Grown Girl
It didn't seem that long ago when Daryl had found the young girl in the midst of the zombie apocalypse. Small thing huddled in a closet, wielding a kitchen knife as if she would be able to do anything with it. It was a miracle she had lasted long in the crazy world they formerly lived in. The man's paternal instinct had kicked in and he took her in as his (and Glenn's) own, not willing to let her have the same fate as Sophia. Now eleven years later, post post-apocalypse, the eight year old girl had grown into a young woman and was heading out to college on her own, leaving her fathers behind.
"That's the last of it." Daryl grunted, dropping the final box on the dorm room floor.
"Thanks pop." The girl said, taking a few steps to peck him on the cheek.
This was the moment the three have been dreading for the past week. The moment when it finally set it that it was the beginning of the young woman's adult life. After this she would be on her own, experiencing the world, eventually forming her own family. The silence in the room was suffocating, the shuffling of feet and hum of activity outside the only noise.
Daryl letting out a short cough broke the silence, as he turned to walk out of the door. Grabbing Glenn's hand to pull him along, she followed her older father.
"This is it." Glenn said softly.
"I'll call every day. More if you want me to." The girl reassured.
"Twice, at least." He replied.
The heavy, sad silence continued as the group walked back to the Daryl's truck. The girl lunged at her fathers as soon as Daryl turned around, hugging them both around the neck. An arm wrapped around her back at the same time a hand came to her should, holding her closer.
"I'll miss you." She said, her voice cracking. In response, she got a deep Hm, and a sniffle. Her crying was bound to start her younger fathers, she knew it.
"Don't get into too much trouble." Daryl's voice was low and rumbling.
She pulled back, wiping her face as the men climbed into the truck and started down the road.
"Don't forget to check the oil!" Daryl gave a yell, hanging out of the window. Of course, that would be the last words he says, she thinks, giggling.
Glenn looked out of the window, tears slowly streaming down his face. "We're leaving our girl. It didn't seem like that long ago…" He choked out.
"She was raised by the best." Daryl stated, resting a hand on his knee and giving a gentle squeeze.