"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 Thirty-Three
It was Daryl who'd spotted the sign. Faded and falling down anyone else would have certainly missed it. Jones Creek Campground; Shane immediately cracked a smile. 'Jones' Town'- Beth elbowed him gently at the cult reference and their unit of three pressed on to see if there was anything worth sticking around for. They'd tried a few other campgrounds in the area but all were very primitive with little more than a fire ring and rusted charcoal grill. When they started this way, it had been Beth's idea to perhaps find an abandoned campground with a few cabins and settle there for a while. Get their heads straight, scout the area, and finally - hopefully- find someplace permanent to call home.
Daryl warned her not to get her hopes up, that like so many other places they'd been, this could also be a bust. Beth knew more than likely it would be nothing and they would need to keep searching, but still she couldn't keep the soft smile from her face. After the incident with those men, the Claimers as they called themselves, Beth had been wanting to find someplace permanent more than ever. The protection of four walls and roof could not be measured these days, and although she knew Shane and Daryl would never let anything happen to her if they could help it, she also couldn't shake the feeling of being tied to that tree. Just sitting there waiting for those men to come do as they like to her, she shuddered now just thinking about it.
With the welcomed arrival of spring, Beth began to ache for the farm and wondered what came of it more often than not. Her garden, the animals in the barn, the comforts of the house and her own bed. It seemed like another life now. She also thought of her daddy and Maggie, what became of them, and how after all this walking they'd never seen a single member of that group. Assumedly they'd followed Rick and did whatever he said they were going to be doing that day, or perhaps they'd made for Fort Benning with the foolish hope that their original plan still had some promise. She still loved them and worried about them- missed them too if she was honest- but she also knew that this was simply the way things were now and once someone left your sight they were simply gone.
Up ahead the dogs trotted along sniffing the ground and seeming to know exactly where they were heading. Maize and the wolf had become a unit of two moving together and only parting at night when the house dog curled up next to Beth and the wolf either stood guard or left them to hunt. They'd formed a family of sorts out here- a family of choice- strange in someways but tight knit and loving nonetheless.
"We'll make camp here tonight, whether there's something or not, and I'll hunt up a rabbit or two. Been a few days since we had a proper meal." Daryl's eyes flicked up for a moment before scanning the woods again. He wouldn't call himself the leader of their little group but out of the three of them he certainly had the most survival skills. So when he spoke they listened, gave their input, discussed it as a group and then moved on together. For the last few nights they'd gotten by on dandelion greens, berries, wild carrots, and a box of stale crackers. Not for the first time Daryl was thankful that Beth knew how to forage; it might not sound like much but no matter what they had something in their bellies everyday. Naturally they'd all grown leaner and more gaunt, non stop walking with very little intake, and out of the three of them Beth looked the skinniest. All the more reason he needed to find some game and get a proper meal together before she wasted away. Girl needed to eat more and when they finally stopped he intended to tell her just that.
The edge of the camp came into sight with the typical set up of rusted metal fire rings and rotted picnic tables. Beth felt her heart sink, another dead end, at least they'd arrived before dark and could settle in. Eyes downcast she studied the trail and told herself not to cry. They would find a place eventually, really they would. It wasn't until Maize let out an uncharacteristic bark that her head snapped back up. Next to her Shane shook his head letting out a sigh of relief.
"Well I'll be goddamned." In the center of the camp stood three little cabins- encircled with a split rail fence that was still standing. Each cabin had a chimney which meant a fireplace and the warmth they so desperately needed, especially at night. Beth gasped, her hand coming to cover her mouth. Her faith had not been what it was in the past, but in that moment she said a prayer of thanks for whoever had been watching over them.
"Gotta check them first…." Daryl tempered his own excitement not standing the idea of getting Beth all worked up for nothing. "Might be broken down in the back, leaking and wide open." Beth rolled her lips inward trying to suppress the smile that threatening to break her face.
"They look pretty solid…like someone locked them up and left right at the start." Daryl had to admit that Shane was right. They did look good, great in fact, and from here it seemed like no one had been around in months. Leaves piled up on each porch against secure but storm weathered doors. Even if just one of them was in good shape that would be all they needed. He exhaled, at least it didn't look like anyone was around, still couldn't be too sure about that it.
"Alright… Beth you stay here. Shane and I will clear em and let you know when it's safe." Her face instantly went from happy to annoyed as she produced her gun and shook her head.
"No." A simple one word answer that put him back in behind the line he never should have crossed.
"What do you mean… No ?" Shane stepped back, his lips twitching up with amusement. Normally he let the two of them hash out their own issues, intervening on Daryl's behalf only if there was a real threat. Beth could hold her own good as anyone left out here, but she was still small and could be overpowered by a large walker or living man. No sense in taking that risk- out of the three of them she was the most important. Daryl knew how to survive but Beth knew how to live.
"I said no, Daryl. There's no reason why I can't also help you clear." Daryl stared at her for a moment before looking to Shane.
He raised his hands in deference. "Don't look at me." Beth's jaw was set with determination, he wasn't getting in the middle of this one. Daryl stared at her for a long moment before sighing.
"Alright…stay behind us." His shoulders sagged and she knew she'd won. Beth refused to let them carry her through anything. She was strong and she could survive just as well. Of course she also wasn't stupid and knew there were limits to her strength. At her fittest and most well fed she weighed about a hundred and forty pounds- always lean and taking after her mama. Now with the constant exercise and lack of intake she had to guess she was around one twenty made of nothing but lean muscle. She could take care of herself, and that was very important to her, but that also didn't mean sometimes she needed help.
This was not one of those times. Falling in line behind the two of them she kept her gun in the holster with her hand on the butt. Something Shane taught her, not holding it out when walking behind someone else. It was safety and while that was at a minimum these days, she was thankful to him for teaching her proper discipline with a firearm. Beth kept her eyes open scanning to and fro for walkers and people and finding the forest quiet and deserted. Not being told but doing it anyway, Maize and the wolf stood by the trail serving as lookouts ready to alert the group if anything was amiss.
The first cabin was a disappointment with a fallen tree through the back wall. It took a bit of effort to hold back the tears seeing the stone fireplace, kitchenette, and large queen sized bed. Everything was totally water logged, though, and the smell of mold permeated the small structure. Tempering her enthusiasm, Beth waited for Daryl and Shane to break down the door to the second cabin. It was better but not perfect with some broken out windows and a rotting corpse on the floor. If this was all they had they would have made do, fixed the windows somehow and cleaned the place up to make it livable. But when they entered the door to the last cabin Beth nearly fell to her knees.
It was perfect.
Still almost completely intact it was obvious that this building hadn't been touched since long before the outbreak with a calendar hanging over the kitchen sink that read May 2010- a few months before everything went to shit. Like the other two cabins this one had a large fireplace, a kitchenette, and combination living/dining room with a small table and a worn in sofa. In the back was a single bedroom with a queen sized bed with a folded quilt on top. Everything was covered with a layer of dust that showed no activity in almost a year. Once everything had been cleared, secured, and the dogs whistled up from the trailside the three of them looked at each other and let out a collective sigh of relief.
The house smelled of decay and after a quick survey of the cupboards they'd come up with a singular can of dog food. Everywhere they looked there was nothing, most canned goods becoming harder to find in all the normal places people might look. So now he needed to search even harder scavenging in all the places no one would think to look; in abandoned houses under sinks and in basement pantries. Rick sighed as he rested his head against the window. These people were counting on him and right now they were fucking starving.
Carl, Lori, Carol, Maggie, Glenn, Hershel, and T-Dog. Somehow they'd managed to stick together all winter, losing Andrea the night the farm fell, and the rest gone before then. For a long while, Rick had himself convinced that Shane was going to appear just around the corner. Come riding up in that Green Hyundai and ask him what the fuck he was looking at. His old partner couldn't hunt worth a damn but he was savage as hell when it came time to fight. T-Dog was like that now, the closest thing he had to a right hand man with Glenn and Maggie coming around more each day. Even more than Shane, however, he found himself wishing to see Beth and Daryl. The two of them wandering around searching for her daddy and finally reuniting putting things back to the way they'd been before- back to the way it should be now. When he was on the farm Rick had taken them both for granted; Beth seeing to all the medical needs, keeping the farm running, and their bellies full while Daryl never failed to handle their safety, security, and keeping fresh meat on the table. Before anyone even knew they were surviving, Beth and Daryl figured out the whole damn thing. He'd been such a fool running off to find canned goods when he could have been learning a better way from them.
Now here he was, gaunt and tired wondering what the hell to do next. Somewhere behind him he heard the familiar grinding of a can opener as he spun around. Is this really what it had come to ? He watched Carl lick a bit of brown goop off his fingers and just like that he snapped. Snatching the can in two bounding leaps, he launched it across the room. It hit the peeling paint with a crack and slid down the wall with a sickening wet plop. Carol jumped, Lori bit her lip as she looked away, Carl just stared the can opener still in his hand. Rick was agitated, angry, and frustrated a he ran a hand through his greasy hair. Before anyone could say a word, however, the familiar hissing and moaning of a herd bearing down slipped through the broken windows. They had to go, run to the next place- hide for a while and then run some more.
Everyone knew what to do grabbing what little they had before heading for the back door and into the cars. Swerving around the first lunging freaks, they hit the highway gunning the engines and heading north toward a place called Neunan.
Spring faded into early summer and what was a dilapidated camp turned into a thriving homestead. After taking a week to rest their bodies, heal, and put on some much needed weight; the family of three set about fortifying and repairing their new home. It had been decided early on that their number one priority would be constructing a fence of sorts. There was already a split rail fence in place, more for decoration than utility and Daryl thought it wouldn't take much to fortify that into an actual mean of protection. The third cabin, the one that had been all but rendered unlivable with the fallen tree, would be used for supplies. It was convenient and it only made sense so after their week of rest, Daryl and Shane set about tearing it down using the wood to build a six foot high fence around the perimeter of the cabins. Beth took it upon herself at that time to begin cleaning the second cabin and working toward making that one livable as well. Shane said he had no problem living on the couch for the rest of his days but as usual Beth laughed lightly and reminded him he deserved more. So while they worked on the fence she worked on building a life for them.
By mid July they'd not seen another living soul and had begin to settle in to their new lives. With the prolonged daylight of summer their fence had been finished and a rudimentary gate installed with a latch. As soon as the ground had thawed Beth worked the soil and planted a garden. Most of her seeds germinating, she estimated they'd have a decent harvest by fall. Already they were enjoying fresh lettuce mixed with forest greens and along with the lean meat Daryl was able to hunt; Shane declared they'd discovered the newest fad diet. All of them had changed since their time on the farm and they were now lean and muscular able to work from sun up to sun down.
It took Beth the better part of a month but she managed to make the second cabin livable and with Daryl's help she installed the old windows from the third cabin making this one whole again. It was clean and warm and she'd scrubbed her fingers raw getting the stain of death off the wooden floor. The couch was comfortable, the bed was clean, the fireplace was ready with a pile of fresh wood on the heart. The entire time she'd been working on it she'd not allowed Shane to see what she was doing, although he continually assured her this was all completely unnecessary. He didn't need her doing all this for him. And each time she assured him that was ridiculous and he deserved a clean, dry place to live too. A bed of his own where he could rest properly and heal his body from all the manual labor they now needed to do. Normally he laughed, smirking at her in that way of his and simply said that her and Daryl were trying to get rid of him- have some privacy to get loud and nasty. Beth usually frowned at that and Daryl always snickered. The three of them had become so close nothing was off limits.
Working on the fence one summer evening Shane began talking about Lori and Daryl didn't stop him. For someone who'd not had much guidance in dealing with their emotions, Daryl was a great listener. So he let Shane talk as they worked. Beth told him that Lori miscarried a baby girl on the farm not getting into too many details. Didn't matter anyway, the life and everyone in it were gone. Shane spoke of the woman with a mix of heartbreak and disbelief for what she'd done. The baby- Judith- was buried in the woods behind the farm and even listening now, after all these months, Daryl could hear the sadness in his voice. He himself had to admit that a lump was the back of his throat thinking of something so small and so helpless left alone in the cold, hard ground. It was clear that Shane wanted to be a father, even though he'd never actually entertained the notion until the day he found out he was and then quickly wasn't. Shrugging his shoulders, Daryl nodded.
"You'll get another chance one day…" Shane paused for a moment wiping the sweat from his face before snorting a wry laugh.
"I thought it was hard finding someone before….." He trailed off. Daryl shook his head looking at him truly believing what he was about to say
"Yeah but nothing matters anymore…just what's important. This thing has stripped away all the bullshit…" Shane stopped working but didn't look at Daryl and the two men fell back into a companionable silence, Daryl having a feeling that things would would eventually work out.
The day Beth finally let Shane see what she'd been doing, his eyes filled with tears as he looked around his new home. No one had ever done so much for him, expecting nothing in return, and he hugged both Beth and Daryl tightly. That night they had a feast of wild mushrooms, forest greens, and rabbit. It had rained the day before and their rain barrel was nearly full so Beth took a bit of water, boiled it as they always did, and experimented with adding fresh crushed blackberries and wild mint. It was a real treat after almost a year of drinking nothing but luke warm water. They had come so far in just a few months from being on the road with nothing to having treats like blackberry water. Just thinking of it now made Beth smile.
August brought more work than they were ready for and Daryl scrambled to make a smoker to dry meat while Beth wracked her brain to find a way to preserve their garden. Without any jars to can, the only other thing they could do was dry or freeze. It had been Shane that suggested digging a root cellar and even volunteered himself for the task. Surprisingly enough he'd done it before, when he was a kid, for his grandmother who was as he wistfully called her 'a tough old Italian bird'. Grandma owned a farm in the countryside of Georgia and didn't believe in the comforts of modern living. So one summer he'd been tasked with digging a root cellar in exchange for twenty dollars a week. He as thirteen and his parents fought non stop, it was the closest thing to a summer vacation he would ever get. Daryl grunted when he heard the story, thinking it sounded eerily similar. In any case, they all set about making their own preparations for winter.
It was hot today, even up in the mountains where things stayed much cooler, and Beth stood up stretching as she wiped the sweat from her brow. The skies had been darkening for a while and she knew rain was coming. Maize lounged stretched out under a tree while their wolf- laid at attention on the cabin porch watching them all carefully. If she wanted to get cleaned up now was the time to do it. They'd found a few towels in the cabins and took scrupulous care of them seeing as how they may not find any others for some time. Grabbing her towel and a change of clothes; Beth found Daryl behind the cabin nailing mismatched boards onto their make shift smoker.
"Looks good." He turned around, so preoccupied with what he was doing that he didn't hear her coming.
"Yeah. Should be ready to use in a day or so…" Noticing the towel he raised an eye brow.
"Mind coming with me down to the creek ?" Thankfully, they'd found a creek behind the camp down over the hillside. It's water was chilly this time of year but refreshing none the less and it was the only way they could bathe, not the they did much of that anymore. Cleanliness had been a trapping of the old world and now instead of reflexively bathing until their skin dried out, they washed only when it was necessary.
They walked silently though the woods listening closely for any sounds of walker or human and as usual heard nothing. Sometimes Daryl thought they were getting too comfortable here and almost wished for a walker or two just to remind him the world had actually ended. Like always he turned away as Beth shed her clothing, normally remaining in her bra and underwear just in case they needed to run. She gasped softly and he knew she was easing herself into the eddy of standing cold water. They'd not been intimate in the last couple weeks and just sitting here now Daryl twitched wanting to rub his hands over her cold, milky skin. Nothing had changed between them, they were just too damn tired to do much of anything except work.
Listening to her splash in the water his dick began to twitch and grow in his pants painfully. God did he want her, even more now than when they were on the farm. Surviving out here, seeing her mettle and her goodness day after day made him nearly lose his mind with a desire he'd never had before. Had to be careful, though, they didn't have any more rubbers and getting pregnant right now wouldn't be the best idea. Still he couldn't deny the want that nearly pulsed through him.
Overhead the sky darkened as a rumble of thunder echoed in the distance. As if on cue Beth stepped out of the creek and put the towel on, the wind picking up and the trees slapping together. Grabbing her clothes they set off all but running back up the trail toward the cabin before all hell broke loose. Daryl felt dizzy, all the blood below his belt, as he watched her skip ahead dodging gnarled roots and downed logs in nothing but a pair of boots and a towel, droplets of water sliding off her hair and down her bare back.
They got to the cabin just in time, ducking into the door, Maize and their wolf close behind, as rain began to pelt the windows. Kicking her boots off, Beth stood there staring at him and that was all it took. Crossbow quickly discarded he pushed her backwards toward the bedroom as she giggled. Towel on he floor she lay naked across the soft green quilt. Just looking at her made cum seep out staining his underwear as he struggled to get his pants off, thunder rattling the windows of the cabin. Unlike their first time, Daryl was no longer ashamed of himself and his body easily discarding his shirt and exposing his back, his hardened length springing free as she cupped him in her hand earning herself a groan of pleasure. In kind, he took her tiny breast into his mouth sucking at her nipple making her back arch off the bed.
He slid one finger into her and then another, her center already impossibly wet and ready. Beth writhed with pleasure fisting the sheets as Daryl flicked her nub causing her to gasp. Daryl wasn't the most experienced lover and neither was she but that didn't matter because together they learned each other. What made the other person gasp and moan, tremble and lose all control. Nudging her thighs open with his knee Daryl brought his leg between hers and instantly she began to grind against his hard thigh. Kneading her breasts he watched as she began to lose control, tumbling toward her first orgasm. Digging her nails into his waist she pulled him closer as she let her hips unfurl their desires grinding against him in short uncoordinated thrusts. Watching her get herself off on the soft muscle of his thigh turned him on more than it should as his hardened length jumped and pulsed.
She came undone in his arms like always, trembling and keening like a person possessed. He held her close, stroked her hair, and pressed his steady lips to her own quivering ones. They stayed like that, in no rush, as rain pelted the windows of the cabin. Wordlessly Beth spread her legs cradling Daryl in her pelvis and encouraging him to take what he needed. Sometimes he wouldn't, saying all he cared about was making her feel good. Today was not one of those days, however, as the desire that built down by the creek was now burning hot.
The days of him feeling ashamed of himself were gone and in their place a quiet confidence that he knew this woman like the back of his hand. Gently he slid inside her earning himself a gasp and then a long moan from Beth. They stayed like that for a moment or two, her adjusting to his size, and him relishing the feeling of her wrapped tightly around him. When he did start to move, Daryl's eye fluttered closed as the sensation was almost too much to bear. Like most times, he wasn't going to last long- so many years of not having sex had left him unbelievable sensitive. That coupled with the absolute torrent of feelings he had when it came to Beth and Daryl found himself spiraling off the edge sooner than he realized.
When his shaking arms finally gave out she held him like she always did, stroking his hair and running her fingers along the scars on his back. He trembled and gasped stopping his thrusts to try and prolong the ride just a bit longer. For her part, Beth gently rocked herself against him, providing a gentle friction that was just a effective as anything more vigorous. Letting out a sigh of pleasure she pressed her lips against his ear and whispered, "I love you.." He responded with a long kiss, words failing him as his brain swam with pleasure.
If Daryl delayed his pleasure any longer he worried he would ruin his climax. He'd never known such a thing to exist until he tried to last too long and came with an embarrassing tiny squirt. He was sure Beth would never want him touching her again, but like always she'd taken him into her arms and held him tight assuring him that everything was alright.
Pressing up onto his elbows he steadied himself. Daryl's hips snapped forward almost instantly as he groaned loudly. Every inch of his body tingled and he knew he needed to let it go. Hooking her legs around his back, Beth let him know it was ok to do whatever he needed to make himself feel good- for a change. Fisting the sheets around her head he began to drive into her causing Beth to yell out his name as she reached up and gripped onto his biceps. A handful of thrusts later, Daryl came deep inside her collapsing downward as his body shook and a tear came to his eye. God he loved his woman so damn much. She held him like always, her own pleasure leaving her eyes rolled back into her head. Chests heaving they stayed like that for a long time.
Softened he slid from her and rolled onto his side, puling her against him and drawing the quilt up as a low rumble of thunder echoed across the mountain. Laying there like that he was truly convinced that when the dead started walking his life truly began.
Beth estimated it was early November when she knew. The leaves having turned brown and deep orange, the sun setting earlier and earlier each day. Thankfully their homestead had grown and solidified into a comfortable life and the notion was't quite as terrifying as it may otherwise be. Still, this new world was unpredictable and unforgiving and definitely no place for a baby.
But
Life had to go on. Rubbing her flat tummy she stared at herself in the mirror wondering when she would begin to show. It must be two months by now, perhaps in another month or so. Daryl had been rightly shocked at the news, staring at her for a long moment before exhaling long and slow. He was going to be a father- he and Beth were going to be parents. It seemed so unlikely he had to remind himself everyday that it was real. Once he'd gotten over the initial shock and obvious fear, a certain happiness filled his heart. He and Beth, and the love they shared between them, had created a whole new life. It was damn near amazing.
Shane had hooted at the news so loud Beth was sure every walker in Georgia knew as well. Picking her up he spun her around in a hug before slapping Daryl on the back. The three of them sharing a meal together and indulging in wistful ideas of the future. She couldn't remember a time when she felt warmer or more loved than that night.
Practically, however, things needed to be dealt with. First, they needed to go on a run to find whatever they could for a baby before winter set in. Counting ahead Beth estimated that she was due in May and while they would have the early spring one could never be too careful. Already they had snow on their mountain, coming in waves and blanketing their small yard in white. Today, however, was warm and after a short discussion it was decided they would head out right after breakfast. Down the mountain and to find any place they could with anything even remotely relevant to babies or pregnancy. Shane and Daryl had gone on a few runs over the summer, just on their mountain, raiding other cabins or camps for whatever useful items they could scavenge.
Dogs leading the way the group of three traipsed down the trail, guns low and ready for whatever they might find. Walkers came up once in a while but mostly it was a weekly occurrence and Daryl hoped none of them had lost their edge to be out here. This area wasn't the most populated and Daryl was worried how far they might have to walk to find what they needed. Keeping his fingers crossed he hoped they could find a car and get that running instead. Would make things hell of a lot easier. Eyes flicking to Beth he shook his head.
"Should be restin'…" Beth paused looking at him for a moment before her face broke out into a smile.
"You don't even know what you're looking for Daryl." She laughed lightly, Shane joining in, as she admonished him with a nod. "I have all winter to rest." That was true and with the knitting supplies they'd found a few months ago Beth intended to teach herself the craft. Just the idea of little knit caps and booties made her nearly giddy with excitement.
Daryl turned back to the trail with a grunt as they pressed on toward the main road keeping a keen eye on their surroundings. Paralleling the road through the trees they used the paved way to keep themselves on track but stayed tucked away and safe. If there as anyone out here, Daryl intended to see them before they saw him.
Fall had come a bit more slowly to this part of Georgia and the trees down here still burned deep orange against the clear blue sky. Coming to a clearing they stopped for a moment to drink and rest, the three of them watching the golden high grass blow in the wind. The wolf was first to know something was wrong, putting his head up at attention with Maize following suite. A low growl coming from the Shepherd's throat, her hair stood up on end as she eyed the bushes. The wolf trotted head a bit sniffing the air and deciding that something was definitely there before coming back to stand next to Maize.
Giving a low whistle Daryl called the dogs back as they circled Beth, Maize sitting at her side and the wolf standing protectively in front. No one told them she was pregnant and yet they seem to know all the same, keeping an eye on her night and day. Together with Shane, Daryl raised his weapon crouching down and creeping forward in the grass. If it was a walker it would have shown itself by now, shambling from the underbrush looking for a meal. Oh no…this was someone alive. Someone who was hiding.
One person they could take no problem, a group was another story. Daryl had half a mind to send the wolf in there after them but couldn't stand the idea of losing the animal, especially not now. When he and Shane needed to handle someone on the mountain, Daryl left Beth with the wolf knowing it would die protecting her. Through the grass he saw the top of someone's head crouched down behind a tree. Lifting his eyes he saw it was a woman with a long hair and slight build and she was alone. Throwing a look to Shane he nodded as he stood up and leveled his crossbow.
"Come on out of there…I can see you…." The dark head bobbled for a moment deciding what to do next before revealing herself, hands in the air. Daryl inhaled sharply as his crossbow drifted down.
Before he or Shane could utter a word Beth was pushing past them. The woman dropped her knife and her gun, tears coming to her eyes as she fell to her knees her body shaking with disbelief. In all the corners of Georgia, in every nondescript field and pasture, at all the seconds and minutes in the day somehow they'd managed to find Rosita.
Not much put a smile on Daryl's face anymore but seeing Beth cry with her friend in her arms crying just as hard he knew someone was still up there looking out for them. It gave him hope not just for today but for all the days that were to come.
TBC….
1 more chappie and an epilogue and alt ending