Author's Note: Sorry it has been a minute since updating! This gif thooo. Also, I do have a new story out called Angel, an Avengers fanfic centering on a Tony Stark x OC story set in the MCU. So, if you are into that series..check out what I have so far.
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Theme Song: "My Shadow" - Jessie J

The blackness was a scary place. It was a void. Yet, I clung to that void with all my strength, every bit of me that could fight did just that. I could hear muffled voices, someone saying my name a few times and the smell of pine and woods hit me at once and then it was gone.

I felt a surge of consciousness hit me and the strength I mustered to keep fighting allowed me to open my heavy eyes.

My vision was blurry so I blinked a few times until things started to come into focus. I wasn't on the floor anymore. I was in a bed, lying atop the covers and my body ached, wracking with tremors.

I shifted and looked to my right to see Daryl sitting in a chair. He was leaning towards the bed, his eyes were bleary and he looked emotionally and physical exhausted.

He was clad in his dirty brown jeans, same brown shoes, ripped up button down so the sleeves didn't go past the tips of his shoulders and the winged leather vest I was so fond of.

I noted my entire body was clammy and my head ached on the right side.

I swallowed thickly and Daryl stood up from the chair he was sitting in and I looked around silently, "Yer upstairs in one of the rooms. Ya' passed out. Prolly took a nasty hit to yer' head too."

His voice was slightly sullen, somehow smaller than it usually was and I looked to him confusedly before feeling something on my arm. Vicki looked down and saw that a clean bandage had been placed on my wound and I frowned, "Let me guess, it's not from exhaustion, is it?"

My voice sounded odd and I had to clear it before sitting up slightly, "Ay, ay, lay back down, Red." His usual gruff voice took on a lighter one.  Despite wanting to get up, I knew I couldn't. I didn't have the strength so I laid back down and felt each breath I take shutter within my chest.

"Yer sick." Daryl choked out and I turned to look at him slowly, my green eyes already feeling heavy again. I wanted nothing more than to get up and keep scavenging for medicine, but my body had other ideas. Like more sleep.

I couldn't do that though..couldn't fall back asleep just now.

What would happen if I didn't wake back up?

What would happen to Daryl if I died?

What about Calvin?

I cleared my frantic thoughts before sighing heavily and gathering my strength to speak, "I should've said something." My arm was aching more than it had been and I knew the fever had made me pass out.

Daryl shook his head, his hair falling into his eyes before muttering, "Nah, I should've known. Should've said somethin' back when I saw ya' wasn't eatin'."

I was quiet for a bit before murmuring, "Nothin' you could've done. My body was either going to fight or fail."

The realization hit me at full force. I swallowed the frog in my throat and knew I had to ask the question that had been on my mind for a few minutes, "I need medicine, don't I?"

Daryl nodded sullenly, "Crazy old man ain't got nuttin' here. Nuttin' that'll help ya' anyways."

Getting sick in a zombie apocalypse was not the best thing a person could go and do and here I was..sicker than a dog. With an infection.

I wanted to scream or shout, but my body felt too weak. Of all things..this was what might take me out? I frowned and Daryl looked over me, noticing my pinched forehead that creased down.

"S'rong?" He asked roughly, but his eyes held nothing but hesitance and concern for me. I looked to Daryl sadly and after a long pause I choked out vulnerably, "Daryl, I don't want to die."

There it was.

It was what hung in the air since I had woken up. We both knew I was sick, needed medicine and was weaker than I had ever been. My body was clammy and burning up.

I felt cold and then hot, hot and then cold. I knew well enough that I could fight and try and stay strong, but ultimately it was up to my body to fight off the infection and heal if I didn't get antibiotics.

Daryl narrowed his eyes with determination and looked down at me, "Ain't gonna' happen..alright, Red?" He seemed adamant to fix whatever it was that ailed me, so I just nodded at him, taking his word that he wasn't going to let anything happen to me.

He had a look of deep regret in his eyes and though I wanted nothing more than to talk about what had been said between us..I knew it wasn't the right time.

"So, what's the plan then?" I whispered as Calvin walked into the room with water and a can of soup.

I eyed it wearily and Calvin shrugged, "The old man had a stash of food. I thought you could use something."

"Where is he?" I deadpanned and Calvin shifted before Daryl spoke up, "Gone. Don't worry 'bout it." I figured they either threw him out back or dug a grave for him. My head hurt and I didn't think it was from the infection or from falling, the stress from the situation was also eating away at me.

First, I had almost gotten shot by a crazed man and then I passed out from an infection.

I looked to Daryl and he nodded over to Calvin as if allowing him to come near me. I had a distinct feeling Daryl hadn't wanted Calvin in the room with him while he watched over me.

Daryl looked back at me and he saw the look on my face and started to shake his head, "Ya' gotta eat, Red. Ain't gonna' get better if ya' don't put somethin' in there." He nodded towards my body and I grumbled inwardly, but knew he was right.

Calvin came over and I sat up slowly, feeling light headed from the mere movement before looking at Daryl expectantly for him to answer my question.

"Imma' scavenge that pharmacy. You two are gonna stay 'ere." I had just got done slurping a small amount of soup into my mouth.

It was room temperature, but the saltiness of it implored my taste buds to want more. I did so slowly, as not to make myself sick. I swallowed quickly at his foolish words.

"By yourself? At this hour? No, Daryl, Calvin or I-" Daryl cut me off abruptly, "Are stayin' here. Ya' ain't in no position to go nowhere, Red. I aint' arguin' with ya'."

His voice was stern, firm even, but I didn't detect anger or frustration.

When Daryl made up his mind about something, he was doing it. There was no talking him out of it and I could see his steely resolve holding firm in the mere look of his blue eyes.

Calvin looked between us and ran a hand through his hair, blowing out a breath, "I can take care of her while you're gone." His words were so humble and honest.

I smiled at Calvin and then looked to Daryl with a concerned frown pinching my features, "I hate the thought of you going alone at this hour. And because of me.."

I hated the idea of him going to risk his life for her and I realized this was what he felt like when I stood in front of the chamber of the man's gun.

Daryl stared at me, now raising a brow at me with a look and he knew what I was thinking about.

Now, I knew how he felt. The shoe was on the other foot and I chewed on the inside of my cheek nervously.

"I'll be fine. Always am." Daryl mumbled before shouldering his crossbow that had been leaning next to the chair.

Calvin looked at Daryl with a startled gleam in his boyish eyes, "You're leaving now?" Daryl looked back at me and then to Calvin, "Ain't got time to waste. She needs somethin' quick."

Calvin nodded and backed up as Daryl started to walk out of the room, but Daryl quickly turned on his heel and pointed at Calvin with a hint of a threatening manner, "Don't open the door for no one, but me. Don't let her get up and don't, for any damn reason leave her alone. Got it, kid?"

Calvin nodded as Daryl dropped his finger from his face and I met his eyes as he glanced over at me.

"Daryl..." My voice was low; almost a whisper, but he had heard me plain as day. I didn't know what I wanted to say, but saying his name just escaped my lips.

We shared a look until he nodded at me; a quick nod in typical Daryl fashion, and then I heard his heavy footfalls on the floorboard of the old house as he trudged downstairs.

Calvin nodded after Daryl, "I'll be right back." I nodded silently in response and continued to slowly sip my soup. I strained at one point to try and hear what they might be saying, but they were downstairs already and out of earshot.

After about five minutes had passed, I felt the house shake lightly as the front door opened and closed. I wanted to go with Daryl, but I knew that was a foolish decision. I could collapse while I was out and then I'd be a burden on Daryl.

A moment later Calvin was walking up the stairs and he lingered in the doorway hesitantly, unsure if I wanted company.

"It's okay, Calvin. I won't bite." He smirked and I tried my best to smile back, but it didn't reach my eyes. I was tired and worried, and my insides swarmed with concern about Daryl.

"Daryl's going to find something." Calvin offered as he sat down in the chair that Daryl had once sat in. I was silent for too long and he spoke up, "You two seem pretty.." He trailed off for a moment and looked up again nervously, "Close."

I smiled at this word. Close. With Daryl? Yes and no. Maybe more yes than no and maybe yeah, they were pretty close if I thought about it for long enough.

We were close in a way that two people might not otherwise be close had it not been for a zombie apocalypse.

I side stepped his question and finally answered, "If anyone is going to find something, it'll be him." I said this with a conviction in my gut and I knew, somehow, that Daryl would pull through for me just like all those other times.

Calvin was silent and I murmured, answering his other comment carefully, "Daryl has layers..you gotta peel the outter ones back to find the center."

Calvin smiled, catching on to what she was talking about, "Like Shrek."

This earned a breathy chuckle from me, "Just like that." Calvin leaned his elbow on the arm of the chair, looking at her with eyes far older than his true age.

"And what's in the middle of his layers, like once you pull the others off?"

I paused for a moment, feeling exerted already from talking as much as I had been. Calvin looked a little concerned and he leaned towards me, but I waved him away.

He took the empty can of soup from me when I offered it to him and I found her voice again, "I haven't gotten there yet, but when I find out I'll let you know."

He smiled and nodded before adding, "You can sleep. I'll keep watch downstairs. And uh- I'll check on you..from time to time." He seemed nervous, as if he didn't want me to think he would do anything while I was asleep.

"Calvin, you're fine."

He blushed sheepishly at my words and he started to turn and walk out of the room before hesitating in the doorway like he wanted to say something else, but decided against it.

He disappeared from my sight and the last thing I heard as I slipped off to sleep again was his soft footfalls going down the stairs to take watch.

The next time I woke up my body was shaking or rather jolting, and my name was being whispered loudly. "Vicki, get up..c'mon get up."

I had to force my eyes to open and the first thing I felt was the bed beneath me was completely soaked from sweat. I was clammier than I had been when I first woke up last time.

"Calvin?" I whispered in a disoriented state, while my eyes adjusted and focused in on a worried Calvin that was shaking me awake.

"Vicki, wake up, it's been way too long..Daryl's not back yet. It's already before dawn."

This had me awake. 

Daryl's name....and Not back yet.

I groaned as I clamored up, pulling myself into a sitting position so that I was leaning on my right elbow and looking at a frantic Calvin.

The windows to the room were shut, but the faint light that started to creep through made my blood run cold.

My eyes widened and I looked to Calvin with my heart hammering in my chest, "What do you mean he's not back yet?"

My throat was dry and I swallowed thickly as I reached for the glass of water that Calvin had placed at my bedside.

Calvin started to pace by the bed, his eyes alight with fear, "It's been hours, Vicki. It's nearing dawn and the pharmacy was just up the road from here..at the most it should have taken him a couple of hours. It's almost morning time now!"

He was nearing hysterics and I realized this boy had come to not only rely on the two of us, but he had grown fond of both of us. He knew good people when he saw them and he was scared of losing us.

One was sick and one was missing.

I felt my heart hit my stomach as the logic of the situation overcame me.

Daryl got in and got out of places. He didn't hang out and take his sweet time. He knew I was sick and he certainly wouldn't have gone off to a different town without coming back to tell us.

"You think those men…" I trailed off, fear scraping at my gut as Calvin froze looking to me with widened eyes. He was as lost as I was and he shook his head, "I don't know..I have no idea. I just know something is..wrong."

He stole the words straight from my mouth and I knew in my gut something was off. Something was wrong. Daryl would have been back by now. I bit my lip and hoisted myself up, but Calvin looked concerned that she started to get up.

"He said.." He started and I waved him away, "I know what he said. But, if something is wrong with Daryl then by God I'm going after him."

Calvin looked at me for a long moment and realized I was going to go whether he wanted me to or not. Calvin swallowed nervously, running his hands through his wavy hair; a nervous habit I had noticed he had.

He looked completely torn on letting me get up or making me stay in bed. However, I was a grown woman and there was nothing Calvin could do to change my mind.

"If the roles were reversed, Daryl would come looking for me. The last group I was in we would do anything for one another. It's what we did..we have each other's backs. And yeah, I'm sick and I know I run a big risk feeling this bad and going out, but I know he'd do the same."

Though my voice was small, soft even, it held a conviction that not even Calvin could break. He nodded silently, caving to my whims.

I blew out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Convincing Calvin had been easier than I had thought.

Now, the hardest part was going to be making it through this trip to find Daryl without falling behind, passing out, or getting sicker than I already was.

But for Daryl..I'd do anything.

I'd do anything at all to find him and make sure he was okay. And I knew at the end of the day, he'd do the exact same thing for me.

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Author's Note: O.O Daryl is  missing..*GASP*