midnight rain | daryl dixon

chapter 12: better angels.

trigger warnings: ABUSE, lots of sad stuff & mentions of death.

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The next morning was another sad morning for everyone, there was yet another loss within the group and this one was hitting hard. Dale was a ray of sunshine and morality for everyone, he still saw the best in everyone and the world.

The Swan's couldn't bear to go to another funeral, it wasn't out of lack of admiration or respect for Dale but because it would be too tough, they had just buried Harper the day before.

Lucy had spent a lot of time by herself, catching up on sleep that she had missed. During the funeral she remained in bed until she stirred awake, having had an odd dream that she couldn't seem to shake. Hearing commotion going on downstairs Lucy made her way to see what was going on. Once she entered the communal areas she saw piles of stuff building. They were moving in.

Alison hadn't spent the night in the house, but had instead spent it in Shane's tent with him. Hershel was dealing with too much to notice she was gone, and Maggie probably wouldn't notice either - hopefully neither would Lucy or William. Ali woke before Shane, spending a few more precious minutes in his arms before she made her way out - to which he also did shortly behind her.

Lucy made her way outside wanting to see if she could help with anything, wanting to keep herself occupied. Lucy was given the job of patrols, it suited her the best however she knew she would often be sent about on runs or to help Hershal with farm work.

Lucy was pottering outside, helping to move things until she spotted Rick heading down to the barn, that dream still playing round and round in her head. She finished what she was doing before heading down to the barn to confront him. "Rick" She spoke, clearing her throat as he sat on the ledge looking out onto the fields.

"Go back to your mom" Rick spoke to Carl who nodded and left the two. "You okay?" He asked her softly.

"I know you are pretty stressed with Randell, Shane and all that but...there's just something I can't seem to shake." She said and perched herself next to him.

Rick was curious as to what the girl was going to say, he merely hoped this wasn't another conversation questioning his leadership or decisions. "I got time" He spoke with a nod, even though that was a lie, he was needing to get Randell as far away as possible, but he wasn't the type of man to let someone stew on something.

"I just had a dream, I mean I think it was a memory, one I had suppressed" She began, looking at him for confirmation to which he gave her a subtle nod. "This was about 7 years ago, do you remember going to a scene on the upper estates with all all the big gated houses?" She asked, wondering if she had merely made the whole thing up.

Rick pondered for a moment before his brain connected the dots "Yeah...I was new to that department and I remember holding you, you must have been what 12?" Rick spoke.

"Yeah...I'm surprised you remembered" She said with a lump in her throat.

"Carl was 5, the whole case just made me sad you know? Bit angry too if I'm honest. I don't think I could ever forgive Lori if she hung herself like that with Carl there, potentially being the one to find her'' Rick spoke solemnly "I am sorry about your mothers passing, I'm glad I was there for you in a way"

"Wait...I thought my mom died of a heart attack?" Lucy exclaimed, her heart rate picking up "Are you sure this is the right case you're thinking of?"

"House number 5, your mom's name was..." His brain racked as he tried to remember "Mary" He confirmed looking at the girl who had suddenly gone white as a sheep.

"She...she killed herself?" Lucy stuttered.

"You didn't know?" He raised a brow, his accent thick.

"Thank you...Rick" She mumbled as she got up, not knowing how to process this information. "I need-" She went to finish but ran off, she couldn't even get any words out.