New chapter, thank you again for all the reviews.
The more the merrier.
Oh and a shout out to SpyroFlavordSkittles, absolutely love the name and your long detailed messages. Thank you me dear.
xxx
SSC
Remember when I said my passion was dance?
No I am not going to shake my booty for you, you perverted person you.
It's just when something so physical becomes a passion it takes over your life. When I first got into ballet I had to change my entire diet so I could keep up with the other students. My diet mainly consisted of fruits and water, which had me rushing to the bathroom most of the time but hey it was worth it.
At least I thought it was my frame was just a little larger than the other petite girls. Sure I was envious and a little annoyed that I couldn't do most they could at first but then I figured I've learned all I could from ballet, and it just wasn't for me. Besides, I was getting a little bored with the routines; I needed to find something that suited my needs. I wanted to express myself without so many restrictions and still look elegant while doing it, if that made sense.
That's just my way of saying I was just too damn lazy to put that much effort in to something that I have to wear tights and a tu-tu for.
So I moved on, educating myself in folk dancing, ballroom and tango. At one point I learned about Tangolates. I know it sounds like a Starbucks order but it really wasn't. It was the combination of concentration, coordination and core stability of Pilates and the fluidity of Tango.
It was quite therapeutic, especially when I had to deal with a lot of my mother's criticism. I still use it to keep my joints stretched and maintained so I wouldn't suffer from cramps when running away from danger.
So I woke up early that morning, feeling refreshed in my new sleeping quarters. Luna was curled up by my legs and stirred away when she felt me move. We both made our way down the tower and to the fresh grass.
It was still blue hour, the air was peaceful and a cool breeze passed through, forming Goosebumps on my skin. Luna and I walked across the prairie and stopped when we found a place suitable to us. Luna wandered off to do her business and I stood there staring at the sky that was slowly turning into a clear azure. I would guess it was around five thirty in the morning, my gaze moved to the grass.
I hadn't felt cool earth with the soles of my feet in a long time; it was a little tempting right now. Looking around to make sure no one was around; I wiggled one foot out of my boots and then placed it on the grass.
"Ohhh that's the stuff." I moaned at the tingling sensation of cold wet grass on my feet. My feet have always been overly sensitive. It was difficult whenever I got blisters or sprains so I had to be a little more careful with my feet than other parts of my anatomy.
My other foot followed and I abandoned my boots for a moment to walk around with my bare feet. It was quiet blissful, not having to be worried about being snuck up on by walkers and take the time to admire the small things.
My body was feeling a little stiff from sleeping so soundly and what better place to stretch than on a field of grass with no one around.
Rick Grimes got up at his usual time; sleep despite being a small luxury now, hasn't always come easy to him since the beginning of the turn. There was always a slight fear in his mind that he would sleep into a coma and wake up in chaos, more than usual.
He got dressed, checked on little Judith and exited the cell block. He walked up to the water barrel beside the gate leading to the barn. Cupping his hands into the water her washed his face and moved to open the gate to find it open.
Alert, he made his way down the gravel path, giving a quick glance at the animals. They were unharmed and the zombies were where he had last seen the, outside the outer gate. Sighing in relief his gaze wandered to the right, startled by the figure he saw.
It was Vivian and she was sitting in a meditative position. Luna was on her back in front of the woman, paws up as Vivian was arched over, fondly rubbing at the dog's furry belly. Rick was a little bewildered at first, considering how long it's been since he had seen something so normal it was now considered strange.
Luna—who was enjoying the belly rub serenely—opened her eyes noticing the sheriff. She quickly rolled on to her paws, sitting up and glaring at the man. Vivian looked to him as well and Rick smiled not to alarm the woman.
"Mornin'" He greeted taking steps to her, while keeping a cautious eye on the dog.
Vivian was far from worried; the large beam she directed his way was radiant "Good Morning."
Rick was a little mesmerized at first, well someone is in better humor. Feeling a little eased by her smile he decided to take a seat beside her, on the damp grass and looking to the sky.
It was silent between them for a moment; Vivian didn't seem to mind his presence and continued to pet Luna. The dog on the other hand continued to watch Rick like a hawk, which was very perturbing. It was something about the canine's stare, like she could see deep inside him, all the horrors and knew what he was capable of.
Clearing his throat and averting his stare, he looked to Vivian. "Daryl tells me you are interested in going hunting."
"Why does that surprise you?" She asked craning her head to gaze at him, Rick scratched at the back of his head in thought.
"It's just I didn't think you would be so eager to get back out there."
"It's not that I am eager." Maybe a little bit "I just think I will be more useful to you guys in that way, cleaning isn't exactly my forte."
I was being honest, household tasks were never my thing, even before the world turned.
Rick snorted at my words, his grin widening "Yeah I've noticed."
I gaped but the tongue lashing I prepared dimmed under the glow of his twinkling blue eyes, the best I could muster was puff of air before turning away. "I didn't see it there, how many times do I have to apologize." I grumbled growing agitated and little embarrassed. I distracted myself by picking at a crop of grass under me.
"Easy, I was reminiscing." His voice was strained as if suppressing a laugh "here we are trying to get the blood stains off and you go drop the clothes in mud."
I rolled my eyes but I suppose there was some hilarity to the situation, at least some one found it amusing.
"Daryl's going on a run today, but you will have to convince him though. He is the expert in that department, I am still a beginner."
"You go hunting too?" I asked a little surprised, he didn't look like the hunting type, and he didn't exactly look like a farmer either. But then again who am I to talk, I was still in law school and barely left my apartment.
"I keep mainly to the prison close quarters; Daryl's the one who can manage taking on bigger grounds." He explained nudging his head in the direction of the forests outside the prison; I nodded in acknowledgment before we fell into a silence again.
"Any advice?" I asked mildly trying not to seem to desperate for an answer.
"Advice?" He echoed I shrugged uselessly.
"Well I haven't met many people like Daryl in my...adventures." For the lack of a better word "Should I approach him with a pie, maybe a clever limerick, Rick?"
He chuckled at my clumsy words and I stared, so the man could express amusement. It didn't sound forced but deep and free, like he hadn't expected to laugh or hadn't laughed in a long time.
"Keep to the point; he isn't the type to beat around the bush." He spoke and I listened intently. Of course Daryl didn't seem like the type of man to beat around the bush, he was more likely the type to hide in one and wait to pounce. Or maybe that's something I would do, actually... I think I did that at one point.
"Right, thanks." I may not have sounded grateful but I was, Rick's advice did help a little. I couldn't get all fidgety and awkward. I needed to be straight to the point. He seemed to react well to my in-your-face reaction last time, considering he had told Rick and everything.
There was movement beside me, I looked to find Rick getting to his feet and patting away the dirt one his arms.
"I'll leave you to your reclining then." He asserted smiling at me, I nodded and smiled back before he turned to go and tend to his crops. I sat there for a little longer, immersed in my thoughts I had stopped petting Luna and my hand was just laying on her head. Annoyed by my lack of scratching behind her ears, Luna nudged my palm with the tip of her cold nose. This grabbed my attention and I looked down at her smiled, clawing gently at the back of her ear again.
"You sure know how to tell me what you want, don't you girl?" I murmured affectionately, her response was a heady pant and look from those big soulful eyes. That's when it dawned to me what I needed to do.
Daryl was fresh and ready for a day's hunting to begin. During breakfast he had passed by the usual spot for Vivian to eat, he didn't want to admit he was a little disappointed by the lack of her and her canine companion. He didn't want to bother with searching for her, maybe she slept in and he was somewhat glad, that way he didn't have to deal with saying no to the girl, regarding the hunt.
After having grabbed his gear and strapping on his sleeveless jacket, Daryl made his way to the vehicles. He loaded the back of the trunk and made his way to the front, opened drivers door to only freeze in shock.
"Da hell." Vivian sat on the passenger seat with her pooch beside her by the window.
"Hello, yo—or whatever." The woman uttered, flashing an impish little smile and wave of her open hand.
"Were ya waitin' 'ere the entire time?" Daryl demanded glaring at the woman, her smile wavered for a moment but her forest green eyes remained solid and determined.
"Rick told me to be straight to the point with you; this is me being pointy." She bit her lip considering the absurdity of her last word and Daryl narrowed her eyes, wondering if the double meaning was purposeful.
Brushing the thought aside he crossed his arms over his wide chest, in a way to show his disapproval.
"Ya aint comin' I don't need no woman distruptin' ma trackin'." He grunted, he could tell she was dying to roll her eyes but refused to. She held his glowering stare, Daryl was a little perturbed at first because not many woman glared back so bravely.
"I am not going to bother you; we can take separate areas if you like. I just need to get out there." She uttered her arm gesturing in the direction of the forest beyond the walls. He contemplated her words silently, his gaze moving from her to Luna. The dog seemed happy to see him, her brown eyes were lit up and he could hear and see her fluffy tail tapping at the leather seat madly.
For a moment of weakness, Daryl wondered what the worst that could possibly happen was. Besides, she looked like she could take care of herself and it would give him the opportunity to know more about her like he had planned.
"Fine," He grumbled climbing into the pick-up and shutting the door behind him "But if ya get in ma way, I'll shoot an arrow through yer head." He stated warningly, she didn't seem threatened but more amused by his words.
"Great, I don't have to worry about coming back then." She uttered grinning from ear to ear, rolling his eyes Daryl put the keys into the ignition and the engine roared to life.
I stepped over a fall long, being careful not to make any noise as we walked through the forest. My gaze shot from one tree to the other, searching for my intended objective, frustrated by the lack of it.
Mixed in with the frustration was a pressure, the pressure of having to show my worth to the resident hunter. I could feel his eyes on me, watching my every move as if waiting for me to mess up. Gulping down my nervousness I glanced at Luna, she was sniffed the ground and moved about frantically searching for the marks same as I.
Except hers was the odor of her piss, not jagged marks on a tree like mine. I couldn't judge her for it, it's not like she can operate a knife and if I could recognize the stench of my own urine, and I would do the same.
I glanced back at Daryl and sure enough he was staring right at me. Ignoring the prickling sensation of the hairs on my arms standing on end, I began to speak. "I made a few markings up ahead, so I know my way around. I remember coming across a lake at one point and there were a few deer's there."
"Did ya shoot any?" He inquired with that deep raspy voice of his, hmm I wonder if he is a smoker. Certainly sounds like one.
Man I could use a cigarette right about now. None smokers can crave cigarettes right? Anyway back to Daryl's question, I couldn't help but grin a little. He had a lot more faith in me than I let on, his voice didn't sound at all sarcastic.
"Do I look like someone who can lug a deer around?" I asked sending an amused glance his way "Besides, Bambi isn't exactly my forte."
"Tis not like herdin' cats, I shot an' killed ma first deer when I was knee-high, brought the varmint back home ma-self." He grumbled in a matter of fact tone, I blinked a little surprised.
When I was 'knee-high' as he put it, the most killing I ever did was killing time.
It could be just me but I am sensing a little neglected child issues, of course I didn't press him—I was neglected myself and the days I wasn't, I wished I was. I really didn't know what to say and continued to look around. The path we were on felt and looked familiar but then again, the trees in this forest were carbon copies of one another.
"I think it's around here." I mused walking further into the forest; I heard his footsteps following me in his slow pace.
"Ya tink or ya know?" He demanded, I didn't want to admit that I was a little lost. I should have found the third mark but now, considering we passed by the last one nearly half an hour ago.
"It must have rained or something, I can't find the mark I made."
"Mark?" He echoed, I couldn't tell if he was just mocking me or genuinely curious.
"Well I don't exactly have a map now do I?" I retorted sarcastically and a little snappier than I intended. I blame the heat; it was like a freaking furnace out here, Luna was panting up a storm and I was sweating like a pig.
Daryl looked as cool as a cucumber, with a slice of ham, maybe dash of mustard and smidge of ketchup, in between two fresh pieces of bread. Damn it I should have eaten breakfast, but I work better when I am hungry, my senses are on over drive then—but that's beside the point. Honestly though, he looked like he belonged out here in the woods. His strapping arms were glistening under a thin sheet of sweat, a few strands of his dark hair was plastered to his forehead but he didn't dirty, it was surprisingly appealing.
"You are leading us far off our dart." His voice cut me off my dazed thoughts, he was glaring at me with those clear eyes of his.
I quickly averted my gaze "I am telling you it is this way." I stated surely though I was pointing at a completely random direction.
Well nature, you have failed me. I looked to Luna. Even she seemed a little confused and sniffed about with renewed purpose.
"Damn it woman, stop being so ornery. I played along with your so called trackin'" Daryl snapped marching up to me, demanding my attention "Now it's my turn."
I gaped and watched him as his keen gaze wandered the environment around us. I would be helping, if I didn't feel so bloody insulted.
"Played along? So you came here knowing I wouldn't find anything?"
He didn't even bother stopping to address my question and lazily replied with a "Well yeah."
My face evolved from stunned revelation to eyebrow twitching annoyance "Wow your faith in me is just touching."
Why did I even bother with sarcasm? Hicks are too damn dumb for that.
"Yer not even on da rite path, the tracks lead that away, waste of ma damn time." He pointed out the flaws mindlessly, unaffected by my derisive statement. I rolled my eyes, if I wanted criticism I would have summoned my mother.
Daryl felt a little smug, annoyed but self-satisfied. That'll show her He though while surveying the ground for tracks. He knew they had to travel west from the point; the trees were healthier here with meat a body of water was nearby. Considering this heat, animals must be attracted to the spot like moth to a fla—
Vivian hadn't said anything, curiously he looked up to tense up instantly.
"Where are ya goin'?" He whispered severely, his daggering stare directed at her retreating back. She was a few feet ahead of him but had managed to hear his question. She stopped and turned slightly and Daryl was not expecting the fierce annoyance in her eyes.
"I am going to find that lake, on my own." She snapped, keeping her voice a determined low. Daryl bristled in outrage, the urge to punch something only intensified when she turned away, ready to storm off.
Luna remained oblivious, too overwhelmed by the task at hand.
"Fine, get! Guess ya hankerin' for a good bite in the ass frem those walkers." He clipped out at her retreating back. She was infuriating and didn't even turn around to acknowledge his words.
Daryl was furious, that woman was going to get herself killed. A gamut of sexist thoughts began to form in his mind.
This is why they shouldn't drive, vote and especially hunt.
I told ya little bro, they are only good for one thing.
Despite himself and being irritated by her, he couldn't help but be a little seduced by her purposeful stride retreating from him. Daryl cursed and averted his head, his face felt hot, from anger or lust he didn't know but he hated it.
He tried to focus on the trail he picked up but his worrisome, maddening thoughts about her wouldn't leave.
Growling in exasperation Daryl knew he couldn't let her wander off on her own. Especially since he chose to bring her along, he felt responsible for her. He looked back in the direction she went, surprised to find she was no longer in his line of vision. Alert and slightly distressed Daryl moved forward, tracking her and not the animal he had planned.
The woman was fast with her tiny feet and her tiny body and her tiny mind. Rolling his eyes Daryl trudged through the forest, careful to look out for walkers. He stopped for a moment, noticing a very distinct mark on a tree. It was a jagged, carved in 'x' shape. He leaned out and traced the cut with the tips of his fingers, frowning deeply.
This must be what she was yammerin' about.
He didn't want to admit it was wrong, because that would mean admitting he wasn't comfortable with the idea in the first place. Hunting was his skill, his safe haven, a way to block out the world. Vivian joining him was a leap too far off his comfort zone and he felt threatened.
It was his only way to feel close to Merle.
Daryl's narrowed gaze noticed the change in direction of foot prints; she made a sharp turn near at the tree and walked down the hill. He followed her footpath, careful to walk side way to defy the slope of the hill.
He found Vivian. She was a few feet away, her back was to him and she was hunched down low and staring ahead.
Daryl was relieved to find her, but he masked the relief with a scowl, preparing a good tongue lashing in his head—only to stop when she saw him.
She looked furious and was mouthing something to him. He narrowed his gaze on her, not comprehending her frantic state and tried to read her lips.
Get down, she mouthed mutely. While gesturing at something in front of them, instincts kicked in and Daryl immediately lowered on to his knees before looking in the direction she was pointing to, he followed her gaze and stared in shock.
It was a deer a stag to be specific. The animal was drinking from a small pond, his head bowed over the body of water and his tongue lapping at the liquid. Daryl took in the sight of him; the buck was still going through first stages of puberty. His horns were only stumps on its head but the varmint was healthy and with enough meat for the entire camp at prison.
He looked to Vivian who was watching him; she silently pointed at him and made a hand gesture that suggested she shoot the animal. Daryl calculated the distance between him and the stag; he guessed he was fifteen yards away from the animal. Luckily the amount was within his crossbow's shooting range.
He was starting to feel that familiar rush of excitement right before a kill, he knew he couldn't mess this one up, not when the opportunity was handed to him in a platter. Bringing the crossbow he positioned himself, looked through the scope and aimed.
He targeted behind the front leg of the stag's just were the heart is, giving one last glance Vivian's way, he pulled the trigger.
The arrow whizzed out speedily and hit the deer right on the intended mark. Stunned at first the stag attempted to run, with the arrow still lodged in its side. Daryl cursed and quickly readied another arrow and shot, the arrow hit the buck but it still kept running.
Daryl stared in disbelief, great now he had to go trek for the animal and pray walkers didn't find its body.
He moved to get up only to freeze and stare in wonder. Luna was racing wildly after the stag and just when Daryl didn't think she could. The dog launched itself on the animal and bit down hard on its trembling thigh.
The stag fell forward on to the grass, kicking wildly to get free but the arrow was causing it to bleed profoundly. Daryl looked to where Vivian was only to find she had disappeared. Confused he looked back at Luna to find Vivian rushing in her dog's direction with a knife at the ready.
The knife he had lent to her.
Unsure of what to do or say Daryl stood there for a moment, absorbing the situation. Once he did he moved forward, keeping an eye out for walkers he made his way to them. Luna was still biting down on the leg and Vivian steadily straddled the deer across its board body closest to the arrow.
"Easy, easy." She cooed placing a steadying hand on the animal's neck, the stag struggled harder. With a firm grip and fixed gaze Vivian brought her hand up and plunged the blade straight through the animals head, a swift death.
Any regret he saw on her face was instantly masked and she exhaled heavily to express her relief before a big smile took over her face. Luna was a panting mess, her tongue was dangling and she sat down to regain her energy.
Daryl's wide eyed stare moved from the two females to the deer, his expression full of disbelief.
They had actually managed to bring down a deer.
He was brought out of his thoughts when a breathless chuckle escaped the woman's lips, she was leaning back and still straddling the dead animal, but her attention was focused on the dog.
Daryl had trouble looking away from her face glistening in sweat, damp curly tresses and dazzling satisfied smile accented by those glittering emerald eyes.
