Shit Happens : A Walking Dead fanfiction [Previously known as Carry On]

Chapter One

Savior

"Oh christ!"

I was running through the forest, screaming frantically. I was at a loss. No weapons. No food. No water. No ways of preserving my life. The only thing I had left to save me were my legs- RUN!

I was terrified. I heard the zombies- or whatever the fuck they were, moaning behind me. I had to outrun them- I couldn't look back. I had no clue how many there were. One, two- a dozen? I had no choice but to run forward. My legs were becoming weaker by the kilometer- apparently four kilometer runs a few days a week didn't do much. My lungs burned, ached as if acid were melting my dry , thirst ridden throat.

I wondered how life could have gotten so dull- so deadly. How did all this start? Like I had a clue. The key to living was knowing how to survive alone, and by being alone most of my life I knew very well how to get by on my own.

My legs gave out on me, I tumbled down the side of a ridge. Fuck. I had to get up, but every time I tried, I got pulled back. I looked and noticed my leg was trapped under a branch.

I screamed as the Whatever-the-fucks-they-are came near me, struggling to get up. One of them was emerging quickly, it's face half cut open. I screamed, praying to god someone would find me.

As the thing ran towards me, a few feet away I begin to pass out. I yelped, my lungs giving out after all the screaming, after all the running. My lungs were too dry to emerge a sound above a yelp. I felt the thing grab my arm, but before it could bare it's teeth, it fell back, an arrow in its forehead. I stared blankly at a blurred person in-front of me. The voice sounded familiar- a man. It was a man. Or men. I wasn't sure, I passed out, everything turning blank with nothingness. I was alone.

I awoke, squirming on a cot, yelping with pleas and screams

"Dun' Dun' kill me!"

I looked frantically around the room- I couldn't see straight. I must have been drugged with something- or maybe exhaustion. I wasn't sure. I looked up and saw someone- it was a woman- she looked to be in her mid thirties, she sat before me on a chair, her hands in the air in salvation.

"Shh, We won't hurt you. Shh, you're okay."

I stared at her a moment, trying to get my vision to focus. She had chocolate skin, black hair done up in a pony at the back. I slowly relaxed, biting my lip in embarrassment.

"We're a group situated out of Atlanta- There's a few of us. I'm Jacqui." She smiled softly at me, her hands in her lap.

"T-Tasha." I whispered, my eyes hovering on the man standing behind her. He was older- mid forties to fifties at least. He had soft eyes- like they told a story, like he had a past, perhaps as dark as this hell-ridden present.

"It's nice to meet you, Tasha. I wish it was under better circumstances of course." She noticed me gazing at The man behind her and laughed, "This is Dale. He runs the RV, and is our main lookout."

He nodded at me, I did the same to him. I wrung my wrists, nervous and speechless. I remembered faintly seeing a man hovering over me before I passed out.

"W-who found me?" I asked quietly, looking at my lap.

"His names Daryl."

My head shot up, my eyes full of tears. He was alive? Daryl fucking Dixon was alive!

She noticed my eyes brighten when she said his name, "I'm guessing you know him?" I nodded, the corner of my lips curving into a smile.

"Where is he?" I asked excitedly, practically jumping up. Jacqui placed a hand on my shoulder, laughing quietly.

"He went out hunting- I'm sure he'll be back soon. You need to rest."

I nodded slowly, leaning back against the bed and staring at the ceiling. He.. Left? Daryl left when I was passed out...he must not want to see me.

I shook my head, frowning slightly. I had to avoid him at all costs. I didn't want to see him... Not if I was injured and he left my ass alone with these strangers... Even if they were nice.

Jacqui watched my reactions, "How do you know Daryl?" She asked, cleaning up the cut on my leg. I sighed deeply, looking at the wound painfully.

"I've known him and Merle since I was a little girl, oddly enough Daryl was my best friend growing up."

She nodded, I closed my eyes as she wrapped the wound.

"Well, I think you'll be okay to walk around. Come, I can introduce you to the rest of the group."

I stood slowly, walking with her out of the RV, limping slightly. I saw a woman- she looked to be around the same age as Jacqui, she had long brown hair with a skinny figure. The woman was talking with another woman- she had grey hair with a natural figure. I looked at the ground as Jacqui spoke.

"This is Tasha-"

"The girl Daryl brought in?"

Jacqui nodded.

"Tasha this is Lori-" She motioned to the skinny girl, "-And this is Carol." She pointed at the other.

I nodded in response, glancing up at them slightly, my bangs covering the fear behind my eyes.

"T-Tasha." I said quietly, resting an arm on Jacqui's shoulder to stay steady.

"Here let me help you-" Lori grasped my waist, helping me over to a log where a boy and girl sat- both looking between the ages of ten and twelve.

"Thank you, Lori." I gave her a small smile, her and Carol both sat down on the log infront of me with the two kids.

"This is Carl, my son." Lori spoke sweetly. Her son looked up at me, his eyes bright and hopeful.

"Hello." He grinned, his cheeks seemed pink. I smiled in return and nodded, "Tasha. It's nice to meet you, Carl."

"And this is my daughter, Sophia." Carol said softly, Sophia turned and looked at me, smiling happily.

"Hi!"

I smiled, "It's nice to meet you, Sophia!"

I looked to my left, there were two men talking near the cars. I cocked my head to the side, recognizing one. I stood up slowly as I realized who it was.

"DIXON!" I yelled out, hand on hip. Merle turned and smirked at me, his eyes roaming up and down my body.

"Well, Well. Isn't that my sugartits."

I rolled my eyes, walking towards him.

"Nah. Call me by my name, Dixon. I ain't no redneck ass like you." I winked, limping until I got a few feet away.

"You should be more thankful, Sweet thang. Me and my brother saved yer' ass back there."

I shrugged, "Last I remember, Daryl's arrow was the one that saved me, not you, 'Sweet thang.'" I smirked, leaning against the car.

Merle chuckled, placing a hand on my shoulder. I looked at him, my eyes drifting over to a tattoo on his shoulder.

"Daryl missed you, dat pussy."

I laughed, "I doubt he did, Merle. And don't call him that!"

A man with muscles walked up to us, Merle started muttering things then walked away. The man had brownish-black hair. He looked very stern, I could tell I wasn't going to like him.

"I'm deputy Shane Walsh." He said proudly, extending his hand. I shook it slightly.

"Tasha." I replied.

He nodded, "Yes, Daryl had mentioned that. We heard screaming- he was the closest."

I nodded awkwardly, never good at upright confrontation.

"Were there others you were with?" I shook my head, chewing at my bottom lip.

Shane nodded, "Well you're welcome to help yourself to any of the campfire food, you'll have to get your strength up, you had a pretty bad fall."

"Thank you, er- Shane." I walked away, sitting down on the log again. It was starting to get dark- shouldn't Daryl be back by now? I frowned, my eyes intent on the forest.

Lori sat next to me, resting a hand on my shoulder.

"He's normally out hunting for a few days- he'll be okay." Her voice was soft, understanding. I knew Lori and I would become close, which scared me.

"I'm...not scared for him." I lied lamely, averting my gaze to the newly started fire, just barely ashes.

"If you say so," She whispered, watching me intently. I sighed, wringing my wrists nervously.

"Daryl can take care of himself- he's an asshole anyways." I muttered, standing up. Lori stood with me, watching me lose my balance. She grasped my arm and helped me back down.

"Shane and I can set up you're tent- you sit. Relax."

I nodded slowly, laying down on the log. It was uncomfortable, but I was alive. I was upset that Daryl left without a hi... But if he's going to be a jerk when I thought he was dead- so be it. I'll be the biggest bitch in the world.

I stood, limping towards my tent. It was big- far too big for one person. I frowned, looking up at Shane and Lori.

"Are you sure? I can sleep outside."

Shane shook his head, "Nah, you need to rest. It's no trouble really, the walkers almost got you, you're shaken up and need to be comforted."

I nodded slowly, walkers? Is that what they call those beasts? I frowned, realizing how nice Shane actually was being to me. I guessed I had to be nice to him too.

"Thank you- both of you. It means a lot that 'some people' have common curtesy in this fucked up world." With that I slumped down into the tent, hiding inside. I wanted to stay away from Daryl- I had to. I didn't want to start caring for him then only want him to be safe, that would just be stupid. No, I had to focus on my own survival. No friends, no lovers. No stupid things anymore. Just me, myself, and I. I sighed deeply, staring at the top of the tent. I knew I already had made friends- and Daryl, well he was the closest thing to a lover that I'd have. I knew then I'd have to see him eventually- but I'd do my damnedest to keep it we while from then.

I closed my eyes, chewing on my bottom lip. My lip piercing pulled on my lip, making me flinch. As I began to drift off to sleep, I could hear Merle and Shane fighting about something- this was a dysfunctional family.