Healing Broken Wings [Daryl Dixon] The Walking Dead

Fifty Seven| Going Home

🕉️Kara🕉️

"How's your head?" I ask Enid as I crouch beside the wheelchair she's in. When Earl shoved her she hit her head. They want to make sure she doesn't push herself too much. I can't believe, Gregory. Actually, I can. He's a coward and a pathetic example of a human being.

He's currently on the back of a horse with a noose around his neck. "It hurts, but I'm gonna be okay." I look up at her and she nods to show she's fine. "Okay. Hope it feels better," I say quietly and she nods again. "Thanks."

"Uh-huh." I stand up and look over at Maggie who's about to address the crowd gathered. "I don't want to do this. But people need to understand that at Hilltop, the punishment fits the crime." She turns and looks at Gregory. "Do you have any final words."

"What you're doing isn't right. Somebody stop this, please," he begs and I cross my arms over my chest. Is he serious? He got a man drunk and convinced him to kill Maggie. And when that didn't work he tried to stab her. Over and over again Gregory showed everyone what a spineless prick he was.

I may not want to see him hanged even after everything he's done, but this is Maggie's call. No one here is gonna save your ass, Gregory. Being a backstabbing asshat made sure of that. "Killing me in the dead of night because you're ashamed."

"You're wrong. I'm not ashamed." She looks over at Dad and nods. "Stop this! Please! Now, for the love of God, stop it!" Dad walks over to the horse holding Gregory up. "Maggie, stop!" Michonne cries out and I turn to see two children had wandered over. Rick stops her from rushing off and I hear a whip crack. "Ha!"

I sigh and hang my head, hearing the rope creak as Gregory's body swings back and forth. Kids shouldn't have to see that. "Get the children back in bed." The parents go over and lead them back to their homes. I turn back to look at Maggie. "I made this decision. But this is not the beginning of something. I don't want to go through it again."

She turns back to Dad. "Cut him down." He pulls his knife from the sheathe and starts sawing at the rope. It takes a few seconds, but eventually his body drops. I turn and walk away heading toward the stables. I slip inside and look in the stalls searching for Hurricane. It's strange being back here after all this time, yet nice at the same time.

Except for the execution part. I finally find Hurricane and smile, stopping at his stall. "Hey, big guy." He neighs softly and moves closer to the stall door. I stroke his muzzle and hear his swishing tail lightly hitting the wood, making me smile. "I bet you're tired from the long journey, huh? Me too, but I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight."

He nickers and I look into his beautiful brown eyes. "You, uh, may not know this... hell you might not even really be able to understand what I'm saying, but I like to pretend you do. Anyway, you, uh... came into my life when I really needed someone and for that I'm grateful," I say with tears in my eyes.

"It just feels like nothing ever stays the same for more than a few moments. As I kid I had nothing. And I thought I was okay with that, but really I was just lying to myself." A tear escapes and trails down my cheek. "Then suddenly I was rescued and all these people started taking care of me. And me being as fucked up as I was wondered why for the longest time."

I sigh and place my hand on top of the door. "Why do all these people care if I'm happy? Or well fed, or if I'm having a good day? I asked myself those questions over and over again every single day. So, I asked my friend Carl and his answer put things in perspective for me. He said it was cause these people loved me and wanted me to be safe and happy."

I chuckle and wipe some more stray tears away. "I started bawling like a baby. Cause I realized that I had no idea what it felt like to be loved until my mom found me. And suddenly I had this whole world. I had a family. And then it all fell apart. We lost the prison and I was separated from my parents, my best friend.