𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐒.|
chapter eleven; Here to stay
" So I'll ask it again; will you stay? "

  ZEPPELIN WILLIAMS WAS far less annoying than Daryl Dixion had initially assumed.

  She was silent the entire time hunting, and followed his instructions to a tee, proudly putting an arrow through a squirrel. 

  She thanked him for allowing her to tag along and insisted he keep the squirrel she caught-- even after she cleaned and skinned it.

  Which, perhaps, was why Daryl felt a little piece of her sadness when Dean informed her Beth was hurt.

  Maybe that was why Daryl sat outside the farmhouse, right on the steps, after Zeppelin had ran inside.

  Maybe that was why her sobs ringing out of the home hit him so hard.

  Daryl stood to attention as a familiar pickup truck came in hot, the brakes screaming as it slammed to a halt, Vex Williams stumbling out of it just barely as she put it in park.

  "They inside?" She breathed, approaching the house quickly.

  "Yeah," Daryl said, putting a hand on the woman's arm as she moved to enter, "Go pop a breathmint 'fore you go in there, else everyone within a mile'll know you drowned yourself in whiskey."

  Vex faltered, recoiling after his harsh statement.

  Maybe Zeppelin was why Daryl felt a brief sting of regret.

  Vex continued on past the man without another word, following his instruction by stopping in the bathroom, and swishing mouthwash around quickly.

  She fought off her buzz as she climbed the steps, approaching Beth Greene's bedroom.

  Vex's hand hovered on the doorknob for a moment, but her choice was made for her as the door wrenched open to reveal Maggie.

  "V," Maggie said, shocked.

  "I heard what happened with Bethie," Vex said quietly, "I. . . I shouldn't have left--"

  "It's not your fault," Maggie said quietly, throwing her arms around Vex in a tight embrace, "I'm glad you're back."

  Vex sighed, hugging Maggie in return.

  Maggie let go first, ushering Vex inside.

  Beth was asleep, her wrist wrapped in gauze, with Zeppelin perched on the bed beside her.

  "Mom," Zeppelin whispered through a smile, "Bethie's okay."

  "I heard," Vex whispered, "You stay with her?"

  Zeppelin nodded.

  "Good girl."

🗡

  Vex remained with Beth for an hour before Maggie informed her that Hershel wanted a word. Vex obliged, not daring to keep the man waiting.

  "I came back and you were gone."

  Vex shoved her hands in her pockets, leaning on the doorjamb as Hershel spoke.

  "Thought it was for good," Hershel said quietly.

  "Needed meds," She responded, "And a drink."

  "Yeah, me too."

  Vex sighed, walking further into the room and taking a seat beside Hershel.

  "I thought we could help them. That there would be a cure."

  "I know," She said quietly, resting her elbows on her knees, "There's no saving what's already damned, Hershel."

  He looked up, recognizing the glassy look in Vex's eyes.

  "The sickness, the walkers, whatever you want to call it," She continued, "They kill. That's all they know."

  Hershel didn't say anything for a long moment. So long, Vex wondered if the conversation was over.

  "Will you stay?"

  Vex furrowed her brows.

  "Everything I have done, has been in hopes of protecting my family, our farm," Hershel said, "You are a part of this family, Vex. Whether you like it or not. You, Dean, Zeppelin; you all are."

  She felt a lump form in her throat; blame it on the alcohol or her moping only hours prior, Vex couldn't navigate the emotional conversation as well as normal.

  "I left, same as you, I'm not exempt," He said, "But I've made my choice, made my peace."

  His hand reached out, closing around Vex's.

  "So I'll ask it again; will you stay?"

  Vex nodded, squeezing his hand in response.

  "We'll have to do hard things," She said thickly, "Things you won't like. Things that. . . can never be undone."

  "I'm starting to see that."

  "Know that you and your daughters will never have to commit them," Vex promised, "I have enough blood on my hands. Keep yours clean as long as you can."

  Vex squeezed his hand once more, before leaving the room without another word.

  She exited the house, finding Daryl Dixon and Dean Williams on the front porch in a deep silence, turning only when Vex let the screen door slam shut behind her.

  "They brought a kid back," Dean said quickly, clearly to Daryl's frustration, "Maggie's age; Randall. He said he went to school with her, so he knows."

  "Take him out and dump him somewhere," Vex answered, almost boredly.

  Until Dean divulged the entire story.

  That Glenn and Rick had faced a group while out retrieving Hershel, and were forced to shoot two men. Randall, the one they'd brought back, was injured, but had been a part of the group.

  And he knew who the Greene family was, and the farm's location.

  Dean explained they'd already been debating about his fate, and it was split before, even harsher now.

  "Okay," Vex sighed, crossing her arms, "We get info from the kid. Have a talk, all of us, after that."

  And, much to her surprise, this was exactly the plan that was approved.

WORD COUNT ; 890