Broken Halo
Chapter 8
Everything was starting to return to a semblance of normal for the group. Beth was starting to do better, she could handle being around other people the panic attacks had stopped, and she didn't flinch away when others touched her now. Well, she was better as long as Daryl was around. They could understand why too, he'd been the one who had saved her, she need to be close to him. They were in love too, that helped. Maggie kept looking over to where Beth was still asleep. Daryl had left about an hour ago to go hunting. He said he would be back before she woke up, but Maggie was starting to doubt that.
She sighed and looked at Glenn as they cleaned the guns they'd managed to collect since leaving the prison. "I'm worried about her," she told him.
Glenn looked over to where Beth was sleeping. He was pretty sure this was the longest she'd slept since they'd been reunited a week ago. He nodded his head and looked at his wife. "She's been through hell."
Maggie looked over when she heard Beth waking up. Her eyes scanned the room for Daryl and when she couldn't find him Maggie saw the panic setting in. She started shaking, her hands clutching at the blanket, trying to throw it off like it was choking her. She was starting to hyperventilate as she stood up, pacing back and forth. She gripped her hair and pulled. "Shit," Maggie whispered, rushing over to her, Glenn right behind her. "Beth, Beth, calm down, he's just hunting." Maggie pulled her into her arms and held her close.
She eased Beth to the ground as Glenn knelt beside them and rubbed her back. "Breathe Beth, just breathe, nice and slow." He coached her through it as they tried to calm her down. Maggie's heart was breaking as she held her sister in her arms. "That's it," Glenn whispered as her breathing started to return to normal. He looked up as Judith started crying then looked at Maggie. "Go, I got this." Maggie nodded her head and went to take care of the baby since Carol was on a run and Rick was with Daryl.
Glenn sat beside Beth as she calmed down, he handed her some water. "Thanks," she whispered, taking it from him. She took a long pull from it before handing it back. "I'm sorry."
Glenn shook his head. "Don't be. You're still adjusting and working through things. It's going to take time." He smiled a little. "We're all here for you." She looked up at him. "Promise."
She smiled a little and nodded her head but it slowly faded. "Will you stay with me? Until he gets back?"
Glenn put his arm around her. "I'm not going anywhere."
…
Daryl walked inside with Rick and the squirrels and rabbits they'd managed to get. He started towards Beth but Maggie intercepted him. "We need to talk." He nodded and passed the game off to Carl. "She freaked out this morning. Glenn managed to calm her down, he's with her now."
Daryl swore and ran a hand through his hair. He knew he'd been gone too long. "She alright?" he asked.
"For now. You can't do that again Daryl, she woke up and found you missing and just freaked."
Daryl nodded his head. "I'll just star taking her hunting with me."
"Is that a good idea?" Rick asked.
"Why the hell wouldn't it be?"
Rick sighed and looked at Daryl. "Don't take this the wrong way, but she's a little unstable right now, and with good reason. I get that, but what happens if you're out there and she freaks out? You can't calm her down and fight off any walkers she calls to you if that happens. You'd both be dead."
Daryl glared a little. "She don't freak out when I'm around. She'll be fine." He stalked off and found Beth, sitting beside Glenn and staring at her hands. "Hey girl." He sat beside her and looked at Glenn. "Thanks man." Glenn nodded and got up, kissing Beth's head before walking away. Daryl was pleased to see that he was taking on the brother-in-law role finally. He looked at Beth. "You okay?"
She nodded her head. "I hate making them worry," she mumbled. "I'm trying, I really am."
He sighed and pulled her onto his lap. "I know you are they know too." He nuzzled her head as she rested it against his chest. "Just gonna take time." She nodded her head a little. "I'm going to take you hunting with me from now on."
She looked up at him. "Are you sure that's a good idea?" she asked.
He nodded his head. "Gotta continue you're tracking lessons." He smiled a little and kissed her. He held her as she relaxed against him. He really needed to get her better. He hated seeing her like this.