~Author's note: So, I've been feeling tragic the last few days. I felt the need to write something tragic without really screwing up my baby "I Will Follow You Into the Dark" or the something new I am working on that may or may not find its way to be posted here. I will just have to see how that one starts turning out. Anyway, before reading, be aware that this is tragic, sad, but maybe just a little beautiful. Since I wanted to limited the amount of tragedy I allowed myself to write, I decided to make this a fiction that had very clear and constrictive limits regarding the amount of text that I wrote. There are three sections to this story. Each section of actual text (minus the chapter headings) contains exactly 100 words. Believe me, for someone like me who loves details, this is a challenge! It wasn't easy! I really don't know why I'm sharing, but maybe someone out there who wants a limited amount of Daryl/Beth tragedy might enjoy it. Who knows...I guess I am just posting it for the heck of it! This is a one time thing because normally I can't stand having my writing restricted, even by my own rules, but I think I really needed this exercise in control today.~
Chapter I:
"Sacrifice." One word Daryl knew. It was his code. Beth was cornered. This time, there was no way out.
"Daryl...just go..." Beth cried. She knew it was the end.
No...not her! Beth had to live. He'd experienced enough with Beth to die happy. A piece of him would live with her.
Daryl's knife sliced deep into his arm, letting the blood flow.
"Come on!" His blood drew the walkers from her. "You gotta go!"
"Daryl..."
"God Beth...I love you...run!
"Daryl...I love you..." He focused on hearing his name on her lips, watching her run away.
Chapter II:
Rick carefully took him from her arms. Beth clung to the picture of her and Daryl; a Polaroid from a camera found at the end of the world. She remembered that day. They'd both smiled...Daryl smiled.
It slipped from her grasp. Beth was too weak. She couldn't hold on anymore. Maggie held her hand, covered in blood, crying.
Blood...there was so much blood. It didn't hurt anymore.
She looked at Rick. He was helpless. Everything had come full circle. She and Daryl had cared for Judith when she was born. Now Rick would do the same for them.
Chapter III:
He studied the picture. She was beautiful.
"Beth." He said it just to hear it. They were both happy in the picture. He looked just like him.
He was the best of us. He'd heard that his entire life.
Crossbow in hand, he headed out.
"Where're you headed?"
Caught! It was just Rick. Maggie would've bossed him like a mom.
"Out."
"What're your plans?"
"Stuff...Things..." Both smiled.
"Don't get killed." Rick knew there was no stopping him.
"I ain't easy to kill." He slung his crossbow over his shoulder.
I gotta strong name to live up to. Daryl Dixon!