The Fallen (Daryl Dixon fanfiction)

Chapter 18

“The Governor had returned after taking the time to lick his wounds. Spun some lies to his blind followers to attack a prison full of the elderly, children, and the sick. When you think you can’t lose enough. Life likes to prove you wrong.”

“Seems to be doing that a lot nowadays,” Deanne hums.

“Yeah. I awoke to the screams...the smell of smoke, and gunpowder...” she closes her eyes seeing the scene play before her. Stumbling to her feet, watching the blurry figures sprint past the cell bars. “I thought everyone was dead,” she admits. “Nearly broke my neck getting down the stairs,” she sniffles, reliving the heartbroken loss of leaving her most treasured items behind. Her sons’ handprints hanging on the wall of her cell. “It was just the three of us for a long while. You lose track of the days. The only day being today, the present, the now. That’s all that matters.” She spaces out. “No one cares about yesterday anymore, or tomorrow you could be dead tomorrow.” She shrugs. “Me, Daryl...” she gestures where the Archer once stood. Deanne nods. “...and a girl named Beth.” she gets out. Proud that her voice didn’t crack. “Maggie’s younger sister.”

“What happened to her if you mind me asking?” 

~.~

That was a waste of a good breakfast. Spitting out water in hopes of rinsing the taste of second-hand breakfast. Kicking some dirt and leaves over the pile of sick. Tending to the small fire that had been bowling water for when Beth returned from her hunting lesson with Daryl. She hid it well, but they were catching on. The worried glances, being given extra portions, and being encouraged to sleep in. The snapping of twigs and shuffle of leaves catch her attention. Looking to the right drawing her gun only to lower it at the two figures.

“What happened?” Reese gasped, looking up to see the teen hobbling as she leaned against Daryl, who helped her along.

“Walked into a bear trap.” The blonde winces as the two help her to the ground.

“More like a wild boar.” He corrects her, earning a glare from both women. “Believe me. You’ll know if it was a bear trap.” He eyes Reese, who chuckles at the memory.

“Can you walk on it?” Reese asks, looking over the ankle that didn’t seem to be broken, but was most likely sprained.

“Yeah, but...” she hisses at Reese’s probing.

“Thankfully, it’s not broken.” She looks at the archer.

“Why do I feel a but comin’?” Beth sighs.

“But you need to lay off it for a couple of days,” she informs.

“Might be a cottage or somethin’ judging by the traps.” Daryl chimes in, helping the young girl to her feet. Reese lifts her backpack, slinging it onto her own back. Watching the archer swing his crossbow to the front, kneel in front of Beth, “Hop on,” he instructs.

“You’re serious?” she scoffs.

“This is a serious piggyback.” He returns. “Oof.” He breathes as the girl pounces onto his back, bucking her up and adjusting his grip on her dangling legs. Reese couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight walking beside the two.

“You’re heavier than you look.” He comments.

“Shut up.” The girl sighs with a roll of her eyes.