"Never Give Up (On Each Other)"
Author: carmen_085
Disclaimer: I do not own any Walking Dead Characters. I do own all original characters.
Summary: In the months before the beginning of the apocalypse, Daryl finds himself homeless, alone, and with no direction. An adult Beth is struggling to balance her job, sick parents, and the farm. Feeling like the world is suffocating her, will taking a chance on a stranger change everything ? Can these two find what they need in each other before life as they know it ends and they must do anything to survive. AU but eventual ZA with full cast.
Chapter Nineteen
It was a quiet morning, gray and dull with a low fog hanging over the farm from the night before. Trees and gutters dripped and the path to the barn had turned completely to mud. The first hints of daylight began to poke through the lace curtains in her bedroom as he stirred, wondering for a moment where he was. Blinking a few times, he realized that he wasn't alone as he looked down at a blonde head of hair nestled tightly against the bend of his neck.
He could barely see her face and yet he could still make out the dried tears on her cheeks. Even now, after his fumbling attempt had seemingly soothed the festering wound inside of her, he felt nothing but rage toward the bastard who'd made her feel like shit in the first place. Beth was perfect and anyone who thought otherwise was a damn fool. Laying here beside her now, he still struggled to believe that this was real and out of everyone left in this shitty world she wanted him. He had nothing to offer her except the safety of being wrapped up inside his arms. And strangely it seemed that was all she wanted. Everything the old world once had to offer someone like her and she still picked him. Things were different now, anyone could see that, but for some reason he still believed that she would want him. It was crazy and foolish and the niggling self doubt that always picked at the back of his mind, piped up voicing obvious doubt and sound reason. He was nothing…had always been nothing…and Beth, well Beth had the world at her feet. She was smart, and kind, and beautiful; stronger than anyone else he'd ever met- man or woman. She was amazing and she wanted him.
Without thinking, Daryl squeezed himself around her a little tighter. Beth melted into his arms letting him hold her as she sighed against him. Daryl closed his eyes, this must be what heaven felt like. Exhaling a shaky breath he wished that this moment could last forever..just the two of them; shutting this awful world and everything in it away.
"BETH !" It was like a siren, sharp and piercing; a one off wail that made every muscle in his body seize and his brain question if he heard it at all. "BETH !" She jerked out of his arms and rolled out of bed. Not fully awake but moving toward her mama by force of habit. Except it wasn't Annette yelling, it was Hershel- his voice deep and bellowing, an undeniable sense of urgency behind it. Pushing himself up, Daryl found his shirt on the floor pulling it on before kicking his soiled underwear beneath the bed. Grabbing his crossbow he slung it over his back.
He found her knelt down over Annette, her blonde hair falling in her face as she pressed a shaking hand to her mama's forehead. Blood seeped out between her fingers and onto the light blue carpet. Daryl slumped against the doorway knowing that this moment had been inevitable but still filled with sadness for Beth that it had come so soon. Yesterday had been a great day, a perfect day, and now it was gone forever.
"I don't know what happened, Bethy. I came up to check on her and found her like this…" Hershel knelt down across from his daughter, throwing his hands in the air the confusion apparent on his face. Annette never got out of bed without help, she was too weak to use the walker alone and Beth had lectured her time and again about what could happen if she fell. The fact that Beth was practically falling out of her night shirt, no bra and no pants, and Daryl appearing so quickly looking disheveled himself was lost on Hershel as he began to dissolve into a panic. Beth herself was barely hanging on as she gathered the material of her own shirt and pressed it to her mama's head, her voice a few octaves too high and shaking.
"She must have had to go to the bathroom…daddy I didn't hear anything I swear." Daryl hadn't heard anything either and his hearing was better than most. He also didn't sleep very deeply either and normally woke at the slightest sound. Last night, however, he was comfortable and content, and he sighed knowing Beth must have felt the same. One night of comfort and safety had cost them a lot. Inevitable yes, but still he wished it hadn't happened like this.
Annette was between the bedroom and the bathroom, collapsed in the threshold, striking her head off the hard tiled floor. Blood oozed from a laceration on her forehead as she moaned incomprehensibly. Beth shook her by the shoulders yelling her name over and over with no response. Everything Beth and Hershel knew as medical providers seemingly going out the window in a state of panic as Daryl looked on. Someone had to do something here to move this situation from one of panic toward one of purpose. Outcome was going to be the same no matter what but how they dealt with it would matter after everything was said and done. He knew Beth would never forgive herself if she let her mama suffer when there was something that could have been done.
"Beth go downstairs and get your medical bag. Hershel help me lift Annette up, we're going to put her back in bed." They both stopped what they were doing to stare at him. Maybe he'd overstepped and they'd tell him to fuck off. He swallowed so hard there was a click in his throat.
"Daryl's right. Bethy go see what you have to stop the bleeding." He exhaled, not even aware that he'd been holding his breath in the first place. Beth stood up, reluctantly pulling her hand away from her mama's bleeding wound as she looked at her daddy and then Daryl giving him a clipped nod.
"Right." Her nightshirt was now blood soaked as strands of blond hair fell out of the loose braid and around her face. Meeting Daryl's eyes as she passed him she bit down other lower lip holding back the tears.
" 's gonna be ok." Gently he cupped her elbow giving it a reassuring squeeze as she leaned into him for a moment. Had the situation not been so dire he might have readjusted and put his arm around her, relishing in the fact that she took so much comfort in him.
"Yeah." It was strained and he could hear the raw emotion in her voice, grateful for his reassurance but still knowing full and well that nothing was going to be fine at all. She slipped from his grasp knowing if she didn't keep moving she would dissolve into a mess of tears and regret. Hearing her padding down the stairs, Daryl dropped his crossbow to the floor nearly hitting Maize who had now appeared in the doorway surveying the scene. Her tail low and her ears back, even the dog knew the gravity of what had just happened.
"I'm going to get a towel, put it under her head. Hopefully catch most of the blood." Daryl nodded not really seeing the need for it but also not speaking up to the contrary. If putting a towel down and keeping the sheets clean made this less traumatic for Hershel and Beth who was he to say otherwise. Slipping his hands under the older woman's shoulders, Daryl got his first good look at her and the damage she'd done. Looked like she went straight down onto the floor, a broken tile splitting in half and slicing her head deep and straight. Lolling side to side, she moaned totally unaware of what was happening around her. He was no doctor but he had to guess that there was just as much damage on the inside as on the outside. Otherwise why wouldn't she be awake and responding ?
Carefully, they lifted her up and moved her to the bed laying her head gently onto the pale blue towel Hershel had draped across the pillows. Taking his wife's hand, Hershel sat down next to her in bed.
"Honey…you've got to hold on. Try to open your eyes…please for me." Daryl backed away thinking that maybe he was intruding. Just then, Beth pushed past him, red medical bag in hand and already with a gauze and some other supplies in the other.
"Mama I'm here. I'm going to fix you right up." Daryl grabbed his crossbow, knowing that his role in the situation was over. He'd done what he needed to do, getting them both up off the floor and moving toward as productive an end point as they could manage right now. Now they needed space to deal with this as a family. He liked Annette good enough, sure, and she'd always been kind to him but he didn't feel nothing toward her. Not like Beth and her daddy; they were her family.
"Gonna go walk the fences, see if anything came down with the storm…" It needed done and he needed out of there. Looking up for a brief moment Beth nodded at him offering him the faintest of smiles before turning back to the task at hand. It was all the affirmation he needed that she would be fine here without him. Had she asked him to stay, he would have no questions asked. Done whatever she needed him to do and put his own feelings aside.
The air was humid and damp as he stepped out onto the porch looking around. Everything seemed to be in order and for that he was grateful. Still he would walk every inch of the perimeter and make sure. Hiking the crossbow up higher on his shoulder he sighed as he headed down a familiar path. He needed to get out there and get back before whatever was going to happen next inside happened. Whatever Beth needed, whatever she wanted to see this situation to the end he would do for her. Would do anything that girl wanted. Course he would….
Beth sat down the front steps bringing her bare legs together to touch. She was still in her night shirt now stained with blood along with her hands and forearms which she hadn't bothered to clean. Lopsided pieces of blonde hair had come loose from the braid to frame her face as she bent forward resting her face on her legs and sighing. With her daddy's help they'd managed to stop the bleeding and get her sutured back together, his hands automatically remembering the simple procedure he'd done so many times before. Her mama looked fine, propped up on a mountain of pillows, her hair brushed back and away from knot on her head. They'd fixed the damage they could see but inside her skull, between the delicate tissues of her brain, blood was collecting and expanding causing her to sleep and not wake up.
She was never going to wake up and Beth knew that now. She knew it the moment she set eyes on her mama collapsed on the bathroom floor. This was it, just like she knew it would always be. Of course she didn't count on the walking dead part… thought at least they'd be able to get Annette to a hospital where they could try to help her. Try. Even before everything went to hell, bleeding on the brain was a fairly bleak diagnosis. Of course there were medicines; things she could get to give her mama a chance, some time for her brain to heal and the blood to dissipate. But of course she had none on hand and even if she did it didn't mean that it would work. Beth stared down at the ground completely lost in thought and befuddled as to why this was so upsetting when she'd been expecting it for some time now. She knew this day was coming, before the apocalypse she's prayed for it on occasion, but now that it was actually here she felt sick, her stomach twisting into knots.
That was how Daryl found her, blood covered and sitting on the top step staring down at nothing in particular. He stood in front of her silently for a moment and she didn't look up although she had to know that he was standing there. Letting the crossbow slip to the ground, Daryl sat down next to her careful to give her a bit of space. They sat in silence for a whole, Beth unmoving and staring straight down; the dewy morning air causing goosebumps to bloom across her arms.
Finally the awkwardness of the situation outweighed the discomfort he felt about breaking the silence between them. His voice was rough as he spoke, "How is she ?"
Beth exhaled slowly at his question shaking her head. "We fixed her up." Daryl nodded his head a shot of relief going through him. He didn't care for himself; he cared for Beth knowing what this kind of loss would do to her. Not her mama, even a fool could see Annette wasn't long for this world, but the fact that she could do nothing. Just stand by helplessly and watch it all happen. Knowing all she knew and still having to watch her mama suffer to the bitter end. "She won't make it though." Her voice hitched with raw emotion.
Daryl stilled taking that statement and all the baggage that came with it in. "You're sure?" She nodded barely. "Nothing we can do?" Again he was asking purely for Beth's benefit knowing that anything less than their best effort would manifest nothing but regret.
She bit down into her lower lip working it back and forth between her teeth as she shrugged. "There are medicines…things I could try to lessen the swelling in her brain, give her time to heal and reabsorb the blood."
Daryl pushed off the step crossing his arms over his chest and nodding firmly. "Then that's what we'll do." Her head snapped up looking at him a bit stunned.
"I don't have them, though. Stupid me; was just about the only thing I didn't get." She shook her head, a wry laugh and escaping her lips. "I could use the narcotics sedate her even more, eventually she'd stop breathing…." She looked away, a tear sliding down her cheek.
"That's bullshit, Beth, and you know it." He snatched his crossbow off the ground roughly jamming his finger in the air toward the driveway. "If there's somethin' out there that could help her we should go find it. It don't work out well so be it…but at least we tried."
Beth huffed shaking her head and looking at him rather incredulously. "It's not that simple, Daryl. I don't even know if the hospital is still there, whether the medications have been destroyed…I don't even know if she has a brain bleed to begin with !" She was frustrated and upset and didn't mean to snap at him but she couldn't help herself. Daryl stared back at her quiet for a moment and she immediately felt bad. Burying her face in her hands she groaned. "I'm sorry I just…"
"Nah… Ain't gotta apologize." Her face fell slack as she looked at him with tears in her eyes. She was at a loss right now and Daryl could see it. "Get dressed… we can take the bike; easier get in and out." Beth got up slowly her legs feeling weak and tired. She opened her mouth to say that it was too dangerous, stupid beyond belief, and a waste of their time. That her mama was as good as gone and nothing was going to help her. Not before the apocalypse and certainly not after. But as she stood her mouth opened and nothing came out. Seeing this, Daryl reached out not thinking twice and pulled her into him circling his arms around around her shoulders and pressing his lips affectionately to the top of her head.
"Daryl…" It was strained and emotional. Pleading and questioning. Why did it have to happen like this? He sighed rested his cheek on the top of her head as she clutched the front of his shirt.
"I know…I know." A strangled sob escaped her lips. Bringing a hand up to the back of her head he threaded his fingers through her hair, massaging at the base of her scalp. Pressing his lips to the side of her head again he whispered, gravelly and low. "We gotta try, Beth. Never forgive yourself if we don't…" She stilled, leaning her forehead into his chest and nodding slowly. He was right. They had to try.
The motorcycle rumbled beneath her legs as she squeezed her arms around Daryl's mid section. Her daddy had seen them off with a pensive look and a warning to be careful. Everyone knew that anything they did now to try and save Annette would be a long shot. A very long shot. But if there was something they could do to make this better…to lessen her suffering in some way. They had to do it. Yes the world was dangerous, but they weren't that far gone yet. They were still comfortable with beds to sleep in at night and food in their bellies three times a day. So yes they had to try.
The highway was littered with broke down, abandoned vehicles and corpses rotting in the summer heat. The buzzing of flies was almost as loud as the engine of the motorcycle and Beth couldn't help but to stare at the carnage as it passed by. It had been three weeks since everything ended. Three weeks and it was clear to her that they had been faring better than most. Daryl's early preparations to fortify the farm, stockpile supplies, and keep vigilant watch had kept them in a bubble of safety that didn't exist elsewhere. How had he known so early on that this was coming?
The hospital wasn't far and as Daryl weaved onto the exit she wondered if the building was still standing at all. Everything else she'd seen was in complete destruction, why would this be any different? They'd brought a large duffel bag, intent on taking everything they could get their hands on not just for her mama but for anything that might occur down the road. The longer this went on, the more dangerous the world would become. Daryl had said it before they left the farm and now seeing what she saw there was no doubt in her mind that he was absolutely right. Hopefully they could get what they needed and this would be their last time leaving the farm. Somewhere deep inside her, Beth knew it was a foolish thought but still she could hope.
Pulling up to the hospital she gasped. The place where she had spent so many hours in the last eight years was unrecognizable. Broke down fences surrounded the entrance, bodies piled in a smoldering heap, and blackened broken windows with their blinds flapping out into the air. Turning into the driveway, Daryl let off the gas as they coasted through road blocks and barriers set up by the National Guard. From afar it seemed like a good plan, keep the hospitals protected, concentrate all resources there. But as they got closer and eventually came to a stop, they both realized that wasn't the plan at all. The road blocks and haphazard fencing wasn't to keep the dead out, it was to keep them in. Beth's ams fell slack to her sides, that last day she worked when they peeled out of the parking lot to the sound of gunfire, that's when this all started. She'd gotten out literally in the nick of time. As everyone would soon understand, surviving this new world didn't just involve skill but also a whole lot of luck.
Daryl dropped the kick stand of the bike and shouldered his crossbow looking around. Yes even he had to acknowledge that this was worse than what he expected. However, he knew he had to put it away and make a plan. Beth was depending on him right now. Casting a look in her direction he saw that she was standing there staring with wide, disbelieving eyes. A half burnt torso crawled toward them, hissing and groaning, desperate for a meal. Daryl brought the crossbow up to his eye and let a bolt fly silencing the corpse and snapping Beth out out of her apparent daze. Next to him, he heard her exhale a shaky breath.
"Come on, fences are down round that way…" She followed his eyes nodding her head slowly. For her own weapons, Beth had her knife on her belt and the bat in her hand. The shotgun she'd left with her daddy not wanting him to defenseless should something happen while they were gone. Quietly she and Daryl tiptoed around debris and bodies winding their way through the lot and up to what used to be the entrance. The sliding glass doors bearing the name of Grady Senoia were broken with bits of tempered glass showered all over the lobby. A fire extinguisher was discharged and left on the sidewalk, chairs were overturned and scattered, the receiver of the lobby phone hung limply from the wall. It looked like the scene out of movie.
A breeze blew at their backs, rustling papers on the floor and scattering them all over. Beth heard a scratching, a low moaning and she knew one of the dead was close. They were here to accomplish a goal and that was to get her mama medicine and get back home as soon as possible. She knew the route to her unit so well she could do it in her sleep and often times felt like she did. But today instead of making the long walk down the hallway and two left turns to the stairs she stopped just inside the doorway. The hissing, no doubt a walker trapped somewhere, was calling to her like a siren and before she could stop herself she was moving toward it.
When things started going to shit the hospital closed the gift shop, the coffee cart, and all other non-essential services. Beth hadn't seen Amy in weeks, her cart now a complete mess. The hissing grew stronger the closer she got as she tightened her fingers around the bat.
"Beth…" Daryl's tone was low and warning and she should have turned back right then and there. She wanted to see though. She had to see. Inching closer she peered over the counter as a head of blonde sprang toward her snapping it's teeth. Stumbling backward she dropped the bat sucking a sharp breath in.
It was Amy. But it wasn't. Not the way she remembered her anyway. Her green eyes were gray and lifeless now, her mouth twisted and snapping, her hair bloody and matted. On her left forearm Beth saw the bite; deep with muscle and tendon exposed. Reaching her arms out she barely grazed Beth's forearm before the arrow embedded in her skull. It's what needed to be done and she knew that but she still couldn't help the sadness that flooded her heart. This was the first person she knew from before who had turned. Amy. Sweet and upbeat Amy, always ready with a smile and something delicious. Beth has liked her immediately, seeing the girl as a younger version of herself.
Now splayed out lifeless across the counter, Daryl collected his bolt casting a look toward Beth before settling his eyes on the dead girl. "You know her?"
Beth nodded slowly. "Yeah…I knew her." Her words were like a whisper. "Amy." She stood there unmoving. Daryl had no connection to the dead girl but he could see that what just happened had shaken Beth. Looking around the lobby his eyes fell on a sheet, blood stained and dirty hanging off the side of a stretcher. Daryl snatched it up seeing a good way to repurpose the material. Beth watched him as he gently laid a sheet over Amy covering her from sight, giving her back some shred of dignity. Beth blinked back tears as her eyes met his. Ducking his head in that characteristic Daryl way, he shrugged his shoulders, "We ain't that far gone…not yet anyway."
Foolishly Beth hoped not ever. Picking the bat up she came to stand beside him as she exhaled a shaky breath. "Stairs are down the hall and to the left." Daryl nodded taking that as confirmation that she was ready to move. He led the way with his crossbow up and ready and Beth following closely behind. Her footsteps were near silent and he was proud knowing that she'd remembered his lessons from their walks in the woods so long ago. Really it wasn't that long ago, a little more than a month, but it felt like another lifetime. The stairs were dark as they opened and shut the door quietly. It smelled in the enclosed space, like rotting flesh and death, air that had been stale and contained for weeks. If it wasn't so quiet he would assume that a walker was in here with them but it was silent and still, the only sound either of them heard was the rustling of their clothes as they climbed floor by floor.
The ICU was on the fourth floor, second from the top, and as they stopped outside a door she'd walked through without a care so many times her stomach tied into a knot. What if someone else she knew was there ? Turned….with not even the ability to put themselves out of their own misery. Swallowing hard she reminded herself that she was here for her mama. Whatever they needed to do to give her a chance, no matter how slim, they were going to do. Daryl took a deep breath as he swung the door open stepping out first and clearing the hallway side to side. Like the rest of the place the unit was dark and humid, quiet in a way that was both alarming and comforting. Staying close to Daryl's back, Beth's eyes wandered side to side. The rooms were all trashed; dirty linens on the floor, drawers opened and supplies upended. A few of the windows were broken out and she heard the plastic blinds clicking together in the breeze. Thankfully it seemed that no one was here and Beth breathed a sigh of relief at that. She'd gotten out just in time but she worried that many of her coworkers had not.
The med room was behind the nurses station in the center of the unit. Taking in the general disarray, Beth wondered if there would be anything left. Of course the narcotics would be gone, antibiotics too- if the person doing the taking was smart, and fluids probably…but medications to help with swelling on the brain…she could only hope that had been overlooked. Seeing the familiar door she breathed a sigh of relief, only that sigh came a bit too soon.
"Hold it right there." The click of a safety made her freeze pressing herself against Daryl's back and holding her breath. She felt every muscle in his body tense as he held the crossbow rigid at his target.
Someone had been here. Hiding in one of the rooms, hearing them coming all along, and waiting for just the right time. They'd walked right into a trap and Daryl wanted to kick himself in the ass right now for being so stupid. There wasn't much light but he could make out a big man in army fatigues with an automatic rifle pointed directly at his head. He must have been holding out in here after everything went to shit outside.
"Don't want no trouble…just need some medicine." Beth pinched her eyes shut instantly regretting taking this foolish risk in the first place.
A booming, taunting laugh. "I don't give a monkey's left nut…." Beth gasped peeking out from around Daryl she knew that voice.
"Abraham ?" Daryl looked over his shoulder at Beth now standing next to him completely exposed. Was this girl crazy ? From behind the big man a smaller figure ducked out of the room.
"Beth ?" Rosita's long hair was pulled into a tight braid and a cap was pulled low over her eyes. Had Beth seen her in the street she would not have recognized her. It was her friend, though, and Beth could not have been more relieve to see her as the two women fell into each other's arms, tears of joy being shed by both. Slowly Abraham lowered his weapon as he sighed.
"Well what do you know ? It is indeed a small world.." Raising his eyes brows to Daryl who now had also relaxed the bow to his side, "And getting smaller." Extending his hand,Daryl took it. "Abraham Ford, US Military."
"Daryl….Daryl Dixon." Rosita pulled back from Beth looking her over and shaking her head in amazement.
"What are you doing here?" Beth let out a shaky breath as her eyes averted to the floor.
"My mama…" Rosita's face screwed up with understanding as she pulled Beth back into a tight hug.
"What happened?" Beth shrugged her shoulders still not quite understanding it all.
"She fell…last night….I think it's a bleed." Rosita stilled knowing full and well what that meant and that this suicide mission her friend had just undertaken was to give a dying woman the barest of chances. In her arms, Beth shuddered taking comfort in someone who was so familiar to her.
"Shhh…" Rosita kissed the side of her head, nurturing her in a way that only another woman could. "I saw some 3% and Mannitol in one of the rooms, I'll help you get what you need." Beth nodding against her not trusting her own voice but eternally grateful that someone who knew exactly what to do was here to help her. Turning back to Abraham she nodded down the long, dark hallway. "We won't be long. You'll be here?" He nodded seriously.
"Bet your ass I will. Don't take too long…we need to get on the road." They shared a seriously look before her and Beth disappeared into one of the rooms.
"You clear this unit ?" It was a valid question now that Beth was out of his sight. Abraham looked him over and shook his head laughing.
"Cleared and back cleared. Thought I made myself clear when I said US Army…" Daryl grunted looking away. He wasn't sure if this guy was a douchebag or he just came on strong. Either way he wasn't here for this hoo-rah bullshit. Just needed the medicine for Annette and they were gone.
"Doesn't look like the Army did much outside…" Abraham rolled his eyes laughing, clapping on a hand on Daryl's shoulder he guided him toward the break room.
"Come on, Daryl…let's talk."
"Gone ?" Daryl leaned his elbows on his knees as he stared at Abraham in disbelief. The red head nodded grimly as he leaned back in his chair sighing to overstate his seriousness.
"Everything went black about two weeks ago- not a word from Washington since. Shortly after the camp fell into disarray, rear echelon administrative pricks ran first, didn't make it far. After that units began breaking up; guys loading up trucks with anything they could grab and heading out into the night. Soon after it was chaos, primal ass shit of the highest degree…." He looked away shaking his head. "Whole place went up in flames about a week ago."
"Fort Benning, you're sure…." If any place were safe around here Daryl would have assume it to be the army base."
"Fort Benning…Washington….whole damn country as far as I know." He shook his head, "There's nobody coming…it's all gone."
Daryl set back in the chair thinking that over for a moment. Truth be told he hadn't given the situation much thought beyond keeping the farm safe. If he did that, all the other necessities- food, water, shelter- would fall into place. He hadn't been waiting on someone to come save them, nobody ever saved him before, sure as fuck wasn't going to be starting now. But he also hadn't expected that their current predicament would be permanent, as in forever. Every single day a struggle for survival. His stomach clenched and his heart ached not for himself but for Beth. She was strong and he knew she could survive but she was also so kind and so gentle. She was't meant to live in this kind of world, and he hated that it would be all she had left.
"We're headed to Texas, back to find Rosita's family, or what's left of it. You and Beth are welcome to come along…." He apprised Daryl up and down once more giving him a slight nod of respect. "Looks like you can handle yourself. People like you are in high demand right now, Daryl. We could use your skills on the road…"
Daryl shook his head quickly. "Nah…gotta get back to the farm. Beth won't want to leave; still needs to see to her mama and her daddy too…"
Abraham lowered his voice as he looked to the door and then back to Daryl. "We both know her mama ain't long for this world. Same could be said about her daddy too. When they're gone and it's just the two of you…things could get difficult." Daryl looked up at him. "Without the rule of law…a man can do just about anything he wants. Seen it happen at the camp and on the road. Beth's tough as nails…don't get me wrong…but people are desperate now and they'll do just about anything to get what they want." Daryl felt his stomach turn with the unsaid implications. He was right, the longer this went, the more like animals humans would become. Could he keep Beth safe if it was just the two of them; alone and on the road. It made his legs quiver with fear as he tensed himself so that Abraham wouldn't notice. Standing up, the larger man looked down at him and nodded slightly. "Offer still stands. But I understand if you can't…"
"Can't what ?" Beth and Rosita appeared in the doorway. Looking at her boyfriend quizzically, Rosita cocked her head to the side wondering what he and Daryl had been talking about.
"Are you two done because we gotta get a move on." Daryl could see that both the women had a full pack on their back and judging by the smile on Beth's face she had found everything she needed and then some. Rosita's own smile dropped as Abraham grabbed his own pack and weapon, it was clear that he had no plans to answer her question.
Beth looked to Daryl and he gave her a solid nod, no sign of the thoughts that were in his mind. Despite this, she seemed to know that something wasn't right and came to him. Threading her fingers between his and giving his palm a squeeze. "Find what you need ?" It was low and only meant for her to hear as she gave him a quick nod.
"I do. I want to get home and get it to my mama as soon as we can." She patted the bag, an honest Beth Greene smile spreading across her face. "Think I might be able to actually help her." She said the word actually ducking her head, afraid to even say the word out loud. Afraid to even dare enough to have hope in a time like this. Daryl stared at her for a moment before letting her hand go and pulling her into his side. Exhaling a shaky breath he squeezed her tight. She was so sweet and kind; he would keep her safe. Even if he had to die trying he would protect her.
Downstairs the two women held onto each other tightly, seemingly not able or wanting to let go. In addition to the pack of supplies Beth had on her back, Abraham gave Daryl two handguns and an AR, some ammo, and long K-Bar knife that Daryl took to immediately. It was a generous offering and he tried to tell the man that it wasn't needed but he simply shook his head and lifted the flap of the Army Truck to reveal much more. Apparently he'd been stashing supplies from the start, much like Daryl, with a premonition that this was something big.
"You can come with us, you know that. Right ?" Rosita looked into Beth's watery blue eyes with tears at the corners of her own.
Beth shook her head. "I know…I just can't though. My mama, my daddy, the farm…I want to stay and hold out as long as we can."
Rosita nodded sadly, anticipating that was what her friend would say but still hoping otherwise. "You have my address, though, and the directions Abraham gave Daryl. If anything happens you know where we'll be."
Beth nodded biting her bottom lip not wanting to start crying all over again. Behind her, Daryl sat astride the motorcycle. They needed to get back to her mama. Taking a deep breath, she hugged her friend one last time, pulling her in tight and not wanting to let her go. Rosita squeezed her eyes shut knowing this might be the last time they would see each other. "Be careful out there."
"I will. I promise." Reluctantly they parted. Beth going to the motorcycle and climbing on, Rosita stepping up into the passenger seat of the truck and shutting the door. Abraham wanting to waste no more time, hit the gas as the truck jerked forward. From behind the window Rosita waved, blowing a kiss at Beth and then she was gone.
Daryl knew this was hard for Beth and he waiting there for a moment as the truck disappeared from sight. When it's rumbling engines had faded from ear shot he turned over his shoulder meeting her tear stained face and nodded. "You ready ?" Wordlessly she nodded, wrapping her arms around his middle. The bike roared to life as Daryl rested his hand over hers for a moment, stroking the worn skin of her knuckles tenderly. He felt her slump against his back, pressing her face to the soft material of his shirt and cry. Shaking sobs that she stifled as much as she could.
Daryl never had much so he also never had much to lose. He remembered the night Merle was here. Laying up in the ICU completely lifeless; gone long before he was actually gone. Him down here in this parking lot, sitting the bed of that old shitty brown truck, absolutely gutted with grief. The last person on earth who remotely gave a shit about him was gone. It was a feeling of loss he would still struggle to put into words if he tried. Unlike him, Beth had so much to lose and now it was hitting her all at once. Her mama, her friends, the place she worked and knew so well. The full scale of this apocalyptic event hitting her from all sides. Merging onto the highway he felt her settle behind him tightening her grip and pressing her face into his back. Reaching down with one hand, Daryl thread his fingers through hers and squeezed.
He wasn't gone. He was still right here and would always be.
The night had been long and sleepless and it showed. Annette lay in the bed, motionless except for ragged, erratic breathing. Hershel in a chair at her side, bent over his Bible turning the pages carefully. Beth sat in the corner in a high backed chair with a blank expression on her face. Daryl stood in the doorway as he had all night. Not wanting to intrude but also wanting to be close by just in case. His eyes wandered to the bedside table. All the vials of medication were empty; Beth having expended all she thought she would need and then some and still….still there was no was change. If anything Annette was worse, taking a gasping inhale only occasionally.
It hadn't worked….it was all for nothing. Beth readjusted herself, crossing her legs underneath herself as she leaned back and sighed. Her mama was near the end, she knew that, she'd seen it before. Only thing left to do was wait. The morning sun came through the blinds and illuminated the otherwise dour room in a warm glow.
"Gonna go check around the house real quick….yell if you need me." Beth met his eyes and offered him the barest of nods as Daryl excused himself, crossbow in hand. Truthfully he was glad for the interruption, needing some air and to stretch his legs. Maize trotted after him down the stairs and out the front door, also grateful for the reprieve. When Annette did pass he had already designated himself as the person to take care of things. Wrap her up and carry her out of the house, bury her in the grove of Pecan trees near the barn. It was the least he could do.
Upstairs, Beth listened as Daryl stepped out the front door and leaned her head back. Closing her eyes, she sighed. Her mama's ragged gasping breath in and out, in and out. She was so tired. Everything they'd done was for nothing. They tried, of course they tried, but it didn't help and she wasn't sure she felt any better about it. Behind her closed eyelids she saw her mama bathed in the morning sun.
She was in the garden as she usually was this time of day. Jeans and a cuffed cotton shit, green apron covering the front of her with her brown hair back in a loose bun. Her big blue eyes wandered over her plants, pulling a weed here or there, pinching off a dead leaf on this plant or the other. She hummed softly to herself as she dug her bare fingers into the earth. She was happy, healthy, and whole. Beth stood at the edge of the grass, her mama not noticing that she was there watching her.
"I tried mama…I really tried." Annette continued to hum not looking up or showing any indication that she'd heard her. "Mama ?" Taking a step into the garden Beth yelled louder, "Mama !"
Looking Annette sighed. "I know you tried, honey. But it's time to let go now…"
"Beth…" Her daddy's voice caused her to jerk as she snapped her eyes open. She must have nodded off. In the bed, her mama was perfectly still. Hershel's eyes raked over his wife, the obvious conclusion unsaid between them.
She was gone.
Coming to stand on shaky legs, Beth crossed the room and got into bed next to her mama wrapping her arms around her and breaking down into tears. "Mama…." She had been expecting this for hours but still it seemed so sudden and so final now that it had actually happened.
The first thing that Daryl heard when he stepped back inside the house was Beth's desperate sobbing. His stomach turned as he took the steps two at a time. She was in bed next to her mama, holding her around the shoulders and crying into the older woman's hair. Daryl slumped against the door exhaling as he allowed the crossbow to rest against the floor.
"I love you, honey…" Hershel bent over and kissed her face, tears coming down his own reddened face.
"Mama…I love you Mama." Daryl felt his own eyes mist over slightly- not for Annette but for Beth. They stayed that way for a while, the silence punctuated by loud sniffles and soft gasps. When Hershel's voice cut through the silence it jarred all of them more than they could have guessed.
"Wait…she's moving. Annette…honey…you there ?" Beth pulled back just enough to see her mama clenching and unclenching her fingers.
"Mama ?" Beth gasped as Annette's eyes snapped open staring straight at her. Except they weren't the blue, caring eyes she remembered but instead gray, lifeless orbs that she didn't recognize. She moaned and hissed opening her mouth and turning toward her daughter. "Mama ?" This time it was quiet and weak, Beth already knowing the answer to her question.
If anyone asked Daryl what happened afterwards he might not have actually remembered. All he knew was that the second Annette latched onto Beth's face, pulling her inward toward her snapping teeth he let the arrow fly. A ping and a thwack and the room was silent again. Beth on the bed shaking and Hershel red faced and eyes narrowed, mouth agape. Looking between his wife with an arrow embedded in her head and Daryl he bellowed.
"What the hell did you just do ?!" Daryl lowered the crossbow, taking a step back. "She was still alive ! And you killed her !" His eyes flicked to Beth on the bed, speechless and staring at her mama trembling near out of control. Stepping toward Daryl, Hershel jammed his finger in the air. "I want you gone ! You hear me- GONE !"
Drama…drama….drama. Little bump in the road for our lovebirds. Never fear through, Rick Grimes and the Quarry Crew show up in the next chapter for a while lot more drama. Stay tuned and thanks for your loyal reviews !
Hope everyone is still loving this story as much as I do !