Once again, thank you for the followers, favoriters, commenters and readers! You are all amazing! I know this is a tad short..shorter than what I usually write, but it's been a busy day at work! Anyways, I hope you enjoy! I love you all!
The sun never woke me up the following morning; it was the smell of burned rotting flesh that woke me. I yawned, sitting up, stretching, feeling my bones pop. I laid back on the blankets, savoring the warmth. I was looking forward to hearing the sounds of Mary singing in the mornings, but nothing ever came of it. I crawled out the tent, noticing I was the only one up.
I grabbed a change of clothes, shampoo, conditioner, a towel, my knife and gun, and began walking down to the quarry. I shed my clothes, walking into the warm water. I quickly washed off, as the sun rose. The Georgia sky was filled with light blue, a greenish color and yellow, it was beautiful.
I got out of the water quickly, drying off before anyone had a chance to see me, oh how I was wrong. Daryl was up as well, in a newly changed shirt. He whistled at me. I laughed and rolled my eyes, getting my fresh pants on. I hurriedly put my t-shirt on, and trotted close to him.
"Dev, we leave today. Jim is in the RV, he was bit. He said he wanted to talk to you." Daryl spoke, as I nodded, taking it all in. The walk back to camp was silent. I sighed as I saw Dale, Sophia, Carol and Jacqui step outside the Winnebago. I looked at Daryl, then walked off to the RV.
I heard Jim hacking and coughing, trying to catch his breath. I followed the sound, finding him at the end of the RV. I bit my lip, knocking on the wood cabinet. He motioned for me to come in. I nodded, taking the seat next to him.
"Devi, I'm sorry about your friends. I wish it was easier for you. Amy talked to me; she told me about your life, I hope you didn't mind." He started. I shook my head, showing him I didn't mind. He started coughing uncontrollably, and it broke my heart.
"Jim, do you need anything? Are you comfortable?" I questioned. He smiled.
"I'm fine Devi, I know what's to become of me. I just want to be with my family. I can be with them now." He sounded like he was in heaven.
"Your wife was very lucky to have you, Jim. You are a fine man, never forget that. I wish it wasn't this way for you. You didn't deserve to be bit by a walker; you deserved to live your life." I muttered.
"This way, I can be with my family, Dev, I'm happy about that. Please don't cry for me, or feel guilty. I know you wished you were here to stop what happened, but God didn't want you to." He said, grabbing my hand. I looked down, as tears fell from my eyes.
"He had you go on that run for a reason. You are a great woman, Devi-Kayah. Never forget that." Jim said, which made a tear run down my face.
"You are an angel Jim." I smiled, laying my hand on his cheek.
"You are, too, Devi. I know it hurts from before with Daryl, but don't give up on him. He means well." He smiled softly. I nodded, kissing his forehead.
"I think we're fixing to leave. I'll follow behind yal, Jim. I'll do everything I can to make it comfortable for you." I smiled, sadly, watching him nod to me. I turned away, walking back outside. The group was in a mixture between sitting, leaning on vehicles, and standing around listening to Shane and Rick. I walked over to Daryl, laying my hand on his back.
"Alright, everybody listen up," Shane started. "Those of you that have CB's, are gonna be on channel 40. Let's keep the chatter down, okay?" He paused.
"Now you gotta a problem, don't have a CB, can't get a signal, anything at all; you're gonna hit your horn one time, that'll stop the caravan." Shane piped. Daryl rubbed his eyes.
"Any questions?" He wondered, looking at everyone. I looked around, then back at Shane.
"We're uh… we're not going." Morales spoke up. I converted my eyes from Shane to Morales. There was a long pause. Everyone looked at one another.
"We have family in Birmingham; we want to be with our people." Miranda said, little Erica hid her face in her mother's side.
"Your own your own, you won't have anyone to watch your back." Shane reasoned.
"We'll take the chance. I got to do what's best for my family." Morales replied.
"You sure?" Rick asked.
"We talked about it… we're sure." Morales said.
"Alright, Shane" Rick said, squatting down to the bag of guns; that was on the ground. Shane followed suit with Rick. They plundered through the guns, picking out one for the Morales family.
"Box is half full." Rick said, as he placed the gun in Morales' hand. Daryl grunted turning away, making a circle.
"Thank you all, for everything." Miranda spoke, hugging everyone. I walked over, hugging the family. I walked back over to Daryl, he looked at me, biting his thumbnail.
"Are we going?" I wondered, looking up at him. He sighed, pulling me close. I closed my eyes, laying my head on his chest.
"Yeah, even though were separated, I'm gonna keep you safe." He said, kissing my head.
"We are still married, Daryl." I said, looking up at him. He smiled and nodded. I slipped away, walking towards my truck.
"Let's go, let's move out." Shane called out to everyone. I got in my truck, cranking it up. Dale, Glenn, Jacqui, and Jim were the first to go; followed by Rick, Lori, Carol and Sophia; then Shane; followed by T-Dog and Andrea, then Daryl, and I followed. Seeing the family go scared me, stepping out in this world scared me even more.
Tears fell down my face, wishing that there was some way I could've turned back time, some way, somehow. The ride to the interstate was lonely, and we weren't even half way to our destination. I hated riding by myself. The last time I had to ride alone, was when I packed up and moved to Jenkins County. I didn't have anyone… which scared me. Merle wasn't here to protect me from the bad, just like Daryl. I had to face it, I was alone.
The ride on the back road, the stretch to the interstate, was cut short. Daryl slammed on brakes, jumping out his truck. The RV was smoking; I figured the radiator hose was done. I put the truck in park, sliding out and walking closer to Dale.
"Devi, I know it may be a lot to ask, but do you think you could spare your radiator hose?" Dale asked. I walked to the hose and looked at it. Duct tape was a major part of the hose. I chuckled, turning to him.
"Of course. If it's necessary, you can siphon the gas out as well. I have a little under a full tank." I offered. He smiled.
"That's very generous of you, Devi. I appreciate that." He spoke. I smiled and nodded. Jacqui came out the RV quick.
"Yal, Jim… it's bad. I don't think he can take anymore." She cried out. I turned away, running to my truck. I popped the hood, taking the radiator hose off. I held it tightly as I jumped in the back of my truck, grabbing the gas jug that was half full. I jumped down, and ran back to Dale and the others. I sat the jug and hose on the ground.
I weaved through the group, stepping into the RV. I walked back to Jim, and sat beside him. He gave me a sad smile.
"Jim, I wish I was in your place." I said, holding his hand. He shook his head.
"No, Devi, never say that. Be happy for me. I can go home now. I can be with my wife and kids." He replied.
"You can't give up on your life, Devi-Kayah. You're strong, one of the strongest here. I know Dixon had a bit to do with that, but it's who you are." Jim smiled.
"Are you ready, Jim? Are you really and truly ready?" I asked, hoping he'd say no. He nodded.
"I am, Devi. My bones hurt, they feel like glass. It scares me that my death would result to a walker bite. I always imagined my wife and I dying together in bed, when we were old." He chuckled as best as he could.
"If you're ready, then you're ready. I love you Jim, and I will always remember you." I smiled, walking back outside. Daryl caught my eye, as I walked to the front of the RV.
The group stood around, talking amongst themselves, as I began to bind my radiator hose to the duct tape Dale had. I only caught some of what the conversation was about. It was about Jim's well-being, his belief and wants. Daryl walked beside me.
"Jim wants to stay here." Daryl spoke over my shoulder. My eyes began to water, I hated for anyone to go through this. I nodded, wiping my eyes. I felt Daryl's arms go around me, hugging me tightly. I cried in his chest. This apocalypse broke me, literally.
"I wish everything was different." I muttered in his chest. I felt him lay his head on mine.
"I do, too." He replied, as the RV door opened. Rick and Shane caught my eye, as they carried Jim out. I watched them walk up a little hill, sitting him under the tree. My lip quivered, as Daryl picked me up, following everyone who gathered around him. Everyone talked to Jim before I did.
The group panned out, into their own little worlds. Daryl and I were left. Tears fell quickly from my eyes down my face. Daryl rubbed my back, giving me a nudge. I nodded, and began climbing my way up to Jim, and sat beside him. I leaned my head on his shoulder, carefully not trying to put him in any more pain.
"So this is it?" I questioned. He felt him nod.
"It is, Devi-Kayah. It's the end of the road for me, but it's okay." He spoke, as I looked at him. He had a smile on his face.
"I'll never forget you Jim. You will be an angel with the baby, my brother, Amy, Derrick, Mary, Ryan and Catherine. I will love you always." I said, kissing his cheek. I closed my eyes, and started to pray.
"Dear God, please take Jim home carefully to be with his wife and kids. He's done right by the group, seen things we never looked for. Please keep him safe through this journey. In your name, and all that is Holy, Amen." I said, opening my eyes, looking at Jim, and smiled. I hoisted myself up, and began to walk down the slope.
"Hey Daryl, keep her safe. She's a good one." Jim called out to Daryl. I turned looking at Jim, and smiled.
"I will, Jim. She is a good one. Best thing I've ever seen." I heard Daryl reply. I smiled, walking to Dale. He wrapped his arms around me, and rubbed my back.
"He's in a better place, Devi. For that short amount of time, Jim thought a lot of you." Dale said in my ear. I nodded, reaching for Jacqui. She got up and hugged me tightly.
"I would never wish this on anyone. Jim, Amy, Derrick, Mary, Ryan, and Catherine didn't deserve this. They have their whole lives ahead of them." I cried in her shoulder.
"Baby doll, they're all in a better place than we are." She weeped. I nodded, kissing her cheek.
"You're right. I know I'm being selfish, but I wish they were still here." I said, wiping my fresh tears. She grabbed my face, smiling sadly.
"You're not being selfish, I wish the same." She smiled, through her tears.
"Dev, you ridin with me?" Daryl yelled out. I sighed.
"I'll see you shortly." She smiled. I nodded, turning away. Everyone was ready to head out. I walked slowly to Daryl, looking at Jim the whole time. His eyes were closed.
"You okay, baby?" Daryl wondered. I shook my head, walking into him. He wrapped his arms around me, rubbing my back.
"Everything will be alright, I promise. I'll keep you safe." He whispered. I looked up at him and kissed his chin. He smiled, letting me go, pulling me with him. We walked to my truck, getting my stuff out.
Ten minutes later we were finished. I grabbed my pocketbook, along with my Ipod and charger. I grabbed my cd's and the carton of cigarettes I had in the console. I opened the back doors, looking at the seats. The same seats my best friends were sitting on for four hours. Daryl pulled me out of my thoughts as he came back to the truck, standing behind me.
I turned my head looking at him. He gave me a sad smile, and grabbed my hand. He pulled me with him, to the old pick up, that I loved so much. I looked at the bike of Merle's and smiled. We were gonna get him back, regardless of who or what stood in our way.
I got in the passenger's side as he got in the drivers. My pocketbook separated us. I swallowed my pride, moving my pocketbook, and scooting beside him. He looked down and smiled at me. I smiled in return.
"Daryl, when you said you didn't remember anything about that night… I believe you." I said, looking to him.
"You do? Dev, you know I'd never lie to you. I would never do that." He admitted. I looked down at my hands and nodded. His hand reached mine, entwining his fingers with mine.
"You remember when I went to the doctor with her that day? For her insomnia?" I asked, looking at him. He nodded, and furrowed his eyebrows.
"What 'bout it?" He wondered.
"The doctor gave her Rohypnol, for it- it's a drug." I muttered, chuckling.
"Roofie, right?" He asked. I nodded, looking at him.
"You were roofied." I said, making a face. He laughed.
"Just like in the movie, huh?" He wondered. I nodded.
"Pretty much, Dar." I giggled, as he squeezed my hand.
"Well, I'm glad we got that shit cleared up." He spoke, after a few minutes of silence.
"I am, too." I smiled, leaning my head on his shoulder. I closed my eyes for a short second, then opened them.
"We're gonna find Merle, Dar. I promise we are. I know we are… we have to." I said, looking straight ahead of us.
"I know, baby. I know. You know how tough he is. He probably done killed half of the walkers in Georgia." He said with a small laugh. I nodded.
"I agree. He probably has." I laughed, sitting up, popping a Sawyer Brown cd in the cd player. I heard Daryl groan.
"Some things never change!" He exclaimed. I nodded and shrugged.
"Once again, I agree. Some things never do!" I winked, turning it to 'This Night Won't Last Forever'. I started singing aloud. He knew that this was one of my favorite songs.
"You can still sing." He smiled. I looked at him like he was psycho. I scoffed.
"Of course I can still sing! Are you crazy, Dixon?" I wondered, getting in his face, making a crazy face. He laughed, and swerved. I rolled my eyes, and started singing again. He waited until the song was over to turn the music down.
"Do you think we can ever go back to the way we were before?" He wondered. I bit my lip and sat back. This was a serious question; I was borderline ready to answer it.
"Honestly Daryl," I started. I brought my knees up to my chest, resting my feet on the dashboard. I laid my chin on my kneecaps, and then turned my face to him. The look on his face was worth one million dollars. He was hopeful.
"Daryl, I… I think that maybe one day we can get back to that point. I would like to try, I would. I really would, but I want to take it slow. You know I love you, I always have and I always will, no matter what." I said, looking at him. He smiled.
"Come here." He nodded over his way. I scooted closer to him.
"I can handle taking it slow. I'd do anything in this world for you. I'd wait for you until the end of time. I haven't been with any other girl since you, Merle can tell you. I promise you that." He said, kissing my head. I nodded, laying my head back on his shoulder.
"Is it too early to say I love you?" He wondered. I giggled, and shook my head.
"I love you Dev." He whispered. I looked up at him, and smiled. I laid a simple kiss on his lips.
"I love you, too Dar." I smiled, laying my head back on his shoulder. I closed my eyes, falling asleep. During my sleep, I dreamt about Mary, Derrick, Ryan, Catherine, Amy, Jim, Eric, Merle, and the rest of the group.
The Dixon house on a Sunday afternoon were always a hit. The families that survived the Zombie Apocalypse were sitting at the picnic tables in our back yard, getting ready for the cookout. I was 8 months pregnant, way too pregnant for my own good. I loved the families that were all sharing a Sunday dinner with us. They had become our extended family.
"Hey baby, you got the ham?" Daryl wondered, looking over at me from the grill. I smiled, placing the ham on the picnic table. He smiled, placing his arms around me, pulling me in a hug. He dropped a kiss on my lips.
"Aunt Devi, can we play on the tire swing?" Carl asked me. I nodded.
"Of course you can, Carl. Yal just be careful, okay?" I said. He kissed my stomach and ran off.
"Oh Mr. Little Dixon, come here for a minute." I called to our seven year old son, Dean. He grinned walking over to me.
"What is it mama?" He wondered, wrapping his arms around me. I ran my fingers through his hair and looked down at him.
"I love you, buddy. Be careful over there, okay? Don't swing everyone to the moon." I winked at him. He laughed. Just the other day, Dean had got Daryl in the tire swing, and flipped him out. That was a sight to see. As that happened, our daughter, Erica thought that Daryl was hurt, and wouldn't quit crying until he got up off the ground ten minutes after the accident happened.
"Okay, no pushing to the moon." He joked, poking Daryl in his stomach.
"Boy, you best listen to yur ma. Imma have to beatcha for its over with." He said, tickling Dean.
"I love you mama. I love you daddy." Dean spoke, "I love you little sissy." He finished, kissing my stomach.
Sophia came over to me, laying her head on my bulging stomach. I smiled, running my fingers through her hair.
"What is it sweetie?" I asked. She looked up at me, and shook her head.
"Nothing, Aunt Devi. I love you, you know that right?" She asked. I nodded.
"And I love you, too, sweetheart." I smiled, leaning down kissing her head.
"I wish the boys would let me play with them." She said hoping I could persuade them to let her play.
"Baby girl, go over there and tell them that I said to let you play with them." I smiled, popping her butt. She giggled and ran off.
I looked at Merle who had Erica on his shoulders. I smiled, thinking that she looked so much like Eric. We named her that for the sake of him. He said he was going to go crazy, if we didn't name one of our kids after him. So, Daryl and I both picked out Erica.
"Mommy! Uncle Merle said he was going to let me touch the moon!" She exclaimed. I giggled, walking over to her. She leaned down and kissed me.
"How's my sissy doing in your belly, mommy?" She wondered. I nodded.
"She's good sweetheart." I smiled.
"Hey baby, come here for a second?" Daryl wondered. I nodded.
"I'll be right back," I winked, then turning away, wobbling over to Daryl. I wrapped my arm around his waist. He wrapped his arm around my neck, kissing me once again.
"What is it, Mr. Dixon?" I smiled, laying my head on his shoulder. The pork chops were looking amazing!
"I love you, so much Mrs. Dixon. I want you to myself right now." He huskily said above my ear. I bit my lip, closing my eyes.
"You know I'm horny when I'm pregnant. That's the problem! You say stuff like that to me! It's not fair baby!" I yelled, pouting. He chuckled, kissing me in a long kiss.
"Aye, aye, aye! Don't burn the food!" Shane called over to us. We broke apart, and laughed. Lori, Carol, Andrea, Amy, and Jacqui helped set the tables.
"Kids! Dinner time!" I yelled over to them. Dean and Carl both jumped out the swing, and hauled ass. Sophia took her time, she was my 'Miss Priss'. Everyone fixed their plates, and found their places at the tables. Daryl and I were always the last ones to fix our plates.
"Time to say grace." I smiled over to everyone. Daryl wrapped his arms around me, as we bowed our heads.
"Dear Father in Heaven, blessed be the food on the table and the hands that prepared it. Lord, I just want to thank you for the opportunity you have given us to be here today eating this before you. In your name we pray, Amen."
"Amen." Everyone said in unison, then started to dig in. I looked at my family, my one big happy family.
"Hey baby, wake up, we're here." I heard Daryl call from above. I pushed myself up, groaning. I wiped my eyes, looking around at the graveyard we were set in. I didn't have a good feeling about this, whatsoever.
We finally reached, the CDC: Destination Unknown.