Last One Standing ~ TWD Daryl Dixon

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Jo

"We didn't have to leave."

I was shocked Kate actually waited five whole days before she started getting after me about my decision for us to leave. I ran a hand over my face while the other gripped the steering wheel. I didn't want to get into this with her. It would be the same argument all over again.She thought we could trust them and I knew we couldn't. I cut my eyes to her then looked back to the road.

"You know we did." I said resolutely, though even I could hear how tired I sounded.

Kate made a sound of disgust in the back of her throat. "No, I don't." She snapped. "They were good people, they would have protected us and taken care of us."

I slammed on the brakes, jamming the truck into park. "We can protect ourselves." I was so angry so suddenly it surprised even me. I was angry she would even think that way. That she would think she needed to find someone to protect us instead of learning how to do it for herself. "It's time to grow up. We don't need anyone to take care of us. We will take care of us and protect us!" I was yelling now and couldn't seem to stop. "You can't depend on anyone in this world!"

"You were just scared." Kate threw back scathingly.

I stared into her eyes, refusing to look away. "Yeah, I was." I agreed in a quiet voice. A brief moment of triumph flared in her eyes but was quickly snuffed out as I continued. "I was scared that while yes, they welcomed us at first, as soon as the first herd of Them showed up they would remember we were outsiders."

"Rick wouldn't-" Kate started to argue.

"Rick is going to protect his family no matter what. Rick already has two helpless people depending on him. And if you think for a second that he would put either one of us before them you are..." I looked away and shook my head. "Our safety is our responsibility. You can't depend on anyone else."

"Well, they have more than just Rick!" she exclaimed. "Shane and Glenn and Dale and Daryl! They were a strong group."

I gave her a withering look. "We weren't their responsibility and I wasn't willing to risk either of our lives on their sense of charity." My voice was low and harsh. I would feel bad for being so blunt with her later, but right now she needed to understand. "This isn't a game."

Kate's eyes widened for a second as her temper flared. I recognized the action and knew we had crossed into a whole new level of pissed off. "You think I don't know that!" she raged. "I have lost just as many people as you Jo!" she bellowed. "I have watched every single member of our family die just like you! You think you're the only one who feels that way? You think you're the only one who feels responsible and guilt for surviving? You think you're the only one who can take care of us! But you aren't! You're just scared to let anyone else in! You're terrified of losing someone else!"

"I am not!" I yelled back. Maybe I should have been the more mature one and kept my cool but now my temper was gone. I was exhausted and stressed and worried constantly and I hadn't slept in days.

"Tell that to Daryl!" Kate screamed.

I flinched at that and pulled back, my eyes widening. "I don't know what you mean." I said in a hollow voice. I gripped the steering wheel in both hands and stared hard at the road.

Kate snorted and looked away from me in disgust. "Please, I may have been sick and a little out of it but I'm not an idiot. There was something there."