Short chapter, more like a scene setter that'll lead into some big bethyl moments next chapter! You guys are absolutely amazing, you know that?! Anyway, a ginormous wave of thanks to mhustler, kristelalugo, sportschick44, Reignashii, Zzah, Crystal, missy7293, Ela1980, heatherrk, SpicyPepper-SweetSugar, Bluemom, ameswilf, malzateb, krysx3, kevkye, iwona-czapaj , Tania Ibarbia, zombiegirl56, beba20000, Nurse jean, brady66, Katarzyna88gb, allegra, asseylum, TWDFan05, Anara, Dixongurl, LegoMama0614, StephMcG, Spoonlicker, DarylDixon'sLover, MamaDCB, Katarzyna88gb, MistyForestQueen, engineergirl86, Guest, An Amber Pen, blesdirishangel, Guest, ArtGirlie815, and Joise for your lovely, always inspiring reviews! Now for the promised chapters!
Chapter forty six:
Numbness. Disbelief. Those are the first emotions to find someone in a moment of tragedy. Daryl took a few steps closer to Penny, the once young girl lunging towards him against the binds of her barbed wire. Her teeth snapped together, saliva glistening on her bruised lips as her eyes gazed unfocused at the archer. When Beth moved forward, Daryl held his hand up, holding his wife back as he looked on at the walker. Penny. Only hours ago she had been alive. His stomach twisted, nausea rising up in the back of his throat as he reached for his knife.
"Look away, Beth," he muttered, holding his weapon towards the girl's skull.
But she didn't move, her eyes remaining fixed on what once was Penny. Daryl swallowed hard, adverting his gaze from his wife as his attention turned to remain on Penny. Her voice replayed in his mind, images of her former human self matching the sounds as he raised the blade. With a thud, he brought it down through her skull. The young girl's body gave a single quiver before it finally crumpled to the ground, lying broken and tangled amidst the many wires. Just like that, she was gone.
Daryl tried to avoid peering down at his trembling fingers as he worked away at the fencing that bound the girl in place. He could feel Beth standing over him, grateful that she hadn't offered to help at this point. Penny looked so peaceful, almost normal despite the discoloration in her features. Gingerly, he pulled her body from his prison, lifting it from the forest floor as he held her close to his chest. He had never been particularly close to the child, but she was still that. A kid. Andrea's at that.
"Oh, Penny," Beth murmured, her voice sounding weak.
"Don't get near us," Daryl muttered, somewhat worried that somehow she'd magically reanimate and attack Beth in the process. "I ain't want ya to-"
"She's gone, Daryl," she answered quietly. "Penny isn't comin' back."
The words stung worse than they probably should have. He stiffen slightly, Penny's body seeming heavier in his arms as his pace slowed. Gone. It was a similar feeling to when his mother had died. Not that they had ever been close, but when he and Merle had been asked to identify the body, the same sensation had come over him. Gone forever. It was weird to think that a person you'd seen for a greater portion of your life would just never been there now. As suddenly as they were there, such was no longer the case. He hated goodbyes.
"We'll bury her right and proper," Beth murmured as they continued on, Daryl unable to bring his gaze to meet hers. "Give her the funeral she deserves."
"Not that it matters," he replied quietly, his tone sounding hoarse as he shifted Penny in his arms. "Not like she's gonna care."
"But we care," his wife answered. "And Penny's gonna know that."
Daryl wasn't a religious man, never had been despite his father's Jesus Christ drunken bouts that came with one too many bottles of liquor. That didn't mean he didn't believe there was something out there, he was sort of afraid not to. But he wasn't as faithful as Beth. Hadn't ever had a reason to. And yet, his spouse's belief that good would come from such a spiritual event as a funeral for the young girl brought him the slightest amount of unsaid relief.
"This isn't your fault, Daryl," Beth said quietly as they approached the church. "I want you to know that."
Already people had begun to file from the building, looks of horror spreading across faces at the sight of the child lying lifeless in Daryl's arms. Andrea stumbled towards him, her mouth open as wordless sobs slipped from her tongue. He stood there, absolutely still. Unable to do anything as the crowd began to gather around him, their eyes fixed on Penny as murmurs of questions and soft gasps began to escape from lips.
"Penny," Andrea moaned, reaching for her daughter. "Give her to me! She's mine!"
Daryl didn't react when the child was torn from his arms. He merely stood there, watching as the stepmother sunk to the ground, holding her lifeless daughter close. The archer could feel his wife at his side, her hands slipping around his wrist as she held herself close to him. He swallowed, the taste in his mouth bitter as he looked on, ignoring the stare from his brother as he pushed past the other people, moving towards the inner part of the church with Beth at his heels.
Without a word, he pushed the janitorial closet open and slid inside, the door staying open just long enough for Beth to enter before it finally closed. He said nothing as he sat down on the floor, his head resting in his hands as he stared aimlessly at the ground. It wasn't his fault. He had tried to save her. Jenny. Eugene. Duane. They had lost so many people. So many good people and he was so damn tired of it.
"Daryl?" Beth inquired, worry lacing her tone.
"Jus' tired of losin' people," he mumbled, lifting his hand to rest on hers. "Don't worry bout me."
"Me too," she replied, her fingers lightly squeezing his. "I don't like goodbyes."
They didn't leave the safety that was the small room, something about the sanctuary it offered from the sorrow on the outside comforting. Instead they remained in each other's company, silence falling between them so that the only sound that met one another's ears were the faint breaths that escaped past their lips. After everything that had happened today, Daryl was glad he had someone to turn to. Even in the darkest of times, Beth was that little light at the end of his tunnel. Something he refused to ever let go out.
I know this is short, but I'm super tired and need to get some shut eye, but no worries, long chapter planned for tomorrow. Some Bethyl fluff, maybe some sex (still debating about that scene, what with Beth's condition), and then for some excitement! Feedback is greatly loved and appreciated! Let me know your thoughts! Also for those Merle lovers, be prepared because he has a big ole role coming up! But that's all I'll say for now! Until tomorrow, guys! -Jen
