The Odd One Out ~A Daryl Dixon X Reader~

Chapter 47

We were shoved into a long, narrow walk-in closet. It was long enough to lay comfortably in, but the width was just barely more than Daryl's shoulder width. He was still shaking as he slumped against the wall. I tore some clothes off of the hangers and dumped it into a pile on the other side of the closet, trying to steady my breathing in the tight space.

I set Judith down on the pile and handed her a large button to play with, hoping she would,not eat it. I had to take care of her now. Just until we got out.

I crawled over to Daryl, who had his face buried in his large hands. "Daryl, it's gonna be okay." I murmured, rubbing his shoulder gently. He shook his head and I gently stroked his greasy hair. "Nothing is gonna happen, don't worry."

"He's gonna hurt you on purpose. To spite me." He sounded so broken that my heart writhed in my chest.

"Don't worry, I won't let him kill me." I said softly.

"He won't kill you." He whispered huskily, peeling his hands away from his face. Tears rolled down his cheeks and his eyes were dull. My heart ripped in two as the tears dripped down his face, sparkling like tarnished diamonds. "He'll hurt you. To spite me, to make me hurt. He'll do whatever he can to hurt you."

The words were heavy, and like a punch to the gut. I mean, I had known he try to hurt me, and Daryl, but hurt me to get to him? That scared me, because this man was ruthless. But, much as I wanted to, I wouldn't hurt Daryl by pushing him away. We'd get through this together, no matter what.

"Don't worry." I assured him, hugging him tightly. He instantly wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close. "Everything's gonna be okay. It'll be okay. We're strong, that's how we've survived. And lived." I kissed his bristly cheek and curled against him as he held me, his shaking calming and his tears slowly.

"It's gonna be okay." He repeated in a whisper. "Everything's gonna be okay."

"Exactly." I said, closing my eyes sleepily. "Because it's me, and you, and we still have to save everyone. And not to mention I still want to eat some Cheetos before I die." Daryl stared at me in disbelief. "Hey! Chips are delicious! Before I die, I am going to eat some Cheetos. Period."

A ghost of a smile tugged at his lips and I knew everything was going to be okay.
Well, for now.