YEARNING - Daryl Dixon

SEVENTEEN.

WHAT happened back at the prison had really affected Daryl. He was not sure what to think, he may have lost the two people he cared the most about, and lost his entire family in the process.

"You have to say something." Beth sat up and looked at Daryl from across the fire, instead he sat emotionless and ignored her, staring down into the fire with his arms around his knees.

"We aren't the only survivors." She stated and Daryl looked over at her "We can't be," Daryl's eyes remained on the girl "Rick and Michonne, they could be out here." Daryl had well and truly lost hope.

All he could think about was Bonnie and Frankie, he noticed that as soon as he got close to people they left, it always happened. His brother, Carol and now the two girls, who else would be next?

"Glenn and Bonnie could have made it out of A block, they could have!" She pleaded, looking at Daryl with a sense of desperation "Maggie could have gotten out too." Silence fell between the two, the only sound coming from the crackling embers of the fire and the crickets in the woods.

Beth stood up and looked down at the man "You're a tracker, you can track." Daryl remained still "Come on, the sun will be out soon you can still-" she stopped herself "Fine!" She walked over to his side and pulled the knife out of the ground "If you won't track, I will."

He remained still as Beth took off into the dark of the night, causing him to stand up reluctantly and kick out the fire, picking up his crossbow, before he went after the girl.

He was not about to lose more of his family today.

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Night had turned to day, and Beth and Daryl continued walking through the woods, finding any signs of life of their people.

With Beth walking off to the left, Daryl followed his line and spotted some deviations in the ground. His heart picked up its pace, the bubble of hope coming to life as he pushed apart and blew the leaves away from the ground, revealing footprints.

"Could be Luke's, or Molly's." By now Beth was over Daryl's shoulder and looking at the prints "Whoever it is means they're alive." Daryl shook his head as he sat back, resting a hand on his crossbow "Nah, it means they were alive four or five hours ago."

"They're alive." Beth stated confidently and turned to continue walking, Daryl stood up and followed her with a sigh.

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"They picked up the pace right here." Daryl pointed to the ground, alerting Beth as his eyes followed the path through the grass and grubble "Got out in a hurry," he paused "things went bad."

Beth shook her head and looked at Daryl with a bewildered look "Wouldn't kill you to have a little faith." She dropped her eyes to the floor and looked for anymore leads that would help the pair.

"Faith ain't done shit for us, sure as hell didn't do nothin' for your father." Beth turned around, the anger and sadness mixing within her.

Daryl stopped and turned to face her, noticing he had struck a cord.

Daryl looked at the girl apologetically, his body looking defeated as his shoulders slumped.

Beth turned, putting her knife back in its sheath and began picking the berries "We'll be hungry while we find them." Daryl walked closer to the girl and pulled out a bandana that would surpass as a bag, holding it out for her and she took it.

He turned and began walking off, as Beth quickly walked after him, "You really think Bonnie and Frankie didn't make it?" She asked him softly, his shoulders tensed at her words and he kept his eyes forward.

"I don' know."

"I think they are ok, they're strong, they're survivors."

Daryl could only hope her words were right.

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A/N to celebrate hitting 1k, I will be publishing up to chapter twenty!
Hope you all enjoy <3