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ELLIE GRIPPED FIERCELY onto Daryl's tense arm, yanking strenuously against her rough skin as he struggled to stride away from her, but Ellie knew how to be persistent.
She persisted with her grip as she dug her long nails deep into his skin, daring to spill blood as she endeavoured to yank him back from fleeing. Daryl's rigid body halted in his stance as he turned back to glare at the blonde, only to be met with her beauty once again. Each time his eyes landed upon those very same crystalline eyes, he found himself trapped in the very same heartache as before.
"You don't get to run away again, Dixon," Ellie hissed, finally releasing his skin to fold her arms across her chest.
Daryl's jaw clenched tight, highlighting a jawline so sharp it could be utilised as a weapon. His dark eyes dropped to the ground as he uttered, "She–she ain't mine. She can't be. You're lyin'."
"I'd lie about that?" Ellie roared, pulling her daughter closer to by her small hands, "Look at her and tell me she isn't yours. She's just a little girl, Daryl!"
Daryl's ocean eyes reluctantly shifted down to the small child, unable to fully focus on the details that just screamed that she had to be his. He gawked down at the small girl, his eyes broadening once he had observed how she resembled a youthful rendition of his mother, instantly feeling a lump begin to form in his throat.
To avoid emotion, he turned away from the girl and scoffed, "How–how do I know she ain't someone else's?"
Ellie's face stretched into a stunned grin, shocked at how entirely dismissive Daryl had been of his own blood.
Ellie broadcasted a wry laugh, scoffing loudly before she shook her head, "You are a joke. I'm so glad you weren't around so that she didn't have to grow up to find out what a waste of space you truly are."
The pain of her words invaded his veins, feeling her toxicity begin to corrode his heart. Allowing her to pierce the armour he'd built so tightly around himself. Daryl couldn't prevent himself from being horrid to her; it was the only way he knew how to externalise the pain he bared so deep in his soul. The one thing he truly wanted was to yank her close, dreaming of allowing the feud to melt into the warmth they could create between them. Yet, it remained internalised. His fear always won.
Daryl did the only thing he had known to do in instances he dreaded, and that was to walk away. He immediately raged in the opposite direction, and darted towards Rick, whom he hadn't formed much of an opinion on, but anyone would be better company for Daryl than Ellie Sommers.
As the angered man's figure became more distant, Coda finally glanced up at her visibly upset mother and cried out, "Why is he so nasty?"
Ellie blinked repeatedly, stunned by Daryl's ability to throw any goodness behind him, and kneeled next to Coda, "He's not what you deserve."
