Bethyl Day One Prompt – Secret
Daryl ran his hand through his hair in agitation. He could feel them staring at him, waiting for his words that wouldn't come out. He paced as anger at himself pumped through his veins. Part of him wanted to tell them never mind and leave, but the rest of him wouldn't do that. He needed them to know. For her. He refused to keep it a secret. Someone needed to know. He paused and turned to Rick and Maggie as they sat patiently waiting on him.
"I was with Beth," he mumbled. Maggie's eyes widened and they filled with tears. He could see her concern, the question of where is she bouncing around in the older Greene's mind, but she didn't speak. She didn't want to interrupt the man now that he was finally speaking. Rick nodded, having known this already. "She was kidnapped. She got hurt so we stayed in this…funeral home…but I got complacent, again," he growled. "This dog came to the door and ran off. It later returned and I didn't look, I just opened the damn door. Let a whole damn horde of walkers in on us."
"I told Beth to run, I'd meet her at the road. When I got there…she was gone, a car speeding off. Someone took her." Daryl punched the wall before turning and continuing his pacing. "I can't keep it a secret anymore." His eyes met Rick and Maggie's and he swallowed heavily, the pain of losing Beth showing on his face.
"I…I've never…I don't know what it is…but I…" he looked away, clearing his throat. A gentle hand landed on his shoulder and he looked back to see Maggie standing beside him, a tear rolling down her cheek.
"You love her," she stated. Daryl shrugged. He didn't know what it was he felt. He'd never felt this way for someone before. All he knew was that he felt an intense pain, loneliness, and emptiness without her. "Thank you for telling me what happened and showing me how you feel about her. She's okay, Daryl, I promise you that. She's a Greene. We will find her."
Daryl gave himself no other choice but to believe the brunette.
"Oh, and Daryl," Maggie's voice cut through his thoughts and he turned to her. "Daddy would approve of you two and I do as well. When we find her, you better kiss her the first chance you get."