Rosie was given one pair of blue jeans and three long sleeved shirts that used to be Maggie and Beth's older brother's. She felt guilty taking them, knowing that their brother was one of the walkers that was killed outside of the barn, but Daryl insisted, saying she'd get sick if she didn't wear warmer clothes.
The jeans were a bit too big, so David's belt became more of a necessity than just an accessory used to hold her knife when she wanted. Daryl asked if she wanted to see if anyone had a different one, but Rosie declined his offer, saying that she wanted to wear it.
Knowing that the belt was with her, in her hands rather than her father's, made her feel different about it.
It's mine now, Rosie thought to herself, and I will use for only the purposes belts are made to be used for. It won't hurt me anymore.
So, Daryl used his knife to poke an extra hole so the belt would fit around Rosie's small body. The belt was made for a grown man, after all, so getting it to fit a nine-year-old girl required some adjustments, but Rosie insisted.
The new rule Rosie was told to follow was that she had to stay within Lori's eyesight at all times until Randall was either gone or dead, and if she failed to follow that rule, she'd be banished to the living room couch, not allowed to leave the room- bathroom breaks being the only exception.
As Daryl walked Rosie back outside to where Lori was, she looked up at him, raising her eyebrows a little. "Daryl," she said.
"What?" Daryl grumbled.
"I don't think Rick should kill Randall," Rosie said, pressing her lips together.
Daryl signed exasperatedly. "It ain't up to you. The adults are takin' a vote tonight, and whatever they decide is what's happenin'," he said.
"But-"
"We're not talkin' 'bout this no more," Daryl said, quieting her immediately. Rosie growled in frustration, tossing her head back in complaint. Daryl rolled his eyes at her. "Yer a real pain in the ass," he muttered.
They made it over to Lori and Rosie reluctantly sat down on the bench across from her. She groaned when Lori placed a math book on the table in front of her. Rosie looked up at Daryl, hoping he might change his mind, but he just walked away.
Damn it.
•
Daryl went back to his tent, tossing the extra clothes from Maggie on top of Merle's sleeping bag- which Rosie had been sleeping in. He didn't mind having her stay in his tent, she was usually pretty quiet. Sometimes she'd ask questions before going to sleep or mumble things as she slept, but it didn't bother him.
What bothered him was when she did stupid shit that put herself in danger, like going to see Randall again, even after she was told not to. It wasn't like her to just disobey like that- especially having grown up with a father like her own- so when she blatantly did the opposite of what she was told to do, he knew something was off about the whole thing.
He didn't understand why it bothered him so much. He should have just yelled at her and been done with it, but instead he asked why. And he couldn't even tell himself why he was asking why.
Daryl Dixon didn't give a shit about some kid or why she decided to disobey. He didn't give a shit whether or not she was too cold or didn't have enough clothes. He didn't give a shit if she used to have a brother. He didn't give a shit about anything.
But for some reason, he did.
Something was changing. And he hated it.
He climbed out of the tent, grabbing a few of his bolts. He glanced to his right, having heard footsteps, and saw Dale walking towards him. "Whole point of me comin' up here is to get away from you people," Daryl scoffed.
"Gonna take more than that," Dale replied. He tossed the stick he was holding into a pile of them by Daryl's feet.
"Carol send you?"
"Carol's not the only one that's concerned about you, your new role in the group," Dale said.
"Oh man, I don't need my head shrunk," Daryl said, rolling his eyes. "This group's broken. I'm better off fending for myself."
"You act like you don't care," Dale observed.
"Yeah, it's 'cause I don't," Daryl agreed. He grabbed a jacket and started to put it on, along with his angel-winged vest.
"So you don't care about Rosie, then?" Dale asked, raising his eyebrows at the man. Daryl just scoffed, giving no answer. "Is that why you bring her that toy she's grown attached to whenever she might need it? Why you're letting her stay in your tent, or why you've had Maggie set her up with warmer clothes?"
"You don't know what the hell you're talkin' 'bout, old man," Daryl grumbled, refusing to look at Dale. But Dale knew what he was talking about. Dale was a wise man, and he knew what denial looked like. And Daryl's words were absolutely denial.
"What about Randall? She obviously cares about him. She doesn't want him to die, because she sees something in him. So, what about you? Live or die, you don't care what happens to him?"
"Nope."
"Then why not stand with me, try to save the kid's life, if it really doesn't matter one way or the other?" Dale suggested.
"Didn't peg you for a desperate son of a bitch."
"Your opinion makes a difference," Dale told him.
Daryl scoffed. "Man, ain't nobody lookin' at me for nothin'," he said, slinging his crossbow over his shoulder.
"Carol is. Rosie is. And I am, right now," Dale said, stepping closer as Daryl got ready to walk off. "And you obviously- you have Rick's ear."
"Rick just looks to Shane. Let him," Daryl spat.
"You cared about what happened to Sophia. You cared what it meant to the group," Dale said quickly, making Daryl halt in his spot. "And you care about Rosie, I know you do. You've stuck by her side since her father died."
Daryl stared at the older man, his eyebrows furrowed.
"Torturing people? That isn't you. You're a decent man! So is Rick," Dale said, waving his arm a bit for emphasis. "Shane- he's different."
"Why's that? 'Cause he killed Otis?" Daryl asked, narrowing his eyes at Dale. He knew very well what Dale thought Shane did at the school. Rosie told him all about it.
"He tell you that?" Dale asked, stepping closer once again.
"He told some story- how Otis covered him, saved his ass. He showed up with the dead guy's gun," Daryl said, explaining his reasoning. Dale stepped even closer, now standing directly in front of him with a concerned look on his face. "Rick ain't stupid. If he didn't figure that out, it's 'cause he didn't wanna. It's like I said- group's broken."
With that, Daryl walked off, leaving Dale to stare at his back as he walked away.
Old man don't know shit, Daryl thought to himself.
•
Rosie followed behind Lori as they walked up to Carl. She was very relieved to be over and done with the math, but Lori said she'd have to practice again tomorrow. It was making Rosie a bit grateful that she didn't have a mother, so she didn't always have to do math before the end of the world.
Is that what mothers do? Make their kids do math? Sounds awful.
Looking up, Rosie could see that Carl was kicking at something on the ground.
"Baby, where's your daddy?" Lori asked as they got closer, making Carl look up at her.
Carl pointed up at the barn. "He's up there," he said.
"Alright," Lori said, patting Carl's head as she passed him. She turned to look at Rosie. "You stay right there. I'll be right back," she said.
Rosie nodded, grateful to have a break from the woman. She was nice and all, Rosie just wasn't used to having someone watching her 24/7. It really sucked.
Once Lori was far enough away, Rosie turned to Carl. "You get in trouble?" she asked.
"Yeah, you saw. Shane yelled at me," Carl grumbled, kicking the toe of his boot into the dirt. Rosie furrowed her eyebrows at him.
"That was nothin'," she said, "he barely even yelled." Carl didn't say anything, just glaring at Rosie. "Did he tell your parents?"
"No."
"He told on me to Daryl," Rosie said, looking down at her shoes.
"Ok," Carl said, shrugging his shoulders. He turned away from Rosie, continuing kicking the dirt, but now facing away from her.
Rosie's eyebrows pinched together and she bit down on her lip, observing him for a moment. "Why're you kickin' the dirt?" she asked.
"Just leave me alone," Carl grumbled, crossing his arms.
What's wrong with him? Is he mad at me?
"I can't. Lori said to stay here," Rosie said, shrugging her shoulders. Carl turned to look at her again, giving her a mean stare. It made Rosie's stomach turn with anxiety, wondering what she'd done wrong. What was he mad about? "What are ya-"
"Shut up," Carl snapped. Rosie stopped mid-sentence, staring at Carl. Part of her wanted to punch him again, but the other part of her reminded herself that she didn't want to be stuck in the house all day, because that is what would happen if she were to break the rules again- and punching Carl had to be against the rules. Plus, she didn't want Carl to hate her. Rick said Carl was her friend, and Rosie was just starting to believe it. Until now. "I don't want to talk to you right now, so just stop talking."
With that, Carl marched off towards the other side of the barn, leaving Rosie in the dirt path in front of it, feeling completely and utterly confused.
Is he mad at me because we got caught with Randall? It was his idea.
Nobody ever makes sense.
Rosie stayed in her spot, not moving an inch, as she began kicking her right foot into the side of her left. She didn't want to be banished to the house, but Lori was taking a long time, and Rosie didn't want to be out there anymore. She wanted to go to Daryl's tent and color in a picture of a parasaurolophus. But no. She had to stand in the same spot for a million years while Lori went and talked to Rick.
The longer she waited, the more restless she got, so she plopped down to the ground, sitting criss cross. She used her finger to draw shapes into the dirt, thinking.
Why did I go see Randall again? I knew I was going to get in trouble. Now I have to follow Lori around all day. What's wrong with me?
Why did I tell Daryl about Fraser? That was stupid. Now he's gonna ask more questions about it. I hate questions.
Why is Carl mad? What did I do? Is he mad at me or is he just mad in general?
Where is Dale? I want to tell him about my dinosaurs. Where did I leave my dinosaurs? Are they in my backpack?
Why did Shane bring me to Daryl instead of yelling at me himself?
Does Lori even know that I saw Randall again? Did Daryl tell her? She doesn't know Carl did it.
I hope Rick doesn't know. I don't want him to be mad at me.
Why do I care if Rick's mad at me? He's just some pussy ass cop.
I want to go home.
I miss Fraser.
I miss Coach Smith.
I miss Daddy.
No.
"Rosie, did you hear what Carl said to Carol?" Lori asked, appearing behind Rosie. Rosie stood back up, dusting off the new pants she now wore, and shrugged.
I bet he said something mean. Maybe along the lines of "shut up, you suck, I hate you", Rosie said in her head, scrunching her nose up as she thought about Carl.
"He walked away," is what she actually said.
Lori sighed, putting her hands on her hips. "Come on," she said, "you can help me with laundry."
Oh, great, Rosie thought to herself as she followed behind Lori, dragging her feet in the dirt. I just love doing laundry with bossy ladies.
🦖🦕🦖🦕
Next chapter's gonna be a doozy!
Hopefully it'll make up for this filler one 😬