One way or another [Daryl Dixon]

[32] CLAIMED.

"To see what is right and not do it, is a lack of courage."
-Brian Tracy

In between running and deep breaths. Daryl roughly explained what had happened while I was gone.

Pretty much what happens all the time, walkers forced them out of the building except this time a car with a white cross on the back took Beth and we had no idea where they where going.

It was now sunup, we'd both been tracking this car all night. Killing any walkers that got in our way but now the tyre marks were fading. Daryl knew that, he began slowing down and kept walking. The worst part was the pure emotions drawn on his face he was devastated. So close to just giving up, I couldn't let that happen.

This man has got me through some rough patches over the last couple of month without even realising it. When I was shot, the hunting trip gone wrong, the interrogation, Theo's illness. Daryl didn't have to say anything to help me, sometimes his presence alone was enough for me to get through the day.

Now I needed to do the same for him.

We're both going to find Beth and she's going to be just fine. No if's, but's or maybes about it.

No longer hearing his footsteps following after me I turned around to see him collapsed in a heap on the ground. His breathing was heavily and he refused to meet my eyes.

As I approached him, I took cautious steps over to him and offered him the water canteen, which only had a sip of water left. Daryl didn't even move a finger instead he was staring down at his shoes, and for the first time in a long time I despised the silence.

Crouching in front of him I brought myself to his level, but Daryl refused to look up from the floor.

"I'm so sorry I wasn't there." My voice was hoarse and came out weak.

"I put myself before you both and I regret that."

Daryl looked up at me for the first time. His eyes were a little red and puffy. I could read him like an open book guilt, anger, sadness, worry, regret all these emotions could be read by looking at his eyes.

"If I just stayed." My own tears were now threatening to spill. I held them back refusing to cry because Beth is going to be just fine. "Maybe. Maybe if I didn't go out hunting she'd still be here."

As soon as I said those words Daryl's face softened slightly as he shook his head.

"It ain't yer fault." He told me, his voice a quiet whisper. "Ya couldn't of done nothin' I didn't do."