When The Camellia Wilts | The Walking Dead Fanfiction

You Gotta Die First In Order To Live

"Sometimes you have to kind of die inside in order to rise from your own ashes and believe in yourself and love yourself to become a new person." 

- Gerard Way

They've all been through so much, countless deaths and hardships being thrown in their faces without warning, not allowing them time to unpack the previous ones. It's been a couple of weeks since Atlanta and they've been on the road, searching for food, shelter, and just about anything that can help them survive. 

Daryl fed Aliya worms just the other day, something she would've never imagined she would do. Or was it yesterday? She can't remember anymore. From the harsh nature of the road, the brutal glare of the sun and the constant tickle of death, she can hardly remember anything that happened a few hours ago. 

All she knows is that she's sat beside Noah while Daryl was sat in front of her while they listened to Eugene. She was holding his bow for comfort while her stomach growled angrily. Her stomach must've been trying to embarrass her when a loud growling sounded from the bushes. All embarrassment wiped away when a pack of feral dogs made their presence known. 

The dogs bared their teeth as they dangerously closed in on them. Aliya's breath hitched in her throat as she looked at Judith. Daryl turned to look at the dogs and reached his hand out to Aliya who sat up and crutched her dagger. The dogs stared at them intimidatingly as they barked, claiming and marking their territory. When the dogs readied themselves to pounce, they were immediately met boy Sasha's hush bullets. 

All of them froze in their position as they risked a peek at Sasha who held a cold gaze in her eyes. Aliya breathed a breath of relief as her shoulders sagged, "Guess that's dinner?" she muttered almost to herself. Daryl chuckled under his breath as he shook his head in amusement, "Damn right." he whispered as he eyed the dead wild dogs. 

Food at last. 

==+==

Maggie's way of grieving was through silence and thirst. She declined every sip of water Glenn had offered and kept silent; only talking when spoken to. Aliya could understand. Maggie lost every family she had left in just a blink of an eye. Aliya could only stay silent in support and understanding, knowing that like her, Maggie would never have a proper period of mourning. 

That's just how it is now. 

Aliya watched as Daryl shut down Glenn's offer of water with a quick rejection. She pursed her lips in contrite as she listened as Daryl told Abraham that he was gonna go get water. It didn't need a genius to know what Daryl really wanted to do. Beth's death fell heavy on his heart as he remembered the words he threw at her in spite. He wanted to take it all back so bad, to tell Beth he didn't mean it. But it was too late.