"So, you're telling me…not only were you beaten by one of them," Alpha begins, her voice and stature calm, almost lazy, "-but Delta was captured?" She stood up, walking to where Beta was sat against a tree, his injured leg stretched in front of him and his hand pressed against the stab wound in his chest. "How?"
Beta thought to himself for a moment, trying to decide if he should be honest and admit what he believes happened, that Delta had chosen Lydia over the pack, or if he should give her the benefit of the doubt and come up with something else.
Decision made, he began to talk, the deep rumble of his voice slurring from his swollen jaw.
"I believe…she got caught on purpose." He chose his words very carefully. Alpha knelt down in front of him, staring into his eyes. He can't believe he's actually doing this, lying to Alpha. "Delta is smart. She's strategic. She knew if she let herself be captured, they would take her to the community again, if not another one. Forgive me for saying this Alpha, but Delta is smarter than Lydia. She knows what to look for, knows what to do to escape. She can get information from them without giving anything away." He leaned forward, closer to Alpha. "We need to trust her to come back to the pack. And when she does, she won't be empty-handed."
Alpha seemed to consider this, and she nodded her head in thought, glancing around at her people, her pack, milling about and doing their jobs. She looked back to Beta, grasping him by the hand, and a slow smile formed on her face, visible through her mask.
"So we wait until she returns. Patience is our ally, Beta. Remember that. You did well. Now you rest." Beta could only nod, leaning his head back against the tree trunk and closing his eyes.
Delta had better come through for them, or else he'd kill her himself.
Daryl couldn't help eyeballing Delta's back as the walked along the cracked highway.
Connie had taken his place on Henry's side, helping to support him walk, which left Daryl to walk at the back of their group, Delta a few paces ahead of him, but a few paces behind the others. His eyes were constantly moving, scanning the trees around them, with the occasional glance over his shoulder to make sure they weren't being followed. But his eyes were constantly drawn back to Delta, and his mind was reeling over how she'd helped them, on more than one occasion. He also couldn't stop thinking about the scar he'd noticed along her wrist. He had so many questions running through his mind, and he didn't want to wait any longer to get some answers.
Picking up the pace, he strode forward until he was beside Delta, her body tensing when she sensed his approach, unsure of what he wanted. Daryl grabbed her arm, forcing her to slow her pace and allowing the others to get a little farther ahead of them, so they wouldn't overhear their conversation. Continuing their leisurely pace, Daryl cleared his throat.
"Noticed yer wrist." Delta's head snapped up, staring at him with shock in her eyes, but he just continued staring straight ahead, "Ain't judgin' ya. Just wonderin' why ya did it." He said it so casually that she wasn't sure how to react.
Beth remembered the day it happened, how much she had wanted to die, then once it was done…the regret was simultaneous with the glass slicing into her pale flesh. She also remembered how Daryl had thrown it in her face, when they were on the road alone, but she had known he was just lashing out in anger and guilt over what had happened at the prison. She thought to herself for a moment before mumbling, no longer looking at Daryl.
"Because I was being weak. The weak don't survive in this world, and I wanted to survive." Beth rolled her shoulders and tried to stretch her spine, having her hands tied behind her back for so long was starting to ache, but she wouldn't complain. She's been through worse.
Daryl watched her from the corner of his eye for a moment, wishing he could see her face so he could read her expression. He didn't understand why she was with the Whisperers, she seemed more humane than any of the ones he'd met.
"Why ya even with 'em?" She turned to look at him fully, tilting her head in confusion, so he elaborated. "Why ya follow 'em? Delta ain't yer real name, s'yer title. But ya don' seem as crazy as tha rest of 'em...so why?" Beth sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly as she looked at the ground, her mind drifting away. No, she probably wasn't as crazy as some of her people…but she'd earned the name 'Delta' for a reason. Most of those reasons were dead now, but that was the cost of living now, wasn't it?
"Long story." Daryl heaved a sigh, thinking that was all she would give him, but then she surprised him by continuing, "You're right, it's just a title…but I've been Delta for so long now, not sure I know how to be anybody else. I did try…tried my damnedest to hold onto who I was…" Beth took a stuttering breath, trying to explain without telling him too much, "-but I had to adapt. It was either that, or be killed." She studied Daryl's face, trying to read his expression, but he was always good at hiding his feelings. Beth simultaneously admired and hated that about him. Light laughter drew her attention away, and she could see Lydia's profile looking at Henry, a smile on her face, laughing at whatever was being said by the blonde teen. Beth felt a soft smile form beneath her mask.
"Lydia…she sometimes reminds me of who I used to be." Daryl followed her line of sight and stared at the two teenagers, only turning back to Delta when she spoke again. "I like to think I was able to hold onto some of my humanity because of her. She gave me a reason to keep going." Beth paused, watching Lydia up ahead. "There was a time, thought I'd lost her too, like everybody else," He knew she was referring to when Lydia was captured and brought to Hilltop, "-but I didn't. Your people…you brought something out in her that I haven't seen in years. She's acting like herself…like the things she's done or that have been done to her, never happened…suppose I have you to thank for that."
Daryl felt that Delta's words were honest, and for once he believed what she was saying. He shook his head in disagreement at her last sentence though, he couldn't take credit for that.
"S'all Henry. Kid gave her a chance, saw sumthin' tha rest of us didn'. S'one ya should be thankin'." Daryl could feel her eyes on him, and finally looked at her, blue meeting blue, and beneath the mask, he could see a soft smile on her face.
"You could've killed her. You didn't. For that, I'm grateful." He wasn't sure how to respond to that, so he didn't. They allowed silence to take over, the only sounds coming from their feet on the asphalt, and the soft voices coming from Henry and Lydia. Beth rolled her shoulders again, trying to relieve some of the cramping. She kept searching the wood, her ears tuned into the world around them, listening for anything out of the ordinary. Tied up or not, she could still defend herself if necessary.
"How come ya won' take off tha mask?" Daryl's words startled her, the deep rumble of his voice giving her chills. She considered her words, unsure how to explain it.
"Not ready to face what's underneath." Well, that only managed to confuse him more.
"When we get ta Alexandria, ya know yer gon' hafta take it off." He was just stating facts, no point in beating around the bush. "Michonne ain't gonna be happy wi' me, bringin' you n' Lydia." Beth's steps faltered, and she almost tripped.
Michonne is still alive?
If that were the case, then who else? If Michonne and Daryl had made it, that meant more of her family had to be here…right?
"You can't convince her not to take it from me?" Even while she said the words, Beth knew there was probably nothing Daryl could do. She knew it was inevitable.
Her mask would be coming off soon, and there was nothing she could do to prevent it.
When Aaron came to get her, saying Daryl was at the gate and that he wasn't alone, Michonne had a million different scenarios in her head.
What she wasn't expecting, however, was Daryl standing there, a woman in a mask in his grasp, with Henry standing off to the side, a bandage around his leg. She also noticed one of the new arrivals from Hilltop, and that girl from the bridge that they'd captured a few days prior.
She exchanged a few words with Daryl, and he gave a brief summary of what had occurred. Deciding to trust in him, as she's always done, she told her people to open the gate. Climbing down from the guard post, Michonne hugged Daryl and looked over at Henry.
"Take him to Siddiq, get his leg checked out." She ordered, and Eugene, who was standing closest, came forward to help the boy limp to the infirmary.
"I'd like to go with him, please." Lydia requested, stepping forward, worry marring her features. Michonne looked at Daryl, who nodded, and Michonne nudged her head in Henry's direction, indicating for Lydia to go. Connie went along as well, wanting some antiseptic for a gash on her hand.
Watching them leave, Michonne looked back at Daryl and the woman in the mask.
"Why did you bring one of them here?" She spat, irritation evident in her voice. Daryl looked between Michonne and Delta, the latter whose hands were still tied behind her back, trying to find the words he wanted to say.
"She helped us. Ain't like tha rest of 'em." Michonne snorted, crossing her arms and glaring at the stranger.
"Take off her mask." Beth immediately started to panic, and when a man with curly hair and a beard reached behind her head, she spoke without thinking.
"Please don't take it." All three of them froze, the man who had been reaching for her mask dropped his arms, and Michonne had a bewildered expression on her face. Beth knew she seemed crazy, but she just wasn't ready.
"Give me one good reason why I should listen to anything you say."
"Because you're good people." Michonne could tell it was bullshit, and she wasn't going to let this go, but she also knew she wouldn't get answers right now. So, she had to make a decision.
"Aaron," the man with a beard looked at her, "-take our new friend to the cells. Leave the mask, for now." Aaron nodded, and he wrapped a hand around Delta's forearm, guiding her away. Michonne and Daryl watched them walk off.
"Sumthin' ain't addin' up." Daryl mumbled, his eyes never leaving Aaron and Delta's retreating forms.
"What exactly happened out there, Daryl?" She turned to face him, confusion evident on her face. Daryl released an exhausted breath, shaking his head and pinching the bridge of his nose.
"S'a long fuckin' story." She could tell he was exhausted, and he had the beginnings of a bruise forming on his cheek. She felt a wave of sympathy for her old friend, and she put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Let's go back to my house, we can talk in private." Daryl could only nod, and together they headed in the direction of Michonne's home.
"Watch your step." The man, Aaron, spoke to her as they walked through a gated doorway, into a cement room that had minimal light. Beth kept her eyes down, watching her steps so she didn't trip.
"Well who in the fuck do we have here?!" Beth jumped in freight, her head turning towards the source of the voice. It was a man who had spoken. He was tall, not nearly as tall as Beta, but close. His hair was short and his face was covered in salt and pepper stubble. Well, looked like she wouldn't be totally alone.
"Quiet, Negan!" Aaron ordered, walking past the first cell and to the one beside it. He placed Beth in the doorway, before stepping behind her and cutting her restraints, giving her freedom to move her arms again. Rubbing her wrists, Beth stepped into the small room, and she ignored the clang of the door as it was shut behind her. The exhaustion finally catching up to her, she leaned against the cement wall and slowly slid to the floor, releasing a shaky breath.
"Correct me if I'm wrong," There was that loud voice again. "-but are you wearing a mask?" Beth rolled her eyes, debating whether or not to answer.
"You're not wrong." She spoke normally, knowing that nobody she knew was within hearing distance of her.
"And why the fuck are you wearing a mask?" Fucking hell, this guy was loud.
"To hide." She heard a deep chuckle from the other side of the wall.
"You sure as shit don't say much, do ya sweetheart?" Beth felt her blood boil at the term of endearment.
"I'm not your sweetheart." The laughter continued, and she could hear movement; he was walking closer to their shared wall.
"I beg your fucking pardon, we have not been introduced!" She saw a hand reach around the wall, "I'm Negan." When she didn't respond immediately, she heard him clear his throat. "Now's the part where you shake my hand and introduce yourself, sweet cheeks." Rolling her eyes, she ignored his hand and instead only gave him her name.
"Delta." Negan started howling with laughter.
"Delta? The fuck kinda name is that?" Beth heard his shoes scraping the ground and fabric rustling, and she assumed he was sitting against the wall behind her back.
"It's one you earn." Negan rolled his eyes, his new cellmate was a strange one, that's for damn sure.
"And just how do you earn a name like that?"
"By showing loyalty." Negan snorted and leaned his head against the wall.
"Back to that mask you happen to be wearing," Negan said, thinking of what it had looked like when he saw her being directed to her cell, "-just what is it made of?"
"The dead." She didn't even hesitate in answering, why bother lying? He let out a low whistle in amazement.
"Well I have seen some shit in my days, but nothing as fucked up as that." Beth snorted, stretching her legs out in front of her. Negan continued spouting nonsense at her, but Beth had drowned him out, in favor of laying on the hard floor and trying to get some rest. She was beyond exhausted, she couldn't remember the last time she had slept. Letting her eyes fall shut, she made an attempt to sleep, hoping when she woke up that she'd know what to say.
Beth had been dreaming of Grady Hospital. In her dream though, she was locked behind the walls, watching from a window as her family started leaving. Screaming for them, screaming for Daryl, for Maggie, for somebody to come back for her, to not leave her behind. But not matter how much she shouted, her voice never came.
She woke with a gasp, her body drenched with sweat. Slowly, she sat up, her muscles screaming in protest. Sleeping on concrete wasn't exactly comfortable, but Beth had been through worse. Looking around, everything was shrouded in darkness, and she knew it was late at night.
Apparently, her dream wasn't the only reason she woke up. Beth could hear somebody unlocking the door and walking inside, light pouring in and casting a shadow against the wall across from her cell. As the light grew closer, Beth could see that it was Daryl, and by the serious expression he was wearing, she knew what was about to happen.
"C'mon." He said, his voice husky. Pulling herself to stand, she waited while Daryl hung the lantern on the wall and unlocked her cell door. She was about to walk out when he held up his hand, indicating for her to stop. He pulled a small length of rope from his pocket, and Beth understood. She turned around and put her hands behind her back, going through the same motions as they'd both done earlier that day.
When she was bound, Daryl held her forearm and guided her out of the cells and into the night air. Beth looked up at the stars that littered the sky, a sense of calm washing over her.
"Funny when you think about it, how the universe is so vast and never-ending." Daryl watched Delta, looking up towards the sky before glancing back at her. "And we're all here, just grains of sand on a continuous beach, fighting the waves."
Daryl had no idea what the hell she was talking about, and when he didn't respond, Delta shook her head, a small smile on her face.
"Just rambling. Sorry."
He just grunted in acknowledgement, and they continued on their way, to where, Beth didn't know. They only walked for a few minutes, when Daryl turned and walked into a wooden building. Inside, there were candles and lanterns illuminating the space, and Beth could see Michonne sitting in a chair. The man from earlier was there as well. But besides her and Daryl walking in, there were no other people present. Beth noticed a chair a few feet across from Michonne, and Daryl was directing her towards it. Pushing lightly on her shoulder, she sat down, her arms still bound and more than a bit uncomfortable.
Everybody was silent for a few moments, but it was Michonne who spoke first.
"Do you have anything you want to say, or should we just get on with it?" Beth looked up and met Michonne's eye.
"If by 'get on with it' you mean remove my mask, my hands a little tied, sorry." Michonne glared at her, leaning forward and resting her elbows on her knees, hands clasped together, looking annoyed.
"You do realize I could have you killed, right now." Beth looked at her, completely calm.
"But you won't." She looked at the bound woman, thinking she must be crazier than what Daryl said.
"And why won't I?" Beth took a deep breath, trying to quell the anxiety that was churning in her stomach.
"If you take off my mask, you'll know why." Michonne was perplexed, Beth could see that. "Just…when you do…please know that I'm sorry."
"Sorry? For what?" This time it was Aaron that spoke, stepping forward, good hand resting on the blade clipped to his belt, his gaze questioning. Beth looked directly at Daryl, their eyes meeting, wanting him to know her next words were aimed at him.
"Know that I'm sorry for lying to you." Daryl was getting frustrated. Delta seemed like she was talking in circles, and he was sick of it. Apparently, so was Michonne, because she stood up so fast the chair behind her fell.
"Enough of this. Take off her mask." Knowing she was talking to him, Daryl strode forward and stepped behind Delta, and she willingly leaned her head down so that he could untie the laces in the back.
Beth's heart was pounding so hard she could hear it echoing in her ears, her hands were shaking and she felt like she might throw up. She felt Daryl's hand grasping the laces, pulling them loose, and her mask started to slip from her head.
When the mask was loosened enough to remove, Daryl reached up with steady hands and grabbed it from the top, pulling it off Delta's head in one smooth motion. The first thing he noticed was the pile of blonde hair that tumbled out from beneath the mask, but what got his attention was Michonne gasping, and he looked up at her, seeing her eyes wide and stance rigid. What the hell? He thought to himself, confused as to why she'd react so strongly.
Stepping around Delta, Daryl turned and faced her, and when she lifted her head, the curtain of her hair fell to the side, revealing her face to him. And he felt all the air leave his lungs.
No. It's not fucking real. No way.
But it was, and he knew that. What he didn't know, was how she could be here. He watched her get shot, in the head, no less. She was dead. Daryl had carried her lifeless body, he knew she was dead.
And yet, here she sat, covered in blood and grime, but alive and breathing, staring directly into his eyes.
"Beth?"
A/N: Beth's identity has been revealed! I was going to drag it out longer, but with the way the story was playing out, there wasn't really any way around this! Please review, I love hearing what you guys think! Next chapter in a few days!