Skeletons - 𝐷𝑎𝑟𝑦𝑙 𝐷𝑖𝑥𝑜𝑛

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 18 - 𝑬𝒙𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

When no one, except Andrea, further opposed Randall's execution, Dale expressed his disappointment in all of them before storming out of the room. For some of them it likely felt worse than if he had called them horrifying murderers. There was a long silence after he left, each of them processing what had been said, before they headed out to the gallows. Metaphorically speaking, of course.

They waited until dark and those that wanted no part of it were snug in their sleeping bags and beds before they went to get Randall. Rick and Shane led the way to the barn, Daryl roughly escorting Randall, Iris following behind. He mumbled a few pathetic pleas before they wrenched the barn doors open.

"Put him there." Rick directed lowly as Daryl shoved Randall to the centre of the barn. Iris took the small lantern from Rick and held it as Shane put a blindfold over the kid's eyes.

"Shh, it'll all be over soon." He whispered.

"Why, what's gonna be over soon?" Randall asked.

"Relax."

"Hey, hey! No, no! No!" Randall pleaded, Shane shushing him as one would calm a horse. Rick loaded his revolver, the soft clicking so loud in the quiet night. Shane stepped back as he finished tying the blindfold, Randall shuffling and sobbing softly.

"Would you like to stand or kneel?" Rick asked, using a tone Iris hadn't heard from him before.

"Oh, no, please." Randall cried. "Ple—" He was cut off as Daryl swept his legs out from under him, landing hard on his knees. Daryl held his head back with a strong grip on his hair and he winced, sobbing to himself. Rick, Shane, Daryl and Iris all made eye contact with one another.

"Do you have any final words?"

"No, please! Please don't. Don't." Randall sobbed. Rick didn't respond, raising the gun and releasing the safety as Randall whimpered. There was a long beat of silence, and Iris almost turned to look away when another voice piped up.

"Do it, Dad." Carl said firmly, his eyes almost glazed as he stared at Randall. "Do it." Iris paled, and Shane stomped over to take his arm, whispering harsh words by the barn door. Randall whimpered louder now, but Rick was shaking. He flipped the safety back on, looking up and mouthing something to himself.

"Take him away." Rick murmured. "Take him away." Daryl looked up to make sure this is what he wanted, and Rick nodded. He put the gun back in it's holster at his hip and Daryl hauled Randall to his feet, shoving him out of the barn and back to the shed where they'd been keeping him.

Shane, wide-eyed and mouth agape from beside Carl, huffed in frustration, shoving the door open and storming away angrily. Rick turned, his own face pale as he took in his son. Iris left Rick the lantern as she followed after Daryl.

From outside the shed, Iris listened to Daryl grumbling orders to Randall. She could see Rick escorting Carl back to the campsite and informing everyone of his new decision. Dale would be relieved, at least.

Her head snapped up at the sudden sound of a scream from across the field. Dale. Daryl left the shed open as he grabbed the lantern, joining Iris who was already sprinting through the grass. Rick was on his way from the campsite, along with Andrea, T-Dog and Glenn.

"Dale!" Andrea yelled. Her cry was answered with his own as the walker's hands tore into his abdomen, hot fresh blood pooling in the grass as his intestines saw light for the first time. Iris made it there first and she tackled the walker off of him, quick to put a knife through its brain. She blanched as she recognized the walker, one of her own knives buried deep in its calf. This was the bastard that'd almost killed Carl. Daryl was on his knees at Dale's side, but there wasn't much anyone could do.