Chapter 1
Believe it or not I actually had a life before the world went to shit. I had a job, a family, a roof over my head and much to my own surprise was married very briefly. We had the usual arguments that most couples had: which bills were going to get paid that month, what can we stretch to make the food last for another week, which car is going to get gas. But mostly we argued about his brother. It seemed like the day we say 'I do' his brother moved in with us and has been sleeping on our couch ever since. The drinking was one thing, I could handle that. Coming from a family where most everyone was an alcoholic I knew which lines to cross and which ones not to. The drugs were another, when his brother first moved in he raided our medicine cabinet and robbed me of all the medications I needed that were essential to my everyday life.
The final straw that ended our marriage was the day he came home screaming at the top of his lungs about how he saw me getting into some guy's truck and the two of us driving off. He went off about how after witnessing that he went straight down to the courthouse and filed the papers to get me served. It hit me like a ton of bricks when the sheriff came to my work one day with a summons in hand; reality had started to set in and after about 6 months of court ordered marriage counseling, and a rather lengthy report from the marriage counselor, the judge finally granted the divorce decree.
The day our divorce was finalized, he had his truck backed up to the front porch and he, along with his brother, was loading boxes into the bed. I had tried to tell him over the course of those six months that although what he saw did happen he didn't know the whole story. He let his brother plant ideas into his head that I was out screwing around behind his back, that I could never really love him or care about him as much as his own flesh and blood did. The truth of the matter was that the person I hitched a ride from was my cousin and I had been telling him for about two weeks that he was going to be picking me up from work that day and we were going to lunch to catch up on things.
That was almost five years ago and I honestly never thought I'd see him again. His hair was much longer, covering his eyes and he had definitely gained quite a bit of muscle. Had it not been for the gravel in his voice as he questioningly spoke my name I would've probably dismissed him as another survivor searching for others not knowing whether or not their intentions were to harm or help if they were brought into a group.
I gave him a quick once over before turning my back on him to go on my way. I had work to do and him being here was not going to stop me from getting done what needed to get done. Simon was coming today for Negan's monthly tribute and the last thing any of us needed was any of those fucking Saviors breathing down our necks and eliciting a mix of fear and panic when they find out that we didn't meet our quota. We've lost too many people recently because we missed our quotas for the last two months. The first month they took three of our men back to The Sanctuary with them and last month they took two of our women. Negan was with them last month and hand-picked the women he chose to "save;" gave them a choice of being his wife or work for him to pay back what was owed. Naturally they chose the former and who could honestly blame them? It's a step up from back breaking labor.
"Hey-"
"Back the fuck off Dixon, I ain't got time for your shit, not today."
It never mattered how far away I was that man somehow always managed to find me. Some may attribute it to the fact that he was a tracker (and a damn good one at that.) But from the day we met there's always been some kind of unseen force that inevitably brings us back together. How the fuck he managed to get to me all the way in Virginia was beyond me and I just didn't have the ability to comprehend that he was here, right now actually saying a single word to me after five long fucking years apart.
That fight or flight instinct started to kick in and as much as I wanted to scream at him and bring up dead memories the urge to run was stronger. A brief reminder that Simon was probably on his way sent me running towards the fields to get the final items on our list checked off. Even though I was not in charge over anything in this place I hated to lose people, especially innocent victims who had no control over the situation.
As I reached the fields, I felt around in my pocket to ensure that my list was safely tucked away. All we needed were about another 50 tomatoes, 35 potatoes, and 75 apples out of the orchard. It was always better if I worked alone to get the produce on the list checked off, I was able to work faster if I wasn't being hindered. Funny how old habits from the old world somehow manage to make their way to the surface in this new one.
I had no idea how long it had been but I knew it must've been close to noon or a little after; the sun was beating down on my neck, burning my skin to the color of a beet. A shadow appeared in front of me as I was hunched down pulling potatoes out of the ground. I only had 10 left to pull before I could move on to the apples in the orchard. The tomatoes were in a basket next to the vines, waiting to be loaded onto the flatbed cart. Time was running out fast and if I wanted to meet our quota whoever it was behind me was going to have to wait.
"Take a break, you're gonna end up with heat stroke."
I said nothing as I continued pulling the remaining potatoes out and tossing them into the basket with the others. As the last one got thrown in, I pulled the list from my pocket checking off the box next to the item listed then made a beeline to the orchard to get the apples picked. Maybe if I got the apples done early I could add a few dozen pears for an added measure. Maybe Negan would see it as an effort to make up for the last two months.
The tree I stood under seemed to have a lot of apples on it, but I know those fucking squirrels have been running around all over the damn place and been eating away at what was growing. Walking around a bit, I chose a spot where it seemed like the apples were coming in pretty good. Once the basket was in place under the branch I kicked my shoes off and started climbing up the tree to get at the fruits that would make the difference between achievement and disappointment.
"Woman, get your ass out of that damn tree. You're gonna end up falling out of it like last time. Now take a break or-"
"Or what? What the fuck are you gonna do about it Dixon? Huh? Where the fuck was the concern you're showing now when this goddamn shit storm started two years ago, huh? We're not married anymore Daryl, you don't get to tell me what I can and cannot do! You lost that fucking right the day the judge finalized our divorce!"
In a fit of anger the apple I had in my hand was released and hurled toward the ground hitting him in the shoulder as he flinched to try and avoid the object as it flew at him. My fury was reaching a boiling point; the only thing I could do was work faster to get the job done even if it ended with me having a heat stroke and falling out of the tree.
"What the fuck do you want anyway? You sure as shit weren't the least bit worried about me when the dead started walking so why bother to start now while I'm up a tree trying to save more of my group from getting taken?"
"Brought ya some water."
"Oh great, you bring water as a peace offering after not saying a goddamn word to me in five years. Just get the fuck out of here and go bother someone else who gives a rat's ass. Why don't you find that worthless brother of yours and-"
"Merle's dead."
Well, certainly wasn't expecting those words to come out of his mouth. Then again I have no idea what I would've expected after bringing up Merle's name but dead was definitely not the word I was expecting. Again I fell into silence as I quietly counted out the total number of apples I needed for this month. Daryl stood at the base of the tree chewing thoughtfully on his thumb. I always did hate it when he did that, he was nervous about something that much was apparent.
Throwing the last apple into the basket I climbed down, being mindful of the branches that were slightly sharper than some of the others. My feet touched the ground just as the sound of the trucks were pulling up to the gates. Slipping my shoes back on and picking the basket up I made my way forward, completely ignoring Daryl as he stayed behind. If I were him I'd be nervous too, especially if he hadn't had the chance to meet Negan, Simon, or any of the Saviors yet.
This time around I was smart enough to bring a cart with me to lug the produce up to the gates. One thing that our group prides itself on is the amount of produce we can grow, which is why Negan's tribute always cut into what were allowed to keep. Hopefully this'll be enough to make him happy this month and we can recoup our losses a little bit. The last four or five months have been hard on us since Negan's list contains more fruits and vegetables than it does meat, weapons, or medical supplies.
"Well, well, well look who's decided to quit hiding under a fucking rock and hand deliver our fucking payment. Ya know a man could get used to that."
"Shove it up your ass Simon, ain't got time for your shit today."
I had pulled the cart up directly to Simon's feet, turning on my heel to go about my day when a strong hand reached out for my arm, pulling me back.
"Little lady, I'm not finished with you. You've got just the right amount of sass that the boss man likes, don't see why you choose to stay here when you could be living the good life."
"Fuck you. I'd rather get bit then spend a minute anywhere near that animal."
Simon's demeanor changed almost immediately after that. His crew was loading our items into the truck as he glanced behind him, giving a curt nod to someone sitting in the lead car with blacked out windows. I should've known that Negan wasn't far behind. I had been expecting him to show up this month to ensure that everything was accounted for but held out a small bit of hope that he would stay put this time around.
The door opened and a black boot stepped out of the passenger side followed by the rest of him. That bat wrapped in barbed wire slung over his shoulder like an old baseball pro stepping up to the plate. He was sauntering over to where Simon and I stood, a grin plastered on his face like he just won the lottery. Most everyone around us had dropped to their knees as he made his way forward but it was something that I had refused to do. I was forced to my knees at gunpoint when this son of a bitch took over our community but after that one time I never gave in again. I would remain defiant until my dying breath and greet death like an old friend when my time comes.
"How ya doin' sweet cheeks? Long time no see. Oh come on, don't look at me like that, you know just as well as I do that you're just putting on a show for everyone. Hell we all have to keep up appearances if we want to get our point across. Have I told you lately how much I would love to have you as one my wives? I don't have any fiery redheads waiting for me back home."
I was still seething with anger from knowing that Daryl was here so my hand involuntarily coming up to meet Negan's cheek seemed like a good alternative to killing the bastard right now. Everyone around us watched in a stunned silence, waiting to see what would happen next. A sadistic grin started forming across his features as he brought his hand up to rub at the spot in which my hand connected his face.
"Sweetheart, you just bought yourself a trip straight home with us. Simon, load her up; maybe a few days-"
I cut him off with a slap to the other cheek before a Savior came up from behind me, trapping my arms across my chest as he went about carrying out Negan's order to put me in the lead car. I managed to spit in the man's face before a fist was thrown into my line of vision. Fuck that shit hurt! Daryl, and Merle for that matter, were both abusive towards me but neither of them ever laid so much as a finger on me. Up until just this moment, everything I had endured had all been verbal and emotional. The last two years I've been on my own, always moving around too much to stay in one place. I was never part of a group until Jesus found me and brought me back to the Hilltop.
Struggling to put up a fight with my captor was useless; the more I fought the more Saviors gathered round until I was finally subdued. I was laying across the backseat of the car Negan arrived in with a rag stuffed into my mouth and my hands and feet bound. It's funny that Daryl was concerned enough about me getting heat stroke that he brought a bottle of water but yet when the real danger presents itself he's nowhere to be found. Figures, just typical Dixon behavior in my books.
As I lay across the seats trying to figure a way out of my current situation, the front passenger side door opened; I had the perfect view of Negan climbing in still wearing creepy grin on his features. His precious bat was lain lovingly across his lap as the door slammed shut and the driver crossed in front of the car to be Negan's personal chauffer.
"That really was uncalled for. I get that you're probably pissed about something but there are better ways of releasing it. The next time you get a wild hair up your ass and you so much as lay a fucking finger on me, Lucille here is gonna give ya a little kiss. I don't like killing women, but let me make it clear for you since you didn't hear me the last time. I will shut that shit down."
The car was in motion as Negan turned around in his seat, propping his leather clad feet on the dash. Holding up a finger on his left as if suddenly he remembered something he spoke:
"One of my prisoners escaped a few days ago, goes by the name Daryl. Don't suppose you've seen him around have you?"
Turning in his seat once more, he reached back pulling the gag from my mouth allowing me the opportunity to speak.
"What makes you think I would know anyone with a hick name like Daryl?"
"Wasn't asking if you knew anyone with the name, was asking if you saw him. I know you're a decent tracker, hell not a single one of my men have the skill set that you do."
"What do you want from me? You'll never have me as one of your wives, so what do you want?"
"I always did love a woman who knows how to get straight down to business. Since you're not in the mood for jerking me around, I'll be direct. I need you to track this piece of shit down for me. He killed one of my men, stole one of my guns, and stole one of my bikes. He needs to pay for what's been taken."
"What's in it for me if I agree? Will you let me leave, go out on my own again? Will you let me live out the rest of my life as I have been before I came here?"
"If that's really what you want, I can make it happen. It'd be a shame to lose such a fiery spirit, but I am a man of my word and my word is the law of the new world order. So what do you say? Have we got a deal?"
So that's why Daryl stayed in the fields when the Saviors pulled up. Do I sell out my ex-husband for a chance at freedom or do I say nothing and continue to live in servitude until this tyrant is exterminated?
Author's Note: So I had an idea come to mind a few weeks ago and decided to write it down before I lost it completely. I'm not 100% sure where I want to go with this just yet but I do know how I would like for it to end. I have rated this M obviously for the language but also for future (adult) situations. I will say that outside of the show I have not read any of the comics/graphic novels as I am waiting for the show to end before picking up issue #1 (as if I would really want the show to end). Translation = first TWD story. If you like what you've read thus far please feel free to drop a line in the box below on your way out as well as favorite/follow.