Lost | Daryl Dixon

33 - No Longer A Democracy

Third Person POV

Silence permeated the living room as everyone sat, waiting anxiously for any sign of them. Lori was biting at her nails, pacing from her spot to the window, looking for a sign of her husband, or her sister in law. Anything to know they were safe.

A moment passed, Andrea could see how worried Lori was as she sat again, hands in her pocket as she tapped her foot. She stared at her a moment before she stood. "I'm going after them." She declared.

"Don't, they could be anywhere," Lori warned, looking at the blonde. "And if Randall comes back, we're gonna need you here."

Outside, Elizabeth struggled to keep up with her ankle, feeling a set of shame as the two she was with kept ahead. She tripped a moment, her ankle going out as she groaned in pain, catching herself as she tried to push herself up. Daryl paused, seeing that - and as in shock he was from what she'd said, seeing her like that just made his features soften. He whistled, throwing the flashlight to Glenn, who caught it perfectly, as the man kept his crossbow on his shoulder, going back to Elizabeth, helping her up.

She struggled on her ankle. "I can't," She breathed out, struggling.

He looked at her a moment, sighing, before he scooped her up again, like he had before, but instead acted as a support for her to lean against as she walked, his arm wrapped around her waist as Glenn watched, keeping an eye out behind them for anyone else.

A gunshot went off in the distance, and all three of them paused. "Just one?" Glenn muttered. Elizabeth felt fear clutch her heart, like when Carl got shot.

"We better get back..." She whispered, feeling like a thousand eyes were watching. "Find out what's happening."

They continued back, Elizabeth shaking with anxiety against the man, but clinging on so she could walk quicker. He kept his eyes on her, angry at whatever secret she'd been keeping was, but also so sincerely relieved she was okay.

He realised, when he saw her knife on the floor, and Randall gone, the idea of her hurt or gone made him want to die. He cared about her more than he'd admit, more than he'd realised. She'd become special, the person he looked for during a meeting, the person he'd talk to for hours. Someone who he craved the company of when she was away, and somehow missed her even when she was there.

He didn't know why she had become this important, or that he could even feel this strongly for someone. He'd never seen that modeled for him - obviously, in his upbringing.

All he knew is he cared about her deeply.

They reached the house, Daryl keeping her standing as Glenn opened the door, and the three walked in. "Oh my god you're okay!" Lori stood as she saw Elizabeth, walking over and pulling her into a hug.

She hugged the woman back, feeling Daryl keep his hand on her back so she'd stay steady. Hershel noticed her leg, "You injured?" He asked as she nodded.

"Twisted my ankle," She admitted, somewhat embarrassed as Andrea have her the spot on the couch next to Beth - Patricia rushing off and getting some bandages to wrap her ankle to limit damage. Hershel looked it over, pressing carefully. She would be fine, no permanent damage.

"Rick and Shane ain't back?" Daryl stayed near Elizabeth over the couch, looking around the room. Elizabeth looked up, worried.

"No," Lori answered her, standing across from her as she glanced at the woman.

"We heard a shot," Elizabeth muttered as Patrica began wrapping it carefully.

Lori looked at her, noting the dried blood on the back of her head when she turned and the small cut on her hand, but no signs of a massive struggle. "Maybe they found Randall." She suggested. Elizabeth looked away at that, as she felt Daryl look down at her.

"We found him," The man said, glancing about.

"Is he back in the shed?" Patricia asked as she finished wrapping the ankle, patting the girls leg in comfort as Hershel checked the back of her head - based on the wound, she'd been hit by something hard, but small.

"He's a walker," Daryl shook his head.

Hershel stepped away, noting the protective stance the man had over the young woman he'd examined. He raised a brow, "Did you find the walker that bit him?"

"No, the weird thing is he wasn't bit." Glenn answered, his eyes trailing to Elizabeth as she kept her head down. He and Daryl exchanged a look - they had to address it, but they knew that she wasn't going to want to talk about it yet, not until Rick was back safe.

"His neck was broke," Daryl added, shifting his eyes from Elizabeth as Maggie stared at Glenn, confusion and worry in her eyes.