RIDE OR DIE | DARYL DIXON

the world can't stop

THREE DAYS LATER, things began to fall back into a routine. The Saviors returned back to the Sanctuary, but Alden, Ash and Bonnie were able to stay behind. Alden made it known that he stood with them, and he had for a while. He wanted to assist in building their new future, and Maggie gladly accepted him. Willow was able to convince everyone to allow Ash and Bonnie to stay with them, whether it be at the Hilltop or back in Alexandria. It didn't take much convincing.  Ash had grown on them, and it was later found out that Bonnie didn't have a single weapon in the fields a few days ago. They'd all keep a close eye on both of them, but they wouldn't be prisoners, and Willow was content with that.

Tara and Rosita were out to visit the Sanctuary to check in and bring supplies to aid them in rebuilding the place. Morgan had left a day ago to visit Jadis and tell her the news. They felt comfortable with sending him. Jesus had spoken with him a few times after the battle, and he seemed to be level headed and sane. Sane enough to speak with her and try to convince her to see the new world Rick Grimes was creating.

Rick and Michonne went back to Alexandria with a few others, including Negan, where he'd be in the cell Morgan had built a while back. Siddiq was on his game the whole time Negan was in his care. He was determined to get him back right. For Carl.

Willow brushed out her hair and tied it back in a loose ponytail, staring at herself in the mirror on the dresser. She caught a glimpse of herself when they first got back to Hilltop, and she didn't look again until now. Bruises in the form of hands colored her neck and throat, and the white of her eye was blood red. Her cheeks were hollow, and dark rings circled her eyes. It was worse when she first looked a few days ago. Her image was slowly becoming tolerable to look at again.

She eyed Daryl through the mirror, meeting his eyes in the reflection as he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her chest, kissing her shoulder. "You don't gotta come, you know that, right?"

She nodded and tilted her head, resting her cheek against his arm. "Just to be safe."

He raised an eyebrow. "You doubt me?"

She laughed. "Not you. Him."

He groaned as he released her and sat on the edge of the bed, watching her change shirts and slip on some jeans and her boots. "Have you thought about going back yet?"

She pulled her hair out from under her shirt and turned to him. "Not yet."

He didn't pry or press for more answers. He only nodded and picked at his fingers in his lap. 

She tied the last lace of one of her boots and strolled over, standing in front of him and taking his hands into hers. He's been having an internal battle with himself as to what he was going to do about Dwight. The choice to kill him out in the middle of no where and leave him for the walkers outweighed the other option- the option Willow thought was best: taking him out to the middle of no where and letting him walk. 

"If we're gonna do this," she said as she brushed her thumb along his hands, "we should do it now while we still have the time."

He nodded, standing up and giving her a quick kiss on the cheek before they both went out front and to the truck Dwight had been waiting in.

-

The three of them stood in the middle of heavy woods, not a single thing around for miles.

"I know why I'm here." Dwight said with a sigh. "I know what I did to Denise. To you."

Willow took notice of the way his voice cracked as he spoke, and she was pretty sure Daryl did too.