War Of The Damned - (Daryl & Beth) - The Walking Dead

10. Awake

10. AWAKE

| BETH |

All I remember was pain. Sharp, unforgiving pain. I remember it started out in my ankle and speared through every part of my body like a thousand serrated blades. I remember walking. Then everything after that is just....blank. I think I passed out.

Now the pain is different, something akin to the muscle aches I got from being in one position for too long. This pain forces me from my dreams and right into a sun-filled room I recognized only because of the white and red poncho that'd been placed over me. It belonged to Daryl. I remember seeing him wear it a lot at the prison-

Oh god Daryl!

I go to sit up, causing another blade to sear from my ankle and making me cry out in agony.

Where is he? More importantly, how did I get to this bed? And why the hell did I fail to see the large bear trap right in front of me?! I'm more disappointed in myself from getting hurt only after one of Daryl's crossbow lessons than I am pissed off that I actually got hurt. One of my written wishes had finally been grated, although in my dreams Daryl and I were always alone and it was a considerably more "hands-on" lesson. I was finally allowed to shoot a crossbow! His crossbow.

Looking over I see the space beside me is not undisturbed. Someone had slept on the bed with me, overnight if the indentation in the sheet is any indication. Was it Daryl? Probably not. But it wouldn't have been Glenn or Tyreese. Even if it was Daryl - I tell myself - it was only because he's so guardian-like, it's in his nature to be protective. Not at all because he likes you-

Oh stop it Beth!

Laughter pulls me from my thoughts, familiar laughter that makes me smile despite my situation. There is another voice beneath the laughter, one as equally familiar and it is getting louder. It's owner knocks twice on the closed door before entering the room.

"Glad to see you're finally awake." Tyreese says, coming to hand Judith over into my already-outstretched arms.

Unable to help myself I start smooching her plump red cheeks. It felt like an eternity had passed since I'd last seen her. I know that's not true though, it was only yesterday that I passed out. Right? No.

"What do you mean 'finally?' How long have I been out?"

Tyreese, who had returned to standing beside the open door crossed his arms over his chest. His expression is solemn, his frown is deep. "When he carried you in here, you were already out. That was two days ago."

"Two days." But all that is really going through my head is surprisal that Daryl carried me in here. I bury my face in Judith's small neck to hide my blushing cheeks. "Where is he?"

"Out looking for Maggie." Is all Tyreese answers. It's all he needs to say. That means Glenn's gone as well. Five days Maggie's been out there without us, alone for all we know. She may not be dead but there is a glint of something inside that told me she is still in danger. We need to find her before it's too late. "They come back just after sunset, it's almost that so they should be back soon. Otherwise he doesn't leave your side."

What?!

I didn't know I'd said the word aloud until Tyreese started talking again: "Yeah, he leaves with Glenn right before sunrise and when he comes back, he's in here with you. Even sleeps on that bed when the time comes."

"Oh." Hiding my face, still. So it was Daryl's body who'd left the indentations. Daryl who'd draped the warm poncho over me. It was all Daryl.

"I thought it was strange at first. But now I see."