Our Extinction Event {Daryl Dixon}

Say Your Goodbyes

They said goodbye to Bob the next morning, burying him in the cemetery outside the church. Parker stood beside Rick and Carl, her arm around her nephew's shoulders as they listened to Gabriel read from the bible. Now that the danger had passed, it was time for the group to be split up, and after their mini-funeral for Bob, they gathered to discuss their next moves. Abraham handed Rick a map, pointing to a few different places. 

"This is our route to DC. We'll stick to it as long as we're able. If not, well, you got our destination. Once Eugene gets to the big brains left up there, things are gonna bounce back. This group should be there for it" He gave Rick a look that said he meant every word. "You should be there for it."

"They will be," Maggie assured him, knowing these people better than most.

"We will." Michonne agreed, giving him a firm nod.

"We will," Rick confirmed when he saw all eyes land on him. Abraham nodded, getting the answers he had wanted to hear.

"Let's go." Parker couldn't let Glenn leave without saying goodbye, so when he turned to go for the bus, she ran over to him and hugged him. He hadn't seen her coming, so he was taken aback for a moment before hugging her back.

"Be careful out there, okay?"

"I will," Glenn promised, "Are you crying?"

"I think a bug flew into my eyes," He laughed at her terrible excuse. "Just.. don't die, alright?"

"I won't," Glenn pulled her back in for another quick hug. "Take care of yourself, Parker. We'll cross paths again."

"We better," She added before pointing her finger at him. "You're not allowed to get a new best friend."

"No way," Glenn agreed. "You're the only one." Parker walked over to Maggie and pulled her into a tight hug, muttering a quiet goodbye into her shoulder.

"You better promise to be safe too."

"I got a feeling I'm gonna be keeping more than just myself safe with them." Maggie laughed and she nodded in agreement.

"See you soon then I suppose." Parker gave her a small squeeze before stepping back. "Some words of advice, don't get bit." Abraham waited for them to get into the short bus impatiently, waiting a few seconds after they'd shut their doors before driving away. Parker watched the bus leave, standing next to her brother as they watched it disappear.

"They'll be back," Rick stated, sounding like he knew something the others didn't. "So will Daryl."

"I'm worried about him," She admitted, still staring straight ahead. "Worried myself almost to the point of being sick this morning."

"Well, that's not good for anyone," Rick peered at her through the corner of his eyes. "You don't have to worry about him. He's tough."

"I know," She sighed, "He promised not to leave again and then he up and ran the night we got married."

"He must've had a good reason." Rick comforted her, both knowing Daryl well enough to know he wouldn't run away unless it was necessary. Especially after the first time.

"I'm sure he does. He better, that is. But until I see him and hear his reasons, I'll continue to be worried and pissed off." The rest of the day was quiet, with Rick and Tyreese cleaning up the bodies of the dead, burning them in the back of the church. Parker comforted Sasha for a while, knowing how it felt to cry for a lost loved one, before leaving her alone. Company was tolerable until it became suffocating, and sometimes it was necessary to leave people alone and give them time to process their trauma before accepting help.

 When night fell and the church grew dark, Parker sat on the floor, the wood of the stage cold against her back, her legs outstretched in front of her and a half-empty can of beans beside her. Everyone was scattered about the church, but she was furthest away from all of them. She looked up at the widow, her eyes drifting over to the cross before she closed her eyes, letting out a quiet sigh. Her eyes fluttered shut as she slowly started to drift off. The church doors opened and Michonne stepped in, looking for Parker in particular. When Michonne noticed the familiar hat peeking up from above the pews, she took a few steps closer.