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In this hell Daryl Dixon X reader part 18/??

Hey everyone, Im back! And so is In this hell! I am extremely excited for ya'll to read this chapter, I really hope you enjoy it!

Thank you all so much for the support and thank you for interacting with my fic! <3

Warnings- Blood, Gore, General walking dead depictions, slow burn, swearing, Character death.

Rick was still kneeling by Shane’s body, Carl tucked in behind me, fists bunching up in the flannel I was wearing. Rick had opened his mouth to speak, not before I shook my head softly. “We should head back.” I whispered staring at Shane’s lifeless body, turning as I gently pushed Carl forward to walk. I heard footsteps behind me as I led Carl away. “(Y/n).” Rick had spoken. “(Y/n), I’m sorry, I-“ He reached out, hand landing on my shoulder. “I know.” I nodded softly, looking at the ground as we walked. We made it to the fence, Rick moving forward and holding the wire together, allowing Carl to climb over first before climbing over after him.

Rick held onto the wire as I climbed over.

My eye met his, and I nodded softly thanking him silently.

We continued towards the house in silence.

Cicada’s ringing in the air and the faintest crunch of the frosted grass beneath our feet.

“You bit too?” Carl asked as he stepped side by side with Rick, the young boy tilting his head to see his father as he waited for a response.

“No.” Rick spoke, glancing at his Carl.

“Shane was.” The latter responded as he looked back to his feet.

Rick was silent for a minute before he looked back to his son.

“That wasn't Shane.” He paused, glancing at me.

“You know that.” He finished, meeting his sons eyes.

“Used to be.” Carl softly shrugged as he walked between us.

Neither of them spoke a word as we stepped forward, the barn not all that far away, the house slightly growing as we grew close.

As I opened my mouth to speak Carls voice cut through the silence.

“What happened?” He asked switching between looking at the ground or his father.

I felt a soft breeze hit the back of my neck, small goosebumps arising.

I turned my head to feel the wind against my skin.

“You guys attacked?” He asked after no response from Rick.

The first thing I noticed, was the faint stench of blood, death and rotting bodies tainting the air.

“I mean, I... I heard a gunshot, but I didn't see any walkers nearby.” He stuttered at points, nervously looking away from Rick.

The second thing that I noticed was the faint cries and groans in the night.

“How did Shane die?” Carl asked, our pace now halting completely.

I turn as Rick reaches for Carls shoulder.

“Rick.” I spoke softly, eyes not wavering from their target.

A hoarde, what seems like the size of the one from the city had broken from the tree line beyond the fence.

Hundreds of them were spread out as far as the forest, road and lands before the farm, the fence that the three of us had only just been minutes ago, had been slowly falling weaker as it tried to restrain the walkers.

“Rick.” I warned louder this time, turning to meet his eye before nodding toward the fence.

“Oh my God!” Rick muttered, face falling as his eyes bulged from his sockets.

“Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go.” Rick began as I gently placed my hands on Carls shoulder, pushing him in front of Rick who then ushered him forward.

The three of us broke out into a stealth sprint, Rick stopping us by the oak by the barn.

“We... we gotta get to the house, tell the others.” Carl worried. “We'll never get through that. Can't go around.” Rick spoke as he looked around us, the walkers now almost beside us. Rick and I shared a look before gently nudging Carl infant of me as we began to run. “Carl, stay close. Go!” A walker dressed in all white snarled and reached out for Carl, only to miss as I yanked him towards the right, beelining for the barn. The whimpers leaving Carl fuelling my lightly aching legs to keep moving. Rick got his gun out as we ran, a necessary move for our predicament. The Barn door was wide open, I made sure that Carl was inside as I turned to grab the the delicate metal handle. Rick ran through and helped pull the door closed, the weight of the walkers outside pushing against the door making it more difficult for Rick to shove the metal pole through. Groans and continuous thudding against the wood got louder and heavier as the three of us caught our breath. I looked to Rick then back at Carl, glancing around as I tried to think of how we could get out of the barn. The walls around us began to creak, our time running out, as the walkers began tearing through the boards.

I felt a hand grab my own and pull me along. Carl was leading you to where Rick was. “All right, here we go.” The older man had held out a jerry can towards me. Rick then looked at Carl. “Get behind me. Come on. Hurry.”

My hand gripped the handle as I began to pour the gasoline over the floor and the hay stacks, Rick mirroring my actions. We both threw the cans aside as Rick began to pat down his pockets. “Come on. All right.” He began as he moved Carl towards the ladder. “Okay. Up there, hurry.”

Carl reached the ladder before turning to Rick. “Well, what about you?” “I’ll be right there, all right.” Rick reassured him, turning to look at me.

“Drop the lighter when I say.” He nodded as he spoke, I nodded In response before he looked back to Carl.

“We'll stop some of them from reaching the house and distract the others, so at least we'll have a chance.” H had explained to the boy, who only looked even more scared, taking deep breaths.

“Hey, hey, hey, look at me.” Rick paused.

“You can do this.” He nodded.

“Carl, I love you.” He rested his hands on his sons shoulder. “All right, go, go, go.” “Can you-“ “Already on it sheriff.” I smiled softly, waiting as Carl began to climb the ladder.

Rick had waited until Carl was fully up the ladder and waited until was half way before running to the doors.

“Hey! Hey!” He began shouting, banging his fists against the inside of the door, causing the walkers outside to grow more agitated.

“You want some'? Come and get it!” He taunted again, now grabbing the pole from between the handles and reefing it out, throwing it aside.

“Come on! Come on!” He shouted as he opened the doors running back taunting them all more.

“Come on!” The walkers all followed Rick further into the barn. Rick reached the ladder, a two and a half metre gap between the undead and himself.

“Over here! Come on! You want some of this?” He shouted before hurriedly climbing the ladder more, a walkers hand narrowly missing this right boot. “(Y/n), now!” He called.

I flicked the top of the lighter up, bringing my thumb down against the wheel, the flame instantly burning. I tossed the lighter down into the numerous bodies that were now in the barn. As if in slow motion I watched as the lighter fell. The once dimly lit barn had slowly began to erupt into flames as light white smoke rose, the licks of the flames growing higher as it swallowed more walkers, the smell of burning flesh and singed hair growing more and more pungent with the sound of fire crackling and walkers groaning through the chaos. I reached out and grabbed Ricks arm, pulling him from the ladder to where Carl and I stood. My left hand gripped Carls forearm gently pulling him back as he moved forward to see what was becoming of the pile of walkers downstairs, Rick moving in between us and taking the safety off of his gun as the flames began growing higher. Gunshots began echoing outside of the barn, I looked at Rick who stood the slightest bit straighter as he heard the countless rounds of gunfire go off.

“Rick we need to get out of here.” I coughed, bringing my elbow up to cover my face as the smoke inside began to thicken. “This way.” Rick nodded, his hand on Carls shoulder, leading us backwards out of the window and onto the roof. As we made it outside the three of us halted, a gap in front of us keeping us close to the inferno inside. There were countless walkers beneath our feet, arms outstretched as if it would help them reach us. “Hey! Here! Get in here! Put it right there.” Rick called out, gaining my attention. Following his gaze I see Dales RV driving towards the barn.

“Come on!” Rick called out once more.

Getting a closer look I see Jimmy driving, pulling up next to the roof. “Come on.” Rick pulled Carl across to the roof on the right, extending a hand for me after they both crossed. “Thank you!” I huffed as I made the small jump, following him to the roof of the RV. Rick made his way to the ladder at the back of the Winnebago and climbed down, shooting at the stray walkers that noticed him. Carl was next, and I followed after he climbed down after Rick. The RV was rocking side to side from the weight of the walkers. I turned to check on Jimmy, only to see the drivers seat vacant, screams sounding out from inside as blood then flung up and painted the windscreen. “Oh Jesus Christ” I shook my head. I had Shanes gun, My gun in my hand as I followed the Grimes’. “This way!” Rick called. Carl and Rick somehow began to pick up pace, headed straight towards the woods. I aimed and shot as a walker reached out to grab Rick, the walker dropping into a heap on the ground as Rick briefly turned his head at the sound of the shot. Rick turned with is gun outstretched and he pulled the trigger, the bullet flying through the air and dropping a walker that I hadn’t even noticed behind me. I pushed through the burning of my legs and caught up to Rick and Carl. “There. Head for the woods now, as fast as you can. Come on.” The older man instructed. The three of us all made it into the woods, stealthily running through the trees as most of the walkers had gone from our trail. We kept on the move, Carl and I following Rick closely. “Whats the plan from here?” I asked as we continued to move. “We’re circling back to the house, grab who and what we can and go.” “What if they’re all gone already?” “My mom isn’t dead!” “No Carl, I meant what if we get there and everyone has left already. Then what?” I asked again. “We get into one of the cars and go, see if we can meet the others.” “Where?” Carl asked. “The highway.” I mumbled softly, both males turning to look at me. “If they all got off of the farm, the highway is where they’d go.” “What-“ “We left all of the supplies out for-“ “Sophia.” Rick finished my sentence. Rick nodded after a short silence. “Thats the plan.” He paused. “We rendezvous on the highway, go from there, the farm isn’t ours anymore.” I nodded as I watched Rick lead the way through the trees once more.

The echoes of the gunshots reaching the woods, signalling that we still had people at the farm. After ten minutes of running through the trees and the sounds of gunfire and we had made it onto the other side of the property. Reaching the tree line and looking around, most of the cars were gone, Hershel standing by the house with his shotgun, dropping walkers left, right and centre. If Hershel a week ago had witnessed that he would’ve shat twice and died, watching the future Hershel try and protect his home. Rick made his way towards the elder, Carl and I following behind. More bodies dropped as Hershel began walking backwards. “Come on!” He shouted.

As the three of us neared Hershel Rick fastened his pace, aiming and pulling the trigger, dropping the walker that had began advancing on Hershel’s back. The older man jumped and turned, eyes softening slightly as he looked between the three of us. Rick moved to stand beside the man. “Where's Lori'? Did you see Lori?” Rick asked. “I don't know what happened, Rick. They just keep coming.” Hershel began, ignoring him. “It's like a plague, they're everywhere.” The older man muttered as he watched them slowly move forward.

“Lori! Did you see her?” Rick demanded.

“No!” Hershel yelled back.

“We have to go. Find Mom and the others.” Rick stated looking at Carl, then back to Hershel, aiming at a walker and taking it down. “It's my farm!” Hershel tried to stay, but Rick firmly grasped his arm.

“Not any more! Come on!” He yelled again as he began running with Carl and Hershel.

“Come on!” Hershel repeated as he shot down more and more walkers. Rick and Carl both got into the wagon. “Hershel! Come on!”

I reached my hand out and opened the door, only to notice a walker directly behind the old man, I slammed the door shut and rushed around the back of the wagon, kicking the walker behind the knee watching it drop as I stomp on its head.

“HERSHEL!” Rick called again, the older man climbing into the backseat. “Go!” He shouted, slamming the door before I could react. The car pulled away, walkers moving towards the sound of the engine. I began to run to try and catch the car. “Rick!”I shout raising my gun and shooting a female walker in the head. “Rick! Come back!” I called again, stopping the chase as I realised it was too late. I began to run back towards the woods, I know the plan, I know where to go. Rendezvous at the highway, if we make it. I heard an echo of Ricks name being called. “Rick! Rick! Wait!”

I stopped, turning to see Andrea watching the car drive away from her. She shot a few of the walkers that tried to surround her before turning and running, picking up the weapons bag. “Andrea!” I called trying to get her attention as I began to run forward. She continued running in the other direction, walkers now separating what sight of her I did have. Walkers followed her and the ones that didn’t began to move towards me. I turned back towards the woods and began running, turning to shoot the closest walker to me, watching as it dropped before I turned back and continued to run forwards.

My lungs were burning, my legs felt like they were going to give out on me as I ran, well now half ran/ half limped towards the fence by the woods. Turning to glance behind me I notice that there aren’t too many walkers trailing me. I stop and turn fully towards the walkers, aiming my gun at their heads and shooting, watching as they all drop one by one. My head snapped to the right as a loud scream echoed out. Carol was running down the driveway, a bunch of walkers on her as she screamed. There were too many on her, and they were gaining. The distance between the both of us wasn’t that far, however regardless of the distance I know that I wouldn’t take it to her completely. “Hey! Over here!” I called as I began to jog towards the walkers and Carol. Some of the walkers in the back of the group turned, snarling and began to come towards me. “Come and get it!” I taunted, causing a few more walkers to turn their heads and begin limping to where I was.

Carol continued to run away, her screams ensuring the following behind her. I raised my arm and aimed at a walker that almost jumped for her, causing the walker to fall and slow down a few of the other walkers on her tail. I was relieved as the familiar rumble of Daryls motorcycle filled my ears. I shot another walker down. “Carol!” I called. The motorcycle slightly got louder, and I watched as Daryl pulled up to where Carol was. She quickly hopped on before they rode away, the walkers now trying to catch them. A snarl to the left of me got my attention as I turned and screamed, the walker falling onto of me as I fought it. Looking above me, all I can see are yellow rotted teeth, facial skin peeled from the temple of its eye down to its chin, clumps of coagulated blood almost black and oozing from its eyes. The walker began groaning and pushing harder. I turn my head and see my gun, I reach out as I struggle to keep the walker from me. “Fuck” I mutter, as I try to stretch my fingers out further than they can. I groan as I try with all of my might to flip myself and the walker, only to fail. Trying once more, I push upwards and to the right, rolling the walker onto its back, quickly grabbing the gun and pressing it to the walkers head, pulling the trigger as its head jarred between the ground and the barrel. Another snarl is heard, turning with the gun next to my head I aim and pull the trigger. The walker dropped as the bullet made its way through the head. The two shots had attracted more walkers, more of them moving closer and faster towards me.

I made a move to run towards the woods, but that was quickly changed when I had seen the walkers that now lined the fence. There were walkers everywhere, I turned to see where I could go, the only available path to take was the one back to the house. “Shit” I whispered as I made my way towards the farm house. Walkers were now inside the Greene’s farm house, searching for anyone that they could rip into. I ran around the back of the house, to see what remained of Patricia. My hand covered my mouth. “Oh god.” I shook my head and continued to run, nearing the sheds. “I cant believe that this is how I die.” I whisper to myself as I realised my mistake in cornering myself. I watch as what looks to be ten or so walkers heading in my direction. Shakily I raise my arms, aiming at one of their heads, pulling the trigger and watching as it dropped. I moved my aim to the next one, shooting once more, doing so a third and fourth time. I lined up the next walker and pulled the trigger, a click sounding from the gun. “Fuck.” I groan as I look around for something to defend myself with, a rusty pair of Garden shears sat halfheartedly in a pot. I reached down and grabbed it, swinging upwards, watching as the shears impaled the walkers head, getting stuck and dropping to the floor with said walker. I closed my eyes as the other walkers move closer. I waited for something to grab me as the moans and groans grew louder, only to faintly hear heavy thudding. A whinny sounded out and my eyes snapped open as I watched Besty gallop in front of me, rearing and hitting the closest walker, causing it to knock into the others. “Betsy.” I looked up at the horse, who knelt down onto her front leg and nodded her head up and down. I moved forward and climbed up, gently grabbing her mane. “Betsy.” I began as she raised herself. “Ive never ridden bareback, not like this anyway. So take it easy.” I muttered as I gently kicked her stomach to signal her to go.

Betsy broke into a gallop, manuvering around walkers. The cold night air harshly whipped at my face as we rode towards the fence. “Betsy.” I called. “Betsy, woah girl.” I tried to stop her, only to have her jump the fence.

When we landed on the opposite side of the fence, I almost fell off of her. Betsy had decided that she would pick up her speed, not that I thought that was possible. We kept on riding until we were off of the Greene’s property. “Woah girl, Woah” I gently pulled on her mane and signalled for her to stop on the road away from all of the walkers and chaos of the farm. I reached down and stroked Betsy’s neck as she stopped. “Atta girl.” I looked back to the farm, completely overrun. Bodies littered the pastures, walkers filling up whatever space was left. The barn was completely engulfed in flames, the thick black smoke rising from the flames. The Winnebago burning along with the barn. The barn’s roof began to cave in, slowly then all at once, before the barn then collapsed further in on itself as the flames grew higher.

A soft whinny from infant of me sounded and I looked back at Betsy, whose head had been turned so she could slightly see me. “Yeah girl, let’s go.” I smiled softly, leaning down and resting my face against the back of her neck, lightly giving her the signal to move.

The night was slowly fading into dawn. My legs had ached from running all night, my eyes stinging from the lack of sleep. Betsy and I had been walking along the dirt road, for over half an hour, ahead of us was an intersection. “Alright B, time to pick up pace a little girl.” I spoke gently, softly patting her neck, signalling to trot. The sign at the interstate had ben covered in dirt and mud, but the ‘F’ at the front of the sign and the ‘b’ ‘rn’ in the middle and end, provided the evidence that we were heading for the highway, and hopefully the others. I know that Daryl and Carol were okay, so was Rick, Carl and Hershel. I turned Betsy to the right as my mind continued to wonder about the others I called friends, family, even. Lori and the baby? No idea. Glenn, Maggie, T-dog, Not a clue. Andrea and Beth? Not a single inkling. What if I were to get to the rendezvous point and no-one is there? What if we all made it off of the farm, but something else had happened? Oh god. Or what if they all just left? Surely not. I closed my eyes and leant my head back, taking in a breath to help calm my nerves. Betsy whinnied and I opened my eyes again, looking back to the dirt road. Goosebumps covered my skin as the breeze turned cold. Further ahead the road had a thin layer of fog covering it. Betsy continued her way through the thin fog, swerving around cars before halting. We had reached a dead end. Betsy started to move back, turning around and waiting for me to direct her. I swung my leg around and slid off of the horse, walking to her front and gently rubbing her cheek. She sniffed and blew air, moving to follow me. I walked back towards Fairburn, stopping as Betsy whinnied from beside me. “Whats wrong?” I asked as I turned back to the horse, listening for movement around us. I look back up to see a way around the road block. Betsy was still uneasy, as she looked at her surroundings. “Alright girl, come on.” I nodded for her to follow, only to have her stand still. I heard the whinny before I noticed what had happened.

Betsy jumped forward, knocking me down onto my already sore ass. I yelped as I glanced up from the ground to see her raise her back legs and kick. The walker that I hadn’t noticed was thrown a metre back from the kick, its head exploding from the impact of the hoof. Betsy landed and whinnied, reaching down to nuzzle me. “Thank you again.” i smiled up at her, sitting up and placing my head against hers. After a few seconds, I stood up, Betsy moving back slowly. I climbed up onto the hood of the dusty car beside Betsy, swinging my leg over her back and gently pulling myself onto her. “Let’s get going girl.” I spoke softly, signalling her to move. “Let’s find the others.” I smiled softly to myself, hoping that we would.

The sun was now in the sky, soft light streaming through the gaps in the trees above. “We should be there soon girl.” I gently rubbed her neck, softly shivering at the thought of being alone. We had been riding, for close to twenty minutes, even though it had felt like longer. I heard the soft run of water. “Come on girl.” I gently nudged her to turn to the left. It didn’t take long to find the source of the stream, I smiled at the sight of the creek.

I smiled as I dismounted Betsy, leading her to the water. “Drink up girl, you’ve done well.” I smiled as she puffed, moving to the water and drinking. I moved to the water and looked down to see my reflection. Through the soft wisps of the moving water, I could see that my face was covered in dried blood, dirt and patches of soot. My arms were in a similar state. I reached into the water and scooped up some water into both hands and brung it up to my face, gently rubbing the layers. The water had gone from clear to murky as it dripped from my chin back into the stream. Betsy Neighed, gaining my attention. She moved from the water to a green patch where she began to nip at the grass. I chuckled as she ate and turned back to the water repeating washing my face. A shout in the distance startled both myself and Betsy as she whinnied, moving towards me. I stood, shaking my hands before I climbed onto Betsy’s back. My heels signalled Betsy to start moving, which she did hesitantly before she gained more confidence and followed my direction. “All right, let’s see who that was.” I used my heels to fasten her pace.

The wind blew my hair behind me wildly as Betsy picked up speed, now galloping through the woods and to the highway. After a few minutes I can hear voices arguing in the distance. “Woah.” I whispered, slowing her down as the highway came into view, familiar cars all piled up. We emerged the tree line, and I looked over the cars, only to see a familiar baseball cap maybe fifteen metres to the right, in front of one of the broken down cars, facing what I hoped was the others, My smile widened as I gently nudged Betsy in the direction, softly trotting towards it, smiling softly as I heard familiar voices arguing. I don’t know what they’re arguing about, They’re alive. The voices became louder as we trotted closer. I pulled Betsy back to stop and gently slid off, moving closer on foot, now behind Glenn. “Daryl, I’m sorry-“ “Don’t touch me!” He shouted back. “Daryl, you’ll attract walkers.” Rick hushed him. “Son, we thought she was in the car.” Hershel’s voice spoke. “Don’t call me son, Ol’ Man.” Daryl sneered. “How didn’t ya’ notice she wasn’t there when ya’ we’re driving?” He snapped. “I’m goin’ back.” He spoke, moving away. The group echoed out a string of no’s. “Daryl?” I softly called. Glenn snapped his head to see me, as did the others. But Daryl tensed on the spot. Carol let out a sob and covered her mouth. Daryl kept his back turned, his shoulders gently rising and dropping with every breath he takes. “Babe?” I spoke, voice just above a whisper. He shot around and locked his eyes on me before running over to me. I moved towards him, his arms moving around my shoulders as he buried his face into my neck, squeezing as he pulled me closer. My arms wrapped around his back, almost mirroring his enthusiasm. He sniffled as he buried his face further into my neck, feeling little wet drops against my skin, was well as the light scratches of his beard against it. “I’m here.” I whispered as a held him close, my own tears rolling down my cheeks. He nodded softly, not willing to let me go. I felt his hand move, resting on my hip, his thumb stretching out over my abdomen, gently rubbing it over the area. I smiled and softly chuckled as he relaxed further in my arms, his heartbeat slowly beating back into a steady rhythm.

“She’s okay, Dad.” Carl’s voice softly broke the silence around us. I glanced down and smiled at the boy who was smiling up at me with small teary eyes. Daryl pulled away, stealing a breath taking kiss before taking a step back. His hands reached out and grabbed at me, turning me around and inspecting me for any bites, scratches or wounds. “I’m okay.” I whispered as he checked me. He glared at me, continuing his inspection before hugging me once more. “I love ya’.” He mumbled before he moved away. Almost instantly, I was dragged into the arms of Lori and Carl. “Oh Sweetheart, thank god you’re okay.” She squeezed my shoulders as she hugged me. “Thank god, you guys are okay.” I hugged back, bending down to hug Carl properly as she moved away. I stood as Rick cleared his throat, looking down at his feet, then glancing to me. “I swear I thou-“ “It’s okay Rick, really.” I smiled, hugging the man. Rick relaxed as he hugged back. “I’m really sorry, i thought you were behind me, it wasn’t until we were out of the yard that Hershel noticed you weren’t in the car.” “Don’t apologise fro keeping your son safe.” I patted his back gently, removing myself from his arms as he took a step back to be with his family, pulling them close. Carol was the next to pull me into her ams, followed by T, Beth, Hershel, Maggie and Glenn. After the small reunion, everyone looked like they had their own questions for what had happened at the farm. I looked around our now even smaller group. “Andrea?” I asked softly, glancing at everyone, only to see Carol shake her head. “Im sorry about Patricia, She was an amazing woman.” I sadly smiled at Hershel and his daughters. I moved closer to Beth and hugged her. “Im Sorry about Jimmy.” She nodded as she held me close again. “How’d ya’ get away?” Daryl asked. I let go of Beth and smiled at the group, who hadn’t apparently noticed Betsy. “This beauty swept in like a literal white horse and rode me to safety.” I smiled as I moved around the car to where Betsy was grazing by the roadside. The group followed and Maggie let out a small laugh. “Damn Betsy.” Hershel followed with a chuckle. “I ain’t want ya’ on that thing again.” Daryl muttered, moving behind me, his palm resting on my stomach. The group let a small chuckle out at the comment. I moved closer to the horse and smiled as I rubbed my hand against her cheek resting my forehead against her face. “It’s time for you to go B.” I smiled. “Thank you for protecting Bean and I.” She whinnied softly as she nuzzled into me. “Alright, go out there, give them hell.” I moved back, sending her off. I watched as she hesitantly walked away. She left back towards the creek, hopefully she will be alright out there. “So…” I paused, looking at the others. “Where do we go from here?” I asked. “We gotta keep moving. There've been walkers crawling all over here.” Rick noted.

“I say head east.” T-dog spoke, resting against the door of the blue truck.

“Stay off the main roads.” Daryl began moving over to his bike, picking up his crossbow. “The bigger the road, the more walkers.” He raised it. “Like this asshole.” He shot the walker in the black and white diamond sweater. “We best get moving.” Rick called, getting into Hershel’s red wagon with Lori, Carl Carol and T-dog. Maggie and Glenn got into Shane’s the Hyundai, with Hershel and Beth. “I guess that means you’re stuck with me.” I smiled walking towards the bike. “Na’, go with Glenn.” “Im perfectly fine here with you.” I shook my head softly, my (e/c) looking into his icy blues. Daryl shook his head and leaned down to capture my lips with his own. He rested his forehead on my own, his eyes closed as he let out a breath. “Thought I lost ya’ both baby.” He mumbled. I pulled away from him, moving to sit on the back of his bike. As I sat down on the leather I leant back waiting for Daryl to sit. “It’s going to have to take more than that to keep us apart Daryl Dixon.” I winked softly as he moved forward, rolling his eyes.

He sat in front of me and reached behind to pull my arms around him. I smiled as I rested my cheek against his back. The engine roared to life under us as he started the motorcycle. Rick drove out first in the wagon, Daryl following behind and Glenn behind us as we headed east.

We had been driving for an hour or so, Daryl and I were now leading the ‘pack’. We hadn’t seen any walkers so far from leaving the highway. Occasionally as he rode, Daryl would move his hand to squeeze mine that rested around his middle. The sound of a horn honking behind us caused Daryl to slow to a stop. Everyone exited the cars, Daryl and I turning to see what was going on. Daryls hand softly patted my thigh as he moved to looked at Rick. “You out?” He asked. “Running on fumes.” Rick nodded coming forward.

“We can’t stay here.” Maggie spoke as she held a shot gun aimed at the ground. “We can’t all fit in one car.” Glenn spoke. “We’ll have to make a run for some gas in the morning.” Rick looked around. “Spend the night here?” Carol asked. “Im freezing.” Carl chattered as Lori put a jacket over his shoulders. “We'll build a fire, yeah?” She nodded to her son.

“If you go out looking for firewood, stay close.” Daryl spoke warning everyone. “Only got so many arrows. How you doing on ammo?” He turned to Rick.

“Not enough.” He shook his head in return, pacing.

“We can't just sit here with our asses hanging out.” Maggie sighed. ”Watch your mouth.” Hershel looked at Maggie before back to the group.

“Everyone stop panicking and listen to Rick.”

“All right, we'll set up a perimeter. In the morning, we'll find gas and some supplies.” Rick paused glancing around. “We'll keep pushing on.” He finished.

“Glenn and I can go make a run now, try and scrounge up some gas.” Maggie suggested.

“No, we stay together.” Rick states firmly.

“God forbid something happens and people get stranded without a car.” “Rick, we’re stranded now.” Glenn spoke from beside me.

“I know it looks bad. We've all been through hell and worse, but at least we found each other.” Rick paused shaking his head and taking a step back.

“I wasn't sure, I really wasn't, but we did. We're together. We keep it that way.” He looked around.

“We'll find shelter somewhere. There's gotta be a place.”

“Rick, look around, okay?” Glenn spoke as he took a step forward.

“There's walkers everywhere. They're migrating or something.”

Rick shook his head.

“There's gotta be a place not just where we hole up, but that we fortify, hunker down, pull ourselves together, build a life for each other. I know it's out there. We just have to find it.” Rick fought.

“Even if we do find a place we think is safe, we can never be sure for how long. Look what happened with the farm.” Maggie began.

“We fooled ourselves into thinking that that was safe.”

“We won't make that mistake again.” Hershel added, backing Rick up.

“We'll make camp tonight over there.” Rick pointed towards a stone area.

“Get on the road at the break of day.”

“Does this feel right to you?” Carol asked, looking at me, I shrugged.

“What if walkers come through, or another group like Randall’s?” Beth asked, moving towards Rick.

“You know I found Randall, right?” Daryl asked.

“He had turned, but he wasn't bit.” He continued. Rick looked down to the side. “How’s that possible?” Beth asked. “Rick, what the hell happened?” Lori asked after. “Shane killed Randall. Just like he always wanted to.” Daryl began, having already put together the puzzle. “And then the herd got him?” Lori asked. Rick was silent for a moment, everyone waiting for him to say anything.

“We're all infected.” His voice broke the short silence. “What?” Daryl asked. “At the CDC, Jenner told me. Whatever it is, we all carry it.”

Rick watched as Daryl moved to the side shaking his head in disbelief, I reached over and grabbed his hand.

“And you never said anything?” Carol asked, stepping around the bike. “Would it have made a difference?”

“You knew this whole time?” Glenn Asked.

“How could I have known for sure? You saw how crazy that mo-“

“That is not your call. Okay, when I found out about the walkers in the barn, I told for the good of everyone.” Glenn argued. “Well, I thought it best that people didn't know.” Rick defended himself.

After a short period of no response, Rick moved down towards our designated camping spot for the night, Lori following behind.

It didn’t take long for everyone to get set up, the sun quickly setting as T built the fire. After a few more hours and everyone eating from four cans everyone was just sitting by the fire. I was next to Daryl, tucked into his side, half asleep as someone moved and sat on the opposite side. “We're not safe with him.” Carol began in a whisper.

“Keeping something like that from us? Why do you need him? He's just gonna pull you down.” She continued. “No.” Daryl shifted beside me. “Rick's done all right by me.” He finished.

“You're his henchman and I'm a burden. We deserve better.” “What do you want?” Daryl asked.

“A man of honour.”

“Rick has honour.” Daryl defended.

“I think we should take our chances.” Maggie spoke from across the fire.

“Don't be foolish.” Her father shut it down. Something in the distance sounded, causing everyone to immediately become on edge. “What was that?” Beth asked. “Could be anything.” Daryl spoke, softly pulling away from me, standing with his crossbow at the ready.

“Could be a raccoon, could be a possum.”

“A walker.” Glenn shot.

“We need to leave. I mean, what are we waiting for?” Carol asked.

“Which way?” Glenn asked.

“It came from over there.” Maggie nodded.

“Back from where we came.” Beth nodded.

“Yeah.”

“The last thing we need is for everyone to be running off in the dark. We don't have the vehicles. No one's travelling on foot.” Rick commanded as he looked at everyone. “Don't panic.” Hershel tried to calm his daughters. “I’m not sitting here waiting for another herd to blow through.” Maggie argued. “We need to move, now.” She finished looking around. “No one is going anywhere.” Rick argued.

“Do something.” Carol glared at Rick.

“I am doing something!” He snapped. “I’m keeping this group together, alive. I've been doing that all along, no matter what. I didn't ask for this.” He began, his hand pointing the handgun towards the ground.

“I killed my best friend for you people, for Christ's sake!” He spoke as the group fell silent.

“You saw what he was like. How he pushed me, how he compromised us, how he threatened us.” He paused. “He staged the whole Randall thing, led me out to put a bullet in my back.” He sneered at the thought.

“He gave me no choice..” I felt Daryl’s eyes on my frame as more confessions spilled from Rick’s mouth.

“He was my friend, but he came after me.” Rick spoke. I looked to the side as Carl buried his face into Lori’s chest, sobbing into the jacket as she rocked him. Rick glanced around the group. “My hands are clean.”

“Maybe you people are better off without me. Go ahead.”

“I say there's a place for us, but maybe it's just another pipe dream. Maybe I'm fooling myself again. Why don't you go and find out yourself? Send me a postcard.” He ranted.

“Go on, there's the door. You can do better? Let's see how far you get.” He waited for someone to make a move, no-one moving an inch.

“No takers? Fine. But get one thing straight, if you're staying, this isn't a democracy any more.” Rick finalised, looking between each one of us. The group stayed silent for the rest of the night, everyone moving to stay somewhat closer to the warmth of the fire.

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