A|N:
SO this is technically it guys. If my father wasn't sitting across from me right now I'd be literately sobbing. Next chapter is the epilogue so I'm going to take this moment now to thank each and everyone one of you for taking time out of your lives for stopping in the middle of scrolling though The Walking Dead fan fiction list, seeing Arrow's in The Darkness and actually making the decision to click on it and give it a read. Even bigger thank you for those who stuck around since the beginning, read every chapter and if i could jump through the computer and hug each and every one of the commenters of this story I would. Seriously you guys inspire me so so so so soooooooooooooooooooooooo fuckin' much i could cry. I love you all and I hope you guys loved Arrow's in The Darkness. If you did please take a look at my one shots as well as my other big story Dixon Blood which i PROMISE to start updating again real Soon. Thanks so much to Yazzy X, itsi3, RhiannonMuir, DixonRocks and Trinitee64 for ALWAYS commenting I love you all to DEATH! (If i missed you i'm sorry!)
So here it is. Chapter 49, see you guys in the Epilogue.
TWD is not Mine, Only Alyssa and Marie Dixon
It was only right that he was up in that tower with a bottle of Jack in his hand, staring into the black shadows of the forest. Back where it all started. God damn. How did it go so fast? Where did time go? The last year flashed before his eyes and now he was back in the beginning again. Alone on the same floor, with the same bottle half finished and the moon up in the sky. The sun would rise with the next hour or two. He didn't know what to do with himself. Or how to feel about the situation on hand. They would leave at first light. Alyssa refused a car, they would walk and find there own way to New York. She refused to borrow from them anymore, on the accounts of not wanting to waste their supplies on her. Bullshit. We'd do anything for those kids. Daryl took another swig of whiskey and sighed. He would never see them again, and that would be that.
Like it never happened.
Like he never ran out to the forest. Never shot her, or brought her home. He never cared, or loved them. It would all be a thing of his past, a scar on his life, and there would be nothing left to show for it. Was it worth it? Ever goin' out there? Gettin' attached?
"Don't be angry at yourself for loving her. Be happy you had the chance to do so."
Psst. Yah.. some shit advice that was Carol. Ya never told me what t'do if they wanted to leave me.
It was a lot different when he thought Alyssa was dead. When he thought Marie was lost. He wasn't so attached then. Now he loved them. Loved them like he loved Carol, or Rick or his own brother. As if the damn Dixon blood ran through their veins. He almost hated them for this. For choosing to leave. Still... it was their choice.
Frustrated, Daryl downed the rest of the of the whiskey and stood up to throw the bottle with all his might out into the forest. He could hear the bottle crash into something as he fell back to the floor. He ran his hand through his long messy hair and let out a long sigh. Bitting down on his lip he could see the sky begin to slowly change color. The sun would be rising soon.
The girls must still be in bed.
Alyssa and Marie spend the last night with Carol in their he went to check up on them, Carol had been fast asleep in their bed, all cuddled up with Marie and Alyssa. No matter what kind of shit Alyssa tried to pull that girl had a mean soft spot for her mother. Wonder why?... she doesn' bring up her real momma the way she does 'er daddy. He knew Carol would be hysterical when they left. In his mind he could see the face she had made when she thought Alyssa was dead. It would be worse this time. She will be a mess..
The rest of the group will move on in the end. What ever the fuck that meant. Carol would have the baby in few months time and then her mind would always be on their child. Merle would be Merle, like always. Nothing phases that asshole. The thing that bugged him the most was, what would he do? How would he move on? Would he forget and act like it never happened? Or maybe he would miss them every damn day till it kills him inside. Would he go crazy? Or maybe just cold? What if they don't make it?
There was too many question and little to no answers.
"No matter what happens. We'll figure it out together."
"Fuckin' hell.." Daryl scratched his head. Stuck in a fit of sadness and rage, he had no idea what to do with himself anymore.
And to no surprise at all, the sun had started to rise. My fuckin' dumb luck, huh. The way the sky changed to that changed from black to grey, and all the blues and purples in between made him want to scream at the top of his lungs. Maybe this was all a dream, some sick joke. Maybe if I jump off the ledge of this damn tower I'll wake mahself up.. or snap my damn neck..
In the silence of it all, above the groans and moans of the walkers mindlessly wandering around outside their gates, Daryl could hear the doors leading to cell block C open. He didn't have to move to see who it was, because he knew exactly who it was. So Daryl just stood up there alone, angry and depressed. He would not say goodbye, because goodbyes meant they were gone, and he wasn't ready to let go yet. So he would hide up there the whole time.
Even if it killed him.
They were packed, only a back pack to their names each. They would travel light, and leave the unnecessary things here at the prison. Alyssa had put on the same outfit she had on the day she arrived at the prison, her long hair down in a braid and her quiver thrown over her shoulder. She would have to find a new bow, but the arrows could come in handy in hand to hand combat. Marie had her hair up, her bow tied up in her pretty hair. They stood together at the second to last gate, with those who mattered there to say their goodbyes.
At least almost all those who matter showed.
They exchanged hugs with everyone, some hugs lasting longer than others.
"I'll miss you, pretty girl." Andrea told Marie as she held her in her arms. If it wasn't for her, Andrea wouldn't be alive. So she held Marie tight, a sign of gratitude for her own life.
Marie smiled, "I'll miss you too, Miss Andrea."
On the side Alyssa was hugging Beth. Beth was the first amongst them to start crying.
The blonds face dug into Alyssa's neck. "You know your my best friend, right?"
"Always." Alyssa reminded her with a smile.
As the girls let go of those they were hugging they both made their way to Merle and Carol. They were one of the last people they had left to say goodbye to. Carol stared at them both, her lips trembling. Merle's arm around her own the only thing keeping her up.
Alyssa bit her lip, "Yah know no matter what happens," she tried to smile, but her own lips trembled the moment her teeth let go, "Yer still our momma, right?"
Carol nodded, letting go of Merle's arm and taking a step closer to Alyssa and Marie. She closed in on them, shorting the distance between them as she opened her arms for the girls. Marie and Alyssa simultaneously fell into her arms. The all held each other close, the sound of Marie crying being muffled into Carol's belly. Carol placed a kiss upon both their heads as she cried.
"Now you listen to me, ok? No matter what happens, no matter how far you get. You can always turn around and come back. I will always have a bed for you, and you will always be my babies." Carol sobbed as she spoke, her words coming out inaudible and her voice cracking. "I love you both so much. And so does your father, okay?"
"We love you too mommy." Marie cried back to her.
They held on for only a minute or two. Appreciating the last few seconds in each others arms until Alyssa made the first move to let go, which Carol and Marie were soon to follow. As the let go Carol stood back, trying hard to wipe all her falling tears away. Merle took a step forward, a smile on his face.
"What you smiling for, Merle?" Alyssa asked, trying to unsuspiciously wipe her tears from her face with her arm.
Merle chuckled, "Y'all be back, pet, ya always come back. Can' stray too far from home for too long. That's what makes ya so damn loyal."
Alyssa walked up to him and put her hand out for him to shake, "I might be the first person in the world to say this, but I'm goin' to actually miss ya, Merle Dixon."
"Ya ain't," Merle smile softened as he grabbed her arm, and pulled Alyssa in for a hug, "But Ima miss the livin' shit outta ya pet." He looked over to Marie, letting out an arm for her to jump into to, "Of course 'm gon' miss ya too, lil' pet." Marie sniffled, jumping into Merle's arms.
"I'm gon' miss you the most, Uncle Merle." She said hugging him tight.
They finally let go. Marie wiping away snot and tears with her arm. Alyssa grabbed her bag from the floor and head for the gates. As Marie grabbed hers, she looked back one last time, into the eyes of those who they were leaving. She sighed, waving goodbye to them. Mumbling quiet to herself under her breath: "I wish daddy was here."
Rick waited at the gate with he key to let them out. When Alyssa approached him she stopped, her eyes on the floor.
"You're more than welcome to stay," He reminded her one last time, "I hope you know that."
Alyssa looked up and smiled, "I know."
Rick put his arms out and Alyssa hugged him goodbye, "You should at least say goodbye to him." He whispered into her ear so only they could here.
"Then I could never leave." She chuckled her replied, only to cover up the pain in her voice. "It's easier this way."
He let go of her, only to see her pale smile. There was no fooling him, but it was clear she was already with her foot out the door and lord knows how much energy she must of gathered up to make that step alone. So he nodded, giving her a warm friendly and then turning around to open the gate. As he pulled it open, Marie ran up to him and gave him one last quick hug. He planted a kiss on the little girls head and watched as she followed her sister out of the gate. The walked hand in hand out into the forest as he closed the big gates behind them.
As they faded out into the forest, and the bold lines that define them started to fade, Alyssa looked back for the last time. She had hope to see his face, but he was not there. So she smiled to those who were and with Marie in tow they disappeared into the forest.
Daryl was still up in his tower. Hiding like some scared little princess. He didn't look out to where he know they'd be leaving. To where everyone would watch them go. Even when he could hear Beth's cry, or his own wife heartbreaking sob's, Daryl couldn't look. He wouldn't. So long as he was buzzed off his ass he would hide in this tower. Until he crashed and his emotions would smack him in the face and be the wake up call he dreaded. He refused to move. Refused.
Unfortunately for him, Merle Dixon didn't know what that word meant.
"Boy, what in fuck-nation are ya still doin up here?" Merle yelled as he climbed up into the tower. "Yer girls are already gone, and your woman's been cryin' in her cell for the last fifteen minutes while yer ass hides up here like a damn bitch!" To the rhythm of his last words, Merle swung his leg back and kicked his brother while he was down.
"Fuck was that for?" Daryl growled back.
Merle let out a frustrated sigh and grabbed Daryl by the collar of his shirt, picking him off the floor, "While yer sorry ass fuckin' wallow's in yer own bullshit, Darylena, yer little girls are probably half way to their own deaths! Ya ain' even gon' try are ya? Ya should be a shame of yerself, ya dumb little shit!"
"Fuck off Merle! Ya don' know shit!" Daryl screamed, pushing Merle off him. "Ya don' know how I feel!"
Merle scoffed, "Yah maybe that's true, baby brotha, but the only other person who probably does is cryin' alone in her damn cell. Alone, pregnant, 'n all depressed'n shit. While ya sit here in yer little pity party!" Merle pointed a single finger out towards the cell blocks. "Get yer ass outta this damn tower, get the hell over ya self, and go take care of yer damn wife!"
Daryl's eyes just about popped out of his head. That was maybe the most fuck's Merle has ever given about somebody other than his damn self. His brother had definitely shook him sober, and woke him up. He was entirely right too, Daryl was a married man. It was time to stop thinking about himself and go take care of his woman. So Daryl just nodded and headed for the ladder. As he started to climb down, he stopped and looked back up at Merle. "Thanks... asshole."
"That's what I'm here for, baby brotha." Merle smirked as he pulled a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket and proceeded with lighting himself a smoke.
He found her in bed. Daryl could hear her crying from the moment he opened the door into their cell block. Rick had told him that she had begged everyone to leave him alone, but Daryl knew that there was know way she'd be able to kick him out. He walked into their cell, quietly to keep from disturbing her. Daryl tip toed his way over to their bed, where Carol laid facing the wall. She was still crying. Poor woman musta been cryin' this whole damn time, 'm sorry baby. He lowered himself slowly into the bed, but before he could sit, she rolled over and stopped him.
"Your.. your back.." Carol told him between tears as she sat up at the edge of their bed.
Daryl frown, only speaking in quiet and raspy tones. "Carol... 'm so sorry I ran off like that."
"You should of seen their faces," She buried her hands into face, "Marie didn't want to leave.. you could see it in her eyes.. and Alyssa... my babies.."
Daryl bent down in front of her, placing his hand on her legs. "They'll be okay.. Lyss is real strong, she won' let nothin' happen to Marie."
Carol lifted her head up, wiping her tears away, "You have to go after them Daryl, you have to say goodbye."
"Ain' so good with goodbyes. Never have been, ya know that." Daryl replied as he grabbed on to her hand.
Carol lifted her free hand up his face, cupping his cheek into her soft finger tips, "If you don't go now Daryl, if you never say goodbye, it's going to kill you if they don't come back."
Daryl said nothing, his eyes lingering towards the wall next to them. In the corner by the door, his old crossbow. The same one Merle had gave him on his eighteenth birthday. He stared at it for a while, before realizing what was behind it.
Alyssa's broken long bow.
Daryl looked back to his wife, and kissed her on the forehead. Then quickly he rushed up to his feet and ran to the door, taking his old cross bow with him. Carol smiled as she watched him go. Listening to the loud and heavy sound of his boots stopping across the floor of the prison. He was running for the door. Soon after she hurt the door slam close and her tears stopped falling. She knew exactly where he was off too.
They were past Woodbury and a few of the prison's escape spots. She moved on through the forest. She wouldn't stop until she made it as far away from them as possible. Until the tree's and dirt around her looked unfamiliar she would keep on. Alyssa knew that as long as she could recognize her surroundings there was still a chance to turn back and she didn't want to. She was gonna prove to her self that she could make it, and they would be okay. With or without saying goodbye to one Daryl Dixon. She was glad though when she heard the rustling of the grass blades and tree's behind her. A smile had become plastered to her face.
"What is it?" Marie asked as she looked up at her sister. He had found them, and this way she would never have to know what it was like to not say goodbye.
"Alyssa! Marie!" His voiced called out behind them and as quick as he called out for them both girls had turned around on their heels.
"Daddy!" Marie's eyes twinkled at the sight of Daryl Dixon running up to them. She wasted no time dropping her bag and Alyssa's hand to run straight for his arms. Daryl pulled her into his arms, holding her tight in his grasp.
He gave the little one a kiss, "Ain' no way in hell yer momma was gon' let me go without sayin' goodbye to ya."
"I'm so happy you came." Marie told him as she held on tight, her little arms wrapped around his neck.
"Couldn't go without sayin' goodbye, huh?" Alyssa's voice was trembling. Daryl looked up from his hug with Marie. She removed her grip, letting him put her down. Daryl took a step closer to Alyssa as the tears snuck out of her eyes, "God damn you, Dixon."
Daryl snatched Alyssa up in his arms, spinning her around as he hugged her tight, "I don' give a fuck bout what ya think, 'm yer daddy, Lyss Dixon, 'n that's final. Got it?"
Alyssa nodded into his shoulder, her crying getting worse, "Yes sir."
He gave her a kiss on her head as he held her, waiting a bit before letting her go. Enjoying this moment knowing very well it could be their last. When they finally let go, he pulled the old crossbow off his shoulders and handing it to her, "I also couldn' let ya go without the proper huntin' gear."
"But.. Dar-" Alyssa chuckled, "Dad.. Uncle Merle bought that crossbow for you. It was your first one."
"N' now it's yers." He smiled as he held it out for her. "M'serious Lyssa, it's yers."
Alyssa took it from him, throwing the strap over her shoulder. "Thank you so much. I mean it, for every little thing you've done."
Daryl smirked, "It ain' nothin'."
Alyssa nodded, holding the strapped tight in her hands, "Well.. guess I should repay yah for it, huh?"
"It's been an hour, wouldn't he be back yet?" Carol was outside with Judy and Rick in the fields. She had a little sheet out for her as they sat on the floor together.
"Merle's in the tower keeping watch for him, he won't keep you waiting, but you know that must of been one goodbye." Rick told her with a smile, "Glad you told him to go out there."
Carol smiled as Judith playing with one of the little doll's Alyssa once risked her life to bring her. The toddler giggle, making her smile grow wider, "He needed closer, he just didn't know it."
"Do you think they'll come back." Rick asked her as Judy stood on her feet and walked over to her daddy.
Carol nodded yes, "I know so."
"He's back!" Merle's voice shouted from the tower. Carol and Rick's head both shot up. Rick picked up his daughter and stood up, lending a hand to Carol to help the pregnant woman off the floor.
As they made their way to the gate, Carol could see Daryl making his way over the horizon line on the road. Crossbow thrown over his shoulder and then.. she couldn't believe it. Tear's rushed to her eyes as she caught a glimpse of the little hand attached to his. Brown hair in a little pony tail moved with the wind and the summer's sun reflected of the embroidery of the blue ribbon lost in the hair. Dark brown eye's shining back at her, and a smile that melted her heart. It did not matter that there was only one little pair of big dark brown eyes staring back at her as the two body's reached the gate because all that mattered right now to her, and to Daryl as well, is that he finally managed to keep his promise. He brought her little girl home to her, like he always promised.
And Daryl could have sworn there was not a sweetest sound in the whole undead world than hearing the little girl yell out for Carol as the gates opened wide and let them in.
"Mommy!"
