𝙇𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙒𝙖𝙧𝙢 𝘽𝙤𝙙𝙮 : ̗̀➛ 𝙙.𝙙

80

"Oh thank god." Del held ran her fingers through Jakes hair. Relief washed over her. It wasn't him, the bad thing she felt wasn't him and it wasn't Maggie or Glenn. It wasn't anyone, not yet at least.

"I'm okay," Jake chuckled, grabbing Beth from her arms and giving her a soft kiss on the cheek.

"I know." Del smiled at her little brother.

"They had food, medical care... They had more of everything, except weapons."

"And they just gave y'all this?" Daryl questioned, a toothpick hanging from his mouth. He stared into the back of the truck. Rick placed his hands on his hips. Del knew that look. There was something added, this wasn't just a gift.

"We have to attack a unit... Kill their people." Rick looked down at his feet.

"What?" Del stepped forward.

"That was the agreement. Says this group has been taking from them for a while, we agreed to attack since we have more training, more weapons than them."

"So you're just going to commit a massacre?"

"Del-" Daryl started.

"No. No. How could you think this was a fair trade?" The worry swelled again. It was like this monster inside her that brought out rage from fear. This was it. Something bad was going to happen.

"We needed food. Our people were starving, Del." Rick tried to calm her.

"There was no other way?!" She laughed in disbelief.

"You're gettin' all worked up-" Daryl gently placed a hand on her shoulder. She shrugged it away.

"Rick... This is insane... You... You're wrong about this one."

...

"We have to do what we need to for supplies, Del. This ain't gon last forever." Daryl followed Del up the porch stairs.

"We're asking to start a war!" Del scoffed, in disbelief that Daryl was okay with this.

"Del-" Jake started.

"No. Do not tell me you think this is the right thing to do." She snapped her gaze to him as they entered the living room.

"It ain't like we haven't killed to survive before," Daryl added.

"This isn't killing to survive, this is a fucking massacre! This is asking for problems! I told you... Something bad is going to happen-"

"I think the baby has ya all worried and worked up-"

"That isn't about the baby, damnit! I am trying to tell you what I think, how I feel, and everyone is dismissing me just because I had a baby!"

Beths crying silenced the room. Guilt washed over Del for yelling in front of her. She shot Daryl and Jake one last glance.

"And if you think you're having any part of this, you've lost your damn mind." She narrowed her eyes at Jake, matching upstairs.

...

Del watching as Beth slept, her mouth hung open. She rubbed her soft cheeks. Her gentle skin. It was dark. Daryl hadn't came to bed yet. She had heard Jakes bedroom door shut awhile ago. She felt alone, even with her little baby in her arms, she was alone.

The love she had for her daughter compared to nothing, and maybe that did fuel her worry, but she could feel that heaviness in her chest, the type of feeling that came when things were too good, when life was too smooth.

The bedroom door creaked open, Daryl stepped into the dark room.

"Ya still up?" He sat on the end of the bed, pulling off his boots.

"Where were you?"

"I was talkin' with Rick."

"About?"

He sighed, his head hung low for a second before he looked back at her. She could see his face in the glare from the moon.

"I'm gon go with them tomorrow. Give ya some time by yourself... Plus, Rick needs me."

Del felt anger fuel up in her, trying to steady herself before replying in an attempt to not yell.

"I need you. I don't need time by myself, Daryl. I need you to tell me everything will be alright. It used to be so easy for you... you used to always say the right things but it's like..." She drifted off, shaking her head to keep the tears from coming. "No. You're right. Take the couch tonight."

...

Del stood stiff as Daryl gave her a kiss on the cheek, saying his goodbyes. She stared blankly ahead.

"You should say goodbye to him. I know you're mad but-" Jake started.

"Go finish your reading."

"But-"

"Now."

He groaned, but obliged, making his way back to the house as Del stepped towards Daryl, who was loading up the truck.

"You're doin' the wrong thing." She lowered her voice.

"Honey, I know you think that-"

"I know it."

"Okay, ya know it, but we can't keep everyone feed and alive with the lack of supplies we got right now."

She shook her head, looking over at Rick.

"You know i'm right... You know it."

Rick pursed his lips, staring down at his boots for a second before looking back up at her. She knew he understood. He had that look. She also knew he would rather kill than watch any of their people starve to death. He said nothing.