Isolation
Hello anybody out there? It's Vmk-xx here…
Well first of all I better explain where I have been for nearly 3 years… My degree got on top of me I tried my best but now I'm back as I've missed writing about Daryl and Layla. I read the comics again as well as rewatching all seasons of the walking dead and realised I NEEDED to start writing again I could see Layla there fitting in and continuing her journey with her family around. I read over my stories for what felt like a 1000 times before I thought to myself ''I need to come back'' I was so invested in these characters and now I'm 6 months from having ''Staff Nurse'' written on my job applications I feel like Daryl and Layla need to be back in my life. I was 18 when I stopped writing this story, I am now 20 soon to be 21 and well I think university has really matured not only my personality but also my writing style so I hope my writing has improved once I go on to continue this story from season 4 episode 3, where everyone was still at the prison which seems like a lifetime ago so I hope you bear with me whilst I catch up and write. I would love to say these chapters will be out weekly but I know for sure they will not be. I've missed you guys and I hope with coming back you guys will fall back in love with Layla. Give me a chance to put this right, I am truly sorry that I disappeared for so long. Now please enjoy. I love and have really missed you guys xxxx
''That's right little man, chill out now mamma's awake see'' Daryl points his crying son towards Layla who is just arising from a very broken slumber. Four times Hunter had woken up in the night whether that was for a feed or for a cuddle, the little baby still woke up.
''Come on Hunter I guess you want breakfast.'' Layla mumbles out her voice still full of sleep as Daryl places the bundle in her arms.
Layla lifts her shirt and lets the little boy suckle, Daryl watches proudly. He was so pissed off with himself that he hadn't been there for her whilst she brought their son into the world, he had been there for the final moments at least the most crucial part where Layla pushed him into the world.
''It's bad out there, we've lost 12 of our own.'' Daryl states.
Layla looks up at him with sad eyes. ''I know; I guess we've been exposed huh? With you and daddy rushing in like that.'' She says.
Daryl shrugs. ''You needed me, and do you really think Rick would miss the birth of his grandson? I don't think so. We will just have to hope and pray that we don't get sick and protect our little boy as much as we can.'' He says firmly running his fingers through Layla's hair to reassure her.
''You really chose your moment Hunter, couldn't have waited 8 more weeks huh?'' She questions looking down at her new-born who was still enjoying his breakfast.
''We've got a council meeting later, don't forget about that we need ya opinion too. Even if you do av baby brain.'' He laughs.
Layla slaps Daryl's arm. ''I see startin with the baby joke early eh? He's a day old ain't got baby brain… Not yet anyway.'' She laughs.
Rick then appears at the entrance to the couple's cell. ''How's my grandson doin?'' He asks with a proud smile on his face.
Layla stands up and smiles as she users Rick to take a hold of him. ''He's doing just fine; I'll go grab the kangaroo wrap Michonne got me that way I can keep him close and warm, make sure he don't get this blasted virus.'' She says looking at her father with worried eyes.
Rick looks down at his grandson who looks up at him with big blue eyes, he hiccups and Rick knows what to do lifting him onto his shoulder and beginning to burp him. Layla and Daryl watch on with smiles, Layla clings to Daryl becoming quite emotional at the scene in front of her. Her mother wasn't here to see how beautiful her little Hunter was, she wouldn't see him grow, learn to talk, walk or anything. Daryl looks down at his love.
''Hey shush now, she's watchin over ya, she would be so proud of you beautiful.'' He reassures her.
Layla wipes away her tears. ''I know but just look at daddy.'' She points to her father who was now rocking Hunter back in forth in his arms.
Suddenly the peace is interrupted by Tyreese storming into the cell block. ''RICK! I NEED TO TALK TO YOU, SOMETHINGS HAPPENED TO KAREN AND DAVID!'' The man shouts.
Rick hurriedly passes Hunter back to Layla as Tyreese reaches hers and Daryl's cell, Daryl and Rick both stand in front of Layla as she rocks a now grumbling Hunter back to sleep. ''Man will ya calm down, Rick jus' got my boy back to sleep, what's wrong with Karen and David.'' Daryl questions.
Tyreese smiles apologetically at Layla as she places Hunter into his mosses basket and she begins to look for the Kangaroo wrap. ''Sorry Miss Layla, Rick, Daryl you need to follow me. It's bad.'' He says his voice becoming broken.
''Course Tyreese, Lay you gonna be ok?'' Daryl asks.
''Yeah baby, you go. Tyreese is there anything I can do?'' She asks the panicked man.
Tyreese smiles. ''No honey, congratulations on your little boy. I just need ya dad and Daryl for now.'' He says practically dragging the two other men out of the cell.
Layla clenches her fists, something was wrong she could feel it, but she shakes it off picking up a gurgling Hunter and beginning to wrap the little bundle in the kangaroo wrap which she had finally found. Once she feels that her baby is secure she exits her cell. She finds Beth was Judith in her own cell.
''Hey Layla, wow you look beet.'' Beth says as she plays with Judith.
Layla rolls her eyes. ''Jee Thanks, but I guess that comes with the fact that I gave birth to a baby for the majority of yesterday and that said baby was up four times in the night.'' She says stroking Hunters head.
Beth laughs. ''Don't worry I'm just teasing you, you look good though motherhood suits you.'' She says with a smile.
Layla laughs. ''Wow 12 hours into motherhood and I already suit it. Jesus.'' She breaths.
The peace is then interrupted again.
''What the hell happened to you two? Where's Tyreese?'' Hershel questions Daryl and Rick as they enter the cell both covered in blood.
Layla rushes out of Beth's cell to see her father with bloodied up knuckles at a cut on his forehead that had caused blood to run down his face. Daryl however, only had blood coming from his shoulder.
''Tyreese found Karen and David burnt ta a crisp in the yard, someone burned them alive, he freaked out attacked us both, Rick punched him he's outside digging em graves.'' Daryl gasps out as Layla approaches him inspecting his shoulder.
''Let me clean ya up baby, make sure ya nice and fresh for our council meeting.'' Layla says taking his hand and taking him into the treatment cell.
''You too Rick come on.'' Hershel demands to the group leader.
''Yeah alright.'' Rick says following him.
Layla wets a cloth and removes Daryl's vest, it was nothing major just a little broken skin from what Daryl explained as Tyreese shoving him into the wire fence.
''He's grievin, not his fault.'' Daryl explains as Layla begins to clean the wound.
Layla nods. ''I know, ya would have done the same if it was me.'' She says. ''Right all done.'' She exclaims as she puts a plaster across his shoulder and giving him a kiss as she does so.
Daryl smiles. ''How's the little man?'' he says as he looks into the wrap to find his son sound asleep again. ''Guess he'll be awake again soon.'' He states.
Layla smiles at her man. ''He's fine, you were gone no longer than half an hour, nothing's changed he's still not even a day old yet, has little tufts of brown hair, your blue eyes, 10 fingers, 10 toes.''
Daryl smirks. ''I know I just can't believe he's here and healthy. He's perfect Layla.'' He says proudly.
Layla blushes. ''Well he's here now to stay for as long as he can. I'm worried Daryl his immune system will not be as strong as ours, is he going to be ok? What if he gets this virus?'' Layla questions.
Daryl takes a hold of his lover's face. ''Shush breathe little lady, breathe. We are going ta do everthin we can ta protect our little boy you hear me? Everythin you know why? Cause he's ours and he has the Dixon name and Dixon and Grimes blood. We can do this, I'm his daddy and you're his mama WE WILL keep him safe.'' He says reassuringly.
He watches as Layla relaxes. ''Right ok, council meeting then?'' Layla asks.
''Yeah lets go.'' Daryl says taking Layla's hand.
/
Carol, Glenn, Daryl, Layla, Michonne and Hershel were sat in the prison library having their council meeting discussing their next move. Daryl was cradling his son in his arms as Layla rested her head across the back on the chair she was sat on. She was mainly concerned about how the group were going to go about this. They had spent so much time trying to survive from the dead and sometimes the living, that they had forgotten about illnesses that could potentially kill and in terms of this one already had.
''It's spread everyone's who survived the attack in cell block D, Sasha, Kalum and now others.'' Hershel says.
''Jesus.'' Daryl says huskily.
''So what do we do?'' Carol questions.
Hershel sighs. ''First things first, cell block A is isolation we keep the sick people there like we tried with Karen and David.''
''Well what the hell we gonna do about that?'' Daryl questions.
''I could look into it, make a timeline to see where everyone was, where and when. But what are we gonna do to stop this?'' Carol urges.
Hershel looks her dead in the eye. ''There is no stopping it, you get it you have to go through it.'' Hershel states firmly.
''What it just kills you?'' Michonne adds.
Layla looks over at Daryl and puts a hand on his shoulder as he steadies Hunter in his arms.
''The illness doesn't the symptom's do. We need antibiotics.'' Hershel says firmly.
''We've been through every pharmacy nearby and then some.'' Daryl says.
''There's a Veterinary college that's one place people may not have thought to go to, the drugs for animals there are the same we need.'' Hershel states.
''that's 50 miles, took bigger risks before, ah now I'm gonna take a group out. Let's not waist anymore time.'' Daryl says handing Hunter to Layla as he gets up.
''Woah woah woah bigger risks? Daryl you're a daddy now.'' Layla says settling their son into her arms.
Daryl looks at her with a pained expression on his face. ''I know Lay but we need to protect the group, me going out and getting the antibiotics we need will do that, gives our son a better chance of survival as well.'' He says stroking her cheek.
''Ok.'' She says.
''I'm in.'' Michonne says, smiling at Layla as she does.
''Daryl's already been exposed getting in a car with him…'' Hershel starts.
Michonne smirks. ''He's already given me flees.''
Layla laughs. ''Me too.'' Causing Daryl to mock scowl at her.
''I can lead the way I know where everything's kept.'' Hershel says volunteering as everyone gets up, Layla spends a little more time putting Hunter in his wrap with help from Carol.
Daryl hesitates for a second. ''When we're out there it's always the same, sooner or later we run.'' He says.
Hershel understands what he means. ''I can draw you a map.'' He pauses. ''There are other precautions I think we should take.''
''Like what?'' Carol asks.
''they'll be no telling how long it takes for Daryl and his group to return, wouldn't it make sense to separate the most vulnerable. We can use the administration office separate buildings, separate rooms'' Hershel queries.
''Who is vulnerable?'' Glenn asks.
Layla sighs. ''The very young.'' She says looking at the bundle in her arms.
''What about the old?'' Glenn questions.
/
''Looks like I'm ready to go.'' Layla says placing Hunters baby bag over a shoulder, making sure he is secure in the wrap and his mosses basket gripped in her right hand.
Daryl nods. ''You got enough diapers? Nursing stuff?'' He asks.
Layla nods. ''Yeah I think so. Got myself plenty of food too, gotta keep my strength up ain't I. You come and visit me ok? I know you'll only be speaking to me through a door or whatever but it will be nice for Hunter to hear your voice.'' She says.
Daryl pulls his family into his arms and kisses Layla's forehead. ''I will as soon as I get back.'' He says.
Daryl accompanies Layla to quarantine. ''I wish I could bring ya with us. But I know ya will be safe in ere.'' He takes a breath. ''I love our boy but man wish I could keep ya close.'' He says.
''Don't you worry we will be safe in here; we have our own room. Beth will be next door with Judith I can Morse code her through the wall.'' She sniggers. ''I'll be more than occupied. If I'm honest baby, I'll be sleeping more than anything. I'm meant to sleep when he sleeps remember.'' She says.
Daryl sighs as he puts down his boy's mosses basket and helps Layla with the bag of her clothes and Hunters. ''I'll come back, I promise.'' He says about to leave.
Layla puts Hunter in his mosses basket. ''I know you will.'' She sighs. ''Not just me now ya know.'' She says looking down at their son.
Daryl walks over to her placing hard passionate kisses on her lips. ''I love ya so fuckin' much. You've given me the best 2 years of ma life now you have given me a son. I'm comin fuckin back.'' He breathes.
Layla lets a tear slip. ''I love you too.'' She places 3 more hard kisses on his lips and then kisses down his neck and down his left arm until she reaches his hands. ''Now go before I change my mind.'' She says.
Daryl gives Hunter and Layla one more look before he closes the door behind him leaving his family behind. He would drive to the college with Michonne, Bob and Tyreese and they would bring back whatever they needed and save the group from this virus. He wished it would have been that simple.
/
Layla awoke with a start as she heard light knocking on her door. ''Hello?'' She questioned groggily.
''Hi Layla… it's Maggie how are you and little Hunter doing?'' She says.
Layla knew something was wrong Maggie sounded very upset. ''Maggie are you ok?'' She asks.
''Glenn has it and I don't know what to do.'' She says and Layla can hear the older women sniffling.
Layla gasps. ''Oh Maggie I'm so sorry. But you have to be strong ok. He is a very strong willed man, I've known Glenn a long time, yeah the man can't handle a couple of glasses of wine but I know he will beat this.'' She says.
Maggie pauses. ''Thank you Layla. I needed that. He will be ok.''
Layla smiles to herself. ''You just have to believe ok? I've already been exposed because of Daryl but I am in here for our son and we will beat this. Daryl, Michonne, Tyreese and Bob will come back with the anti-biotics we need and we will beet this.'' She says sternly.
Maggie stares at the ceiling on the other side of the wall. ''Yeah I know, I just needed someone to talk too. Beth helped but she was very short and to the point. I have to be strong I can't go crying about it because then what does that do? Doesn't show that I believe Glenn will get better that's for sure.'' She stutters.
Layla sighs. ''You are strong Maggie; Beth is too we are all strong. I gave birth yesterday you helped me through that you helped Hunter come out of me you are strong.'' She says.
Maggie holds in the tears. ''Thank you Layla, thank you so much.''
Layla smiles to herself she was trying her best to be positive but she couldn't hide the horrible feeling in the pit of her stomach that something had gone wrong on Daryl's trip.
/
They ran and ran and ran. Until the walkers weren't so close anyone. Tyreese had fallen behind surrounded by walkers with only his hammer as protection Daryl didn't think he was going to make it. How could he? The man was surrounded. Then out of nowhere Tyreese appears with two walkers close behind him, Michonne kills one whilst Tyreese collapses to the floor in exhaustion. Bob and Daryl pick Tyreese up and encourage him on the way. He needed this trip to get better soon. He needed to get back to his woman and his little man. He needed to get home for his family.
Well I became quite emotional writing that I really have missed this characters. I hope you enjoyed I will try and get the next instalment out as soon as I can. See you soon Vmk-xx.