The End of a New Beginning // Daryl Dixon

Part 7

Meredith

IT WAS SILENT in the hallway. I couldn't hear a single voice on the other side. It felt like minutes, banging and pounding on the door for so long. I once gave up and rested my forehead on the door. I wasn't sure what to do; run, stay, save myself? Who the hell knows what Jenner could be doing to everyone else inside. What did it mean for me if he does do something and he opens the door again, finding me here, what would he do?

You could run, you know.

I shut my eyes, trying to block out the voice in my head.

What do those people mean to you anyways? Your saviors? Your friends? Your family? Please.

"They are caring. And they took me in without having to."

But what does that mean? People use people. Remember the trust issues you have? You think the world ended, people are gonna change?

"These people did. They were all complete and total strangers and yet, they joined together."

So, what? That makes you loyal to them? You're blaming the doctor in there. But have you taken a moment that maybe it wasn't him all this time?

I furrow my brows.

"What?"

Just saying...there are crazier people out there than you think...

I open my eyes and pull my head away from the door. I look at my hands, remaining pressed on the door. But they were covered in blood. My eyes widen a bit and I slowly turn my head to look behind me. Without even seeing the entire hallway, I could see the walls covered in blood. I look more, finding everybody lying on the ground...dead. Blood covering every inch of this place. Rick, Daryl, Lori, Andrea, Carl, Glenn, Jenner. Everybody was dead.

"No." I gasp. I look down at my body and found myself covered in everyone's blood. Lying on the ground next to my feet, an axe. My breathing picks up and I almost found myself hyperventilating. I quickly turn my back on all the bodies, facing the door again.

"Stop." I beg. "Leave me alone."

You know we can't do that. We're all you've got, Mer. We're your only friends you've got left.

"Go away."

Don't do that. You know not to push us away. We come back stronger than before.

"Leave me alone." I growl.

Don't act like you care, Meredith. You have no feelings. You can't even shed a simple smile.

"Go away!"

We're stuck with you forever and ever and ever and ever...

I felt my heart drop to the voice suddenly growing disoriented. I slowly turn my head back and see a large black shadow growing taller and taller, overshadowing me.

Daryl

I banged my fists on the door, trying to break it open.

"Meredith!" I shout.

"What happened?" Shane questions.

"She's locked out there on the other side." I explain. I turn my head and see Jenner sitting at his computer. I storm down the ramp, hands balled up into tight fists. "You son of a bitch!" I shout.

"Shane!" Rick screams.

"You locked us in here! She's out there!"

"No, stop! Don't!" I grab onto Jenner's collar and held on tight as Shane grabs my body and tries pushing me away.