Whoa! Thanks so much for the reviews and follows! Thanks for sticking with me on this AU story. I don't know about you guys, but I love the "we have to pretend we're together in order to stay out of trouble" trope.
Shit, Daryl thought. I do not need this. He was tagging along with Merle just so he could rough up some poor college kid over a couple of hundred bucks. Not just some college kid, but one of the Greene kids. He knew of Hershel Greene, because everyone knew the vet. He was loved and respected in this town, unlike the Dixons. And, it seemed no matter where him and Merle drifted to, they always ended up in this shitty town and in that shitty trailer where they grew up.
"Simple in and out. We'll be outta there in no time." Merle said more to himself than to Daryl.
"That so?" Daryl glanced at his brother. "What if he aint got it? This aint no junkie dive we're going to."
"Hershel Greene's son? Course he got it. And if he don't," Merle shrugged, "put the fear into him. Nothin' like a broken finger as a reminder. That's why you're here, lil brotha."
Daryl didn't answer and kept his gaze on the road in front of him. He was too hung over and anxious to ponder what would need to happen if this kid didn't have the money. He really just wanted to get this shit over with and crawl back onto the couch at home and sleep off the hazy residue that covered his brain.
Turning onto the dirt road, something occurred to Daryl. "What about farmhands, or somethin'? You know there's gotta be folks workin' there."
"Aint the right season. 'Sides, you worried about a coupla Beaners in straw hats? Startin' to worry about ya, son." Without looking at Daryl, Merle extended his open palm towards him, flexing his fingers a couple of times. Sighing, Daryl dug into his vest pocket and laid the pack of cigarettes into Merle's hand.
The white house came into view, and Daryl did his best to scan the area for signs of anyone. There were two cars parked out front, but no people he could see. He slowed to a stop, and haphazardly parked next to a black Bronco. Merle jumped out without a word, and Daryl followed.
They took their positions as they normally would for these jobs, with Daryl hanging back against the porch railing, and Merle at the door. Instead of using the brass knocker, Merle pounded the wood door with his fist.
In the moments it took for someone to answer the door, Daryl put his game face on, crossing his arms in front of his chest. He didn't know what Shawn Greene looked like, so he wasn't sure what to expect. Probably just another white, uppity college boy. Instead, the door opened and a young blonde girl stood there in the doorway.
"Hi, can I help you?" She tilted her head slightly, and looked at the men with a puzzled expression.
Rather than answering her, Merle let out a low whistle and leaned into the doorway supporting himself with his forearm.
"Well, well. Aint you a fine Georgia peach?" Merle smiled at her. "I got a little business with Shawn. Why don't ya fetch him for me?"
She narrowed her eyes slightly. "May I ask who is calling for him?" If she was scared or intimidated in any way, she wasn't showing it.
"Tell him his pal Merle is here, and if you know what's good for ya, peach, you'll do it right quick."
She stared at Merle for a few seconds before her eyes found Daryl leaning against the railing. She wasn't sure what these guys wanted Shawn for or how they knew him, but she figured she ought to just do as this man asked.
She cleared her throat, and looked directly at Merle. "If you wait here, I'll get him." She made to close the door behind her, but Merle's arm snaked out and stopped it.
"Best keep this open, peach. Wouldn't want no funny business goin' on." She released the doorknob at his words, and quickly turned away from them, disappearing into the house.
Merle pushed the door open the rest of the way, and made to step inside.
"Merle," Daryl growled. "The fuck you doin'?" Not answering, Merle stepped into the house, and motioned for Daryl to do the same. Once inside, Merle pushed the door quietly behind him.
"The fuck, man?"
Merle lifted a finger to his lips. In the silence, he could hear bits of conversation from upstairs.
"They wanna see you, Shawn." Daryl could tell it was the same girl that answered the door.
"…look, just tell them…" A male voice drifted down, and Daryl hoped they would just get their asses down here, so they could be done with this thing.
"…Daddy say?"
"Beth! Just…supposed to do?"
"…down there NOW." They could hear her stomping back down the stairs. Preparing themselves to confront the blonde girl-Beth, a voice coming from behind them caught them off guard.
"Who the hell are you?"
