ISABELLÁ
RICK'S EYES BURNED INTO MINE. A small smile grew on his face as he realised that I could help them out of this situation.
Rick? Smiling at the opportunity to kill someone? I think he might have lost it too.
The man on top of Carl started to move in on him. Trying to assault him. Carl's sobs and cries echoed around the woods. Rick's face dropped, along with my heart. I wanted to rush out there and cave that mans head in.
"Let him go!" Rick said through gritted teeth. The men chuckled in response.
I quickly took off my rucksack carefully placing it on the ground, trying not make much noise and notify the men of my whereabouts.
Men. Why was it always men.
The men continued to beat up one of their own while all of this played out.
I put my hand on one of my glocks and pulled it out. I looked Rick in the eyes before nodding.
As I did so, he swung his head back hard, hitting the man who held a gun to his head in the stomach with his skull. A shot rung out, barely missing Rick as it skimmed past his ear.
I sprinted out into the road firing a shot at the man who held a gun to Michonne. She looked up startled I figured she thought she's been shot and maybe she was a little shocked to see me.
I wanted nothing more than to kill the guy on Carl but they were jostling around too much, I couldn't get a clear shot.
Michonne quickly stood up picking up her katana moving over to the man who was on Carl. I'd let her deal with him.
Rick and the man who previously held a gun to Rick's head were currently throwing punches. It was infuriating that they could very easily finish this but choice to fist fight.
I was about to step in, when noticed the silence from behind me, I realised that the men who had previously been beating up one of their own had now stopped. I heard their footsteps behind me followed by the cracking of knuckles.
How cliché.
I turned around to face them. There were three of them, all with there weapons drawn. I glanced over to Michonne wondering if I'd be getting any help here. She was still dealing with Carl and the man who attack him, making him suffer. As she should.
I looked back to the men. Looked like I was doing this alone. Given that I was half the size of them I wasn't very optimistic. Between the men's bodies, behind them, I could see the man they had previously attacked trying to scramble to his feet. I couldn't see much given that they were stood in the way.
I eyed the men giving them a sarcastic smile.
The largest man lunged at me, trying to raise his gun. I raised mine quicker than him, sending a bullet flying into his skull. As soon as I pulled the trigger, the other two guys lunged at me. One coming at me from the left, and the other from the right. I moved my right arm, which was holding the gun, to point at it at the man to my left. Before I could get it round, the man who I was trying to aim it at moved in grabbing my right arm, stopping me from shooting him.
He stepped in closer, still holding tightly on my arm with one of his hands. With his other, he drove it forward towards my abdomen, with a knife in its grasp. I quickly grabbed his hand with my left, it was less than an inch away from me. His strength was over bearing, and with no free hands I was really struggling. The other guy came at me from the right. He lunged at me, but as soon as he came into my space, I swung my leg up my foot hitting him hard between the his legs. As he doubled over, his head became level with mine, I swung my head back before driving it forwards, my skull making contact with his causing him to stagger back.
I used the momentum to twist myself out of the grasp of the man. I kept my hand on his arm which was holding the knife to me, preventing him from stabbing me. I managed to pry my right arm from his grasp, instantly holding it to his skull and pulling the trigger. His face dropped as blood sprayed out the back of his head.
I felt the presence of the other man behind me. I spun on my toes, swinging my knife around with me. Inevitably slitting his throat instantly. Blood trickled down from it oozing down his clothes before his body dropped to the floor.
I turned back to the others seeing that Michonne was just finishing off killing the pig who attacked Carl. I shifted my glance back to Rick, ready to kill the dick head he was fighting when I saw Rick sink his teeth down into neck of the man.
Have we got vampires as well as walkers now?
As ripped his mouth off the mans neck. Chunks of flesh flying everywhere. Rick spat out a piece of flesh followed by blood.
My jaw dropped open shocked that Rick had the balls to do that. I'll keep this in mind for the next time I want to kill a fucker.
Rick dropped the man not speaking before walking over to the body of the man who attacked Carl. He began to stomp on his skull over and over again while Carl sobbed into Michonne's chest.
"Rick" I said calmly trying to stop him. I moved closer "he's dead... Carl's okay. Your son is okay"
Judith. Where was Judith. Shit. I kept quiet not mentioning anything. I couldn't ask about how he lost is daughter. I wanted to know. I needed to know. But I couldn't.
He stopped before looking over to me giving a nod. His eyes shifted to someone behind me, his eyes were soft and gentle to whoever he was looking at. Not a threat.
I slowly turned around.
My eyes grew larger, as a smile grew on my face. My heart rate began to race at 1000mph and my breathing came to a complete holt as I gasped.
Tears began to form in my eyes as I continued to stare at his face. His beautiful fucking face. He was here. Right in front of me.
His faced bruised.
He was the guy they were beating up.
I couldn't help but feel guilty that I didn't look after him. But I couldn't stop smiling. I couldn't believe I'd found him.
His bottom jaw quivered as he looked at me before running at me, only taking about 3 strides to get to me. He pulled me into his chest, lifting me off my feet. I wrapped my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck. I squeezed him so tight I thought I was going to suffocate him. Tears rolled freely down my face.
Daryl nuzzled his face in the crook of my neck as he sobbed.
"I saw ya die" he said slowly, his voice breaking "I saw ya die"
"No" was all I managed to croak out.
He gently put me down, my feet placing on the ground. His hands never leaving me, and mine never leaving him. I kept my arms wrapped tightly around his waist while one of his hands was round my waist and the other on the back of my head holding me to his chest.
I could hear his heart beating quickly as he stuttered, "how... how are ya alive?"
He pulled me off his body before looking me over checking me for any injuries.
"I'm fine" I said letting out a breathe smiling a little.
"I-I saw a guy he took ya down... he then stood up covered in ya blood... I-I tried to get to ya and then a walker attacked me, I took my eyes off ya... a-and then I looked back and all I could see was bodies" he said his voice constantly breaking, as he relived the each moment. "I-I didn't wanna see ya body. Not like that... not dea..."
His hand moved from the back of my head to my jaw, he cupped my face as he ran his thumb along my cheek.
"It was his blood" I said giving him a small smile "I stabbed him in the stomach. Gutted the fucker" I said half chuckling.
"It was his blood" he repeated so quietly that it was a whisper.
He let out a breathe resting his forehead against mine, "don't ever leave me again" he whispered.
He looked down to me, his eyes still glistening with tears, tears rested on his cheeks. I never realised he cared so much. He gave me smile before letting out a little chuckle. He's so cute.
I reached up, putting both of my hands on his cheeks using my thumbs to brush away his tears.
He leaned down, inching his face closer to mine. He pulled my face into his, pushing his lips into mine.
And with that, the world melted away.
He kissed me gently, carefully, as though I was so breakable. But it's not gentleness that I wanted, not now, not after all this time. I missed him. I needed him. Right now.
I knotted my fists in his shirt, pulling him harder against me. He groaned lowly in his throat, and then one hand found its way to my waist and the other found its way to my head, tangling itself into my hair.
I heard someone clear their throat from behind me. I instantly stopped kissing Daryl. I completely forgot they where behind us. Whoops.
I buried my face in Daryl's chest while I let out a nervous laugh. He kept his hand on the back of my head while he mumbled apologises to Rick, Michonne and Carl.
When I glanced back, Rick was slumped down against the near by car, his face covered in the mans blood. Carl was still stuck to Michonne's side but was now looking wide eyed at me and Daryl, while Michonne looked at me with a brow raised and a small smile on her face.
"We should get some sleep" I said awkwardly.
Michonne offered a nod before moving Carl towards the truck which had been abandoned at the side of the road. Rick stayed slumped at the side of the car in some sort of shock. I guess he just needed time to deal with his actions.
I turned back to Daryl, offering a small smile. I put my hand on his chest before stepping back.
"One minute" I said before rushing back into the woods.
His absence made me cold. I didn't like it.
My heart hammered against my chest as I quickly moved to get my rucksack. My breathing started to quicken as I reach my rucksack. It wasn't because I was out of breathe due to exercise. I was scared. I was scared I'd just left him again.
I quickly laced my hand around the strap of my rucksack before throwing into my back, not caring about the stinging pain from my gash. I ran back to the main road, not wanting to be alone for a second longer, my rucksack bouncing against my back with every stride.
I reached the road looking round only seeing the car.
My heart stopped.
Had they left me?
Had I imagined it all?
"Daryl?" I shouted panicked as I ran into the the middle of the road.
My vision started to blur as I felt as though I was about to pass out.
"What's wrong?" Daryl asked frantically as he ran out from behind the car.
Oh thank god. I started to breathe more normal as he continued to move towards me to check if I was okay.
I glanced back over to the truck seeing Carl and Michonne sitting in the car? Both looking at me strange.
I was been a pussy. I needed to pull myself together.
"Iz what's wrong?" Daryl asked more calmly as he reached me.
"I thought you'd left me" I said still catching my breathe.
I looked over to the car to see Carl and Michonne looking back at me frowning a little.
I guess I've just made a bit of a scene whoops.
I shook my head putting my hands to my face, embarrassed by what had just happened.
"You okay?" Michonne asked from the car with her arm still wrapped around Carl.
I looked back up giving her a small smile. I shifted my glance over to Daryl giving him a nod telling him that I was okay.
"I need to speak to Carl" I said to Daryl quietly. Daryl nodded, letting me know that he understood.
As I reached Carl and Michonne, I gave them both a small smile before Michonne nodded, climbing out the car leaving me and Carl alone. I slowly climbed into the car, sitting on the back seat next to Carl.
He was quiet, with his head down. He was traumatised by what that man did to him, and I was so pissed off it happened.
"Carl" I said softly "I miss-"
Before I could even finish my sentence, Carl quickly jumped on me wrapping his arms around my waist.
"I missed you so much Bella" he said between sobs.
"I missed you more" I replied quietly stroking the top of his head.
We sat like this for some time. For the first time since the prison, I felt relaxed. I had to bury the part of me that was so pissed off with the world. I had to focus on the fact I was back with family again.
"Hey" I said quietly causing him to sit up and look at me. I reached down, grabbing my rucksack before putting it on my knees. I undid the zip, reaching in and pulling out the comic I had got for Carl from the prison.
I gave him a weak smile before handing it to him. His face lit up a little before he took it from me, thanking me.
I turned back to my rucksack, ready to zip it up, when I glanced inside, my eyes instantly being caught by the plush duck that I picked up for Judith.
My heart sank as I didn't need them to tell me she was gone, I knew she was.
"I'm sorry" Carl said quietly from beside me "I know you loved her like she was your family" I'm guessing he saw the duck too.
My eyes pricked with tears as I found it so hard to accept that I'd never see her little face again. I knew I was probably upsetting Carl right now. I quickly snapped out of it, turning to him and pulling him back into a hug.
"No, I'm sorry kid. I was supposed to look after you and your sister" I managed to croak out.
"It's not your fault Bella. You and Dad were protecting the prison, you were looking after us. Please don't feel guilty"
I didn't know how to respond. I kept my arms wrapped around him right. We'd lost so much. But I couldn't help but feel happy that I was back with Daryl.
I kept my eyes on him constantly. He was sat on the hood of the truck sharpening his knifes. Occasionally, he'd look back, into the car checking if I was okay.
I shut my eyes for what felt like a matter of seconds before jolting up, gasping as I looked around the car. It was still dark out but Daryl was no longer on the hood of the truck. Carl still slept sprawled across me.
I instantly started to panic, not been able to see Daryl.
The door to the truck quickly opened from beside me. I snapped my head to the left seeing Michonne stood next to me.
"Go be with Daryl" she said quietly giving me a small smile "I'll stay with Carl".
I returned a smile thanking her, before carefully climbing out the truck - ensuring that I didn't wake Carl.
Michonne took my place, while I moved round the back on the truck to Daryl. Rick was still in some state of shock - figured it was best that he stayed there.
As I reached the back of the car, where Daryl was, I noticed the trunk was open and inside there was some sort of make shift bed. I looked back at Daryl giving him a small smile knowing that he had made this for me.
"I figured ya could do with some sleep" he replied giving me a small smile.
I returned a smile while gently taking his hand as I backed up, sitting on the edge of the trunk.
"Come sleep with me" I smiled.
I was looking forward to sleeping with Daryl properly. Being able to sleep in his arms not worrying that the others would see.
He looked hesitant and awkward before saying, "I-I don't sleep anymore"
My face dropped a little knowing that whatever he went through during the time we were separated was shit. I knew he wanted to know what happened to me, just as much as I wanted to know what happened to him. But I couldn't answer that. Not yet.
"C'mon" I said quietly standing up.
He frowned a little.
"We'll go hunting" I said still holding his hand.
He returned a smile nodding. I dropped my rucksack off my back and dropped Daryl's hand, before turning to my rucksack. I loaded myself with as many knifes as I could.
Meanwhile, Daryl let Michonne know where we were heading off to.
"Just hunting?" Michonne questioned with a brow raised.
Nope.
"Urm yeah" Daryl awkwardly knowing what Michonne was hinting at. Poor Daryl.
"C'mon Katniss" I said walking past the pair, inevitably saving Daryl from Michonne.
•~•~•~•
Me and Daryl walked in silence for some time. It wasn't an awkward silence like you'd expect, it was comforting. I felt so calm and relaxed with him by my side. Every time I glanced over to him he'd return a smile, causing me to instantly blush and lose focus.
I needed to get a grip. But I really couldn't help myself.
We caught 4 rabbits and 3 squirrels in the space of an hour.
I was eyeing up our next target, a squirrel. I raised my knife up behind my head ready to throw it. But before I could release it, a bolt flew into its head.
Jackass.
🎧🎼
I spun round, mouth open it ready to yell at him. But before I could even speak, Daryl lips moved into mine. His crossbow dropped to the ground, as one of his hand found its way to my waist, pulling me closer to him while the other cupped my face. As soon as my mind caught up with the events, I quick dropped my knives to the ground before tangling my fists in his shirt as I kissed him back.
I kept moving in, until I felt his back press against the tree. As I kissed him, I felt desire run from my heart, to my chest, and down toward my inner thighs.
As I kissed him, my hands moved down to his belt quickly undoing it. I couldn't help but break the kiss slightly, letting out a giggle. I felt Daryl's cheeks rise, as he let out a chuckle himself, while simultaneously switching places so now my back was against the tree.
As his hands roamed my body, while he continued to kiss me, his hand found its way to my hip where my pocket was. I felt him pay further attention to this when I realised what was in my pocket.
Shit.
My heart began to race faster as I didn't know how he was going to react, as he continued to kiss me. His lips moved from my lips, to my cheek and then down to my neck. His lips stayed here as he reached into my pocket pulling out the contents.
I anticipated him yelling at me, telling me how wrong it was. But what followed, was for from that. The common smell of the earthy substances filled my nose as he put the tip of freshly rolled joint of cannabis between my lips. His lips left my neck, as he looked up making eye contact with me, and lifting the lighter up to the end of the joint and sparking a light. It's sweet, musky smell hung in my nose.
The whole time, Daryl held eye contact with me causing my insides to melt. As soon as I tasted that the end was lit, I breathed in, sucking in the warm smoke. My body heated up as my mind instantly relaxed further.
Daryl plucked the joint from my lips placing it between his own, inhaling the musky smoke. I could see him revel in the feeling as his eyes rolled back, taking in the feeling. He kept the joint between his lips while moving his hands down to be cargo shorts, quickly undoing the button and then unzipping them.
18+
He lifted his fingers up to his lips, sucking them, coating them in saliva. He held eye contact with me, his eyes softened as though he was asking for permission.
"I need you" I whimpered.
As soon as I said this, his hand delved down into my panties then his fingers disappeared into me. I let out I moan as I adjusted to the width. I missed this feeling. His index and middle went knuckle deep. His thick digits curled, fumbled around and then bent back and forth to rub a spot that made me scream. My hips bucked forwards, pushing myself closer to him.
His spare hand reached up to his lips pulling the blunt out of it and holding it to my own. I inhaled the smoke, whimpering as I did so, trying so hard to not let myself cum yet.
He took the joint from my mouth, replacing it with his own lips. His fingers continued to move in and out of me while his thumb rubbed over my clit. My eyes rolled into the back of my head, as his fingers continued to hit my g-spot. I was overwhelmed with a knotting feeling from my groin to my spine.
My breathing began to quicken, as moaned against Daryl's lips. I stopped kissing him, pushing the back of my head against the tree behind me and I whimpered loudly, as I knew I was close.
"Not yet, Belle" he whispered before quickly removing his fingers.
"W-what?" I whined.
He responded by spinning me around, my chest pressed against the hard bark of the tree. Daryl's fingers wrapped around the waist band of my shorts, dragging them down to my knees, along with my panties.
I heard him unzip his pants before feeling his fingers move back to my pussy, gently rubbing it. I bent over, exposing myself further, giving him better access. My whole body tingled as I was overwhelmed by simulation.
He pushed himself all the way in, causing me to whimper begging for more. I hadn't forgotten what it was like to be with him but it had been too long. I could feel him opening me up, filling me in a way I had missed. Something I thought I'd never feel again.
"Daryl..." I breathed as he started to pull back, depriving me of pleasure once again.
As he pulled out, he stopped leaving just the tip in me. I gripped the bark of the tree harder. I whimpered begging for him. He fully pulled out his cock, before sliding it up and down my slit causing it to repeatedly hit my clit. He was teasing me.
"Fuck. Ya so wet for me." He growled.
"D-Daryl please" I begged.
He finally plunged himself back inside me, starting a rhythm that he knew would make me weak at the knees.
His hand reached round, holding the blunt to my lips allowing me to breathe in the substance, feeling the euphoric pleasure from the drug as well as the pleasure that Daryl was serving me.
He plucked the blunt from my lips, once again. I presume he brought it up to his own lips, and left it there. Both of his hands gripped my hips, digging his fingers in deep into my skin, as he used his hands to control the rhythm.
I whimpered as his cock hit my cervix with each stroke.
My hands crawled at the tree as my body became over whelmed with pleasure. The sound of his long forgotten grunts echoed around the forest. His right hand shifted up to my right shoulder, I presume for stability.
As soon as his hand touched my shoulder blade, I winced as that's where my open wound was. Daryl's rhythm slowed as he could tell something was wrong. I could feel the blood soaking through my dressing, dampening my tank tee.
"Belle-" Daryl said concerned.
"Leave it" I said firmly.
Daryl's gripped shifted back to my hip. I knew he didn't want to ignore it, but right now, the pleasure was too much for us both to ignore. He deepened his grasp on my hips as he quickly removed himself from me and spun me round to face him, with his body between my legs. With a fluent movement, he grasped my thigh lifting it to his waist before inserting himself back into me.
He brought his fingers up to the blunt which was still in his mouth taking a long hard drag on it before removing it and handing it to me.
My hands trembled as I took the blunt from his fingers, the pleasure was too much.
Still holding my thigh, he grabbed my other thigh, picking me up of the ground with his cock still in me. My back stayed against the tree as his right arm scooped under my ass to hold my weight, freeing his left arm.
I tangled my arms around his neck while burying my face in the crook of his neck while letting out screams of pleasure as he continued to plough me.
He picked up his pace, every thrust deeper, harder, faster than the last. The air was thick with the scent of sex and the sweet musky smell of cannabis. My breathing hitched as Daryl's rough grunts mixed with mixed whimpering moans.
I tightened my grasp around him, holding him closer as I began to loose control of my body.
Suddenly, I heard the snap of twigs in the not so far distance. My head darted up scanning the dimly lit forest. The only source of light been the sun on the horizon.
"D-did you hear that?" I managed to say to Daryl.
"Probably a rabbit" Daryl grunted, not slowing his pace.
"What if it -- wasn't?" I asked unable to hold in a moan.
"Then let them watch" Daryl replied.
Holy shit. As soon as he said this my stomach did back flips. I could tell by the way he was speaking that he was smirking.
With his spare hand, he pulled my tank top down, along with my bra. He slipped my left nipple between his fingers as he worked on my breast, pinching it. Every time he did so a squeal of pleasure would leave my mouth. It was almost too much to handle, for the both of us. Daryl's grip tightened on me, as I knew he was close. As was I, seen as though I'd been deprived of my climax. I wasn't mad. Everything felt ten times better this way.
Trembling, I brought the joint back up to my lips, taking a long drag on the substance. I held it in my lungs while burying my face back in the crook of Daryl's neck. My whole body screaming with pleasure. I turned my face a little before sinking my teeth into Daryl's shoulder in attempt to control by body. He let out a grunt as he tossed his head back.
Despite my mouth clamping down on his shoulder, strangled moans still managed to escape. Inevitably Daryl's ego was filled as he continued to slam into me until he knew the both of us were close. I felt my walls tighten around him and as I dug my nails into his leather vest, digging them deep until I knew he could feel my fingers pushing into him, as pleasure was took over my body. The heat built between my legs, before exploding through my body. I moaned loader as I reached my climax, my moans mixed with Daryl's grunts, becoming one. His thrusts became weaker. I took my face off his shoulder as I rested my head back against tree behind me, struggling to hold my head up and keep my eyes open.
I bit my lip smirking as I watched him thrusted into me a few more times before quickly pulling out. He stroked his cock a few more times, before finishing on my thigh, his eyes rolled back as he did so.
He continued to catch his breathe keeping his eyes closed. He smiled letting out a small chuckle, before moving forwards and pushing his lips into mine. I could taste the earthy, warm texture of cannabis on his tongue as I presumed he could on mine too.
He finished the kiss, moving his face back away from mine. He still held me in his arms, the tree behind me also contributing to holding me, both of us naked from the hips down. Daryl looked down awkwardly to my thigh before looking back up to me making eye contact.
I smirked before using two finger to wipe away his cum before bringing my fingers up to my mouth. I sucked them clean holding eye contact with Daryl, his eyes were wide as he watched. The salty taste danced on my tongue before I swallowed it.
Daryl's face finally altered as he smirked, leaning forwards and tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear, "good girl".
•~•~•~•
"You guys were gone ages!" Carl said as me and Daryl as we rejoined the group.
"Got us breakfast" Daryl said ignoring Carl's comment as he threw the string of rabbits and squirrels down next to fire that I presumed Michonne had made for us while we were gone. As I glanced around, I saw Rick still slumped against the truck, where we had left him, his face covered in dried blood.
I looked back to Daryl, giving him a concerned look before heading over to Rick, with Daryl following me.
I stood to Rick's left, while Daryl stood to his right. Rick looked between us both confused.
Daryl took out the red rag from his pocket before beginning to poor water on it.
"We should save it to drink" Rick said.
"Nah you can't see yourself" Daryl replied handing him the rag "he can" he added nodding towards Carl who was sat next to the fire with Michonne.
I glanced down to Rick's knuckles, noticing that they were all cut and bruised. I grabbed my rucksack before sitting down in front of him. He frowned a little but it soon left when I pulled out the first aid kit from my bag.
Daryl sat by Ricks side.
"I didn't know what they were" Daryl explained to Rick, I presume about the men who attacked Rick, Michonne and Carl.
I decided it was best I stayed out of this conversation. I took Rick's right hand before pulling out an antiseptic wipe to clean away the dried blood. Both Daryl and Rick watched me for some time before Rick diverted his attention back to Daryl.
"How did you whine up with them?" Rick asked.
"I was with Beth" Daryl stated. This instantly caused my head to snap up and look at Daryl. I could tell by Daryl's voice that this wasn't good, and her lack of presence gave a lot away. It didn't take Sherlock Holmes to figure out what had happened.
"We got out together. I was with her for a while" Daryl said before looking down.
I couldn't hear it. I couldn't hear how we had lost someone else.
I shifted back to the first aid bag, picking out the rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball. I gentle poured some of the rubbing alcohol onto the cotton ball before picking Rick's hand up again.
"Is she dead?" Rick asked.
Part of me didn't want to know. I would have much preferred to move on not hearing of the deaths of those that I care about. But I could see Daryl was hurting, and I needed to be there for him.
"She's just gone" Daryl responded, his southern accent coming through more than it ever had. I didn't know exactly what happened to Beth, and I presume Daryl didn't was to tell us.
I looked up to Daryl, swallowing thickly and nodding.
I turned back to Rick's hand gently dabbing his cuts with the cotton ball, he let out a small grunt as I did so.
I feel your pain big guy.
"After that, that's when they found me" Daryl continued "I knew they were bad, but -- they had a code. It was simple. Stupid. But it was somethin'. It was enough"
"And you were alone" Rick cut in.
"They said they were looking for some guy" Daryl explained "I was gonna leave... but I stayed"
I reached back into the first aid back pulling out a small bandage. I gently started to dress Ricks hand as I continued to listen to Daryl.
"That's when I saw it was you three" Daryl said turning his head to glance at Rick "I-I didn't know what they could do"
I wanted so hard to cut in and tell Daryl that he didn't need to feel guilty. But this wasn't my apology to accept. It was Rick's son who got attacked.
"It's not on you, Daryl"
I instantly felt relieved as Rick said this.
Daryl continued to look down shaking his head.
"Hey" Rick said causing Daryl to look back up to him "It's not on you"
"You take on guilt for things you shouldn't" I finally said "it wasn't you who attacked them. You didn't hurt Rick, Michonne or Carl"
Rick looked at me nodding agreeing with what I said.
"She's right. You're with us. Here. Right now. That's everything" Rick said before turning to me "You too Izzy. You saved us. And I can't thank you enough for that"
"You're family" Rick said looking between me and Daryl.
So Rick does actually like me. Pretty shocking discovery if you ask me.
I put away the first aid equipment that I had been using. Rick looked down to me thanking me.
The three of us sat in silence for sometime. I guess we all needed a few minutes to take everything in.
Rick finally broke the silence by saying, "you two smell like pot"
I instantly burst out into a little giggle while Daryl looked down grinning while shaking his head.
"Are you two high?" Rick asked with a raised brow.
I definitely wasn't high. It would take a lot more than that to get me high.
"No" I chuckled shaking my head.
Rick raised his brow at me not believing me.
"I'm not high. I'm just lightly salted" I admitted.
Daryl let out a laugh while Rick chuckled in disbelief.
Rick's smile gently dropped. "When I left you. What happened Iz?"
The smile dropped off my face, along with my heart.
"What a way to kill the mood" I mumbled, shaking my head looking down.
"Belle..." Daryl started.
"I was on my own" I said quietly.
"I'm sorry" Rick said "I shouldn't have let you-"
"You saved Carl" I interrupted "as long as you did that, I didn't care if I died"
It was true. Rick did exactly what I asked. There was no need for him to apologise. For a long time I hated Rick. I hated that we all suffered for him and his family. But I love Carl and Judith, it was my choice to suffer for them. Rick didn't make me.
"Your shoulder" Daryl stated. But it was more like a question. I knew it had been on his mind since we were out in the woods.
I sighed not really wanted to share too much. "Just some fuckers. Some cult like shit"
"They dead?" Rick asked.
"Yeah" I lied not wanting to talk about it much more.
What happened to me wasn't bad compared to what happened to Rick and Daryl. I couldn't complain.
"Ya need to stitch up ya shoulder" Daryl said giving me a small nod.
"I tried. I can't reach it"
Rick grabbed the first aid kit before giving me a nod, "I did first aid training when I was a cop"
I looked over to Daryl, unsure, he responded with a nod.
"Take off your shirt" Rick said.
Excuse me?
"Woah there cowboy" I said raising two hands. I knew exactly what he meant. But I couldn't turn down the opportunity to make Rick uncomfortable.
"Rick" Daryl warned glaring at him. And I got a jealous Daryl. Two for the price of one.
"You know I didn't mean that" Rick said awkwardly trying to defend himself.
"Mmhmm" I hummed before turning my back to him while still sitting on the ground. I removed my over shirt, leaving myself in my tank top. Rick pulled down the back of my tank top before pulling off my dressing.
In all fairness, it would be much easier for Rick if I removed my tank top too but I didn't want my scars on display and I didn't want to sit with Rick and Daryl with just my bra on. I could already tell Daryl had tensed up as soon as Rick started putting his hands on me.
I saw Daryl's eyes been drawn to my bandage around my arm, I instantly groaned knowing that he was doing to mention something.
"That my shirt?" Daryl asked.
Oh thank god.
"Yeah... sorry" I said awkwardly.
"Looks good" Daryl replied. I looked back at him blushing a little.
The moment was cut short Rick pouring rubbing alcohol over my shoulder blade. Figured he didn't like third wheeling.
"Bitch" I mumbled loud enough for him to hear.
"I'm going to stitch it up now" Rick stated "this will probably hur-"
"Have you seen the rest of my back?" I asked snapping a little, I clearly did not handle pain well "I think out of all of us I'm the most clued up on the pain scale of stitches"
I saw Daryl exchange a look with Rick before Rick proceeded to stitch up my shoulder blade. It didn't hurt too much. There was obviously pain, but the relief that I was finally getting it stitched up made up for it.
"Balls of steel" Rick commented
"Bigger balls than you" I replied.
Rick let out a chuckle. I think everyone had come to realise that I don't handle pain and help very well. I've always been independent and it was difficult for me to adapt. However - part of me knows that is a lie. I had adapted. I was very much dependant on Daryl.
"All done" Rick said applying a large dressing over the stitched up wound.
"Thank you" I said sincerely.
TW: MENTIONS OF ABUSE
"Would you look at her arm too?" Daryl said.
Cunt. I glared at him.
"She's bleeding through the bandages so she'll need more stitches" Daryl added.
I'm pretty certain I was in love with Daryl, but right now he was really pushing my buttons. Speaking about me as if I wasn't there - he knew how much I hated that.
"I'm fine" I said quickly standing up to face the pair "I stitched it up myself. It probably just opened up a little while we were hunting"
"I may as well have a look at it while we are here" Rick pressed.
Oh yeah sorry forgot you were a doctor. Piss off.
"I'm fine" I replied more harshly.
"What happened?" Daryl asked nodding at my arm.
"Just a bullet graze" I mumbled.
"You're a shit liar" Daryl said. Before I could even stop him Daryl had grabbed my arm and was undoing the bandage.
"Stop!" I yelled as I tried to pull my arm out of his grasp.
"Are you bit?" Daryl asked annoyed as he continued to fumble with my bandage.
"No" I cried "Stop it"
I was tugging at my arm while pushing at him but nothing could make him stop. I began to get emotional and I screamed with tears flowing down my cheeks. I didn't want anyone to see what that man had done to me. I didn't want them to believe the word which was written on my arm. I didn't want that word to be with me the rest of my life. But now it was. And there was no hiding it.
"What are you doing?" Michonne asked annoyed as she stepped out the truck.
"Stop it Daryl" I heard Carl say.
But it was all too much. The tears blanketed my eyes as the chaos stopped. Daryl wiped the bandage over my wound removing the blood. He then stared. I couldn't even look at him. He held my arm in his hand as he continued to look at it.
WHORE
I knew the others could see it too. The only sound was now my heart beat ringing in my ears. I went in to some sort of daze as my body calmed down, the adrenaline leaving my system.
"D-did you do that? To yourself?" Rick asked.
It pissed me off that he asked that. But I was too hurt to be angry.
I kept my eyes focused on the ground as I shook my head.
"Izzy" I heard Michonne gasp.
Daryl dropped my arm not saying anything. He turned to the truck before letting his anger out. He punched the side mirror as he let out a cry, instantly snapping it off sending it flying down the road. His anger not subsiding, he turned to the window of the truck and repeatedly pummelled at it with his fist.
I didn't know what to do.
Rick moved in on Daryl trying to calm him down while Michonne moved over to me.
"Come on" She said softly "lets go and clean you up" she gently took my hand leading me away from Daryl and Rick. My body felt numb, as though it wasn't me in control.
I couldn't speak. I found it so hard to breathe.
Since I was 14 I had that name stuck with me. Because I wouldn't give men what they wanted. Because I wore skirts above the knee. Because I was a stripper.
While Rio abused me, that's what he would call me.
That word broke me. That word was my weak spot. And it was now stuck with me forever, branded to my skin.
And now they knew. They all knew.
•~•~•~•
DM's are always open to you all. The end of this chapter may have been a trigger to some or may have been hard to read. If that is the case, I'm really sorry.
I'm always here for you all 💕