𝕿𝖗𝖆𝖈𝖐𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖄𝖔𝖚|| Daryl Dixon [DISCONTINUED]

XXIII

HOUNDED

We were all eating breakfast. I had finished eating so I took the baby from Beth so she could eat. She just stared up at me as I smiled at her

"Everybody okay?" Rick asked. We all turned

"Yeah, we are" Maggie said as Rick walked in

"Are you okay?" I asked

"I cleared out the boiler block" Rick said

"How many were there?" Daryl asked

"I don't know. A dozen, two dozen. I have to get back. Just wanted to check on Carl" Rick said. That man needed sleep, desperately

"Rick, we can handle taking out the bodies. You don't have to" Glenn said standing up

"No, I do. Everyone have a gun and a knife?" Rick asked

"Yeah. We're running low on ammo, though" Daryl said

"Maggie and me were planning on making a run this afternoon. Found a phone book with some places we can hit, look for bullets and formula" Glenn said as I sat down next to Daryl

"We cleared out the generator room. Axel's there trying to fix it in case of emergency. We're gonna sweep the lower levels as well" Daryl said

"Good. Good" Rick said as he turned and walked away

"Rick" Hershel said as Rick closed the door behind him and left. I felt eyes on me. I turned to see Daryl staring

"What? Is there something on my face?" I asked

"No, you just look nice with a baby in your arms.. much different than your slaying walkers mode" He said. I raised an eyebrow as a smirk came onto my face

"Is this your weird way of flirting with me?" I asked

"Pfft.. in your dreams" He said as he turned away. I rolled my eyes playfully as I felt that feeling in my stomach again. I ignored it though. Hershel went after Rick. The baby was cooing in my arms. Daryl looked over my shoulder

"Could you get any closer?" I asked playfully

"I ain't here for you. I'm here for the little ass-kicker that is in your hands" He said. I chuckled

"You want her?" I asked

"Uh, ya" He said

"Too bad, she's mine right now" I said standing up and walking away

"Bitch" He muttered. I snickered

—————

Me, Oscar, Daryl, and Carl were clearing the lower levels

"Check it out, man. Must've missed it last night" Oscar said to Daryl as the door moved

"It's probably just one or two of 'em. Don't look they got much fight. They ain't going nowhere. We'll take care of it on the way back" Daryl said. He then whistled at Carl who was spaced out

"Come on" Daryl said as Carl turned his head. Oscar went another way as me, Daryl and Carl walked together

"You know, my mom, she liked her wine. She liked to smoke in bed. Virginia Slims. I was playing out with the kids in the neighborhood. I could do that with Merle gone. They had bikes, I didn't. We heard sirens getting louder. They jumped on their bikes, ran after it, you know, hoping to see something worth seeing. I ran after them, but I couldn't keep up. I ran around a corner and saw my friends looking at me. Hell, I saw everybody looking at me. Fire trucks everywhere. People from the neighborhood. It was my house they were there for. It was my mom in bed burnt down to nothing. That was the hard part. You know, she was just gone. Erased. Nothing left of her. People said it was better that way. I don't know. Just made it seem like it wasn't real, you know?" Daryl asked as we all walked. Oscar following behind us

"I shot my mom. She was out. Hadn't turned yet. I ended it. It was real. Sorry about your mom" Carl said. We turned to him

"I'm sorry about yours" Daryl said. I would've spoke but I felt like there was bonding going on here that I shouldn't interrupt so I kept quiet. Daryl rubbed Carl's shoulder

"Come on" Daryl said. We continued on

"Oh, that's what I'm talking about" Oscar said entering a room. We turned and followed him

"Yeah, buddy" He said as he picked up some shoes

"What the hell you need slippers for?" Daryl asked

"You know, end of the day, relaxing" Oscar said

"If you find an extra pair, let me know" I said

"I gotcha" He said. We heard a walker growling. I turned and quickly killed it with a knife. Daryl exhaled

"All right" Daryl said as he shined the flashlight at the now dead walker

"Must have been in the cell at the end. We checked everywhere else" Oscar said. Daryl pulled out a knife from the walker and inspected it

"That's Carol's knife" He said. I furrowed my eyebrows

—————

I was outside by myself. I just needed time to think. Everything has happened so quickly. In just an hour, we lost T-Dog, Lori and Carol. I keep getting these random stomach feelings. As if there were butterflies flying around in there. I knew what it was, I really did, but I refused to admit it. I wouldn't admit it. I couldn't admit it

"Y/n.." Beth said as she approached. I turned to see her

"Beth" I said

"Whatcha' doing out here by yourself?" She asked

"Thinking" I said

"'Bout what?" She asked

"A lot of things" I said

"I get that.. just know.. You're like a big sister.. so if you need to talk.. I'm always available.. I know you're close with Daryl.. and that he can be a jerk sometimes" She said. I was slightly confused

"Me and Daryl aren't close or anything. We're good friends" I said

"Maybe you haven't been paying attention.. but Daryl's got a bit of a soft spot for you" She said giggling. I rolled my eyes and scoffed playfully

"I'll believe it when I see it" I said. I watched Rick walk out and towards the fence. I turned to see a woman staring at us

(1016 words)
11/22/21

Edited: 07/08/22