FALLING APART daryl dixon

FIFTEEN - FELT LIKE LOSING

As soon as Daryl Dixon made a move, the entire group instinctively followed, eyes wary, tension crackling in the air. Daryl's pickaxe was raised high over his shoulder, ready for action, when Rick's gun clicked into place, the barrel pressed firmly against the back of Daryl's head.

- We don't kill the living - Rick warned, his voice cold and unyielding.

Shane immediately stepped between Daryl and Jim, trying to de-escalate the situation before it spiraled out of control.

- Daryl... - Alycia's voice cut through the heavy silence, the only one brave enough to try to reach him. She stood close to her little brother, Carl, whose wide, terrified eyes darted between the men. His small hand clutched Alycia's tightly, seeking reassurance in the chaos around him.

Daryl's jaw clenched. He lowered the pickaxe reluctantly, but not without a sneer.

- That's rich coming from a man who just put a gun to my head.

Rick didn't flinch. He held Daryl's gaze, unbothered. Shane, on the other hand, stepped in, trying to smooth things over.

- We might not agree on everything - He started, his tone firm but calm. - But not on this. You put it down. Go on.

For a tense moment, Daryl hesitated, clearly not happy about backing down, but finally he turned on his heel and walked away, his frustration evident in every step. Alycia's eyes followed him, her face impassive though her thoughts ran wild. Daryl Dixon, unpredictable and intense as ever, but maybe... not entirely wrong.

Alycia crouched down to Carl's level, placing a comforting hand on his small one.

- Are you okay, peanut? - She asked gently.

Carl shook his head, his voice shaky.

- No... I don't know.

She gave him a soft smile, trying to soothe his fear.

- I know it's a lot. It's scary, and it's hard to understand all this, but look— - She squeezed his hand - I can't promise everything will be perfect, but I swear I'll protect you. Forever. Nothing's gonna happen to you while I'm here.

Carl nodded, a small, hesitant smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Her words gave him a flicker of comfort, but exhaustion quickly returned.

- Let's get back to the tent, okay? You need to rest.

They made their way back to the tent, where Carl quickly fell into a deep sleep, his small form curling up under the blankets. Alycia watched him, her heart heavy. She envied him, envied the simplicity of falling asleep like that, as if the world wasn't falling apart outside. She wished she could shut her eyes and escape the weight pressing down on her shoulders, but sleep never came easy anymore.

She sat there in the darkness, the night silent save for the occasional rustle of the camp. It seemed peaceful for a moment. Until the sudden, loud crack of a gunshot split the air.

Carl jolted awake, sitting up with a start.

- What happened? - He asked, fear creeping into his voice.

Alycia remained calm, though her heart pounded in her chest.

- Stay here - She said softly. - I'll check it out.

She grabbed her knife and stepped outside, scanning the camp. Glenn was the first person she saw, his face pale and shaken.

- What was that? - She asked, already dreading the answer.

- Andrea... she shot Amy - Glenn stammered, his voice trembling. He looked as though the weight of the world had just collapsed on him.

Alycia nodded, feeling a familiar weight settle on her own shoulders. It was never-ending. The burdens, the pain, the constant loss.