Too Far Gone // D. Dixon

chapter twenty-six

Maren was on her own again. For the first time in a very long time. The world around her felt foreign and unwelcoming, the once familiar streets and buildings were now shadowed by the looming threat of the undead.

It felt wrong, like every single step she took was a wrong one. Like she was leaving behind a piece of herself. Maybe she was. But she was far too stubborn to go back and admit it now. She had to stick to her guns, even if she knew she'd be alone.

Pulling out the worn-out and crinkled map, Maren traced the route with her finger. The neighborhood she once called home was now just a few miles away, but the journey felt impossibly long. Her heart sputtered in her chest at the thoughts of seeing it again, seeing them again. She had hoped that they'd somehow be there. Alive and well, ready to welcome her home with open arms.

But the aching uncertainty gnawed at her relentlessly.

She was torn from her thoughts at the sounds of moaning - a chilling, guttural sound that only continued to get closer. Out of instinct, she ran off the road and into the dense, shadowy woods. The sounds became clearer as a small horde of walkers shambled across the pavement just where she'd been standing moments before. Maren held her breath, every muscle tensed as she waited, praying the undead would pass without noticing her.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the last of the walkers lumbered across the road and disappeared from view. Letting out a quiet exhale, Maren glanced cautiously around before stepping back onto the asphalt.

Eager to continue her journey, she pulled out the map again. But as she unfolded the weathered paper, she felt a hand graze her arm. Whirling around, she found herself face to face with two walkers, their rotting jaws gaping open hungrily.

Maren shrieked in shock, her knife instinctively flying up to meet the first walker as it lunged towards her. The creature's weight slammed into her, knocking her to the ground as they tumbled. Maren struggled desperately, her arms shaking with the effort of keeping the snapping jaws at bay. By some miracle, she managed to drive the blade into the walker's skull, shoving the lifeless body aside.

But the second walker was already upon her, clawing and snapping with unbridled ferocity. Maren let out a grunt of effort, her fingers desperately gripping the handle of her knife as she tried in vain to break free. The walker's putrid breath washed over her face, making her stomach churn.

Just as she felt her strength beginning to wane, a sudden flash of green and white streaked through the air. The walker crumpled, an arrow protruding from its skull. Maren took a moment to catch her breath, her anxious gaze searching the trees for the source of her salvation, eager as she began looking in the direction it came from. At the sight, she let out a sigh.

"I thought you went back to Alexandria." Maren spoke, standing up and ripping her knife from the skull of the walker.

"I ain't leavin' ya out here alone. I told you I'd never let anythin' happen to ya, and I damn well meant it." Daryl spoke with such a certainty, Maren knew he wasn't holding back anymore. Maren only nodded, feeling incredibly guilty and childish. The pair stood in a silence for a moment.

"Look, I'm sorry-" Maren starts, but Daryl cuts her off.

"I left when y'all were takin' about Pete. I had to. That shit just pisses me off..." Daryl speaks, "I know what that's like, how they are. My old man...he was an abusive piece of shit." Daryl trails off, the words catching in his throat.

Maren steps closer, placing a gentle hand on his arm, "You don't have to say it if you don't want to. I'm sorry I pushed you."

Daryl shakes his head, "Nah, you deserve to know," He takes a deep breath and continues, "My old man, he used to beat the holy hell outta me and my brother. Merle, he was always gettin' into trouble, tryin' to protect me, but it just made things worse when he left. I ain't proud of where I came from, Maren. That's why I don't like talkin' about it."

Maren feels her heart clench at Daryl's confession. She pulls him into a tight embrace, holding him as the weight of his words settles between them, "I'm so sorry, Daryl. You didn't deserve that. No one does."

Daryl returns the hug, drawing strength from Maren's compassion, "Shit's in the past now. All that matters is the family we got now. We stick together, alright? No more runnin' off alone."

Maren nods, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips, "Always," She steps back, her gaze locked with his, "Now, we've still got a lot of ground to cover and we're losing daylight."

Daryl nods, a renewed sense of determination in his expression. He gestures toward the truck, "After you."

The two climb back into the vehicle and continue their journey, the air between them lighter, their bond strengthened. As Maren climbed back into the truck, her mind still reeling from the close call with the walkers and Daryl's emotional revelation.

The air between them felt different now - more open, yet somehow more fragile.

Daryl settled into the driver's seat, glancing over at Maren, "You alright?" he asked, his gruff voice tinged with concern, "Sorry I couldn't get to ya sooner."

Maren nodded slowly, "Yeah, I'm...I'm okay. Just a lot to process, you know?" She looked out the window, the familiar landscape of her neighborhood slowly approaching by, "I just hope they're still there. That they're safe."

Daryl reached over, giving her arm a gentle squeeze. "We'll find 'em, Maren. I ain't leavin' your side 'til we do."

Maren met his gaze, seeing the sincerity there. She managed a small smile, "I know. Thank you, Daryl. For everything."

As they neared Maren's neighborhood, her heart began to race. What would she find there? Would her loved ones really be waiting for her, alive and well? Or would she be met with a devastating new reality? No, she thought, I can't think like that.

Daryl seemed to sense her unease, "We'll take it slow, okay? I got your back, no matter what."

Maren nodded, taking a deep breath, "Okay. Let's fucking do this." The truck rumbled to a stop, and the two stepped out, weapons in hand. Maren steeled herself, then stepped forward, Daryl close at her side.

Whatever awaited them, they would face it together.