Season 5 Bethyl

Following the Hopeful

Following the Hopeful

As they tread through the forest, all doubt Daryl's hope. Since when was he hopeful? It has crossed all if their minds at one point on this journey. They walk along the river bank and only hope Daryl truly knows what he's doing. What he's risking for someone who might not even be any more. But he doesn't let this push him back. He doesn't let it eat at him until he gives up. No. He won't give up until he sees her, in one form or the other. Hopefully alive. They walk for hours, never stopping and never talking. In a quiet line like the Von Trapp children- they follow Daryl until finally he decides to rest beside a cave flush to the hill side.

"How does he know where to go? If he knew, we'd already have the girl. I think he's wasting our time, Rick." Abraham growls low at Rick, who shakes his head in disinterest.

"No. Daryl's a good tracker. Has a good sense about 'im. We'll give him a few days and then we'll either go to DC together or... cut 'im loose."

"Bes' be right about him Grimes. I ain't got much time to waste."

"But you do. We all do. So jus' give Daryl his lead and hopefully it turns up good for us all." They nod at each other and then part ways. Daryl over looking the top of the ridge can see the whole valley of trees and whatever else is below.

"See anything interestin'?" Michone comes up behind Daryl, who turns to greet her eyes with his. She sits beside him with her feet dangling over the edge of the cave, where the others are resting.

"See that out in the distance?" He points to a small bunch of what seems like lights.

"Is that lights? Like of the electric kind?" Michone feels eager to know. The clarification makes her giddy that they might be getting back actual civilization. Daryl nods and looks down at the fire ten feet below them, where Rosita is stoking the fire just enough to keep it a low glow.

"Yep. Seems to be a big buildin' too. With generators most likely."

"You think she's there?"

"Have a hunch. Although I'm not set on it. The car was white with a black painted cross on it. Unless that's a church, I feel like it's possibly a step in the wrong direction." Taking out his knife he starts making more bolts for his bow. Michone studies him closely and can see that he isn't quite the old Daryl.

"Can I ask you a question without you pushin' me off this ridge?" Looking up Daryl looks Michone in her dark eyes that the moon illuminates.

"Fine."

"What happened tween you and 'er?"

"What do you mean? Nothin' happened." He seems offended and Michone raises an eyebrow.

"You know what I mean. Sure gettin' out with her probably brought you both on the level, but enough to flip shit over the whole group? I doubt it was just buddy buddy survivors." Daryl looks down and stops making his bolts. His hands collapse over her lap and Michone now realizes the truth to this dessert mission. "Oh my god.... you have feelings her."

"What? No. Ain't no feelings other than concern for her missin'."

"You can't lie to me Daryl. I know you do. And I don't blame you. Being close with someone for a while can..."

"It's not like that Chone..."

"Then what is it like? Cause if... when you get her back, she gonna wanna know too." Looking up at Michone, Daryl can't put everything together. He doesn't know what this feeling is. He doesn't know love or compassion- only anger, frustration, and being a loner for the most part. Anything related to love has never crossed his path.

"I don't know exactly." Grumbling, he looks back at the lights which seem brighter now. The moon light cascades over the water and crickets chirp in the silence of sleeping people.

"Well how does she make you feel?"

"Yer jokin' righ'?"

"No. Tell me. Maybe I can help you figure it out."

"Huh... I guess when I'm around her I feel like.. like me. But not the old me who used to be a nobody. The important me." Thinking a but he continues. "She's like the light at the end of the tunnel. A flame that when she got taken, went out, leavin' me in darkness. So stupid."

"Daryl...." Michone is speechless by his words. Placing a hand on his arm she allows a breath to go by before beginning again. "Yer in love with her. That's what those feelings are. They're not stupid. They're... they're beautiful. And when you see her, you need to tell her, just like you told me... but without the stupid at the end."

"I guess I do love her. Chone, can I ask you a question?"

"Course."

"Do you really think this is a dead end mission? Am I jus' screwin' up everyone's plans?"

"No Daryl. Not on this. Beth is part of the group and she needs to be found. They're jus worked up over everything. We'll find Beth and get back on track." They leave the night in silence until they switch shifts to sleep. As Daryl lays there on the hard ground, his mind crosses over and over again what he said about loving Beth.

In the morning, everyone is ready and waiting orders from Daryl. As he walks out of the cave, he looks amongst the group, who seems to be looking up at him as if he is all knowing.

"I seen a building last night. Across the river and through the trees due North. It had electricity. I feel we should start heading in that direction." No one questions Daryl or his decision making. He shakes his head and everyone begins to pack up. As they head down the river, they pause when they hear a person screaming for help.

"Come on! WE HAVE TO HELP HIM!" Carl yells and they all race toward the sound. To fall in their sights was something they never imagined seeing. A priest on top of a big rock, with three walkers grabbing at his feet. Carl takes out the first walker, while Michone and Daryl get the next two. The priest sits up and starts to calm down.

"Tha...thank you. I'm Father Gabriel." Gabriel slides down the rock, back to the ground and when they ask if he's okay, throws up and then wipes his mouth.

"How aren't you used to this life yet?" Daryl asks and Gabriel just shakes his head.

"I regret this sin in the world. I won't succomb to killing these misunderstood creatures."

"Those misunderstood creatures, almost had a priestly meal." Rick states and then looks at Daryl, who looks a little irritated with the delay. "We need a place to stock up on things before setting out. You obviously have been living in the protection of a building... where is your camp?"

"I have a church... you're more than welcomed to gather yourselves there. It's just this way." He starts walking away from the river and Daryl feels even more taken away from Beth.