Haunted | Daryl Dixon

54. Reunions

Daryl and Evelyn had gotten pretty far into the forest before they had heard the snapping of a twig.

The effects of the serum had finally worn off of the woman and she was able to walk on her own, though Dixon kept hovering near her in worry that she would fall.

They had only stumbled upon a few walkers by that point, all of which they had been successfully able to avoid without the use of weapons- which they painfully lacked at the moment. The only one they had was Rick's colt python that Daryl had been able to swipe, but they didn't want to use it unless necessary due to the limited number of bullets and the fact that a singular shot would attract even more of the dead corpses.

Daryl had explained to her that a note had been slipped under the door to his cell, explaining to him that he had to leave right then and there if he ever wanted to get out, and he had found Evelyn's door unlocked.

The two had barely stopped moving, didn't even have the time to greet each other properly- to hug or to kiss- only having simply been able to inquire about if one another was okay. They were much too focused on getting as far away from the Saviors as possible.

If they succeeded, they would have time for pleasantries later.

Neither of them had any real clue where they were or where they were going, but they didn't care, the only thought on their minds was getting away.

The two exchanged a glance at the sound that echoed through the mostly silent forest, mentally preparing themselves for whatever was going to come.

What they hadn't expected, however, was a familiar voice to call out their names, "Daryl? Evelyn?"

They whipped around just in time to see Jesus jog into view, a look of relief washing over his features, "Oh, thank god, I was just coming to the Sanctuary to get the two of you out." He admitted.

After he and Evelyn quickly embraced out of pure relief in seeing one another alive and well, Jesus had explained that they were close to the Hilltop and he would bring the two of them back.

The journey back wasn't as long as they thought it would take, meaning Daryl and Evelyn weren't that far off in their wanderings through the forest, and the two made the trip back hand in hand, comfort washing over them knowing that they were going to be amongst allies.

When the looming walls of the Hilltop came into view, Evelyn could physically feel stress exit her system. Walls promised safety.

She looked over with a soft smile when she felt Daryl gently squeeze her hand, finding him already looking down at her, a small smile of his own resting on his features. His held sadness and pain, and she knew hers eventually would too, but at the moment, she couldn't help but allow herself to feel a bit of happiness knowing that she and the man she loved escaped from that horrid place and the monstrous man running it.

An unfamiliar man was standing guard on top of the gate, but he clearly recognized Daryl and Evelyn based on the way his eyes widened and he quickly scrambled around and called out orders to have the gates open.

When they did, Jesus smiled over his shoulder at the pair before leading them into the community.

As the trio walked in, people all around stopped whatever mundane activities they were occupying their time with to stare at them. Evelyn and Daryl felt their confused and questioning gazes on them, but they couldn't seem to find it in themselves to care at that moment.

A young girl rose from where she was kneeled down in the dirt of a garden caught Evelyn's attention, and she dropped her hand from Daryl's just in time to catch Enid, who jumped in her arms.