The sun was beginning to go down and with all the trees the early evening shadows would help to camouflage the group as they made their way to the road. They were taking a chance heading out without knowing where Rick and the rest of the group were with their only other source of transportation. But they could ride on top of the firetruck if they were forced to. The plan for the fire diversion had already been worked out and Eugene was on his way.
"Where's Father Gabriel?" Daryl asked.
"He decided to help Eugene." Rosita said. Daryl looked at Abraham. Had that been the best decision? Father Gabriel was skittish and not good with walkers.
"He wanted to do something." Abraham said. Daryl just shrugged. Carol and Judith were already in the cab of the firetruck. "We got all we can take stuffed in the rig." Abraham said.
"Ok. We'll meet you out at the main road. We'll do our best to get there first. "Daryl said.
"Alright. When you hear the explosion, go." Abraham said climbing into the cab.
Daryl stood against the wall of the fire station. The firetruck shielded them. He looked down the line. Beth, Carl, Maggie and Sasha . All ready, weapons in hand. Beth's eyes met his. Across town and explosion lit up the sky and the engine on the rig fired up. Daryl grabbed Beth's hand and they headed across the street into a copse of dark trees. They ran and didn't look back to see what was happening with the firetruck and the others. It was easy going for them. They anticipated each other's moves and stayed together. So far their journey had been walker free. After about 10 minutes of running Daryl slowed down. Their destination was about 7 miles out. But they were taking the most direct route. Daryl reached into his pack and pulled out a water bottle. He handed it to Beth.
"Drink." he said. It was already pretty dark and he had a hard time seeing her face. "You good?" he asked.
"I'm fine." she sounded a little breathless. And in fact she felt winded but she didn't say anything. She refused to let him see her as weak right now. Not when she needed to be strong. The others drank water too.
"Daryl- up ahead." Carl pointed. Daryl could still see through the trees. It was a walker. Alone. And it was right in their path.
"I got it." Sasha went ahead and it took it out.
"Let's get moving." Daryl said. They picked up the pace and were at a steady run. Beth kept up with him the entire time. Carl tripped over a fallen log, but was back on his feet in seconds. It was completely dark now. They slowed down a little to avoid falling. After a few minutes though, there was a light through the trees. They heard the engine of the firetruck. There was another set of headlights next to it. The suburban? "Hold up." Daryl said. "Let's go in slow." Beth reached out and put her hand on his arm. She was taking deep breaths. "You okay?" he asked. She nodded.
"I just need a minute." He squeezed her hand. His arm was throbbing so he could only imagine how she felt. They moved slowly towards the lights of the vehicles. It was the others with the suburban and the firetruck. They separated and climbed into the vehicles. Maggie sat with Glenn and Noah in the middle seat. "Daryl, I want to get in the back. I'm kinda tired ok?" Beth said. Sasha opened the front passenger door and Michonne let her get in the middle. Daryl opened the back and he and Beth climbed in.
"Is everyone here? Eugene? Father Gabriel?" Daryl asked.
"Yeah they caught up with the firetruck not to far out. They said the explosion was a good distraction. There weren't many Grady Hills people. Probably just a search party looking for survivors." Rick said as he followed the firetruck out onto the highway. "How are you Beth?" he called back. There was no answer. Daryl looked over and saw Beth's head leaning against the window.
"She's asleep." he said. He reached over and eased her down onto his outstretched legs. Just like before. After the hospital. He felt awkward and unsure of himself, but he did it anyway.
"I'm okay." she mumbled.
"Just go to sleep. I got you." he said softly.
"You know you really need a white horse Mr. Dixon. You keep coming to my rescue." she sighed and relaxed against him. A tiny smile touched his lips. The car's movement soothed him and he leaned his head back against the window. For a moment there was peace. These were the only things left to hold onto. Little moments.
They weren't in control of anything. What little control they had was fleeting. It wasn't safe to stay in one place for too long. It wasn't safe to hold onto one person for too long. Because things could be taken away and they were. Survival was first and foremost. But just surviving would make you cold and hard. It would take away your soul. The world was filled with the soulless now. It seemed if anything, this was what they should fight to hold onto. Their connections with each other.
"Where we headed?" Daryl asked. There was only the sound of the car for a moment. They'd lost the light of hope for answers in DC with Eugene's confession. But it had still been a possibility some of them had wanted to explore. Noah's town had been overrun with walkers and the group had felt that it was not worth the effort to try and do anything with it. They'd helped Noah take care of his loved ones that were left. That was all they could do.
"I feel like we should still head towards DC. It's a destination and we don't have anything." Michonne's voice wavered in the darkness. She knew Rick wasn't sold on the idea yet.
"It's as good a place as any Daryl stretched and leaned his head against the window again. Right now the best place was here in this car with his family, with Beth and whatever they were or might be.
