Worth Something

by Nima920

Mila Reid has always held fast to her belief that pure and wonderful things can be borne in the darkest times, but her ideals are dealt blow after blow by the primitive world of the dead. In order to do more than just survive, she must discover what it is that makes her life worth something. (Gradual Daryl/OC pairing, but not solely based in romance. More like bildungsroman.)

10. Going, Too

Mila weaved between the people standing to leave and blocking her way to the doorway where Daryl had been standing, careful to flank the seat where Hosea still sat glancing up at her. She wanted to be sure to catch him before he disappeared to whatever secluded hole he must have made to keep himself unspotted when he grew tired of their incessant company. Bumping into her fellow survivors in the crowded room slowed her down, evoking a series of hasty exchanges of apologies.

"Daryl!" she called, rounding the corner. He slowed from his saunter, pausing long enough to look back at her, one hand in his pants pocket. "Wait. I wanted to ask you something." He chewed his lip, swaying back and forth from one side to another. "When is your next run?"

"Tomorrow. You need somethin'?" he asked in a low voice.

"Well, actually I was wondering if I could come." Mila noticed his brow twitch into a frown. "You could think of me as a field medic," she defended quickly. "I still want experience out there. And I was talking to Hershel earlier. He said that if I was gonna go out, I should go with other people; that way I'm safer." Daryl's expression had not changed much, and she was unsure if she was making any headway in convincing him to let her tag along. ". . . If we come across medicine, I can help us pick out whatever would be useful. . . ." she added quietly.

An irritated sigh escaped Daryl's lips. "We're leavin' when the sun comes up. You ain't ready, you're gettin' left." A giddy grin spread across Mila's face and Daryl's hardened in response. "You can come if you wanna. But if you're gonna go, ain't gone be no damn jumpin' out from behind trees at people shootin' at us. An' you gotta do what you're told. Things go sideways-"

"I got it. I'll stay in sight, Mom," she said excitedly, folding her arms in front of her chest.

"Stop," Daryl growled as he turned to stroll away, shoulders swaying with his usual swagger.

Note: With ten chapters, it's time for walkers to break us from any monotony of following character drama. We've only seen one so far! Buckle up, guys!