A Fresh Start

Chapter 6

We took Michonne to a cell nearby.

"I'm fine. You all go and see what you can help with," she said.

"You sure?" I asked.

"Yeah. Go on," she said.

"I'll have Beth come in to wrap that ankle," Maggie said then took off.

I went out to see what I could help with.

"Daryl," I said when we came to the courtyard at the same time.

"Hey. Rick tell you what happened?" he asked.

"Yeah. It's taking everything I have to not hug you right now. I'm glad you're all right," I said.

"Sucks huh?" he said.

"Sure does. You need help making graves?" I asked.

"Wouldn't want you too close to me," he said.

"I can dig them a few feet away from you. I just want to help," I said.

He nodded.

"Come on then," he said.

We grabbed the shovels by the gate and headed into the field.

"Just dig the graves. Don't want you touching the bodies," he said once we reached the area we'd be digging the graves.

The whole time, we'd been standing a few feet apart. I desperately wanted to reach out and hold his hand but I knew that wasn't going to happen for a while.

"My knight in shining armor," I retorted.

"Stop," he said.

"I mean it you know. You're my knight in shining armor," I said.

He looked away.

"Start digging," he said.

I could hear the smile that had spread across his face. I started to dig. I smiled as well. I was three graves in and sweating immensely. Daryl was wearing a mask and gloves while he put the bodies into the graves. Rick came by not long afterwards. I looked at him.

"I'm just digging. Not touching the bodies...Or Daryl," I said.

He nodded and half smiled. Daryl chuckled and looked at me. He then cleared his throat.

"I'm glad you were in there," Daryl said to Rick.

"Wasn't much use without my gun," Rick said.

"No, you were. All this time you've been taking off, you earned it. We wouldn't be here without you," Daryl said.

"He's right you know," I said while I kept digging.

"It was all of us," Rick said.

"No, it was you first. So, you gonna help us figure this out?" Daryl said looking up at Rick.

"I...I screwed up too many times. Those calls you got to make, I start down that road...I almost lost my boy. Who he was. I'm grateful I didn't lose my niece...Whatever else this place needs, I'm here for it," Rick said.

"Like I said, you earned it. But for what it's worth, you see mistakes. I see when the shit hits, you're standing there with the shovel," Daryl said.

Daryl was about to put another body in the grave when Maggie shouted, "Rick! Daryl, Amelia!"

We looked over at her. The walkers were starting to bend the fence.

"Oh shit!" Rick said.

I got out of the hole as fast as I could. The three of us ran for it. I reached the fence before Rick and Daryl grabbing one of the rods on the opposite side.