A Change of Mind
Chapter One - Not Now
She couldn't leave him, she just couldn't. Not now.
What changed your mind?
That was the thing with this world—your choices were torn from you; ripped straight off the bone. And what good was she to him—what good was she to herself—if she were dead?
What changed your mind?
That familiar spike of adrenaline set her feet running before her mind, and she burst out into the cold night air. Every breath was like acid, strangling and singing her with every ragged gasp, but she had to move; had to stumble away so he could fight for himself without fighting for her.
What changed your mind?
She ran across the lawn, weaving through tombstones and ignoring the jarring pain that shot up the length of her leg with every stride. It was quiet—so often when they were running it was so damn quiet—and all she could hear was the crunch beneath her feet and the exhausted sobs she tried to swallow down.
What changed your mind?
Looking back was dangerous—she knew better—and it almost did her in, in the end. The stark white home, moonlit and serene, was teeming with walkers as they made their way through the trees. She scanned over her shoulder—he had to be coming, he just had to.
What changed your mind?
The jagged edge of an upheaved grave caught her boot, and she fell flat to the wet grass, knocking the air from her lungs. She spluttered for breath and found her vision blurred and blinded—tears that she simply did not have time for.
What changed your mind?
The groan of a walker and her hand was already at her belt; before she could process it, the knife was buried in its scull. More blood, rancid and hot in her hand, but it didn't matter. She heaved herself to her feet, and willed herself to keep running—he would come. He would.
What changed your mind?
She stopped out in the open road and spun around, frantically searching for him through the mess of trees and nightfall and death. She waited for the swoop of an arrow from his crossbow; for the low grunt that said so little, yet so much; for the lock of his eyes on hers that negated all reason for words.
You know.
Behind all the dirt and gruff that was Daryl Dixon, she'd done it. Her.
Oh.
A crack to the back of her head had her crumpled to the ground, and she felt herself go, in the arms of a stranger. She struggled against them, desperately, but her sight blackened and her limbs went numb. She tried to scream his name, tried to fight as he'd taught her, but slipped weakly into unconsciousness.
What changed your mind?
She couldn't leave him, she just couldn't. Not now.
Author's Note: Whipped up this little drabble piece just after Alive. This fic will contain a bundle of drabble pieces, written in response to events in the upcoming episodes, so stay tuned! If you enjoyed, be sure to leave a review!
