My first Walking Dead story. It's a bit late, but it has finally arrived. LOL. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Not mine!
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When did he become Carol's keeper?
Was it when he and his brother first joined the band of survivors, and he had almost killed Carol's husband after he beat the hell out of her? The bastard had it coming. And Daryl didn't like the way he looked at his little girl. It wasn't the way a father was supposed to look at his daughter. It was just…wrong.
Was it when her little girl first went missing, and he had spent countless hours searching for her? Then he would come back to the farm and attempt to console Carol in his own awkward way. He had even taken a bullet and an arrow in the process. But most importantly, he had never given up hope that he would find her, especially after finding her doll in the wooded area near the farm. If anything, it kept him going. That, and seeing her mother cry almost every day.
Or was it in that horrible moment after all the walkers were unleashed from the barn and gunned down, and the last walker to emerge was the little girl they had once known as Sophia? He had instinctively grabbed Carol to keep her from running forward, her mother's instinct driving her. His arms had gone around her and held her tightly to his chest, the movement both restrictive and supportive. He couldn't risk the chance that she would be bitten by the thing that used to be her little girl. He couldn't lose someone else that he cared so deeply for, even if he refused to admit that he had feelings at all. Feelings were weaknesses to be used against you. Feelings got the hell beaten out of him when he was a kid, all the way up until he was a gangly teenager and had finally swung back on his old man. He had only gotten in one shot, but the bruises afterward were worth it.
When had he become Carol's keeper? Maybe it was in the moment when they hit the ground, her tiny frame cradled protectively in his arms. She had screamed, begged him to let her go, but he just held her tighter as Rick stepped toward Sophia, the gun in his hand. She was sobbing, and he had to turn his own head away as Rick took aim and fired. The sound of the shot echoed through his head and heart. If he had any hope left for the recovery of the little girl, it was destroyed with that single bullet.
He wasn't sure exactly when he became Carol's keeper, her protector, her friend and defender. But just like the bullet and arrow wounds, he would wear the title with pride. And maybe, just maybe, doing this would be enough to make it up to Sophia for not being able to save her in time.
Maybe.
The End.
A/N: I really like Carol and Daryl together for some reason. When the season finale premiered, I found myself hoping that they would just take off together. Oh well. Can't wait to see where they go next season. Thanks for reading, and please review and let me know how I did!
