One way or another [Daryl Dixon]

[18] DISCUSSIONS.

"And in the end all I learnt was how to be strong alone."
-John Shelby

I had no idea how long we had traveled until it was time to walk back. We'd been moving for less than a day, only stopping twice for short rests, and we were finally getting close to home.

Daryl and I had discussed very little about what happened back at the lodge, but he understood why I did it. Perhaps he was just stunned to see me do it without mercy or expression. I've killed before, generally with my back to a wall in a dangerous situation, but I've never killed someone who was sitting there unarmed. Worst of all, I felt absolutely no remorse.

Daryl probably expected me to put the man's life in his hands. I'd heard a lot about the outbreak's early days, and sometimes he would become tired because so many people relied on him.

He fed them, helped in the search for the small girl, and was shot in the process, not to mention all the supply runs he'd do. However, that man's blood was on my hands, and looking back, I wouldn't change a thing.

Daryl, on the other hand, was quieter than normal, which worried me . I'm not sure if he feels bad about beating that guy to death or what I did.

I'd seen him become angry before, but he didn't get that irritated when he found out I and his brother had gone on a murdering spree. Without him.

Looking over my shoulder at him, I noticed his head down, shoulders slumped, and he was gnawing on his nails.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Daryl swiftly shifted his gaze to me before returning his attention to the leaves.

"Talk about wha'."

"What made you so mad?" I asked, maintaining my gaze forward in case any of the dead showed up.

"Nothin'." He continued when I didn't respond right away. "Threatened to take our stuff. Couldn't let tha' happen." Daryl explained, gently shaking his head.

I nodded. I noticed the familiar cluster of walkers and prison walls ahead. Maggie was waiting outside the gates. My feet were throbbing, and the dull discomfort in my legs made it difficult to place one foot in front of the other.

Looking at Daryl, he gave me a small nod of the head, and we dashed for the walkers. It's strange how you're supposed to run away from them, but here we are running toward them.

Daryl used his crossbow to take out the closest one, while I used my dagger.

I quickly plunged it in the walkers temple before going on to my next kill. Taking down a couple more, voices came to ear and slowly the gates opened. On the ground, a single walker grabbed my ankle and gnawed on my boot. I quickly brought my boot down, stamping on its skull.