Bring Me Out of Darkness

Chapter Twelve

Waking up the next morning was more difficult than I had expected, as the events from the night before had continued on into my dreams. I grumbled softly as Daryl shook my shoulder, my name rolling off his tongue softly. I opened my eyes begrudgingly, and after a moment decided to sit up.

"Come on, we need t'go before this place is overrun by walkers." Daryl stated softly, and I nodded rubbing my eyes before standing up to help. It didn't take long to pack our belongings, and with a tight grip on my knife I nodded at Daryl, who proceeded to open the door quickly. A walker pushed its way inside, and I reached out to grab its shoulder before plunging the blade of the knife it the rotting skull. The corpse fell to the ground at my feet, and I looked up at Daryl with panted breaths. "Ye good?" he asked in a hushed tone, and I threw him a smile before nodding.

He stepped outside first, looking around the front before motioning for me to follow behind, which I did quietly. We made our way down the dirt road, keeping an eye out for walkers as we went, and I took a deep breath before reaching out to hold his hand. He didn't stop me, but instead squeezed mine as he intertwined our fingers.

I smiled to myself as I spotted a familiar sign that read the word 'Terminus' in big bold writing. "Maybe that's where everyone is headed?" I suggested in a hopeful tone, and he merely shrugged in response. We continued to walk, time passing by fast as the sun was now going down. It was then that Daryl stopped abruptly, and I threw him a curious glance. "What is it?" I asked and he held a finger to his lips, telling me to be quiet.

That's when I heard it, the familiar, haunting laugh we had just escaped: Joe. And from the look in Daryl's eyes, his group was about to cause trouble.