Chapter Thirty Eight
Alexandria Safe Zone, Earlier that morning at dawn….
Daryl woke up to find Dani snuggled in his arms, breathing lightly into his chest. He smiled and kissed the top of her forehead. Her head jolted up slightly as she lifted her face to meet his, her eyes sleepy. She smiled at him.
"Morning, hon," she whispered as she leaned forward to kiss him. His right hand reached the back of her head and pulled her closer to him. Their lips met and they were locked in a long, lingering kiss. She slid her hand down his chest and reaching underneath the covers. He grinned as he felt her embrace him with her fingers.
He then rolled her over and kissed her harder. She let go of him and clung to his back, chuckling underneath her breath.
"It's so early," she spoke softly. "There's so much to do today."
"Don't worry," he said, kissing her neck gently. "We got time."
He heard her giggle again. Then she sighed deeply.
"I wouldn't mind just laying here like this with you," she said. "It would be great if we could have just one day off."
Daryl grunted. He wanted that too. But too much was going on. With the Saviors and a new community, days off had to take a place on the shelf. But he smiled at her.
"Maybe after all this is over, we just hide away for a few days. Just me an' you. You like that, sweetheart?"
Dani nodded. "I would really love that," she smiled at him and kissed him again.
He then looked down on her, her smooth skin like snow, her long dark brown hair and those gorgeous ocean blue eyes of hers that intoxicated him every time she looked at him. He caressed her cheek. She touched his hand and nibbled a little on his thumb. Then she smiled so sweetly at him.
"How'd I get you," he asked, fingering a strand of her hair. "How'd a redneck asshole like me ever get you?"
She sighed. "You greeted me on the road by aiming a crossbow at my head," she told him. "I have to admit, that kind of put me off. But I see how you really how, how much you care for everyone, what you're willing to do for those you love. And I remember thinking to myself that there was something very special about you. I took a chance and I discovered I was right." She lifted her head and kissed his cheek. "You are something amazing."
She then laid her head back on her pillow and grinned at him, stroking his cheek with her fingers.
"You're so damned beautiful," he told her. "If I ever lost ya, girl, I dunno. I'd just give up cuz it won't be worth it without you."
She pressed her finger on his lips and shook her head at him. "Sweetheart, nothing will ever happen to me. One thing you should know about me by now is that I always find a way. I don't give up that easily." She lifted her upper body and touched his chin. "No matter what, I'll always find a way back to you."
He was so moved by her words that he just had to kiss her again, deeper this time, his tongue dancing with hers. Their hands entwined as he rolled on top of her, feeling her heat, knowing she wanted him just as much as he did at that moment. All of his life, he never had anything so beautiful and good. He never wanted to lose this at all. Dani was the only thing left in his life that made him worth living it. He would never let her go at all costs.
Never.
Hilltop Community, early evening…..
Jesus honked on the car horn, alerting Kal at the gate to let them in. Dani still lay unconscious in Daryl's arms, Daryl still crying as he cradled her. He kept thinking over and over in his head that this couldn't happen. Not to her.
The gates opened and Jesus drove right up to the house. As soon as he stopped the car, Daryl flew his door open and carried Dani right up to the house door. Jesus flung the front door open and Daryl ran right in, screaming.
"SOMEBODY GET HERE QUICK! SHE'S BLEEDING OUT," he hollered, alarming everyone in the lobby. Dr. Carson immediately approached him and checked on Dani. He then waved to two men behind him who pushed a large cart towards them.
"We have to move ASAP," Dr. Carson announced. "She's in shock."
Daryl laid her down on the cart and watched helplessly as she was pushed away into Dr. Carson's room. Tears flowed from his eyes, worried about what would happen to her. He couldn't lose her. This wasn't right. It wasn't fair. His hands were shaky and his trembled.
He jumped up when he felt someone touch his shoulder. He spun around to see his cherished friend Carol looking at him wiping away her tears. He couldn't hold it back anymore. He instantly held Carol and sobbed into her shoulder. She embraced him, patting his back and giving him a peck on his neck.
"She's going to be okay, Daryl," she told him. "She's still alive."
Daryl shook his head and pulled away. "It ain't right, Carol," he wailed. "What if she…."
"Daryl! She will be all right," Carol intoned sternly at him. "She's come this far. She won't give up. If she was determined to get away from the people who held her, she is determined to survive." She then reached for his shoulders. "I know that this has been so hard for you, Daryl. But you can't fall apart. She needs you."
Daryl heaved large breaths into his lungs and sighed sadly. He sat down on a wooden bench in the hall and wiped his eyes. But all he could think of was about everyone he lost. All he kept seeing in his head was Merle's animated corpse feeding on a body, Hershel being decapitated in front of him by the Governor. Dale lying on the ground with his guts pulled out, whimpering in pain.
And Beth.
Beautiful, kind and sweet Beth. Their little songbird. Shot right in front of him. Falling down like a sack of potatoes.
And now Dani. Who was racing to him, smiling in relief. Her ordeal was over and he had found her. Only to be taken from him again with a single shot.
Why was God being such a dick, he asked himself. How could God Himself bring such good people into his life and just suck them out again?
And what will happen if Dr. Carson walks out of that room and says, 'I'm sorry. I did all I could?' He couldn't think of it. It was driving him mad!
David sat down next to Daryl, wiping his face with both hands, trying to keep it together himself. His very own twin sister, the only living member of his family, was seriously wounded. David looked over at Daryl and patted his shoulder, sniffling.
"She's gonna pull through," he muttered. "She will. I know her. She will."
Daryl saw combat boots walking up to him. He looked up and saw Jesus kneeling at him, looking so concerned and sad.
"Listen, I will go to the Safe Zone and bring your people here if you want," he told him. "I'm very sure Rick will want news of Dani."
Daryl nodded. "Do that," he said as he stood up.
Jesus then looked around for anyone nearby. He then leaned forward and whispered, "don't mention her real name here. I don't trust Gregory and I'm very sure that the Saviors wanted her dead."
David stood up. "Don't worry. I know a good name for her," he said. Jesus nodded in agreement. Then he stopped himself and looked sadly at them.
"I'm so sorry about all of this," he told them. "I was really hoping that none of this would happen. You are great people as far as I can tell. The fucking Saviors won't get away with this. I promise."
Daryl nodded. "They won't," he said with fire in his eyes. "I'll make sure of it myself."
With that, Jesus took off to drive to the safe zone, leaving a broken Daryl standing there, worried to death over the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
….
As the sun set, Rick stood at the freshly dug grave of Abraham comforting Francine as she cried. Carl stood next to him, holding Judith in his arms, with Enid next to him looking morose. Eugene and Rosita stood by together, with Eugene's arm wrapped around her shoulder. Glenn and Maggie stood on the right side of his grave, holding hands. Sasha stood at the foot of the grave, holding her arms across her chest. Morgan stood next to Michonne and reached for her hand. She held his hand and gave him a sad smile. The rest of the community hung their heads low, mourning this tremendous loss. Tara merely shook her head at the scene. Another one of them was gone. And it was Abraham, one of their strongest and most able people.
Glenn took a step, facing everyone, wiping his tears. "When I first met Abraham, I had just lost the prison and I was looking for my wife," he said, giving Maggie a hopeful look. "I was still sick from the virus and weak, but he saved my life. I was a stranger to him and he still picked me up and gave me back my life. He agreed to help me as long as we helped him on his mission, which we all know how that turned out. Still, he kept us going, being a friend and mentor to all of us. He deserved better, I know that. But I can honestly say that if it wasn't for him, we'd never think of going the distance to get here." He then became silent and placed a rose on his grave.
Rick stepped forward solemnly. He looked over his community trying to look hopeful. But it was hard, especially with the threat of the Saviors waving over them and the disappearance of Dani. Who else was next, they began to whisper amongst each other.
"I know our hearts are heavy," Rick began. "Abraham was one of our best. A true leader and a good friend. He never let anyone down. He never left anyone behind. He was a true soldier. All he wanted was to fix this world and when that couldn't happen, what he wanted for all of us was to find a safe haven. This very place. We are here because of his help. And we will continue to live here free and safe. Because it was what he wanted for us."
He hung his head low and took a deep breath. "We will all live, I guarantee that," he intoned.
Before he could continue, Carl pointed to his left. Rick saw Spencer and Jesus run up to them, looking worried.
Rick walked over to Jesus. From what he can tell, something terrible had happened. He prayed they didn't lose anyone else.
"What is it," he asked. Jesus put his hand on Rick's shoulder.
"It's Dani. We found her. She's been shot, but she's alive. She's at Hilltop right now with her brother, Daryl and Carol," he told Rick. "She's lost a lot of blood."
Rick hesitated and looked at his people. Michonne walked up to him, holding the handle of her sword.
"The Saviors," she muttered. Jesus nodded.
"If any of you wants to come, you better do it now. Especially for Daryl. He's really upset," Jesus replied.
Michonne and Morgan ran to the townhouses for the vehicles. Rosita walked up to Jesus worried.
"How's David," she asked him.
"He's okay, but he's a mess himself," he told her. Rosita nodded and followed Michonne and Morgan.
The funeral began to disperse as Glenn and Maggie approached cautiously. Glenn had told Rick he wanted to be there.
"Dani's a great friend and Daryl needs us," he told Rick. Maggie agreed.
"I'm coming too," she said. Rick nodded.
"Me too," Carl announced as he held his baby sister.
Rick shook his head. "No Carl. You stay here."
Carl shook his head. "Dani's my friend too, Dad," he told him. "I want to see her."
Rick looked at his son, whose face was of worry and pleading. There was so much he wanted to protect Carl from, but he knew it was pointless. Carl was a man now, not a kid.
Rick nodded and patted his shoulder. "All right, you can come," he told his son.
Carl gave Judith to Enid. In turn, she kissed his cheek. "Be safe," she whispered. Then she walked away, holding Judith in her arms.
Rick spoke with Heath and Scott about keeping watch over the safe zone, warning them about the Saviors.
"They obviously know about us," he told them. "I need you guys to keep this place safe."
Heath nodded. "Don't worry, Rick. We will keep this place safe."
"And make sure Dwight doesn't escape," he told him. "That bastard has to tell us a few things some time."
Both Heath and Scott nodded.
Rick then walked with his son to the vehicles, feeling angry and betrayed. If only they hadn't trusted Nicholas too much. They should have killed him after what he pulled with Glenn. And now they're in this mess with the Saviors and Dani's been kidnapped and shot.
And he can only imagine how this is affecting Daryl. He barely kept it together after Beth died. And if Dani died, someone has to be there before Daryl goes off the deep end.
They got into three cars with Rick jumping into the front seat with Jesus. They drove out of the community and into the streets. All he kept hoping as they drove to Hilltop was that Dani would just hang on.
For Daryl's sake.
…
"What the hell is going on here," Gregory demanded as he walked into the lobby. "What's this about an operation?"
Daryl looked down, not wanting to look at the prick. Carol still comforted him, giving Gregory pissed off look. David stood up eyeing him angrily.
"Hunting accident," he said. "One of our people was shot."
Gregory turned to David, glaring at him. "Which one," he asked.
"One of our people, Jane Willworth. She was accidently shot out there. But I think she'll be all right," David told him.
Daryl looked up when he heard that name. Jane Willworth?
"Yes, she's one of our people. I accidently shot her. I didn't mean to," Carol started. "Jane lumbered a little and from a distance, I thought she was a walker. Luckily my aim is really bad. I clipped her shoulder." Carol looked as meek and sad as she could.
Daryl didn't say a word. He was too upset. All he could do was think of Dani.
Gregory then huffed under his breath. "Like I always said, never give a woman any firearms. They may as well accidently shoot themselves." He then stormed off.
Carol became almost enraged. "What a pompous jerk," she said. "Sexist asshole." She then turned to David. "Jane Willworth?"
David nodded. "My mother's maiden name," he told her. "It's a name Dani could stick to for a while."
Daryl still didn't say anything. He merely grunted and got up. He walked over to the picture window and looked out.
Night was descending up the skyline and he kept thinking of how this morning, he and Dani woke up together like it was any other morning. Just them two looking forward to another day. But that wasn't the case. Dani gets taken, held and then shot. It just couldn't have been their last day together. He refused to believe it.
...
Randy stood by in the woods looking through his binoculars, watching the vehicles of the Safe Zone leave one by one, heading towards Hilltop. He grinned and radioed to Nigel, another on of Negan's men. "They're leaving," he told them. "Safe Zone could be ours by tonight if we strike."
"All right, hold on," Nigel told him. There was silence. Then Nigel's voice came over the radio. "Negan says to wait," Nigel said. "He has something else in mind."
"Like what," Randy said.
"Come to the rest stop and find out. This is going to be good!"
Randy smiled and ran to his car. He had an idea of what was going down.
Lucille will get her kiss tonight.
…
Rick and his people arrived at the safe zone by nightfall. Daryl swung the front door open, not exactly greeting his friends but relieved they're here. Rick ran up to Daryl and hugged him tightly.
"Brother, I'm so sorry," Rick whispered as Daryl's tears started to fall again. Rick then pulled from him and patted his shoulder. "How's she doing," he asked him.
"I don't know yet," Daryl replied. "Doc's still working on her. All we're doing now is waiting."
Rick nodded and was about to head inside but Daryl stopped him. "Just so you know, she ain't goin' by her real name," Daryl warned him. Rick understood completely.
Daryl felt a little better when he saw Maggie and Glenn run up to him, looking so worried. Glenn hugged him immediately, patting his back.
"She's going to be okay," he told Daryl. "I know it."
"That's right," Maggie said. "Remember when Carl was shot and my daddy saved him? I know it will be the same for her."
Carl walked up to him, giving him an optimistic look. "We're all here for you and Dani, all right?"
Michonne and Morgan were next, Michonne touching his cheek. "You okay, sweetheart," she asked him. "You look like shit."
Daryl chuckled wearily. "I feel like it," he said.
Morgan patted his shoulder. "You hand in there, Daryl. Dani is a very strong woman," he told him.
Rosita ran past Daryl into the house where she found David sitting on the bench, worried over his sister. He looked up at her and his heart soared. He ran to her and held her tightly against him.
"Thank you for coming," he whispered to her. "You didn't have to, but thank you."
Rosita kissed his cheek. "I just had to, David. We lost Abraham this morning. We can't lose anyone else."
Daryl led her to the living room where they sat down on a large sofa. He let out a sad sigh and Rosita held him, soothing his pain with her gentle fingers on his head.
…
For the next two hours, everyone waited around the mansion for any word on Dani's condition. Whatever was wrong with her was serious. Daryl only wished that anyone would just come by with any news.
He kept pacing around the hallway, biting his nails and grunting. Carol merely watched him, knowing there was nothing to quell his anger and worry. The only thing that could do that is if Dr. Carson would step out that door right now and announce she will live. And that hasn't happened yet.
Then Dr. Carson's door opened and he stepped outside, with a little blood on his green shirt. At first he appeared hesitantly. Then he took a deep breath and gave a faint smile to these people.
"She's going to pull through," he announced. Right away everyone gasped and sighed with relief in the room. Dr. Carson continued. "The bullet entered her shoulder in a horizontal path and lodge close to her carotid artery. If that bullet had stuck that artery, she would have died. She did lose some blood but it isn't bad. . It was tricky but I managed to remove it without causing any damage to her carotid artery."
Daryl walked up to him, placing his hand on his shoulder. "Can I see her," he begged. Dr. Carson nodded.
"She's asleep right now, but yes, go on in." He showed Daryl into the room where he found Dani lying on a bed, her eyes closed, an IV running into her arm. He almost choked on his tears at the sight. But he knelt beside her and took her hand.
"Baby, you're gonna be okay," he whispered, lightly pushing away the strands of her hair from her face. "You made it. Like you always say, you always find a way."
….
"How soon could she come back to the Safe Zone," Rick asked. Dr. Carson shook his head.
"Dani did suffer a serious injury. I have to say she needs to be here to fully recover and it could take a couple of weeks. And that means complete bed rest and plenty of fluids. I need to monitor her so she doesn't get an infection. As you know, infections are more serious now than they ever were," Dr. Carson replied.
"I figured," Rick replied. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Dr. Carson said. "I also recommend that everyone go home tonight. Dani needs lots of rest after today."
Everyone nodded. Morgan walked into the room and saw Daryl sitting by Dani. He approached him and sat with him.
"Doc says she'll be all right, Daryl," he told him. "She's a fighter all right."
"Course she is," Daryl replied. "She never gives up."
Morgan remained silent for a moment. And then he leaned forward in his seat.
"I still believe all life is precious. It's worth fighting for, Daryl. This girl right here is worth fighting for. I know you may not believe this, but you are truly a lucky man," Morgan told him.
Daryl looked at him, unsure of what he meant.
"You are lucky because in this God forsaken world you found someone who gives you purpose to live. I've seen how you look at her, how much you love her. It's what I had with my wife. She was so beautiful and wonderful. She gave me a fine son. And I lost them. And I lost my mind, living like an animal, not caring, not hating. Just instinct to survive.
'Then I met Julius, a man I tried to kill because I believed he was going to kill me. I was just about to shoot his head off until he asked me what I would want back if I could get it back. I thought that was the most insane thing anybody's ever told me. But I knew exactly what I wanted.
'I wanted my family back. Julius, of course, told me that was never going to happen. But if at all possible, try to see others just like them. Try to love them as I loved my wife and son. Because, as he said, all life is precious.
'Julius taught me a lot, helped me find my sanity again. He also helped me to understand the principle of those words. And that even in this world of blood and sorrow, life is still beautiful and worth its weight in gold."
He patted Daryl's back. "It's because of him, I ceased to be a mad man. And I look at people now, the ones who try and kill us and the ones who help us and I just see my family. I tried hard to help Josh. Because I was just like him myself before. I know Dani believes that others don't try to hide who they really are, but take it from me, some just lose their mind and fall in madness."
Daryl nodded. "I get it," he said. "Felt like that coming for a long time before…" he stopped himself. "And Michonne? She help you too?"
Morgan shrugged and smiled. "Yes, she does help me. She suffered as much, lost a child same as me. Our wounds may never truly heal, but where there is love we can endure." He stood up and sighed. "We will always endure."
Morgan then looked over at Dani and smiled. "You tell her when she wakes up we'll all be seeing her soon."
He then left the room, leaving Daryl alone with Dani.
And for the first time since this morning, Daryl felt calmer again, his weight lifting off his shoulders. He kissed Dani's hand and held it against his cheek. He continued to watch her sleep as the night wore on and the voices outside were carrying on.
No matter what he was never going to leave her side.
Things are going to get insane in the next chapter! What will happen now? Stay tuned!