Author's note: English is not my first language and this is the very first story I've written in English, so please be patient with me. Also I'm pretending that the episode 5x08 did not happen.

Have a little faith

With a crossbow in his hands he slowly followed the trail of footsteps in front of him. He didn't know how long he was tracking it, but it seems like maybe an hour. Another few minutes past, then he heard somebody approaching him from behind. He didn't hesitate and quickly turn, his crossbow still high enough to kill whoever was trying to sneak up to him.

But when he saw that wide green eyes staring back at him, he lowered the bow a bit and he let out annoyed sigh. „The hell are you doin' here girl? Told ya to stay back in the camp."

She crossed her arms before her chest and frowned. „You also told me that you will learn me how to hunt, mr. Dixon."

Daryl sighed once more. „Not today."

„Why not?" She asked, pushing few of her loosen hair behind her ear. „I didn't want to stay in the camp all by myself."

He hesitated a bit. Beth was surprisingly a good learner. He showed her the basic, actually surprised on how quickly she was able to catch on. Daryl was still worried that she'll slow him down when it comes to actual hunting. But this time, it looks like he may not have a choice.

„Come on then." Her face lit up with a hint of smile. Daryl didn't commented on it, neither did he say anything else, he just turned back and continue in tracking.
He heard her footsteps behind him, but she was obviously trying to go as quietly as she could. They didn't have to go too far ahead to find the dinner, they have been tracking.

A deer. A very big deer. And now also very dead and contaminated deer. „Son of a bitch." Daryl murmured under his beard as he watched a walker eating the remains of the deer.

Beth catched up to him quickly and she stand next to him and silently watched. She didn't flinch, neither did she complain about the fact they're going to be, yet again, without a proper meal. „We should kill it." She suggested.

„Nah. Waste of an arrow." Daryl started to turn to go back, when she spoke again.

„I'll do it. Just lend me the crossbow." He stopped and looked back at her. „Ain't letting you my crossbow any time soon, Greene." He studied her face, to his surprise she almost looked disappointed. „Why not?"

„Maybe later. Once you learn how to hunt, properly."

There has been silence, they were both looking at each other, probably trying to guess what the other one is thinking. „Fine, keep that bow, I'll do it with my knife."

Before Daryl could even process what she said, she already turn her back to him and started marching right towards the walker and the deer. Daryl rolled his eyes, but he raised the crossbow and with well aimed shot killed the walker before Beth could even got too close. She turned back to him with surprised look on her face. „I could have done it by myself!" She raised her voice with a little anger in it. Daryl made a few steps closer to the walker and ripped out the arrow. „Yeah, I know."

He didn't say anything else, just turned and marched back to the woods, back to the camp they've both left. He didn't have to look back to know that Beth had followed him.

His eyes flung open and he had to adjust for a minute to actually remember where he was. In a church. With his family. But Beth wasn't here.

He stopped counting how many nights he had spent dreaming about the time they had together. Never actually thought he might miss it one day.

„You okay?"

Daryl turned his head to his left. It was still dark but he knew that the person asking was nobody else then Carol. „Mhmm-hmm."

„You don't seem okay."

„It's nothin'. Just a stupid dream, that's all."

Carol shifted and sit, leaning her back against one of the church chairs. She didn't speak, it was Daryl who broke the silence. „I ain't gonna go to no Washington." He remembered Rick promised Abraham that. He didn't think he was in any position to actually say anything in that moment so he kept silent. Rick was the leader of the group. He didn't need his help in deciding what is best for the group.

„Why not?"

Daryl thought that was a really stupid question. Surely Carol had to know the reason why he doesn't wanna go. Why he can't go. Maybe she just wanted to hear it from him, directly. „Beth." He said with an exhale. „Gotta find her."

„You think she's still in Georgia?"

Daryl bit his lip. There was no insurance she was even still alive. Even if she was still in Georgia, he didn't know where to start looking for her. But he felt responsible. It was his fault that Beth was taken by whoever took her. „Maybe."

„I'm gonna stay here. Look with you." Carol leaned forward and pat his hand. He didn't really know how to respond. She didn't have to stay with him, but of course she would. „Try to get some sleep." She added when she lied down again next to him.

„Mh-hmm." Daryl agreed, but he knew that he won't be able to sleep. Truth to be told, he didn't want to sleep. He knew that once he closed his eyes, Beth would haunt him. He was also afraid that one day, maybe he wouldn't wanna wake up.