Daryl and Beth: An Awkward Romance

Chapter 12 : The Ghosted Lover

Beth's POV

Not much had happened since that first night at Ky's prison, and torture had stopped after a few weeks. We had been put on schedules: cleaning, going on runs (supervised, of course), and planting, which was good because we got out of our cells for a few hours.

Right now Daryl and I were out on a run with a few others, we'd been sent to find people, and although I had been reluctant, Daryl insisted that if we didn't, our 'loyalty' would be questioned and that if we ever wanted to escape this place, we'd need Ky to believe us to be loyal. Besides, it's not like we had any choice in the matter.

So here we were, on our way to an old grocery store that one of the group had claimed to have seen a person camping at the other night, likely on a supply run themselves. Just not for people.

"Hey Beth" Daryl said, we were walking last in the group, not really being spoken too as no one here really knew us yet, not that Daryl or I minded, we didn't exactly trust the people here.

"Yea?" I said, smiling at him. "Stop" he said, and he touched my arm, gently pulling me to a stop. "What is it? Daryl, they'll get suspicious if we stop too long" I whispered. "Hey, don't freak, I'm not planning on runnin' or anythin' Beth, not here, not right now. Just wanted to give you somethin' "

"Just stoppin' to take a drink guys, won't be long" he shouted to the rest of them. I'm guessing we weren't exactly trusted yet though either, because the leader called out to the rest of the group, her voice raising so everyone could hear, "Alright guys, rest stop. And you two" she said, her deep brown eyes on us, "Don't even think of trying anything, cause we'll catch you" she said. Then she sat down as everyone else did and took her attention off us as she started to talk to a friend.

"Daryl..?" I began, wondering why he wanted to stop. "Hey quiet, don't ruin the moment. I ain't good at this stuff" "At what..?" I began again, laughing at his odd behaviour, only for him to shh me once more. And then he pulled a necklace out of his pocket, a small metal crossbow dangling from the chain. He unclasped it then pushed my hair back, and placed it in my hands.

I stared down at it, then reached up and put it on, it was simple but beautiful, and it reminded me of him. "Where did you get it" I said, looking back up at him. "I.. um well" he began shyly, "Yea?" I said, smirking. "Well I found it at that funeral home and you know, thought you might like it" he said, this time looking right at me. "It's beautiful" I replied, and lent over to hug him, full of appreciation and warmth. "Glad you like it, Beth" he said, wrapping one arm around me tightly and putting the other in my hair.

"Why'd you keep it this long though?" I asked as we let go, reluctantly. "Wasn't sure if you'd like it" he replied simply, rubbing his neck, "But I figured it wasn't doing any good lying in my pocket, and besides it looks pretty on you, Beth"

I opened my mouth to speak, my face cutting into a grin, and my stomach feeling a new sort of nervousness. Despite everything, I think I've fallen for the man standing beside me. And I don't know if he feels the same. I know I'll have to mention it at some point soon, there is no time to worry about rejection in this world. But I was cut off from replying, when our leader shouted that we had to make off on our way again. I was filled with relief but sadness that the moment was cut short. Did it mean anything? When had things changed from a simple friendship?

"Thank you, Daryl" I said quietly, confused but happy and he just nodded as he reached over and took my hand in his, "Is this okay?" He asked, his voice less weighed - down than I think I had ever heard it, his blue eyes brighter, and all I could do was nod. We walked hand in hand the rest of the way, until we reached the old grocery store, my other hand reaching up to clutch at my new necklace every so often.