Wayward Journey

Naomi glanced in Daryl's direction before following Rick and Shane out of the RV. Outside there was a fairly small fire pit with many people sitting around it. Off to the right of the right of the RV there was a blonde girl leaning over the body of another female, tears flooding past her eyes as she sat there mumbling. There was a tension in the air and Naomi carefully poked at Rick's arm, a small whisper occurring. "What the hell happened?"

Daryl stayed right on Naomi as the three of them stepped aside, Rick giving a soft gaze around the camp. "A herd came through and took away a lot of members..since this place clearly isn't safe anymore we're moving tomorrow morning to check out the C.D.C. You'll get more of a welcome there when we've got a little more hope running through everyone." 

Daryl snorted, shaking his head. "Hope ain't gonna do nothin' for these people. Ain't gonna keep them alive." His voice was gruff as he kept his arms tensed at his side, blue eyes occasionally glancing towards the small beast to his left. 

Naomi looked up at him, crossing her arms over her torso tightly before shrugging. "It could make them want to keep fighting though. Make them want to keep themselves alive." Her voice was quiet, keeping their conversation between the three of them. Daryl's eyes changed slightly, softening maybe? Regardless he kept his mouth shut and ran his tongue over his lips. 

Rick nodded a bit, motioning for her to come sit with him, meet his family. She followed him over and smiled at his wife. She was a pretty woman, long brown hair and stressed out eyes, her name was Lori. Naomi sat down directly next to his son, an adorable little freckle face named Carl. Carl was in the process of practicing different knots, a skill Naomi had always wanted to learn but never got the chance to do. "You should show me how you do that." She informed, watching Carl's eyes light up.

Eventually, Naomi was an expert at the Double Fisherman's Knot and the Power Sinch Knot. Just as she got the hang of the Power Sinch, Carl's mother ruffled his hair and ushered him off to bed. Rick turned in as well and eventually the faces around the fire lessened and lessened as the night went on. At that point it was only Naomi and Daryl sitting by the fire, Daryl using a hunting knife to sharpen a stick into a spear. Neither of them spoke, though she could catch his gaze occasionally looking up at her to make sure she wasn't moving. 

Having enough with the uncomfortable silence, Naomi stood up and brushed any dirt off the seat of her pants, watching as Daryl looked up at her questioningly. "I'm going to turn in." She informed, listening to the grunt that passed as a response. Walking off towards the RV, she went inside and sat in the booth that Rick had seated her in before. Resting her head back against the window she allowed her eyes to fall closed before drifting off into a dreamless sleep.

The next morning, Naomi jolted forward at the sound of movement. Her frame tense as she saw a pair of eyes widely staring at her. "Oh my god." She mumbled, moving her hand over her chest as she remembered she'd joined in with the group last night. "Shit.." Shaking her head, she sat forward and held her hand out. "I'm Naomi.

The man was older, white hair and kind eyes. "Dale." He informed, shaking her head. Rick had mentioned a new member, but she had startled him on how she had jolted away just as he set foot inside the RV. She got up and fixed at her combat boots before looking around and stepping out along with the man she now knew as Dale. Instantly Daryl's eyes were on her, as it was apparently his job to watch her, and Rick walked over to greet her. 

"Everyone, this is Naomi..the member who arrived last night. Naomi, this is Carol, Sophia, Andrea, Dale, Glenn,  T-Dogg, you met Lori and Carl last night, as well as Shane and Daryl. Naomi's part of us now, we expect her welcomed like one." Rick's voice was calm as he pointed to match names with faces, Naomi went around and shook each members hand save for the ones she'd already met. Once she was finished, Rick nodded towards Daryl briefly. "You'll be riding with him, if that's okay. Your things are already in the truck. We're about to head out." 

Nodding her head slightly, she chewed on her lower lip as Shane made his way over to her. His eyes held a hungry expression that Naomi chose to ignore. "Sorry about putting the cuffs on so tight, can't really be too careful these days." His eyes roamed her body and instantly Naomi wrapped her arms around herself tightly, attempting to seem as closed off as possible.

"It's fine, I completely get it." Her voice was sincere as she nodded her head, looking over her shoulder as Daryl watched them through a narrowed gaze. He spat onto the ground before shaking his head and getting into the driver side of his truck.

Shane let off a small laugh, shaking his own head. "He'll cool off." He reminded, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Free seat in my car, yours if you want it." 

Naomi considered it, running her tongue over her lower lip. She had a dark feeling that Shane wasn't always all smiles and good intentions, the way he stared at her made her feel uncomfortable, violated even. "I already promised Daryl I'd grace him with my presence." Naomi said finally, offering a small smile before turning away and walking towards his truck. Carefully opening the door, she slid her small frame into it and closed it with more of a slam than she intended which earned a slight glare from Daryl. It wasn't her fault that the door was heavy though, so she gave the exact same look back in his direction.

Daryl snorted, rolling his eyes and starting the truck up as the cars in head of him began to move out. He followed suit after the RV, glancing his blue gaze in the rear view to see Shane pulling out behind them. While keeping his main focus on the road, he would occasionally steal a glance at the small beast beside him. While her presence annoyed him, it annoyed him even further that she was pretty; beautiful even. He shook his head, attempting to remove any of that thought residing in his head by focusing on the road once more.