Trespassing (Daryl Dixon x OC)

Passenger Seat

"Then looking upwards, I strain my eyes and try to tell the difference between shooting stars and satellites."

My heavy eyelids opened slowly. I was left alone in my cell, my father sitting on a chair against the opposite wall. I sat up slowly.

"Mornin', sweetheart," he greeted me. The way this all seemed natural was unnerving. The way we spoke to each other as if he was alive...it scared me.

"Where'd you go?" I asked in reference to when I saw him last. 

"You had company," he stated simply.

I was quiet for a moment before mumbling, "You never answered my question.

"What was it again?"

"Am I dying?"

"Well, do you want to?" he countered. His response took me off guard for a moment. I didn't want to die. I can't leave Daryl like this. I can't leave Carl. I shook my head at his question. Why would he ask me that?

"Why are you here?" I asked my father. "Dad, I watched you die. Twice. You got shot right..." I pointed to my forehead in reference to where Daryl had shot the reanimated corpse of my father. "I'm hallucinating...big time." 

"Or maybe it's just your time," he shrugged nonchalantly. 

"I can't leave Daryl and Carl," I defended. "I won't." I held my temples before running my hands through my mangled hair. "Do you want me dead? So I can be with you?"

Dad sighed and stood up, slowly making his way to the doorway of my cell. "Baby, sometimes things just have to happen. Now we can go through this together or you can stay, figure it out on your own. But, ultimately, it's up to you, hon."

There was a warm light leaking into my cell from the outside. How did I not notice it before? It wasn't the sun. This one was...white. Very white. It was almost calming and serene. My father was standing with half his body out of my cell and merging into the light, looking at me and expecting my decision. Is this what death is?  I was hesitant on making a decision; I wanted this sickness and suffering to stop but I cannot leave the group. I just can't. Although, this might be the only option. The final option.

I stood slowly, my feet padding along to concrete floors to my father. He looked at me like he was proud of my choice.

"If I do this," I said, "can you promise everything will be okay?"

"Of course I can, sweetheart."

"The group will be okay?"

"Yes."

With a sigh, I wrapped my arms tightly around my father. I didn't know if I was making the right decision, nor did I know if I was even ready for what was to come, but the light had its own gravitational pull on me that seemed to affect my choices. 

"I love you, Daddy," I said into his chest. I felt my father's grip on me tighten slightly.

"I love you, more, Belle. Now come on, they're waiting for you." 

I pulled myself away from my father. I took in a deep breath, looking back at him for reassurance. He gave me a firm nod. Turning around, I stepped into the warm brightness.