Daryl's Angel (Book One in the Apocalypse Angel Trilogy)

Chapter 70: Together Again

"She's been claimed. Back off boys," Joe says.

I stare at Daryl, into those blue eyes that I love so much, the ones I'd never thought I'd see again, and my knees feel weak. He walks forwards, placing his crossbow on the ground and holding his arms out to me, his mouth slightly agape with shock. I throw myself into his arms, clinging to him as if my life depends on it.

"You're alive. You're alive. Oh my gosh, you're alive," I sob into his shoulder.

Daryl wraps his arms around me, breathing into my neck, and I can feel his silent tears on my skin.

"What would you name your little girl?" he whispers.

"Taylor. Why do you ask?"

"It's nothin'."

"Daryl? Care to explain?" Joe asks.

He pulls away from me, but doesn't release his arm from around my waist, where it keeps me close to him.

"This, is Hope. My girlfriend," he says, that protective glare still in his eyes.

Glances are exchanged between the six men, and Joe smiles. "Good thing you claimed her then, huh?"

Daryl says nothing, his grip only tightens on my waist. I press my face into his chest, quivering.

"Thing is, this is a bowman's group. There ain't no place for a girl like her," Joe says.

"She belongs in this group as much as I do," Daryl growls.

"Maybe, if there was some sort of payment..." Joe suggests.

"I have my rifle," I say, pulling it off my shoulder and handing it to Joe.

He takes it, and turns it over, examining it closely. "Nice piece. It'll do. Welcome to the Marauders, Hope." I hear Daryl sigh with relief. "Let's get moving, boys."

Len goes towards Gus' body, and I look away. Daryl squeezes my hand.

I look up at him, and he's already looking back at me. His face shows too many emotions to count.

We walk down the railroad tracks, and Daryl and I stay behind everyone else.

"I thought you were dead," he says.

"I didn't know what to think," I admit. "I didn't want to believe you were dead, and I tried looking. It didn't work."

"Well, obviously, somethin' did."

"Augustus is the one who found you...or at least, your group."

"Augustus? Oh, the dog."

I nod. "I found him in one of the neighbourhoods. I befriended him, and he kept me company. He kept me from going insane."

"I'm glad someone protected you while I was gone." His eyes travel to my two bags, and he stops. "That bag..."

"I found it. I came across a funeral home, and this was outside."

"It's Beth's."

"What?"

"It's Beth's. We stayed in that buildin', and then, all these walkers attacked. I told her to run, but when I ran outside to meet up with her, all I saw was a car's headlights disappearin' into the dust and her bag lyin' in the dirt. I was too bent on savin' her that I didn't grab it."

"So...you escaped the prison with her?"

"Yeah, but, she's just...gone now."

"I'm sorry," I whisper.