Marching With the Dead (Daryl Dixon FanFiction)

•Chapter 27•

•Chapter 27•

•Daryl's POV•

The dirt stayed unchanged as I stared at it. I felt hollow inside. Both Merle and Grace were nowhere to be found. It's not going to be alright.

Joe talked with Lou on where we could find Billy. Since the incident last night, we've been separated again. Tony sat next to me listening to their conversation. I didn't want to speak at all. I just kept thinking about my two that I was supposed to be with.

I had tracked down Grace and then she slips away again. This time with my brother. I've done so much for her and the other way around, but we still have to pay the price. It's terrible, really. I can't have my brother nor Grace. With my luck, I'd probably have to choose between the two.

"I'm goin' look for 'em," I sighed as I used my weapons to help me stand. Everyone's heads turned to me in surprise. "You can't go out there alone. There's still some of those bastards left and walkers too," Joe protested meeting my height. I put the strap of my weapon over my shoulder and glared at him. "I ain't gonna leave 'em out there. They're family." It was true for one of them.

Joe pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. "Daryl, we can go look for them later. We have people to find too, you know," Joe sighed with concern in his eyes. I shrugged,"You find your people. I'll find mine." With that, I stalked off deeper into the woods.

I kept my crossbow on my shoulder. Walking and searching was all I wanted to do until I found them. I know I might never find them. They could be dead for all I know, but I'd rather work for a paycheck than wait to win the lottery.

•Grace's POV•

My feet were hurting from the walking I had done all day. Sobs still racked in my body. The load on my back of the sniper's gun and back rubbed my shoulders and neck. I wanted to take a break, but I couldn't stop. If I did, I probably wouldn't want to get back up.

My calves were sore every time I took a step, but felt relief when I lifted my leg. My breathing came out shorter and faster and so did my heartbeat. Chills ran up and down my back as I neared to wherever I was going. Who knows, I just might be walking back to Terminus to die.

I wish it was all a dream. Merle wouldn't be dead. Daryl wouldn't have been seperated from me. No one would have wanted to kill me. I wouldn't have killed people just for sanctuary. I would of never been tormented by Len. I probably would have never seen death. Although, I never would have met Daryl. Merle I could live without, but Daryl has been with me through thick and thin. He's saved me so many times that I couldn't thank him enough.

I wish reality was back. The dead would exist, but they'd be in the ground. My old life would be back. I wouldn't have to worry about dying everyday. The only things I would be worried about was bills and my college courses. It was so simple back then. Everything fell into place and there barely was any worries. I guess I had it too easy.

I thought it was a hallucination when I heard my name in a faint whisper. My eyes darted back in forth in search of the source. Could it be? Is someone coming to rescue me?

"Grace!" the voice shouted like it was in distress, but it was only a murmur to me. Whoever this idiot is, they're risking a herd tracking its ass. I then heard shuffling leaves and thought it was my own until I saw a figure appear behind a tree far off.

My heart stopped.

"Daryl," I gasped before running to the shock stricken man. My breath caught in my throat and my feet couldn't go any faster. Daryl dropped his crossbow and closed the gap between us that remained. His arms snaked around my back an pushed me close to him. I felt my legs being lifted off the ground as I was jerked back and forth. The gear on me separated us slightly and pierced my skin, but I didn't care. He buried his face in my shoulder and gasped as if there was no air left in the world.

"Grace," he whispered in my ear. I clutched onto his neck tighter as he set me down. We sat there for a few more seconds before letting go. I broke away to get a good look at him to see tears running down his face and his lip shivering. I let out a stifled laugh since I never thought I would this see man like this.

I gulped with my stomach churning thinking it would ease it. I felt a warm tear slip down my face despite the slight chill in the air. Daryl let out a shaky breath,"Where's Merle?"

My breath caught in my throat. I opened my mouth to say something, but quickly shut it. Daryl looked at me with concern and worry in his eyes. The lump in my throat stung my eyes as I tried to avoid his gaze. I still kept my arms around his neck as I pushed my head into his chest and let out a labored breath.

"There was a sniper. He stayed behind while the others were in the shed. We were walking to find you and he was shot..... Daryl, I tried," I said rarely pausing,"I tried."

Daryl blinked his eyes a few times as I felt his breath hitch in his throat. A slight grimace flashed across his face as he stared at the ground between us. I let my fingers graze his cheek only to let them meet with the salt water falling from his eyes.

"Daryl, he loved you. You know that, right?" I sighed as I tried to get into his sights. Water fell like rain from his face and was shivering. He would never be the same after this.

"Did he say anything?" He asked now looking at me. I blinked a few times before nodding my head,"He wanted me to find you."

A small smirk flashed across his face, but immediately went back to a grimace,"Well, you did." Daryl sighed before shoving me to his chest and pulling away immediately. He looked me over and locked his eyes on the pistol in my holster. I glanced down at the firearm realizing that's where I put Merle's pistol. I grasped the glock and held it out to Daryl.

He stared at it for a few seconds before glancing at me. He slipped his fingers around with tears still spilling, but there was less of them. He slipped the barrel in-between his belt and pants. I watched his hands fumble with the gun since he was still shaking over the news. After he finished putting it up, he wrapped his arms around me again and didn't let go for a long while.