"Tell your friend that in his death, a part of you dies and goes along with him. Wherever he goes, you also go. He will not be alone." 

- Jiddu Krishnamurti 

"How are you unbothered by this?" 

Aliya looked at Daryl incredulously as he ignored the shaking if the van. Tingles made its way into her body as she thought about the instability of the van that they're in right now. The walkers nearing them weren't much help either. He ignored her as he inspected the interior, in his hands were a pile of papers, she could even see a map. 

As she looked around, she noticed the small herd coming their way. "There's more of them coming." she informed him worriedly as she took her gun from her belt. Daryl nodded, "I see 'em." he muttered before flipping over the stretcher inside. "GMH?" he muttered more to himself. Aliya looked at the stretcher and up at his face, "Grady Memorial Hospital." 

She remembered how she applied to be a volunteer there but wasn't chosen. Guess they needed volunteers with a medical background of some sort. Daryl nodded at her, "Might be where they're holed up in." She nodded in agreement before going out of the van. 

She only had four bullets and she made sure to make them count. Daryl, on the other hand, only had his knife but was overpowered. Aliya cursed as she ran back inside the van, being left with no other choice. "Get your ass inside!" she called out to Daryl who was pushing walkers away. With one last push, Daryl closed the doors on the walkers. 

Aliya's eyes were wide as she looked around and realised how fucked they were. They had nothing else but what's on their body. Noticing the look on Daryl's face, she knew what was coming next. Daryl nodded at her, "Buckle up." he instructed before pulling his own seatbelt over. She blew a breath before buckling herself tight, looking at Daryl who gave her a reassuring nod. 

Daryl's breathing was ragged as he looked at Aliya whose chest was heaving as well. There were tears in her eyes as she stared at him helplessly. He reached out for her hand, "Just hold on." he muttered as they both braced themselves for impact. 

Aliya shut her eyes tight as her hold on his hand tightened as well. It felt like they were airborne for a while before their bodies were rocked aggressively. She hit her head on the door and busted her shoulder while Daryl suffered a whiplash but was fortunately aided by the airbag. 

She moved slowly as each movement was agonising. Aliya limped towards Daryl while cradling her shoulder. He looked at her worriedly as he braced her against his side, helping her walk. Both of them silent as they braved their fresh injuries.

----

Aliya moaned in delight as she devoured the chips Daryl gave her, "Haven't had these in a while." she gushed, grinning up at him. Daryl smiled softly as he too, enjoyed his food. She has been downplaying her injured shoulder but he knows it was bad. Every movement she makes, made her flinch in pain. Seeing as they were resting, Daryl thought about asking her some questions he had been wanting to. 

He nodded at her to gain her attention, "You said you were at the airport when all this went down. Where were you headed?" he popped a chip in his mouth as he waited for her answer. She smiled at him before looking out of the window, "I was going back home. I finally finished my school year and thought I was gonna get the relaxation I needed but nah, the universe had a different plan." she shook her head in disdain. 

Aliya was excited to come home to her family after a year full of stress, anxiety and toxicity. But what surprise it was when it all came crashing down. She bit her lip as she recalled the night before her flight, "I wasn't supposed to go home until a week after my flight, you know?" she looked up at him and smiled sadly. "But I was being harassed by my ex and his friends so badly that I just needed to leave." she confessed. 

Apart from having to deal with her racist professor, she was also the target for her ex and his friends' daily bullying. Daryl's forehead creased as his frown deepened. She shook her head at him as if to say that it was okay, it was all in the past. "He cheated and got mad when I broke it off with him so he spread my pictures around the campus." she recalled. It was terrible, the whole campus knew of her and have seen her pictures. 

Her eyes went down to Daryl's hand that was gripping the plastic wrapper tightly. Poor packaging. Aliya smiled at him, "I'm all good now, Daryl. He got beaten up." she shrugged light-heartedly. "I beat him up. Badly." she winced as her shoulder pulsated. Talking about how she beat up her ex was getting her hyped. Daryl lifted his brow up at her, "How badly?" 

She blew a breath as she smirked to herself, "So badly that I had to get into a flight ASAP. He kept screaming that he was gonna sue me so I had to dip. He had a family lawyer and all I had was my fists." she couldn't help but smile as Daryl chuckled. 

Their ears perked up at the sound of a door closing in the distance. Daryl immediately took his bag off of the ledge and made his way towards the sound while Aliya hung her bag on her shoulder while she cradled the injured one. 

A walker was pinned on a post with a familiar arrow on its throat. Daryl marched towards it and sliced its head with his machete and pulled the arrow out of its body. She lifted her brow at the arrow and was about to speak when the sound of gunfire broke the silence. They both made their way towards the sound with their weapons ready. 

Rounding around the corner, she saw the familiar young man from before. Without a warning, he pushed the walker towards her, making her fall to the ground with a thud. Aliya released a pained yelp as her shoulder bounced on the ground. She groaned as her shoulder rubbed against the ground while she desperately tried to push the walker off of her. 

Daryl immediately ran towards her and killed the walker as she pushed it off. She groaned in pain as she accepted Daryl's hand, murmuring profanities to herself. Once she has sat down and calmed herself, she pushed him gently, "Get him." she breathed out as her breathing shallowed. Daryl nodded before running after the guy, mumbling profanities to himself. 

Aliya wasted no more time before standing up with a grunt and following after Daryl. When they came to, the young man was pinned to the ground by a wood bookcase, grunting in pain. Daryl looked at her before snatching a cigarette box off the ground, putting a cigarette in between his lips as he stared down at the young man. "I ain't saving you again." he growled as he lit his cig.

Daryl shook his head before passing Aliya by who stayed rooted in her place. She was staring at the young man in front of her. With her busted shoulder and small stature, pulling the bookcase off of him would be extremely difficult. She turned to Daryl's retreating figure, "Daryl, stop!" she called out, her frown depending. He turned around exhaustingly, knowing what she wanted, "Man, you almost died because of him!" he protested angrily. 

"But I didn't. I'm still here." she coaxed, trying to change his mind. He stared at her deeply for a while before shaking his head, "Nah." he rolled his eyes before turning on his back, walking away. Aliya's jaw clenched as she watched him retreat before dropping her things to the ground to help. The walker has now fallen on top of the bookcase and was dangerously close to the young man when an arrow embedded itself on its head. 

Aliya looked back at Daryl who had his eyes set on her. She pursed her lips together before dragging the walker off of him with a grunt. She immediately went over and helped Daryl pull the bookcase off of him before picking up her things from the ground. Daryl walked over to her and placed a gently hand on her wrist, "You okay?" She nodded at him, tapping his hand gently in reassurance. 

They watched as the young man stared out of the window agitatedly. He kept mumbling about people coming for him and that there were people looking for him. Daryl intercepted him as he tried to walk away, "Who?" he demanded stiffly. The young man tried to dismiss his hand away, "The people from the hospital." he rasped out, trying to get to his things. Daryl's eyes widened, "Did you see a blonde girl?" 

"Beth?"

Aliya's head whipped up to him so fast that her eyes unfocused it selves. Daryl and Aliya exchanged glances as they listened to his account. Beth helped him escape and was now trapped. They needed to get to her quickly, seeing as how affected the young man was, there was nothing good about the place. Aliya looked down at the van approaching quickly and looked at Daryl, "We gotta go. Now." 

They bursted out of the room while the young man limped as he informed them about the basement in the next building. It was clear and safe, if they were to believe in him. Aliya walked ahead when the young man suddenly dropped to the floor. She was about to come and help when Daryl waved her off, "I got him!" he rushed as he struggled to pull him up. Aliya nodded before opening the glass doors. 

Daryl finally stood the young man up and looked at Aliya's retreating figure when she was suddenly sent flying in the air. His eyes widened as two men in uniforms went out of the vehicle with a stretcher. "Aliya!" he screamed as he tried to run towards her only to be pulled back by the young man. His eyes were wide as he watched Aliya's unconscious body being carried inside the car. 

He struggled against the young man, as his heart constricted painfully. "Look, they can help her, alright? They have medicine, machines, a doctor." he listed off, trying to calm Daryl down. Daryl's breathing became laboured as his eyes followed the retreating car. The young man stared at him regretfully, "We can get her back. We can get Beth back." he reassured him. 

Daryl backed away from him and wiped his face roughly, frustration and helplessness weakened his knees. Images of Aliya unconscious on the ground flashed in his mind, making him shut his eyes tight. He felt absolutely useless just staring at Aliya getting dragged away from him. He failed her again. 

But he was gonna get Beth and Aliya back. No matter what. 

==+==

Beth's ears perked up at the mention of the patient that they just brought it recently. Her hands slowed down as she listened in on them. Aliya was in a critical condition and was half dead when they brought her in. Listening to them talk about her life like it was an inconvenience disturbed her to her core, making her snap. 

"That woman has been here one day! I thought saving people was all this place was about?" 

It was utter bullshit. They complain about not having enough electricity to keep Aliya alive but turn around and charge a DVD player? Dawn looked at her with an unreadable expression as she went on about how Beth speaking up just solidified the decision to take Aliya off of the machine. However, something flicked in Dawn's eyes as she handed Beth the key to the drug locker. 

It was so out of character for Dawn that Beth just had to ask why she was helping her. Dawn only looked at her, "I thought you were weak." she nodded, "But you've proven me wrong."

Beth didn't waste another second and marched on towards Doctor Edward's office. He seemed confused at first, not expecting Beth to come over. The way Beth was asking about what medicine the patient needed sounded alarm bells in his mind. If she took it from Dawn, he would help her immediately. But if Dawn gave her the key, it felt like a trap and Dawn's traps are not something to underestimate. 

He wanted to spare Beth from any information in order to stop her from doing anything stupid but Beth stood her ground. She wasn't having any of it. In the end, Beth won and he reluctantly answered her question. "Epinephrine drip. Five milligrams." Beth didn't thank him, didn't even gave him a nod of acknowledgement before turning around. 

Edwards called out for her and Beth stopped in her tracks. He sighed before speaking up, "Good luck!" he offered cautiously. He watched as she walked away, her retreating figure made him nervous. There was no turning back for Beth. She made her choice. 

----

Beth passed by Percy with a triumphant smile on her face. A few strawberries make a great ally. She looked around quickly before administering the epinephrine drip to Aliya. Aliya looked so....shut down with all the tubes and wires coming out of her. Beth took ahold of Aliya's hand and squeezed it gently. 

She took a deep breath as she looked down at her, "Aliya." she called out gently. Aliya's hand felt soft but cold in her hand. Beth blinked away her tears before clearing her throat, "I just wanted you to know that I'm here." she smiled gently. She was here for her. Protecting her like Aliya always did for her. Beth looked away for a second in order to gather herself. 

"I wanted to apologise..." she trailed off. She caressed Aliya's hand soothingly, "I'm sorry for being a bitch to you." she chuckled lightly. Beth could already imagine Aliya rolling her eyes at her and waving her off. She was always trying make things light when it came to Beth. She could only guess that it was her way of protecting Beth's heart. Not like it was her obligation. 

But now, it was Beth's turn. 

==+==

The air around them was tense and thick. Aliya had her hand on her side as she lulled to the side, still weak from her injuries while Beth wheeled her towards the others. They were made aware of the trade made by Rick and was told to get ready for the handover. Dawn and the other officers stood on guard in front of them, armed and ready for action. 

Aliya swallowed a gulp of air before holding onto Beth's hand on her shoulder. She squeezed it gently as Beth squeezed back. There was no way of telling how things were gonna go. Dawn looked at her men briefly, "Holster your weapons." she ordered while holstering her gun. Aliya's eyes glared at the back of Dawn's head, unsure of what was going on in her head. 

Beth felt Aliya's hold on her hand tightened as the doors opened. Dawn looked back at them and signalled for Beth to move forward, in line with Dawn. Aliya kept her eyes on Daryl who was in turn, staring at her with worry. She could only stare back and watch as he became relaxed when his eyes caught Beth's. She's back, Daryl. 

The others kept mum while the two leaders exchanged words. There was a talk about a man named Lamson, an officer that fell in the hands of walkers. The other two officer with Rick confirmed it to be true and Aliya could just feel sorry. Dawn nodded, "One of yours for one of mine." she called out to Rick. Rick nodded in agreement before nodding to Daryl. 

Words were limited in their exchange as Dawn nodded to her officer to trade people. Daryl kept his eyes on the officer wheeling Aliya towards them, his face unforgivingly cold. He snatched Aliya's bag from him before gently but firmly taking Aliya away. He swooped down and gave her a quick peck on her head before giving her to Noah. She patted Noah's hand as he steadied her up. 

They all watched at Dawn and Rick traded Beth for Shepherd, both parties cautious and focused. Aliya breathed a sigh of relief as Rick embraced Beth, giving her an affectionate kiss on the crown of her head. She's finally back. Noah smiled down at Aliya as he felt her relax. Carol's eyes were moist with tears as she, also, caressed Aliya's back. 

Daryl reached his hand out for Beth and gave her a side-hug. He watched as Carol passed Aliya over to Tyreese who helped her walk. 

"Now I just need Noah!"

Dawn's words ceased them right on their tracks. Rick paused in his steps, trying to figure out if he was just hearing things or if Dawn really dropped that bomb. It was a clear trade with clear fractions; two officers for two of their people. Noah was never part of the deal. 

Aliya fidgeted in her place as she stared at Noah whose face has fallen. He looked defeated as the reality of the hold that Dawn had on him set in. Beth shook her head as she marched towards Noah, hugging him tightly. Noah smiled to himself as he nodded, "It's okay." he muttered gently, trying to give comfort to Beth. 

Tyreese watched cautiously as Aliya limped forward, focused on Beth and Noah. Dawn looked at Noah with wide and wild eyes, "I knew you'd be back." she muttered, almost amused. Aliya watched Beth's eyes flicker towards Dawn's, her mind clouded with hot rage. With every step Beth took closer to Dawn, Aliya's heart pumped with fear. "No." she whispered as she limped closer. 

Beth nodded, "I get it now." she sneered as her whole body shook with hatred. Aliya's eyes moistened with tears as she realised what Beth was planning on doing. Beth stared Dawn down as she pulled her hand back before plunging her knife deep in Dawn's chest. Dawn's eyes widened in surprise as she instinctively pulled the trigger. 

"No!" Aliya wailed as a blood started spilling out of Beth's head. Daryl's vision blackened as he snatched his gun from its holster, planting a bullet on Dawn's forehead. Shepherd's mouth was moving but Aliya couldn't hear a thing. She walked meekly towards Daryl whose shoulders were shaking as tears fell down his cheeks. Aliya herself couldn't talk so she opted to put a comforting palm on Daryl's shoulder. 

Carol walked over to Rick and did the same, trying to tap him back to reality. Daryl allowed Aliya to hold him gently as sobs escaped his lips. Tears flowed freely down Aliya's cheeks as both she and Daryl expressed their grief over Beth's death. They were so close. So close to bringing her back home. 

Daryl was the one who carried Beth's body while the others gave him the space he needed. Aliya trailed behind with Noah as she watched Daryl carry Beth. It wasn't supposed to end this way. Beth should still be here with them, hugging Maggie as the sisters cried into each other's shoulder. Noah and Beth should be hanging around and flirting like teenagers are supposed to do. 

Beth should be bantering with Aliya while Daryl grumbled to himself at the silliness of the two. Beth was supposed to come back home. Aliya's eyes shut tight as Maggie collapsed to the ground, a wail of agony escaping her lips. Daryl sobbed as he laid Beth's body down on the ground, his heart heavy and exhausted. 

Maggie crawled towards her sister and hugged her tight. Daryl staggered backwards, giving the sisters their space. He looked around for a while before his eyes fell on Aliya's. They stared at each other for a while, before Aliya opened her arms for him. He marched towards her and engulfed her in a hug, burying his face on the crook of her neck. 

Daryl cried on her shoulder while she sobbed on his chest, both feeling like a failure for failing to bring Beth back home. Death was all around them but this one hit different. 

Why do all the good ones die?