A Survivor's Diary of the Apocalypse (TWD/Daryl Dixon)

S2Pt13 - Dead Friends

I finally calmed down and walked back to camp later that evening. I saw Dale sitting on top of the RV taking watch.
"Dale!" I called up to him and he nodded at me. "I'll take over for you tonight. Go get some rest."
He climbed down the RV and I met him at the ladder. He thanked me and grabbed my shoulder.
"I'm going to take a walk. I'll be back later." He said and I nodded.
"Why don't you take Bud with you. He's a fighter and great company, in case you get into trouble." I offered.
He nodded and I leashed him up. I waved them off and watched Bud and Dale leave camp.
Awhile later, everything was extremely quiet. I saw the guys talking at the table while everyone else was getting ready for bed. I looked out into the distance and oddly couldn't see Dale or Bud.
"Aahhhhh!! No!!" I heard someone scream.
I instantly stood up and scanned the field.
"Kelley! What was that?" Rick called to me.
"I don't know." I called back and kept looking.
Ruff! RUFF!
I heard my dog and instantly got a bad feeling.
"It's Dale!" I yelled and climbed down the RV.
I started running into the field followed by the rest of the group. We followed the noise of Dale's screams and approached him in the field. We all pulled out weapons out and were shocked by what we saw. A walker pinned him down, tore open his stomach, and was eating his intestines. Daryl shot the walker and we ran over to Dale.
"Oh, Dale." Andrea cried and ran to his side.
He was groaning in pain and couldn't speak coherently.
"Hershel! Someone get Hershel!" Rick yelled. "We need Hershel."
I put a hand on Rick's back and shook my head. "He won't make it."
Hershel ran over and saw what happened and said there was nothing he could do.
"He's suffering." Andrea cried as he coughed and squirmed in pain.
Carl pushed through and noticed the walker. He had fear in his eyes and ran over to Lori. Rick put the gun up to Dale's head but couldn't pull the trigger.
"I'll do it." Daryl said and lowered Rick's gun.
He held up his own gun to Dale's head and he stared at the gun.
"Sorry brother." Daryl said and ended his suffering.
Everyone was silent and I remembered my dog.
"Bud." I whispered and looked around frantically.
Daryl looked at me and I began panicking.
"Bud!" I called out.
Then I heard a whine coming from a few feet away. I walked over there and saw a walkers body on the floor. I heard another whine and saw him laying next to the body. Bud was covered in blood, had bites and scratches on his side, and his were ribs exposed. He too was suffering.
"No!" I cried and ran to his side.
He whined and tried to wag his tail but didn't have the energy. He was dying and I couldn't help him. Daryl tried to pull me back but I pushed him away. I laid next to Bud and pet his face and kissed his nose.
"I'm so sorry." I cried and he slowly licked my cheek.
He whined at me and I cried. Daryl walked to my side but I stopped him. I pulled out my gun and aimed it at him. He put his hands up but stayed where he was. No one knew what to expect but honestly I didn't either.
"You don't have to do this." Shane said.
He slowly walked forwards with Rick with their hands up. I aimed the gun at them, and then at Shane.
"Don't move or I'll fucking kill you!" I yelled at Shane.
I cried and looked back at Bud. I pet his head and Daryl slowly walked to my side. He put a hand on my back and slowly lowered my gun. I rested my forehead on the gun and Daryl held my waist.
"I'm so sorry boy." I said and pet his head. "I love you."
I kissed him one more time and then held my gun up to his head. He whined and closed his eyes, and that's when I shot him.
"I'm sorry Kell." Daryl said and hugged me from behind.
He kissed my head and rested his head on my shoulder. He held me and I cried in his arms.
Daryl picked me up and took me away. We got to his tent and he sat me down inside. I was silent and didn't speak a word. I slowly laid down and Daryl laid down next to me. He wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed my shoulder. I wiped my tears and covered my face in the pillow and let out a sob.
Daryl rubbed my back and let me cry it out. After probably half an hour of crying, I was exhausted and closed my eyes. All I could hear was Dale's screams and Bud whining at me. I was half asleep when I felt Daryl caress my cheek and tuck my hair behind my ear.
"I don't know if you hear me right now, but I have to tell you something." Daryl's gruff voice said.
I closed my eyes and pretended I was sleeping.
"Hershel disappeared and we think he went into town. I'm going with Rick and Glenn to go get him back." He said and sighed.
He trailed his fingers down my arm and held my hand.
"I love you Kelley, and the idea of losing you scares the shit out of me. I know you lost a lot recently and you've been through so much, but I need you... So please don't go. Stay with me. I love you so much Kell." He said.
Lastly he kissed my forehead and I heard him leave the tent. I took a deep breath and opened my eyes and tears streamed down my face.
"Oh, Daryl?" I told myself. "How is it that the world is falling apart and you still give me a reason to live?"