The End of a New Beginning // Daryl Dixon

Part 83

Meredith

I stared up at the ceiling, lightly breathing in and out, focusing on the movements. Today was something special. We're going into the city to a museum, getting old farming equipment to help Hilltop with the crops. Maggie said she needed these things in order to make the crops we need, along for the Sanctuary.

Daryl and I have been taking over the Sanctuary. We're basically Negan, making the orders, running the place, doing everything we need to do in order to keep this place running. The only thing is, we've got issues with the crops, which is why we're getting the equipment.

It's...a piece of work. We're living with the surrendered Saviors. Do they agree with everything Daryl and I do? Nope. Not at all. And it's hard. Because there are many times where I just wanna punch the living shit out of them, but being the leader, Rick doesn't think it'll be a good thing. He wants Daryl and I to keep calm, keep our tempers down and show the Saviors the right way. But it's hard when all the Saviors wanna do is test your patients every damn day.

Daryl let's out a soft hum, his arm laid across my stomach. I bring my hand up and rub it, lightly waking him up.

"We gotta go." I tell him. He let's out a sigh.

"Or I can go." He says.

"You just want me here so I don't get hurt." I tell him.

"Can you blame me?" He asks.

"No." I answer. "But...everybody thinks I'm the goddess of death since nothing's stopped me yet." I shrug at him.

"It's just a bunch of bullshit rumors." He waves it off. I lightly shake my head.

"Well, are they wrong?" I ask him.

"Everyone describes you as a force of nature, Meredith." He claims, pulling his head from the pillow. "Maybe it's a good thing, but...I don't know, someday that might change."

"Maybe it won't." I shake my head. "Maybe I'll die an old lady in this warm bed." I say. He holds a stare with me.

"You're staying here." He says.

"Don't gatekeep me from this." I frown at him. "And you know I hate the Saviors. If I have the chance to get away from this place, from them, I'm taking it. You already know this. And you do the same thing. Don't pretend you don't." Daryl let's out a sigh and nods his head.

"All right, fine." He says. He sits up in the bed, rubbing his face as he yawns. "How's the voices?" He asks. I turn my head and stare at him, breathing in deeply.

"Silent." I tell him. He nods.

"Meredith, if there's the slightest chance something's going on-"

"I'm fine, Daryl." I say. "I haven't had an episode in weeks."

"You pointed a gun at everyone." He frowns.

"Yeah, because I had an episode." I argue. "And you know what? Who was there to get everyone away from the situation. It's no wonder everyone's on edge."

"That ain't your fault." He frowns.

"Well, it might as well be." I push the covers from my body and climbed out of bed, grabbing my jeans and slipping them on. "Everybody acts like having a mental disorder is frowned upon. For all we know, my next episode, I could kill someone. Why do you think I tried talking Rick out of making me the leader with you."

"Because I got you." He nods. "And I always will. I'm always there and I know what to do." I let out a sigh and turn my eyes towards the windows. I could see the figure standing just a few meters outside before walking off and disappearing.