A/N: I wrote this from Beth's POV I thought that would add an extra emotional element into the story, also it was a tad easier to write based on an outside POV watching what was happening rather than it happening to someone. I hope you like it, there will most likely be another part as I can't just leave a storyline like this left undone when there is more than a number of possibilities I can dive into. Once again thanks so much for the love with not just this story but all of them. I can't wait for the mid-season finale I hear it's going to be very intense!
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Something Old
The moment the words left Riley's lips it was a whirlwind of movement and activity. Beth watched as Rick yelled things out, Daryl running one way, Maggie another. Beth's eyes drifted across the moving people until they rested on Riley who was being dragged towards one of the tables and pushed down into a seat. The next thing Beth knew Rick had an ax in hand, Maggie was placing a tray of supplies down and Daryl was holding down Riley's arm pulling her jacket from her body to show a large bloody bite mark on her forearm. Beth's eyes traveled away from the bite mark and landed on the blue orbs of Riley, Riley quickly looked away to a spot behind Rick
"just do it" she mumbled
Rick glanced at Riley before locking eyes with Daryl, Daryl held a wooden spoon in front of Riley's face making her glance over. With a clench of the jaw and a slow shake of the head Riley opened her mouth and Daryl placed the spoon in between her teeth; Beth watched as Riley bit down and looked away. Turning her attention to Rick she watched as the man struggled for a moment before lifting the ax.
It had been two days, two days since the world of the group had changed. Beth watched as her father sat down on a stool in front of the bed that Daryl had carried Riley to after…after….after…. The old man placed two fingers to the girl's neck and held up the watch which he had borrowed from Glenn. A moment later he removed his fingers and lowered his head; Beth who was watching from the archway felt panic surge through her "she okay"
Herschel raised his head and let a small sad smile grace his lips "fine….physically…" Beth looked away from her father and over to Riley whose arm was bandaged a slight pink color tinting the otherwise white material "I'm worried though Bethy…..Riley….."
"she's strong daddy…she'll pull through…" Beth pushed away from the wall and walked over to the bed kneeling down and placing a hand on Riley's cheek "and I'll be right here…right here" she ended with a whisper; Herschel watched his daughter, knowing that she was speaking more to the sleeping girl on the bed then she was too him.
On day four Beth woke after a restless nights sleep. She was sleeping in their bed….their bed….she was wrapped up in one of her shirts, she let a sigh escape her lips and glanced around the barley lit cell. It was still early morning and not much light seeped into the cell. At this moment Beth let the past days events wash over her and the flood gates opened. Tears flowed down her cheeks and she brought the sheets up biting down on them to muffle the screams and sobs that erupted out of her small body. Yesterday had been the worse day for the group, Riley had woken up…..
'Beth paced back and forth outside of the cell, as her father, Daryl and Rick worked inside trying to calm down a very agitated, angry and scared Riley Dixon. "Riles you need to calm down okay…..come on now breathe for me sweetie" Beth listened as Rick's voice floated from the cell. Glancing up Beth saw Carl sitting on the stairs his head in his hands, his leg bouncing up and down. "I can't…I can't" Beth's head jerked to the cell as Riley's broken voice came out in between ragged breaths "I'm going to die…..how can I protect…." Riley's voice was cut off by Daryl "you'll be fine Rye bread, you can adept you've done it before…." It was quiet for a moment before a mumbled voice spoke out with words Beth couldn't understand her father however responded "don't think like that….she loves you that's not going to change" there was a pause before Rick and Daryl left the room followed shortly by Herschel. Rick walked pass Beth and headed towards Carl kneeling down and whispering to his son. Daryl spoke softly to Herschel before the old man looked over and locked eyes with his daughter; his look spoke volumes and it made Beth fill with worry'
Beth opened her eyes letting yesterday leave her thoughts with one last sigh she pushed herself from the bunk and pulled on some clothes, exiting the cell she could see down below that Daryl was pacing back and forth while Carl sat at the table; Rick was talking to Herschel both standing in front of Riley's room. Beth instantly thought the worse and rushed down the stairs "what's wrong" she called out causing all eyes to turn towards her
"Beth…it's not what you think…."
Herschel looked over at Carl as the boy looked between his father and Beth "this morning I found her crossbow on my bed…..when I went to her room to bring it back she was gone…."
Beth zoned out at his words, she continued to watch as the people around her spoke she could tell that Glenn and Maggie's name came up as well as something about Daryl going out to look with Michonne but Beth had become numb…Riley was gone….the conversation her father had with her last night came rushing back and she knew why Riley had left, she just hoped she was wrong
'Beth sat our their bunk wrapped up in one of Riley's t-shirts this one was a Pink Floyd band T and Beth loved it because it was the first shirt that Riley let Beth wear the first night Beth and Riley were "together". Raising her head at the sound of a light tapping Beth gave a small smile at the sight of her father standing in the doorway "how are you sweetie" Beth lowered her head and fingered the necklace that swung at her chest "this…this is going to change her life forever…" Herschel let a frown cross his lips before he ventured into the cell quietly sitting down letting his daughter finish the thought that was running in her head "she won't be able to use her crossbow anymore….that was her life, that was who she was…." Herschel wrapped his arm around his little girl pulling her into him "that's the last thing on her mind Beth….it's true the crossbow is what makes a Dixon a Dixon but for Riley it's you….all you…" Beth looked down at her hands "I'm gonna love her no matter what…." Herschel squeezed Beth's arm and pushed himself to his feet "you know that and I know that….problem is even if she know that she doesn't believe it…." Beth watched as her father walked from the room determined to show Riley that she was in it for the long haul'
Riley walked through the woods following the familiar path, the path she would never forget, her eyes trained on the dense trees around her
'Riley where are you going'
Riley refused to acknowledge the voice speaking to her left and kept the same stride
'Riley this…this doesn't change who you are, the strength and ability you have…'
At this point Riley glanced over "it changes everything…..I'm down one hand if you haven't realized…" Riley yelled stopping and holding up her right arm which was still wrapped, staring down at the missing limb Riley's eyes filled with tears before anger took over and she ripped her knife from her boot and threw it into the first tree she saw
"I won't survive Lori…..I won't be able to protect Judith or Carl or….or…..Beth" Riley spoke softly walking over to the tree and yanking her knife free
'so you think going to get what you're thinking about getting will help'
Riley looked over at Lori and clenched her jaw her eyes filled with fear and loss "its better than nothing"
Cliffhanger...hope you guys liked this one hopefully I'll have another out for you tomorrow in honor of the mid-season finale! Reviews are icing on the cake=)
