RIDE OR DIE | DARYL DIXON

separated

THE WORLD SPUN around her.

They pulled at her shirt, tugged at her feet, doing anything to get her to move, but she didn't. 

She stared at the carseat in front of her, analyzing the blood that stained it. The toys that were thrown on the ground, covered in soot and dust from the burning and collapsing walls. The shoe that was only so big, sitting in a pool of blood that began to spread into the nearby soil. 

Her blurry eyes trailed over to the body a few feet in front of her, the blonde hair now a vibrant, blood-soaked red, her hand still entangled with one of the children's. 

Beth was, and will always be, the sweetest soul to ever grace the Earth. She cared for everyone, even those that may not have deserved it. She believed in multiple chances, even for those that took each one for granted. She was strong in her own ways, and powerful in a way that only suited her. She had the ability to bring a blinding light that would vanish the darkness in the most horrible times, even if it was only for a moment. 

She laid with the little boy she tried to save. Even in death, she was a comforting soul and refused to let go.

If there was a life beyond now, some place warm and welcoming, she would be there at the front of it.

"We have to go."

The voices around her sounded as if they were miles away.

"She's not here. We have to go!"

Her eyes burned at the tears mixing with the heavy smoke around her.

"If they got her onto that bus, we need to go and find it now!"

She didn't want to go. She didn't want to move. But if they were right, she would hate herself even more for giving up.

She stood up slowly, turning to Rick and Carl. She didn't say anything. She remained silent and let them lead the way.

-

"Carl, slow down." Rick limped behind Carl. "We need to stick together."

Carl continued to walk ahead of them both, ignoring his father.

"Carl, stop!" Rick yelled, wincing in pain. "We need to stay together. We've got to find a place with food and supplies. Hey, we're gonna be..."

He finally stopped, turning to Rick with a despising look on his face before shrugging him off and continuing their walk.

Further up the road a ways was a barbecue shack that they decided to stop at. 

"Wait outside, okay?" Rick asked his son, opening the door to the restaurant. "Keep watch."

Carl glared at him. "You keep watch. You can barely stand."

"Excuse me?" Rick tilted his head.

"We've done this before. I'm gonna help you both clear it." Carl continued to argue with his father. 

Willow shoved past the both of them, drawing her gun and knife. From first glances, it looked like a complete waste of their time.

"Kitchen's clear." She said to them.

They came in behind her with their guns raised, heading deeper into the dining area. Chairs were stacked against a wall, pinning a stray walker against it. Behind the stack of chairs was a tall shelf stocked with "Joe Jr.'s Hot Sauce."

"That might be all that's left." Rick pointed to it.

"I can get it from here." Carl said, aiming his gun at the walker behind the chairs.