Bethyl: Remember Me

Chapter Two: I Loved Her

  After Tyreese's funeral, we gathered inside one of the houses we had searched earlier. Considering what had happened to Ty mere hours ago, we didn't want to stay out in the open. So, there we were, crammed into a living room, discussing our next move. Sasha, Maggie and I didn't speak, too grief-stricken to say a word, but everyone else seemed to have something to say.
  "We could stay here," Tara suggested.
  "One accident here is better than 10 accidents out there," Abraham added.
  "How could you say that?!" Carol scowled, glancing at Sasha sympathetically.
  "We've only checked three houses. What if it gets worse?" Carl, who was holding Judith, asked.
  "It'll be torture for us to make Sasha stay here..." Rosita pointed out.
  This arguing back and forth continued for awhile, but I zoned out about half way through. All I could think about was Beth's corpse shambling through the forest as a walker. Maybe, if she was lucky, someone had already put her down. No more pain, no more suffering. I knew Rick was right - there was no way she hadn't turned. But a part of me wanted to believe that there was still hope. I remembered Beth's words, back when we were looking for the kids after the prison fell.
  Wouldn't kill you to have a little faith.
  I smiled as I thought about it, about how she was so hopeful of finding Maggie. The smile suddenly vanished as I realized she never did find Maggie. Once again, I was fighting back tears. I quickly walked out of the room and out the door, willing the tears to go away. I sat down on the porch, resting my head on my knees. I heard the door open behind me and looked over my shoulder to see Maggie, eyes red from tears and dark circles.
  "What happened when you were with her?" Maggie asked, sitting down next to me. I grunted, noy wanting to answer.
  "I told you," was all I could say. Maggie shook her head, and I knew she wanted more answers.
  "What happened with you two? You were almost as sad as I was when-" Maggie began, but I cut her off.
  "I loved her," I blurted out, and Maggie's eyes went wide. She didn't say anything else, but after a few awkward seconds of silence, she nodded.
  "I don't really know what happened. I guess... She proved to me that there were still good people," I explained, hating the silence.
  "She was the light at the end of the tunnel for me."
  Maggie smiled slightly, and I felt as if I had just gotten her approval. It was a bittersweet feeling, seeing as it was far too late.
  "I bet... I bet she loved you too, Daryl," Maggie whispered, tears in her eyes. She smiled and wiped them away. She stood up and started to walk back inside, but she looked at me before she went.
  "You should come inside. We need you."