Solitary: The Walking Dead

Chapter 115.

The First Day Of The Rest Of Your Life.

"Hey" Iris says stepping into the bedroom, Daryl turns from the window and looks at her as she closes the door behind her, "hey" he says, Iris kicks off her boots and takes off her coat before sitting down on the bed, Daryl nervously bites his nails and watches Iris as she looks down at her wrists, rubbing the rope burns. "What'd he do to you?" Daryl questions, his voice coming out soft and quiet, Iris looks up at the man standing at the end of the bed.

"Nothing" Iris mumbles, reaching up and taking her hair out of the ponytail, "rosita-" "rosita was exaggerating to get Eziekiel to help us" Iris says, "Iris" "it was nothing" Iris mumbles, looking at Daryl as his eye burn into her, she stays quiet, as her heart rate picks up.

"Please just drop it" Iris begs, picking at the skin around her nails till they start to bleed, "okay" Daryl says, turning around and going back to the window, Iris looks down at her bleeding hands before speaking up again "he gave me an offer. He said that I could work by his side and he'd let me live with Juniper. He would let you go and he would leave Alexandria alone... I didn't take it. And then he kept you. He killed Olivia and Spencer, he took Eugene, he has Sasha if she's still alive" Iris explains, fighting the tears.

Daryl turns and looks at her, "I told you what Rosita said was nothing because it was nothing compared to whatever they did to you because of me" Iris adds, Daryl stands there, frozen, his sight fogged with tears as he listens to the woman he cares so much about blame herself. His heart aches as he listens to the woman he loves hate herself.

"Your the reason i got out" Daryl mumbles, "no i'm not" Iris argues "i got out cause i needed to be with you. I got out cause i love you" Daryl says, Iris freezes, staring at him unsure of what to do or say, Daryl begins to regret his words as she stares at him, he nervously watches as she stands up and walks towards him, "i love you" she says, her voice just above a whisper.

Iris looks up at Daryl, the only sound heard is her heartbeat as it hit against her chest trying to leap out, they slowly lean in and their lips connect, Iris closes her eyes as she sinks into the kiss, for the first time since she finally got him back she feels like she can breath again, even if it's just for a minute she can finally breathe.

The constant pain eating away at Daryl finally stops for a moment, he finally realises that no matter what, he's not alone, no matter how much he's lost he still has her. They slowly pull away from each other, keeping their eyes closed as they hold onto the feeling, they both open their eyes and look at each other, the world around them going quiet.

........

Iris slowly wakes up, she looks around the room and finds Daryl standing at the window, watching the street, "hey" she says, getting out of bed and walking over to him, "hey" he says, wrapping an arm around her when she stands next to him, "couldn't sleep?" she asks, looking out at the dark sky, "nah" he answers, "you were having nightmares" Daryl says "yeah" Iris says, "if something happens today, i need you to look after Juniper" Iris says, "nothing's gonna happen to you" Daryl says looking down at Iris "i just need you to promise me you will take care of her" Iris says looking up at Daryl.

.......

Iris grips her gun as they stand ready for the signal, the signal goes off and Rick turns to look down at them, "Rosita. Get into position. I'll signal you." he says, "And the wall's gonna hold?" he asks "It'll hold." Rosita answers, Iris looks at Juniper stood next to her, gripping the rifle, "it's gonna be okay" she says, Juniper looks at her sister "i know" the blonde says, Iris looks behind her to Daryl, nodding her head to him, he nods back and they look towards the gate as a vehicle approaches.

"All points are covered. Every contingency is already met. I come armed with two barrels of the truth. A test is upon you, and I'm giving out the cheat sheet." Eugene says through a megaphone, standing on top of the approaching truck, Iris stares at the man in shock at who he's become, "H-Hello. I come salved with the hope that it is my dropped knowledge that you heed. Options are zero to none. Compliance and fealty are your only escape. Bottom-lining it – You may thrive, or you may die. I sincerely wish for the former for everyone's sake. The jig is up and in full effect. Will you comply, Rick?" Eugene asks.

"Where's Negan?" Rick questions, Eugene stops for a moment, lowering his megaphone "I'm Negan." Iris looks up at Rick, he looks at her before nodding and ducking, Rosita presses the button and everyone braces themselves for the explosion, but nothing happens. Iris looks at Rosita, both women confused, guns cock around them and Iris turns, seeing the scavengers pointing guns at everyone.

The gate opens and Iris watches Negan walk towards them, she watches him smile as he eyes Juniper, "You ever hear the one about the stupid little prick named Rick who thought he knew shit but didn't know shit and got everyone he that gave a shit about killed? It's about you. You're all gonna wanna put your guns down now." Negan says, "No one drops anything." Rick says.

Iris grips onto her rifle and keeps her eyes glued to Negan, "You push me, and you push me. And you push me, Rick. You just tried to blow us up, right? I mean, I get me, my people. But Eugene? He's one of yours. And after what he did -- He stepped up. You people... are animals. Universe gives you a sign, and you just shove your finger right up its ass." Negan says laughing.

"Dwight, Simon, chop-chop." negan orders, Iris watches them reveal a casket, and standing it up in front of everyone, "So, you don't like Eugene anymore. You guys gotta like Sasha." Negan says standing next to the casket, Iris's heart drops "I do, too. Got her right here packaged for your convenience, alive and well. Now, I brought her so I wouldn't have to kill all of you, and not killing all of you could get complicated. See, I know there's a lot of firepower left in there, Rick. So I'm gonna make this simple. I want Juniper to come back with me." Negan explains.

Iris's body tenses at the man's words, "I want all the guns you've managed to scrape up. Yep, I know about those, too. I want every last grain of lemonade you got left. I want a person of your own choosing... for Lucille. Daryl -- Ooh, I gotta get me my Daryl back. I see you. And the pool table and all the pool cues and chalk." Negan continues. "And I want it now or Sasha dies, and then all of you. Probably. C'mon, Rick. Just because I brought her in a casket doesn't mean she has to leave in it." Negan explains.