Rayne and her god-daughter, Layla, are trying their best to survive the world that has gone to hell, but it isn't easy with a four-year-old and with supplies running out, Rayne fears they won't have much time left. When she meets up with a group of survivors and one very handsome redneck, will they be able to piece back together their lives or be torn apart by the bloody teeth of the dead? DarylXOC romance and my first one so please be gentle!
I in no way own the Walking Dead or Daryl Dixon (though I wish I did!)
"Higher, Rayne! Higher!" The giggling voice commanded and Rayne smiled at the child's happiness while she gave another obedient push. They had been swinging for what seemed like hours and yet it appeared as if her god-daughter couldn't get enough. The constant push pull of gravity working with her, the way the warm Georgian air caught her golden curls and made them float momentarily before she came rushing back to Rayne's arms.
"All right, Layla one more underdog and then we have to go inside. It will be dark soon and your mama will be worried sick." Rayne informed her only to receive a disappointed groan until she caught the swing, pulled it back and rushed forward with it so that groan turned into her infectious giggle once again.
Rayne twisted and caught Layla's tiny legs to slow her down before the four-year-old leapt from her perch and landed in her guardian's arms. Rayne let out a surprised, "oomph" but managed to regain her balanced before she switched the giggling blonde child to her back, "Ok, kitty cat, let's go inside."
"You think mama made gumbo?" Her tiny voice inquired and Rayne tilted her head, "I hope so, that would be great." The sun had just about set, its beams lighting her chestnut hair up until it almost glowed. Rayne squinted her blue eyes slightly and walked along the lake till her best friend's house came into sight.
The first indicator that something was very wrong came when she saw that the porch light wasn't on. Bre always left it on for them to find their way back. She had since they were kids. Rayne slowed her trek slightly and looked around suspiciously. She knew that Layala's father had just been released from prison this week, but the local officers said he hadn't come their way.
Rayne set her god-daughter down, but kept a tight hold on her hand whispering, "Stay close to me, kitty." She slowly approached the steps, hating the way they creaked under her Converse with each step she took. Gently applying pressure, she pushed open the old door and looked inside.
The smell hit her like a freight train and made her gag as she placed the hand that wasn't gripping Layla's across her face. The four-year-old looked up, "What's that smell, Rayne?" She shook her head and walked in seeing that everything seemed mostly normal, "Bre? Did you let chicken spoil or something?"
There was a loud crash coming from the kitchen which made both girls jump. Rayne let go of her god-daughter's hand, "Stay here, sweetie." Layla nodded and climbed up on the couch, "Where's Captain Bow Wow?" The tiny girl started to whistle and search the room for the white puppy they had adopted only three weeks ago.
In retrospect the lack of a slobbery, excited greeting should have been enough to prove that things were very wrong, but who thinks about things like that in the moment? Rayne slowly turned the corner into the kitchen where a strange slurping sound caught her ear. She pushed the swinging blue door open to see Bre's tiny frame crouched in the center of the tiled floor.
"Bre? What are you…." She began until the sight of blood screamed at her. One thing was certain, she found Captain Bow Wow, but the person who was gulping up his insides was nothing like what she had remembered. Rayne's mouth released a silent scream when the woman she had known since first grade turned her normally fairy like face towards her and a monster stared back.
Crimson streams leaked from the corners of her mouth, dog flesh smeared her cheeks and soulless eyes scanned the shaking woman before her with no more recollection than….food.
Rayne let out a strange gulping sound at Bre's rising and though the girl in front of her stood at only five two, she seemed to take up the entire field of Rayne's vision as she gasped, "Bre…what…." It was then that the horrible mockery of her best friend let out a snarl and rushed her. Rayne barely had enough time to grasp what had happened before she backed away, slamming her shoulder into the door frame and rushing out into the living room.
"Mommy!" Layla screamed from the couch as Rayne twisted around to gather her up. The monster with Bre's delicate face stumbled out of the kitchen and came at them again while Rayne tried for the door. Unfortunately, Bre blocked it and slashed at Rayne, her teeth chomping, constantly chomping and Rayne threw a blanket over Layla before using her shoulder to smash through the large window and rolling onto the porch.
Gathering up herself, the twenty-five year old rushed away, pieces of glass still in her skin and got into the car. When the thump of Bre's bleeding hand slammed against the window.
Rayne bolted awake, heart racing at the memory. The humidity made her long hair stick to her back, she would have to cut it soon before it drove her crazy. Rayne looked down to see her reason for living still slumbering in the curve of her body. She exhaled and reached into her backpack for one of the few remaining bottles of water they had.
The worrying she felt increased when she realized they were getting low on food as well, she would have to go hunting again and nothing was more difficult with a four-year-old than asking her to remain quiet for an extended amount of time. Rayne took a small swig of water and decided to save most of it for Layla who was always thirsty when she woke up. Her blue eyes watched her god-daughter's chest rise and fall rhythmically and felt her heart ache.
It had been three months since the world gave up on them. The government, the military, hospitals, refugee camps, everything Rayne had thought would save them failed and she wasn't sure how many more times Layla could be disappointed. Rayne unzipped their tent and glared at the monsters caught in her traps.
The last time they had made a trip into town, one they she barely returned from, Rayne had stopped by their local music store; he place that had once been like a candy store for her had now transformed into her hope of survival as she cleared out the shelves of piano wire which fit securely in her bag. She had used that same wire to make a perimeter around their tent and she was always glad she did.
She had soon discovered that the further they were from people, the safer they would be so she and Layla had been camped in the forest for quite a while. The first few nights she didn't sleep at all, terrified that the monsters would escape from the darkness and tear them to pieces, so she decided to become creative to survive.
Wrapping the piano wire around the trees to give her about a six foot camp was one of the best ideas she had. She used three wires and placed them at different heights to compensate for men, women and even children though it broke her heart to even consider it. Rayne climbed from the tent, dagger in hand and watched the two undead men pushing towards her with disdain.
The wire had already made it halfway through one's neck and the others abdomen, slicing them as they attempted to reach her. She had watched that first night as a woman kept pushing until the thick wire had decapitated her so she knew that no matter what they would keep coming.
Rayne sighed and raised her knife to slam into the larger man's head and then into the smaller of the two as well. When both their bodies hit the ground, she inspected the wire and saw that it was splitting. She would need to find more soon.
"Rayne?" A sleepy voice asked and she turned to smile at the tiny girl, "Good morning kitty cat." Layla stepped out of the tent, "I'm hungry." Rayne bent down to hug her, "I know. I am too. I'll go hunting today, but I'll need you to stay here and?"
Layla dove into the tent, placing the blanket over her head, "Curl up quiet like a pill bug." Rayne stepped in and picked up the corner of the blanket smiling, "That's right. Ok smart girl, eat up the power bars we have and I'll be back soon." Layla's green eyes scanned the bag, "But Rayne, we only have one. What are you going to eat?"
Rayne kissed her head, "I already had breakfast. You go on and eat that up. I'll be back before you know it." Layla nodded and watched her leave, "I love you." Rayne blew a kiss to her and ducked under the wire cage. When she was far enough away, she felt her stomach grumble and wished she had been telling the truth.
