DISCLAIMER: I do not own any part of The Walking Dead. This is for entertainment purposes only.
A/N: These last few chapters might be a bit short. Or just varying lengths in general.
Can't Be Saved.
Once everything fell silent, Leah bolted through the motel room door and headed outside. Skyler had followed behind her as the others began to peek out from the rooms next door. All of the walkers seemed to be dead but she didn't see Daryl anywhere. Rick, Glenn, Tyreese, Andrew, and Merle were all still outside though. She did what she assumed was the next best thing and approached Merle.
"Where is he? Where's Daryl?" Leah's eyes were still searching the area out of desperation but the only bodies that were on the ground were those belonging to walkers.
Merle only looked down at her and gave her a brief nod of understanding, "Left him in here with Andrea and Michonne." He walked over towards one of the rooms and opened the door, yielding to Leah and Skyler to enter first, following right behind them.
Leah froze at the sight though with Skyler by her side. Merle had walked a little further into the room but all three of them were confused as to why Andrea was crying, Michonne appeared to be trying to comfort her, and Daryl was unconscious yet again, lying on the floor.
"Why the tears? We got them walkers taken care of," Merle scratched the back of his neck, looking back and forth between the three he had left in the room earlier.
Andrea shook her head. She tried to pull herself back together as she wiped under her eyes, unable to find her voice. She carefully grasped a hold of Daryl's collar and pulled his shirt back only to expose a fresh wound near his right shoulder. Andrea finally managed to choke out the words, "We didn't take care of the walkers soon enough."
Leah collapsed at Andrea's words. She could feel the tears sting at her eyes and as much as she wanted to turn and run away, she couldn't. Daryl had been bit. He was cornered by walkers, too weak and vulnerable to fend them off. This was the outcome.
"No… No," Skyler shook her head. "But he just—he just made it back here—"
Merle walked forward now, getting down beside Daryl. He grabbed him by the chin and slightly shook his head before lightly slapping his face, "Dammit, Daryl. Wake up. Don't be stubborn. Open them damn eyes o' yers, baby brother. Now ain't the time to be takin' a nap."
Daryl began to stir, first opening his eyes before shoving Merle's hand off his face. "What the hell?..."
Leah immediately got back on her feet and ran for him. She collided into Daryl just as he managed to sit up, almost knocking him back down. No matter how hard she tried to hold back her tears and no matter how much she had grown since the world went to shit, she couldn't help it. She hugged Daryl as hard as she could while burying her face into his good shoulder, crying.
Nobody said anything for the longest time. The only movement in that room was Andrea getting back on her feet. Leah didn't want to let go. She didn't want to move from where she had situated herself with her arms wrapped around Daryl and his around her. But the small kiss on the top of her head was an indication if any to let him get up. So she hesitantly let go of him and got back on her own feet.
Merle and Skyler stepped forward now and each helped Daryl up before he could protest. He muttered under his breath, "I ain't handicap, I can still walk…"
Leah could tell Daryl was trying to avoid eye contact with everyone in the room. But of course, all eyes were on him—whether it was out of shock or fear. It was a little bit of both for Leah. Daryl was the last person she'd ever even picture getting bit by a walker. He always seemed like he had things covered no matter the situation. He seemed damn near invincible. And now that he was bitten…
There was a light knock on the door before it opened a crack. Rick had come to check up on everyone that had disappeared into the room once he checked up on everything and everyone else. He didn't get a word in before Andrea and Michonne headed outside, pushing him and everyone else back and shutting the door behind them. They did it on purpose, allowing Leah, Skyler, and Merle to have a moment to themselves with Daryl. Only that didn't quite happen.
"Can I uh… have a moment with just Merle?" Daryl glanced over towards Skyler briefly before looking away again. Skyler had been crying as well but she was able to remain a bit more composed than Leah. At least thus far.
Leah stared at Daryl in disbelief, a little devastated at the fact that he didn't want them there. She was close to protesting, but she guessed it made sense. Once she gave it some thought, she understood. Daryl just wanted to talk to his brother. And to think that they had just found each other again too…
Skyler nodded and hugged Leah to her side, rubbing her arm. Leah allowed Skyler to lead the way out of the room and shut the door behind them.
Daryl sighed once the door clicked shut behind them. He didn't know what the hell he was doing—he didn't know what to do. He pulled his shirt back and was just able to see the bite wound near his right shoulder, above where the Governor had stabbed him and a little off towards the side. He knew it was there without looking at it. But seeing it firsthand only gave him the confirmation. It made it real. There was no way out of it except for a headshot.
"Daryl? What're you doin'?" Merle asked just as Daryl sat on the edge of the bed. Merle walked over in front of him and stared, waiting for a response to explain his actions.
"…Did you kill Elena?" Daryl couldn't help but think about her under the circumstances. She had practically suffered the same bite wound, and if he was going down, he needed closure.
"What? What does that—"
"Just answer the question, Merle. Did you kill her or did you leave her to turn?" Daryl slightly raised his voice yet still managed to avoid eye contact, staring down towards the floor.
"I didn't let her turn," Merle answered quietly in return, lowering his head. "Knew you really cared 'bout her. Did what I had to…"
Daryl nodded, "Thank you."
It was quiet for a short while, both of them either staring at the floor or the wall for the most part. Daryl hadn't provided Merle with any eye contact since he had woke up. But he knew Merle was just as uncomfortable with the situation. He could tell by his voice alone. Things were different.
"Leah and Skyler… They're family too, ya know?" Daryl broke the silence.
Merle shook his head, "For you."
"No—they're our family. And you gotta promise me… promise me you'll protect them because I—I can't…" Daryl admitted. He shut his eyes and tried to ignore the pain that was radiating from his shoulder more so than anywhere else at the moment. He tried to ignore the words that he had just said. He typically had no problem accepting the reality of things but this was different. He had, what, eight hours tops? And who was to say how much time had passed already? All he could think about was Elena, and Leah and Skyler.
Daryl opened his eyes once he felt a pressure difference on the bed to the right of him as Merle sat down, leaving a space between them for comfort. Merle cleared his throat, a sign that he was fighting back tears, and took a deep breath before exhaling slowly.
"You remember the first time we ever went huntin' up at the cabins?" Merle changed the subject and allowed the slightest smile to creep across his face at the memory.
Daryl vaguely smiled as well, "With dad and uncle Jess?"
"Yeah, you's about ten the first time you really went up there… Dad was a bit drunk but uncle Jess took us out for a bit. Jess and ol' Buck." Merle continued, "You was just as eager as a bloodhound chasin' a 'coon."
Daryl laughed a little at that comment, "Only 'cause that was the first time any of ya let me do anything. You were the one who would come home bragging 'bout huntin', rubbing it in my face."
It fell silent again after they shared in a few good memories, a moment passing before Daryl looked over at Merle. Merle was already looking back at him, the first time they really even physically acknowledged each other since they'd been alone in that room.
"Whatever happens… Just don't let me turn."
Merle put his arm around him and rested his hand on his good shoulder with a nod.
I've had this ending planned before I even had chapter one finished. Believe me, I've almost talked myself out of it numerous times but finally decided to stick with it. I apologize for any emotional damage that I have/will cause.