When the dead roam - (Daryl Dixon)

Chapter 117 ~ The next world

The air was constricted from her lungs. There was a burning in her chest and her heart felt like it was ramming itself against her ribs from the inside. She needed to sit down. Beads of sweat trickled down the back of her neck and her fists clenched and unclenched at her sides. No amount of deep breathing was helping the fear that tried to take control of her body.

Of course, she tried not to let any of this show.

Even as her friends sat her down in another room and locked the door so that they could have a private conversation without the rest of the town overhearing, they never caught on to the fact that she felt like she was dying.

The only person that noticed anything was amis, was Daryl. Because he always knew. He just didn't want to be the one to say it out loud.

Every single thought in her mind was racing over the other and every time she tried to sort them into something she could understand, they re-jumbled themselves and confused her more. It wasn't until the noise outside settled that she opened her mouth.

"Guys..."

Her voice failed her, coming out all unstable and wobbly.

"Guys" she tried again, louder this time and they all stopped, their heads turning towards her.

Rick was the first to notice how Daryl couldn't look anywhere but at the floor. His expression was unreadable. It looked like he was going to slaughter anyone who dared cross his pass whilst simultaneously crying his eyes out. The sheriff closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"Lou-"

"I know" she held her hand up. "Its fine...it's...I can"

"Fine?" Daryl's voice cut through the air like a blade. "This ain't fine"

Rick eyed his friend. "Daryl-"

"Nah. Ain't just gonna sit around pretendin' everythin's normal, tha' this is fine, Lou"

She sighed. "I'm not asking you too..."

"You've been coughing yer guts up every time I've seen ya. Kept tellin' me it was a damn cold"

"Because I thought it was"

"Daryl, it's not gonna help standing around here shouting about it" Carol tried, her hand on his shoulder. The archer shrugged her off with a huff and began pacing the room. Lou's hands were shaking at her sides but she pushed them under her thighs, trapping the tremors from giving her away.

"I shoulda killed the sumbitch the second I saw him again!"

Her mind was in overdrive. She couldn't die knowing that he blamed himself, he'd never get over it; he'd never get over her.

His eyes locked onto hers for the first time since they'd locked themselves in the small room and his breath hitched in his throat. "You're gonna-"

"I know"

"Do ya?"

"Yes" her voice came out harsh, strained. None of her friends could stomach looking in her direction apart from Rick, who stood with tears brimming his waterline. Of all the ways she could've died, she never thought it would be this. "I know, Daryl but I-I can't change it now"

"So yer just gonna give up?"

Louise bit the inside of her cheek and looked towards the Sheriff, hoping he understood what she was asking with just one look. Thankfully, he cleared his throat and took a few steps forwards. He placed a shaking hand on her shoulder and rubbed it with his thumb before kissing her head.

"We'll give you some privacy"

Jesus couldn't trust himself to look at her. Maggie and Carol both offered her a small, consolatory smile. And Aaron...well Aaron was still missing and the chances of him returning before she possibly died were slim.