I'm absolutely in love with The Walking Dead, so I decided to write a fanfic about it! Yay. Of course, I do not own The Walking Dead. That would be a dream come true! Haha I've fallen in love with Daryl over the seasons and figured maybe he needs some loving too. So I hope you all enjoy this Daryl/OC story!

Love WolfNinja

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Chapter One-Finally Something Good In Hell

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Hell. It can be described as many things, the place where the devil resides and fire tortures every soul, a work place with an awful boss, prison, school, etcetera. Or maybe Charlie Daniel's song had come true and the devil had come down to Georgia. Unfortunately, I don't think any of those really fit the category of hell anymore. Hell was at every living person's doorstep, in the streets, and anywhere between. The dead were coming back. Not like the horror movies were the dead came up from the grave, but people were getting bit by others and turning into brain-dead, flesh-eating machines. Was this biological warfare from other country? Or was this the Hell on Earth the Bible told us about?

I was slowly driving down the deserted highway in my Kia Sportage trying to get away from King's County, Georgia and head towards Atlanta looking for anything that was actually "alive." I felt lost, so lost. My best bud Cole, sat in the car seat next to me. He had his tongue out and seemed to not have a worry in this hellish world. Cole was my German Shepard and the most loyal companion I'd ever had. A friend of mine had given him to me a few years ago because he was the runt of the litter and no one expected him to be "right." That was his loss. He was smart and learned thing's easily. My dog was beautiful with his markings and smaller stature than most. He had become a hunting partner and a best friend. Cole was my little angel in hell. Without him I would be lost.

My old town had been run over with the undead. I had gotten a call while I was getting ready to go to work at Emory University Hospital. In that life, I was a pediatrician. I thought life was great. My medical career had finally started. That call probably saved my life, no matter how grim of a call it was. My old friend called and told me that my brother had been shot while on police duty. Of course, I grabbed what I thought I needed from my city apartment and rushed to get into the car with Cole. It had been early in the morning, so I got out of the city fairly fast, but then everything went up in flames. Urgent messages started coming over the radio about the 'walking dead' and 'cannibals' taking over major cities. I had stopped by home as soon as I heard the radio cast. I remember calling out for Daddy, but he wasn't there. I had called his phone and I thanked God when he answered, but the call didn't go exactly how it should have. Screaming and the sound of flesh being ripped off the people's bones on the other end of the phone line haunted my every thought. Daddy was dead, or either eating other people for lunch. I had taken all of his guns, throwing knives, machetes, and other weapons I could grab and threw them into the back of my car. I raided the cabinets for food and took cases of water. Daddy had a huge hobby of saving stuff and preparing for the end of the world like the people on the show "DoomsDay Preppers." Life really can suck; prep for the end of the world, then the world ends when you're not home. At least his prepping had Cole and I set for a while.

It had been a month, give or take a few days, since that awful day occurred. The sun was bright in the sky and it was hot, nothing unusual for summer in Georgia. I could see smoke from a fire coming somewhere to my right. That had to mean survivors.

"Should we check it out, Cole?"

All Cole did was turn his head to look at me with a happy face and tongue hanging out of his mouth. I slowed down and pulled onto a path that was going up hill around a large quarry. I began to see a lot of tents set up and the fire that was causing the smoke. How would they react to me just rolling up? I reached into the glove box, where I kept my 9mm Glock. I grabbed my weapon and placed it in the back of my pants. Well, here goes nothing. I stepped out of the car with Cole at my heels.

"Hello?"

My southern accent was thick and that would most likely never change. I slowly walked towards the tents. I hoped everyone was still alive. I hadn't seen any monstrosities, so I prayed I wouldn't be surprised by any. I pulled my gun out and held it in front of me, ready to shoot if need be.

"Hold 't there, girl, or 'll shoot ya."

Someone said from behind me. His voice was rough and deep. His accent was a lot worse than mine. Cole snarled at him.

"Shut y'ur dog up."

I raised my hands above my head, trying to show I wasn't a threat.

"Quiet boy."

I whispered and Cole quickly lay down at my feet, but kept a watchful eye on whoever this person was. I heard more footsteps coming. Shoot, I made the wrong decision coming here. Wonderful, I'd die by the living and not get eaten. That was the better way out if you ask me.

"If you're gonna shoot me, I'd suggest you go ahead."

It was never smart to snap at a person who had a gun, but hey, I was in hell anyway with nothing to lose.

"Aunt Ryder?"

Yes, my name was Ryder. Deanna Ryder Grimes. I just went by Ryder. I turned my head slightly to see my small nephew. His blue eyes were as stunning as his father's and the freckles that ran across his nose made him so adorable. He was frozen in front of me as if he was staring at a ghost. Course, I felt the same way. Out of all the people in the world, I was somehow blessed and reunited with my nephew.

"Carl!"

Ignoring the man that threatened to shoot me, I ran to Carl and embraced him in a big hug. Tears flowing down my cheeks. I'd found my family in the mist of Hell on Earth. I pulled back from the embrace and run my fingers through the boy's hair to make sure I wasn't dreaming.

"You're alive!"

I rejoiced as I continued to run my fingers through his hair and run a thumb over his cheeks. My nephew was alive! But, was Rick?

"Where's your daddy?"

I asked, but his gaze went down cast.

"He's dead."

My heart stopped. So, Rick had died… I quickly embraced Carl once more. I'd make sure nothing happened to my brother's, my best friend's, son.

"Wha' 'he hell kinda name is Ryder?"

I'd let the comment slide and enjoy my moment of bliss. I let go of Carl to look behind me to see a full-blown redneck. Here I was thinking I'd be the one looking like a hick, with my cowboy boots, cowboy hat, jeans, and t-shirt. Man was I wrong. He wore a dirty shirt that had the sleeves ripped up, a black vest, bloody and grimy jeans, and what looked like steel-toed boots. His arms were muscular beyond belief, his face was a little rough, with facial hair on his chin and lip, but he had a strong jawline and piercing blue eyes. In a previous life, before this apocalypse, I would have found him down right hot. That's when I noticed his weapon.

"Is that a Horton Scout HD 125?"

I inquired about his crossbow. My eyes lit up for the second time that day. The redneck pulled his crossbow close to his chest as if trying to protect it from me.

"Yeah, wha''s 'it ta ya."

I just shook my head and smiled.

"Just admiring it."

I turned my gaze back to the little boy in front of me. I rustled his hair and earned a death glare from him. I stood up only to realize that a group of people had made their way around me. I suddenly felt claustrophobic.

"There's another survivor! How'd you find us?"

I turned to my right to see an old man with a white undershirt and button up on and an old fishing hat on his head. I just scratched my head in nervousness.

"Smoke from your fire."

He seemed shocked.

"You can see that well?"

I just shook my head.

"Just good with observati-"

Before I could finish my sentence, someone crashed into me. I couldn't tell if I was receiving a hug or someone was attempting to suffocate me. Great, had hope for just a second, now I was going to die.

"I'm so glad you made it out of the city."

That voice I could recognize anywhere. My brother and I had grown up with the man. I had known him most of my life considering I was five years younger than my brother. Shane and Rick had been almost inseparable, which meant he was always around. Cole was barking in excitement.

"Good to see you too, Walsh."

Shane pulled back from the hug with a huge grin. It almost broke my heart to see him, but my brother wasn't anywhere in sight. I looked around the group some more. There were a few families, two children including Carl, two rednecks, an Asian, two blondes, the old guy, a few others, and Lori. I never liked Lori; Rick could have done so much better. But, there were many survivors! My heart was happy.

"You're the lady that used to tip me so well when I delivered pizzas."

The Asian guy took a step forward. I looked him over intently. He was the man who always delivered my pizza if I was too lazy to go and get it. He was a sweetheart and always had a smile on his face. I usually tipped him twenty dollars every time he came out.

"I declare, Mr. Glen!? I'm so happy to see you out of the city!"

A blush came across his cheeks. He was a delightful young man. He laughed nervously.

"No need for calling me mister."

His eyes squinted up from the huge smile on his face. I was grinning. Before I knew it, I was being bombarded with questions from the other survivors. Shane quickly took charge. I began to feel trapped. Cole began to growl softly, warning the others to back up.

"Y'all give her a few minutes. I'm sure this is a lot for her to take in!"

The group dispersed. Thank goodness. I couldn't handle all of that.

"Let's walk shall we?"

Shane asked as he grabbed my wrist and pulled me away from the only civilization I had seen in weeks. I trusted Shane, so I was at ease. We walked past the rednecks, which seemed to always have a scowl on their face, towards my car.

"So, what happened out there?"

Shane questioned as we reached my Sportage. I hadn't really wanted to relive the last month of my life.

"After your call, I rushed back home. There were a bunch of news reports over the radio, so I stopped by Daddy's place to make sure everything was okay. It wasn't, needless to say, so I took all of Daddy's weapons and things he'd been saving in cause of a doomsday and came looking for Rick and Carl. Been living out the car ever since, then saw smoke from y'all's campfire from the road."

I just gave him a brief summary of what had happened. Shane opened my trunk to see the makeshift bed I had made for Cole and I by pushing the seats down to where only the driver's and passenger's were up and placing a blanket on top of them. I also had a stash of weapons ranging from bows and arrows to guns to throwing knives. Shane's face lit up as he reached for one of the guns.

"Hold it. I'd prefer to keep those weapons myself."

Shane retracted his hand and looked at me in disbelief.

"I'm sure you understand, right?"

I asked as I pulled the trunk closed. I didn't like people rummaging through my supplies, no matter who they were.

"Aye, Captain."

He laughed a booming laugh, but I could easily tell when he was faking it.

"You're staying here right?"

Shane asked and I nodded.

"If I am welcome."

Shane cut a glance at me as we began to walk back to camp.

"You're always welcome."

I smiled softly. That was nice to know. I looked around the small camp. There wasn't food storage, but they probably got their water from the quarry.

"How are y'all getting food?"

I asked as we walked back to the camp.

"Hunting, usually the rednecks do it for us."

I quickly walked back to my car and opened my trunk once more and grabbed a few throwing knives. I always had "different" kinds pastimes when I was younger, from barrel racing in rodeos, to dancing, to hunting, all the way to learning how to use weaponry. Throwing knives had always been my favorite.

"Well, if I'm staying I need to earn my keep."

I said as I walked past Shane and into the woods. Shane started to oppose, but shut his mouth as Cole trotted at my side. He shook his head and just walked into a tent that I had guessed was his. He had changed, that was for sure. Hell can change people, for the good or the bad. I always wonder how it will change me. Guess I will find out, cause I'm living in Hell.