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

S3Pt8 - Grudges

I was sitting at a table with the group when the gate to the tombs creaked open and we saw Rick walk in.
"Everyone okay?" He asked.
"We're all fine." I said.
Rick looked at me, and saw the bruises on my neck, and his eyes filled with regret. He was about to say something but decided to stay quiet. He walked over to Carl, grabbed his shoulder, and pulled him in for a hug.
"Just checking on Carl." He said.
The baby made a noise and Rick looked over at her. Carol was holding her and Rick's eyes watered. Rick slowly walked over to her and asked to hold her. I saw Rick sigh with relief when he held his daughter. He kissed her head and gave her back to Carol.
"Does everyone have a gun and a knife?" Rick asked Daryl.
"Yeah." Daryl muttered and glared at Rick.
He lowered his head and nodded.
"We're running low on ammo." I told him.
Rick looked up at me, and I saw he was tearing himself apart for what he did. He looked away and walked back into the tombs.
"Rick." Hershel called out.
He was already gone and a few people looked at me.
"I'm not going after him this time." I said.
I smiled because I thought it was funny, but no one else did. I quickly shut up and went back into my cell. I sat on the bed and stared at the wall. Daryl walked in and grabbed his crossbow and flashlight.
"Where are you going?" I asked.
For some reason, Daryl didn't answer me. He was about to walk away when I grabbed his arm.
"Hey?" I said, and he turned around and looked at me. "Why are you being a dick?"
"Kell," He sighed. "Not right now."
"No, we are talking about whatever is going on with you, right now." I ordered.
"I'm going to go talk to Rick." He muttered.
"What's your plan?" I asked and pointed at his crossbow.
"Nothing, Kell." He yelled and dropped everything. "I just-He had no reason-"
"Fuck you Daryl!" I yelled back. "He had a very legitimate reason. His wife just fucking died! How do you think you'll react when I die?!"
"Don't say that!" Daryl said.
Me and Daryl kept bickering and were fighting pretty bad. I heard footsteps approach but didn't stop yelling.
"Hey!" I heard a voice yell.
We looked over and saw Carl staring at us.
"Carl." I sighed and looked at Daryl. "I'm sorry."
"Can I go with you?" Carl asked Daryl. "I want to talk to him too."
Daryl sighed and grabbed his stuff. "Not for me to say. Ask Kell." He said.
"Kell- I mean Kelley. Can I go?" Carl asked me.
I smiled at him and nodded. Daryl nodded and stood in the doorway. He looked at me, but I couldn't read his expression.
"Be safe. Both of you." I said and pointed at Carl. "And Daryl." I said and he looked at me. "Don't do anything stupid."
Daryl huffed and left the cell with Carl following, and I was left there, alone, in silence. After a few minutes of gathering myself, I left my cell and rejoined the group. I saw Glenn and Maggie getting ready to go on a run when I approached them.
"Need anyone else?" I asked.
"No, we should be okay." Glenn said. "Thanks though."
The baby started crying in Beth's arms and wouldn't stop.
"I think she wants you anyways." Maggie said and slightly smiled.
I nodded and hugged them. "Good luck guys. Be safe out there."
They nodded and left the prison, and I went over to grab the baby. She was a little fussy so I made her a bottle and fed her. I sat down on the floor and leaned against the wall, and eventually she fell asleep in my arms. I watched as she slept, and realized how tired I was myself and I eventually fell asleep too.
I was awoken by the screeching of the cellblock gate. I looked up and saw that Carl returned and walked to his cell. I waited for Daryl to show up but he never did. I got up quietly, so I didn't wake the baby, and followed Carl. I saw him sitting on his bed and staring at the wall.
"You okay? Everything alright?" I asked.
Carl looked at me and nodded. "Daryl stayed back. He said he needed space."
I nodded and sat down by Carl.
"Thanks for letting me know. But I was asking about you." I told him.
"I'm okay, I guess... I miss my mom." Carl said quietly.
"I know you do." I said and kissed his head. "Of course you do."
"Do you miss your family?" Carl asked.
I nodded and wrapped my arm around him.
"Yeah, I do. Every single day." I said and sighed. "But I'm here now, and I have Daryl, and you, and the baby.." I said and smiled at them. "You guys are my family now."
Carl nodded and held his sister's hand, who wrapped her little fingers around his.
"What happened earlier, with Daryl?" Carl asked. "If you don't mind me asking."
"He's just upset about what happened with your dad." I tried to explain.
"Are you?" Carl asked.
I looked at him and shook my head. "No. You didn't only lose your mother Carl, but he lost his wife. I'd probably act the same if Daryl died." I said truthfully.
Carl nodded and soaked all that in.
"I'm sorry about your family." Carl said.
"Sorry about your mom."

~~~~~~~~~

It was the next morning, and I didn't wake up with Daryl by my side. I kind of felt bad for yelling at him, but he was way out of line too. I got up, got ready, and met Hershel and Carl at the table.
"Morning." I said.
I looked at Hershel who was holding the baby and Carl was reading a book. I stood by Hershel and put my hand on his shoulder.
"She's amazing, isn't she?" Hershel said.
"She's perfect." I said and caressed her cheek.
It was quiet until we heard footsteps. I turned around, hoping it was Daryl, but it was only Rick.
He walked over to me and I looked at him.
"I am so sorry for what I did." He said and glanced down at my neck.
The bruises were fading but they were still visible. I nodded and put my hand on his shoulder.
"I know you are." I said.
Rick then looked over at his daughter and held her. She stretched and opened her eyes, and Rick pet her head. We walked outside together and it was a nice day. The sun was shining down and there was a nice breeze. Rick smiled and then looked at Carl.
"She kinda looks like you." He said.
Carl laughed and shook his head. I smiled at Rick who made eye contact with me. It felt like he was starting to be okay again, like things were going back to normal. I was talking with Hershel, and Rick was talking to Carl when he stopped talking. He was staring off into the distance, down by the fences. He gave Carl the baby and walked a little bit closer. I noticed what he was looking at. There was a figure, a person, on the other side of the fences carrying a basket. The walkers were around her but didn't attack her.
"What the hell?" I asked.
"I'll check it out." Rick said and looked at me. "Be ready for anything."
He started walking off and Carl looked at me. I took the baby from him and ushered him to go. I watched as they went to meet this unknown person, and went back into the cellblock to get ready for anything.