Hello!

This is my first time ever writing a fic! I hope you guys like it. I'd appreciate the feedback!

Chapter 1

It was a dark night when Daryl first walked onto the street searching for answers that he was certain he wouldn't find. For the past month he's been avoiding eye contact with everyone in his group, especially Maggie. There has been complete turmoil since the loss. The loss that shook everyone and destroyed hope for all. Now that Daryl was alone from the others, he kept walking until he felt like his feet were going to fall beneath him. A lot like the time he chased after Beth, he fell to the ground out of frustration in not knowing where to go next. He felt slightly disappointed in himself for leaving the group, but he knew that Rick would have his back and help the other's to understand.

Daryl didn't know where he was going, and he didn't know where his group was going either. He had a feeling that someone was trailing him, so he assumed it was his group. After all, they've been treating him like a fragile piece of life ever since the loss. Part of him didn't care that he was being followed, but that was until he absolutely lost it and ended up on the ground on the verge of screaming his curses to this life he's been forced to be a part of.

...

A stranger has been watching this group for a month now. He noticed that a capable member that they called Daryl, slipped away from the others, so he followed. He didn't realize that he would still be following him all morning, all afternoon, and most of the night. At this point, he was at risk of venturing too far, and right as he turned to head back, he saw the man named Daryl collapse on the street. He was sure that this large and standoffish man was weeping, and suddenly all he wanted to do was comfort the man. Within moments, the stranger began to move from the treeline slowly, and within seconds Daryl had jumped to his feet on high alert.

"Please don't be alarmed, my name is Aaron, I couldn't help but see your distress. Is everything ok? Did something happen? I mean, can I help in some way?"

Daryl kept his crossbow aimed at the shadow of this man that called himself Aaron, "Don' take another step, I'm gon be on my way."

Aaron stepped out further, because after watching this man, he was so sure that he didn't want to hurt anyone.

"Listen, I only want to help you. I saw you with your group earlier, and I've realized you're going through some things that you're trying to work out. I think I can help you with some stability if you're up for it."

Daryl takes a few hostile steps towards Aaron, with his crossbow centered between Aaron's eyes, "Scuse me? You say you saw me before? You been the one following me?"

"I was only making sure you were good people. I have a cam-"

"Nobody asked you to make sure of anythin', you want me to stalk you around? You want to be watched while you take a piss?"

"I assure you I didn't watch you while you wer-"

"Go. Now. I'm gon' give you thirty seconds to move out of my sight."

Fifteen seconds of silence proceeded. Aaron is on edge, still sure that Daryl doesn't want to hurt anyone, but torn on what to do. He wants so badly to take this man and show him how easy life can be in this terrible world they're living. At the same time, he was beginning to think that this man had walls that were more stable than the great wall of China. Aaron may or may not be pushing his luck, but twenty seconds have passed now.

"Give me two minutes to explain. You've been through a lot and I'm good people. Take a chance. It wouldn't kill you to have a little faith that I'm telling the truth. Please."

Thirty seconds have now passed and Aaron is still alive. Daryl froze. His arms started shaking with his crossbow still drawn. He slowly released his grip and tried to steady his stance. Aaron could see something flash through his eyes and an emotion pass through his face that had no other explanation besides heartbreak and pain. He didn't know whether he should ask what changed his mind, or if he should stay silent. He chose silence, and decided to let Daryl be the first to speak.

"You have your two minutes."

"Thank you. What's your name?"

"One minute 50 seconds."

"Ok, wow, so, I'm Aaron. I'm a scout for a community up where your group is headed, or was headed earlier this morning. We have electricity, water, stability, and each other. I watched your group for the past two weeks, because it's my job to make the call on if we should welcome you into our community or not. You guys treated each other like family and that's what we wan-"

"One minute."

"Oh my, ok. That's what we want. We've recently began visiting all of the hospitals within the area and a little further out, in order to get supplies. We found a small group of people at one, and ended up recruiting a doctor. So yes, we have a doctor as part of our community as well, which as you know is a necessity these days. He's great. We met him as he was saving a girl with a pretty nasty head wound. After we saw his skill and knowledge, we couldn't not accept him into our place. We turn away some and we acc-"

"Wait. You-"

Aaron panics and interrupts Daryl, "I know I'm past a minute ju-"

"NO, STOP. Where is this doctor from?"

"Oh, we went as far as Atlanta so we could rummage the state hospital, Grady. We knew they would have a ton of supp-"

"This girl, she's from Grady? Or was she one of yours?"

Aaron raised his eyebrow at the lack of questions about the bigger picture, which was the community and safe living opportunity he was offering Daryl.

"She was from Grady, I guess. I assure you we're open to all kinds of people as long as they're-"

Daryl cuts him off again.

"Is she blonde? Was it a gunshot wound?"

"Yes and yes. What are you reaching for here? Were you at Grady?"

Daryl let out a gasp and dropped back down to the street on his knees. His vision became blurry from the tears building up in both eyes. He felt dizzy. Aaron ran by his side to try to support him from tipping over.

Daryl looked at Aaron before whimpering, "Beth."