Endless, horrific weeks past..
"Oh no.." Some of us hid in a old country store, as the herd snarled outside. Thousands of them.Rick, Michoone, Daryl, Tyreese, Cora, Victoria, and Sasha were in a store across the street. I was only with Maggie, Glenn, and Carl. I took a deep breath, as Maggie kicked the door open and we dashed out in all directions.
Glenn and Carl were together, Maggie alone, and I was alone too. I just ran. I let my legs move for me, the wind on my face smelt like rotting flesh. I could feel slow fingers trying to grab me.
We were in Atlanta.. Beth went missing and Carol got hit by a car according to Daryl. Daryl and Carol went to look for her.. and we think we have the place, but there are too many walkers.
I was only good at running.. I had never been good at fighting and in this situation.... fighting will get you killed. I open the doors to let the other half of the group out and we bolted for the hills.
Daryl was the leader, making us all hide behind a vacant school bus.
"Its just up this road.." He says out of breath.. he had a gash along his hair line from getting into an accident with Carol.. Before everything hit the fan.
I follow the group and once we find a lone entrance and shut the gate behind us Daryl turns ground and places his hand on my shoulder.
"Stay here." He was out of breath.
"I want to hel-" He cuts me off, his eyes full of worry.
"Please, just listen to me for once and stay here." Sweat trickled down his temple, and his lips looked soft.
"Be careful.." I stutter and he nods.. running in with the group. Maggie and I stayed back. The minutes seemed.. they seemed never ending.
I heard gun shots.. multiple. They made me flinch, and Maggies eyes were wide as the doors were opened..
Daryl carried Beths body in his arms. She was.. gone.
Maggie began to wail, tears streaming down her cheeks. She wrapped her arms around me and cried on my shoulder.
He is like my brother..
You hurt him.. and I'll kill you
Daryl cried too.. its like everything had stopped while everyone sobbed. I even let tears trickle down my face for the girl who never really cared for me.. but she was never truly mean to me. Carol was out too, her eyes were lost,
We were all lost...
Poor Maggie.. she had no family now... she was alone, with only Glenn as a faithful companion, but it still hurts.. it hurts like a bitch.
"Oh Maggie. "I say softly, her tears on my shirt, "Maggie.. I'm so so sorry..."
I felt my tears trickle down into her short brown hair, her arms wrapped around me tight.. slowly sliding to the geound and I come with her.
That day.. was a day when everything changed.
We were surviving..
...
Maggie slept close to Glenn that night. Everyone was depressed, Daryl taking it hard.
I slept across the room from him, his breathing was heavy and I could tell he was upset.
I crawl across the room and sit facing his back, "Daryl.. are you okay?"
"I gotta be.."
He always said that when I asked him.. well, I asked him one other time.. and it was the same answer.
"I know you and Beth were close.." I tilt my head and feel my lips quiver, "And Daryl.. its okay to not be strong. You are so strong all the time and you are even strong now...but you can just let your walls down."
He glanced back, but his eyes were slightly red and puffy from crying for I don't know long. He pats a spot next to him and I hesitate as I crawl under the blanket with him.
He turns his body so we were facing each other, "Its okay to not be strong sometimes. You need to realize that. And I need to start being more strong. You are so strong Daryl Dixon.. you are so strong.. why can't you just stop for more than ten minutes... just let yourself cry."
"I don't know." He grunts.
I put my hand on his cheek, it was so warm, "Why won't you let anyone care about you?"
He broke my gaze, "I don't deserve it."
"Yes you do." I smile weakly, "You are the glue to this group.. Beth mentioned that once.. she mentioned how you are what keeps us together."
"I ain't who you think I am."
"Oh shut it." I felt butterflies, "You make everything so unfair.."
"So do you. " He grunts.
"Tell me how to make it fair.." He shrugs, "I know you aren't.. very romantic, but I mean..just don't push me away."
He suddenly runs his hand through my hair, and dives into a rushed kiss. My face flushed beat red, and I could feel his body shaking. I became in sync with the kiss and felt him lean over me as the kiss became strong.
Oh Daryl Dixon.. you just love to play with my heart, dont you?
He breaks away, and lays back down on his back so he stared up at the ceiling. Daryl then turns so his back was facing me, and I wrap my arms around him from behind and shut my eyes.
He doesn't want to be with me...
Something in my heart told me.. that Daryl Dixon and I.. were ment to survive, and not to love.
But just for now.. we can let out feelings out.
...
The door suddenly came crashing down, and Daryl shoots out feom the kitchen where everybody was. My eyes dart behind me as Charlie and Dana burst in with a group of men.
No..
I felt myself shoot up, but the groups already faced off.. their guns pointing at each other.
"Raven, Victoria, and even Cora.. its a surprise to see you alive." Charlie pointed his rifle at Glenn.
"Please.. just leave us alone god dammit." I push my way into the front of the group, "Take me if you... you... leave them alone."
"Brave girl." Dana lowers her gun, "They have certainly changed you."
"They taught me how to live on my own." I felt my body shake, and I remember not to lock my knees.
"Okay.."Charlie says, "If we take you home we will leave them. Its a deal."
"O-okay." I step forward and Dana shoves me behind her.
"You're making it easy this time.." She takes away my dagger, "Lets go home."
"No!" Victoria shouts.
"Tori shut up!" I raise my voice, my eyes watering, "Stay here.. please let me protect you."
"Raven.." Cora steps out with a rifle, "I love you.."
"Love you too.. Now get out of here.." I yell, my voice at a quiver, "Rick.. please get everyone out."
Rick motions for the back door and everyone moves.. a few hesitant. Cora stops, and lifts her gun.
"Cora! I said to leave." I scream, my voice cracking, "leave!"
Tears trickled down her cheeks as Maggie dragged her along. I spot Daryl near the counter.. not moving.
"Get him out." Charlie mumbles, "Or I'll shoot."
"Daryl Dixon.." I raise my voice, "Thank you for everything you have taught me.. thank you for the lectures, and everything else.. I know you told me to not protect you, but.." I take a deep breath and give him a half smile, "But get the hell out you redneck asshole.. get out and kick some serious walker ass."
His eyes soften as he leaves with Glenn out the back door.. a loud slam came after.
"I guess you have become brave.." Chase laughs, "Too bad it wilk be going to waste."
"I'm not brave.. I'm just stupid."
Dana shoves me on the couch and motions for James to go to me, "Punish her.."
I didn't struggle.. I just gave up, and excepted my fate.
...
I sat by the fire next to a close friend of mine.. his name was Gabe. He was a decent person compared to everyone else. The fire crackled and popped.
"That man.." Charlie glares at me, "With the crossbow.."
"You love him." Dana smirks, "Don't love in this world."
"Love.. as if you have ever felt it." I snap, blood stained below my lip and my neck had bruises along it.
"Moody.." Dana takes a bite from a squirrel.
Days past.. we stayed in the same spot.. Charlie didn't want to leave without an idea of where he was..
They hurt me everyday, they punished me every night. I never slept,but never was exactly awake either.. I wasn't alive anymore.. it was like my life was slowly mentally slipping away from me.
They fed me, and protected me.. like parents.. abusive parents. It hurt to survivie. My whole existence was based on survival. Its all I live for. I shed tears everyday in struggle to keeo the inly thing I had left..
Nothing mattered anymore.. all that mattered was..
Survival