Side-by-Side

Chapter 13

I looked around aimlessly, trying to get ahold of some familiarity. Everything seem familiar, but no memory or sudden knowledge of where to go came. The group wasn't with me, I seemed to have lost them, or they left without me. My thoughts went to Daryl and Chase.

I wasn't sure how I got to where I am, but I know that I am not happy. I feel out of place, so vulnerable. Nothing was making sense.

"Carly!" His familiar voice broke through the sounds of my rigid breathing. As I turned around, I came face to face with the piercing icy eyes.

"What do you want?" I questioned.

"Is that anyway to talk to your father?" His voice was full of demand, full of control.

"What father?" I spat.

"Why, me of course. You only have one dad, right?" His tone mimicking.

"Yeah. But he ain't you. He's someone who actually cares about my well being." I said as I thought of Rick. The only other person who thought of me as a daughter.

"If he knew how much trouble you are, he wouldn't want you. Besides, my blood runs through your veins, not his."

"I don't care. The blood in my veins are the blood of a warrior. The blood of a survivor. I can't be containing your blood because you're a coward. You don't know how to love anyone but yourself. You don't know what love is. You don't even know me."

"I know you well enough." He snapped, his tone laced with anger at my rant.

"Really? When's my birthday?"

"What stupid game are you--"

"When's my birthday?!" I yelled. I was now in control. He wasn't going to weigh me down, I had full power.

"May 12."

"Wrong, March 26." I said as I took a step closer. He took one back.

"How old am I?"

"22."

"Wrong, I was 24 when I ran. Two years later, I'm 26 now." Once again I took one forward, he went back.

"What was my strongest subject in school?" I tricked questioned.

"You weren't enrolled into school." He spat.

"Wrong, I enrolled myself. I had someone play the act of you. My subject was gym. Gym contained fights, and hell was I good."

His face contorted and I knew he wanted to scream. He wanted to yell, and hit and punish me.

"Last question." I announced.

"About time."

"What's my last name?" I pressed. I knew he was going to get this one wrong. This last question was going to bring me up the ranks to the top.

He wasn't going to bring me down.

"Jenson, of course." He shrugged his shoulders as a way of telling that he was right.

"Wrong." I smiled.

"Wrong? That's not wrong, you have my last name and that is Jenson." He remarked.

"Not when I have changed it."

"What? Are you married?" He asked.

"Not yet, but I changed it." I smirked.

"Your name is Jenson!" He yelled.

"No. My name WAS Carly Jenson. Now? Now it's Carly Grimes soon-to-be Dixon." I yelled.

I brought my arm back, and just as it made contact with the target I smiled.

"Carly?" Daryl's gruff voice sounded. I opened my eyes slowly to meet his Georgian blues. "Everythin' okay?"

I nodded my head as I thought back to the dream. I didn't want to talk about it, but I knew I had to. Daryl began to walk to the door.

"I saw my father." I whispered. A normal person wouldn't be able to hear me for how soft and low my voice was, but the way Daryl came to a sudden halt, and turned his whole body to face me, I know he did.

"He was commanding me. Trying to take control." Daryl stepped closer.

"I heard ye mumble a few things." Daryl said as he stood on the foot of the bed.

"No one was in sight. I couldn't find you guys. I was worried." I said as I hung my head. Daryl maneuvered himself to the side of the bed.

"I asked him questions. Questions to see how well he knew me. He failed."

"Good. He doesn't deserve to pass." Daryl breathed.

"My birthday?" I was telling Daryl, but the tone in my voice made it sound like a question.

"March 26."

"He said May 12. My age?"

"24 when you ran, so it's what two years later? 26."

"He said 22. My best subject in school."

"Gym."

"He said I never attended school." I smiled. "My last name?"

"Grimes." Daryl said.

"I said Grimes, soon-to-be Dixon." I laughed. Daryl's eyes widen and a smile spread across his face. He leaned forward and pressed his lips to mine.

"Now I have a question." He stated. I nodded my head.

"Do you want to become a Dixon?" He said, all joke was out of his voice.

"Yes." I said, no hesitation needed.

"Good." He got up and walked over to the closet. He reached to the top and took a black box out. He kneeled beside the bed and looked me into the eyes.

"Carly, would ye marry me?" Daryl said and the biggest smiled came to my face.

I grabbed his neck and smashed my lips to his.

"Yes."