Home Is Your Heartbeat ('Home Is' Book Two - Daryl Dixon)

Chapter 13 - I Hope I Never (Split Enz)

NATE

A few Terminus people were roaming around in the woods. I take them down without a second thought.

Have to trust that Carol will bring our family back to us safe and sound. I'll check on Ty and Judith, give her a little more time. Then, if she's still not back? Return to help out.

When I spot the cabin, I notice that a few Walkers are surrounding it....trying to get in.

Hearing Judith's bellowing cries? I make my way over as quickly as I can, without drawing their attention. Shimmy up to one of the windows and peer in alongside them. Terrified of what I might see.

The bastard that I'd captured had managed to free himself from the cable ties. His hands were on Juju. While threatening Tyreese....and making him place his weapons on the floor.

"You go out there, she lives"  He ordered.

That gutless little prick is banking on sacrificing Ty to save himself. I should've killed him straight away, huh? Won't be making stupid mistakes like that anymore.

I have one chance and one chance only to save them both.

Ty opened the door, his body blocking mine from the view of that asshole inside. His eyes widened when he realised I was standing there. Turned slightly as if to close the door behind him.

That leaves me just enough room between him and the doorframe.

When the Terminus guy bent over and released my Baby Sis? I hastily fire. Before pushing Ty back into the cabin and shutting the door behind us.

He ran over to the cooler bin that he'd re-purposed as a cot for Judith. She was still screaming up a storm, but appeared to be unharmed.

And I almost faint with relief.

The Terminus asshole was wheezing blood, while glaring up at me with murder in his eyes. So I straight up put a bullet between them.

Tyreese tried to comfort Judith and calm himself down at the same time. It would've been an awful thing for him to witness. Me....cold-bloodedly executing another human being like that.

I grabbed his chin, bringing his face around to mine. Fixed my eyes on his, while gently whispering to him over and over again.

"I'm sorry....so sorry you had to see me do that. But it's done, Ty. It's over now, dear heart. They'll be home with us soon....our family. It's done...."

It took a while, but I managed to bring him back from the brink. Once I knew for certain that he'd returned to us, I left to go back outside.

Dispatch the few Walkers stumbling around the cabin and get rid of all the bodies. I remove the canvas poncho. Leave it hanging over a rail out front of the cabin in case it'll be needed again.

I can't leave to go and help Carol now. Oh, I'm not afraid of leaving Ty alone with Juju....never that. I'm really afraid of leaving Ty alone....with Ty.

Half an hour is all it took for them to come home to us.

Felt to me like a lifetime.

*

Ty sat quietly in a corner, cuddling Judith. While I fidget impatiently.

Glancing out the window, I glimpsed the first of them walking over the crest of the hill.

He passed her over to me and I gave him a hand to get up off the floor.

Motioned him outside. But before he went....he held us both tight in his arms and kissed us.