Safety in Numbers
Shane, Dale, Lori, Andrea, Carl, Ed, Carol, Sophia, Amy, Jacqui, Glenn, T-Dog, and Jim. That was who sat around the fire tonight. Well, most o them, Daryl couldn't actually remember all their names and he sure as hell didn't remember who was who. This group of people who probably wouldn't have even spoken if the dead hadn't started walking. but maybe that was good. Cause there was no way any of these people would've talked to him or Merle if the world hadn't fallen aprt. And yet here they were, sitting around a few, with each and every one of them staring at him and his brother...
Daryl shifted uncomfortably under their gaze and apparently Dale sensed his discomfort.
"So," he said, leaning forward, "How long you boys been on the road?"
"Few days," Merle said.
"Feels like forever," Christian said quietly.
"Course it did, ya slept the whole time," Daryl said and the boy shrugged.
"Where were you headin'?" Shane asked, "I'm guessing you weren't looking for a group?"
"Jus' drivin'," Daryl mumbled, "Not really sure where we goin'. Away from the things tryin' ta eat us."
"Away from those things is usually the best way to go," Glenn said, speaking to them for the first time.
"How long you guys planning on staying?" Shane asked.
"Why? What's a matter Officer Friendly? Want us gone already?" Merle sniped.
"Keep that up and I might just say yes," Shane replied.
"I think everyone needs to settle down," Andrea butted in. She turned to look at Merle and Daryl.
"Look, with everything that's happened, trusting new people isn't always easy, especially around the kids. I'm sure you can understand that." Daryl nodded once and Andrea turned her attention to Shane.
"But, we'll never know if we can trust each other if we don't try. None of us trusted each other when we first met, but like Daryl said, there's power in number. There's safety in numbers. You said you can hunt?" She directed this last part at Daryl.
"Both can," he said.
"Think you could hunt something in these woods?" Dale asked, "Something we could eat?"
Daryl nodded, but said nothing and looked at Shane again.
"Everyone does their share, right?" she said, "I think these guys could be a real help.
"I agree with Andrea," Carol spoke for the first time.
"Do ya now?" Ed said.
"Yes," Carol said, her voice much quieter now, "Andrea's right, how can we trust them if we don't even give them a chance? Besides, are we really going to send them out to fend for themselves when they've got a child with them?"
"We've taken pretty good care of him so far," Merle said and Daryl glanced at his brother. It had always been him and Merle against the world. but with the dead walking... even Daryl would admit - to himself, not to anyone else - that having more people around who could protect Christian made him feel slightly less on edge. Now if Merle would just keep his trap shut...
"I think they should stay too," Lori said, "What if it was Carl? Or Sophia? Or Eliza or Louis? I say we give them a chance."
Shane huffed, "Fine, but nothing funny, got it?"
"Aye, aye, cap'n," Merle saluted mockingly before he stood and sauntered over to their tent.
"C'mon," Daryl said quietly to Christian. The boy hopped up and followed his dad over to where his uncle lay.
"I don't like this," Shane said.
"Just give them a chance," Andrea said.
"A chance is all they're gonna need ta rob us blind," Shane said, "I don't trust 'em. Either of 'em. I can already tell merle is going to be a problem."
"Then forget Merle for a second," Dale said, "Daryl seems a lot more willing to cooperate and he's got a five year old to think of. I reckon he cares enough about that boy to make sure he doesn't cause trouble."
"They're rednecks," Ed stumbled to his feet, "They don't care about nothin'."
WALKINGDEADWALKINGDEADWALKINGDEADWALKINGDEADWALKING
Over at Daryl and Merle's tent, there was a similar conversation going on.
"I don't like this," Merle said as his brother and nephew sat down.
"Tough," Daryl grunted.
"Look, they already think we're gonna rob 'em, so why not just do it?" Merle said.
"No way," Daryl said, "Look, we don't gotta talk to 'em or nothin'-"
"Naw, we just gotta hunt for 'em," Merle snapped, "Lazy pricks."
"We'd be huntin' anyway," Daryl countered, "So wha's it matter? Not like us three could eat a whole deer 'fore the meat went bad. 'sides, they got kids tha' need ta eat."
"Forget the kids!" Merle said.
"Should I forget yer nephew too then?" Daryl challenged, "Huh? My son, should I forget him?" Merle was silent.
"Tha's what I thought," Daryl sighed, "We ain't robbin' 'em. If we're here, you and me can go huntin' and Christian can stay here with people, where it's safe."
"No way!" the boy protested, "I ain't stayin' here! I'm comin' with you! I can hunt too!"
"Not this time," Daryl shook his head, "we don' know how things are in this area yet. I ain't walkin' in blind with ya." Christian scowled and kicked at the dirt.
"Hey, c'mon," Daryl said, "Once we know the layout round here then ya can come, but until then yer stayin' here."
"Who ya gonna leave 'im with?" Merle asked, "The one who pointed a shotgun at us? Or how about blondie? She seemed ta like ya.
"I'll talk ta the old guy, Dale," Daryl said, "He seems a'right." Merle scoffed and shook his head, but Daryl ignored him s Christian started yawning.
"Come on kid, bed," he said, standing and lifting his son to his feet. They walked over to the tent and Daryl got his son settled before laying down next to him.
"We're not gonna steal from 'em, are we daddy?" Christian asked quietly.
"Naw buddy," Daryl replied, "We ain't doin' that. We're gonna stick around here for a while."
Alright, chapter four! For some reason every time I typed Christian's name I kept spelling it 'Christmas' so if I did that anywhere let me know and I'll fix it!
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