Fighting for our Future {TWD Daryl Dixon}

62: Eenie Meenie

After returning home most of us who had left the community today were huddled around Eugene in the infirmary, making sure he was okay. I was angry when he told those people where Abraham was, but then he did the unthinkable. He could have died while he was biting off Two-Faces 'Pride and Joy'. He did that for us. Eugene is no longer the scared fibber that he was when we met him, and now I'm actually proud to call him my friend.

I was sitting by Eugene's bed waiting for him to wake up, as I stared at Daryl who leaning against the window. He was looking out into the community, and I could tell that he's blaming himself for everything that happened today. None of this is his fault but I know if I tell him that, he won't believe me. Him and I are a stubborn bunch. When we believe something is our fault, we don't ever stop feeling that way. So I know that this is eating him up inside.

Abraham walked into the infirmary, closing the door behind him. "Rick's coming." He warned us as he walked over to Eugene's bedside next to Rosie and I. "How is he?"

"Bullet just grazed him, but it's a good thing we got him back when we did." Rosita told the tall ginger who was now standing next to me. "Antibiotics we picked up could save him from an infection. Could save his life. That's what Denise did."

I frowned at the mention of Denise. The only reason she's dead is because Two-Face couldn't shoot a crossbow correctly. It should be me who is six feet under, but somehow I'm still here. 

I hate that she had to be the next person to die in my place. There have been so many people that have died, when it really should have been my time to go. Carol, Hershel, T-Dog, Bob, Noah, Denise.... Every single one of them deserved to live, but here I am alive and well.

Eugene started coughing, making me lean over closer to him. "You waking up? You're here?"

"Present.." He managed to groan out.

I smiled at him and started walking over towards the window where my husband is, so that Eugene and Abraham could have a moment to talk. As I approached Daryl, he briefly looked my way to see who was joining him, before adjusting his gaze back out the window.

I grabbed his hand and felt him tense up by my touch. While keeping his hand in mine, I rubbed small circles on it in a comforting way. I know he's beating himself up about what happened, but I just want to help him. I would love to be able to convince him that none of this is his fault, because it's not.

While trying to comfort my husband, I overheard the conversation between Abraham and Eugene. "I was not trying to kill you." Everybody's favorite Mullet-Man spoke spoke softly. "I was looking for a moment."

"You found it."

"Do you apologize for questioning my skills?" Eugene asked him, making me almost laugh.

"I apologize for questioning your skills." Abraham nodded his head. "You know how to bite a dick, Eugene. I mean that with the utmost respect. Welcome to stage two."

"Don't need to welcome me." Eugene stated. "I've been here a while."

I softly smiled at the pair, thankful that they are on good terms again. It's taken them a while to get back to this friendly bond. Ever since Eugene came clean about not knowing the cure, the two of them have been distant. So it's nice to see them getting along again.

When my father finally entered the infirmary, he walked right over to Eugene to check on him. After seeing that Eugene is okay, he patted him on the shoulder before turning around and walking towards Daryl and I. "You two alright?" He asked us and both of us softly nodded, not verbally answering him. I think he knows better by now though that we aren't actually okay. Daryl and I are fully intact and breathing, but both of us are blaming ourselves for a completely different reason. Daryl is blaming himself because he didn't kill Two-Face in the woods a few months ago, while I'm blaming myself because the arrow that shot through Denise was meant for me.