Chapter 5
The arrow swooshed through the air, plunging deeply into the walker closest to Beth. Daryl pulled back the string of his bow, loaded another arrow, and aimed it for the next walker.
"BETH!" Daryl yelled, setting his bow for another arrow.
He was running now, faster than he ever had before. When he heard Beth's distant screams for help he began to sprint towards her voice, and now the rush of seeing her alive activated the fight in him.
"You need to run!" He shouted, as the closest walkers rushed towards him. He shot a decaying man in the forehead before retrieving the arrow, and running to Beth.
Beth was stabbing walkers left and right as Daryl grabbed her waist, hauling her to his side.
"We need to get out of here. NOW!" He yelled over the roar coming from the small army of undead. Daryl grasped Beth's blood-covered hand, and sprinted to towards the bike. He never ran that fast in his life. Adrenaline and fear seeped from his every movement.
They were through the forest line when Beth collapsed, grabby hands ascending on her. She looked at her feet to see a walker biting ferociously on the sole of her rouged cowgirl boots. She screamed, feeling for her knife, when the walker's head exploded before her. Daryl dropped the rock, pulled Beth to her feet, and ran to the chopper. Beth swung her leg over the seat, Daryl plopped down, and released the clutch, sending them speeding down the road, and an army of walkers in their wake.
After driving in circles, desperately trying to deter the walkers from following them back to the prison, Beth and Daryl pulled up to the familiar wire fences.
It was almost sunset, purples and soft hues of pink danced across the Georgia sky, and Beth could see Carl pulling open the metal doors for Daryl's bike to drive through.
The gates closed behind them, as Beth quickly released her firm hold on Daryl, and hopped off the bike. Daryl turned his head, locking his gaze with her. He nodded, and she returned the gesture, a secret confirmation between the two of them. Beth moves to untie their bags from the back of the bike, as happy shouts and the sound of pounding feet erupted around them.
Daryl moved off the bike, shaking imaginary dirt off his crumpled button-down. The voices were growing closer now, and Daryl moved to stand next to Beth, hoisting a backpack between his shoulder blades.
"Look, it was a really close call back there, and I'm sorry-"
"Stop." Beth interrupted, straightening her posture and hastily moving stray blonde locks from her face. "Just don't."
Daryl looked down at her, his heart aching. A feeling he never thought he would ever experience. Her face was hard as stone, the porcelain had become steel.
"Beth!" Maggie squealed, rushing to throw her arms around her sister. Beth's face instantly became joy as she strung her arms around Maggie's neck, holding her closely. Daryl stood there awkwardly until the next person stumbled down the dirt path and into his arms. Carol was laughing in the crook of his neck, leaning back to smile up at him. Daryl looked down at her, wishing it was Beth smiling, laughing, at him. Carol released him as Rick came up to pat him on the shoulder, asking how the scavenging went. Daryl was very vague, commenting on the increase of walker activity. He also mentioned the basement with the guns and ammo, opening the duffel bag to show Rick. The rest of the group came down, saying their hellos to Beth and Daryl, and helping with the baggage. The new supplies sent a wave of happiness throughout the group.
Daryl smiled shyly as people thanked him and Beth. Then, he watched Carl run up to Beth. She smiled down at him, but ever so slightly since Carl had grown drastically in the years they've been together. Carl was chatting excitedly to Beth, showing her something in the distance. Beth smiled widely at him, and Daryl's stomach dropped. Why are you jealous of a thirteen year old boy? He thought to himself.
Rick was watching them, too. He walked over towards Beth, saying something to Carl, and then Carl ran back up the path to the cellblock. Rick had his hand on Beth's shoulder, talking to her, making her laugh. She was beaming up at him as she laughed. Daryl's face grew hot, and his hands were clenched into fists. He looked away, and right at Maggie, who was watching him. Her gaze went from him to Beth and Rick, and back again.
"Daryl?" She asked questionably, staring at his hardened face. Daryl blinked at her, grabbed his bow, and stomped up to the cellblocks.