Hayley was in heaven. She smiled, tucking her legs against her bare stomach, shrinking into herself to get even warmer. She breathed in deeply and felt comfort from the musky, wild smell that was growing ever more familiar. The sun glared against the thin fabric of Daryl's tent, insisting that Hayley should wake up. After a few more deliciously comfortable minutes in the sleeping bag, she got up and stretched. Her bones finally clicked and she bent over, letting her hair fall over her eyes messily. She dragged her fingers through the knots and flipped it back, tying it up into a messy bun to keep it out the way.
There wasn't much inside Daryl's tent that gave Hayley an idea about who he was and what he liked. Just his sleeveless shirts that were chucked on his sleeping bag until she'd got her hands on them. They were now folded beside his crossbow in a neat pile, not that she thought she'd get a thank you.
She reached for her rucksack and pulled out a blue vest top that Maggie had given her. The opening of the tent began to rustle and Hayley turned, spotting Daryl ducking to enter.
Daryl had to force himself to leave the comfort of a real bed that morning and he was already missing it. But he'd gotten up before anyone could barge in on him, looking to help or make him feel like an invalid. He took it easy though, still aching from the fall and his side wouldn't take any strain from him today. So he'd gotten dressed and removed the bandage from the side of his head, noting the graze was already healing nicely. He headed for his tent to get another hour of peace, completely forgetting that it was occupied.
He opened the flap of the tent and his eyes settled on the brunette, spinning at the sound of him dressed in her jeans but yet to pull her top on.
"Shit," he muffled, quickly turning to get out of his tent. He stood outside, a shade of pink forming on his cheeks.
He could hear a light laugh coming from inside the tent and the man rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably. Damn, the image of Hayley in her cream bra wouldn't be leaving his mind any time soon. In the few seconds that Daryl had her in his sight, he could now picture her smooth, unblemished skin. How her body curved in the right places. The thought had him blushing harder and he turned his face to the floor as the woman stepped out of the tent.
"Forgot ya were here," he mumbled in explanation.
Hayley waved him off. "Don't worry about it. At least you didn't catch me naked."
His head sharply rose and he squinted at her. God knows what it'd do to his sane mind if he thought about her naked under his sheets in there.
She rolled her eyes. "I wasn't. Down boy," she teased. She stepped past him. "I'll get out of your hair. Thanks again," she said, nodding towards the tent before she scurried away from the uncomfortable looking man.
Hayley couldn't help but giggle to herself, flashing a look back at the man who seemed a little dazed. He was so easy to wind up. She was glad for their newfound truce. Even if she wasn't planning to stay with the group, she was glad to have at least one more person that didn't hate her guts. She eyed one person in particular that did as Andrea started walking in her direction.
To spare an argument, Hayley kept her eyes down but when Andrea shoved past her, brushing her arm against her own, Hayley bit her tongue from lashing out at the woman. A few steps more and Hayley looked back in Andrea's direction, frowning as she saw the blonde enter Daryl's tent. Hayley slowed to a stop, watching with curiosity. She rubbed her shoulder then her mind sparked and she swore, remembering the absence of her weapon, having left it in Daryl's tent.
Sighing, Hayley jogged slowly back to the tent. She was about to call out to the man and woman inside until her curiosity got the better of her.
From where she stood by the tent, she could see Daryl on his bed, fiddling with one of his arrows. Andrea was crouched down with her back to Hayley.
The hunter sat up a little as Andrea regarded his stitches.
"I'm so sorry, Daryl. I feel like shit," Andrea said.
Hayley rolled her eyes. So you should, she thought.
Daryl adjusted his pillow and smiled. "Yeah, you and me both."
"I don't expect you to forgive me but if there's anything I can do-"
"You were trying to protect the group. We're good," he insisted. Andrea smiled at the man and nodded once. "But shoot me again, ya best pray I'm dead."
The blonde smirked and stood, heading out of the tent. She began walking back to the RV when a voice called after her.
"He might forgive you," Hayley said, "but I don't."
Andrea turned and folded her arms, raising an eyebrow at the younger woman. "You were spying on us?"
Hayley ignored the comment and stepped up close to her. "You know, you could have killed him? You think you're protecting this group but you're rash, thoughtless-"
Andrea's eyes grew angry. "You're not even a part of this group, Hayley. You've got some nerve."
"Doesn't mean I don't care about the people here," she said, swallowing back the small lump that grew at her words.
"Oh, I bet you do," Andrea smirked, her eyes flickering to the tent behind Hayley. "I think you're feeling threatened."
Hayley blanked. "Threatened?"
"Uh-huh. First Shane, now Daryl. Worried about not being number one anymore?"
Hayley rolled her eyes at the ridiculous conclusion. "Not everybody's mind is in their pants. This isn't to do with Shane or Daryl. You're reckless, Andrea. So busy trying to prove yourself that you almost got somebody killed. What if next time you're not so lucky? If Daryl had died or it'd been Carl?"
Andrea's eyes blazed. "You have no right. I'm protecting us. What do you do to help this group? You think if you give Carl a bike and flutter your eyelashes at the guys, you're set here? You don't belong with us, Hayley. Daryl sees it," Hayley fumed, exhaling but the woman continued, "I see it. It's just a matter of time now until the rest of them see it too."
The woman turned and briskly walked away from Hayley. She stood there, stuck between wanting to launch herself at Andrea and wanting to hack at the trees with her machete. She spun and stomped towards Daryl's tent, not even bothering to announce herself.
Daryl looked surprised to see her barge into his tent. Hayley barely registered the look on his face before she spotted her machete and went to grab it.
The man could sense the swelling rage inside her and threw caution to the wind.
"Ya alright?"
"Fine," she snapped. The man's brow furrowed and she felt an immediate sense of guilt. She gave him a half smile. "I'm fine."
He watched her for a moment longer then nodded. He kept his eyes on her own until she looked away, strapping on her machete as she left him. Daryl wasn't clueless; he'd seen Hayley and Andrea confronting each other but he couldn't hear them, not for the lack of straining to listen. He didn't like how Andrea smirked and sneered towards Hayley. It got his back up in a way he hadn't experienced before, not with anyone. He made his peace with Andrea, knowing that deep down she just wanted to keep the group safe, but when it came to Hayley, the two women were far from peace.
After breakfast, some of the group were buzzing as target practice loomed. Dale was sat outside the RV, listening to Rick and Shane discussing the plan for the day as Hayley wandered over. She was offered a warm smile from the older man and she smiled back, always finding comfort from Dale and the knots in her stomach from her talk with Andrea slowly started to unwind. She leaned back against the RV and listened.
"You think she went north?" Shane asked.
Rick turned to Jimmy. "What's up that way?"
The young man frowned and answered, "Could be at the new housing development there, done up ten years ago."
Rick nodded and looked to his right hand man. "Then you take a run up there after gun practice. I'll hold up the fort here. Take someone with you. After what went down with Daryl, I don't want anyone going out alone."
"Pair up?" Shane offered. He looked over the hood of the car to Hayley, standing beside the old man and the corner of his mouth lifted slightly. Hayley's face flushed a little.
"See how they do at practice then take your pick," Rick agreed. Shane's eyes remained on Hayley as he looked at her appreciatively.
Hayley avoided his gaze, her eyes following Glenn as he passed by. She distracted herself by grabbing his attention, getting him to chuck her a peach as he dished the fruit out. As she bit into the fruit, she couldn't help but feel uncomfortable at Shane's ever growing attention towards her. And she wasn't the only one to notice it. Dale sat beside her and followed Shane's gaze. When the man turned to speak to Beth and Patricia, he looked at the pink glow in Hayley's cheeks and didn't like what was running through his mind.
Hayley didn't understand Shane very well. He was a man that wanted to lead, to protect, yet he seemed to welcome Hayley, a stranger, and trusted her capabilities. Despite what Andrea said, Shane wasn't showing any signs of wanting her away from his people. She assumed if there were to be any partnering up, Shane and Andrea would have launched at the chance to work together. The two were driven and Andrea was ready to follow Shane however he might lead. The last thing Hayley wanted was to create a wedge within the group, to be pushed away sooner than she was ready to move on and look elsewhere for her brother.
A throat cleared beside her and she realised she was being watched for a while now. Dale stood and looked at her with knowing eyes, an almost disapproving fatherly gaze and she swallowed.
"What's going on, Hayley?"
She turned to him, perplexed. "Huh?"
His wise eyes flickered from Shane then back to her. When she remained silent for a moment or two, he gestured for her to follow. They walked side by side under the shelter of the trees and spoke in hushed tones.
Dale said, "Shane seems kinda attached to you since you joined us."
Hayley nodded beside him. "I've noticed."
"I know you're here to find your brother," Dale said gently, "but while you're here, please, I want you to be careful."
She frowned at the man and offered, "It's harmless, Dale."
"Yes, but he's not," Dale said, his calm voice lost. She stopped and looked at him, her brow heavy. She looked back to Shane who was beside Carl, treating him as any father would their own child. She turned back to Dale.
"Say what you really mean, Dale."
The man sighed and touched her shoulder. "Please, for my own peace of mind. Keep away from Shane."
"Why?"
"Men like him…" He shook his head. "I don't want you getting hurt."
She smiled warmly at him. "There's not a chance of my heart getting broken, Dale. You're sweet, but-"
"I don't mean like that," he said, shutting the woman up. Hayley felt a mix of confusion and that same wild awareness she felt when living in the woods. Dale's words were putting her guard up. "Just be careful, dear. I don't want you hurt," he reinforced. "Just try and keep your distance? Keep an old man from worrying, huh?"
She eyed Dale carefully, taking in his words. The last thing he'd said may have been in jest but she saw in his eyes suspicion, worry and protectiveness, all routing from the man he wanted her away from. To give him peace of mind, Hayley agreed, nodding softly. He squeezed her shoulder and exhaled deeply, as if a heavy load had been lifted from his mind.
In all honesty, Hayley appreciated his protectiveness, finding his fatherly tone reminiscent and touching. The man's eyes looked away from her and his anxiety fell away, replaced by a smile as he waved. She turned and watched Carl get into the car with his dad. The camp were seemingly all piling into cars, ready for gun practice, all except Dale, Hayley and Glenn.
Shane leaned on the car door and hollered over to them.
"Hales, you coming or what?"
She felt Dale tense beside her and she waved him off. "I'll catch you there, got stuff to do first."
He watched her carefully, scowling before shouting to Glenn. "Coming, man?"
Hayley felt the nervousness radiating off of Glenn and she watched him, practically sweating over the lie he told. "No, uh, I said I'd help Dale with the RV. Hayley and I fancied learning mechanics a little, save him doing all the work."
"Eh?" she mumbled, but felt a pinch on the skin of her spine where Glenn's hand was hidden. "Yeah, all about cleaning sparkplugs today, right Dale?"
Dale had no trouble in following, laughing at the two. "If it gives me a break, you two better learn fast."
Hayley smiled and gave Shane a quick wave, giving him no chance to answer. The man shrugged and swiftly got inside the car, pulling away behind Rick. Hayley continued smiling and waving the group off beside the two men before she turned and smacked Glenn's arm.
"Ow!"
She pointed a scary finger in his face. "That hurt."
He blushed slightly and mumbled an apology. Dale wandered over so the three stood close together. He watched the younger man curiously and tried to catch his eye.
"There a reason why you got us lying for you, son?"
Glenn looked up at Dale and shifted uncomfortably. The words were stuck in his throat, running through his mind over and over. Hayley eyed him, a frown forming as she touched his arm.
"Glenn? You ok?"
The man shook his head and swallowed the lump caught in throat.
"I dunno–"
"Spit it out Glenn," Hayley probed. Glenn sighed.
"There are walkers in the barn and Lori's pregnant."
Hayley's eyes slowly widened and she looked over towards the barn, suddenly a wave of unease jolting her body as she regarded the feeble looking barn doors. Her breath left her in one swoop and she had the sudden urge to bolt. She looked back to Dale and his older eyes were just as alight with worry.
"Who else knows?"
Glenn lifted his heavy head towards Dale. "Just us and Maggie's family. I swore to her I wouldn't tell."
"Shit," Hayley murmured. She thought about those who left, with guns in their hands and an eagerness to protect their camp. "What's Rick gonna say? What's Shane gonna say?"
Dale looked to the younger ones sternly. "Nobody breathes a word." He took a moment to think and waved his hand. "I'll speak to Hershel."
He turned and started towards the stables. Hayley paused before jogging after the man. He lifted an eyebrow as she joined his side.
"Let me help," she insisted. Dale nodded gratefully as they strode across the field towards the stables.
Hayley's stomach swirled, unsettled as she reached the door. She followed Dale inside timidly until her attention was swayed and her nerves calmed at the sight of a beautiful horse in front of her. A small smile tugged at her lips and she reached out to the animal, stroking her neck. She barely registered Hershel brushing the horse until Dale spoke up.
"Nervous Nellie, huh?"
Hershel looked up at the two visitors and nodded. "Made her way back. Found her in her stall this morning."
"She's beautiful," Hayley murmured, smiling softly. She took a handful of hay, feeding the animal as it neighed in appreciation. Hershel smirked, watching the young woman.
"She likes you."
The three fell quiet. It was strange, after weeks of running and fighting, dreading the moans and gnarling of walkers, that here and now on the farm, Hayley could feel so at peace. The quiet wasn't eerie or unsettling. It felt as if the terrifying events never happened; she never lost her brother, she never fought for her life daily. All was right in the world.
But of course, it wasn't.
"Hayley and I took a long walk this morning, with it being such a lovely day and all." Dale received a short smile from Hershel but it soon wavered. "We walked by the barn, Hershel. We heard the moans."
Hershel's eyes dropped to the floor.
"That's unfortunate."
Hayley swallowed. "I'm sure you have your reasons for keeping secrets."
"I saw the broadcast when people started getting sick, saw the irrational fear, the atrocities people were committing, like the incident at my well."
Dale frowned, "We put down a walker."
His eyes grew angry. "You killed a person."
Dale tried to reason with the man. "If you watched the same broadcast I did, you saw those walkers attack. They killed people. They're dangerous."
"A paranoid schizophrenic is dangerous, too. We don't shoot sick people," Hershel replied.
Dale shook his head, trying to get through to him. "With all due respect, you are cut off from the outside world here. I've seen people I cared about die and come back. And they're not people."
"Listen," Hershel's calm started to fall away, "my wife and stepson are in that barn. They're people."
Hayley saw the heartache in his eyes then. Hershel was a father, a family man and he couldn't lose his family again. Not even to protect those left in his family alive.
"Hershel," Hayley stroked Nellie, needing the strength to say those words, "I am sorry for your loss. We've all lost somebody."
"They're not gone. They're sick."
She nodded, trying to keep him level headed. "None of us know the truth, whether this is it or if one day things might return to normal." She swallowed the lump forming in her throat. "Back home, I didn't live with my mother. Friends of mine took me in, Emma and Jessica; without them I'd have no choice but to sleep on the streets. They took care of me, they were my family. They gave me a real home. The day after the broadcast hit, I had to fight my way out of that home."
A shaking breath left her. "Jessica… She'd gotten bit. After a few hours, I found her kneeling on our apartment floor. She was covered in blood with these God-awful, blank eyes turning my way. Emma was under her, lying there, white as a sheet, barely anything left of her, until she got up too."
She felt Dale squeeze her hand. Hayley sniffed, feeling the man's concerned gaze on her but she refused to let the tears fall. "Those friends, they tried to rip my throat out. I put them down. Now you can call it a sickness, you can call me a murderer. But those girls, they were not my friends. They took me in and they were my family, but on that day, I'd lost them. It wasn't them. There's no coming back from that, trust me. If any part of me hoped that there was, I could never have done what I did."
Hershel regarded her sadly. She stubbornly kept his gaze until he spoke. "I am sorry, dear. But that was wrong. Inside that barn, those are my family and friends."
"Then let us help. Let me speak to Rick. He's a good man. We could make the barn more secure, keep everybody safe."
"The barn is secure," Hershel failed to assure them. He glanced from Hayley to Dale. "Keep this to yourselves if you want to help. Rick is a man of conscience, but are you so sure about everyone in your group?"
Hayley looked to Dale and knew the question conjured a certain face for both of them. Hayley could not answer the man.
"Are you sure that you should risk your own family?" Hayley pleaded softly. "Maggie? Beth?"
"My girls are safe and they will be if you keep quiet," Hershel reinforced. His tone shook Hayley slightly and his voice softened, having checked his temper. "Please, try to understand…" He paused, deciding whether to ask the young woman his question, seeing her so pained to retell the story of how she escaped the outbreak. "Your little brother, you love him dearly." It wasn't a question but Hayley's head snapped up. "We all see that, the way you go out each day and look for him. Could you do it? If you found him and he got sick? What you're asking me to do to my own family. Could you kill your own brother?"
Her chest heaved at the sickening thought.
"It wouldn't be him." Her voice was barely a whisper.
Hershel regarded her knowingly and with empathy. "But could you?"
After what felt like a minute, staring into the old man's eyes, wishing she wasn't a hypocrite, Hayley dropped her gaze and walked out of the stables, unable to give an answer.