Daryl's Angel: Saviour (Book Two)

Chapter 28: Newcomer

Part of me is still processing how it all went wrong. I keep looking at Reg, at his blood coating my hands, at the grief written in every line on Deanna's face. Sorry doesn't cover it.

When Abraham takes Reg's body away, I stay by Deanna's side for a little longer. Behind me, I hear Rick and Michonne urging everyone to go home. Even with Reg's body gone, Deanna sits and stares at the pool of blood left behind. I hear footsteps, a hand on my shoulder as Daryl drops to one knee beside me. I press my cheek to his knuckles.

"Just go home," Deanna mumbles.

I purse my lips. "You should, too."

She shakes her head.

Daryl lightly grasps my arm, urging me to my feet, and we leave Deanna by the lonely fire. The moment we're out of sight, Daryl stops and brings me into a long, tight hug. Tears brim along my lashes as I cling tightly to him, forcing myself to take deep breaths.

It feels like he was gone for ages.

"The hell happened?" Daryl whispers.

"So much," I croak. I exhale as I press my face to his shoulder. "I'm so glad you're home."

"Me too, angel face. Believe me."

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Back at home, once I've washed the blood from my hands, Daryl makes us each a bowl of canned soup. Morgan sits at the kitchen island with his own food while Rick searches his backpack for anything noteworthy. He runs his bloodied fingers along a dirty map, brow furrowed.

Morgan looks up at him, smiling a little. "You were right," he says. "It wasn't over."

Rick lets his hand fall back to his side. "We should talk more tomorrow," he says. He takes a step away, then turns again. "Listen. I don't take chances anymore."

Morgan nods. "And you shouldn't."

I glance at Daryl. He shrugs.

We finish our food and head up to bed. I unbutton Daryl's shirt as he takes off my belt and pants.

"What happened out there?" I ask.

He grunts as he shrugs out of his shirt. "Long story," he says. "Got caught in a trap, thought we found food but...didn't. Morgan jumped in and saved us." He settles onto the edge of the bed, working his socks off. "Turns out he knows Rick, was looking for him. Said they met early on."

"Small world, huh?"

"Smaller every day."

I pull a baggy t-shirt over my head as Daryl crawls under the blankets, letting out a long sigh as he relaxes into the bed. I climb in next to him and he immediately tugs me close, my back against his chest as he nuzzles my neck.

"Thought I was dead," he mumbles. "All I could think about was you and the baby."

I cling to his hand, his arm as it surrounds me, and press a kiss to his knuckles. "You always come back, somehow."

"Starting to think it's pure dumb luck."

I shift, rolling onto my back so that I can look up at him. I reach up and brush some of his dark hair from his eyes. His lip lifts in a small smile that I can't bring myself to return.

"Luck runs out, you know?" I whisper.

He presses a kiss to my forehead. "Mhm."

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I head to the infirmary soon after waking up. Without Pete, I need to talk to Elliot about our doctor situation and which way he thinks the wind will blow. Deanna has the final say, but with what she's been through in the past few days, I'd be surprised if she's willing to be a leader right now.