The doorbell rang as the usual customer walked into the store. I smiled and greeted Mrs. Greenly. She gave me a hug.
"Hey Devi-Kayah, how are you today?" She asked. I smiled.
"I'm great, Mrs. Greenly. Thank you for asking, and how are you today?" I spoke. She sighed. Her husband just died from a bite he had received from another man.
"I'm still here. I miss Edgar so much." She spoke, eyes glinting slightly. I put my hand on her shoulder, rubbing it in comfort.
"I miss mine, as well Mrs. Greenly. Everything will get better in the process, I promise." I hugged her once more. She smiled, grabbing her medicine and turning away. Before she walked out, she waved back at me.
She walked out, and this guy from out of nowhere, bit her on her neck. I stood in shock, grabbing my hunter's knife, running to the door.
"Oh my god! Call the hospital!" I yelled out to my co-workers. I looked at saw this monster of a man eat away at Mrs. Greenly's body. Tears fled from my eyes, I opened the door, pushing the man off of her. I heard him groan out.
It was too much like the movies. He was a Zombie, a walker. I picked myself up, and shoved the knife in his eye, killing him instantly. I looked down at Mrs. Greenly, watching her come back to life. I kissed her forehead before I stuck the knife in her head, finally putting her to rest.
I ran back inside the pharmacy. Ed, the owner ran up to me. He grabbed me into his arms. I pushed away, running behind the counter, grabbing my bag. I ran to the medicine and started throwing everything I could think of.
"Everyone, go home and stay there! Don't open up for anyone, don't get scratched or bitten by these monsters. If you're gonna kill them, aim for the head. It's just like in the movies! GO, NOW!" I yelled, running out the building. I jumped into my black Z71, and tore off to my house. I grabbed my phone calling Mary.
"Hello?" She asked breathlessly.
"Mary, get your stuff packed. Call Catherine, Ryan and Derrick. Get clothes, the necessities, everything! Just get everything! I'm on the way home. Hurry! There has been a outbreak. Something bad is happening!" I yelled, hanging up.
I turned the radio on, hoping to hear something about what is happening.
[i]"National Emergency; there is an outbreak. CDC has concluded that the dead are coming back to life. Everyone get into a safe and secure place. Don't get bitten or scratched, they are the causes of death… Die….come back."[/i]the radio started going in and out. I groaned, pulling up to the house. I was surprised that everyone was there.
I ran inside, straight to my room. I grabbed everything. Every piece of clothing I owned, all the way down to tooth brush, soap, tooth paste, rags, towels, conditioner and shampoo. I grabbed my three rifles, my crossbow, my knives, my katana, my cell phone, my arrows, ammo, everything I could throw in the bed of the truck. The others followed suit, as I started off to King County.
Four hours later, I was back in my town. The roads were wrecked, needless to say; there were times were we had to push cars out the way. Dead flesh, rotten insides fled the air. It was awful.
"Where we going Devi-Kayah?" Derrick wondered. I sighed lighting a cigarette.
"King County. My home town. Even though my husband fucked me over, I need to check on him. I hope he's still alive. I know a place where we can go if the roads are too much." I spoke. He coughed, as I pulled into the ravine.
I parked the truck under the tree where Daryl and I always parked. I noticed there were other vehicles at the area, too. I got out the truck, crossbow in hand, and walked up to the buff guy with 'POLICE' on his hat.
"Any of you bit?" He questioned. I shook my head no.
"No sir, we stayed in the truck ever since we left. I'm Devi-Kayah." I spoke, holding a hand out. He looked down, than taking mine is his.
"I'm Shane, this is my group." He spoke. I nodded.
"Thank you for taking us in. We come for help and health, and we'll give as much as we can as well." I replied with a smile.
"Well, come and meet the rest of the group." He smiled. I nodded, following him as he lead me to the other.
"Guys, we have some new guests. This is Devi-Kayah. The others she's with are unloading her truck. None of which are bitten." He explained. The group nodded.
"This is Lori, and her son Carl." He started. They smiled and said hello.
"This is Carol, her daughter Sophia. Ed is somewhere around here." He spoke, I smiled, and in return gaining a smile from them.
"That is Miranda, her daughter Eliza, and her son Luis. Her husband is on a run back to Atlanta." He said, as I received a smile and wave from them.
"And that's, Amy and Dale. Amy's sister Andrea is on a run with Morales and others." He pointed to the young teen blonde girl and an older man.
"I'm Jim, nice to meet you, Devi-Kayah." Jim called out. I smiled.
"Nice to meet you all, like he said, I'm Devi-Kayah." I piped up. Everyone came to me with open arms, engulfing me in a hug.
"Devi-Kayah, I love your name." Little Sophia stated. I smiled.
"Thank you, Sophia. I love your name as well." I smiled. She looked over my back and saw my crossbow.
"Oh cool! You have a crossbow, too! Carl, look!" She exclaimed over to Carl. His eyes light up.
"Cool! Can you teach us how to use it?" He wondered, I looked at Lori and Carol and they nodded.
"Sure, how about let me get settled in, and you can do some night shooting." I smiled, winking at them. They nodded fast, running back to Lori and Carol.
"Thank you all for welcoming us. It's greatly appreciated!" I exclaimed, running back to the truck. I started getting our stuff out. The others had already sat our tents up.
There was a commotion ringing throughout the reserve. I looked up and saw a red Ford Mustang that its alarm was squeaking. I was alarmed. I held my crossbow as Shane started running to the car as it came to a halt.
"Turn it off!" Shane yelled.
"I don't know how!" The Korean guy yelled in reply, jumping out the car. I ran over, popped the hood, and snatched the battery cables off the battery. I closed my eyes and sighed, as a box truck pulled up.
"I hope them Walkers don't come now." I said as four others jumped out of the box truck. I could tell something was wrong. Another guy stepped out the box truck. I was in my own little world, but I was ripped out.
"Dad? …. DAD!" Carl exclaimed, running to the cop, Lori followed behind him. The 'Dad' dropped to his knees engulfing Carl in his arms, and tears falling from his eyes. A stray tear slipped off my cheek. I was once pregnant, but I ended up losing the baby.
"Carl, oh god. Lori!" Dad spoke, as Lori reached him. She hugged him tightly. The look on Shane's faced looked as if it were betrayed.
"Oh, you're new?" A blonde asked me. My guess it was Andrea. I smiled and nodded.
"I'm Devi-Kayah. Nice to meet you…?" I started.
"I'm Andrea. Nice meeting you, as well." She smiled, hugging me. I watched as 'Morales' walked over to his family. The black man and the black lady walked over to Amy and Andrea.
"I'm T-Dog. Nice to meet you, Devi-Kayah." He smiled over to me.
"Nice meeting you T-Dog." I smiled, waving to him.
"I'm Jacqui, welcome to the group." She smiled. I grinned.
"Nice meeting you, Jacqui." I replied back. I watched as the families got together, happy to be with one another. I was jealous. I laid my hand on my stomach, rubbing it in circles. I thought what it would've been like if the bullshit that happened, didn't.
That night they sat up a campfire. I excused myself, and sat off to myself. My group was already in the tents, doing their own thing. I sat in the back against my truck tire, with my crossbow in my hands. I could hear bits and pieces that were said. Something about Merle being a hazard and they didn't want his brother to find out.
My mind couldn't leave from Daryl and Merle. Out of all the people in the world, I cared for them two the most. They always kept me safe and protected. I sighed, as the tears fell from my eyes. I grabbed my necklace that had my wedding ring on it. I couldn't shake Daryl from my mind. We may have ended on bad terms, but we were still married, and I did still love him.
"Devi-Kayah, are you okay?" Amy wondered. I looked up at her and smiled sadly.
"Yeah, Amy. I'm okay." I said sadly.
"So, tell me about yourself?" She wondered. I nodded as Andrea walked over.
"I'm from King County. I was married to the love of my life. Well, I was married until I found him in bed with my so called best friend… God, I hope she died. That was mean, but oh well. She took my husband away from me. I still love him and think about him all the time." I started.
"Oh wow." Was only what Amy said.
"He was amazing. Him and his brother kept me safe and protected. I will always love him no matter what, even if he did fuck me over." I gritted out. Andrea put her arm around me.
"I just hope he's okay." I said with tears falling down my face. The girls hugged me, as Dale announced it was time to go to sleep. I said I'd take first watch. I walked to the RV and climbed on top, taking my seat in the folding chair.
Nothing through the night. I wasn't too surprised; Dale did say it was safe. As morning came, I climbed down off the RV, and walked to my tent as everyone was getting up. I laid down, for a couple of hours, but it only felt like minutes. What woke me up was a yelling commotion.
I jumped up and ran to the sounds. A voice I know so familiar yelled to the others, then threw a string of squirrels at Shane. Shane ran up and shoved him, but he drew his knife thrashing, trying to cut, who I found out was Rick. Shane came up behind him and had the man in a choke hold, Rick was trying to reason. I looked closer and it was Daryl.
Once again, I was lost in thought. Shane, let Daryl go as him and Rick talked amongst them. Daryl was crying. I walked to him as he yelled, "To hell with all yal! Just tell me where he is and I'll go get him." as he turned around; I slapped him as hard as I could.
"Listen, you dumbass redneck, you shut the fuck up and listen to what they're saying! You know how he can get! You're just so blinded!" I yelled, slapping him again.
"Devi-Kayah, no!" I heard being shouted. I laughed.
"This fine heartless, piece of shit, bastard is my husband." I said, as I stared into Daryl's eyes. I looked at everyone and they were shocked.
"What? He ain't gonna do anything to me, but cheat on me." I spoke, walking away. I went back in my tent, and cried. I cried my eyes out. I heard a light tap on my tent. I opened it and it was Daryl.
"Devi…" He started; I just put my hand up.
"Daryl, do you know how hard it was to catch you and her in bed? I gave my everything to you!" I yelled, crawling out the tent and trotting off, but only to be stopped by Daryl. He turned me around and I looked in his eyes.
"Do you know how hard it was to watch the only man I loved, fuck my so called best friend? Because I don't think you do, Daryl! I gave every fucking thing to you and what did I get in return? A fucking broken heart!" I beat his chest, in tears.
He grabbed my arms making me stop.
"You don't know how hard it was to watch you leave me!" He grunted.
"You fucking cheated on me, Daryl! Do you understand that, too? You fucking cheated on me!" I yelled in his chest.
"I hate you so much for it Daryl, but I still fucking love you! We were married for five fucking years! I lost the baby because of what I found in my bed! The same fucking night I was going to tell you the news you've wanted to hear!"
"You were pregnant?" He whispered. I looked at him, backing up slowly.
"Yes Daryl I was pregnant. But so much for that! You fucked up, not me." I gritted, turning away. Amy, the Korean Glenn, T-Dog and Andrea were standing there shocked. As tears fled my face, I dodged them.
"Tha fuck yal lookin' at?" He grunted out to the others. I made my way to the truck. I lit up a cigarette, inhaling the toxins. I sighed, looking over at Andrea and Amy. Amy bit her lip, and then started to come towards me. She gave me a sad smile.
"I'm sorry." She muttered. I furrowed my eyebrows exhaling the smoke. I shook my head.
"Not your fault, Amy." I reassured her. I showed her the sonogram I had for the baby. She smiled.
"I bet he or she would've been beautiful." She said, hugging me. Tears trickled down my face.
"Is Merle alive?" I asked, too worried about him, and worried for Daryl as well.
"I don't know." Was all she muttered. I nodded in her shoulder.
"Yal, come over here for a minute?" Rick yelled out to everyone. I slid out the truck, and Amy and I headed to the group. I bit my lip. Daryl was cleaning his bolts.
"Why would you risk your life for a douche bag like, Merle Dixon?" Shane asked Rick.
"Aye, choose your words more carefully." Daryl shot back.
"No I did, douchebag is what I meant." He called back to Daryl, before looking at Rick.
"Merle Dixon, that guy wouldn't give you a glass of water if you were dying of thirst." Shane finished.
"He would, for her." Daryl called, pointing to me. Shane looked at me, I nodded.
"What he would or wouldn't do, doesn't interest me. I can't let a man die of thirst, me; thirst and exposure. We left him like an animal caught in trap, that's no way for anything to die, let alone a human being." Rick spoke, turning away.
"So you and Daryl, that's your big plan?" Lori asked from the drying clothes. Rick turned to Glen.
"Oh, come on." Glen spoke, not really wanting to go on the run.
"You know the way. You've been there before, in and out, no problem; you said so yourself. It's not fair for me to ask, I know that. But I'd feel a lot better with you along" He started, "I know she would too." He said, pointing back at Lori.
"That's just great, now were gonna risk three men, huh?" Shane piped up.
"Four." T-Dog spoke.
"Whew, my day just gets better and better, don't it?" Daryl howled.
"Yeah, you see anybody else here stepping up to save your brothers cracker ass?" T-Dog shot back.
"Why you?" Daryl wondered, cleaning his bolts, looking to see if they were straight.
"You wouldn't even begin to understand, you don't even speak my language." T-Dog shot back.
"That's four." Dale added.
"It's not just four. Your putting every single one of us at risk, just know that Rick. I mean come on, you saw that walker. It was here, it was in camp. They're moving out of the city, they come back, we need every able body here; we need to protect camp." Shane tried to get through.
"It seems like what you need is more guns." Rick replied. I shook my head.
"Fuck this. There is no sense in this bull shit. My group can fight. I'm going with Rick. Merle is my brother in law still. He's protected me, and I'll protect him." I yelled over. Daryl got up and started walking to me.
I zoned out and caught what Lori said.
"To hell with guns, Shane is right. Merle Dixon, he's not worth one of your lives, even with guns thrown in." Lori piped up to Rick.
"You're right, he may not be worth it to yal, but he's my family. He may not be my blood, but he's always done right by me. I'm going." I called out.
"No you ain't!" Daryl exclaimed.
"Fuck you Daryl. You ain't got to watch out for me. I made it this far without you, I think I can manage a couple more days and hours, without you as well." I gritted, turning away. I walked back to my truck, got my crossbow, cigarettes, my rifle with a suppressor, the FN 5.7 Merle gave me with a silencer, and the hunting knife Daryl gave me.
I sighed, walking back to other. Amy wrapped her arms around me. I squeezed her tight, then letting go, as the box truck's horn sounded.
"Come on, let's go!" Daryl yelled. I rolled my eyes, running towards the truck. T-Dog helped me in the back of the truck. I sat against the plywood core of the box. I started going through my guns, making sure they were ready for fire.
The truck started up, and Daryl pulled the latch down. Glen started our journey, as we were on our way to the city. I bit my lip, admitting to myself that I was scared. Not only for Glen, T-Dog, Rick, myself and Daryl, I was more afraid for Merle. Merle didn't do too good under pressure with just by himself without his meds.
I looked at Daryl, he was wiping his eyes discreetly. T-Dog started to laugh.
"Devi-Kayah, you were really married to that jackass Dixon?" He asked me. I nodded.
"Yeah, I was. I loved him with all my heart, but only to be fucked over. 5 fucking years down the drain, right Daryl?" I seethed. He sighed, then hit the wall.
"Fuck, keep reminding me, why don't you? Yeah, I fucked up big time. I made a fucking mistake. All I ever fucking done was make a mistake. You were the best fucking thing that ever happened to me." Daryl yelled. I rolled my eyes, and snorted.
"If I was, then why in the fuck did you do it? If I wasn't enough, you could've just said. You couldn't have your cake and eat it all, Daryl. You tried for both, so I left." I retorted. He growled in frustration.
"He better be okay. It's my only word on the matter." Daryl shot to T-Dog.
"I told you, the geeks can't get at him. Only thing that's gonna get through that door is us." T-Dog replied calmly. I felt the truck come to a halt. I jumped up and waited for Daryl to unlatch the door. He jumped out and I followed suit, as T-Dog followed me.
I started running to get caught up with Rick and Glen, as did Daryl and T-Dog. We found ourselves in the building Merle was cuffed on the roof. It was an accessory store. We all stopped and saw a walker. Daryl crept over, closer to her. She hissed and grunted.
"Damn, you are one ugly skank." He spoke, raising the crossbow up. She hissed and he triggered the bolt. It went straight in her head. He walked to retrieve it. The adrenaline rushed through all of us as we made our way up the stairs to the only thing that barricaded us from the roof. T-Dog started to cut the chain.
As the chain broke free, Daryl kicked the door open and ran out, yelling Merle's name. I ran behind the others on the catwalk. I jumped off and got by Darly. Merle wasn't there. My eyes were flooded.
"No! NO! … NO!" Daryl yelled out, tears flooding his eyes. My lip quivered, I tried to control my tears. I wrapped my arms around Daryl, pulling him to me.
"NO! … NO!" He yelled out once more. I cried like no tomorrow. This broke my heart. My husband was falling apart, and there wasn't anything I could do. I looked over and saw a hand saw, next to his hand, and a bloody cuff that hung from the pipe.
I closed my eyes, feeling Daryl wrap his arms around me. The others were at loss for words. I couldn't believe it. Merle mutilated himself to get away. Daryl's breathing started to become more rapid. He tore away from me, hoisting his crossbow to T-Dog's head. Rick was quicker, he pulled the hammer on his gun and held it to Daryl's head.
"NO!" I yelled, in tears. It seemed like everything froze, I pulled my crossbow to Rick's head.
"I won't hesitate. I don't care if every walker in this city hears it." Rick spat. Daryl thought, for a second, and then dropped his crossbow. It seemed like minutes later, Rick dropped his gun, than I dropped mine.
"You got…you got a do-rag or something?" Daryl asked T-Dog. He nodded, giving him the rag. He went over and picked up Merle's hand, wrapping it in the rag. He got up, walking over to Glen and put the covered hand in his back-pack.
"He must've used a tourniquet. Maybe his belt… it would've been much more blood if he didn't." he spoke. I followed the trail absentmindedly. It went through another door. I hoisted my crossbow, going around the corner; Daryl in suit.
"Merle!" I called out.
"Merle, you in here?" Daryl sounded from behind me. We began walking down the stairs, into a kitchen type room. The smell of burned skin filled my nostrils.
"Had it in him enough to take out these two som-bitches… one handed." He said, getting his crossbow.
"Toughest asshole, I've ever met, my brother. Feed him a hammer, he'd crap out nails." Daryl finished. I snorted. It was true. Merle was a badass.
"Any man could pass out from blood loss. No matter how tough he is." Rick shot, walking forward, to the smell.
"Merle!" Daryl yelled out.
"Were not alone here. Remember?" Rick asked Daryl.
"Screw them, could be bleeding out, remember? Said so yourself." Daryl fired. I felt my stomach drop.
"What's that burning stuff?" Glen asked.
"Skin." Rick started.
"He cauterized the stomp." I spoke for Rick.
"Told ya he's tough. Ain't nobody can kill Merle, but Merle." Daryl said.
"Don't take down faith, he's lost a lot of blood." Rick reasoned.
"Yeah? It didn't stop him from busting out of this death trap." Daryl noted, looking at the broken window.
"He left the building?! Why the hell would he do that?" Glen asked. Once again, I went back to my own little world. I was pulled out by seeing Daryl and Rick face to face.
"Fucking stop! Let's just find my brother in law." I spat, walking out the kitchen, alone. I got to a point where I could see the truck, but I didn't see it.
"Merle, you bastard!" I yelled in frustration. He left us. I knew somehow he knew that knew someone would come back for him. That was expected. I ran back into the kitchen, Glen, T-Dog, Daryl and Rick were going over a plan.
"Truck's gone." I cried. Daryl got up and wrapped his arms around me.
"We'll figure something out, I promise." Daryl whispered. Not long after, they ran over the plan with me. I was ready for anything now.