what you wanna hear?" he asked.

"Was that so hard?" I retorted.

"I don't like sharing my feelings. That ain't me," he said.

"Okay. I didn't mean to push," I said, sounding defeated.

He finished then sighed.

"You ready to come back?" he asked.

"Yeah," I said.

He stood up and reached his hand out to me. I took it and he helped me up.

"Ow," I said.

"What?" he asked.

"I can't feel my butt," I said.

"Well, that's on you for sitting on the ground for so long," he said.

"I know," I said, walking slowly.

"You good?" he asked quickly noticing how slow I was walking.

"Yeah. I just need a second," I said stopping.

A few seconds passed and I was feeling better.

"Okay. Let's go," I said, walking past him to the fence.

When we got there, both Merle and Andrea's body had been moved. Beth came up to me.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"Yeah. I just needed a few minutes," I said.

Everyone turned and looked at me.

"Okay. Let's get this over with. I'm okay. I didn't meant to freak any of you out, alright? Now that that's out of the way, there is something that we need to do," I said.