We're getting to the good part after this chapter, I promise. Questions will be answered very, very soon. I know that the mystery gets frustrating and a little repetitive after a while but stick with me! The last few chapters are worth it.
Aaron wasn't bad at tracking when compared to most others that Daryl came across. But he had a lot to learn and plenty of hushed questions as they made their way through the trees. He learned to differentiate between human and walker tracks pretty quickly, the satisfaction in his voice pulling at the memories that Daryl tried so hard not to think about.
"I'm gettin' good at this," she said proudly, lifting her chin as she gripped his crossbow tighter. "Pretty soon I won't need you at all."
They kept going until they came across fresh tracks. A person. Aaron fell behind, trusting that Daryl would lead them there. He didn't know exactly when she showed up. One minute, he was keeping an eye out for whoever they were following and the next, she was slipping out from the shadows of the trees and walking at his side like nothing had changed. Like he was back to how it was all those months ago, their strides matching and their eyes sharp. Her hand on the knife that now lived on his belt. A daily reminder that it was real. She was gone, even when she was there.
"I like him," Beth said, glancing over her shoulder at Aaron. "He's just what you need."
Daryl knew that if she were there, that she and Aaron would get along easily. They both had that light in their eyes. That belief in the world. In him. Once they found who they were looking for, a man alone with a rain poncho pulled over his head and a half-empty pack on his back, Daryl almost felt overwhelmed. Seeing the bright smile she wore out of the corner of his eye just as Aaron patted him on the back. It was hard to keep his distance. Hard to shut himself away from the people who looked at him like he was worth something. Who made him start believing it.
"What made you change your mind?"
Daryl looked into her eyes as Aaron busied himself with gathering the listening equipment.
"You," he whispered, just loud enough that she could hear.
Her smile softened as she tilted her head to the side, as if she didn't know exactly what he was saying.
"Three," she said quietly in return, regret shining in her eyes.
He nearly flinched at the reminder of how little time they had left. Knowing he couldn't stand there staring at her, couldn't keep letting it carve into him, Daryl kept his eye on the man in the poncho as Aaron listened on the device he held. Daryl didn't really know what the use was in trying to hear the man when he was alone. But Aaron was determined, not wanting to get it wrong. Not wanting to bring someone back who would put everyone in danger?
"What's he doing?" Aaron asked after a while as they watched the man rub something from the ground on his face.
Daryl squinted through the borrowed binoculars, recognizing the plant he smashed between his hands after a moment.
"Wild leeks," he said, realizing just how this man must have survived all on his own. "Son of a bitch knows how to keep mosquitos off of him."
A noise of discontent reached his ears and he twitched his head towards Beth.
"You never taught me that," she said with an exaggerated pout.
Against his better judgment, the corner of his mouth ticked upwards just enough to make her eyes gleam with satisfaction. Just as he gave a small roll of his eyes, a small rumble of thunder sounded in the distance. Daryl and Aaron both looked in the direction of the coming storm. It wouldn't be long before it reached them. As he turned back, he realized that the man in the poncho was gone, moving on while they were distracted.
"Come on," he said, urging Aaron on.
They couldn't lose him now. When the rain came, it'd make tracking the man's path near impossible. Beth took her place at his side once more, looking like she had no intention of leaving. He knew that would change soon enough but for now he could pretend like she was still there.
Looking for the signs.
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