rag doll | TWD

[24] 30 days without an accident

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[JJ]

Stepping out felt like a brand-new world. The prison yard was alive with vibrant green grass, and the gardens were flourishing. The people of Woodbury had found their place, and everyone seemed to be getting along just fine. 

As I made my way to the courtyard, I glanced toward the fence, now filled with walkers. Passing by Beth and her new boyfriend, I couldn't help but notice the contrast between the life inside these walls and what we'd faced out there.

"You goin' on the run today?" Daryl's voice cut through the morning air as he noticed me approaching the truck with gear. 

I nodded, a small smile tugging at the corner of my lips. "Yep. Someone's gotta be the backseat driver."

He let out a soft huff, a teasing edge to his words. "Mhm. Bet you give real good directions."

I rolled my eyes and shot him a playful look. "More like pick great music."

There was an awkward pause, the kind that stretched just a little too long.

Daryl shifted his weight. "You ain't gotta ride in the truck if you don't wanna," he muttered, almost as if he wasn't sure he should've said it at all.

The unexpected offer caught me off guard. The idea of riding with him, on his motorcycle, felt strangely significant, like it was more than a change of scenery.

 "What, you getting tired of riding solo?"

Daryl scoffed, "More like tired of listening to you complain about the truck's stereo system." He added, "Just don't start whining about your hair getting messed up."

"No promises." I grinned. 

Beth walked by with her boyfriend, Zack. He followed closely behind her, "You gonna say goodbye?"

Beth glanced back with a smirk. "Nope."

Daryl shook his head, placing a box of supplies in the back of the truck, "Like a damn romance novel."

We were just about to head out when Daryl slowed the motorcycle to a stop at the gate. Michonne had returned from her latest search for the Governor.

 "Well, look who's back." Daryl commented. 

She sighed, "Didn't find him." 

All of us were hoping she would. We were waiting for the day that Michonne would come back with news that she'd finally taken out the Governor, or better yet, that she'd return with his head on a stick.

But after multiple runs, it seemed like finding him wasn't going to happen. 

Daryl nodded, "Glad to see you in one piece." 

"I'm thinking of looking over near Macon." Michonne informed. "It's worth a shot."

"70 miles of walkers?" Daryl mentioned. "You might run into a few unneighborly types. Is it?" He looked to Rick, "I'm gonna go check out the Big Spot. The one I was talking about, just seeing."

"Yeah, I gotta go out and check the snares. I don't wanna lose whatever we catch to the walkers."

"I'll go." Michonne decided. 

Carl argued, "you just got here."

"And I'll be back." She smiled. 

"No backseat driving today?" Rick joked, spotting me on the back of Daryl's bike.

I shook my head with a grin. "Figured I'd navigate for Daryl today."

Rick snickered and turned to Daryl. "If you leave her, I won't blame you."