Broken Crown ~Daryl Dixon~

Family

Florence couldn't help the tears that fell from her eyes, she wished that she could give them something comforting, that their families were okay and that they would see each other again but she knew that it was a child's dream to think that way and she tried her hardest to make the thoughts go away. 

"Yo, you got a cell phone or something that we can call our families?" Florence went to spit the words out but be gentle and supportive about it but the two men that were in her group obviously didn't think with a female brain and just went with the harsh approach. 

"You just don't get it, do you?" Daryl spat out, causing the girl to shoot him a pointed look. 

"No phones, no computers. As far as we can see, at least half the population has been wiped out. Probably more." Rick explained, trying to help break it to the men in front of them. 

"Ain't no way." The leader whispered in disbelief. 

"Let the girl go, see for yourself. You shoot her and he'll kill you." Rick pointed to Daryl, whose eyes never left the leader of the group before them. The man stared at Florence for a little bit, Daryl wasn't happy with how he hadn't let her go yet and took a breath as the man lowered his gun. Florence took steps back until she was closest to Daryl and far from the men who were unaware of the new world. 

Rick led the group of men outside of the room, Florence looked really shaken and just wanted to make her feel better. Florence watched their reactions, it was better than she could hope for. 

"How'd you guys get in here anyways?" 

"Cut a hole in that fence over there by the guard tower," Daryl explained, glancing at a man who hadn't spoken much. 

"That easy, huh?" 

"When there's a will, there's a way." Daryl shot back without his usual aggressiveness. Florence watched as the tallest man poked a walker, glancing at the body curiously. 

"So, what is this? A disease?" 

"Yeah, and we're all infected." 

"What do you mean infected? Like aids or something?" The nicer one questioned. 

"If I was to kill you, shoot an arrow in your chest, you'd come back as one of these things. It's gonna happen to all of us." Daryl explained, glancing at the quieter man as he spoke. 

"Ain't no way this Robin Hood cat is responsible for killing all these freaks. Must be 50 bodies out there." Florence listened as the leader of the prison group tried to dictate where their area would be, she just hoped Rick wouldn't be having any of it. 

Florence glanced at Daryl, he focused his gaze on her for a moment before turning to the others and listening as Rick informed the man that the prison was theirs. The leader raised his gun, and Daryl leapt forward pointing his crossbow at that man, Florence stood back and kept her smile to herself as the nicer prisoner tried to be the voice of reason. 

The girl went to the cafeteria, and gaped seeing the food, Daryl called her over and took the weapon out of her hands before handing her a crate full of tins. Daryl handed the weapon back, which she held with ease with the box in her arms. 

"Can ya handle anything else?" 

"Tie those two small bags around my belt, then I'll head off." Daryl nodded, doing as she asked and pointed for her to head out. Florence headed back in that direction, thanking Carl as he allowed her in, Florence placed those items down and waited by the gate for the rest to come back from helping those guys clear out a cell block. 

Florence hoped Hershel would be alright, she walked to her brother who had exited Beth's room. Florence sat by his side on the stairs, smiling softly, trying to offer him some comfort. 

"Are you okay?" 

"Yeah, I'm fine- I just don't know what to do to help Beth." Florence smiled, squeezed his shoulder and gave him a comforting look. 

"Just be with her, sit at her side, help her with whatever action she's doing to comfort herself and offer whatever other support you can give her. Mason nodded, thanking her, and pushed himself to go talk with the others. 

Florence walked over to the room where Carl was, wanting to help him with the food. She sighed softly, shaking her head and walked closer. Carl glanced at the girl, feeling in his gut that he could trust her not to run off and tell the others. 

"I'm going to the infirmary to get supplies for Hereshel, please don't tell my mum." 

"I won't as long as you come back safe and healthy." Carl smiled, knowing his instinct was right, he nodded and took the dagger from her hands for extra precaution. 

"I'll return this once I'm back." 

"I'll see you soon Carl." The young boy left, and Florence began organising the food, it wasn't long before Carl came back with a bag full of items and a wide grin on his face. Florence fist-bumped him and took the dagger back, watching as he headed off to give the equipment to the others.

Carl came running in, angrily placing everything away, yet Florence stopped and turned to face the young boy. 

"Talk to me, don't do the whole teenage girl thing." Carl snickered lightly, yet he took a breath and glanced at the girl as she offered him a comforting smile. 

"They got angry at me for going alone. But it helps Hershel! I don't want to see someone else die." Carl explained, Florence smiled at him and held out her arms. Florence hugged the boy, rubbing his back and giving him a smile. 

"I'm not angry, I think it's real brave, you helped someone you've just met and that's really kind of you. It's gonna be alright, Carl. They'll appreciate it once they realised that you're not just a little boy anymore, even if that's what they want you to be." Carl nodded, thanking the girl and walked off to get a moment to himself. 

Once Daryl came back, Florence was relieved to see him okay, she waited outside Hershel's cell with everyone else. Wishing for Hershel to be okay, Daryl squeezed her shoulder as she gasped seeing the man awake and glancing around the friendly faces of his family and new friends. 

"Can I talk with you?" Daryl whispered, Florence nodded, following him away from the heartwarming scene and sat down to talk with him. Daryl sat across from her, while she gave him a comforting smile and held out a hand for him to hold. Daryl took it, giving it a small squeeze. 

"Are you alright? Ya looked pretty shaken after early today." Florence shrugged, giving Daryl a slight smile, he could still tell that there was something on her mind. 

"Just reminds me about what happened before I met you." Daryl nodded understanding, he brought her in a hug, rubbed her back softly and allowed her to just take a moment. Florence took a step back, Daryl wiped away a tear and glanced at her as a kiss was placed on his lips. Florence looked horrified at her actions, she quickly pushed herself up and ran away.