My Exception (sequel to No Exceptions)

Six

I headed into the woods adjacent to Alexandria. I ran gracelessly until my lungs were on fire and my
legs were in even worse shape. I collapsed on all fours and grasped at the grass beneath me, pulling out clumps in frustration. I let out a scream trying to vent out the days events, unfortunately attracting the attention of a couple of walkers. I fished in my pack for my old hunting knife to put them down.

I grabbed onto the hard plastic handle and whipped it out. Inside stepped the first biter and attempted to drive my blade through his temple, but it glanced off the bone, giving it the opportunity to grab at my jacket. I quickly jumped back before it could get a proper grip on me, being a little shaken at just how rusty I'd become but I remained determined.

My second attempt was successful, my blade sliding up from the base of his skull. I'd forgotten how hard it was to perforate the bone when they were freshly turned.

"Get you shit together Rackel before I kick your ass!" I heard Shane's voice in the back of my head. If he'd seen how I just struggled he would've scolded me and made me do laps. He'd always taken it upon himself to train me, then to train others when the dead started walking. I whistled to get the attention of another passing walker and tried again, my training slowly coming back to me. I cursed myself for not practicing and getting so soft.

Relief sunk in as I killed more walkers; the anger I had felt for Rick become a distant memory, the look on Daryl's face becoming harder to recall. I had gotten too comfortable in the previous months, letting others taking care of me; I decided that it had to stop now. Negan let his guard down looking out for me and paid the price for it. I got a sharp stinging through my chest as I thought of him; the life I'd dreamt we'd have together flashing before my eyes then immediately leaving me.

I sat in the middle of the forest, feeling totally undeserving of being here. Why did Sherry, Olivia and Negan have to die while I remained? I sobbed as a walker stumbled towards me as I did nothing to prevent it getting to me. I looked into it's glassy eyes as she began to snarl, picking up my scent in the upwind. I shut my eyes and waited for her to take me but heard a familiar whistle above my head followed by a thud. I opened my eyes to see the biter laying not even 3 feet away from me with one of Daryl's newly created bolts lodged into her eye socket.

Daryl pulled me up harshly by the shirt collar, forcing me to stand.
"What the hells a matter with ye?" His rage building up, pacing back and fourth flinging his arms around violently.
I shrugged at him, feeling blank. "I don't know if I can anymore"

He pinned me onto a nearby tree, pointing at my nose "Don' ye fuckin' dare Rackel! After all this bullshit you don' get ter jus' lie down an' play dead!"
I swallowed the lump in my throat and just stared at him as he continued, "I know yer hurtin' right now, but you can't jus' give up. Not fer him, not fer anybody!"

I locked my jaw and glared at him, stabbing him in the chest with my index finger
"I saw your face when Rick said you were glad that Negan was gone. You're glad that he's out of the way!" My voice cracked at the end, the pain excruciating.

He grabbed my shoulders in response, digging his nails in trying to deter his fury
"Are ye kiddin' me? Why would I wan' ye to go through this? I beat meself up every damn day fer leavin' ye there with him. All I wan' is fer you te be happy" he was panting by the end as his uncharacteristic wordy confession spoke straight to my heart.

As my shoulders loosened he let go and wiped at his eyes, trying to conceal the fact he was upset. I held onto his chin
"I love you Daryl Dixon. I'm sorry that I let someone else in; that our love is no longer equal"

he moved into my caress and surprisingly looked relieved "Yer hurtin' Rackel an' I understand tha'. I'll take what I can get, an' be thankful fer it"

We held each other for a perfect moment; neither of us moving or turning it into anything else. We slowly made our way back to Alexandria, chasing daylight. When we arrived Eugene opened the gate and curtly nodded at us, upset about something.

I looked at Daryl in an accusatory fashion
"What happened to Eugene?"

Daryl shrugged unapologetically "he wouldn't tell me where ye went"
I'd have to apologise to him later for whatever Daryl had done, thankful that they both had my back in the end.

When we got back home we both collapsed on the bed; both finding the days events draining. Content in each others company.