ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST

               Past mistakes had taught them to be careful, gave Maggie’s heart a squeeze of fear. ❝ We’ll find each other if it happens, we will. ❞ There would be no repeat of before–the eldest Greene wouldn’t let that happen. She’d learned her lesson well before. Checking the round of ammo in her gun once more she turned to the door, sending a quick glance out the window to make sure that the two wouldn’t be rushing out to be surrounded by walkers. ❝ On the count of three–one…two…three.” With that Maggie shoved the door open with her shoulder. Gun immediately raised.

               when the dust had finally cleared and the deaths of those they’d lost very much became a reality, beth was quick to make a b-line for her sister.  she’d done what she needed to in the clinic, aiding them every step of the way until she finally got the chance to break free.  tiny arms found their way around maggie’s center, squeezing her as tightly as she could without squeezing her to death.  ❛ –––––are you okay?  d’ya need anythin’ from the clinic? ❜

His RELIEF when he realizes she’s not talking about herself is replaced by a similar kind of worry when it’s Maggie. Of course, Rick’s happy for she and Glenn, they deserved to have such an incredible thing like starting their own family. Unfortunately, he can see why Beth’s so worked up and concerned. His reflex is to COMFORT her – he approaches and puts an arm on hers gently, “It’s alright, I won’t say anythin’,” he assures the younger Greene, offering a small smile. “Just try t’calm down, alright?” His voice is steady and calm, the priority trying to bring Beth some EASE.  Her words force Rick to think back to when Lori was pregnant with Judith – not a high point in their relationship by any means, but he’s HAPPY that they got that little girl despite the fact that he lost his wife through the whole ordeal. He’s sure his late wife would agree. “M’not sure we deserve all that credit, but…we did what we thought was the right thing. It scared the HELL outta us, I think we’d be crazy if it hadn’t, but I think it’s all been worth it. M’sure Glenn and Maggie will be just fine. There’s lots a’good people to look out for them AND there’s a doctor back at the Hilltop. – I think things could be alright, don’t you?”

               ❛ I don’t trust ‘em like I trusted daddy.  nothin’s free anymore, everybody always wants somethin’ from us. ❜  beth hated just how big of a scar the hospital had left on her mind, even deeper than the deep wounds it left across her face.  of course the lesson learned would ultimately help the once-naive girl survive, but still it didn’t feel right no longer giving strangers the benefit of the doubt.  she wanted to believe people were good at heart, even after all the world had been through.  ❛ they’re already askin’ so much.  they barely got any defense, who says the doctor’s gonna be there nine months down the road?  I got a bad feelin’ ‘bout all this.  I know that’s bad, I know it ain’t helpin’, I’m just scared.  we already lost daddy, I can’t go losin’ maggie too. ❜

Their meal was almost ready. The pot coming to a slow rolling boil. A single can of vegetable soup to split between the pair of them. It was enough. But so was every day’s scrounging of supplies. Always enough to suffice for the day. Always just enough to make it.

               at first beth gave in, letting daryl’s word win with a passive ❛ yeah I know. ❜  but her head was still abuzz with thoughts making a mad dash for her lips.  ❛ –––––I think it’s different, though.  people look out for you right?  they’re always gonna have your back, but at the end’a the day, you’re still fightin’ your own battles. ❜  her weight shifted for a moment, throat swallowing the ball of nerves seeming to gather there before blue eyes finally lifted to meet daryl’s.  ❛ daddy, maggie, rick, even you ––– none of y’all let me fight my own battles.  I can, though.  maybe I’m not really good at it, but I won’t get any better if nobody lets me try. ❜

“That’d be the goal. But we ain’t doin’ no smoke signals. We don’t want others findin’ us. Ain’t nobody gonna come lookin’ fer us anyway.” Beginning their new destination, Daryl took a few strides towards the little lopsided fence that had busted. From being forced open by a mass of walkers or the urgency of people trying to get inside, he couldn’t begin to fathom its reasoning. But the hunter made his way towards it anyway and shoved it forward to allow Beth to pass first, following immediately after.

               ❛ okay, so no smoke signals.  what if ––– ❜  the songbird paused for a moment, just long enough to cut through a tangled mess of thorns waiting to greet them on the other side the fence daryl had pushed aside.  ❛ ––– what if we head back towards the prison?  there’s gotta be houses near the places y’all used to find baby formula.  someplace small.  that country club was probably one’a the first places people looted after the turn, right?  maybe if we go smaller, we got a better chance’a findin’ somethin’ good.  someplace we can stay. ❜

‘ i don’t need to get it, beth. nobody is going to do anything to you. nobody will hurt you so long as i’m around, okay? ’

                              ❛  –––––then what’s the plan?  we gotta go.  ❜

      Beth’s words cause Maggie to freeze, hand stuck reaching out for a box of ammo. Memories of the last time their home was caught in chaos rushing back to her. The day their father died. Then the older Greene had made the mistake of leaving her sisters side. Not again. A small smile pulled at her lips, offering her sister a small bit of comfort before they rushed into whatever hell was unfolding outside. ❝ We stay together okay? Neither one of us leaves the others. That’s how we keep each other safe. We’re gonna do it right this time. ❞

               no time remained for any little affections beth wanted badly to share.  a quick hug, a gentle squeeze of her sister’s hand.  for a young girl so scared of saying her goodbyes, she was so eager to get in that last moment of love just in case.  because no matter how hard they fought to keep all that they loved safe and sound, sometimes god simply had other plans.  in leu of those affections, beth offered her older sister a quick nod, handing over the box of ammo she’d grabbed only a minute earlier.  ❛ if we get separated, if somethin’ happens, ya head for high grounds, ya hear me?  I’ll find you n’ I’ll meet ya there. ❜

Rick has felt SLIGHTLY more at ease – as much as could be expected under the circumstances. Carl was going to be okay – well, he’d have some hurdles to overcome, there was a possibility of some memory loss, but he’d LIVE and that’s what Rick clung to. He’s thankful to the people who’ve come to visit but mostly pleased that his people have been able to start rebuilding without his leadership – allowing him the time he needs to be at his son’s side. He’s stirred from a LIGHT sleep when he hears a soft voice and a gentle creak of the door. Blue eyes blink open and he sits up, his brows knit  together when he can already sense a TENSION in the youngest Greene. He’s not really sure what to do with her question at first, immediately assuming she must be talking about herself – that’s how it sounds anyway. The thought of another pregnancy, at first, makes him nervous – knowing the dangers – but he’s not looking to UPSET her or make her more afraid than she must be already. “– I don’t think I’d go so far t’say it was AWFUL,” he rubs the back of his neck, pausing and softening his voice, “When did you find out?”

               ❛ –––––it’s been a couple’a days I think. ❜  even those few words took effort to squeeze past her throat.  ❛ maggie said I shouldn’t be tellin’ anybody yet, ‘cause so much could happen, but ––––– I just needed somebody t’ talk to.  it ain’t exactly like carl’s in any shape t’ be throwin’ out advice, so––––– ❜  another shaky breath.  ❛ you n’ lori were so brave.  like nothin’ at all could scare you away from havin’ that baby. ❜

Snorting at the suggestion and unwilling to negotiate otherwise, the hunter took the offered rag and wiped along his cheek. Wiping down along the span of his face he gave the cloth a good crack, pocketing it again once more and murmured caustically, “I don’t get sick.” Pinching the bridge of his brow, they’d been wandering about the country club for what seemed like hours. His patience dwindling, Daryl felt like their entire escapade was for naught and was almost inclined to throw in the towel on the whole thing. “Where to?”

               ❛ maybe we should find somethin’ t’ focus on instead’a wanderin’ around like we got nothin’ better t’ do.  get us a place.  maybe some food.  there’s gotta be somethin’ more out here than crappy twig forts n’ roadkill.  maybe if we make some sort’a home base, send some smoke signals, the group’ll see it from far away n’ check it out. ❜

r.i.d  (via sheepsuiit)

“Ya gotta earn respect. It ain’t somethin’ that just… happens,” he murmured, knowing full well that he wasn’t just lying about that sort of thing. Even before the turn, there had never been an instance where he had warranted any sort of respect. Despite the nature of his craft or even the skill he possessed, it could never outlier his garnered reputation of being a Dixon. That seemed to precede any sort of good Daryl was worth. And it never did get any better. “If they saw us leave together, then yer alive.”

               ❛ –––––sometimes I think it’s bigger than that.  besides, I don’t want anybody thinkin’ they gotta take care’a me.  like I’m some kid they gotta watch after or somethin’. ❜

                                                   ‘   —-  is there something wrong  ?  ’                                                                           (   @southernbird   )

               ❛ no, m’ sorry t’ bother you, I just ––– thought maybe you could use some cheerin’ up.  maybe get some food in ya while I’m at it. ❜

Despite the harsh words he had to say about the man, Kyle was grinning, as though it brought him pleasure to hate the ghost of his old english teacher. “Sorry, I just have a lot of feelings about that man.”

               ❛  ya know what’d be kinda funny? ❜  the smile that once beamed from ear to ear had fallen, twisting and transforming itself into a mischievous little smirk that lit a spark in the songbird’s blue eyes.  good or bad, kyle’s passion was inspiring a giddiness inside her.  ❛ if we came here, all this way, n’ mr. baer ended up bein’ the head’a this whole place.  all your old friends, all your neighbors, everyone ya knew havin’ t’ do exactly what he said.  ya think he’d be anythin’ like the governor? ❜

                                                she’s just gone

@southernbird liked for a starter

               worried was an understatement.  as gracefully as his youngest daughter could hold her head high, all it took was the simple sound of her own father’s voice to undo all the grim feelings she kept tucked under lock and key.  her blue eyes stung, burning from the pool of tears she refused to let slide down her own porcelain cheeks.  ❛ –––––m’okay, daddy.  maggie said you’ve been takin’ over for doctor s. ❜