Our Extinction Event {Daryl Dixon}

Ripped Away

Parker was tired of burying people. She was tired of saying goodbye to her friends and those she cared about. Jim, Jacqui, Patricia, Shane, Dale, Andrea, Herschel, T-Dog, Lori, and now Beth. They kept losing people and she was tired, so tired, of being the only one left standing at the foot of their graves, forced to keep going. She knew that all she could do was wait for the next loss because, in this new world ruled by the dead, there were no definitive possibilities of survival. Daryl was inconsolable and Maggie cried every time she thought about her sister. Beth had been a very charismatic teenager, clinging to hope after believing the world was bad. 

When she tried to take her own life, Parker had been there, watching how she chose to live and continue believing in a better life for everyone. She never lost hope after the fall of the prison. She believed that everyone would find each other again. If she could see them now, she would be fairly happy with what the group had achieved. They lowered their defenses and accepted new people, growing and molding together as an unmistakably dangerous force. Parker knew she would be proud. Still, she was tired of burying people, and as she stood by Beth's grave listening to Gabriel recite the all too familiar words for Beth, Parker hugged Daryl tightly, trying not to cry. 

"We look not at what can be seen, but we look at what cannot be seen. For what can be seen is temporary.... but what cannot be seen is eternal. For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands... eternal in the heavens."

Every time she thought about Beth, it brought tears to her eyes and remembered how much everyone cared about the girl, including Daryl. After they had fully buried her, no one really knew what to do next. They didn't have a safe place. They didn't have any sort of plan. They no longer had the motivation to do anything. Everyone was exhausted. They were tired of being in constant danger, tired of the constant loss and pain and anguish. They were tired. They needed rest. It was Noah who launched the idea of making the trip to his hometown. He said it was fortified, with walls and a community that thrived within. Although Rick thought it was a long way to go, he seemed to agree with the idea. It was either that or staying on the road. No destination, no plan, just wallowing in their own pain and guilt.

"It was secure," Rick told the group, trying to convince them. "It has walls, homes, twenty people. Beth wanted to go with him. She wanted to get him there. It's a long trip, but if it works out, it's the last long trip we have to make."

"And what if it isn't around anymore?" Glenn brought up the one question no one else had the guts to ask in front of Noah.

"Then we keep going." Rick offered up the best answer he could think of on the spot.

"Then we find a new place." Michonne joined in, adding to Rick's answer to back him up.

"A place where we can be safe and raise Judith and my baby," Parker added on. Daryl nodded in agreement with their words. "We have to do it. For Beth." And that's why they left that day, piling into their cars and taking off down the road. They were doing that for a reason, because if Beth saw a better future ahead, they had to hold on to that and try to find it, not only for themselves but for her as well. 

Tyreese, Rick, Michonne, and Glenn were waiting by the car they were planning on taking, at the moment they were just waiting for Noah. Parker walked over, tossing her bag into the back and Rick caught her shoulder when she was about to walk away. 

"What do you think you're doing?" He whispered, not wanting to draw attention to them.

"I'm thinking that I'm coming with you guys."She deadpanned, crossing her arms loosely as she waited for him to tell her she wasn't going.

"You really think that's a good idea? We just lost somebody." He told her, pointing to Maggie who was off on her own, silently crying, and then over to Daryl who was just about to head off on his own for the fifth time.