This Is Reality

Chapter 27

-Dodger's POV-

*next morning*

I woke with a start, almost falling off the pew I was occupying. "God..." I said with a panic, checking my arms.

In my dream, I was finishing off the last of the walkers stumbling into the church. As many as I killed, not a single one touched me. I was waiting for the last walker to stumble over when another grabbed my shoulder and my elbow taking a large bite out of my arm. I started screaming, then it ended.

I checked my arms just to make sure I wasn't dreaming about what I was feeling. From head to toe I was covered in walker blood, fantastic. I stood up from the pew and stretched. Now that my mind was a bit clearer, I could go back to Rick and the group, I hope I could at least.

When I shooed Daryl away, I know it killed him. Hearing Carl yell and cry because I didn't come back with Daryl made me want to cry. I blocked him out though, focusing on the walkers coming for my flesh.

The church held no food, so I was left to starve. Since everyone left about mid-noon yesterday, they couldn't have gone too far. I threw my crossbow over my shoulder, Daryl's knife in my hand. My knife was in my pocket, but I felt the need to carry his. I headed out in search for everyone, my side killing me. Picking up their tracks was impossible hence the dead surrounded the church. Using the little luck I held, I picked a pair of footprints and followed them into the woods.

-Daryl's POV-

It was high noon now, I haven't eaten or slept. They tried giving me food but I wouldn't take it. I left my girlfriend, well probably ex girlfriend, behind. Dodger was the only thing on my mind, that was never going to change.

Since we got to this overturned housing complex that we cleaned out, I've tried multiple times to go back out and find Dodger but Rick wouldn't let me. He said it was 'too dangerous' and he didn't want to lose anyone else, he had lost enough already.

It's been almost a whole day since I left her. I hate myself so much for leaving her behind, why was I so fucking stupid? She did tell me to leave but I could have taken her anyway!

I just wanted her back... To tell her how much I need her... To explain to her how fucked up I feel for everything I had done to her... I need her in my life... I think... I love her...

I was sitting on watch by the front gate, Rick thought it would be best in case she did come back, I should be the one to greet her, to welcome her back. Rick didn't question me on why I left her or why she didn't come, maybe he didn't want to know or maybe he did. I held my crossbow and Sasha's rifle, 'extra protection' they said.

Every so often a walker would stumble by and someone would come to see if I was okay. I was okay on the outside but I knew, and so did they, that I really wasn't.

"Daryl, I think you should eat" Rick says to me lightly, sitting on the ground next to me

"Nah 'm alright"

"You haven't eaten since she woke up" He looks over at me, a plate of food in his hand

"I'm fine, really, I am" I wasn't hungry, my mind was set on something other than food.

"I won't force you" He says with a sigh and leaves with the food

Nice talking you too Rick... I understand that I'm not who I was, but they don't have to treat me so differently. Don't they get that I've lost the only thing I love?

I couldn't tell you how long I sat out there, the sun was near setting, and not a thing has coming my way. I noticed a walker slowly stumbling towards the entrance. It didn't stumble like one, it kinda... walked. Since it was only one, I put the rifle inside the gate. I threw my crossbow over my shoulder and pulled out a knife Rick gave me. Casually walking over to the dead, the closer I got the move life-like it seemed. I didn't stop going over to it. As I got closer I saw it was a female, this couldn't have been her... she wouldn't go so easily...

I slowed down as I got closer to her, well it. When I was in arm's length, I put my hand on its shoulder, which was warm. It didn't come after me when I got close. Pulling my arm back to stab it in the head, I heard words...

"First the butt of your crossbow, now death?" Dodger questioned quietly, her eyes closed tightly, ready for the knife in the head.

When I heard her spoke I was speechless. Was this really her? Was I hallucinating? I let go of the body, dropped the knife and took a step back

"Oh right.... I'm still covered in blood huh? Got a place I could clean up?" She asks with a small smile like nothing ever happened

"D-Dodger...?" Wow good job me...

"Hi Daryl" She said in the calmest way

I felt like a damn idiot but I placed my hand on her cheek. Finding words was impossible for me right now... I felt her place a hand on mine.

"Yes, it's really me..." She spoke gently, like someone would to a child

I just looked down at her, still in shock. It had to have been her... She put her arms around my waist and hugged me tightly, her head on my chest. The blood, which I was hoping wasn't hers, was dry. I took off our bows and picked her up, holding her close.

"Can't find words huh?" She whispers in my ear, her head now resting on my shoulder

I had tears coming out of my eyes, but I didn't care, I had my Dodger back in my arms. I smiled at her teasing and kissed her cheek.

"Oh come on I know you missed me" She states, picking her head up off my shoulder and placing her hands on my cheeks.

"Why wouldn't I?" I spoke, but it was barely audible. I was holding back tears, even though you could tell I was crying

Before I knew it, her lips were on mine. I didn't kiss her this time, she kissed me. How could I not kiss her back right now? I don't think I've kissed anyone like I did right now. I had missed her so damn much.

She reluctantly broke away after some time then kissed my nose. She had tears slowly streaming down her face, the dry blood slowly disappearing from her cheeks. Looking into her eyes, she wasn't crying out of sadness or pain, she was happy to have me back...

"Dodger... I-I..." It was still tough to find words, but I had this

She let out a small not girly giggle. Man I missed that smile of hers... I had a feeling she knew what I was about to say but she let me find the words.

"Dodger... I think..." God dammit Daryl you can do this!

Dodger rested her head on my shoulder, snuggling close to me, still in my arms. I sat down against a tree and held her like a baby on my lap.

"You can do it" She looked up at me with a smile, giving me the words and confidence I needed

I looked into her sky blue eyes, the words ready to roll off my tongue.

"Dodger, I love you so fuckin' much..." I didn't rush saying it, but I didn't pause after every word.

I don't think I've ever seen her smile like that... Her smile was contagious...

"I love you more Daryl. I always have, no matter what happened"

"Man I thought I'd never hear you say that after all the stupid shit I did..." I confess, something I have to do a lot of...

"I'm just glad I have the old you back" Her voice was quiet, eyes shut. It was mid noon, but she needed the sleep.

"C'mon, I'll take you inside. The back way, so you won't be bombarded by everyone" I helped her up, grabbed our bows and took her hand, leading her to the beaten down house.