𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟓𝟑𝟒

𝟏 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫, 𝟓 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟐 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤s.

⋆ ════ ⋆

I woke up to the man who had helped me when the group first found me, talking to everyone else. From what I heard, him and the lady he was with found the car that had kidnapped a girl in their group and they followed it. The lady he was with, Carol got hit by a car and kidnapped, too. I slowly made my way to where everyone was talking. "We need to get her back." Daryl murmured, as if he was talking to himself rather than everyone else. 

✦

We had a plan. We'd go and take two of their officers, and trade them for Beth and Carol. I would come, and be backup in case anything went south. I stood by the door, waiting as everyone said their goodbyes. Not that we'd be gone for that long anyways. After everyone was ready, we packed up and got into the truck. I sat in the back with Sasha, Tyreese and Daryl.

With every bump, the back door would come open. I had to hold onto it, making sure nothing fell out. After we finally arrived we stayed in a garage, waiting until sundown when we'd actually execute our plan. I stood and listened as he went over it. We'd go in and kill everyone, taking Beth and Carol. I wasn't a big fan. What if those people didn't deserve to die? What if it was a mistake? 

Suddenly, as if he heard my thoughts Tyrese spoke up. "There has to be another way." He must not of been a fan of the killing, either. I looked towards him, then to Rick. "We get two of their cops, for your two people." I added on, looking around to see what people thought. "Yeah, I get it." Rick replied, walking over towards me. "But this will work." I sighed and crossed my arms, before Daryl spoke up. "That'll work, too." I looked over and gave a small smile, appreciating the help.

So that was our new plan. Take two of the cops, get their two people back. We walked over towards an alleyway. We would fire a shot to get their attention, then take them to the hospital and trade. 

✦

After the first shots were fired, the cop car came up quickly. I still had the gun Rick had lent me, so that was what I used when we ambushed them. They listened when Rick told them to kneel. I grabbed the weapons that were on the ground, handing them both to Rick.

Suddenly, another car came and the cops we had just tied up got in, and drove away. I ran after it, tucking the pistol in my waistband as we came around a bend into a burned down alleyway. There were decomposing bodies everywhere. 

We started running after them again, but I watched as Daryl slowed down and walked towards the car. I followed behind him, reaching for my gun. 

I followed him towards the burnt camper. "what are you doing? did you seem something?" I asked, keeping my voice down. I waited, but he gave no response and continued to search the camper. I sighed and followed him, regretting my discussion to follow him. But as he opened the camper, one of the cops came charging at him, pinning him down. 

I guess he didn't see me, as he only focused on keeping Daryl pinned down. I ran over, holding the gun to his head.  "Get off." I warned, but he didn't listen. He didn't even react, he continued to hold Daryl on the ground. 

I held my breath as I fired the gun, instantly sending him onto the ground with a loud thud. I stood there, my gun still aimed on the cop, despite him being dead. As I waited for Daryl to get up. 

Daryl grunted in response, as he walked over towards the cops lifeless body, patting it down and checking for any weapons he might've been carrying. I lowered my gun and tucked it back into my waistband as Rick and the others came back. 

Rick didn't say anything about the cop, he didn't even acknowledge it. He just nodded, and we made our way back.

✦

I tied one of the cops to a pillar. She had neat brown hair, tied in a messy bun. "You want anything?" I offered with a smile, trying not to be too down about the current situation. "Water would be nice." She looked up at me from where she was tied too. I nodded and got a small plastic bottle. I carefully untied one of her hands, so she could drink without my assistance. She gave me a soft smile, reaching for the bottle and carefully holding it up to her lips.

I then sat against the wall, waiting until we were ready to go. Daryl then walked over, and I looked up as he stood in front of me. "Thanks." He grumbled, walking away before I could respond. I watched as he walked away, swinging his arms as he walked. 

I made my way to the top of the garage, leaning against the barricade that prevented me from falling off. I watched the ground below, observing the walkers that had melted to the pavement. I couldn't imagine being stuck the ground for the rest of my life, silently begging to be put out of my misery. But suddenly, interrupting my thoughts I heard Rick calling my name. I assumed it was time to go, so I grabbed the bag I had set down and made my way down the emergency stairs.

Once I made it to ground floor, I walked over towards the car we were going to take. I opened the trunk and loaded the bag of weapons in, before shutting it and sitting in the backseat.

✦

We drove over to a closer garage. Me, Daryl, Sasha, and Tyrese stayed there while Rick stood in the hospital parking lot. I had a pair of binoculars, watching as Rick negotiated. I wouldn't be much help, since all I had was a lousy pistol. I watched as Rick approached the car, as two different cops came out and approached him. 

I couldn't make out what they were saying, but I watched as Rick negotiated. Judging from the cops body language, I assumed they were genuinely thinking about it.

Daryl walked over beside me, leaning against the barrier. "Hey, lemme take a look." He spoke in a thick souther accent, his voice barely above a grumble. I placed the binoculars in his held out hand, then took a step back so I wouldn't block his vision. 

After a few seconds of standing there, he turned around and handed them back to me, and walked away. I stood there, taking in the sight from afar before holding the binoculars back up to my eyes and looking out through them again. Daryl came back with a gun, and now I was the only one without a weapon aimed at the exchange.

Tyrese kept his focus on the prisoners, making sure they didn't try anything. I leaned my arms against the railing, my shirt protecting my elbows from the concrete.

✦

We all walked into the hospital. I had my gun, but left it tucked in, not trying to draw any attention or bad vibes. Rick opened the doors leading into the hallway. I now could see clearly down the hallway, immediately being able to recognize Beth and Carol from the groups descriptions of them. At first we only gave the male cop, for Carol, who was pushed towards us in a wheelchair.  Dawn, then brought Beth over as Rick brought the second cop. I gave a soft smile towards Beth, I could tell she didn't recognize me.

"I only need Noah now, then you could leave." I turned around, looking at Dawn. Noah started to walk over, but Daryl stopped him and walked over. I quickly realized this wasn't gonna end well. If we aren't able to come to an agreement, something's gonna happen. I bit my lip, trying to hide my nervousness. Beth started to walk over, and I placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to stop her but she only looked at me. She walked over, hugging Noah then approaching Dawn.

Beth stood in front of Dawn. "I get it now." She said, before taking out a small pair of surgical scissors and stabbing her on her chest. Dawn fired her gun right into her head. 

I put a hand over my mouth, holding back a scream as I watched her body fall to the ground. Daryl took out his pistol, but this time I looked away. I kept my gaze on the ground as I heard another loud bang, then a thud. 

I walked over towards Beth's body. I placed a hand on her forehead, holding back tears. I stepped back as Daryl picked up her limp body. We made our way out of the hospital, approached by the rest of the group. I walked beside Beth and Daryl. I watched as Maggie fell over. I ran towards her, grabbing her hand and giving it a squeeze. She didn't look at me. She kept her gaze on Beth, screaming and crying.

This was when I realized, death in this world was inevitable. Not that it ever wasn't, but it's different. She was just another dead girl, and there would be more people like her. 

════ ⋆★⋆ ════

NOTEPAD

•1571 words!

• okokok I promise the chapters are gonna start getting longer

• Daryl and Esmé finally talk?!

• don't forget to comment and vote! ♡