Fire With Fire // D. Dixon

epilogue

Rick Grimes stood at the bridge.

Everyone had run, desperate to stop him and stop the horde that was headed their way. There was so much happening, so much to think about and plan for. It had all happened so fast, too fast. Rick had pulled out his gun, and aimed for the walkers.

"What is he doing?" Maggie yelled, not knowing what to do. There were so many walkers. Far too many to attempt to take them on at once.

"He's hurt!" Michonne shouted, seeing the man clutch his side that had been turned a bright red color.
At the sight of her bleeding father, Chloe's heart dropped into the pits of her stomach. This was bad. Very fucking bad.

Daryl stepped up, "That herd went right through Hilltop, he's tryin' to bring down the bridge."

"No!" Chloe shouted, wanting to go get her father. Daryl was quick to pull her back, giving her a knowing look.

Rick was too far, they could only shoot the walkers around him. If they tried, they'd get swarmed quicker than they could do anything. Daryl couldn't lose her.

"We turn them around. Fight 'em back!" Maggie ordered, grabbing her gun and running to the other side.

"Fire your guns," Carol said, making everyone raise their weapons at the herd, "Try to divert them."

Rick looked at Daryl and Chloe, raising his hand up and shaking his head. Chloe knew what that meant, there wasn't a point. He wasn't going to make it that way, the herd had to be stopped. They had to be taken care of.

With that, Rick aimed his gun at the barrels, "I found 'em."

He fired his gun, making the bridge explode in the process. He disappeared as the walkers fell into the raging water below. He was gone.

"DAD!" Chloe let out a gut-wrenching scream, as tears rushed down her face, "NO!"

Chloe felt Daryl catch her as she fell to the ground, her voice sobbing and her body shaking in the absence of her father.

He was gone, really gone.

-X-

Months had passed since the heartbreaking day since Rick had sacrificed himself to save his family and friends.

The loss had left an indelible mark on Chloe's heart, and the pain of losing her only remaining parent weighed heavily on her shoulders.

Every day, she carried the weight of grief, her spirit fluctuating between moments of desolation and determination.

But amidst the darkness, a fire began to burn within her—a fire fueled by love, loyalty, and an unyielding desire to bring her father back. A fire that she once thought she had lost.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over Alexandria, Chloe found herself standing on the bridge that had become a symbol of both unity and tragedy. The sound of rushing water filled her ears as she stared into the depths of the river, where her father had disappeared.

Daryl had approached her quietly, his presence a pillar of strength. He knew the depths of her sorrow, for he too had lost a father figure in Rick. Placing a gentle hand on her shoulder, he spoke softly.

"Chloe, ya know I've looked for him. I spent months out here...lookin," Daryl said, his voice filled with empathy, "But we don't know what happened to him out there. We don't know if he's still alive."

Chloe turned to him, her eyes filled with determination, "I...I can't accept that, Daryl. I can't accept that he's gone without knowing for sure. I won't stop searching until I find him, bring him back home."

Daryl understood the raging fire that burned within Chloe. He had seen it before, the fierce determination that had guided them through countless trials. He nodded, his voice filled with unwavering support.

"I'll be right there with ya, Chloe," he promised, his voice steady and resolute, "We'll do whatever it takes to find your dad and bring him back home."

A spark of hope ignited in Chloe's eyes as she looked at Daryl. She felt the strength of their bond, the unwavering love and support that had carried them through so much. In that moment, she knew that together, they were an unstoppable force.

As they stood on the bridge, Chloe's spirit reignited, fueled by love and an unyielding determination.

She would stop at nothing to find her father and bring him back, to reunite their family and rebuild what had been lost.

With Daryl by her side, they would face the dangers that awaited them, navigating treacherous paths and crossing boundaries they had never imagined. But their love would be their compass, guiding them through the darkest of days.

And so, as the sun set on another day, Chloe and Daryl made a solemn vow. They would fight to find Rick, channeling their love, strength, and resilience into the search for Rick Grimes. And in that fight, they would not only find answers but also rediscover the true power of family and the unbreakable bonds that held them together.

In the end, Chloe would go down swinging, just like she always did.

She'd fight fire with fire.