Shattered Wings

Chapter Thirteen: Negan

Beth got on the back of Daryl's bike, she realized she had never been on his bike before, or any bike in that matter. Sure her friends had dirt bikes but her daddy always told her to stay off of them because they were dangerous.  As she got on and wrapped her arms around Daryl's waist she felt him tense up, then he turned slightly and asked if she wanted the helmet. "Daryl, I'm not a kid." She felt slightly offended by this, but brushed it off. It's not like she could expect them to suddenly treat her like an adult when the last time they saw her she was eighteen. Daryl started the bike and just as they were about to pull away she locked eyes with Maggie and smiled, but Maggie didn't smile back.

They road slowly through the streets, just getting out to the gate when Beth locked eyes with a man in a leather jacket. The dark eyes starred at her, she realized he was being followed by a man with a gun. Beth wondered what this man had done to deserve a threatening shadow. The man smiled, grinning teeth at her as they passed, Daryl avoided the man's look though, taking the moment to speed up and get out of his sight.

Outside of the walls Beth began to look around, feeling the wind in her hair and on her face felt freeing. Daryl wasn't wrong, he wasn't too far out from Alexandra, they only had been riding for about ten minutes when he slowed near a metal fence that was surrounded by trees. Daryl kicked the stand down and got off the bike, walking over to open the gate. Inside Beth could see an old metal trailer, one someone would take camping. As Daryl got back on the bike and drove in she noticed there was another trailer in the fenced in lot, there was a light on inside. When the bike finally came to a stop and the engine turned off, Beth hopped off and looked around. Suddenly she head a bark and to her left a dog was running toward her. Beth smiled, she knelt down and began to pet the mutt. Daryl watched, he smiled a little, but sadness originally took over as he remembered the dog that interrupted their meal many years ago, an event that lead to Beth being taken from him. "Is he yours?" Beth smiled up to Daryl as she pet the mutt.

"Yea..." He nodded, "He's Dog."

"You named him Dog?" Beth shook her head, "Why on Earth would you do that?" She laughed, Dog was loving the attention.

"Isa good name." He pointed, "He likes it."

"He doesn't know any better." Beth rubbed the dogs ears, "I'm not calling him that."

"Fine, confuse him why don't ya." Daryl smiled this time, walking over to close and chain up the gate. Finally standing up she looked over and watched as the trailer with the light on had the door opening. A young girl stepped out, her long brown hair pulled back, she starred out at Beth. "Lydia! Come ere."

"Who's that?" Beth looked over to Daryl.

"She's a kid. I watch out for her. Doesn't like the posh livin, I offered her to stay out here with me." Daryl nodded.

Lydia walked over, her arms crossed in front of her, but she smiled softly, "Hi."

"Hi." Beth smiled back.

"Tha's Beth." Lydia smiled bigger, "Lydia's...well...I guess that's still part of the story ya don't know."

"Beth?" Lydia looked over at Daryl with surprise. "Like...from your stories Beth?"

Beth looked over to Daryl with surprise, what stories? Daryl nodded, Beth shook her head, "Better be good stories."

"I mean you die in them." Lydia caught herself, "Oh, I'm sorry..."

"No, it's ok. I did die...I mean...we all thought I did." Beth shrugged, "It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise." Lydia leaned down to pet Dog, "I made some stew, left a bowl in your fridge. I didn't know there would be company, would've made more."