These Wicked Games (Daryl Dixon)

Chapter Eighteen - Determined

"Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough." - Og Mandino

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It was pitch black as I quietly pushed the glass doors forward.

Knife already in hand even though I was still in the safety of our walls. The nerves were playing with my mind.

Skipping the gravel walk way I went straight for the grass again in an attempt to stifle the steps I took closer to the old rusty gate.

My brain told me to turn around.

My heart told me to keep going.

Daryl hadn't been home in a day and a half.

He left early afternoon two days ago. It was now early morning nearly forty three hours later.

Whilst I could tell that everyone else was concerned, they didn't seem to have this agonising ache that I had deep in my soul.

Something was wrong.

I was sure of it.

As I creeped closer to the gate I paused for moment. Do I risk the noisy hinges or do I climb over the wall?

I opted for climbing. I was too desperate to cover my tracks. I knew that the instant they realised I was gone they would be after me. I needed to get out, find Daryl, whatever state he may be, and get back.

I just needed to know.

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I must have been walking for at least three or four hours now. My feet were aching and my heart even more so.

The dusky pink sky heralded the break of day.

I had found nothing. I was no tracker, I was a fool to think I would be able to see some sign of him in this wilderness.

I had scoured the ground for footsteps.

Searched shallow caves.

Even climbed the densest trees.

Nothing.

This was all my fault.

Surprisingly I hadn't even come across Jacob and his crew. I think half of me expected to, the other half...wanted to.

Despite my despondence I still pushed on. I had a feeling he was alive. I don't what state he would be in but I was sure he was alive. Whether it was a gut instinct or just pitiful hope, I kept going.

I kept my footsteps light and quick as I paced through the forest, the unforgiving heart of nature that I always feared lured me in with the hope of finding Daryl.

I was aware in the back of mind that I might have been over-reacting. I had considered the fact that maybe he had just gone further than normal. Maybe he had found them and was dealing with them.

But I just couldn't ignore the heaviness that sat on my soul.

The dry leaves and twigs crunched and cracked underneath my feet as I turned and tried another route. I was attempting to try a grid type pattern but I had no idea how successful I was being.