DARYL
"I'm being fuckin stupid, ain't I? Sendin her away right when I need her more than ever."
We were standing by the Explorer that he'd 'Borrowed' from the Kingdom.
Watchin Nate and Leo as they slowly wandered towards us. Holdin hands, hugging and whisperin while the Mutt hopped around them.
The place is dead quiet, yet I doubt that anyone is still sleepin. I'm glad for the solitude, though. Cos the fewer people around to see them leave? The better.
No awkward questions. And, no prolonged farewells.
"Being courageous? Is knowing it'll hurt, but doing it anyway. Being stupid is exactly the same. And that's why life sucks, Daryl. Cos it's so hard to tell the difference between the two."
We wandered over to my bike, and I grabbed my pack in readiness.
"Jorge....I...." He wouldn't let me finish.
"You never need to ask. With my life, as I always have and always will. But this time, you need to do something for me in return."
"Anything, man" I nodded before he drew me into a hug.
Slapped my shoulder as he murmured into my ear....
"I truly understand your anger, and can't ever blame you for it. But just remember this one very wise old saying, hermano. Before you embark on a journey of revenge? Dig two graves."
"Stay alive, my friend....for all of us. That's not a request, by the way."
He ambled off to take Nate's place with Leo. Leaving me to stare open-mouthed at his back.
*
"But, Babe....this is your pack?"
Nate bit her lips hard. Tryin to stop the wobbles, as I settled the strap over her shoulder.
"It sure as shit is. So yer better bring it back to me in one piece, woman....or else! I've thrown some changes of clothes in there. Plus a few of those candies and teabags to help with the pukin."
"Or else what, mister?"
"Still got me a damn good imagination, missus. I'll think of somethin suitable."
"Yeah, yeah. Promises....promises" Covered her lips with mine, and we both wobbled up a storm for a while.
"I promised you, Daryl. How can I keep it if I'm not here to find you?" Despite her best efforts, she started to leak.
"Yer know the deal, woman. Yer be a good girl....and I don't get lost. Ok?"
I kept lookin her in the eyes, all too aware that I've probably lied. Even though I swore to myself that I wouldn't.
It's like I've already started puttin a shovel to earth....diggin my grave first?
"Son? Yer quit being a lil' shit for yer Momma! Or we'll be havin some serious words when yer get home. Yer hearin me?" I tapped him lightly on the butt.
"Jorge still reckons it'll be three days tops. One each way, along with a full day in-between to load up whatever yer can. I'm gonna give yer a little wiggle room, though. But if yer go a single minute over four days?"
"Then I'll be leadin the search party! Yer hearin me, missus?" My ultimatum is stern and I ain't fuckin apologising for it 🫵
"Yes, dear."
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Home Is Your Heartbeat ('Home Is' Book Two - Daryl Dixon)
FanfictionSemi-mature. Completed. Book Two picks up immediately from the last chapter of Home is You. Nate is an Aussie girl who was stranded in Georgia during the outbreak. She and fellow traveler Leo joined a group of survivors in Atlanta. Nate got her firs...
