Chapter 37 - As the Time Passed

[Third Person's POV]

It's been months since Rebecca left. Her absence plagued the group for some time, but gradually it wasn't as bad. They missed her that was sure. Daryl rejected that she was even in his life. Whenever they brought her up he would just scoff and say that he was glad she was gone, but deep down he missed her. They managed to find a place to settle down with Lori being about to burst any time it was a gift. They been held up in the prison for some time. Hershel had lost his legs in a trip into the other cell blocks. Sadly Lori passed away, leaving behind a distraught Rick, that was slowly gaining his sanity back, a broken Carl after having to shoot his mother, and a new baby girl named Judith. Carol and Daryl had grown close. Carol had developed feelings for him, though Daryl didn't notice. She had hoped that after a while he would slowly forget about Rebecca, but there hasn't been any sign. Even though he had denied missing her, you could easily tell by his eyes that he did.

Rebecca however was lonely at first. She slightly regretted her decision to leave her family, but she convinced herself that it was for the best. She missed the small snores of Dillan on her back. And her being alone brought back many memories of Dillan. She barely slept at night anymore because he plagued her dreams. Him being ripped apart by walkers, her having to shoot him, and him attacking her in his walker form plagued her dreams. Nightmare after nightmare she would wake up in a cold sweat, crying. She moved from place to place, never staying in the same place longer than a night or two days at most. She missed Daryl... He was also in her dreams. He would either be smiling at her and pulling her into a tender kiss or was appearing here and there in them. She'd always wake up with an aching in her heart when she realized he wasn't there. She was now sporting short hair, after it got too long for her liking. It now rested to her shoulders, though she kind of missed her long hair. She also had managed to find a stray dog during her time alone. They slept together and they only relied on each other for comfort. She managed to sleep somewhat better after finding her.

[Rebecca's POV, months ago when she found the dog]

I wiped the tears from my eyes as I sat up. "Another nightmare." I muttered to myself. I opened the door of the car I camped out in and stepped out. I'm not sure where I am or what I'm doing. It's like I'm stuck in this dream state, where nothing feels real. Day in and day out just aimlessly wandering around and killing walkers. I went over and pulled the arrow out of the walker I just killed. I wiped it on my pant leg and walked down the sidewalk, bow at the ready. I stopped in front of the vet's office. I haven't had much luck with finding medicine and bandages. "Why not." I say under my breath. I knock on the door and wait for any signs of movement. When there wasn't any, I opened the door, the bell dinging in response. I stepped in quietly and hopped over the counter. I walked around and opened the door that read "Surgery" on the plate. I opened the cupboards and smiled when I saw all the bandages and antibiotics. I opened my bags and grabbed some of them. When my bag felt heavy enough I closed the cupboards. I walked out of the room and was about to hop over the counter when I heard a sound coming from the other room. I walked over to it, knocking an arrow in place, and pushed open the door. The room was dark. I reached over and flipped the light switch, nothing, but what was I expecting? I pulled out my flashlight and switched to my gun since I couldn't fire a bow one-handed. There was movement in the corner. I moved around, knocking over something in the process. Shuffling sounded to my right and I spun around and pointed my flashlight at the culprit. In the corner cowered a small dog? "Oh." I exclaimed. I reached my hand out to it and it growled and started to bark. "Shhh... It's okay." I said to it. It barked louder. Banging came from the back door causing me to jump. I shined my flashlight at it and there was the face of a walker there. The banging grew louder. "Come here." I said to the dog in a calm voice. It ceased barking and slowly stopped growling. The banging was getting louder, meaning there was more than one on the other side, and it was obvious that the door wasn't going to hold up. "Come here. It's okay. Let's leave." I said in a sweet voice to it. It slowly walked over to me and I held my hand up to it and it smelled it. It licked my hand and I quickly picked it up. The doors behind us gave way and the walkers poured in. There had to be at least ten there. I adjusted my grip on the dog and ran out of the room. I shut the door behind me and took a stray chair and forced it under the knob, not like they could turn it anyways. I slid over the counter carefully and high tailed it out the door. After I made it a block away I slowed down. I made sure there was no walkers near and I set the dog down. Now that I was in the sunlight I could see it better. It was white with grey patches on it, with black streaks through the grey patches.

"Aren't you a cutie?" I cooed to it as I rubbed behind its ears. It rolled on its belly and I rubbed it's stomach. "A girl huh? What should I call you?" I said out loud. She sat back up as I knelt down looking at her. She tilted her head to the side. "Rose? Nah... Marissa?" I said, the last name quieter than anything. I shook my head. "No need to name you after the deceased. How about a unique name." I said to her. She wagged her tail as if agreeing. After thinking the perfect name popped in my head. "Amari." I said out loud. She wagged her tail causing me to smile. "I know it's a weird name, but it has a special meaning. Amari means 'strength'." I said to her as I petted her head. "Well now that you will be staying with me I think we should get a ride. Wouldn't be fair if I made you walk all the time like me. You agree?" I asked her. Amari let out a small yip and licked my hand. I smiled and I stood up. I peered around the wall and to look for any walkers. There was no sign of them yet. I crept around the corner with Amari following silently at my heels. I kept an arrow knocked in my bow as I walk silently down the road. I look from car to car and I stop on a black jeep; it looked still new... Well besides the dust and dirt on it. "I bet the guy that kept this, polished it every day with a rag like clockwork." I laughed to myself and pulled on the doorknob, it was unlocked. I picked Amari up and set her in the passenger seat and rooted through the car in search for keys. I smiled as I pulled a pair out of the consul. I stuck them in the ignition and crossed my fingers as I turned them. The engine sputtered and caught. It roared to life causing me to smile. I looked at the gas. Half a tank. "Should be able to take us out of here." I said with a smile. Some walkers appeared, drawn to the noise. I tossed my bag in the back and set my bow down by Amari. I slammed my door close and stepped on the gas, flying by the walkers. I rolled down the windows some and Amari stuck her head out it. I smiled because for the first time in months it felt like things were looking up.

[Rebecca's POV, present time]

I woke up to a weight on my chest. I opened my eyes to see Amari's sleeping face. I let out a chuckle as I tapped her on the nose. Her eyes opened and she licked my face. "Good morning to you too, Amari. Will you get off me?" I laugh as I gently push her off my chest. She has gotten surprisingly large. She was up to my knee now. I taught her to stay, sit, lay down, and now whenever we go out on runs she stays silent. She guards my back when we go out on runs and growls to alert me of walkers. Our next goal that I'm still teaching her is fetching my arrows out of fallen walkers. She still isn't strong enough pull it out yet. She shot herself off my stomach into the passenger side causing me to groan. I let out a sigh before getting up. I slid into the front seat. She scratched her ear causing the pendant on her collar to jingle. I remember carving it on the metal piece I picked up when I took her collar from a pet store. Amari, it said on one side and on the other, strength. I pulled the car out. We needed to find a town soon or at least a car. I think to myself as I look at the gas. We were running on fumes.

After driving we manage upon a gas station. I pull over to the side by the gas tanks and walk over to a dirty abandon car. I proceed to siphon gas from it into my gas can. I spit several times trying to get the taste out of my mouth. "I will never get used to that." I said quietly. I poured the gas from her can into the jeep and placed the can in the back. "Come on Amari." I say, ending it with a whistle. I open her door and she hops out onto the ground, stretching a second after. I quietly close the door and walk to the front of the gas station. I knock on the door and stepped back, knocking an arrow into my bow and waiting. A walker slammed itself into the glass door causing it to open. I released the arrow as soon as it stepped out. Amari ran over to retrieve it and tried to pull it out of its skull where it was embedded, but couldn't. After a few tugs she gave up and just stared down at it. I let out a laugh as I walked over and pulled it out. "It's okay, girl." I say with a small smile. "Maybe when you're older and get stronger." We continue into the store to the shelves. "Watch." I ordered Amari. She looked at me before turning so her back faced me. Her ears moved, searching for the smallest sound. I turned back around and moved through the aisles. I filled my bag with canned foods and bagged stuff. I stopped in an aisle with pet supplies. A small smile appears as I place a bone, some cans of dog food, a bag of some dog treat, and a ball. I hear the sound of Amari growling. I look around and don't see anyone. Then her growls turn into barks and then I hear a man grunt. "Get this dog off me!" He yelled. I sneak around to see Amari on someone and a man cocking back his gun. I walk behind the man and put the barrel of my gun to his head. "Drop your gun, now!" I growl at him. He hesitantly drops his gun. "Amari, heel." I say to her. She followed my orders and returned to my side. The man clutched his arm and slowly got up. "G-Glenn?" I said surprised. "Rebecca?" He said as he saw my face. I lowered my gun and the man turned around. "Rick?" He smiled. I was surprised I didn't know what to say. He pulled me into a hug and Glenn came over and hugged me too. "Long time no see." Glenn said with a smile.

"Yeah, it's been forever." I say with a laugh.

"How have you been?" Rick asked.

"Been pretty good. I've been wandering from place to place, but it's been good. How have you guys been? How is everyone?"

"Why don't you come back and see?" Rick said.

I opened my mouth then closed it. "Rick... I... I'm not going to say. I... I left for a reason."

He looked slightly disappointed.

"We didn't say you have to stay. Why not just visit? Everyone missed you, especially Daryl." Glenn said. My chest tightened at the mention of Daryl's name. I pushed it aside as I awkwardly scratched the back of my head.

"Where you guys holed up anyways?" I asked.

"A prison." Rick answered.

I let out a laugh. "A prison... Well that's a first. Very smart."

"Took a lot of work."

I nodded. "Well we should get going, I guess. You want to help me load these bags up, Glenn?" I ask as I motion to the bags by Amari. He looks at me skeptical and shakes his head.

"Oh come on. She doesn't bi-" I started. Glenn gave me a look that said "Tell that to my bleeding arm". I rolled my eyes. "She was only protecting me. Other than that she is a sweetheart." I said as I kneeled down and pet her. She closed her eyes and nuzzled her head into my hand. "Come on Glenn. Make friends." I teased. He cautiously came over. Amari tensed as he knelt down by her. He held his hand out and she smelled it then looked up at him. "She's saying you can pet her." I said to him. He slowly went and petted her head and she licked him. "See was that so hard?" I teased. He rolled his eyes. "What's her name?" Rick asked from the doorway.. "Amari." I said. "Amari? That's different." he said. "Means strength." I replied as I slung one of the bag over my shoulder. Glenn grabbed the other one and followed me over to my jeep. I opened the back and he put them in along with my other ones. I reached into my bag and pulled out bandages. "Here let me see." I said to him. He held out his arm. "She didn't get you too bad, good thing she is a puppy." I said with a laugh as I wrapped the bandages around his arm. "You should be fine, but if it worries you that much just let Hershel see it." I said before turning to Rick and him. "Well, you guys lead the way." I opened my door. "Come on, Amari." I called. Amari rounded the car and hopped in and across to the passenger side. I started the car and rolled down the windows. I followed Rick's car as he led the way.

****

After a half an hour a prison came into sight. "Well I'll be damned." I said quietly as we pulled up to the gate. The gate opened and Rick's car came to a stop. People circled my car with their guns raised. "It's alright." Rick said. Everyone looked at him skeptically and lowered it. I laughed and stepped out. There was gasps. "Hi." I said meekly as everyone stared at me. I looked through the group and didn't see Daryl. "Look who we found." Glenn joked. Haley was the first to greet me, she enveloped me in a hug. "I missed you so much." she said. I hugged her back. "Same." I said. Hershel came over on crutches and gave me a hug. "Hey, nice to see you again." he said. "Same, what happened to your leg?" I ask when I notice he was missing his right leg from the knee down. "Problems with walkers when we were clearing this place out. "There's someone I'd like you to meet." Rick says with a small smile. Carl emerges from the back holding a baby. "Oh she's so cute." I said as I knelt down. "Can I?" I asked. Rick nodded with a smile as I picked her up out of Carl's arm and cradled her. "Hello there, sweetie." I said to her in a baby voice. Her little hand reached out and latched onto my finger. A smile appeared on my face as I looked at her. "What's her name?" I ask, not taking my eyes off of her. "Judith." Carl answers. "Where's Lori?" I ask when I notice her mother was lacking. Everyone got quiet. "She didn't make it." Rick said calmly, though sorrow was in his eyes. "Oh Rick. I'm so sorry." I said as I handed Judith back to Carl and hugged Rick. He gives me a sad smile and nods. "Where's Daryl?" I ask in attempt to change the subject. "He's probably in there with Carol." Rick replied. My chest tightened at the sound of that, but I ignored it. "Let's go in." Rick said. I followed Rick as he led me through the courtyard. Amari looked around at her new environment and stuck close to my side.

[Third Person's POV]

After Rick showed Rebecca through every room they came to a stop in the dining hall. Carol was standing with her back to them cooking. "Hey Carol." Rebecca said to her. She turned around quickly, almost dropping what she was holding when she saw her. A flash of sadness flashed through her eyes, though Rebecca didn't notice. At the sight of Rebecca, Carol knew she lost the battle with Daryl. She forced a smile and gave Rebecca a hug. Don't get her wrong, she really did miss Rebecca... but her being here means Carol has to push her feelings away. "It's nice to see you." she said to her. Rebecca smiled. "Same." she answered. At the smell of food Amari pawed at Rebecca's leg. "What?" Rebecca asked. Amari whined at her. Carol noticed there was a dog here and stared at it shocked. "Fine." Rebecca said, not noticing Carol. Rebecca opened her bag and pulled out a can of dog food. "Do you have a bowl by any chance?" Rebecca asked Carol, snapping her from her daze. "Hmm, yeah." she said quickly as she reached through the cupboards and pulled out one. She handed it to her and Rebecca dumped the dog food in it and set the bowl on the ground. Amari started mauling it and Rebecca turned her attention back to Carol. "Where did you find it?" Carol asked. "Oh, I found her abandoned in a vet's office. I went in looking for antibiotics and stuff and there she was. Quite the troublemaker she was. We had to hightail it out of there because she barked and attracted walkers." Rebecca said, smiling at the memory. "Can I pet her?" Carol asked. "Sure." I said. Carol knelt down and petted her. Amari tensed up at first and looked up from her food, but after seeing Carol was no threat she returned to eating. "What's her name?" she asked. "Amari." Rebecca answered.

After that Rebecca and everyone talked in the dining hall. Daryl laid up in his loft staring at the ceiling. Thoughts of Rebecca playing through his mind. He had no idea she was here, in the building. He decided he was done acting this way. If Merle saw him now he'd say he was being a pussy. He sat up and walked down the hall to the dining hall. Rebecca was tossing a ball for Amari to get. She tossed it too far and it went down the hall. "Amari." Rebecca called after her, but she was too determined to fetch the ball. She raced down the hall after the ball that rolled to stop in front of Daryl, She skidded to a stop and bumped into the feet of Daryl. "What the hell?" Daryl exclaimed. He looked down and saw a dog. A dog? he thought. "Since when did we have a dog in this place?!" he growled. The dog quickly grabbed the ball and ran off. "What? Wait!" he yelled at it. He followed it, rubbing his face as he stepped in the dining hall. "Since when did we have a dog?" he asked. He looked up and came in eye contact with a pair of familiar green ones. He stopped and stood there. Not saying a word. The dog that bumped into him was now resting at her feet, chewing on the ball. "Hey Daryl." she said awkwardly. "Where the hell'd you come from?" he growled at her. She flinched at his cruel words, but she expected them. She left him, after everything they went through. She left him alone. "We ran into her." Rick answered. "She stayin'?" he asked. "No, I just came to see how you all were doing." Rebecca said quietly. "Good." Daryl grunted. He turned around and walked back to his loft. Rebecca let out a sigh. "What's his problem?" Haley said. "I deserve this." Rebecca said quietly to her.

Daryl sat down on his mattresses. He felt so conflicted. He was happy that she was back and he wanted more than anything to wrap his arms around her and tell her how much he missed her... But he was pissed at her for leaving him. For leaving him alone for her own selfish reasons. He believed that they could have worked it out, that he could have comforted her and she didn't have to leave... but no, she just left. He let out a frustrated growl as he fell back on his mattresses.

****

A/N:

Man this was a long chapter. It's almost 4,000 words... That's more than my reading essay has to be...

[SPOILER TO THOSE WHO HAVEN'T WATCHED LAST EPISODE OF TWD!!!]

Anyhow, before we discuss the cuteness of that puppy. What'd you all think of that episode last night? Eugene had the man by his "thing". I mean dear lord, how could you be up in there that long. YUCK! GROSS! BLEEEEH! Poor Eugene. Let's take a moment to say farewell to our sweet, lesbian doctor. We love you! ;v; Rest in peace, you didn't deserve it! DX

[END OF SPOILER, YOU ARE SAFE NOW!!!!]

Ok now for the cuteness of that puppy. If you're wondering what breed it is a Dappled Border Collie, my future puppy if I may. :) I thought it would be nice for her to have a companion since she was stupid and left... Like an ungrateful little twit. .-.

What's going to happen with Daryl? Will Carol really give up on her feelings for him? How CUTE is Amari? Why does Amari sound like such a stupid name? Tune in next time on... A story that doesn't get updated enough... lol jk

--T.F.L