From the Shadows

Daryl headed towards Teagan who was sitting on her bed in her cell. “Staying here tonight?” His rough voice startled her.

“Uhh, yeah, I guess. Where else would I stay?”

Daryl bit the inside of his lip and stared at the ground. “Always got a place upstairs.”

Teagan stood up and smiled. “Thanks.” They stared at each other for a few minutes before Hershel interrupted.

“You two look tired. Came here to check on you two.”

“I think I'm alrigh'. Need ta check on her though. Hit her head.”

“I think I'll be fine Hershel; just need to wash up. Looks worse than it is.”

“Now, now. You always downplay these things. I'll just have a quick look.” She playfully rolled her eyes, and Daryl chuckled, still standing in the doorway. Teagan sat on the mattress and let Hershel check her over. “Got into quite a bit today, didn't you?” He wiped a wet rag over her head and looked at the wound. “What happened here?”

Daryl went to speak, but was interrupted by Teagan. “Every once in awhile, my clumsy side shows.” She exchanged looks with Daryl, who looked uncomfortable standing in the doorway.

“Well, you did a number on it. Might need stitching. Luckily, we have some now, thanks to you two.” He cleaned out the wound and stitched it. “Anything else?”

“Nothing that bag of tricks could cure. Thanks Hershel.”

“Of course. Might want to shower or at least a wipe down before you sleep, to keep your sheets clean. A bit dark in the shower house, though.”

“Thanks. See you tomorrow.”

“Sleep well you two.” Hershel smiled and left Teagan's room.

“Need some'un to keep an eye while you shower?” Daryl's voice was noticeably uncomfortable.

Teagan laughed. “Only if you keep your eyes on the door.”

“Wouldn't think ta do otherwise.” Daryl kept his voice serious.

Teagan grabbed some shower stuff, and some of the cleaner clothes she had. She hadn't had most of it washed in awhile. She carried her stuff to the shower house, with Daryl only a few steps behind her.

“Damn. A lot darker than I thought it'd be. Maybe I'll just wait.”

“Hold on.” Daryl reached into his vest pocket and pulled out a flashlight.

“What's that going to do? Can't use that in the water.”

“Ain't done yet.” He walked off. Teagan couldn't see what he was doing. She heard some clanks and some grunts, and a few minutes later, the shower house was moderately lit. The flashlight was fashioned so the light would bounce off some of the mirrors. It was still fairly dark, but Teagan could at least see enough for a proper shower.

“Look at you. Didn't know you were a MacGuyver.”

“Nah. Just figured it out the other day.” Daryl shoved his hands in his pockets.

“What for?”

He shrugged and looked at his feet. “Didn't want ta piss in the dark. Was bored, too, I guess.”

“Well, get bored more often then. This isn't too bad. Now turn around and watch the door.” She smiled.

Daryl rolled his eyes. “Alright, alright.”

Teagan took seven minutes to strip down, scrub all the layers of filth and blood off her skin and redress. She always took fast showers; the habit became particularly useful in current circumstances.

“That was fast.”

“Hey, water isn't the commodity it used to be.” She paused for a moment. “Did you want to shower?”

“Me?”

Teagan laughed. “Yes you. Who else would I be talking to?”

“What are you tryna say?” Daryl tried to sound playful.

“Not trying to say anything. Everyone here could use a shower, not just you.”

“Sayin' I smell bad?”

“Well, you sure as hell don't smell like flowers.” Daryl and Teagan kept smiling the entire interaction.

Daryl sighed. He hated showering as a kid, moderately tolerated it before the apocalypse, and used the current world's status as a blatant excuse not to. He couldn't really remember the last time he showered.

“With all the showers you've skipped, you've saved enough water to shower now if you want. I'll keep watch. Only fair.”

Daryl rolled his eyes. “Only if you stop bitchin' 'bout it. Keep yer eyes on the door.”

“Wouldn't think to do otherwise.” She echoed his words back at him, and he couldn't help but smile.

He took a longer shower than Teagan, really making sure her got all the dirt off of him. The moment the water turned off, Teagan started talking.

“See? Not so bad, right? Glad you didn't melt.”

Daryl scoffed. “Shut up.” Daryl dried off and got dressed in grubby clothes. Daryl grabbed his flashlight from his contraption and the two walked out of the shower house.

At the base of the stairs heading towards Daryl's room, Teagan hesitated.

Daryl noticed she wasn't as close to him and he looked back. “Comin' up?”

Teagan bit her lip and nodded. “Yeah.” She jogged up the stairs to catch up to Daryl. Daryl had a battery-run lamp in his room.

“Where'd you get that?”

“Pile of rubbish outside. Runs on batteries.”

Teagan nodded. “Seems to work pretty well.”

“Yeah. I try not ta use it though. Don't want to waste batteries on it.” He paused and looked at Teagan. “Why did ya lie ta Hershel?”

Teagan was surprised by the question. “Wasn't a big deal. Just...” Her face contorted. “Just a habit I guess. Sorry.” she furrowed her eyebrows and untied her shoes.

“Did the same thing.” He saw the confusion on Teagan's face and elaborated. “When I was a kid, always had bruises or something. Always some new story. Old habits die hard I guess.”

Teagan smiled sadly. “Yeah, I suppose they do.”

In the shadowy light, Daryl could see the damage on both his and Teagan's body. Her skin was never without a large handful of scrapes and bruises. His own skin was covered in injury he couldn't recall receiving. He stared at his freckled, scarred arms for a long time.

Teagan took off her shoes and noticed Daryl hadn't said a word. He kept staring at his arms and hands. “Everything alright?”

“Uh, yeah. Jus' fine.” He glanced at his hand one more time before sitting down and taking his own shoes off. He couldn't help but think of all the damage and horror his hands have done.

Teagan sighed and look at Daryl. “Had a moment like that at the hospital.”

Daryl looked at her confused. Did I say somethin' outloud? “What do ya mean?”

“You can't help but keep a tally of all the wretched things you've committed, etched into the back of your tainted hands. Each new dent is a new flashback.” Teagan fell into her own silence.

Daryl sighed and look Teagan in the eyes. “That kid would've killed us.”

“I know. Not sure it actually makes it easier.”

“What happened to 'shoot first, ask questions later'?”

“Still there. If it wasn't, that kid might be alive.” She closed her eyes and lowered her voice. “Not sure what I kill for anymore. Used to be for my own survival. Then it changed to keeping everyone here safe. Now I'm not so sure anymore. Maybe I kill because it's easier than dealing with strangers. I just don't know.”

Daryl reached for her hand, keeping his eyes on hers. “You've always done what ya needed ta do to survive. That hasn't changed. The circumstances have, but yer doin' fine. Yer keepin' everyone here goin' as strong as you keep yerself goin'. That's hard.” After several minutes of silence, Daryl pulled his hand away from Teagan's and stretched awkwardly. “Let's get ta bed. We both need restin' up.” Teagan frowned, and cozied in to “her” side of the bed. She could feel how tense Daryl was without even touching him. She laid with her eyes closed, body exhausted but mind racing. After what felt like hours of distraction, she fell asleep.