Make it Till You Don't

Short Lived

"Here lies Daryl Dixon, a jackass- I mean- badass of the Apocalypse." I quickly corrected myself before continuing. "Though he can be a royal pain in the ass, he is a reliable one." I sniffled as I spoke. "I once said that he'd outlive us all... and he will... in our memory."

"The hell ya doin'?"

I heard Beth giggle as I opened my eyes, glancing down at Daryl, who looked at me confused as hell.

"Holding your funeral, of course." I stated, gesturing to the coffin he was lying in.

Daryl sat up from the coffin, climbing out of it. "I ain't dead."

I smirked as I backed up, giving him space to get out. "By the way you were sleeping, you could've fooled me." I crossed my arms. "Morning sleeping beauty."

He looked at me, letting out a huff. "Shut up..."

I chuckled as he made his way out of the room, glancing over to Beth. "Guess I should've called him grumpy beauty."

As we made our way to the stairs, Beth let out a groan, reaching down to her ankle. Daryl must've heard, because he came down to us. "Still hurting?"

"A little..." Beth replied, rolling it around. "But I should be fine."

Not putting it up for debate, Daryl picked her up, walking up the stairs. I chuckled as I followed the two. "Someone's in a rush to eat."

"Here you go." Daryl said as he placed Beth onto one of the chairs. I went over to the cabinet, pulling out some food for us, setting it down on the table. "Alright, let's eat."

I sat down just as we heard one of the traps Daryl set up making noise. We all stood up as he grabbed his bow, pointing to us. "Stay."

"We're not dogs..." I sighed as we sat back down. "Mr. Dixon has awakened finally." I mumbled, causing Beth to give me a look, causing me to smirk.

"It's just a damn dog." I heard Daryl call out to us.

"Doggie?!" I stood back up, rushing over to the door. "Where? Can we keep it?"

"The hell we need a dog for?" Daryl turned to look at me as I came up beside him.

I looked over at him with a serious look. "Because dogs are cool."

He let out a sigh, looking back at the dog. "Hi." Daryl crouched down, reaching for the dog. "Come here, boy."

Just as he brought his hand close enough, the dog let out a bark, taking off. "Pity." I frowned as he stood back up, closing the door.

"He wouldn't come in?" Beth asked, coming out the kitchen.

Daryl looked to her, glancing between the both of us. "I thought I told y'all to stay back."

"Yeah, but, Daryl, you said there was a dog." Beth told him.

I nodded my head, crossing my arms. "Yeah, what she said."

"Maybe he'll come back around. Come on." Daryl told us, motioning back to the kitchen.

———

I was walking around the house, looking through each of the rooms, bored. I came across a room that had multiple picture frames, and glanced at each one.

Seeing the pictures of families, children, graduation photos, made me wonder how my life would've turned out had the apocalypse never happened.

Would I still be working at bars instead of killing zombies? Seeing my parents and best friend during my free time versus watching them die and doing whatever it took to live another day.

But then again, if all this never happened, I never would've met the people I now call my family. Maybe I am happier if-

"Beth! (Y/N)!"

Startled by Daryl shouting, I rushed out the room when I heard the snarling. I mentally cursed myself as I took my knife out of my sheath, the machete being in the kitchen, and made my way to the stairs.

"Beth, Daryl!" I shouted just as the door busted open, Walkers piling in. "Shit."

"Come on, we gotta go!" Daryl shouted up at me as he began shooting Walkers.

I widened my eyes as a couple began coming up the stairs, noticing me. "Go, I'll catch up!"

"(Y/N)!" Beth shouted as the two got pushed further down the hall.

"We ain't leaving without you!" Daryl exclaimed, looking over to me as I stabbed one of the Walkers.

I frowned as I saw more coming, knowing there was no point. "Daryl." I stated calmly, telling him I was serious. "I'll find you." Not waiting, I ran back down the hall and into the room I was in before, closing the door.

I heard banging against the door as I glanced around, quickly pushing a dresser against the door. "Come on, (Y/N)... think!"

I glanced around, knowing the dresser wouldn't keep them out long if more joined them. I glanced to the window, looking out as I saw Daryl running outside towards the road.

I assumed Beth was ahead of him and began to pry open the window. I grabbed a nearby lamp, smashing it on the wooden planks covering the window, creating an opening for me to squeeze through.

Hearing the dresser moving, I saw the door pried open as a Walker tried squeezing through the opening, giving me no time to stand around any longer as I climbed through the window.

I stood on the roof, glancing around to see only a couple Walkers roaming around and took my chances, jumping down.

As my feet hit the ground, I rolled onto my shoulder before scrambling back up. I killed a Walker that came at me before running where I saw Daryl go.

"Daryl! Beth!" I shouted, not caring if any Walkers heard me. Coming to the road, I saw Beth's stuff on the ground, but neither to be found. I glanced in both directions the road went, not sure what to do now.

I heard growling behind me, seeing two Walkers and ran ahead of me, deciding to go into the woods to lose them.

———
Published: 10/12/2024