(Two months later)
(Tommy)
It's been two months since I've taken Nix Callahan under my wing. He has learned a lot more than to shoot a gun. He has learned to take apart and put back together the pistol I gave him. He has learned to turn the safety on and off. He learned how to shoot it and gun safety. The only thing he hasn't done is shoot the gun because we don't want to attract the walkers or the camp's attention. He also learned how to use my recurve bow. He's finally able to pull the string back to the halfway point and once you get it that far the rest of the way requires no strength to do it. It takes a lot of muscles to pull back my bow, which is way it taken him so long, but he finally managed to do it yesterday, so soon we'll get targets up and he can learn how to aim it and fire. I also taught him how to dress and skin a kill. I also taught him how to track an animal. What I've come to learn about Nix is that he loves learning. Anything he finds useful in this new world he wants to learn. I've been teaching him everything I know and helping him improve on each skill.
It's strange, but since taking him under my wing he has grown to become a friend to me. The others at the camp are noticing how close we are becoming. I know they're trying to figure out what we're up to. So far they only know that I'm teaching him tracking and how to take care of the kill. They don't know I'm teaching him how to fire a bow and arrow and how to shoot a gun.
I've gotten to know Nix really well. He's very energetic and excitable. He loves learning new things. He's also extremely selfless. He's always thinking about his mom before himself. He's a sweet kid. I've come to really enjoy his company. My dad and I have practically taken Nix and his mom in. His mom doesn't say much, but she is always kind of us. She helps us out a lot too. She is always cooking for us now and washing our clothes. My dad's always telling her she doesn't have to, but she just tells him that she doesn't mind.
Since taking Nix in I've also realized his mother is just like Nix. She is just as selfless. She is always looking after Nix and making sure he has everything he needs. She is also just a genuinely nice person. She's never in a bad mood, never is mean, and never takes the time to even think about herself. She is also so nice and cheerful. She just doesn't let things get to her. The only thing I've come to realize upsets her is Shane Walsh. There's just something about him that scares the hell out of her. When he looks at her or goes even close to her she is automatically terrified. I think it's more than just what happened in the woods. There's something going on between them and it has been happening way before the incident in the woods. I don't want to be nosey, so I stay quiet, but I've noticed that my dad has been staying near her more and more. I think he knows Shane scares her too. I think my dad has started looking out for her like I do with Nix.
"Am I doing this right, Tommy." I snap back to the present to see Nix trying and failing at doing a slip knot.
"Uh... not exactly. Here, let me show you again." I take the rope and undo the mess he made before showing him step by step how to do it again. No matter how much Nix struggles he never gives up until he learns the skill. Even in the beginning when he couldn't even pull my bow back an inch he kept trying every day until he slowly got it to go further and further. He is a very determined kid. When he puts his mind to something he does it.
"Can I go hunting with you and Mr. Dixon?"
"Daryl." I correct. "My dad doesn't like you calling him that."
"Why didn't he ever correct me." I give a shrug because I really don't know. He doesn't say anything, but I can tell in his eyes that he hates being called that. "Okay, well, then can I go hunting with Daryl and you?"
"You'll have to ask him."
"What are they discussing anyways?" He asks as he looks over at the adults.
"They're sending more people with the Chinese kid to the city this time. They're seeing who is willing to go with him."
"Is your uncle going?"
"Yeah, which is why my dad and I are the ones going hunting." I glance over to see the meeting disperse and my dad and uncle heading over. "Who's going?"
"Merle, the Mexican guy, the Chinese, the black, the black woman, and the blonde sister."
"Which sister?"
"Older." I nod as my father sits down. I can't remember names and my dad and uncle don't bother to.
"Mr-Daryl, can I join you and Tommy hunting?" Nix asks, causing my father to look over at him. He gives me a knowing before looking at Nix again.
"Ask your mother." My dad says and just like that Rose appears with a basket of our clothes.
"Ask me what?" My dad looks up at her and she gives him a kind smile. I smile as I look at the two. Honestly, I think they'd be nice together, but I doubt my father would ever listen to me on that.
"Nix wants to go hunting with us. Is it okay?" I ask, causing her to look at Nix before nodding.
"Sure, I know you won't let anything to happen to him." Within these two months, Rose have come to trust us over everyone else. Before she used to be worried about Nix with us, but now she doesn't even hesitate on letting him join us.
"We'll watch him." My dad says, causing Rose to smile at him again.
"Thank you. Here are your guys' clothes that I washed yesterday." She puts the basket down as she says that.
"Thanks, Rose." She smiles at me before ruffling Nix's hair and heading off. My uncle eyes her over with lust in his eyes. I give him a glare as I see it.
"Back off Merle." I say, causing him to look at me with a dark glare.
"Merle." My father snaps. "Don't you have to get ready to go to the city." My uncle glares at me once more before heading into his tent.
"I did it!" I glance over at Nix and smile.
"Great job now untie it." Nix's smile falls.
"Untie..." His head falls, causing my father to chuckle. Nix takes a deep breath before getting to work. "Hey, Tommy, when will I get my own hunting knife and bow?" He asks. "I'm always using yours. I don't want to keep stealing yours."
"Hold on." My dad goes into the tent and minutes later comes out and hands Nix a knife inside a holder.
"Really?" Nix's eyes are big as he stares at the holder. It is a simple case that has two bands that go on either side of the handle and come together to snap close. The knife inside is small but sharp. It's the knife my dad gave to me. It's been past down from Dixon to Dixon. It's a beginner knife for small hands. He gave it to me when I was Nix's age before I got older and could handle a bigger knife. The fact that my dad is willingly giving Nix this means a great deal.
"Just be careful with it. It's not a toy." Nix takes it and puts it on the ground before jumping up and hugging my dad. I laugh as I see my dad's eyes grow large as Nix hugs him.
"Thank you, Daryl." He lets my dad go, causing my father to relax once again. Nix pins the case to his right hip like I have it. It has a clip that slides onto the waistband of your jeans. Nix smiles before sitting down. "Now I just need a bow." I laugh before ruffling his hair.
"All in good time, kid. You first need to learn to shoot it."
"Maybe when we have time on the hunt you can show me. I was able to pull it back yesterday."
"Yeah, but you have to be able to do that with ease before firing it." Nix sighs and nods before going back to his knot.
Nix and Rose might not be Dixons, but the way things are going they slowly becoming apart of the family. I think just one good shove will have Rose in my dad's arms and honestly, I'm actually hoping for it.