Chapter 12

They couldn't find the morning-after pills anywhere. Every pharmacy they came across was almost empty already.

They had another practical problem too. After several passionate moments they didn't have any condoms left.

It turned out that those were hard to find as well.

Daryl felt like an idiot. What was he? A teenage boy who was about to put his girlfriend in trouble?

But Beth was carefree, almost happy in a strange way.

"Please, Daryl, don't worry about it. There is no reason I'm sure. Also..."

"Also what?" the hunter snapped. Angry with himself, not her.

"It's just... Look around you. When was the last time you really looked at this world we are living in? We see more and more death every day. Babies are rare these days. And my father - you remember those walkers in his barn, don't you? He kept them alive for so long because he believed that all life is sacred", Beth explained.

"He taught the same principle to me too. Obviously he was wrong with the walkers though."

She looked at the hunter thoughtfully.

"This is the end of the world, Daryl. Do you really think that worrying about contraception is our biggest problem now?"

"Jesus, Beth. We can't afford to think like that. Ya remember what happened to Lori I'm sure. The risks are huge, a lot of things can go wrong. Besides you're only nineteen, way too young to be a mother", Daryl replied.

"Really? None of us will live to see the old age, Daryl. No matter how hard we try, how much we fight... We will all face the same horrid fate sooner or later. You know it and I know it", Beth noted.

"The way I see it - all that matters are the things we do before the end. If I'm pregnant now, I honestly believe it's meant to be", Beth explained gently.

She smiled at Daryl.

"Condoms or not, I still want you. Making love is the only way to feel fully alive in the middle of ... all this. So I suggest we don't worry about the possible future. Let's focus on this moment. After what happened yesterday in the supermarket I realized once more that every day can be our last. Let's enjoy the time we have left, please", Beth pleaded softly.

"You're definitely not a child anymore, I give you that, Beth Greene", Daryl noted astonished.

"But I will not risk it unnecessary. I did a stupid thing yesterday, it will not happen again", he said firmly.

"Do you mean that we can't make love anymore?" Beth asked worried.

"No, I don't. There's a way, I'll show you. Not as enjoyable and not hundred percent sure, but we will try it nonetheless. I'll take it out before… the end", Daryl explained not looking at her.

Beth just nodded.

xxx

Later that day they had a bit of luck.

They drove across a peaceful neighborhood when Beth saw something - one of the houses was surrounded by a big kitchen garden. It was in a state of neglect and yet they were able to find some food. Crop by perennial plants - apple and plum trees. Soon they found some garden berries too.

"Let's spend a night here", Daryl decided and parked the camper behind the house.

"We can eat fresh food today and collect the rest of the crop tomorrow", he decided.

They did so. Fresh food tasted wonderful. They had a bit of deer left too.

After the dinner they sat in silence for a long time.

"Do ya really believe so - that we are all doomed?" Daryl asked finally.

Beth smiled at him a bit.

"Don't you?"

The hunter shook his head.

"Hell no. All diseases deteriorate in the long term. You remember history - Black Death in Europe? It killed millions once and eventually it vanished. Maybe the same will happen one day with this… plague. Maybe all the walkers will eventually just die and dead people start to stay dead again. After that those who survived this…" the hunter started.

"... will re-build our civilization. Maybe so. But only the strong survive. You are one of the strong, Daryl", Beth finished his sentence.

The hunter seemed a bit amused.

"The only reason for that is the way my life was before the outbreak. Shitty. My parents were no good and Merle was in the prison all the time. So I had to grow up fast and learn how to take care of myself", he explained.

Beth stood up and went to him.

"Poor you", she whispered softly and bent down to kiss his lips.

Daryl returned the kiss.

"I don't want your pity, Beth Greene, the maid of the manor", he teased with a grin.

"It was just a farm actually. And I'm not a maid anymore, remember?" Beth giggled.

"I do remember, trust me", Daryl said in a low voice and led her straight to the bed.

This time he started by kissing her naked body lightly from head to toe.

Beth was impatient to get him inside of her.

Daryl knew it but he was not in a hurry. On the contrary, he worshipped every inch of her body with his lips and his fingers. He was rock hard, but he didn't let Beth to touch him.

Not this time.

Eventually she was as ready and wet as a woman can be.

"Oh, Daryl, please…", Beth pleaded weakly.

"Tell me what you want, Beth", Daryl whispered hoarsely.

"Take me, please", she begged.

He penetrated her with one swift motion filling her completely.

Beth whimpered and caressed his sides and his shoulders while he moved on her.

Every thrust carried Beth closer to heaven.

She came, but she felt disappointed when Daryl left her body at the very last moment. He released himself with a hand.

"You don't have to do it like that", Beth said to him afterwards.

"Yes I do, Beth. This is not negotiable", Daryl said gently.

That night Beth found it difficult to fall asleep.

She felt sad somehow.

One day I will lose him. One way or the other, she realized.

It is only a matter of time.