Broken strings---➤ Daryl Dixon

4

He stares at me, blankly, and my grin gets wider. "You should've just accepted the compliment." I shrug. I can feel his gaze as I continue to help the other place their bags in the cars. I never thought the long conversations with an ex-boyfriend who was obsessed with motorbikes would ever come in handy, but now I'm really thankful. Sadly, the moment is dampened when we learn that Morales and his family will be going elsewhere to try and find their extended family. We all say our goodbyes to them and wish them the best of luck.

I sling my bow over my shoulders and make sure my quiver, knife and gun are all secure in my belt. I watch as the other have finished packing the cars. Rick's car has his family, Carol and Sophia. I'd rather not be stuck in a car with Shane, I watch Glenn join Dale at the front of the RV. But I'm not sure I want to sit in the back with Jim, who may become a walker at any moment. I indecisively tap the tip of my arrowhead and scan the three vehicles. It's a habit I formed long ago, I even keep one arrow turned upright in my quiver just so I can tap the arrowhead.

"Come with me." A voice breaks me out of my thoughts, I look to see Daryl sitting on his bike. I warily make my way over. I adjust my bow on my back and sit behind him on his bike. I consider checking if he is sure about this, but I fear he will say no and tell me to get lost and so I keep quiet.  Even with me leaning away from him, my body is pushed up close against his. The engine roars to life and we drive off, the others following close behind. The unsteady movement causes me to feel precarious. Especially as Daryl turns sharply.

Unconsciously my hands reach out to steady myself, the issue is the only thing I can hold onto is Daryl. I grip the sides of his waist and I'm glad he isn't able to turn around and face me in this moment.

"Sorry," I mutter but it gets lost in the sound of the bike's engine. I occasionally glance behind me just to check that the others are still behind us. As I turn I see a cloud of smoke burst from the front of the RV. I tap Daryl lightly and shout that the others are stopping. He slows the bike down to a halt and we work our way back to the group.

Dale explains to Rick how the hose in the RV is bust and we will never get far on it. Shane and T-Dog drive ahead to see what they can find. I decide to make myself useful and climb on top of the RV as a lookout. With my bow ready in my hands, I pace back and forth scanning the tree line. The one thing I don't notice is the occasional glimpses coming from Daryl. 

I overhear the discussion on leaving Jim behind, as it is what he wants. I suppose if it's what the man wants, we should honour his dying wish. I fire an arrow into the head of a lone walker that has stumbled its way into my line of sight. The movement catches the attention of the rest of the group as I hop down to retrieve my arrow.

Ultimately we agree to leave Jim behind, Dale and Glenn fix up the RV as best as they can and we depart on our journey to the CDC. It's not a long journey and it feels almost comforting to be back in the city. The moment is cut short as we arrive at the CDC to find piles of bodies scattered across the ground. The smell of rotting flesh hits me and it is unlike anything I've smelt before.

"This definitely looks promising," I say sarcastically to Daryl.

The group park up nearby and we slowly and quietly make our way over to the building entrance. It looks completely locked but that doesn't deter Shane from pounding on the door anyway.

"There's no one here man," T-Dog says with annoyance 

"Walkers." Daryl calls out to the rest of us and begins firing his crossbow. Within a second I'm ready and firing arrows left and right, luckily there are only a few but with all the noise we are making it'll only drag more from the city. Others start yelling and I really don't like how we are cornered here whilst night is drawing in.

"We can still go to Fort Benning Rick." Shane yells. However, as Glenn points out it is 125 miles in the other direction, and we do not have the time or resources. I zone out of their arguing and focus on not getting bit by the dead. A walker claws at me from the side but before it can grab me, I drive my knife through its skull. I feel the splatter of blood coat my face and clothes as I pull the knife free. I push the corpse into another walker, knocking it to the ground.

"Not trying to rush you here but can you guys make up your goddamn mind." I snap at Rick and Shane.

Rick, possibly delirious, claims he sees the camera move and starts yelling directly to it. Glenn stands with me and helps clear some of the walkers coming towards us. I stop for a breath, "We can't keep going" I say to him and we both look at each other. He shakes his head. I feel something grab my shirt and as I look down, Carl is standing there, terrified. I hold the boy close.

"It'll be okay." I try my best to comfort him in this dire situation, the forced hope brings me a little comfort though as well.

Rick continues to bang on the door, begging the camera to let us in. Shane on the other hand tries to drag him away and we have no choice

Out of nowhere, the clanking of shutters begins, and the doors behind us start to open.