What a mid-season finale! I knew it was coming, and I wish it had been done slightly differently, but Beth's dead. So I wrote this little drabble. There's Caryl if you squint and of course, dead Beth. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: Not mine!
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This glorious sadness
That brings me to my knees
-Sarah McLachlan, Angel
The smell of blood hung heavily in the air.
He couldn't think about anything else but the slight weight in his arms and the blood that was everywhere.
He barely made it a few feet from the door before he heard Maggie's scream of agony and denial and it only broke him down more, because in that moment, he knew exactly how Maggie felt.
He knew what it was like to lose that last bit of family, that last connection in this world gone completely insane. He knew the pain and despair and he was grateful that she at least had Glenn to guide her through the loss.
There was that.
Beth's body was suddenly lifted from his arms and he realized Rick was carrying her toward Maggie. His knees buckled and he went down hard, not caring that the people inside could easily walk out and catch them off-guard.
"Daryl…"
The single word was full of tenderness, just as the touch that fell on his shoulder. He looked up briefly and saw Carol smiling sadly at him.
His shoulders shuddered noticeably and she walked around until she was standing directly in front of him. Without hesitation, he rested his head against her abdomen and did not protest when her arms cradled his head and slender fingers began stroking his tangled hair.
In his heart, he knew Beth was not suffering anymore. It had all happened so fast; she never felt a thing. Maybe that was a blessing, especially when death by being ripped apart was so much more common in this new reality. She had died doing what she believed was right and both he and Maggie could take peace in that.
He clung tighter to Carol, his one constant in their brutal existence. There would be a time when he would lose her as well, but for now he had never been more grateful to have her there at his side.
Carol continued to hold him close as Maggie sobbed brokenly a few feet away.
What no one saw was Beth standing nearby, holding her father's hand and wishing she could comfort Daryl and Maggie. She didn't want them to be sad; she was finally okay and safe with her daddy.
"Bye, guys," she murmured as she watched Carol help Daryl to his feet before they embraced and held each other close. Carol would take care of Daryl, of that she was sure. They would all be fine.
"I'm going home."
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here
Finis.