chapter three,
what remains.
IN THIS WORLD IT was hard to come by genuinely good people, Nadia Vale believed she discovered that within the group she had stumbled upon thanks to Finley. They were fractured and deep in mourning, similar to the state of her family. Nadia never wanted to strip them of their dignity or set them ablaze but she was now sitting isolated in a corner. Similar to how she left Finley in the church. All thanks to her outbursts.
The heat was scorching, due to the sun sitting higher. It was a heavy summer, too dry, making her irritable. Everyone was feeling the downside of the weather and now sat on top of a roof, waiting for more cops to reason with. Everyone was discussing the plan or looking after the hostages, while Nadia sat with nothing. Her fingernails played with the leather of her belt, it feels lighter than usual, due to the absence of a gun and axe. It felt foreign to her being weaponless, a sad reality.
Sweat began to glaze her forehead, due to the unbearable heat, her orbs fixated on the intricate stitching on her belt. The stitch was an off-white, poor attempt at Javier's stitching skills. It amazed her how the man was in the military before all of this. A smile lingered on her lips, images of her playing with his dog tag at their most peaceful of moments. She ached to have those moments back.
Nadia had fixated on the leather of her tarted belt that she didn't notice Rick Grimes sitting beside her. Until he made himself known. "You were right," His word made her jump, attention now to him. "To aim this at my head." Rick was fiddling with her pistol, eyes flickering to her every so often.
If this was a poor attempt to initiate an apology on her part, she wasn't having it. "I don't know what you want from me. But I'm not begging to get that off you," She motioned to her gun.
A sigh left Rick's lips, as he retrieved her axe from his belt. Nadia backed up slightly, eyes sharp and warning. Rick held his hands up, meaning no harm. "I came to apologise. Daryl was just being cautious by taking this from you. You're with us now, whether you like it or not, and I was just being selfish." Rick explained, as he passed her favourite melee weapon. "If I were you, I would've done the same thing." Now, passing her the pistol.
The woman's eyes lit up with surprise, most people would have her killed on the spot for what she did. Rick however agreed with the actions she took, even if it was an attempt at his life. Biting her lip, analysing the weapon to avoid his gaze, she concealed her expression from him. There was no need for strong bonds, even if she was grateful.
"We'll get him back, with or without the deal. I promise," Rick reassured while placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. Another promise was made and her heart sank further.
Swallowing her pride, Nadia nodded appreciatively. "Thanks." However, the ghost of a glare from Daryl, who was waiting patiently behind Rick, didn't go unnoticed.
It was strange, to hear someone so understanding. Nadia was grateful but she wouldn't forget what he did. Rick seemed level headed and determined, however he had threaten to sabotage their chance at rescuing Javier moments ago. And no one was getting in her way.
Rick shifted his attention from the sitting woman to the group around him. "Alright, I need everyone watching me. This might go south, just be ready." Rick ordered.
Without a second thought, every disbanded into their positions. Sasha assumed her position with her scope casting a watchful eye for Rick, and Daryl followed suit. Tyreese offered to watch over the hostages with Nadia by his side.
The sheriff was on the lower ground in seconds, below the group, preparing the negotiation with the new officers below. His hands raised, discussing the best option for the deal. The group above is out of earshot hear. Nadia occupied herself by scanning the hostages over, grasping tightly to the zip tie to add more pressure to the hold. The larger officer cursed, as she tinkered with the restraint. They couldn't take any chances.
Assessing the situation, Daryl was quick to snap his fingers at the pair behind him but his eyes stayed trained on the new vehicle leaving the scene. The plan was sealed. We were ready to leave for the hospital, and a sigh of relief left Nadia at the thought.
Nodding towards Tyreese, Nadia signalled to repress the hostages in the truck. Roughly, Nadia escorted the male officer into the backseat with her following suit beside him. The other hostage was placed in another car with Tyreese, Noah and Sasha, while Daryl settled the front of the same truck as Nadia.
The truck bumped against each crack and crevis of the decaying parking garage, making its way down each floor. She shuffled slightly in the back, feeling a burning gaze on her. Nadia stared up at the rearview mirror and quickly spotted Daryl's blue ones darting away from her stare. The woman furrowed her brows, hand gripping her gun in her lap, shaking the feeling from within her off.
Reaching the bottom, Rick was quick to jump into the passenger seat of their truck. The man turned and spoke. "Seems like they goin' to take the offer of two. We're getting them... all of 'em."
Nadia's expression remained unwavering while shooting him a firm nod. She was ashamed to admit that her heart fluttered and she was thankful for Rick somehow convincing them. However, she wouldn't celebrate until she had Javier in her arms. The woman couldn't wait to have the man she adored so dearly back in her warm grasp and to see the bright glow of Finley's grin. Thankfully, the trip to Grady Memorial was a swift one.
Putting the truck to a halt, Nadia made quick work of opening the door furthest from her to shove the hostage out. A grunt escaped his lips while the ex-firefighter took hold of him now out of the vehicle. There was no need for her to be coarse but she ached to get this over with. To be rid of this damn city and escape the hold this Dawn had over her. Everyone gazed upon the intimidating hospital, the placing sporting little life on the outside.
"Don't go wavin' that gun around, last thing we need," Daryl uttered. Turning slightly to face him, the cop still in Nadia's grasp and gun pointing at him, she replied with a roll of her eyes. Nevertheless, the woman obliged by concealing her weapon back into her belt before they proceeded toward the building.
Awaiting their arrival were two cops, the ones Rick previously negotiated with, they hesitantly escorted everyone to an ominous hallway of the building. Stress began to vibrate through her fingertips, clutching tighter to the cop, the tense atmosphere crashing over her. Nadia's breathing became heavy mirroring the thumping of her frightened heart. Behind these double doors is unknown, only catching glimpses of more officers through the window.
The unknown was frightening. Fear, being scared, has a biological purpose, it can't be left as a constantly ringing alarm bell. She needed to head it face-on. The feelings bubbling within her weren't like anything she had experienced. Nadia had dived head-first into an ocean of flames before but now the hairs on her back were standing due to a sketchy deal. For some unknown reason, she needed to give herself a real sense of safety and Javier was the person for that.
She needed to see him in that huddled crowd up ahead.
But that never happened.
"He's not there..." Nadia whispered, peering through the glass. Her deep brown eyes scanned over the awaiting people. Carol had bruises kissing her face while being wheeled in a wheelchair by a blonde girl, who Nadia assumed was the girl Daryl ached to retrieve. Cops and doctors were surrounding them. There was hope before. Just a tiny flicker against the wind. But now, there was none. "Javier isn't there."
Daryl clenched his jaw, shagged hair falling over his eyes, scanning through the same people. It was no use, he had no clue what the guy looked like. "They gotta have him."
"We don't know what condition he's in, he could be on a machine for all we know. Have a little faith," Rick muttered. The group could see the way Nadia's hands shook, still holding the officer. Dread washed over her.
Before anyone could utter another word, the static of the walkie was heard. "Holster your weapons," A woman's voice came through. Dawn. Nadia had concealed her weapon previously, which she desired to have in her grasp, but everyone followed the woman's orders. Her group of cops doing the same, on the other side.
With that, the double doors were pushed open and they slowly entered the hallway. At one end there was a group smothered in the muck and grim of other outside world but on the other end, there were clean cops. Both Rick and Nadia stepped forward with the hostages but she continued to scan for a possible appearance of Javier.
"They haven't been harmed," Rick stated.
Dawn, a dark-haired woman, analysed the people before her. "Lamson? Where is he?"
"Rotters got to him," The female officer, the one Rick had a hold of, confirmed. The other swiftly backed up her statement, after a brief nudge from Nadia.
"Oh," Dawn muttered softly. "I'm sorry to hear that...He was one of the good guys."
A tense atmosphere grew, as did the deafening silence. Every soul was hesitant to make a move or attempt to utter a word, do the wrong thing and the whole plan would explode in their face. Nadia was growing impatient, wanting to know Javier's whereabouts but she had a gut feeling about where he was.
"I want one of mine first," Dawn ordered.
Rick obeyed, passing his officer over to Daryl who pushed her towards the cops. Dawn followed by summoning one of her own to push Carol to them. Daryl was quick to accept Carol wanting her safe but his eyes lingered on Beth. Rick then nodded for Nadia to exchange with Dawn for Beth.
Sharpening her eyes, Nadia roughly pushed the man forward following him. Meeting in the middle, Nadia's grip didn't loosen. Dawn raised an eyebrow at the woman, surprised by the careless action. "Is there a problem?" The officer asked.
If looks could kill, Dawn would've died ten times over. Nadia's daggers burned deeper than any gaze Dawn had ever felt. "Where's Javier?" Nadia contested.
"Pass me my officer and I will tell you," Dawn replied flatly.
When Nadia didn't move from her burning stance, she heard the shuffling of feet behind her. A firm hand met her shoulder. "Nadia, do as she says." The voice of Rick entered her brain.
A few seconds go by, and Nadia was unwavering but soon she obeyed hesitantly. Roughly, the woman shoved the officer towards Dawn who captured him quickly, she seemed unbothered by the act. Rick quickly retrieved Beth from her clutches, moving her to the safety of the group. Whispering entered Nadia's ears, everyone checking over the individuals they managed to rescue. The burning woman, however, remained statue-like, awaiting her end of the deal.
Dawn's noticed how she didn't budge, tilting her head at the muscley woman. "You'll get Javier when I get Noah." Her statement captured everyone's attention. "Then you can leave."
A snicker left Nadia's chapped lips, hand now resting on her pistol. "That was never the deal."
"Noah was my ward. Beth replaced him and I'm losing her, so I need him back," Dawn explained plainly. One of her own attempted to protest but she instantly silenced them. "My officers put their lives on the line to find him. One of them died."
Nadia turned with a scowl, to witness Noah limping towards the cops but Daryl had other plans. "Nah, he ain't stayin' here."
"You have no claim over him, he's mine," Dawn responded.
"The boy wants to go home," Rick began to explain wearing a similar scowl to Nadia. "So, you have no claim on him."
Dawn jutted out a limp while shaking her head. "Well, then, we don't have a deal."
Nadia had reached boiling point, seething throughout the exchange. The woman raised her gun, pointing it directly at Dawn's head. Dawn's officer's raised their rifles, aiming at Nadia. Rick raised a hand to Nadia, signalling her to calm down, but she ignored the gesture.
Rick shook his head, standing in front of the outraged woman. "The deal was you give us three for two, it's done!"
"I told you! She'd never take this fucking deal," Nadia echoed her previous line through gritted teeth.
"Its...its okay," Noah interjected. Rick began to protest, ordering him to keep put. "I've gotta do it," Noah spoke. Nadia didn't protest, for some selfish reason, she didn't want to.
"It's not okay," A southern girl's voice whispered. Nadia scrunched her brows, and lowered her gun, turning to the unfamiliar voice. There stood a tense Beth who was shaking her head, as Noah passed his gun to Rick. Beth's worried gaze landed on Nadia, lips attempting to move, trying to communicate with a stranger. She knew something.
Dawn sighed, "It settled."
"Wait!" Beth piped up. Swiftly, the girl raced to Noah and engulfed the boy in a tight hug. Then, Beth's posture fell, as Dawn muttered something to Noah. Slowly, the girl released her hold on her heroic friend.
"She doesn't have Javier," The blonde muttered.
At that moment, the woman felt like a ghost in a world of paper dolls. Nadia's heart shattered at those words. The world around her became loud noises as if the static of the walkie had been placed into her skull. Her fingers went numb and her blood ran cold, staring at the officer who was stunned at Beth's words. Not even a thought passed through her mind before she began to raise her gun, prepared to shoot Dawn through her skull. To have her brain matter paint the ceiling.
"I get it now."
Oxygen was caught in Nadia's throat at the next series of events. It was far too quick for her to even react, to prevent it. A glint of silver caught her line of sight, a pair of scissors falling from Beth's cast. The blonde attacked Dawn, stabbing her with all she could muster. Then, a loud ring entered the thick atmosphere.
Crimson liquid and pieces of flesh splattered across a horrified Nadia and Rick. Nadia stumbled back, gun dropping from her hand, to wipe the remnants of Beth from her shocked face. Beth's lifeless body collapsed into Dawn's arms, and the woman gasped in terror. Nadia's brain slowly caught up with her.
Beth was dead.
As quickly as Beth passed, Dawn followed. A cocking of a gun beside Nadia's ear was heard, and as she turned the shot rang. There stood a tear-stained face Daryl, engulfed with rage, gun raised at a now collapsing Dawn. Falling lifelessly, Dawn's brain found a home on the white title below them, now laying beside Beth.
Everything sped up at once, Nadia's brain back in full power. Waves of emotions washed over her, as she scattered for her discarded pistol next to the dead bodies. Raising her gun in defence, everyone in the hallway followed.
"Hold your fire!" The female officer screamed. "It was all about her, stand down!"
Nadia shook her head violently, chin wobbling. "Where the fuck is he?" She whispered.
Sobbing was heard, and Daryl's trembling figure was staring over a lifeless Beth as Carol convinced him to lower his gun. Nadia wished she could turn and say something to the man, both of them working hard to get the people they love back. Although their differences, she knew he cared deeply for Beth. Her heart was breaking the exact same way he was.
"He tried to escape," A doctor with thick glasses spoke up with a sorrowful glint in his eye. The woman's wide eyes stared at the mysterious doctor. "I tried to get him out, he was out there for a few days... but she just went ahead and... hunted him down," He stuttered.
It hit her like a ton of bricks, she lowered her weapon. His words came as a sad song. Nadia's knees began to buckle, biting down harshly at her lips. She refused to cry in front of these people. She refused to let them see her as weak. Heavy and shaky breaths left her bleeding lips, eyes now trained on the ground. The woman begged for it to swallow her whole.
Javier was dead. Finley was fatherless. Her lover is dead.
Nadia didn't notice the doctor's approach, lost in dumbing thoughts. "He left this behind," the man muttered. Reaching for her hand and placing something within it. "Javier was a good man, he deserved the chance to be with his family. I'm so sorry."
She ignored his words, eyes still trained on the once-white tiles.
"You can all stay," The woman offered. "We are surviving here."
Rick sniffled, staring at the turmoil around him. "No! And I'm taking anyone back there that wants to leave," Rick proposed. "If you wanna come with us...just step forward." Nadia didn't hear a single footstep.
Everyone around her began collecting their things, small sniffles falling from them every so often. Nadia still remained in a shell-shocked state, feet glued to the floor. How was she going to tell that little girl? How was she going to do this all alone, without him? She was breaking on the inside and she knew that this would decimate Finley. Nadia had no one.
"You comin'?" A solemn voice dragged her from her statue form. Facing the culprit, she was stunned to see Daryl standing there with his tear-stained face and an expecting gaze. In his arms was a lifeless Beth. Even after everything, he'd just experienced, everything Nadia has said and done, he still cared. He cared for some stranger. Some woman who had been venomous towards him. Without another word, she simply nodded before following the group to the exit of the hellhole.
The sunlight was not inviting when they reached the exit, it shined brighter than ever to share its happy rays with the world. However, everyone below wore fractured expressions due to the traumatising events before. Then one person arrived, the one to possibly turn the broken women into dust.
Ironically, Finley stumbled out of a fire truck with a few familiar and unfamiliar faces. The little girl wore a glowing smile, clearly pleased with the vehicle. Everyone from that vehicle wore that same face for mere seconds.
A short-haired woman noticed Beth's body laying limp in Daryl's arms and she collapsed instantly. A thrilling scream exited her lips, as an Asian man crouched after her. The sobbing was like a knife to Nadia's gut. She let out a strained one of her own. Nadia drew her attention elsewhere, the raw emotion too much for her.
The woman glanced down at the palm of her hand, the hand the doctor had placed something into, and she finally broke. There laying in Nadia's hand was Javier's dog tag.
Javier Perez.
Finally, a loud sob escaped her trembling lips, one she had been concealing for a while. Slowly, she lifted the necklace up to watch it twirl beneath the sunlight. Tears stained her blood-stained face. He was really here and he was really gone.
As she stared, she noticed the familiar figure of Finley. The young girl stood motionless, staring at a crying Nadia, instantly recognising the dog tag. "Nadia...Where's Dad?" Finley's voice was weak and shaking, keeping her distance from the crying woman.
A pained squeak left Nadia's lips, sobs racking over her body once more. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."
author's note!
i'm sobbing!!! i hate coda so much like damn i always cry my heart out but hopefully you enjoyed the chapter. there will be a lot of trauma bonding between daryl and nadia now <3