A/N When I watched last nights episode I was sobbing. Merle was a racist bastard and I don't think that that is a good thing in any way shape or form but it made the show so interesting. And poor Daryl I cried at that so much. Merle will not have that fate in either of my stories. Period.
And to everyone who helped me figure out what to do with Jimmy, thanks.
And to Demi187, There will be more Hayden and Carl interaction soon but keep in mind that Carl isn't exactly a bad ass yet and is still acting slightly like a child.
And sorry this was so short and for the long wait. The next chapter is skipping to the prison and going through the rest of winter.
A gang of five walkers went after Jimmy and by the time Hayden blasted their heads away with he shotgun, the damage was already done. Jimmy laid in a pool of his own blood, the bite on his neck. Hayden screamed as she killed the last of the walkers and ran forward.
"Hayden...Please... Don't let me come back...Don't mourn me." He gasped as blood began to come out of his mouth. She put his head in her lap and cried. Her best friend was as good as dead.
"Herschel!" She screamed as she sobbed. "Do something!"
When she was replied with silence she turned back to Jimmy a he raised his hand and put it to her cheek. "Hayden... Promise me."
"Of course ah won't let ya come back Jimmy. Ah will neva ferget ya. Ah am so sorry that ah didn't see any of this comin'." She sobbed and rocked bak and forth as she looked down at him. Beth sobbed from somewhere behind her but Hayden didn't move. The time for that would be soon enough without her leaving his side.
Jimmy closed his eyes as Hayden kissed his forehead, which was probably the most affectionate thing she had ever done to anyone but her father or Sean. When Jimmy's chest stopped moving Hayden gently picked his head up and put it on the pavement as she stood up and wiped her tears. She raised her gun, uttered goodbye an shot her best friend in the head.
Beth cried out and as Hayden turned around she felt uncontrollable anger swelling up inside of her.
"This is all yer fault! He died try'na save yer worthless life ya bitch! 'N ya didn't even care 'bout him after the farm. He saved yer life back there too didn't he? Ya poxy little whore!" She screamed and punched the blonde in the face. Carol cried out and Hayden spun to face her. "'N ya! Ya were supposed ta be lookin' out! No wonder yer goddamn kid died! Y can't do anything right now can-"
Rick overcome with emotions hit Hayden in the head with his pistol and had Daryl pick her up. She was placed in the car with the Grimes' since she was out cold.
When she awoke she for a moment thought she would see Jimmy beside her but instead she saw Carl and she felt like crying but held it in.
"I'm sorry Hayden but you were-" Rick began from the front before Hayden interrupted him.
"Just shut the fuck up would ya?" She rubbed her temple and sighed. Her heart was beating abnormally fast and she was sweating. Her head felt light and she was shaking. She knew it was coming.
Hayden had kept in check back at the farm, and again at the highway. Back when she was within a few feet of Daryl she could remember that she still had him left. And now she was practically in a car full of strangers.
"Dad?" Carl cried with alarm after looking at her face as she felt her breathing sky rocket. Rick honked and all the cars stopped. Hayden yanked the door open and ran outside breathing in the fresh air until she saw Daryl. She sprinted towards him and buried her head in his shoulder feeling herself calm down. She still had him left and she was safe enough for now in his arms.
I know that most of you said keep Jimmy alive but after some debating I think that if there is going to be a Carl and Hayden relationship, Jimmy can't really be around since he liked Hayden too.