RUN
RATED: M

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything pertaining to The Walking Dead, nor do I claim to!

AUTHOR'S NOTE: So, this is my first fanfiction in many years. It may take me a couple of chapters to get back into the swing of things, so please bear with me. The story takes place right after the mid-season finale when the prison falls and all of the characters are separated and spread out. Also, please note that this story is mostly going to surround Beth and Daryl; however I will be bringing some of the other characters into the mix throughout the story.

HEARTBREAK (noun) 1. Overwhelming distress. 2. The absolute worst feeling in the world and the hardest to describe. When you feel like you're watching life go by on fast forward, and you're sitting on pause. And you have to keep moving. No matter what, just keep moving, trying to catch up...because if you stop for just a second, you will forever be behind.

No word could describe this strange world that they now lived in. No word could describe the fact that the dead now walked among the living in an almost fearful harmony, an agreement where if you didn't run, they would catch up and painfully turn you into one of them. It was the exact word that summed up all of the feelings and emotions that lay heavy on the hearts and the shoulders of the scruffy redneck and the farmer's daughter who had both been through so much over the past year or so.

It was hard to tell just how long it had been since the outbreak had occurred; just how long it had been since the beautiful, yet painful, world they both had lived in had gone to complete shit. The only thing they could go by is the nine months that Lori had carried Judith in her womb, and the passing seasons that followed after her death. Everyone in the group had given up keeping exact track of time; they would celebrate birthdays according to seasons, and they knew about what time it was when the sun was at its highest point, and of course dusk and dawn. Other than that , the day ran into weeks, weeks ran into months, and months eventually ran into years…though each passing day felt like a new eternity in the lost world.

They had been separated from their group when their home had fallen at the hands of a nasty man, some of their people had been hurt, some had been killed, and many men and women on the opposing team had also met their makers. It had been gruesome, and it had been heartbreaking…but they knew they had to press on, had to flee the morbid scene with the scent of death stuck in their lungs. Somehow in the midst of all of the mess, between trying to kill the Governor's people, trying to save themselves, and most importantly trying to save others, they had found themselves separated with no one else but each other. Just the two of them running for their lives and silently promising to stick with the other one until the end.

One of them stood tall, a husky man who would easily be looked at as a scruffy redneck at best until you got him on your side. Then he became a strong leader, an important person to have on your team; a professional with a crossbow, clean with a gun, and quick with a knife. A mystery for sure, but someone with eyes that cared deeply for others, a man who would put his life on the line for the safety of another. Someone you definitely did not want to fuck with.

The other stood small, only about five foot three with big blue eyes that were full of youth and innocence. A sheltered farm girl who had been turned into a strong woman over the course of life changing events brought on by the outbreak. A part of her was still young and fragile, but another part of her was fearless and ready. She had lost the people who meant the most to her be it by death or separation, and her new found determination was fierce. She was definitely a sight for sore eyes, but she was learning quickly how to become a threat to the dangerous. An intelligent beauty who's world was lost at the hands of hell itself.

"There were hard times. I know I survived just because you stayed by my side. With all I have, with all I am, I promise you all my life…"

Daryl Dixon was woken sharply from a hazy sleep by an almost unfamiliar sound filling the air. He moved slightly, careful not to move to fast as he needed the tension in his body to slowly release. The flat couch he had been asleep on had done nothing for his already sore body, but the few hours of sleep he had managed to get did make him feel a little less like death. He was worn out both mentally and physically, his emotions were a jumbled mess deep inside him, and on top of it all he was simply exhausted, defeated even by the treacherous past week the two of them had endured.

"Whenever the road is too long, whenever the wind is too strong, wherever this journey may lead to, I will be there for you. Oh, I will be there for you…"

Beth Greene sang the words softly, finding new meaning behind the lyrics of an old and forgotten song. She moved quietly and quickly, not wanting to wake the sleeping man from his rest, knowing that he probably needed sleep more than her, and hoping that by the time he woke up she could have the place ready enough to stay in for a few nights.

After the incident at the prison, the two of them had ran to his bike and drove, but after many long hours, the bike finally gave way, running out of gas and leaving them stranded at dusk with no food, no vehicle, and seeming like no chance of survival. Somehow, they had managed to make it through; running on foot by night for hours until they were buckling over in pain, and resting only brief moments of time during the daylight before running some more, feeling like they weren't getting anywhere…until finally they did. A small cottage in the middle of a large grassy field. Seemingly safe and surrounded by forest. It was forever, but for now, it was perfect.

"Through sorrow, on the darkest night, when there's heartache deep down inside. Just like a prayer, you will be there, and I promise you all of my life…"

After moments of soaking in the sweet sound of her voice, Daryl finally sat up, scrubbing his face with his filthy hands as he did so. It had been months since he had last heard her sing, since anyone other than Judith had heard her sing. It was a nice sound after a tiring run and somewhat a light in the darkness that was the world they were surviving in.

Slowly and quietly he stood up from the uncomfortable couch and followed her soft voice through the house, noticing the little things as he did so. He didn't know just how long she had been up and moving around, but by the looks of it she'd been up for a while. There were piles here and there of things that they needed, luxuries that they could use, and other random bits that would make life easier. A warm smile played on his dry lips as he finally found his way to where she was, moving softly around a large bedroom and she examined blankets and pillows, tossing the bloodied ones to the floor beside the bed while folding and stacking the usable ones on the mattress.

"Whenever the road is too long, whenever the wind is too strong, wherever this journey may lead to, I will be there for you. Oh, I will always be there for you."

"Hey."

His rough voice broke through her singing as her startled blue eyes looked his way. Daryl was now leaning up against the doorframe of the bedroom, his eyes resting on her as he watched her finish folding the blanket that was in her hand before setting it gently on top of the small pile that was on the bed. After only a moment, she finally turned her body towards him while grabbing a pillow and beginning to tousle it within her small, thin hands. Finally, her soft voice broke the silence as she looked at him with tired, thought filled eyes.

"Hey."

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