a/n: first time posting a drabble publically in years. personal project in writing so i'm unsure how far I'll write into it
!!NOT EDITED YET!!
boarder: @pixopix ; photos: pinterest
The hunter wandered further down the creek, twigs and leaves crushed into the ground by his boots. It was the second week of looking for Sophia with still no luck. Each time he returned to camp, it was difficult to look at Carol knowing he kept having to come back empty handed and childless. But she has to be out there. Shit —he refuses any other alternative.
He had been following yesterdays trail. There was another path of footprints that strayed after a few miles in. The smell of the creek reminded him of all the times he was left in the woods, being thrown in to be left behind by Merle or left by his father. His family’s attempts of making Daryl into a ‘man.’ He couldn’t imagine how this looked in Sophia’s eyes. All of his years fighting with his family and receiving the punishment, it was inevitable it became a comfort.
Apart of him was grateful, especially even now, the punishment seemed to be working in his favor. Who else would be able to provide as much game as he could for the camp? Who else would be able to track footprints to help Carol find Sophia? He knew he was replaceable, mainly just another body in the camp, so he still felt like he had to earn his place.
By the time he had reached the tree from last time, he found exact what he was looking for— another fresh trail. The shoes were definitely not Sophia’s size, but he was becoming desperate whether he was willing to admit it to himself or not. Carol had slowly begun believing that Sophia wasn’t coming back already and he felt like the rest of the group was tarnishing everything he had been doing for her. He tracks the path for miles, noting each action of whoever he was following.
A shriek pierces the air, pulling his attention to the sound. His feet moved faster than his brain as he was already halfway down the small ravine. He silently ambushes the noise.
He stumbles down the steep hill and tumbles into fallen tree as he runs where the scream came from. His body ached from the fall, head colliding with the bark. He tries to stand, but the ground beneath him trembles with each muscle tensing. His vision doubles before he falls back on his ass. A screech that sounds closer sends him up, fighting his muscles that craved for rest. “Sophia!” He yelled against his better judgement, his desperation outweighing his fear.
Crunches of movement echo in his head as he tries to locate where it came from. His guard was down, skin pricking with anxiety and his breathing accelerating. He grunts, fighting the fear. Sophia could be near and he’s sitting on his lazy ass. Against his odds, he was able to make his descent to the noise. His body fought against him, trying to succumb to it all. Another loud sound sends a wave of pain through the middle of his head. The splitting sensation sucks all the strength to keep himself up. He falls against a nearby tree, hoping for something cover it gave him and give him enough time to recover.
The throbbing never eased as he tried to ignore the sensation. He slowly inched his way towards the edge to peek and see if there was anything out there. He quickly glanced, unable to see anything. Whipping back, he rests his head against the bark. His hunter mind ran rapid as he tried to decipher who or what was near. As he teetered over the edge to get another glance, whack! The brunt end of a gun socks him up beside his head, sending him to the ground —even more vulnerable.
Even in his unconscious state, he could feel the throb of his head worsen. His assailant drags his body across the ground, leaves and other dirt intertwining with his hair. Each bump, would send him in and out of consciousness. By the time he was fully awake, he was bounded to a chair, unable to move. His throat was dry like he had swallowed dirt and hands were already becoming chaffed by the rope.
He quickly glanced around the room, trying to piece together where the hell he was. The room was dimly lit with only one light on. His chest puffed as he tried to fight his way out of the chair. Fingers clawing as he pushes the limits of his bindings.
