Daryl Dixon

The Lone Ranger

~Daryl's POV.~

I had sat outside my tent, just sharpening sticks because there was nothing else better to do. Sophia was gone after thinking for so long I could've saved her. After telling Carol I would bring her little girl back, and the entire time she was dead right under our noses. "Daryl?!" I look up to see Maggie running towards me. I shoot her a questioning look. "Have you seen, Dakota? Beth's needs her."

I drop the stick and stand up. "No. She left? Why would she leave?" She runs her hands down her face, clearly freaking out. "Her and my daddy- they're both gone. Beth's in some sort of shock, I can't leave her. Can you look for her? I have an idea of where she'd be." I nod and put my knife back into its sheath around my waist. "She used to go to this old house out in the woods, she'd smoke cigarettes till her lung were black and drink till her liver gave out." I turn to my tent, grabbing my crossbow, throwing it over my shoulders. "Think I came across it awhile back. Won't take long." She said her thank you's before running back to their house.

Maggie definitely knew her sister. On the way to the house I had already found Dakota's footprints. Finally the old house had come into view. I walk up to the door and slowly open it, the place reaped of alcohol. I crept around the house, stopping at a door where it had smelt the strongest. I knocked. She must've gotten spooked because it was silent. "It's me. Daryl." I hear her feet get close to the door and she opens it. I look into her bloodshot and glossy eyes. How she still had alcohol was a wonder.

"Who sent you?" She slurs out, I watch her carefully, scared to take my eyes off the girl. "Maggie. Said Beth needs ya." She clears her throat before meeting my gaze again. Rubbing her eyes, probably an attempt to wake herself back to normal. "She okay?" I answered with two simple words. "In shock." She nods slowly and walks forward towards the door, but stops when she realizes I hadn't moved from the doorway. "What happened?" Still keeping my eyes on her. "What are you talkin' about?" She looks up in confusion, her words still slurred together. "Today, at the barn. You froze. Then you come out here and get yourself wasted. It's okay to not be okay." She let out a gentle sigh and dropped her head. A quiet sob escapes her lips, breaking my heart slightly. "Come 'ere." I grab the back of her head and pull her to my chest, letting the girl drunkly cry into me.

~Dakota's pov.~

I make my way up the steps to the house and as soon as I step foot inside I hear sobbing. I slowly creep my way to the spare room and open the door with caution. It was Maggie. She looks at me with teary eyes, Beth lying below her on the bed. "Where's Daddy?" She looks back down at Beth, wiping her tears. "At the bar. Glenn and Rick are gettin' him now."

I walk into the room fully, closing the door right behind me. I walk over to the medical supplies in the corner of the room. To check on Beth. "She looks a little dehydrated. We'll get an IV set for her. All we can do is just keep an eye on her." I say looking back at Maggie after checking Beth's pulse and temperature. "You left. You and Daddy left me. I was all alone and I didn't know what to do!" I drop my head and stand up. "I know. That was unfair of me to put you in that situation. I wasn't the only one who lost someone today." I walk to Maggie and we both pull one another into a tight hold. "I love you, Maggie." She sniffles and I hear her smile as she talks. "I love you too."

My father had still not returned with Glenn and Rick. And Lori had gone out to look for them. Shane had gone to chase after her and returned with a very bruised and cut Lori. "What happened?" Everyone starts approaching Lori and Shane after seeing her state. "I was in an accident. I'm fine. Really. Where's Rick?" I glance to Shane, seeing him slowly walk away.

I understand why he did it. Why he lied. "They're not back? Where are they?" She now directs her attention to Shane. "Look, I had to get you back here." She charges at him and starts hitting him. I knew Shane cared for Lori, so I knew he wouldn't hurt her. Everyone standing back and watching the scene knew that too. "You asshole! He's my husband!!" Shane backs up, trying to calm the situation before him. "Lori, I will go after him. I will find him. Look, first things first I gotta- I gotta look after you. I gotta make sure the baby's all right, okay?" Everyone around looks completely shocked. "You're having a baby? Why didn't you tell me?" All eyes turn to the young boy. Lori just looks between Carl and Shane. I can't imagine how that must of felt. I walk up to Lori with Dale behind me. I grab her arm gently to get her attention on me. "Why don't we take you inside?" She nods with tears forming in her eyes as she follows Dale and I inside.