The Man With The Crossbow (Daryl Dixon romance)

Chapter 16

"I know what I saw!"

Daryl's angered voice was the only thing heard before we all bursted into laughter.

We were all sitting in a circle around a fire, enjoying the deer I had killed, along with the few squirrels Daryl had caught.

"You know those don't exist right?" Dale commented from behind the circle. 

"It was a damn chupacabra.  Lexi saw it too, didn't ya?" Daryl looking at me to agree.

Turning my head slightly to him "The hell if I know what you saw" I couldn't help but laugh. "For all you know, it could have been a rabid squirrel"

The whole group chuckled, Daryl crossed his arms sulking next to me, only making me laugh more.  Merle for once was pretty quiet.  He was sitting behind us, turning to him, he looked to be thinking hard about something.

"You alright?"

He nodded once, and turned his attention to Shane "So y'all planning to go on a run soon? Ain't got much supplies"

Shane glanced to Lori then back to Merle "Ya man, we've actually been talking about making a run in the city soon"

"I'll help ya guys. We should go tomorrow bright and early"

Merle offering to help? I know Merle's got some good in him, but him offering to help these people we hardly know is weird.  By the expression on Daryl's face, he thinks so too.

Shane ran his hand through his hair glancing to Glen. 

Before Shane could even ask "Yeah, yeah. I'll go.  Have a group ready by dawn."  By the tone of his voice I can tell he was reluctant to do this.

I don't like the thought of being here without Merle.  I don't know these people, and by the sound of it Shane isn't even gonna go on this run.  A quick thought passed through my mind and I spoke up before I could change it.

"Daryl and I were thinking of goin' on a hunt tomorrow.  A real one, may take or day or two but maybe we can bring back some more deer or something"  Looking to everyone including Daryl who looked slightly confused.

Shane nodded his head to me "Sounds good"

Everyone seemed to be in agreement, as we all settled into a comfortable silence.  I began having memories of what had happened earlier in the forest, making my cheeks feel flush.  Catching eye contact with Daryl,  I felt my cheeks burn even more.  His eyes were burning holes into me.

 Leaving Daryl's side, I walked over to Dale who was sitting next to his RV.

"You mind if I climb up there and keep watch? I'm not feeling tired just yet" nodding my head to the top of the RV.

"We've got plenty of people to keep an eye out, you sure?"

I nodded my head "I don't mind, it's a beautiful night.  And I'd like to help the group as much as possible"

As I got to the top of the RV, I caught notice of a lawn chair already there.  Sitting myself in it comfortably, it didn't take more than five minutes to hear the sound of someone climbing up the RV.

Daryl's face came into view as he sat himself loudly next to me.  Sitting his crossbow down behind him. 

"Mind tellin' me what that was back there?"  His voice was low, just loud enough for my ears to hear him.  Glancing down at him next me, I sighed softly.

Feels odd to be sitting in a chair and he not getting to.  I stood up from the chair before sitting next to him.

"Well with Merle leaving, and that Shane doesn't seem to be going on the run.  I don't wanna really be here without Merle"  I kept my eyes on my hands that seemed to be magically the most important thing in the world. I wasn't quite sure if my small voice reached his ears. 

The growing silence was beginning to eat away at me "I really don't trust Shane.  So I thought of an excuse for us both to leave while Merle is gone"

I could see Daryl just barely nod his head in agreement.  Looking up, I scanned my eyes across our little camp.  My eyes couldn't help but fall on the back of Shane's head who was still sitting by the low burning fire. 

I could feel Daryl's eyes on me, making me feel like a germ under a microscope.  Glancing at him quickly from beneath my lashes.  I could my heart begin to thump harder against my chest.  For a second I thought I saw his eyes glance down at my lips, making my cheeks burn up.

Turning my gaze back to our surroundings "Stop" my voice was barily audible to my own ears.

"What?" I could hear the slight smirk in his voice.

Glancing back at him "Staring at me! It's driving me nuts"  I was completely serious, but I couldn't help but let a small smile escape. 

We sat in a comfortable silence,  as I watched Shane leave his spot by the fire to go into his tent.  The distinct sound of arguing caught my attention.  Standing up quickly my eyes zeroed in on Carol and her daughter leaving their small tent.  My stomached turned slightly as I listened to her husband yell at her from inside the tent. 

She stood by the fire with her arm placed around her daughter's shoulders.  Before I could stop myself, I began climbing down the RV quickly.  "Don't be startin' shit Lexi"  was the last thing I heard before walking quickly to Carol.

"You guys alright?"  Looking down giving a friendly smile to her daughter.

"We're fine"  her clipped tone made something in me disagree instantly.

"Sorry, just making sure.  Not sure if I've politely introduced myself to you guys, but I'm Alex"

"Carol, and this is my daughter Sophia"  I smiled down at Sophia who had her arms clenched around her mother.  I took a small notice to the finger sized bruises on Carol's arm that was been wrapped around Sophia. Her husband, that I've only seen a couple times must have done that.  I can feel the familiar uneasiness.  I know I'm right though.

"How are you Sophia?" Smiling softly at her. 

"I'm okay" she kept her head down as she spoke, she faintly reminded me of myself when I was young.

"That's good" Looking down at Sophia then into Carol's eyes, I glanced to her tent then back to her.  "I'm truly sorry" Speaking just loud enough for her to hear me.  Our eyes met as I watched her eyes looked at me in sympathy.  As if she knows I've been through similar problems as her.

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"Everyone ready to go?"  The Group nodded to Glenn. 

The sun was just beginning to rise, everyone was saying goodbye to each other as Daryl and I stood a few feet from everybody.  Merle was beside Daryl, talking to quiet for me to catch what he was saying.

Daryl and Merle patted each other on the shoulders before Merle walked over to me. 

"Keep an eye on Darleena will ya?"

Laughing softly "I'll do my best"

Daryl turned his head to me "Let's get goin' while the sun's still down.  We'll see ya when ya get back"

Nodding in agreement with Daryl.  I gave one last smile to Merle before we began walking toward the forest.  I felt a wave of uneasiness as we left Merle.  Daryl must have notice, because I felt a reassuring hand gently squeeze my own.  Causing small butterflies to flutter in my stomach.

Looking to Daryl, I could only shrug my shoulders and give my best smile.   I can only hoe that the supplies run goes well.