Harley

Note: Harley is about eight

"Are you Daryl Dixon?"

Daryl and Carol exchanged looks. Who the hell was this kid?

"Harley, leave the new people alone," a woman scolded, walking forward and grabbing the boy's hand. "Sorry, he asks all the new men that when they first arrive."

"Oh, um," Carol stuttered, glancing at Daryl.

"I... am... Daryl Dixon," Daryl said awkwardly and the woman's eyes widened.

"You're Daryl Dixon!" Harley exclaimed excitedly.

"You're Daryl Dixon?" Billy said as he and the others walked up behind Daryl and Carol. Daryl nodded.

"No kidding," Peter laughed, "I always thought Harley was making you up."

"Why were you looking for Daryl?" Carol asked the boy.

"My mom told me to give you this," Harley said, pulling an envelope out of his pocket and handing it to Daryl.

"He's been carrying that around since the day we found him," Peter said, "Would never tell us what was in it though."

Daryl had opened the letter and was reading through it. Carol watched him carefully and noticed his jaw tightening and his eyes getting darker.

"Daryl?" she said gently. He looked at her and thrust the letter into her hands before stalking away.

"Where are you going?" Harley called after him as Carol scanned the letter.

"Is this true?" she said quietly and Harley looked up at her.

"Uh huh," Harley nodded, "Daryl Dixon's my dad."

HARLEYHARLEYHARLEYHARLEYHARLEYHARLEYHARLEYHARLEY

Cindy Rose. That was her name. At least, that was the name she had given Merle. Daryl very much doubted it was her real name.

He had only seen her once. Merle had just finished a stint in prison and wanted to celebrate his release. This, of course, had involved getting drunk and finding himself and his brother some women.

One night. That was all it had been. One night and apparently he had a kid from it. At least, that's what the letter said. But why would she lie? Why now? She had known where he lived and she had never come to him for anything. No support, no babysitting, no money. Why wait until now? When the world had gone to shit and money meant nothing? It had to be true, didn't it?

"Not like we can get it tested to know for sure," Daryl muttered to himself.

"Daryl?' Carol peeked her head around the corner. Daryl was sitting alone in a small room and seemed to be in his own world, but he looked up when she spoke.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

"Ya read it?' he said, ignoring her question.

"I did," Carol nodded.

"Do ya believe it?" he questioned.

"Do you?" Carol sat across from him.

"Not like we can test it, is it? Find out fer sure," he shrugged. Carol was about to say something when there was timid knock on the door. They both looked and saw Harley peeking in.

"Come here sweetheart, it's okay," Carol said, waving him over. He trotted across the room and stood in front of them.

"Are you mad at me?" he asked Daryl, who looked at Carol, unsure of what to say.

"He's not mad at you," she said reassuringly and Harley looked at her. "It's just a lot to take in."

"My mom said you wouldn't believe me right away," he told Daryl, "She said you didn't know I existed, but that if you ever found out about me you wouldn't believe me."

"Where's your mom now?" Carol asked.

Harley looked down at his feet. "She got bit," he said sadly. "When those things started walking around, my mom said we were gonna try and find my dad because he was a hunter and could keep us safe, but she got bit. Peter found us and brought us back here, but they couldn't save her. They made me say goodbye and she told me my dad's name was Daryl Dixon and to give you the letter when I found you."

Daryl stared at the boy in front of him.

"Sorry 'bout yer mom," he finally said.

"She said when we found you, you'd take care of us," Harley said, "I know you don't believe me, but are you gonna leave me here? Peter said they were gonna take you back to your camp tomorrow. Are you gonna leave me here? Can I come with you?" Harley was talking very fast and Daryl was trying to keep up. Why the hell did kids have to talk so quickly?

"How about," Carol piped up, coming to his rescue, "We let Peter fix Daryl up and you can tell us about yourself and then we'll see from there, okay?"

"Okay," Harley nodded and then narrowed his eyes slightly. "Hey... are you guys married?"

What do you think? Are you liking Harley so far?

I'm really enjoying this story so far and I can't wait to post part three tomorrow! Thanks so much for reading and let me know what you're thinking!