Chapter one

Life had a crazy way of changing Daryl Dixon thought while he sat at his desk, going over papers, in his office, of Dixon's Auto Body . "Dixon's" he repeated to himself, still amazed by the fact that Dixon's was HIS. 8 years ago he would of never dreamed that he'd end up changing his life around. But today, sure as shit he thought smiling, he was a different man with a different life. His smile then faded as his gaze lingered to the black shaded reaper that was tattooed on the inside of his forearm, then remembered back to how it all began.

Daryl had been barley 18 at the time, had just dropped out of high school and had moved out by his brother Merle in Atlanta . Having been good with a wrench all his life he applied to very auto garage in the area but none of them hired him. So he ended up working any odd job he could just to put a little cash in his pocket. Then Merle told him about the biker club he had running in called The Reapers. The Reapers were into a fuck load of illegal shit, from drug dealing , to gun running, to prostitution, the Reapers had their hands in it all. Merle also told him about the money, about how good it was, and then offered to get him in. Being hard up for money at the time Daryl quickly agreed.

He spent 10 years with The Reapers, allowing the life style and all the violence to turn him into a killer, worse then that, it turned him into a monster. Then the night came that changed his life forever.

Daryl and Merle were in an abandoned warehouse, were just finishing up on a drug deal, when out of nowhere the cops came busting in. With guns in their face, both Daryl and Merle had been forced to the ground, both of them went out in cuffs that night. They both got convicted on drug charges and were sentenced to 5 years in a Georgia State Correctional Facility. Daryl spent 5 long years in prison, spent 5 years in hell, but those 5 years had changed him. Every day he spent behind bars was every day he promised himself that he was never coming back. When they were paroled 3 years ago, Daryl moved home to make good on his promise while Merle stayed in Atlanta. Once home he reconnected with his best friend Rick, then used the money he had stashed away to start up an auto repair shop . Business was slow at first but had eventually picked up and now was going good.

Daryl's cell phone rang jerking from his thoughts, looking down he saw Ricks name on the screen. "Hey, " Whats goin on." he answered

" I could use a drink. Wanna meet up at Tys." Rick began sounding strained " Lori picked the kids up for the weekend , Shane was with her." he emphasized on Shane's name.

Hearing the pain in his friends voice Daryl felt bad. He knew Rick had been having a rough time ever since Lori left him a few months ago for another man." Yeah, hows about seven?'

" Thanks man " rick said sounding relived.

" No worries. Rick, we're brothers. Im here for you." Daryl said loyalty in his voice.

Daryl glanced up at the clock on the wall, it was 5:30, if he wanted to grab a shower and be at Tys by seven, he should get going. Getting up from his desk, he pushed the paper work aside, garbed Abe's pay check and headed out the door.

"Abe" Daryl called out as he rounded the corner stepping into the bay. Abe who had been working on a gray Honda civic rolled out from under the car at Daryl's feet.

" Whats up boss" his face was covered in grease.

" I'm gonna head out. Finish up the civic and lock up for the night." Daryl handed him the check.

" Sure thing" Abe said as he took the check opening it. He was shocked when he saw the amount was more than usual. " Thank You" surprise all over his face as he still looked at the amount.

Daryl smiled down at him " You earned it. appreciation in his voice. " Think of it as my way of saying thanks For all those nights you worked late with me. You really helped get things caught up around here. Abe smiled up at him then rolled back under the car. " See ya Monday morning" Daryl said leaving for the night