In The End | Daryl Dixon

Chapter 36: Red Queen

We set off after Carl was well enough rested, none of us had proper rest in a while, but he needed it the most. We stayed on the railroad tracks until we came across another sign.

"We're getting close. Be there before sundown." Daryl analyzed.

"Now we head through the woods." Rick tilted his head towards the wooded area. "We don't know who they are."

I followed Daryl's lead, until we came across a chainlink fence. I carefully made my way to the fence, and on the other side was a huge brick building, and Terminus was painted on the blocked out windows.

"We made it." I said breathlessly.

"We all spread out, watch for a while, see what we see, and get ready." Rick instructed, "We all stay close."

I went with Daryl, while Carl decided to head off with Michonne, leaving Rick by himself.

Daryl and I walked in silence around the border of the fence line, making sure to stay hidden so we didn't blow our cover. The only thing that could be heard was our breathing and the crunching of the leaves beneath our feet.

"Can I ask you a question?" I asked, following Daryl closely behind.

He grunted in response.

"Did you really think I was dead?"

He stopped in his tracks, and was silent before he turned to face me. Guilt ridden on his face.

"I thought everyone was." He admitted.

I didn't know if I should have felt disappointed that he would think I was dead, or if it was understandable, given with how things looked afterwards. Either way, I did feel a pang in my chest, because all this time I never gave up. I refused to believe that he was dead. I guess I thought he would too.

I guess my face showed how I was feeling because he closed the gap in between us, cupping my face in his hands.

"I'm sorry." He planted a gentle kiss to my forehead.

I sighed against his touch. Oh, how I've missed this man. I grabbed his hand and placed a kiss against the back of it.

"I know." I whispered, smiling weakly up at him.

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Rick dug a hole and placed the duffle bag of guns in it before looking back up to us.

"Just in case." He began to cover the bag up with the loose dirt. "We go in the back. And if shit hits the fan, we all meet back here." He instructed.

Rick was the first one over the fence, followed by Michonne and Carl. Daryl motioned for me to go before him. I landed firmly on the gravel beneath my feet. I retrieved my gun from my hip, making sure to turn the safety off.

Once Daryl was over the fence, Rick led us to a red door that entered one of the many brick buildings. Daryl took point, and in the distance I could hear the echo of a woman's voice.

"Follow the tracks to the point where all lines intersect."

We followed the sound of the voice, stepping into what looked to be a warehouse. An older woman was sat at a desk speaking into a microphone.

"Sanctuary for all. Community for all. Those who arrive survive. Terminus, sanctuary for all."

Rick stepped further into the room, approaching the woman.

"Hello."

I could sense the tension being built, as everyones eyes were now on us. There were more people in this room other than the older woman that I originally saw.