Inside These Prison Walls(TWD fanfic)

Chaptet Five

We pull into the prison yard, and I finally let go of Daryl's hand. My hair is still damp and my clothes are too, from his hug back at the house.

I reach back to grab the bags and get out of the car. Maggie looks at me questionably, since I still have a crazy smile on my face.

"We have a surprise for everybody."

An hour later, we all meet in the cellblock, everybody's hair still damp and smelling good from their make shift showers of washing their hair in a bowl and splashing the water all over them. I want to feel guilty for enjoying a shower while everybody else bathed in a bowl, but I can't.

"Let's crack open that six pack!" Daryl exclaims.

We all laugh and except a can.

"We should've found more." I say, noticing Hershel without a can.

"I spent too many of my days drinking, but I won't today." He says, smiling.

I laugh and crack open the can. Taking a big gulp, I laugh.

"It's like Christmas!"

Carl, who sits next to me, laughs.

"Want to try some?" I ask him.

"Sure."

I hand him the can and watch for his expression as he takes a sip.

"That's disgusting!" He exclaims, wrinkling his nose in disgust.

We all laugh and I lean back on the ground, resting on my elbows.

"Next run, we find more." Glenn says.

"Why? So you can have another hangover like at the CDC?" Daryl teases.

"What happened at the CDC?" I ask.

"We all got drunk and Glenn had a massive hangover the next day. He could barely open his eyes without wincing!"

I laugh as Glenn's face grows red.

"Don't be embarrassed," I say to him. "my first hangover, I threw up all over my gym teacher who was an ex drill sergeant."

"How old were you?!" Maggie asks.

"Sixteen."  I say laughing just as hard. I chug the rest of my can and already start feeling the effects. I never have been able to hold alcohol well.

Somebody hands me a half empty can and I chug that one too.

"I really shouldn't drink, I can't handle alcohol." My voice is already slurring.

"I like a drunk Taylor!" Maggie says.

I jump up, clapping my hands. "We should dance! Beth sing for us!"

Beth begins singing a slow song and I grab Daryl's hand. Pulling him to the center of the room, I begin dancing a lively dance.

"You do realize its a slow song, right?" He asks, laughing.

"Yeah, but when I drink I get hyper."

Maggie and Glenn join us in the center and begin dancing slowly together. Daryl slows me down and grabs my hands.

"Let's dance like this."

We sway together to the tune. I begin blushing like crazy.

"I like it too."

Beth stops singing, and without thinking, I kiss Daryl on the lips. Everybody stops and stares.

"Whoops!" I laugh. "Wasn't supposed to do that!" I laugh awkwardly and sit down.

"Are you two...." Rick asks, pointing at us.

"Yes."

"No."

Daryl and I give two different answers simultaneously.

"I'm going with the drunk girls answer of yes." Maggie says.

"Well so much for not telling anybody." Daryl says, sitting next to me.

Everybody bursts out laughing.

"Well, now that they do," He says. "I can do this." He kisses me long and hard on the lips.

I laugh as we pull apart, my face bright red.

"Well, now that everybody is drunk and happy, why don't we turn in?" Rick says, helping Carl stand up.

I stand up and stretch out my hand to Daryl. We all say goodnight and start moving towards the steps.

"Try not to be too loud!" Carol calls from the bottom of the steps.

I laugh as I walk into the room.

"I like you drunk." Daryl says, laughing.

"Thank you. Except you won't like me tomorrow morning." I say, giggling.

A weird look crosses his face,

"What?" I ask.

He doesn't say anything, but just kisses me. He pulls me down to the floor, still kissing me. When we break apart, both of us are breathing hard. He slides my shirt over my head and throws it across the room. I pull off his and kiss him again.

When we finish, both of us are breathing hard and are undressed. I curl up to him, tiredness making my eyes heavy. Before I slip away to sleep, I hear four words from Daryl.

"I love you."

When I wake up the next morning, Daryl is gone and the blankets are tucked against me. I smile, despite the pounding headache. Last night was the best night of my life. I stand up and quickly get dressed. My stomach rumbling for some of that food we got yesterday.

I finish putting on the same outfit from yesterday and walk downstairs.

"Have you seen Daryl?" I ask Beth.

Rick walks into the room.

Beth throws her arm around me and put mine around hers, laughing. This was something we did. Over the last month we've gotten really close.

"No, I just got up. Why?"

"He didn't tell you?" Rick asks.

"Tell me what?" I ask, still smiling.

"He's gone. He left this morning."

I drop my arms, my smile gone. "What?"

"He left to go find Merle this morning. I didn't realize he didn't tell you."

I raise my hands to my mouth, trying not to cry. One look at Beth and I can see we're thinking the same thing.

"But--but he'll die." I whisper.

"No, no he won't." Beth says, grabbing my hand. "He'll be fine. Even if he is alone, he'll be fine."

I shake my head and turn around, needing to be alone. I walk up the stairs ignoring Beth and Rick's calls. We're all thinking the same thing. Nobody can survive out there anymore. Maybe a month ago, but it's gotten worse since then.

I sit down on my bunk and let a tear slip out. The best night of my life just got shattered in minutes.

I rest my elbows on my knees and rest my head in my hands. A small, folded piece of paper draws my attention. I pick it up to find my name written on it. I open it up.

Taylor, 

If  I die, don't cry for me.

Daryl

I grab my journal from my bag with all the days marked off and all the important dates. I quickly write something in:

August 7, Daryl leaves.