The Walking Dead: Guardian Angel

Chapter 37

Disclaimer: I don't own this :/

In the coming day, the worst of the big storm had passed, the rain was a little more stubborn & it was well into their fourth night at the pharmacy before the sound of raindrops on the roof finally was silenced.

"Here, you need to eat." The man said as he shoved a can of pork & beans at Daryl with a plastic spoon stuck in them.

Daryl studied his savior, the man he owed his life to as he ate, since the fever broke, his wits had since returned to him. "Why did you help me?" The other man shrugged. "I have my reasons."

"It would've been better for you'd just let me be walker chow. Then waited til the storm passed & sailed in on the tide like a knight in shining armor with some fucking crackpot story about how you tried to save me but couldn't ... Eddie." Daryl said, spitting out Eddie's name like it was poison.

Eddie chuckled as his golden hazel eyes met Daryl's brilliant blue ones. "Oh, trust me, the thought did cross my mind a few times, more times then I'd like to admit.

But I also know that she doesn't want me … she wants you & regardless of my feelings about her decision, I have to respect her choice … however questionable it might be." He said, unable to keep the bitterness out of his last statement.

"So … at first light tomorrow, we are heading to the dock to find a boat." "I don't need your fucking help." Daryl said. "You won't make it half way there by yourself, the smell of the blood from your wound will bring them for miles. I have a car waiting out back, I can get us there quick."

"If you think I'm gonna just let you parade me in there to her so you can play the fucking hero card you can fuck yourself." Daryl spat.

"I'm not. As soon as your happy ass is on that boat, I'm gone. The two of us being in the same group wouldn't work anyway. Besides, it would be hardest on Charlotte & I know this is hard for you to understand … but if I can't have her … at least I want her to be happy."

Daryl sat back against the shelves as he thought for a moment, he had no other choice, there was no way he was in any sort of shape to make it there on his own. Weather he liked it or not, he needed Eddie's help.

"Hey, sleeping beauty! Come on, we're burning daylight." Eddie said as he smacked Daryl in the back of the head, rudely awakening him. Daryl gave him a murderous look but chose not to say anything as they gathered their supplies & prepared to leave.

Eddie cracked opened the door to the alley & made sure the coast was clear before they made a run to the car. "Let's blow this popsicle stand." Eddie said as he turned the engine over & sped off toward the docks.

The night had been rather cool for the time of year so the walkers were slow to get going, lucky for them. "Once we reach the docks we're gonna have to move fast." "Ya think?" Daryl replied snarkily. "I just don't want your crippled ass slowing me down." Eddie replied.

A growl escaped Daryl's throat but he managed to keep quiet, comforted only by the fact that soon he & this asshole would be parting ways.

Though all things considered he had come a long way in his ability to deal with people, two years ago he would have slit this jerk's throat like a deer carcass for saying something like that.

They arrived at the docks & hopped out quickly, careful to close the door as quietly as possible, adjusting their packs on their shoulders; they scoured the docks for what looked like a workable, suitable boat.

After what seemed like forever, they found one. "You sure you can drive this thing?" Daryl didn't reply, but his withering look spoke volumes. Eddie chuckled as he put his hands up in defense.

"Look, man. I know we will never like each other as people but I do want you to know, for what it's worth, I do respect you as a man… even if I didn't show it.

Charlotte wouldn't have bothered with you if you were no good, that much I know & I trust her judgment, regardless of how much I hate it." He said as he held out his hand.

"I wish you two the best, I really do. Maybe our paths will cross again some day, of good fortune keeps us alive til then." Daryl merely nodded as he gripped the Indian man's hand & remained silent, but his silence spoke volumes.

Their bro-mance moment was interrupted by the telltale groans & shuffling gaits of walkers, a large herd was heading their way, no doubt they had followed their car.

"Now get the fuck outta here." Eddie said with a wink as he jumped into his car & sped off, mowing a path through the herd in the process.

Daryl shook his head & smiled in spite of himself as he fired up the boat & set sail for the prison island.