Daryl's Broken Wings

Chapter 20:

They drove hours to get to Senonia. The drive took it's toll on Daryl's anger- occassionally causing him to beat his fist into the dashboard, which Tara confronted with a punch to his bicept to remind him to calm down. She was like a stress ball- only he didn't squeeze her to calm down, he pushed buttons.

"So...you're a dad obviously. How old is yer little bundle of joy?" Tara tries to relieve the conversation, which Daryl so desperately wants to avoid right now- he wants to rage.

"Gonna be one soon....Kylie Rose."

"Aww...who does she look like?"

"Me...unfortunately. She used to look like Beth, but last time I saw her, she had my eyes and pouting lips." He grumbles as he pinches his unnerved legs.

"Hey...stop it. Grumpy! Yer gonna be fine. Want some advice?" Tara smiles at him as she drives.

"Fine. Give it it shot."

"Don't freak out....freaking out only makes things worse. If you truly love her- tell her that what she's doing is okay- EVEN if you don't think it is. The more you tell her not to do something- she's gonna do it."

"Fine...we'll try it your way."

In Senonia, Beth is finally coming too, but her vision is blurry. There's one more problem- she doesn't remember anything.

A knock on her door comes and she just looks at it as she sits up. An unfamiliar sound rings in her ears.

Baby? What?

"Beth....oh my God Beth! What's wrong? What happened?" Michone runs into the room and Beth just backs up against the counter. "Dear God! What is it? The neighbor next door heard Kylie crying for four hours! What is going on with you?"

Michone races to Kylie, who is bawling her eyes out as if it's going out of style. As Beth just sits on the floor wide eyed and confused- not to mention scared- Michone looks at her more confused than ever.

Who the hell is that? And why is there a baby in this apartment?

"Beth!"

"Leave me alone! Take that baby and go!" Beth screams and defends herself with a frying pam she found beside her. Shaking like a leaf, she holds the pan at arms length to keep Michone away from her. "I'll use this!"

"Are you out of yer fucking mind?" Michone asks and finally Rick comes up, his first time seeing Michone since the incident. "Rick, thank God yer here. She's completely nuts!"

"Beth. What's going on?" Looking at Rick's badge, Beth doesn't remember his face, but believes she can trust him because he's a cop.

"Officer, I don't know where I am or how I got here, but this woman and that baby are harrassing me!"

"Beth? It's me Rick! Rick Grimes. We're friends, why are you in distress like this?" as he steps closer, Beth instinctively swings at him and he jumps back. "The hell are you doing?"

"I need my dad! I need my mom. Leave me alone!" Backing up safely, Rick goes to Michone and whispers to her.

"Her mom's been gone for almost seven years. I don't like where this is going. Take Kylie to Maggie and Glenn's- it's not safe for her here."

"Okay." Michone leaves and Beth follows her with her eyes until she disappears and then refocuses on Rick.

"Beth? Do you remember anything?"

"I remember...I...I...don't remember- where's Gareth?" Standing up tall, Rick assess the scene, dishes half done, scuffs on the floor, speckling of blood on the frying pam and a bit on the floor and counter, lose of memory.

Something happened to her. But what?

"He's....out on a business trip. Beth, can you stand up and let me look you over?" She's hesitant, but stands up. When he gets close enough to her, he hand cuffs her hands behind her back as she struggles. "It's okay...it's okay....don't struggle Beth."

He radios in to the station that he's taking Beth to the hospital. When her gets her in the squad car, she calms down a bit, but is still hostal towards Rick.

As they pull into town, Tara parks the car and notices something odd- the shoppe's light is on and some people are in it- at 9:00 at night. Getting out of the car and pulling his wheelchair open, Daryl unfolds it and starts to roll over to the window. Investigators litter the shoppe and when Daryl rolls under the tape, one in particular has some words for Daryl.

"So yer back, Dixon."

"Jim...what's happened? Is Beth okay?" He panically asks. Jim scoffs and looks at his IRL. "Jim listen, I get I messed up big time, but..."

"But nothing Dixon. You've ruined this town. Ever since you came here, you changed how this town works and opperates. People have died cause of you. You don't get to just wheel yourself back in here and think it'll be all fine and dandy." Jim informs Daryl, rudely.

"Just tell me, is Beth and Kylie alright?"

"Kylie is with Maggie and Beth is off her rocker." Walking away, Jim leaves Daryl to question everything. He knows very well, no one in this town will give him the answers he desires.

Guess I'll have to use a back up plan... Tara.