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

Chapter 62 - Let It Be (Beatles)

NATE

I kept my hands clamped firmly over Eugene's wound while he lay unconscious in the tray of the truck. Abraham and Daryl had their rifles up, scanning either side of the road. As Rosita gunned it.

Within twenty minutes, we shot through the gates of Alexandria. And he was gently placed on the Infirmary bed.

I start racing around. Grabbing gauze, antiseptic and whatever else that I think we'll need.

Once Rosie undid his shirt and peeled it back, we poked around a bit at his wound. Then rolled our eyes at each other in sheer relief.

He'd been winged. There's no embedded bullet, and no organ damage.

And now....no Denise  🥺

Bite my lip hard. Trying to stop the whimpers that are threatening to escape my mouth. While at the same time, patching Eugene up.

He came around on occasion. Before floating away again, whenever I stuck another suture strip on.

Abraham gave Daryl a sympathetic nod when he returned to the Infirmary ten minutes later.

"Rick's on his way. How's our boy doing?"

Dixon remained standing like a statue by the window, gazing out over the lake. He hasn't uttered a single word since we left the rail tracks. Only glanced up now and then, as we went about our business.

But I know that look on his face....in his eyes.

"Bullet just grazed him, but it's good that we got him back when we did. The antibiotics we picked up will save him from infection. Saved his life, that's what Denise did"  Rosie responded softly, and Daryl jerked slightly at that.

"Hey, bud. Welcome back....are you here with us now?"

I ran my fingers over Eugene's head. Gently kissed it when he let out a small cough and fluttered his eyelids. This time, they remained open. And his hand squeezed mine in greeting.

"Present. I was not trying to kill you, just simply looking for our moment. Do you apologise for questioning my survival skills?"  He peered up at Blue, who leaned over him with a face full of forgiving concern.

"You found it, and I apologise. You sure know how to bite the dick, Eugene. And I mean that with the utmost respect."

Blue pulled up a chair right next to the bed, and we left them to it. Grabbing a couple of sheets from the infirmary supply shelf, I walked over to Dixon. Tugged on his hand.

"C'mon"  I whispered, and he nodded back as I led him out to the truck.

Not another word was spoken, even when I jumped into the driver's seat.

Because he knew.

*

It had just gone on sunset when everyone dispersed, leaving us alone with her.

Daryl got up off his haunches and began shovelling dirt back into her grave. I was about to follow suit when a gentle pressure on my shoulder stopped me.

Carol reached up and cupped my face in her hands. Wiped away some dirt and tears, then leaned in to kiss my cheek. She lay her head against mine for the longest time, wrapping her arms tightly around me.

Before sighing deeply and letting go.

We both gazed over to Daryl, who'd stopped for a minute to down a miniature bottle of Danville Bridge whisky. And as he drank, he stared out over the graveyard. His face was a rigid mask of grief and shame.