RIDE OR DIE | DARYL DIXON

reshape this world

A LIGHT BREEZE wafted through the open field, catching in their hair and the material of their jackets. The sun was just above the shallow peaks in the field, rays of light beaming through a thin fog that settled low to the ground. Each tendril of the mist was visible as it swirled and danced with the breeze. The air was still thick and hot, and they could only imagine what it would feel like when the sun stood at its highest point. Nonetheless, they all still sighed contently at the calming breeze.

It was a beautiful day, but it was hard to admire it. Willow's eyes flickered shut as her hair swept behind her shoulders, each strand interlocking with the breeze before settling on her back. She listened to the quiet words being spoken amongst everyone, but she didn't dare to truly listen to what they were saying. She didn't open her eyes for a few moments. She didn't want to face what they were gathering for and where they were. She didn't want to look at the armor and guns everyone had. She didn't want to see the reinforced vehicles they'd be hauling to the Sanctuary. 

In the darkness of her mind, there was calmness. It was quiet and warm, and with her sole focus on that, the true reality of her surroundings seemed to vanish. It felt as if she had been dragged down into a deep pit, but she wasn't scared and she had let herself get dragged into it. 

She soon saw vivid images of where she'd rather be. They came in full color.

Once the color settled, the voices came next. The corners of her mouth tugged up once she recognized it. 

She watched and listened to the high-pitched giggles from her daughter as she swung from a tire swing far too big for her. She heard metal clashing against metal as Daryl worked on his motorcycle in the driveway, sparing occasional glances at Sienna and herself. 

But then she saw her brother emerge from behind the tree Sienna had been swinging on. He carried multiple different tools in his hands, and his clothes were covered in saw dust as if he had been working on something. It wasn't until then that she saw the treehouse just above the low hanging branch Sienna swung from. Sienna, too, took notice of it when Ash had dropped all his tools and began helping her up the ladder. 

Another breeze caressed her face, and she opened her eyes. The world around her was blurry for a moment, but when the tears finally slid over the brim, she could see clearly again. She realized the reality, the right now, wasn't nearly as beautiful. 

It never was anymore.

Her muscles tensed when she felt the heavy weight of someone's hand on her shoulder. She swiftly wiped her cheeks before turning and looking at Maggie.

Maggie tilted her head, her eyes flickering between hers. "You okay?"

Willow nodded, waving a sparing hand. "Yeah, I'm fine."

Maggie's bottom lip got caught between her teeth as she bit it lightly, studying Willow for another moment before they both turned and watched more of the reinforced vehicles rumble toward them.

Willow finally took a glance around at all of the vehicles and all of the people they have gathered, and she let out a heavy breath. She saw dozens upon dozens of new faces, all coming from the Hilltop and the Kingdom. It was almost overwhelming.

"Go talk, meet some of them." Maggie said with a nudge and a kind smile.

Willow was never one for mingling and small talk, especially if they were about to be marching to their possible deaths.

But she sucked in a sharp breath, gave Maggie a short side hug, and strolled through the tall grass of the field. She observed those around her, drinking in the smiling faces on few and the hard faces on most. She could tell exactly who was ready and who wasn't.