Adult-FanFiction.org : Television / Streaming

Safe Haven in the Chaos	By : IdrilsSecret Category: S through Z > The Walking Dead Views: 6517 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the walking dead or any of the characters. No money is being made from the writing of these stories

Chapter List
- 71
- 72
- 73
Chapter 73 Winter’s Edge

It would take Daryl and the others a while to get back to the Kingdom. They needed to report their findings, let down multiple family members who had lost loved ones, and call a meeting with the leaders of all communities. All but one leader, Daryl thought. He found it difficult to believe Tara was dead. It was a shock to everyone that all of them were dead. Hilltop had lost their head fighter not long ago, and now they lost their leader. There wasn’t anyone next in line. Maggie was still out there somewhere, but she had stopped sending correspondence. Perhaps something happened to her too, Daryl wondered. Someone would need to take over, at least until they elected another Hilltopper to run the place.

“They’ll be looking to you,” said Michonne, as they walked along further back from Carol, Siddiq and Yumiko.

“I’m no leader,” Daryl said. He never wanted to be a leader, and he still didn’t.

“You’re going to have to be … for the people.”

“What about Lydia? I can’t take her there. They already blame her for Jesus’ death. They’ll string her up for this because it was her mother.” Daryl made an excellent point.

“She can still come to Alexandria. We’ll take care of her. We’ll keep her safe. I think there’s still a decent chance that the Whisperers don’t know where our community is. As everyone predicted, Alpha took her revenge on Hilltop.”

Daryl considered her offer, but he wasn’t completely convinced. “All that bitch has to do is look at a map. She’ll find the safe zone, and what then?”

“Winter is setting in soon. They won’t be able to travel far in colder weather. Remember what Lydia said. They would take the herd and head south. It’s not to their benefit to head north right now. We all know that the walkers get slow in the cold. The Whisperers will be vulnerable. Besides, Alpha must think that we’ll seek revenge. She’s not going to put herself at risk for attack.”

“Sounds like you’ve been mulling this over,” Daryl said.

“Trust me, I’ve been trying to think of ways to find them and take them down. The problem is, we aren’t exactly sure how many there are. And with them hiding amongst the herds, it makes it even more difficult to scope them out.”

“Doesn’t mean all of them will head south either. She’ll leave scouts behind. They’ll be watching the borders. And when winter’s gone, she’ll come back.”

“We don’t know that for sure,” Michonne pointed out.

“Alpha’s like no other enemy we’ve fought. The Governor, Terminus, Negan … they all faced us for a war. The Whisperers don’t do things that way. They dress like walkers for protection. They dress like us, and walk amongst us when their ready to strike out. I keep getting the feeling we’re being watched, and I can’t shake it. She was at the Kingdom, for God’s sake. She spoke to Aaron. It could have been his head up there, and knowing how close he came to that happening has me scared.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you tell anyone that before,” Michonne said, walking close to him so they didn’t have to talk loud.

“Believe me, it’s not the first time. I’ve just never admitted it out loud to anyone before.”

Up ahead, Siddiq stumbled. Yumiko stopped to help him, but Carol kept walking, not even acknowledging it. Michonne and Daryl noticed this and they glanced at one another. Michonne nodded. “I’ll help Siddiq. You go with Carol.”

Daryl trotted ahead and mimicked her pace when he caught up to her. “Hey, you good?”

“I have to be,” she said. It was something they always said to each other when they were being challenged. It was promising that she said this because it usually meant they were still fighting.

Daryl and Carol walked along in silence for a while. He knew just being there was enough for the moment. If she wanted to talk, she would start the conversation. Everyone was still in shock, and Carol probably more than the others.

He couldn’t help feel guilty about Henry, about all of them. It had been his decision to keep Lydia. He gave her back once, but there was no way his conscience would allow it a second time. When he and Connie rescued Henry, and Lydia came with them, Daryl knew he would never take her back to her mother. He thought that she had suffered more than he had during his childhood. At least Daryl could leave the house when his father was drunk. He could get away for a few days if he had to, and let his father cool down before coming back. Lydia was stuck with no way out but death. Meeting Henry had been her first taste of freedom, of knowing how other people lived and survived in this life. To go back to her mother would have pushed her further down into hell, so far down she might not have come back. Daryl knew. He’d been that far down once, and lost Aaron in the process.

Aaron. He needed to get back to him, make sure he was all right. He needed Aaron to go home and stay there, stay safe. The idea of Lydia going to Alexandria made Daryl nervous. Alpha thought Lydia was at Hilltop and she devastated the place in just a matter of hours without ever stepping foot inside. What would she do if she found out Lydia was in Alexandria? Aaron was there too. She would know him now. She would know that he and Daryl had a past, and she might use that against him. He hoped Michonne was right with her assumption and Lydia’s information about the Whisperers moving south in the winter months. It would give Daryl time to figure out what to do.

“I keep thinking about Ezekiel,” Carol said out of the silence. “Henry was his before he was mine. How am I going to be able to tell him?”

“It doesn’t have to be you,” Daryl told her.

“But it does. It has to be me.” She moved along at a slower pace than usual, and no one said anything, though they needed to get to the Kingdom quickly. “When Sophia died, it was just me. I didn’t have to tell anyone. Everyone was there when she walked out of that barn, and they saw it for themselves. Only I had to suffer. Doing it alone somehow made it easier.” She glanced at Daryl. “I don’t know how Ezekiel and I will make it through this.”

“You love each other, and that’s what matters.”

“You and Aaron loved each other, and when Caleb died . . .” She didn’t finish the sentence. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t use Caleb as an example.”

“It’s fine, and in a way you’re right. When Caleb died, it was the last straw for me. I took a plunge into darkness. I’m mostly to blame for our breakup, not Aaron, because I was already heading in that direction to begin with. What you and the king have is different.”

“Is it?” Carol doubted.

“I had already lost Aaron by the time Caleb died. I’d lost myself too. But you and Ezekiel are strong together. I think you’ll both see it through, as difficult as it might be.”

Carol took Daryl’s hand in hers. “I hope you’re right.”

>>------->

Aaron was at the gate with the others who volunteered for the search party. As the fair progressed the day before, reports came in about people missing. The first ones reported were two teenagers. At first it was thought they had just gone off somewhere, as teens tended to do, but their parents insisted that something was amiss. But then other people came up missing, people that wouldn’t have disappeared without telling someone where they were going. Tara and Enid were among them. It wasn’t until after the movie began that the real worry started. Lydia found Ezekiel and told him about her mother approaching her, luring her out of the theater, and confronting her outside. Warning signals went up, and a group formed to begin the search for Alpha and the missing people. When Lydia told Ezekiel that Henry never met her for the movie, he became doubly worried. Lydia was interrogated, but she didn’t have much to offer. The parents of the missing teens started intimidating her, and Aaron stepped in as Daryl had done many times before.

A thorough search of the Kingdom resulted in no sign of foul play. The people were just gone. Ezekiel, Gabriel, Rachael and Aaron asked that the last ones to see the missing come forward, and interviews began. It seemed everyone went missing about the same time, but no one had seen a thing.

Because the sun had set, it wasn’t very wise to start a long range search outside the Kingdom. A group of eight people gathered, split into teams of two, and cautiously searched the immediate area. When nothing came up, they agreed to wait until sunlight to send out a much larger group that could go farther and cover more ground. And that’s where Aaron was at the moment, checking his horse’s saddle, attaching his bag, checking his weapons, and getting ready to head out.

The sun was up, and everyone was getting anxious. And just as they were almost ready to leave, the gate opened and in walked Daryl, Michonne, Carol, Yumiko, and one of the missing people, Siddiq.

Aaron could tell by the expressions on their faces that it had been a long night, and that something bad happened. He would never be prepared for what he was about to hear.

Daryl saw him and came straight to him, dropping his crossbow as he walked. The closer he got, the more devastated he looked. There were even tears threatening his eyes.

“Daryl, what–” Aaron started to say, but Daryl took Aaron into his arms and held him tighter than he could ever remember. His breath was staggered as he tried to keep it together, not wanting everyone to see his emotional state.

“Are you all right?” Aaron asked calmly into Daryl’s ear. “What happened? Talk to me.”

“They’re dead. They’re all dead,” Daryl whispered, still holding Aaron in his arms.

“Who?”

“Enid, Tara, Henry … everyone that’s missing except Siddiq. She killed them. That bitch Alpha killed them all. And then she … she . . .” He had to stop talking and catch his breath.

“Come with me. Let’s go somewhere quiet. Okay?” Aaron said. He had to pry Daryl off of him.

“All right,” said Daryl, sounding like a child. It was all very out of character for a man who he’d never seen so upset to the point he could hardly speak.

The booths were still set up, but there was no one around. The fair had been canceled after the people turned up missing last night. Aaron led him to one of the closer booths. Daryl sunk to the ground behind the canvas screen. Aaron sat beside him. No one could see them or hear them.

“Tell me what happened,” said Aaron, cupping the side of Daryl’s face. Tears that had been a threat earlier now flowed freely.

Daryl told him everything that happened, from the fight with the walker herd to the discovery of the spikes. “And with every face, I kept praying that the next one wouldn’t be yours,” he finished. He grabbed Aaron’s hand and brought it to his chest. “You met her. She was here. She knew who you were. She talked to you. She knew about us.” His tone was desperation and fear.

Aaron had to think, but it didn’t take long for him to remember the odd woman in the green dress. “That was Alpha?”

“She could have taken you, and then you would have been out there on a post. I think the only reason she didn’t was because she was looking for Hilltop people. That’s who she sought revenge against. Ozzy and Alek were there because they found them before they were killed and tried to save them, but . . .” His words trailed off.

The hair rose on the back of Aaron’s neck when he thought about how close he had come to danger. “She said her name was Deborah and she was from Hilltop. I found it strange that I didn’t recognize her after being there for so long, but she said she was new. And I believed her.”

Daryl took Aaron’s face in his hands and looked deep into his eyes. “It terrifies me to know you stood face to face with her, not knowing who or what she was. If it had been you on one of those spikes . . .” Daryl wouldn’t finish the sentence. It was to frightening to think about. “You need to go home, Aaron. Go back to Alexandria with Michonne and the others. You’re not safe here. Not at Hilltop either.”

“What makes you think I’d be safe in Alexandria? The Whisperers found Hilltop and the Kingdom. They can find the Safe Zone too,” Aaron stated.

“They might not know about it yet. Alexandria is furthest away. They have no quarrel with them.”

“Come with me,” Aaron said with desperation. He feared for Daryl’s safety more than his own. Alpha had called him out as the leader. “Come back to Alexandria. I don’t like the thought of you being so far away where I can’t help you.”

Daryl wanted nothing more than to be closer to Aaron. He was a constant worry on his mind, but he kept thinking about his conversation with Michonne. “I don’t think I can.”

“Why? Is it because of Negan? Is it because of me? Why won’t you come back?” Aaron asked desperately.

Daryl didn’t want the responsibility that was being thrown at him, but he knew there wasn’t anyone else who could take on the job “I think my place right now is at Hilltop. With Tara gone they’re leaderless. With Jesus gone, they’re army is weak.”

“Let them sort it out amongst themselves,” Aaron said, and there was a slight tinge of anger coating his words.

Daryl put his hands over Aaron’s, and looked down at their connection as he spoke. “I … I can’t, but it’s not because I don’t want to. I miss … Alexandria. I miss having a home.” He wished he could have said more, admitted that it was Aaron he missed most, but he couldn’t.

“Daryl, I–” Aaron started to complain.

Daryl interrupted. “I have to go to Hilltop. It’s where I’m needed.”

Aaron got up from the ground and dusted off his pants. There was no use trying to change the mind of the most stubborn man he’d ever known. When Daryl was on a mission, there was no stopping him. “I understand.”

Daryl stood and looked to the rest of the group they had left behind to have a moment alone. “Thanks,” he said, knowing from Aaron’s tone that he wished to argue the point, but held his tongue.

“No, I get it, and you’re completely right. Hilltop needs a leader, and I can’t think of anyone better to step into the role.” Aaron forced a smile. “What about Lydia?”

“She’s coming with me,” he said.

“You really think that’s a good idea? The people will want to persecute her for her mother’s crimes,” Aaron said. If he couldn’t make Daryl come back home, the least he could do was argue for the girl’s safety.

“Safest place for her right now is with me. I know I can protect her, no matter what anyone else thinks.” Especially her mother, he thought to himself.

“You’re doing the right thing,” Aaron eventually said. “I know you are. It just … sucks.”

“I’m not running away this time. I’m doing what I think is best. Who knows what the future holds. Maybe Hilltop will regroup over the next few months, and they will elect a new leader. Let’s get through the winter and see where things are,” Daryl suggested.

“By then, the people of Hilltop won’t want to let you go,” Aaron smiled with encouragement.

“I don’t know. I made a mess of things at the Sanctuary.”

“That was a totally different situation. Those people didn’t want to be a part of something bigger. Hilltop does.”

“We’ll see,” Daryl doubted. People tended to get under his skin when they looked up to him. Not everyone, but most. “You know I don’t like being in this position.”

“You take care of things in Hilltop. Perhaps when the weather warms in a few months, you’ll come back for a visit,” Aaron said unconvincingly.

“Maybe,” Daryl answered, and he left it at that.

>>------->

A couple months passed. Daryl moved to Hilltop, taking Lydia with him. It was a difficult adjustment. No one wanted her there, but Daryl set the town straight. They were a package deal, and if they wanted Daryl to be in charge, they would have to let her live there peacefully. It wasn’t her fault, what happened. Lydia was a victim too, and when Daryl told them how horribly her mother had treated her, he made it clear that he wouldn’t have left her there no matter what. He’d take on every Whisperer to keep her safe. No one deserved to be treated the way Alpha treated her own flesh and blood. It had gained some sympathy with some of the residents. But those who were directly affected, those who lost loved ones refused to accept her as a member of their community.

Because of the dirty looks she got, and the way some people ignored her or treated her like a leper, Lydia seemed to fold into herself. She was miserable, and Daryl couldn’t find a way to bring her out of her slump. A few times Lydia threatened to disappear so he didn’t have to worry about her anymore. He would remind her that it was only temporary, and that when the weather warmed, they would to go Alexandria. She didn’t run away, and Daryl did his best to lead the Hilltop.

Eugene’s radio booster had been a success, and the Kingdom could communicate with Hilltop. He was even able to install another one, and Hilltop could talk with Alexandria now. And so it was a cold day in December when Hilltop got word that the Kingdom needed help.

The infrastructure at the Kingdom continued to deteriorate. Ezekiel thought he could keep it running through the winter, and when it warmed, ask for help from the other communities to get things fixed. But so far, winter had come sooner and harsher than he predicted. The pipes froze and burst. The generators broke down, and with people trying to stay warm, fires broke out and spread through a couple of their buildings. They couldn’t stay any longer. Ten people would be squeezed into a space that could only hold four or five. Others were sleeping on mattresses lined up in the auditorium or the mess hall. Food was running out with no way to restock it. Conditions were bad, and they wouldn’t make it through the winter.

It was decided amongst the leaders of the communities that the people of the Kingdom would have to leave and come to Hilltop. Alexandria would help, and they would provide food to Hilltop in order to make up for the extra people. Winter would be difficult to get through, but it could be done with everyone’s help. And the move would need to happen now. December was cold, but January and February were the worst months for snow, and they were already into December by a week.

With the radio working, Daryl and Aaron were able to talk from time to time. It had been a couple weeks since they heard from each other, so when Daryl radioed to find out when Alexandria was coming, it was no surprise that Aaron was there to receive the call.

“You sound good,” Aaron said. “How’s life as a leader.”

“I’ll be glad when they hold their first election, and I made sure I wasn’t on the ballot. No write-ins either.”

“I told you the people would like you.”

“How’s things on your end?” Daryl asked.

“Not bad. Could be better,” he said, and Daryl knew he was referring to them.

“Just a few more months,” Daryl reminded him, same as he reminded Lydia.

“Actually, it won’t be that long. I’m coming to help move the Kingdom,” Aaron said.

“I figured you’d stay there, watch things while Michonne and Gabriel are gone.”

“Gabriel is going to stay here. Michonne wants the stronger fighters to come. Besides, I wasn’t going to miss an opportunity to see you.”

“Just be careful,” Daryl said. He was worried about anyone who traveled, though there hadn’t been any incidents with any Whisperers since that horrible day on the hill.

“We’re meeting up at Hilltop, and bringing the extra supplies with us,” Aaron told him. “Then we’ll go to the Kingdom from there. We’ll have plenty of carts to take people, too.”

“Sounds good. I, uh, I –” Daryl caught himself about to admit he missed Aaron. He wasn’t ready to speak so freely just yet. “I’ll see you soon.”

“See you in a couple days. Out.” Aaron smiled as he spoke so that Daryl could hear it in his voice.

The transmission ended and Daryl leaned back in the office chair, staring the radio as he breathed deep. It would be good to see Aaron again, though they would be too busy to have a proper visit. At this point, anything would be welcomed. He hadn’t seen Aaron since they left the Kingdom in the fall. He had to curb his excitement, though what he wished he could do was spend some quiet time with him, alone in a room so they could get to know each other again in private. That wasn’t going to happen, he reminded himself. For now they were friends. Maybe that’s all they would be from here on out. He kept thinking of the kiss they shared months ago, of how right it felt, but also how wrong. It had been too soon after Jesus died, and Daryl wouldn’t allow anything to ruin their friendship. It took them years to get back to where they were now.

Two days later, the caravan from Alexandria arrived. They filled the yard and everyone came to unload the supplies. Daryl ran out and found Michonne first. After he greeted her, he started directing people as to where to put the supplies. As he worked, he looked around until he saw Aaron. He was at the back of the caravan, already unloading crates of potatoes, and jars of food. They even had extra firewood, knowing they would need it with all the extra people.

Aaron looked up from what he was doing and saw Daryl looking back. He smiled and waved, said something to the person beside him, patted him on the back and hurried to Daryl. They came together for a hug, but tamed it down, not wanting to draw attention to themselves, but their eyes spoke volumes.

“It’s good to see you,” Aaron said when they separated.

“You too. You look good.” Daryl tugged on Aaron’s beard. “When you gonna shave this off?”

“Why does everyone ask me that?” Aaron joked. “I think I better keep it through the winter. Helps to keep me warm.”

Daryl thought of a witty comment about keeping him warm, but he couldn’t say it. Instead, he gave a half smile. “You better get back to work. We’re leaving today. There’s no time to spare. Temps have been falling the last few days. We need to get everyone back here as quickly as possible.”

“Sounds good to me. Michonne’s anxious to get going anyway. You can ride with me if you want,” Aaron offered, sounding hopeful.

With reluctance, Daryl shook his head. “I better stay up front with Lydia. Things haven’t been so smooth around here.” He glanced over the yard until he saw her. She was standing off to the side, watching others work. No one paid her any attention or offered for her join in. “There’s still some who don’t want her here, and they definitely don’t want her tagging along to the Kingdom.”

“Sorry to hear it. She’s a good kid,” Aaron offered, and Daryl nodded.

A couple hours later, they all moved out with empty carts ready to be filled by the Kingdomers. It would take longer than the usual half a day to reach the Kingdom. They were moving slower than normal with so many in tow. They would move even slower once they had the carts filled and traveled with women, children and elderly. But they were all in it together, and they would get it done.

>>------->

It was an uneventful trip, and they arrived at the Kingdom just before sunrise. The people of the Kingdom knew Alexandria and Hilltop were coming, and they had prepared to leave. Even still, it took a while to organize and load up, and to decide who traveled by cart or horse, or who walked. They stayed one night, even though there wasn’t room for everyone, but they made due.

It was late, and Daryl couldn’t sleep. He walked around, bundled up in layers of clothes, and covered by the blanket he took off his bed. He left Lydia in her cot inside the auditorium. She had been extremely quiet this entire time. She seemed depressed. Daryl had to remind her to eat and drink all the time. He wasn’t sure what to do about her. She wasn’t happy at Hilltop. He couldn’t blame her, especially with people staring at her with hardened eyes. Daryl didn’t have time to deal with her right now. He just had to make sure she was still with him, and that she got enough nourishment.

As he walked past a building, Aaron stepped out beside him. “You can’t sleep either?” Daryl said.

“The guy in the bunk next to me snores like a bear. And … I saw you get up and leave. You want company?”

“Sure.” They fell in step, shoulders bumping occasionally. Both men were bundled up. It was very cold and there was a hint of wind blowing. Daryl looked up, but there weren’t any stars. The sky was thick with clouds. “I don’t like the way the weather is turning. Makes me think there’s something brewing out there.”

“Better not be. We’ve got a long way to go tomorrow, and a slow ride to get there.” Aaron mimicked Daryl and looked up.

Daryl stole a glance at Aaron while he watched the sky, studying the way his lips curved into a slight smile, the length of his eyelashes as he blinked, and the way his Adam’s apple bobbed when he swallowed. He couldn’t watch for too long or things would start happening that was out of his control.

“How’s Lydia?” Aaron asked, as though he could read Daryl, and decided to bring the moment back into control.

“I don’t know what to do with her. She’s not happy at Hilltop. She never smiles, barely eats. I know she misses Henry. She feels guilty, lost, depressed. I just keep reminding her that things will get better in time.”

“She’s lost a lot in a short amount of time.” Aaron bumped his shoulder again. “I think it’s good that you keep an eye on her. She trusts you. You’re all she’s got right now.”

“Yeah,” Daryl responded, seeming unconvinced. “I just hope she doesn’t disappear on me. She’s threatened to run away, go off on her own where she can’t remind people of the bad things that happened. It’s a lot for her to bear right now. I thought helping people with the move might bring her out of her slump, but there’s been no change.”

“Want me to talk to her?” Aaron offered. “She can travel with me tomorrow.”

“Naw. I better keep her close to me. There’s always someone who talks down to her, and it’s better if I’m there to stick up for her.”

Aaron smiled. “You’re good with her. You were good with Henry too.”

Daryl’s face shifted to something darker, his eyes turning down instead of straight ahead. “If I was good with Henry, he’s still be alive.”

“Please don’t go that route,” Aaron warned. In the past, Daryl’s guilt always came between them, and it usually won. But there wasn’t much between them right now. They had their friendship, but it was still a fragile thing.

“I try not to, but my mind keeps going back to when Carol and Henry came to my camp, when she asked me to mentor him, keep an eye on him when she sent him to Hilltop. I constantly wonder if I did enough, and when I remember seeing his head on that spike, I know I didn’t.”

“You got him home,” Aaron reminded him. “Your watch was over. Henry was back under his parents care. It’s not their fault either. It’s not anyone’s fault what happened to any of them. No one, especially you, could have predicted what was going to happen. It was disgusting and cruel, and if Alpha comes back this way, she won’t survive for very long. There are four communities of people who all want to see her dead.”

“I guess you’re right, as usual. Some things never change,” said Daryl, the darkness giving way to lighter conversation.

Aaron was glad they were getting along so well. Daryl was a changed man. Perhaps spending all those years on his own, alone in the wilderness, helped him come back from the place he’d sunk into. For so long, Daryl was drowning in a sea of despair. He’d told Aaron this himself when he explained why he pushed Aaron away as he did, stating his fear of pulling Aaron down along with him.

“When are we heading out tomorrow?” Aaron asked, making small talk.

“We’ll give everyone a chance to take one more look around, get something to eat, and then we’ll head out,” Daryl said. He pulled the blanket around him tighter when the wind seemed to pick up. “I only wish they’d left a little sooner. This weather isn’t going to hold out much longer.”

“It is definitely unseasonably cold. It’s not usually this frigid for another month or so.” Aaron had on layers of clothes, and a puffy jacket, and he still shivered.

Daryl could feel him shiver at his side. “You cold?”

“I’ll be all right,” said Aaron, ignoring the icy wind that seemed to cut right through all his layers.

Daryl opened the blanket and draped half of it around Aaron’s shoulders. Aaron glanced sideways and smiled at him. Daryl couldn’t look away. Aaron was such a handsome man, maybe more now than before. They were both a little older, and a little wiser, but Daryl’s passion for him hadn’t faltered.

Aaron felt Daryl’s eyes on him, and dared to return a look of hunger. He slowed his pace, forcing Daryl to do the same.

“You okay?” Daryl asked, concerned that Aaron wasn’t feeling good.

Aaron nodded with a smile. “I’m just glad you’re here,” he admitted.

There was nothing Daryl wanted more than to take Aaron into his arms and kiss him, to find a quiet spot where they could rekindle what they used to have. He wouldn’t act on it, of course. Aaron was his friend now, and he wouldn’t ruin that. “I’m glad I’m here too,” he responded with a smirk.

Aaron laughed lightly and bumped his hip against Daryl’s. Eventually, they parted and went back to their bunks, but each man held the other in his mind as they tried to get some sleep before the sun rose.

>>------->

Morning. The Kingdom was busy with people moving in all directions, loading carts, fixing saddles, running in and out of buildings to gather up last minute items that had been forgotten. No one knew for sure if they would ever be back, and so nothing important was left behind.

Though they were busy, they were solemn and silent as they worked. There was a sadness that clung to the air, a feeling of despair, of failure. Many thought the Kingdom would last forever, but like most things in the world, it was only temporary. This made Daryl consider the other communities, and how they had grown and spread over the years. The difference between them and the Kingdom was advancement. The Kingdom was large, but their goal was to keep the existing buildings and machinery usable. Hilltop and Alexandria built new buildings and expanded beyond what they originally had to work with. It insured that there would always be a place for everyone. If the Kingdom was to survive on its own again, they would need to do the same, whether in their original community or somewhere new. For now, they would settle at Hilltop.

Daryl came out of the mess hall with two trays of food. It was a meager spread, but they had to conserve what they had. There wasn’t much, and the supplies they brought with them were only enough to get their people to Hilltop.

Lydia was sulking at one of the tables in the courtyard, slumped in her chair, a frown on her face and eyes devoid of emotions. Daryl approached and sat the tray on the table in front of her. “You need to eat.”

“I’m not hungry,” she mumbled without looking up at him.

Daryl took a seat next to her and wasted no time digging into his plate of oatmeal. He hated oatmeal, but he ate it anyway. “This could be the only food you get until we stop tonight.”

Lydia sighed deep and picked up her spoon, pushing the food around to make it look like she was going to eat.

Daryl was getting fed up with her. There was nothing he could do or say that would bring her out of this depression. He was upset that she didn’t appreciate the risks he took for her, to save her from her mother, to keep her safe from those who would rather see her run away. He knew she still mourned Henry, but it had been a few months now. Henry was gone, but life moved forward. Maybe Daryl was just impatient. He’d never been one to wallow in sadness for long. Anger and revenge, yes, but not despair. Whenever he felt that way, he kept himself busy, or headed out into the woods to kill walkers. He needed to stay on the move in order to keep depression at bay. Lydia had let it consume her, turning her into a lump of flesh and bones that wouldn’t do anything unless ordered to.

He scarfed down the oatmeal in a few bites and got up from the table. “Make yourself useful today. Go around and check on people. Offer to help wherever you can so we can get on the road,” he ordered. She nodded without looking up, and continued to push her food around her plate. “And eat that or I’ll force feed it to you. And don’t think I won’t.”

Lydia rolled her eyes up at him, and stuck a spoonful into her mouth with attitude. Daryl shook his head and grunted in frustration. As he took his plate back to the kitchen, he saw Aaron in line and went to him. Aaron smiled when he saw him. At least someone was happy this morning.

“Did you ever get to sleep?” Aaron asked.

“Not really. You?”

“I dosed, but that’s all.” Aaron noticed Daryl’s dismal frame of mind. “Trouble?”

“Lydia,” Daryl said. That one word was all he needed to say, and Aaron understood. “I’ve tried to pull her out of this depression or whatever it is, but she won’t change. It’s like pulling teeth with her.”

“I wonder if this is what I have to look forward to when Gracie gets older,” said Aaron with a contended smile.

“At least you get to build up to it.” Daryl shook his head in frustration and changed the subject. “How’s things looking around here?”

“We should be ready to go soon. I’m just waiting to see what the King and Queen say.” Aaron gave a sly glance at Daryl.

“God, don’t say that to Carol. She’ll throw a fit.”

“I know. I already made that mistake once, and I won’t do it again,” Aaron laughed. “Well, I’m going to make my rounds so we can get out of here.”

“See you on the road,” Daryl said as Aaron reached out to grab his shoulder. The hand was familiar, and lingered a while longer than expected, bringing back memories of their past when a single touch had meant so many things all at once. Daryl missed those days, and the longer he was around Aaron the more he longed to return to that familiarness. But they had a job to do, and Daryl had a community to run. The opportunity wasn’t there, and part of him wondered if it ever would be.

>>------->

Daryl walked along the road, Lydia never far from his side. He watched over her like a guardian, always aware of those around her, and the whispers of unkind words. Most people ignored her. Whether they did it out of fear or spite, he couldn’t tell. Only those brave enough spoke their mind, and right now Alden was taking his turn.

A few walkers had been spotted out in a field they were passing by. The entire caravan got quiet as they observed them. No one would ever be sure again as to whether these were walking dead or Whisperers spying on them. It was a horrible feeling that everyone shared, and each person dealt with it differently. For Alden, he was reminded of that day at the fair, when it was announced that the missing people had been slaughtered and used as markers, their heads the only thing left of them. One of them had been Enid, his girlfriend, and someone he’d seen himself spending the rest of his life with. Unable to keep his emotions to himself, he rode up next to Lydia.

“Is that them? Is that your people out there watching us?” he asked with hatred coating his words. He glanced out across the field. “We’ve followed their rules and stayed out of their lands. Can’t they leave us alone? Haven’t they done enough to us?”

“Hey,” Daryl called out with force, and Alden looked back at him. “Why don’t you lay off?”

That was all he needed to say, and Alden guided his horse ahead, only after giving Lydia one last angry, hateful stare.

“You don’t have to protect me,” Lydia said. “I know how they all feel about me.”

“That doesn’t mean they can talk to you like that,” Daryl told her. He could feel her guilt and pain. It was always radiating from her, and he didn’t know how to comfort her. Neither one was good at expressing their feelings. It was one thing they had in common.

Lydia shook her head and looked at the ground laid out before her. “I just don’t want to cause any more problems,” she admitted.

Daryl walked beside her, shoulder to shoulder, and spoke softly. “It’s their problem, not yours.” His words gained her attention and a curve of the corner of her mouth, the slightest trace of a smile there and gone within the same second.

From a couple horse lengths back, Aaron had watched and listened to the entire situation play out. Daryl was very protective of her. It made Aaron want to be there for her too. He didn’t know Lydia very well, only what Daryl had told him about her, but he could see the difficult time she was having. It was written on her face. She was very lucky to have Daryl on her side, though she probably didn’t think so. Now he understood Daryl’s frustration with her.

The caravan moved along slowly. The temperature kept dropping. The wind picked up as thicker, darker clouds rolled in above. Something was definitely brewing. Daryl could feel it in the air, and he watched the sky around them as well as the horizon. The weather was changing quickly.

As he brought his attention back to the people around him, he noticed Carol walking on the opposite side of the caravan. Her eyes were locked on Lydia, a glare that would have shot daggers if it was possible. Daryl dropped back and made his way to her, coming up from behind. Even though Carol knew he was there, her eyes remained steady on the girl.

“You know it was Henry that wanted her here,” he said, watching her eyes break away. Carol was not someone to mess with. Once she had you in her sights, it was a very real possibility that you might disappear. He could tell she was weighing her options with what to do about Lydia, but Daryl was her protector, and he’d do whatever he needed, even where Carol was concerned. “At first, no one else wanted her around, even me, but Henry saw it. She’s a good kid. She just came from a bad situation.”

“She’s her mother’s daughter,” Carol said with venom lacing her words. “Every time I look at her I see him. I see him on that hill, on that spike, and–”

“What do you see when you look at me?” Daryl asked, his voice broken with emotion. It was a rare thing to see this side of Daryl.

Carol looked at him with sorrow and compassion. He was the last person in the world she wanted to hurt. “I just see you.” She took his arm in hers and came close to him. “Just you.”

“You know where I came from. You know what I could have turned out to be. Between my father and my brother, I could have been someone like Negan, like Alpha. Sometimes I’m not so sure I haven’t been like him.”

Carol hugged his arm tighter. “You could never … you never have been like him … or Alpha.”

“And I’m saying this about Lydia. She’s a good kid,” he repeated making his point. Carol didn’t say anything more, and they walked a little further up the road until something caught Daryl’s eye. He left Carol’s side and went off the road where a fresh dusting of snow revealed tracks made by walkers, or so he hoped. And then two walkers emerged from the tree line. Not taking any chances on whether they were dead or living copies, he shot them both in the head, and cautiously went over to inspect them. He rolled them on their sides and checked the backs of their heads. There were no laces. They were real walkers. Still no sign of Whisperers, he thought, unless they were watching from afar.

Ezekiel appeared at his side, and Daryl told him of his findings. The king nodded, but Daryl could tell he wasn’t here to talk about walkers. “Have you given much thought to your plans once we get to Hilltop?”

“I don’t know what you mean. I’m the acting leader. My place for now is at Hilltop,” Daryl said on the defensive.

“Yes, I understand that, but like you said, you’re position is temporary.”

Daryl turned his head straight, not willing to give the king his attention. It was feeling very much like an attack right now. “If you’re saying what I think you’re saying, you better think again. Last I heard, you were leader of the Kingdom, and as far as I’m concerned, you still are.” He felt that Ezekiel was about to make a move to take over Hilltop since he lost his home. Daryl had always known Ezekiel as a leader, never a king without a kingdom, and people showed their true nature when they were desperate. Daryl had never wanted to be leader of Hilltop, but he’d be damned if an outsider was going to take it over, even Ezekiel.

The king took a step back and straightened his posture. “I’m not saying–”

“Look, it’s decided by the people who will lead Hilltop. Just because you lead the Kingdom, and you and your people are taking up residency there, doesn’t mean you automatically become the leader. Hilltop puts everything to a vote.”

“You misunderstand me,” Ezekiel said. “I only ask because . . .” He paused and came closer as though someone might hear what he needed to say, even though they were alone. “The last few months have been difficult for me and Carol. I was hoping we could get a fresh start at Hilltop.” He dropped the theatrics and spoke as a man desperate to keep his relationship together. “I think it will be much easier for that to happen if it’s just the two of us.”

Daryl backed up and gave Ezekiel a confused look. The king spoke like a jealous man fearing that he had competition. “You know I don’t swing that way, right?” he said just to be clear.

“Since coming to the Kingdom to help with the move, you and Carol have been spending a lot of time together,” Ezekiel said, ignoring Daryl’s claim.

“Because she’s my best friend,” Daryl said on the defensive again. “Maybe that’s what she needs right now. You should be talking to her, not me, and find out what she wants.”

“She wants the same thing I do, to hold our son again. We are both grieving as parents. We both loved him as such.” Ezekiel’s tone was a bit harsh as he made his point.

“You don’t think others are grieving for him in a similar way? You don’t think some of us are wracked with guilt over this loss?” Daryl shot back.

“Everything all right here?” Aaron said from the edge of the road. No one had heard him approach. He had seen Daryl leave the road, and Ezekiel follow, and he had kept a close eye on things.

But Daryl and Ezekiel ignored Aaron’s presence as the king finished up his conversation. “I’m not trying to be the bad guy here. I just want to get back a piece of what I lost. You think you could give me that?” Ezekiel pleaded. Daryl returned a glare and walked away without saying a word.

Aaron stared down the incline toward the king before he turned and followed Daryl back to the caravan. “What was that all about?” he asked.

“Posturing,” Daryl answered, confusing Aaron. “It ain’t nothing to worry about. He and Carol are going through a tough time. That’s all.”

It started snowing while Daryl and Ezekiel talked. Jerry warned everyone that the barometer he carried was dropping fast. Bad weather was moving in quicker than they had predicted. “Even if we rode all night, we wouldn’t make it before the storm hits.”

The goal was to make it to a weigh station between the Kingdom and Hilltop. It had been stocked with supplies, a shelter to protect them from the cold. The caravan had moved much slower than expected, and no one thought the weather would turn so quickly.

“We need to leave the road and find shelter somewhere else if we’re not going to make it to the weigh station,” Aaron claimed.

“You got a place in mind?” Ezekiel asked, anger tinging his words.

“No, but–” Aaron was interrupted by Michonne.

“I know of a place,” she stated. “Let’s go.”

>>------->

Daryl moved at the back of the caravan with Aaron, and Lydia was close by, though she tended to keep her distance. He reluctantly walked toward the towering building, memories of torture and despair threatening to flood his mind. Before him stood the Sanctuary, a place he swore he would never return. But a storm was moving in, and they needed shelter.

“You okay?” Aaron asked at his side.

“Mmhmm,” he mumbled. “I never thought I’d have to come here again. This is where it all started.”

“What’s that?” Aaron said.

“This was what drove us apart, this place and what happened here.” A shiver ran through Daryl’s spine. He wasn’t sure why the sight of the building was triggering such a reaction. He’d been here years ago, running the place when Rick was still alive, still holding out hope that everyone would learn to get along and work together. Perhaps this place and its people had been the downfall of a lot more than himself.

“It’s nothing but an empty shell. The Saviors are gone. Negan is locked up. Nothing can hurt you now. Not as long as I’m here with you,” Aaron said to calm him down.

“I guess it’s just different this time because you’re here too. All the time I spent here, I did it on my own.”

Aaron touched Daryl’s back with a firm hand. “Not this time. We both made it through a lot of trying times. We beat this place, and now it’s nothing more than an empty building.”

That made Daryl feel better. Aaron was always good at pep talks. “Thanks,” he said and smiled.

Inside, fires were lit, horses were tied up, and people started to relax a bit. Aaron had been right, there was nothing left here. It was empty, ransacked of anything with value. There was nothing here anymore, and Daryl began feeling victorious, especially after Aaron’s words of encouragement. He looked around the place, remembering how people gathered here for Negan’s speeches. He glanced up at the platform where Negan stood watch over his followers, and saw Carol sitting on the steps, alone with her thoughts. She looked completely broken. He thought of Ezekiel, and wondered why he wasn’t beside her if he cared so deeply. Maybe she chased him off, or maybe he couldn’t bring himself to face her right now. Whatever the reason, Carol looked like she needed some company, and Daryl went to her.

He took a seat next to her on the metal steps and offered her a drink from his flask. “Last of the moonshine,” he said, but she shook her head with refusal. Daryl took a conservative sip and put the cap back on. “You doing okay?” he asked, and she gave a nod. “You don’t have to worry. We’re going to make it,” he said convincingly.

After a few silent moments, Carol reached out for the flash. Daryl took the lid off and handed it to her. She drank and handed it back. “Something happen with you and Ezekiel earlier?”

Daryl was thrown off by the question. He hadn’t known Carol was watching. “No,” he lied to save her from knowing the truth. From the look in her eyes, she’d already figured out what went down.

“He only blames you because he can’t let himself blame me,” she admitted.

That hadn’t been the reason Ezekiel spoke to him, but it wasn’t Daryl’s place to fix their relationship, so he stayed quiet.

Carol let out a sigh, her breath quivering as she did. Daryl heard it and looked at her to find her eyes pooling with tears. He moved closer so their shoulders touched. “I feel like I’m losing myself again, Daryl,” she confessed. “It’s just like it was when I lost Sophia. When I killed those people at the prison. When Lizzie killed Mika and I had to–” She cut herself off, realizing she almost let the truth slip out. What she did to Lizzie was something she’d never told another soul. “Each time I lose someone, I lose a part of myself. And then I met Ezekiel, and we adopted Henry, and all was right with the world again. I was a fool to think it would last, but I did, and now … I’m trying to hang on, but I don’t know what I’m doing anymore. Seeing Lydia … I’m sorry, but it just makes it worse.”

“I can take her away from here. I’ll keep her safe on my own.” Daryl made the offer before he gave the consequences a second thought. Leaving meant leaving Aaron too, and just when they had reestablished a solid friendship.

“Do you want to go away?” Carol asked with sincerity.

Daryl looked down to his lap and the silver flask in his hands. He shook his head. “No. I don’t. What do you want me to do?” he asked, needing some guidance through a tough situation. He was dedicated to keeping Lydia safe, but he didn’t want to turn his back on Carol, didn’t want to leave Aaron again when he told him he was done running away.

“I don’t know,” Carol said, and she laid her head on his shoulder. They sat that way for a long time.

>>------->

With everyone settled in, Michonne called for a meeting. Ezekiel pointed out the fact that it had never snowed this hard so early in the winter season, and that it could last for days, trapping them at the Sanctuary without enough supplies to last more than a day or two. When he suggested that a group run ahead to the weigh station and bring back supplies, Michonne shot it down. She was worried about getting trapped by the storm and losing more people. It was too dangerous. They spread out a map on a table and looked at their options.

Aaron eyes ran along the river, looking for a place to cross, but all he saw was the bridge, Rick’s bridge that had been destroyed. “It’s unfortunate that we never rebuilt the bridge. It could have saved us half a day’s travel.”

“We don’t need a bridge to cross,” Carol cut in. “By now the water should be frozen. We can just walk across.”

“And walk right through Alpha’s territory,” Ezekiel pointed out.

Carol gave him an angry glance. “I didn’t agree to those borders. Those are hers, not ours.”

Ezekiel shook his head. “But if we’re caught it could trigger a war, and we don’t know how to fight them yet.”

Carol held her anger, not at Ezekiel, but the anger she felt toward Alpha and her borders and for what she’d done. “It’s only a couple miles through, and then it’s a straight shot for Hilltop.” She tried to remain positive.

“We could cross at night, and no one will ever know,” Michonne added, clearly on Carol’s side.

Yumiko came forward with her input. “What if they’re already there? Those walkers we saw out in the field earlier today that could have been them. They could have been watching us.”

Daryl ran his finger along the river on the map, stopping at the bridge Aaron had pointed out. “All the more reason to move now.”

“I agree,” Aaron said. “We can do this.”

Ezekiel still wasn’t convinced. “We won’t be able to get the wagons across the ice. What about the children and the elderly?”

“We’ll just have to go on foot,” Michonne said. “As it is, we only have enough supplies to carry. We can’t stay here. Once the storm hits, the roads will become impassable, maybe for weeks. Either we make it to the next weigh station or we die. That’s our only choice.”

“Then I say we go,” Carol voted.

“Me too,” Daryl said.

“And me,” said Aaron, coming to stand next to Daryl. They glanced at each other and Aaron smiled at him. It felt good to be in agreement again.

One by one, the leaders and main players of the caravan agreed to leave the Sanctuary and head out for the weigh station. They got everyone ready for the trek, and warned them of the danger, not only from the cold but for crossing into Whisperer territory. Some were reluctant, but in the end, everyone agreed that it was their only choice.

Daryl and Aaron stood by one of the fires, each man deep in his own thoughts. Daryl held his hands out to the fire, absorbing the last tendrils of heat that the flames cast out. Aaron held out one hand and laughed to himself. “I miss rubbing my hands together.”

“At least you only have to warm one hand,” Daryl said jokingly, and Aaron smiled.

“You know what’s weird? Sometimes I can still feel it. My hand will get cold, and I can still feel a chill on the other one too. But there’s nothing there.” Aaron held up his metal arm.

“Ghost limb, that’s what they call it. I read about it once. That’s what you have.”

It got quiet until they both warmed enough that their jaws wouldn’t clench and chatter. Aaron turned to Daryl, but he kept his head down as he spoke. “I know it was a long time ago, but I don’t think I ever thanked you for being there for me that day.”

“You would have done the same thing,” Daryl said, trying not to make a big deal out of it.

“It just goes to show that no matter what’s going on between us, we’ve always been there for one another. I can’t say that about anyone else I’ve known my entire life,” Aaron said honestly. He turned to look at him. “You’re very special to me, Daryl. I hope you know that. I doesn’t matter whether we’re together or apart, fighting or friends like we are now. There’s always been room for you in my heart.”

Daryl kept his eyes on the flames before him and gave a nod. “The feeling’s mutual.” It wasn’t much of an answer, but he knew Aaron would take it as a true confession.

“And that’s why I’ve been thinking hard about something,” Aaron continued. “I know you think I need to take some time for myself, but–”

“Hey, Daryl,” Michonne called out, interrupting Aaron’s speech. She hadn’t known they were talking.

Daryl backed away from Aaron, from the fire. “Sorry, I gotta see what she wants.”

“Oh. Yeah. That’s okay. It was nothing,” Aaron backtracked.

Daryl rushed away, feeling that he had just dodged a bullet. He knew Aaron was about to propose something, whether it was to ask Daryl to come back to Alexandria, or suggest they get back together. Whatever it was, Daryl didn’t want to know, not right now. He didn’t want to have to turn him down, turn him away, or turn from him completely. His biggest fear was that Aaron wasn’t ready. It didn’t matter what their past held. The fact was, Aaron had been in a relationship with Jesus for a long time, and it had only be a few short months since his death. In between that time, they had both been extremely busy running their communities. Daryl was still leading Hilltop, and he knew he couldn’t leave, not until they elected someone permanent. They were still reeling from Jesus and Tara’s death, not to mention all the other people slain by Alpha’s hands.

He wanted Aaron back more than anything, but not at any cost. If they were going to give this another shot, it had to be free and clear of all hurdles, a solid start for something that would last the rest of their lives. What he was afraid of was that Aaron wasn’t ready yet.

Whatever he had with Jesus must have been serious. They were together for quite a few years, lived together, were raising Gracie together. They trained and fought together. Jesus had been the one to get Aaron back into shape after losing his arm. That wasn’t something to just toss to the side. Daryl knew Aaron could be quick to make decisions without considering the consequences, but a lot of the time he didn’t think about the long term outcome. What would happen if they got back together, and Aaron realized that Jesus was the better man, the better match? At least if Daryl and Aaron were friends, Aaron would have time to measure him up and compare before it got to a more serious point. For now, their friendship felt safe. And maybe it wouldn’t go any further than where it was. If this was all there was, it would be enough for Daryl. It would have to be.
- 71
- 72
- 73
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Safe Haven in the Chaos