Disclaimer~ I do not own any of the characters used in this story, all characters belong to AMC the walking dead .
Authors note - This is my first fanfiction I have written in a long while so please do not leave rude comments - constructive criticism welcome.
Chapter 1 - no goodbyes
Beths POV~
It was the last of the month. This meant that a supply run was in order, they had been doing a lot of those in the months leading up to winter time. Beth stood in the crowded courtyard watching as the small group consisting of Daryl, Sasha, Bob, Tyreese and Zach, began to check their weapons and supplies for the run they were due to leave on any minute. She watched as they packed their packs with extra food and water, reminding her and those around them that anything could happen on a run. They always had to be prepared.
Beth's focus was broken away from the group as Zach headed in her direction, a sombre expression on his face, she knew what was coming from him and she wasn't ready to hear it, not just from him but from anyone. As he neared her she felt her eyes start to prick, unable to hold back her tears, they flowed freely down her face. Zach immediately encircled her in his arms when he reached her.
"Don't say it alright. I don't want y'all to say g'bye. I'm tired of goodbyes… even if things go wrong we will see each other 'gain", Beth spoke through the tears she was trying to reign in.
"Alrigh' I won't say g'bye", Zach mumbled as he held her closer.
Still tucked within Zach's arm, Beth's focus was once again on her family, she watched as they said their goodbyes, she watched as they cried and hugged. She could hear Zach's voice speaking softly but was unaware of the words he was saying, her mind somewhere else. Her mind wondering what her family were all thinking, it seemed they were all thinking the worst. Probably because the worst was always the most possible outcome.
Beth continued to watch the group as everyone started to return to their daily chores and as the group that was heading out shouldered their packs. After standing off to the side talking to Rick, presumably about the run, Daryl began to head in Beth and Zach's direction. Tightening her arms around Zach one last time she let him go and rushed towards Daryl, before he could stop her she crashed into him wrapping her arms around his neck, her tears starting up again.
"Y'all better make it back here safe Dixon. You all better" Beth muttered into his neck as she hugged him tightly.
"Will do the best I can Greene, ain't makin' no promises though", he said awkwardly reciprocating her hug.
"Ain't askin' ya to promise, just asking ya to keep everyone safe and ta keep an eye on Zach" she leaned back slightly so she look him in the eye, which was a great difficulty as his overgrown locks mostly covered them.
"Like I said, will do what I can", he released Beth taking a step back, putting some distance between them, "lets go Zach, wastin' daylight".
And then they were gone, Beth stood and watched as the gates closed behind the old pickup they had acquired somewhere along the way, saying a prayer asking God to watch over them, and asked for them to return in good health. The truck was long out of sight and everyone had dispersed by the time Beth headed to her cell, she was not assigned anything today, she made her way towards the cell block stopping only to place a kiss on judith's cheek as she played with her blocks on the floor of the canteen.
Once in her cell she adjusted her curtain, so she could retain the little privacy that the prison had to offer, with so many people in one place it was rare to find a minute to be alone. Sitting down at her makeshift desk, that was pushed against the far wall of her cell, Beth pulled her diary out and began to write, as she always did when she needed to get something off her chest. So many people but no one who she felt she could talk to who would truly understand her.
'It's been 30 days. 30 days without a single injury. Why do they all think doing runs is such a good thing to do. It dont make sense to me. Why is everyone so focused on gathering expired cans and expired medicine. We would be perfectly capable of living off the land. We could grow herbs that can help with headaches and sickness and things. We got enough supplies for the winter in the store room. Why has everyone gotta be pushing their luck with headin outside the gates. It makes me so mad, mad because they all agree to it, they all agree without a second thought for who they leave behind and don't even get me started on Zach, I get he aint got no blood here but I thought I would mean more to him but he kept pushin to going out on this run. I guess I can't be surprised I ain't known him long, not even really sure how I feel for him. I know I care bout him, but I think he cares for me more. I know I shouldn't worry not when they all got Daryl with 'em, he wouldn't leave no one behind if he had a choice, he would rather be left behind than someone else in the group, although the thought makes me sick, I can't imagine this world without Daryl Dixon, he was made for this world'
Beth laid her head down, saying another silent prayer, in hopes that someone up there was listening to her, she prayed for Daryl, she prayed for Zach, she prayed for Sasha, Bob and Tyreese, she prayed they would all make it home safe. Beth slowly drifted off amidst the thoughts of her family, hoping for a happy reunion.
