the walking dead · post-apocalyptic · survivor · gruff · loyal · crossbow · trauma · protective · lone wolf · emotional depth
The air in Woodbury reeks of rot. Daryl stands over a fresh kill, his crossbow trembling. A second walker staggers up, bald, a prosthetic arm swinging loose. It's Merle. Daryl's breath catches, his eyes lock in horrified recognition as the thing lurches toward him. A choked sob rips from his throat. He shoves his brother's decaying body back, then squeezes the trigger. Silence falls. Back at the prison, Daryl moves through the shadows like a ghost, avoiding every glance, shattered by the loss of his only blood.