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

S5Pt6 - Returning Home

It's been a week since Beth died. Since we were sticking around Atlanta, I wanted to visit my old home. I just wanted to visit my family again, see them, and say goodbye just one more time.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Rick I'm going." I said sternly.
Rick shook his head and looked at me.
"Kelley, no. It's not safe and we need to stick together." Rick said.
"I'll come back later tonight. I'll be fine." I said.
Daryl then walked up and stood by my side.
"What's going on?" He asked.
"I want to go visit my family. My old home isn't far from here." I said and looked at Daryl. "I need to go."
Daryl sighed and agreed with Rick, and I threw up my arms in frustration. I didn't even know why I bothered asking, because I was going anyways. I walked away from them and grabbed my bag. I slung my rifle around my shoulder and started walking away.
"Kelley!" Rick called out.
I turned around and looked at him. "I need to do this Rick. You don't understand!" I said.
Daryl then looked at Rick and they discussed it. Then Daryl grabbed his crossbow and walked over to me. I sighed and Daryl started walking by my side.
"It won't take that long. I just... I don't know how to explain it, but I need this." I said.
Daryl put his hand on my shoulder and nodded.
"It's okay. I get it." Daryl said.
"Thanks." I said quietly.
We walked about a few miles from camp and ended up at my old neighborhood. The streets were empty and everything was quiet.
"So, what house was yours?" Daryl asked.
I looked to my left and stared at a house. "This one." I said and pointed at it.
The door was still closed, just like I left it, and I slowly walked up to it. I put my hand on the handle but didn't open it yet. I took a big breath and closed my eyes.
I slowly opened the door and looked inside. Everything was still the same. We walked inside and Daryl admired my home, and I could imagine him thinking of me before all of this.
I looked at the couch where I last sat with my family. I saw Bud's dog bed in the corner and smiled at it, remembering how much he did for me. I looked at the family pictures hung up on the wall and on the dresser and grabbed one. It was of my father, my mother, and me and my siblings. It was from years ago with us standing in front of our church we went to every Sunday.
"This was you?" Daryl said and pointed at me.
"Yeah." I said and smiled. "I looked so different." I whispered.
I then opened a photo album and found a picture of us without my father in it. I grabbed it and put it in my bag. We walked past the hallway, and Daryl looked down it. He stopped when he saw the blood and I just sighed.
I stood by him and gently grabbed his hand.
"My sister turned first, then attacked my brother. My mom ran in there and..." I said and sighed. "I didn't get to her in time."
Daryl held me close and I wiped a tear that was about to fall.
"It's wasn't your fault Kell." Daryl said. "You did what had to do."
I nodded and looked at the blood that was smeared across the walls and on the floor. I opened the sliding glass door to outside and walked over to their graves.
I stood in front of my mother's grave, with my brother's to the left and my sister's to the right.
"Hi guys." I whispered and tried not to cry.
I bowed my head and closed my eyes. Daryl put his hand on my back and I sniffled.
"I miss you guys. So much." I said. "... and I love you." I looked down at my stomach and held my small baby bump. "I just want to let you know I'm okay. That I'm surviving... I have my family, my husband, and my baby."
Daryl kissed the back of my head and wrapped his arms around me and touched my stomach. I sighed and rested my head against his chest.
"What was your sister's and brother's
name?" Daryl asked.
"Why?" I asked.
"Well I was thinking that if our baby is a girl, give her your sisters name. If it's a boy, give him your brothers." He said.
I turned my head and looked up at him. "You sure?" I asked.
"Of course I am. If that will make you happy." He said.
I held his cheek and slowly kissed him. Daryl leaned his forehead against mine and I slightly smiled. I turned around and looked back at the graves.
"My sister's name was Sarah." I said. "And my brother's name was Lee."
Daryl smirked and rested his chin on my shoulder. "Kelley and Lee, huh?"
I chuckled and nodded my head. "Yeah, blame my father for that one." I said.
"They sound perfect." Daryl said.
I nodded my head and we stood there for a few minutes in silence. I took a deep breath and Daryl rubbed my stomach.
"You ready to head back?" Daryl asked.
"Yeah." I nodded.
I walked out of his embrace and held his hand. I looked back at him and sighed.
"Thank you for coming with me." I said.
Daryl nodded and I smiled at him. He squeezed my hand and we left my old house. With my hand intertwined with his, we walked down the quiet streets and all we heard were our footsteps.
As I thought to myself, I knew that this was the last time I would see this house again. I would never be able to see my family again and things would never go back to normal. But I carried on. I had the group, I had Daryl, and soon I'll be holding a newborn baby in my arms. I have more than enough reasons to get up every morning and keep moving, to stay alive and survive out here. So I just had to keep hope alive in myself and in Daryl, because all we need is a little bit of hope.