Title: Wake
Summary: The aftermath of Coda. Re-watch the standoff with Rick and the cops and you'll see a girl emerge from the room on the left. This is her story. Daryl/OC
Disclaimer: Spoilers for the MSF Coda. I do not own any characters from The Walking Dead nor am I making any money from the writing of this fan fiction. Rated M for possible language and/or adult situations in later chapters. Enjoy!
Note: Please review! If you've ever read anything I've ever wrote you know I am the queen of re-vamps. Had to take a break for a bit to work on real life stuff but I beasted that and now I'm back to writing. Can't wait for TWD to return Sunday! Hate to lose the awesome reviews I've gotten so far. Keep them coming!
x-x-x
Nothing prepares you for a life like this. No matter how many zombie movies you've watched or how much of a badass you think you are, every new day brings something unexpected and all you can do is try and survive. I knew something was going down in the hospital but I told myself on my first day here - mind your business, stay off the radar and maybe you'll make it out alive. So that's what I'm doing - laying on the uncomfortable hospital bed with my feet crossed and hands resting on my empty stomach - staring at the ceiling, minding my own business. The cops and the outsiders are standing just outside my room, talking quietly. Everything seems to be going smoothly until I hear Dawn ask for Noah. More muffled talking and a gunshot rings out - causing me to jump in my skin. Other than a gasp or two it becomes eerily quiet just before the second shot fires, causing a slight ringing in my ears.
If things are going south I should probably move. I refuse to die in hospital scrubs. I push myself from the bed and move towards the door, peering out into the madness. Dawn and Beth are lifeless in the hall while the cops and outsiders stare at each other; guns drawn.
"Hold your fire! It's over! It was just about her. Stand down."
I can only stare in horror as the grief and heartbreak washes over the faces of the outsiders. They came for Beth and now she's gone. The outsiders continue to stare in disbelief; fighting an inner battle within themselves. It's obvious these people are at the end of their sanity. Finally the man in front mutters a simple, "Let's go." As everyone lowers their guns.
"You can stay."
"Were surviving here. It's better than out there."
I watch the leader carefully as he shakes his head no, pointing to the people behind the cops. Meeting my eyes for a second. His second in command has been reduced to a shell of a man as he kneels beside Beth's body. My heart aches for her. She didn't deserve this.
"No... and I'm taking anyone back there who wants to leave. If you want to come with us... step forward now." The leader states, looking us over with sadness in his eyes. It's obvious these people care for Beth a great deal. The second in command begins to sob, leaning forward to pick her up in his arms. "I'll go." The crack of emotion in my voice surprises me and I wonder if anyone even heard me. Noah meet's my gaze. The leader looks to him for confirmation and he nods, forcing a pained smile. "She's one of the good ones." He adds quietly. "Meet us outside. You have five minutes." The leader says flatly, turning to leave with the others.
Noah follows me back into my room as I gather the handful of items I had on me when I was brought to the hospital. My torn jeans and simple black tank top is folded neatly beside the bed along with a hairbrush, iPod shuffle and picture of my sister. I turn to Noah; who seems lost in his thoughts. "These people aren't bad. They seem to genuinely care for one another. Their like a family. They have a baby."
"They have a baby?"
He can only nod.
I think for a minute, my mind racing as I grab the sheet off the bed and fold it into a sack, "Go to the nursery and get the formula there while I change. I'll meet you outside." He takes the makeshift bag and turns down the hall as I throw the hospital clothes off and pull the jeans and tank top on quickly before slipping on my worn tennis shoes and bolting towards the exit. Noah meets me a second later handing over the blanket filled with remixed formula as we emerge into the city.
The outsiders are gathered around a nearly broken down fire truck, the leader standing beside a sword wielding black woman and teenage boy who is holding the baby in his arms. To the left of them is Beth's motionless body and a woman clinging to her sobbing while a Korean man try's to console her. The second in command is on his knees beside them - his head handing low as he stares into the dirt. His face is void of expression or thought. I find myself frowning.
Taking a deep breath I move towards the leader and hand him the sack of formula as he stares at me, somewhat confused. "Formula from the nursery. For the baby." My voice is soft and weak and I suddenly feel exhausted. I only knew Beth for a few days but I want to cry with them. "Thank you." The leader finally says, handing the formula over to the teenager who gives me a grateful glance. "My name is Rick Grimes." His voice is thick and rough. These people have lost many. "Alana Reynolds."
"How many walkers have you killed?"
I pause, taken off guard. Walkers? He must mean the zombies. How many have I killed? A hundred? A thousand? I shake my head, unsure.
"I've lost count."
"How many people have you killed?"
Seriously? Twenty questions? I feel the constant pain in my chest began to burn at the question. Anna. I killed Anna. "One." Finally my voice doesn't waver but Rick continues to stare at me as if he's making a decision for the whole group based on my answers.
"Why?"
This one's easy.
"To survive."
His blue eyes don't leave mine for another full moment before he nods; turning to the others. "Everyone. This is Alana. She's with us now."
x-x-x
Chap 2: Hollow
Daryl's POV
I imagine if you cut me open I would be completely empty inside. There is only darkness now and I can't bring myself to lift my head and acknowledge the others. This is my fault. I should have fought harder to keep Beth safe. I should have run faster when she was taken from me. I should have never stopped searching until I brought her home. Now Rick and Tyrese are digging her grave. How many times have they had to do this now? I'm losing count. I'm tired of losing people. My knees are burning and my spine screaming for release but I can't move. I can't leave her again. If I leave her then she's really gone.
Just like Merle.
My vision blurs as new tears take over and spill down my face. This is the first time since the apocalypse started that I've felt truly defeated.
"Daryl. Their finished."
Carol's voice is soft and full of compassion. She is the strongest person I have ever known. The things she's been through in the short time I've known her and yet she still pushes forward. She touches my shoulder bringing me out of my thoughts for a moment. Beth is lying before me in an awkward position - her legs bent in an unnatural way beneath her. I pick her up again; wincing as the pressure releases from my knees and back and I idly wonder how long I've sat in this position. Time seems to have left me somewhere and I do not recall getting into the fire truck or finding this small meadow outside of the city.
Turning to the others I finally see them - their faces pained and silent as we make our way to the small fresh grave. I feel my arms begin to shake as I carry Beth past her sister who can only hang her head and sob. My own grief escapes me as I kneel again and place Beth gently into her grave. Carol is at my side again but I can't bring myself to turn to her. I can only stare at Beth as Rick comes to my left and places his hand on my shoulder. Tyrese covers Beth's body with a blanket from the truck as Father Gabriel begins to say a few words; clutching his bible tightly as everyone bows their head for Beth. "It never gets easier." Rick grumbles beside me, his own tears falling for the girl. For Hershel. For Bob. For everyone we've lost. Once Gabriel has finished with his words Tyrese begins to close the grave.
Once the ground is complete again the girl from the hospital moves into my peripheral vision, placing a handful of picked wild flowers on the fresh soil. Her lips move in a simple prayer for Beth and Maggie as she draws a small heart in the dirty with her finger. When she stands she meets my tired gaze, dusting off her hands; "I had a sister once." Was all she said before turning back to the others. I can't recall what Rick said her name was; only that she's killed several walkers and one person. Her hair is long and brown and she's skinny; nearly to the point of malnourished. I can't help but wonder what got her in that hospital with Beth.
"We're going back to the cabin in the woods." Carol assures me as I take a final look at Beth's grave and follow her towards the fire truck.
x-x-x
Chap 3: Family
Alana's POV
I wake up with a start; frantic and searching the darkness at unfamiliar faces. I feel panic rise in my chest as I hold back a scream. Noah stirs beside me on the floor but doesn't wake. The hospital is gone. I'm with Rick and his group now. My heart begins to race as I stand up and make my way through the maze of sleeping bodies, taking in a deep breath of fresh air once I make it outside. Rick's second in command is leaning against the cabin smoking a cigarette; he takes in a long drawl before raising an eyebrow at me.
I open my mouth to say something but close it without a word. After the events of today he probably isn't interested in small talk.
"Cat got your tongue?"
It's more of a statement than a question. His voice is low and gruff and laced with despair. I can only stare at him as he finishes his cigarette and grumbles something in response to my muteness before turning back to the cabin. Abe and Sasha are on the night watch; I see a streak of orange just at the edge of the driveway as Abe turns back into the wooded area.
"My name's Alana."
Kind of a dumb thing to say. Rick introduced me to the group earlier. To my surprise he stops in his tracks and turns back to me - giving me a long look from head to toe. I swallow the lump that's formed in my throat. His gaze is piercing.
"Daryl."
He continues to stare at me in the dark. "What you did for Beth today... with the flowers... she would have liked that."
"Was she you're..." Sister? Wife? Girlfriend? He shakes his head no as if he can read my mind. "Her dad took us in about a year ago. Things went bad and we got separated from the others for a while. I guess Dawn took her and now..." His earlier sadness crept back into his eyes at the thought. "...she's gone."
We take a moment of silence for our fallen friend.
"What about you? What got you in that hospital?"
I turn to face him completely; trying to decide if I really want to tell my story to a stranger in the night. Idly I bite at my bottom lip and decide to trust him. In the back of my mind I hope it isn't a mistake. "A dozen zombies took our camp one night and Dawn found me wandering down the road. My head was gashed up pretty bad. At first I thought they really wanted to help people but then I realized they were looking for girls." My gaze falls. "...they expected us to..."
That was enough sharing for one night.
"Bastards." Daryl muttered; mostly to himself at the thought of the hospitals morals. "Well, you don't have to worry about that with them." He nodded towards the cabin. "Their good people." He assured quietly; meeting my eyes again. "What about you?" The question left my lips before I could stop it.
Daryl just shook his head, "There's nothing good left in me."
I could only watch his shoulders fall in defeat as we made our way back into the cabin. He glanced at me before disappearing into the other room as I took my place beside Noah on the floor.
x-x-x
Two days later I found myself in the back of a police cruiser with Noah, Maggie and Glenn. Rick and Daryl were up front as we made our way back to the city in search of supplies. "Two lefts past the hospital. Dawn was telling Bob about a small store that looked promising just before he ran into you guys. I don't think they ever had the chance to tell anyone else about it."
Sure enough there was a small store in the heart of the city with it door and windows boarded up. Not one to waste time Daryl kicked the door in and drew his crossbow, nodding as we followed him inside. Canned foods, lighters, bug spray and to my delight a small section of toiletries awaited us untouched. A tiny squeal escaped me as I threw all the bar soaps, toothpastes and brushes and travel sized shampoos and body washes into my supply bag. You take things for granted when the world isn't ending and now just knowing I can brush my teeth is a blessing. It took us about an hour to gather the supplies from the store and fight off a handful of zombies. We were back at the camp site by mid-day.
Rick and the others seemed in high spirits for the rest of the day - obviously these people haven't had much good luck in a while. I busied myself by gathering water in a small wash tub from the nearby creek and brought it back to the cabin where Sasha and Rosita warmed it enough so we could bath Judith. The cool water didn't seem to bother the adults as much and everyone took their turns with a bar of soap and wash cloth from the cabin. By night fall everyone was a bit cleaner and some even had a smile on their faces.
Rick held Judith as she drank from one of the hospital bottles. Even the little one seemed content. "Thank you for your help today. Noah was right about you." He assured me as the others gathered around for the night. I smiled at Judith; deciding then and there that I would do anything for her. Rick seemed to notice this as well and returned the smile before he moved into the next room to get her to sleep. So many difference faces surrounded me; talking among themselves; some laughing and discussing the future. Maggie had found some seed packs in the store. Carol talked about starting a garden. We could survive here. Despite everything; losing Beth - their last camp; at the end of the day - they were a family.
x-x-x
Chap 4: Hunted
Daryl's POV
3 months later.
The snap of a twig beneath my boot caused him to look up and turn his head towards me. The wildlife isn't used to being hunted anymore so he takes a quick look around before returning to the small patch of green grass. I steady my bow and release an arrow into his brain, watching with satisfaction as the buck jerks for a moment before falling to the ground.
Finally some meat instead of that damn cream corn.
Not that I'm not thankful for the canned foods we find on supply runs but a man needs meat. I make my way to the buck and grab him up by a back leg, starting my way back to the cabin. It takes about an hour to get to the creek and I spot Alana sitting by the water's edge using Eugene's filtration system to gather drinking water. She's become a great asset to our group the past few months. She's one of the first to wake; she helps with Judith, helps Carol in the garden. She mostly keeps to herself and goes by what the others ask of her. I find myself grinning as she spots me - kind of hard to be stealthy dragging a medium sized deer behind me.
She waves me over and I decide to take a break with her, digging a small hole so the deer blood will drain away from the cabin. I'll cover it before we leave so it doesn't attract any walkers.
"Impressive."
"Took me two hours to track him. Should feed us for a while." This caused her to smile, a bright white smile that lit up her whole face. I can't help but notice the sparkle in her dark blue eyes and I find myself looking away quickly. She returns to her tasks and I spot her essentials beside the rock we sit on. An iPod that doesn't work and a picture of her younger self.
"Why do you carry a picture of yourself around?"
I pick up the small picture and stare at it - noticing a few similarities. Kind of odd to carry a picture of you around in a zombie apocalypse but I guess some people might think it was odd to wear an ear necklace. Alana snatched the photo from my fingers quickly - surprising me.
"This is Anna. My twin sister."
The sudden grief in her voice makes me wish I wouldn't have brought it up. She abandons the filtration system and stares at the picture as if she's looking at it for the first time; unable to suppress the frown on her lips. I pull my eyes away from her lips and swallow hard; picking up the cassette player and looking it over in my hands. Our shoulders touch and it's strangely comforting. I shift so there's some space between us.
"This is all I have left. Beside her stupid iPod. The battery died a while ago but I can't bring myself to leave it behind."
"I lost my brother a while back too. Well, I lost him way before any of this happened but he's really gone now."
"I'm sorry."
She turns to look at me; the sadness in her eyes matching my own.
"Yeah, well. Don't be. Trust me he doesn't deserve it."
I find myself looking at her mouth again as it pulls up in a slow, weak smile. "Anna wasn't a saint either. We used to fight all the time... but I'd give anything to have her back now." She places the picture back in her pocket and sighs. "She was you're one person, huh."
It's almost obvious. The pain on her face and in her voice. She nods suddenly and I frown at the tear that escapes her eye. "Had she turned yet?"
No.
"Merle had. He was a bastard. When we were kids he would run off for weeks at a time... knowing our parents kicked my ass every change they got. He knew what they did to me because they did it to him but he left anyway. He never really changed after the outbreak but he finally let me tag along with him. I still miss him though. Isn't that crazy."
Alana shook her head no again.
"I don't think it's crazy at all." She assured quietly. We sat in our own thoughts for a few minutes before I stood to help her up from the rock before I returned to the deer. She gathered the water bottles and met up with me as we made our way back to the cabin in silence - lost in each other's heartache.
x-x-x
I look up from chopping vegetables as Carol emerges into the small kitchen with an armful of potatoes. She places them on the counter and grabs a knife to help me. "Did you see the deer Daryl killed?" Excitement dancing in her eyes at the thought of meat for dinner. Or possibly Daryl. I feel my heart sink at the thought. It's obvious they are close but sometimes I wonder how close. I glance up at her and force a smile; nodding at the question.
"You know Daryl's a good guy. He stopped at nothing to find my Sophia when she went missing." She stops her tasks, staring down at a lone potato as thoughts of her daughter fill her head. It causes me to frown. Daryl had told me the story of Carol and Sophia one sleepless night on the cabin porch. He's told me a lot of stories on that quiet porch while the others slept.
Most of them gave me nightmares.
"I'm glad that you came with us, Alana. I think you're good for the group and for Daryl. I've never seen him smile as much as he does when you're around."
I'm not sure what to say to that. I'm glad I came too. I'm glad Daryl smiles when I'm around. His smile makes me smile. Thinking about him makes me smile.
Carol looks at me for a minute longer and finishes slicing up the potatoes, putting them in the pot of water that's finally started to boil. She gives my shoulder a squeeze as she disappears back into the cabin to let the others know dinner will be ready soon.
x-x-x
"What do you miss most?"
I lay with my arms behind my head looking up at the dark night sky. There are no stars tonight. Daryl is sitting beside me leaned against the step rail with a cigarette to his lips. The way he looks at me with those cold gray eyes as if I either ask the dumbest questions or am the most fascinating person he's ever known causes an ache to stir in my chest.
I don't like the feeling.
He takes another long drag from his cigarette but doesn't answer me - causing my curiosity to peak.
"You know - before this." I motion around us.
"Beer."
He finally answers me in his low, solemn voice that always sends shivers down my spine. I sit up slowly and glance over at him. "Beer?" Of all things to miss. "Beer." I roll my eyes at the thought. "What? Beer is a good answer. An ice cold one from all the way back in the fridge." He adds with a bit of laugh in his voice. A sound straight from the heavens. "I guess beer is a good answer."
"What about you?" He asks before taking another long drawl. His eyes haven't left mine. "Superficial things like warm baths, fingernail polish, crest pro heath toothpaste."
Daryl raises an eyebrow and gives me a puzzled look, trying desperately not to laugh.
"Give me a break. My dad was a dentist! Oral hygiene is important."
A second passes between us before we both burst out laughing. "Only you would worry about dental hygiene in a zombie apocalypse." He assured with a laugh - looking at me again. Our light hearted moment suddenly turned into something quite different and his smile fell from his face. Gray eyes searched my face for a long moment before he leaned forward and placed his cool lips to mine. Once he realized I wouldn't pull away his tongue found mine causing a sigh to escape me - his hand cupping my face before snaking long fingers into my hair.
For several glorious moments everything faded away in the world and it was just me and Daryl. No apocalypse. No zombies.
Someone cleared their throat behind us causing him to pull away from me with a start. His eyes found mine but the look on his face was hard to read as he turned to face our intruder. Carol was standing at the back door with her arms crossed loosely in front of her and an amused grin on her face.
"Rick wants to talk to you about the supply run coming up."
Daryl swallowed hard, nodding his head. "Alright. Give me a second." His voice was back to his usual low steady tone but for a second I heard something else. Some kind of crack of emotion in his few words. I found myself wishing he would kiss me again. Carol disappeared and we were alone again but the moment was gone. "I've got to go." He assured quietly, looking me over once more before pushing himself up to go find Rick.
x-x-x
That was the last time I ever saw Daryl.
Okay that's a little mellow dramatic. I see him all the time but always in passing. If I'm coming in the front door he's suddenly going out the back and vice versa. It's been almost a week and our usual late night meetings have all but vanished. He's avoiding me.
"Alana?"
I look up at my name with a frown on my face. I didn't realize I was frowning until I see the look Carol gives me.
"Is everything alright?"
I stare at her for another minute before finally nodding.
"Yes, mam. Can I get something for you?" Even though it's been four months since the hospital she isn't 100%. She still walks with a bit of a limp and I usually find a pained look on her face when she thinks no one is watching. She shakes her head no and leaves me to go in search for Daryl.
x-x-x
Daryl POV
"Why are you avoiding Alana?"
Carol walks into the back bedroom and stands at the door with her arms crossed in front of her as I gather some guns for the supply run tomorrow. I look up at her slowly.
"I'm not."
She just gives me her usual knowing glare. "You playin match maker now?" I return to the guns making sure each one is loaded. "You kissed her Daryl. I've known you for a while now and you've never kissed anybody."
I don't look at her again.
"Never wanted to before."
The words come out more of a mumble as I try to focus on the task at hand. Truth be known I haven't been able to focus on much of anything the past few days but how it felt to kiss Alana and how much I wanted to do it again.
Thinking like that gets people killed.
I owe these people more than to just let them die over some stupid crush. Alana is beautiful, kind and funny but it's not worth people getting killed because I'm too hung up on her to save them.
"I think she really likes you Daryl. It would be a shame to throw that away over whatever's going on in your head. It's okay to love someone."
Carol has always got me. It's getting annoying.
"Loving somebody ain't never got me nothin' but an ass beating for my trouble." I say finally, placing the last clip in a gun. I meet her steady gaze - silently telling her this conversation is over. She frowns and turns back into the living room without another word.
x-x-x
Alana POV
"Maggie, Glenn, Daryl and Carol are going on a supply run in the morning. There's still a few shops on the city edge that we haven't went through yet."
Rick is standing at the front of the living room explaining the supply run for tomorrow morning. He's a good leader. I bet he was always the good cop - letting people go if they were doing a few over the speed limit. I don't regret coming with him from the hospital. It feels good to have purpose again.
The only thing I regret is allowing Daryl to kiss me. No matter how much I wanted him too or the thrill I felt when his hands were in my hair and his mouth against mine. I miss my friend. I enjoyed getting to know him these past few months and hearing his stories. It hurt my heart to think that we may never talk to each other again.
"Alana?"
I look up as Rick says my name. By the stares everyone's giving me it's obvious this isn't the first time he's called it. Carl is snickering to my left and Daryl is finally looking at me - his sad thoughtful expression matches my own. I force a smile and glance around the room.
"Sorry. Kinda zoned out."
"Carol said she's not feeling up to the supply run tomorrow. Would you go in her place?" I find myself looking at Daryl for the answer but he just stares at me indifferent. "Um, sure."
With that said the meeting is over and everyone goes back to whatever they do when zombies aren't attacking. I cross the room quickly and stop Daryl before he can disappear again.
"Hey."
"Hey."
I look up at him - it's obvious he's fighting the same inner struggle I am but he's had more practice keeping his emotions hidden deep within himself.
"If I've done something you didn't like I'm sorry. I don't want..."
"You haven't."
I bite my lip and frown at him. Men are infuriating sometimes.
"Then why are you avoiding me?"
He doesn't answer. We are alone in the living room now but I keep my voice low. "If you don't want to kiss me anymore I understand. I just want to be your friend."
I've never lied so easily before. I want to be more than his friend. I want to be his everything but he's obviously not interested and somehow I'll find a way to deal with that. I just don't want to spend my life cleaning vegetables with no one to talk to. He looks as if he's thinking of everything and nothing at the same time before he reaches out and grabs me, pulling me in close to him. His breath is on my neck as he speaks, that low throaty voice.
"That's the problem Alana. I do want to kiss you. Every second I see you I think about kissing you and if I'm thinking about that then who's killing walkers?"
That's what this is all about? He's afraid someone will get killed while he's off having a whirl wind romance? I open my most to protest but close it before I can find the words. "People don't get to fall in love anymore." He adds before turning to leave. I stare at his back for a long minute watching his muscles move beneath his shirt. Maybe leaving the hospital wasn't such a good idea.
"Then what's the point, Daryl."
He stops in his tracks taking in my words. If there's no love left in the world than what's the point of saving it? For a moment I think he's going to turn back to me but instead he pushes through the door leaving me alone in the living room.
x.x.x