Chapter 38 – Life in the Prison

[Rebecca's POV]

I leaned back on my elbows in the grass as I looked around. "So what have you been up to these months?" Haley asked as she laid back in the grass with her arms under her head. "Nothing really. I've just been wandering." I said quietly. We stayed quiet for a while, watching Amari chase after a butterfly, yipping along the way. "Did you really have to leave?" Haley asked. I let out a sigh and laid back too. I turned my head so I was looking at her. "I... I did." I said to her. She opened her mouth to say something, but I continued. "But I also didn't..." I said quieter. A small smile appeared as she turned back towards the sky. "Daryl missed you." she said. I missed him too. I thought to myself. "He was a wreck without you, though he'd rather not admit it. Even if he doesn't act like it, he really is glad you're back." she continued. "I deserve how he is treating me." I said under my breath. "Enough of this sad stuff." Haley said, sitting up. I sat up too. "Where'd you get that sweetheart?" she asked. "Who? Amari?" I asked. "Yeah." she said. I explained to her the whole story with the vet's office and the walkers. "Oh my, she does sound like a handful." she said with a smile. "Yeah, but she is my companion." I said pulling at the grass. "Well, where is your companion?" Haley asked. I look around and notice she is gone. "Amari! Amari!" I call. I don't see her anywhere. "I better go find her." I said as I stood up and stretched. "Okay, I'm just going to veg here." Haley said as she laid back down. I roll my eyes and head back towards the prison. Carl was in their garden with Rick. "Hey Carl, you seen Amari?" I yelled to him. He looked up from the garden at me. "Yeah, she wandered into the prison! Probably in Cell Block C!" he yelled back. "Thank you!" I yelled as I headed into the prison.

[Daryl's POV]

I woke up to something shuffling around my bed. I kept my eyes close and grabbed my crossbow and pointed it at the culprit. It was the dog from earlier. It turned its head to the side at me. I let out a sigh and set it back to the side. The dog continued to stare at me as I laid back down. "What you starin' at?" I said to it. I growled at it and it backed away. I let out a small laugh and closed my eyes. I heard the jingling in and I looked over to see the dog. "What?" I said to it. It walked away and I closed my eyes. I felt the bed move and felt a weight on my stomach. I opened my eyes and saw the dog on me. "Can't ya' just leave me alone." I say under my breath. I reach up and pet the dog and it nuzzles it head into my hand. I looked at the pendant on her collar. "Amari?" I said out loud. She perked her ears up at the sound of that. I flipped it over and it said strength. "What a weird name... So you're Rebecca's dog huh?" I said to her. She licked my face. "Hey, stop it." I said through a laugh. The dog laid down on my stomach and I let out a sigh. "You're not going to leave are you?" I said as she rested her head on my chest and closed her eyes. I laid there quietly till I felt sleep creep on me.

[Rebecca's POV]

"Amari?" I call. She still didn't show up.

"Who you looking for?" Glenn asked as I pass him.

"Amari."

"Try Cell Block C. I saw her nosing around there."

"Okay. Thanks."

I smiled and headed into the cell block. I saw her figure up in a loft. "Amari, come here girl." I said to her. She lifted her head then set it back down. I headed up the stairs. "Amari, you better get-" I started till I saw she was laying on Daryl. He had an arm resting over her and was sleeping. A smile creeped on my face as I looked at this. "This is so picture worthy." I said quietly as I went back down the steps. I walked out of the prison and saw Glenn. "Hey Glenn!" I yelled. He turned and I waved him over. He said something to Maggie and she nodded and he jogged over to me. "What'cha need?" he asked. "Do you have a camera by any chance?" I asked. He nodded and said one sec then ran over to the watch tower. He returned a minute later holding an old Polaroid camera. "Thanks." I said with a smile. "What do you need it for?" he asked curiously. "Oh nothing." I said as I snatched it out of his hand and headed back inside quickly. I crept up the stairs and they were still laying there. I stifled a laugh as I pointed the camera at them. I pressed the button and there was a click and a flash. I waved the picture back and forth waiting for it to dry. I smiled at the sight of it. "What are ya' doing?" a gruff voice said. I hid the camera behind me along with the picture. "N-Nothing." I stammered. He sat up, Amari hopping off his stomach and disappearing down the stairs. "What'cha got there?" he asked. "Oh nothing." I said, stepping back away. Before I could get far he grabbed my wrist and pulled it out in front of him. He looked at the picture in my hand. I pulled my wrist free and started walking backwards, till my back hit the railing. "Give me that." he growled. "No." I said holding it behind me. He towered over me. "Give. Me. It." he said, emphasizing each word. I glanced over the railing a few times. "Fine..." I started, bringing it closer to him.

"But you're gonna have to catch me first." I said. I hopped over the railing and landed gracefully. He looked at me shocked and I smirked at him. "Oh, it's on now!" he yelled. He headed down the stairs and I booked it down the hall. I could hear him behind me. Haley looked at me confused as I slowed down by her. "What's going on?" she asked. "Oh nothing. Just some friendly-" I was cut off by the sound of Daryl yelling. "I will see you later!" I said and ran past her. Haley stood there looking confused with a smile on her face as Daryl raced past her. "Give me that!" he yelled from behind me as I ran into the open field. Everyone was gathered watching what was going on. "Never!" I yelled back at him. My foot caught on a rock and I braced myself for the fall when arms wrapped around me. Daryl picked me up. "I caught ya', now give me the picture." he said in my ear. I wiggled free of his grasp and saw the hint of a smile on his face. "Should I give the picture to Daryl?" I wondered out loud. He stepped towards me slowly as I held the picture in front of me and put my finger to my chin and acted like I was deep in thought. He went to grab for it and I pulled it back. "Nope." I say, popping the "p". He grabbed at the picture as I tried to hold it out of his reach, but we ended up falling backwards. I let out a laugh as I laid there, picture still in my hand. I held it up and looked at it.

[Daryl's POV]

I laid on the ground next to her, just catching my breath. She always seemed to amaze me. She was always full of life and no matter how hard I try to stay mad at her, she can bring a smile to my face. I glance over at her and she's smiling at the picture. A faint smile tugged at my lips as I got up. "You can keep it." I said to her. She smiled and nodded. I held my hand out to her and she grabbed and I pulled her up. I pulled her up too fast and she fell into my chest. She looked up at me, her green eyes looking into mine. I lean down and send my lips crashing against hers. The group behind us sent catcalls and cheered us on. I felt her smile against the kiss before she pulled away. I looked at her confused and somewhat disappointed. "I-I can't, Daryl. I'm sorry." she stammered. She turned and ran back towards the prison. What just happened...

***

A/N:

A short chapter... I thought it'd be cute to see some doggie-Daryl bonding time. Ugh I want that puppy so bad!!!! DX

What's going on with Rebecca? Why is she denying her feelings for Daryl? Who knows.... Well I do, but... that's beside the point.

--T.F.L