I'll Always Find You (A Daryl Dixon X Reader)

CHAPTER 48: Killer Within

The next day the group was in the yard finally cleaning up the bodies. Quite the eventful first two days we'd had being inside these prison walls. Between trying to get in, and then the prisoners. It was nice to finally see the yard was clean. I had gone back inside with Hershel while the others were outside.

    "Hey, whoa. What are you doing, old man?" I chuckled as he was trying to stand next to the bed alone.

    "I might be old, I might be missing a leg, but I'm not gonna sit around in this bed a moment longer." Hershel stated.

    "Okay." I said and walked over to him as he nearly fell and caught him. "How about we go outside? Get you some sunshine. Lori's putting together some crutches right now. I found 'em in the infirmary tucked away. It'll help make walking a lot easier."

    "You found crutches?" Hershel's face lit up and I nodded. "Bring 'em on." We both chuckled. "You know, I never got to properly thank you."

    "Hey, you being alive is thanks enough." I told him.

    "Really, Y/n. For saving my life and everything else you do for this group. You made a tough call but it was the right one. I don't want you thinking poorly of yourself because of this." He patted his missing leg. "I've grown to know you all to well."

    "I've questioned my judgement." I sighed. "If I hadn't, you'd have died. But now you have to live through an apocalypse without your leg."

    "You gave me more time with my girls." Hershel said softly. "That's more than I could have asked for. I'll learn how to survive with one leg. You, your like another daughter to me, and Charlotte she's a good kid. Think of her like a grandchild. I will be forever grateful for the both of you. Don't be to hard on her." I looked at him surprised. "Maggie told me."

    "I just want her to stay safe, Hershel. How am I supposed to do anything without keeping her in my sight? I can't leave her alone, she'll just go off on her own."

    "You baby her." Hershel pointed out and I scoffed. "You do. Ever since she got back from being lost. You've babied her. You gave her a gun and a knife, but you don't give her the chance to use it."

    "So I'm supposed to allow her to come on runs?" I asked in disbelief.

    "No. That's not what I'm saying. I'm saying you give her a gun and you don't let her use it. You let her guard camp but the second something happens you hide her behind you. She was out in the woods for a week surviving on her own. I know your scared but she's a strong kid. We've all seen it. No parent wants to watch their kid get hurt, Y/n. I worry everyday with my girls. But I have to let them be strong. Apocalypse or not, you have to let your children grow. It's apart of life."

    "I-I-I'll think about it... That's the best I can do for right now." I told him and he nodded.

Lori and Beth ended up walking in with Carl and Charlotte behind them. Lori held out the crutches as Hershel sat on the bed beside me.

    "Just take your time." Lori told him as he waved me off from helping.

    "Daddy, don't push yourself." Beth told him.

    "What else am I going to do?" Hershel asked. He started off a little wobbly on the crutches but quickly seemed to get the hang of it. Lori and I on either side guiding him. "You know, I think I'm pretty steady."

    "That's a good start." Lori noted and I nodded in agreement. "Do you wanna take a rest?"

    "He just started." I chuckled.

    "Rest?" Hershel chuckled. "Let's go for a little stroll."

~~~~~~~~~~