"You best get out outta here! This is Dixon land." Merle yelled from the window of the small secluded cabin.

"Yeah, that really seems to be scaring it." Maggie said rolling her eyes as she watched the bloody, mangled body limp its way closer and closer towards them.

"Ain't nobody asking for commentary from the peanut gallery."

"How's it still alive?" Beth asked as she watched the pitiful sight before her. She couldn't help but to feel sorry for it. "What if it needs help?"

"It ain't gonna get any from here. We done took in enough charity for one day." Merle said as he grabbed his gun off the counter in front of him. "But don't you pretty young things worry. Ol' Merle can handle this."

"This should be interesting." Maggie said as Merle took off out of the screen door and stood on the back porch.

"Ain't you gonna help him?" Beth asked as she looked at Daryl.

He was surprised to see worry in her eyes. Nobody had cared what happened to the Dixon brothers before. Not even their own father.

Daryl grunted and gave a curt nod before heading out of the back door to join his brother who was now waving his gun around and spewing off a stream of curse words.

"Stupid idiot must have a death wish." Merle told Daryl with a chuckle as he jumped off the porch and walked closer to the man.

Daryl just stood silent and watched. He knew better then to get in Merle's way and normally would of stayed in the house. For some reason though, he couldn't stand the thought of the petite young blonde, who was watching him from the window, being worried about anything.

"I told you to get!" Merle yelled as he hit the thing in the stomach with the butt of his rifle. Normally, a hit that hard would bring a grown man to his knees, but not this thing. Instead, he lunged at Merle and tackled him to the ground.

Daryl observed as Merle held the now slobbering, snapping thing back. The only comparison he could think of was that it looked like a dog with rabies.

"Darleena can you stop painting your nails and come get this SOB off of me." Merle grunted.

Daryl leaped off the porch and went to his brother's rescue. It wouldn't be the first time that his brother got in over his head and had to be bailed out by the youngest Dixon. Still, Daryl didn't mind. Even though he had a sorry excuse for a family, they where all he had and he would stand by them until the end.

Daryl grabbed the body off of Merle and pushed it away causing it to fall to the ground. It got right back up though and made its way towards Daryl this time.

"That's impossible. It can't be human." Daryl said as he punched the thing in the face.

"Nah, thanks for that Sherlock." Merle said, his thick southern drawl pouring out of his sneering mouth.

"What should we do?" Daryl asked as he side stepped out of the things way.

"I ain't got time to dance with it all night." Merle answered as he grabbed his rifle from the ground and shot the thing in the gut.

It fell to the ground but was right back up in seconds. Merle's mouth dropped open. It was the first time Daryl had ever seen his brother speechless.

"That shot should of killed it." Merle said as he shot it again in the heart. Again, the thing kept coming at them.

It grabbed Merle and lunged for his throat. Daryl grabbed it before it could sink its teeth in and was attempting to keep it from ripping his brother's neck open.

"Maybe it's a vampire!" Merle yelled to his brother.

Daryl's arms where growing tired. He wasn't sure how much longer he could hold the thing back. For something so stupid it sure was strong.

Suddenly, the things head exploded, causing brains and blood to splatter the two Dixon's in the face.

"What the..." Merle said as he wiped his face and looked towards the house. There, he saw Maggie holding a pistol out in front of her. She looked like she was about to throw up and her arms where shaking.

"It looked like y'all could use some help." she finally answered in an unsteady voice.

"Then go get your eyes checked 'cause we didn't need any help. Especially from you sweet tits." He answered as he walked passed Maggie and yanked the gun from her hand.

"Ok, well next time I will just let it have you." She said with a huff.

Daryl walked past and stopped in front of Maggie.

"What? You got something to say too?" She asked, glaring at Daryl.

He just nodded his head and walked past. In a weird way, Maggie knew that at least the youngest Dixon appreciated what she did. She followed him in the house.

When Daryl and Maggie walked through the door Beth launched herself at her sister and hugged her tight. When she let go of her she wrapped her arms around Daryl. "I was so worried." She said into his chest.

This was new to Daryl. Most people avoided the Dixon's. He wasn't exactly sure what to do but he felt stupid letting his hands dangle and his sides so he awkwardly patted Beth on the back.

"Ain't nothing to worry about." He said as he unwrapped Beth's arms from around him and walked into the other room. This was the first time that Daryl actually knew what it felt like to have someone care about him. He kind of liked it.

"Which one of you are going to make this hero a nice dinner?" Daryl heard Merle ask.

"Make it yourself." Maggie answered.

Daryl walked into the kitchen.

"How ya like that for gratitude." Merle said to his brother. "That's ok though, I'm sure we can think of some other way for you to repay me." He winked.

"You're a pig."

Merle sighed. "Darleena what's for dinner?"

Daryl shrugged. He never really learned how to cook. Growing up, the only things he ever ate were from a can, pig's feet and peanut butter.

"I'll cook." Beth said with a smile. "I don't mind."

"You ain't gotta do that." Daryl said as he chewed the skin on his thumb.

"If the lady says she wants to cook then let her." Merle said with a grin. "Now if you will excuse me, I'm off for a nap." He stopped at the door and looked at Maggie. "Care to join me?" He said as he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively towards her.

"I'd rather die. Thanks."

"Suit yourself." Merle said as he walked out of the door.

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this chapter submitted by MrsDixon3