AN: Here you go guys! They are coming quicker and quicker! What do you think of the whole thing about Carol leaving in the newest episode! I was so happy. I will NEVER be a Caryl shipper, so thank the Lord that she's on her own merry way. Anyways, here is chapter 37 for you guys! I want to know what you think of this character. I'd also like to know who your favorite and least favorite character is in this story, so please leave it in the reviews! Thank you guys so much! :)
"Emily, is that you?" the man hollered up at me. "Wanna ring the fuckin' doorbell some more, Alexander! Calm the fuck down, jeez." I said, letting out a sigh. "Wanna tell us whats going on here?" Rick finally said, breaking the silence. Alexander stood up, brushing off some dirt. "My name is Alexander. You can call me Alex for short." He held out his hand but both men just looked at it before Rick slowly extended his and shook it. "Wanna tell me what you're doin' out here?" Rick asked while Alex just stared at me.
"Had a camp, bout two miles back that way," he said pointing behind him. "Me and one other man had ourselves a little camp. He unfortunately passed yesterday though." A few seconds passed before Daryl spoke up, "Died from what?" My mind immediately went to the worst, and this time I was right. "Bit. Tryin' to be mr. macho and hunt for some deer and one walked up behind him and got him in the shoulder real good. He took down the walker though." I nodded my head and wiped sweat from my forehead. "My question is what the hell are you doin' out this far from Atlanta? And he must have been a shitty hunter if a walker came up behind him. Just sayin." I said, while Alex gave me a dirty look.
"No, she's right." Daryl said. "All I want to know is how you two know each other." Rick said, exasperated. I just looked at Rick and shook my head. "Just my luck we get to run into people we know. He's a ex." I said, as I let my guard down and started back to the house. "Hey, Em! What do you wanna do with this guy?" Rick hollered out. I let out a sigh and walked back over to them, "No funny games and he can stay with us. What do you think Rick?" "Well this aint a democracy anymore, and if you aren't of use, we'll throw you out. Sound like a deal?" he said. Alex looked frantically between the three of us, and shook his head, begging for us to not throw his life away and that he'd do anything that we told him to do.
"You good at anythin'?" Daryl asked as Alex picked a backpack off of the group. "I'm a decent hunter. I can cook some." he said, wiping off sweat with a blue bandana. None of us said anything back to him, except for our names, but continued walking back to the house. We crossed into the street whenever Lori and Carl came running, well Lori waddling, outside. T jumped off the RV and came to us. "Who's this?" I bypassed everyone and told Carl to go get ready for our knife throwing today. I walked in the house and up the stairs into my bedroom, slamming the door shut. He just had to be here, didn't he. I never thought he would have survived. He couldn't have, unless he was with another, stronger group. He was a weakling, or at least I thought he was.
I rubbed my hands on my face before placing them on my hips, letting out a long sigh. I heard the door quietly shut, and as I turned around I was met by Daryl. "Ya alright?" I nodded before saying, "Up to teaching Carl today?" He gave me a look, before saying, "I guess we might need to teach that little shit somethin." I let out a laugh, before grabbing my knives off my dresser. "Let's go have some anger management classes."
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"Alright, Carl. Me and Daryl are gonna teach you how to throw some knives today. This is ten times harder than our bows. So don't get frustrated if you don't get it as fast as you did the bow, alright?" I said, cleaning off my knife. He nodded and Daryl started talking too. "Ya know, I was 17 when I first learned how to use one, so you're getting it early, kid." Carl looked shocked and said, "I'm not a kid anymore Daryl. I'm 13." Daryl and I looked at each other while stifling a grin and laugh. "Alright come on now," I said picking up the smallest knife I had.
"This is a small one," I said, walking over to Carl. "You're gonna have to hold it like this," I said, holding it by the blade, showing how the hilt was in the air. "It's gonna scare you at first, but this is the safest and quickest way to let a knife go." I demonstrated a couple of times before actually throwing it, where it lodged in a styrofoam target. "Wow! That's so cool!" Carl exclaimed, his face in awe. "Mind if you teach me too?" I heard a voice say. I turned around and saw Alex standing there, looking impressed. "Carl, do you mind?" Alex asked walking up to him. "I guess not. We can learn together!" he said, smiling at the stranger.
"Alright Carl," I began. "Show me how you hold it." After a couple hours of practicing the correct position and throwing only a couple times, Carl was beginning to wear down. "Alright, kid, go take a break will ya? You're gonna throw your shoulder out if ya do it too much." He nodded and ran off, more than likely to find Lori and tell her all about our adventures. "Hey, Dare come here," I said, motioning to the target. He followed me as we walked towards it, pulling out numerous knives. "What do you think about Alex?" I whispered as I cleaned off my knife, even though there was nothing on it. "Don't like him." I nodded and mouthed good as we walked to the picnic table and sat down, our hips slightly touching.
"You want to go huntin for some birds tomorrow? We hardly got any and with that smokehouse, we can cure that plus the deer that T and I put in there yesterday." I nodded and laid my head down next to his hand on the table. I could see Alex still trying from where I was sitting. Suddenly Daryl's hand was stroking my hair, smoothing it down the best he could. "We need a shower," he muttered as he took his hand off, seeing as how Alex was walking up to us. "You're a really good teacher Em," he said, smiling. Daryl let out a scoff and said, "Be right back, Ima get us some water. Be safe." I smiled and crossed my arms, laying my head down on them. "So, Daryl." I picked my head up a little bit and said, "What about him?"
He was stopped short whenever the door slammed shut. "Here," he said, throwing one at Alex and handing me mine. "Thanks," I said, smiling. "I'm sure since Carl's still wanting to learn we can go in the morning like we have been, and then come home and teach him. That sound good to you?" He just nodded and said, "That's fine. I think Rick said there was a part of a fence down and we're gonna go fix it sometime today." I nodded and said, "Well yeah, might wanna go get on that. I can teach Carl and him by myself if I want them to do more today." He just gave me a look asking if I was sure, and I nodded my head, saying I would be able to. When Alex got up, Daryl snuck a kiss on my forehead and whispered "Be safe." I got up and was met by Carl. I was getting ready to start practicing with them again when I hollered out, "Hey Daryl!" He turned around and had a curious look on his face. "ALWAYS." He let out a small smile and nodded his head, showing he was taking off.
"Ready to get back to work Carlos?" I said, in a Mexican accent. "Si," he said, laughing as he picked up a knife. Eventually after Alex staring at my form for a good while, he joined back in alongside Carl. Finally after I was convinced they both had the form down really good, I told them it was time to start throwing. "Alright, boys. Show me what you got." Both threw the knife at the same time, startling me at how good Carl was. Carl's had veered a little to the left, but that was guaranteed with his dominant hand being right. "Not bad at all Carl!" I said, smiling. "What about me?" Alex asked smirking. His had landed perfectly in the center of the target. "Very good, Alex. Why don't you go get Rick for me?" He smirked and took off.
"Carl, don't pay any attention to him. He already knew how to throw. He just wanted an excuse to talk to me. Why don't we throw some more before your mom and dad get out here, mkay?" I asked, ruffling his hair. He just nodded, picking up two knives, and immediately drove them into the targets, hitting the bulls-eye both times. "Being angry helps me, a bit." he said, looking down. "Hey, no need to be ashamed of that. It's exactly how I learned to." I let out a wink, and the screen door slammed with only two set of footsteps. Rick and Alex. "Carl is a little beast." I said, smiling.
"Dad, Dad, Dad! Look what I can do!" Carl said, grinning from ear to ear. "Emily is teaching me everything!" Rick let out a short laugh, and said, "You're not being stupid with them are you?" He immediately shook his head and said, "No, I'd never dream of disappointing you and mom like that. Emily told me that knives and dangerous and you never treat them as toys." I let out a smile and nodded as Rick looked at me in amazement. "Let's see what you got son." Carl immediately ran over to the target and walked back to where I had him placed. He let out a sigh and threw one right after the other, hitting the bulls-eye both times.
Rick looked over at me with a smile on his face. "You're a good teacher. You should teach some of the others here how to. Alex was telling me that you were. Maybe you could teach Carol or something." I just looked at him and slowly shook my head. "Sure, I guess. I mean it'll be safer for us if we run into somethin'. It'll have to be some other time though. All this throwin' is killin' my shoulder." He nodded and shook his hands, "It's fine. We don't need you hurt, especially these days." I smiled and said my thanks. "Do you know if Daryl is back yet?" I asked, looking on top of the RV. "Yeah, he is. He's inside getting something to eat I think. Go talk to him. I think he was looking for you."
I picked up my knives, kissing Carl on the head, and placed the targets underneath the picnic table, and walked inside, resisting the urge to take off my boots on the place-mat. I shook my head and walked into the house, and went straight for the kitchen. I opened the door and I heard my favorite redneck's voice. "Hungry?" he asked, biting into a peach. "Starvin." I said, taking a peach from a bowl on the counter. "Carl do any better than he was when I left y'all?" I nodded, wiping the juice from the peach on my shirt. "He can hit a bulls-eye from 'bout thirty yards now. Pretty good for him just startin' out. Wish I coulda hit somethin' like that when I was his age." Daryl threw the core in the trash and wiped his hands on his pants. "Looks like I'm gonna have to do your laundry sometime soon. Been wearin' those same pair of pants for a week now."
He let out a snort. "I ripped a hole in the other pair, and Carl says that the other one smells bad." I looked at him quizzically. "Hole's in the ass and those have old squirrel blood." I let out a sigh, knowing Daryl didn't like to be in really dirty clothes. "I have a question." I said, walking over and sitting down at the bar. "Go ahead," he said, walking and leaning against the counter, right in front of me. "What would you do if Merle shows up? I mean, it's a possibility right?" He was shocked for a second, before he began thinking. Finally, he said, "I don't know. Officer Friendly ain't gon take too kindly if he came back. Especially now that he has only one hand, too. Why you askin' Em?"
"I don't know why. I just thought of him for some reason. You've only told me some stuff about him, I guess I just wanted more, if that's fine." He leaned forewards and placed a small kiss on my temple. "Of course it's fine. Just don't really know what to tell you. He was a druggie, but you knew that. While he was in juvie, I fended for myself." I nodded, and asked, "Do you think if he did find us, Rick would let him stay?" He pondered the question for a second and he said, "Well if he wants to keep me and you, he better let him stay. I'm going with you wherever." I smiled and said, "I'll go wherever you go." He kissed me on the forehead, and I let out a sigh of relief. "I wonder what they're gonna do with Alex." Daryl said. I looked at him confused for a second.
"What do you mean?" "Well, he's not that good, from what I've seen, and it's obvious that you two did not separate on happy terms." Daryl said, walking over to the sink and grabbing a bottle of water and coming back. "That we did not," I said, looking down at my hands. "It was so bad Daryl. You know this scar-" I said, lifting up my shirt to show a thin white line on my hip, "this was from him. I wanted to leave and he just didn't want me to go. Well I obviously got out of that one. Phew." I said, wiping the fake sweat off my forehead. "Well come on, tell me what happened," he said, pulling up a chair next to me, expecting the whole story. I let out a sigh and said, "Well it started out with him and I starting to fight. He'd say the stupidest things, and I'd kinda yell at him for it, and then he would just go in these huge fits, and throw things around both of our apartments, and it was just messy." He nodded and bit his lip, obviously getting angry at him. "No need to get worked up, I definitely left a scar on him. If he ever has his shirt off, you'll see." A flicker of pride crossed his face before him asking, "Well where at?" "Right here," I said, trailing it on his shoulder. "How-" he began to ask, before the door bolted open, showing Alex himself, and Carol.
"Didn't know you two were in here," Carol said, smiling at Daryl. I yawned and crossed my legs, placing my arms back on the counter. "Yeah. What you, uh cookin tonight?" Daryl asked, also yawning. "Was planning on using some of that deer you brought back yesterday. Must've been a long haul by yourself." she said, taking some spices off of the spice rack that was hanging above the stove. I let out a sigh, "I'm not even gonna fight it," I whispered, hit with a surge of tiredness. Daryl gave me a side look, but acknowledged me and said, "If it wasn't for Em I wouldn't have made it here. I bet you'll cook the deer meat up real nice." Her smile faltered for a moment before turning into a full blown smile. "You and Alex can stay in here and keep me company." I let out a long sigh, and drug my chair back. "Good, cause I am planning on taking a wonderful nap." I said as the kitchen door shut behind me, leaving the three of them staring at my retreating figure.
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"Emily, don't you turn your back on me!" Alex screamed. "Why should I not turn mine, when you turned yours on mine!" I hollered back. "This isn't even the first time that you have!" I said, tears forming in my eyes. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" He said, his eyes narrowing into slits. "I know about Rachel and I know about Ashley too. Did you not think I wasn't gonna find out? Like seriously, I work with not one, but BOTH of them, Alex! Don't you think the rumor would have gotten spread around somehow. Just be surprised it last as long as it did." I said, walking to my bedroom and packing my bags. "I will not let you leave this house." he said, anger lacing his every word.
"I'd like to see you try," I said, matching my tone with his. "Emily June Ross, I swear to you. It won't be pretty if you try to walk out on me." I let out a scoff and whirled around to face him."Why, is this not the first time someone's done that to you? Because this is the first time that I'm actually walking away, and trust me, you don't want to get in my way. I know that for a fact." Now it was his turn to scoff. "Bitch, please. You wouldn't hurt me." I continued packing my bags, listening to Alex's footsteps echoing all throughout the house. I stuffed the remaining clothes in my bag and turned around, seeing Alex's form standing outside the door.
"You're not going anywhere." he said, walking into my view. "Try me," I said, grabbing a hold of a pen that was laying on the bed. Next thing I know, he was charging me, but me expecting it took the pen and tried to lodge it into his arm, but because he was too fast, he spun me around and flung me on the ground. I cussed and kicked, managing to get the pen deep into his left shoulder and with all my might, I pulled, cutting the skin in a jagged line. He let out a bloodcurdling scream and before I could relish in the fact, I felt the skin beside my belt sear with pain.
I let out a blood curling scream and pushed him off me, grabbing my suitcase and headed out the door. Before I could get the door open, I turned around saying goodbye one last time, before being met with Alex the zombie who was coming straight towards my face, claws extended.
–
I awoke with a start, sitting up on the loveseat in the den. I wiped the sweat off my forehead and took off my boots, because of my feet sweating. "Take it you were dreaming." I heard Herschel say. I nodded and pulled my legs up to my chest, laying my head down on my knees. "And it wasn't too good either." I looked up and nodded solemnly. "I have them all the time these days. Mostly of my late wife, sometimes of the children we couldn't save at the farm." He was quiet for a few minutes before speaking again. "Sometimes even sweet Sophia. I just don't want something like that happening to you , or Carl, or Beth." He let out a sigh and scratched his beard.
"Supper should be almost done. I think Daryl and Alex have 'enjoyed' Carol's company." he said, air quoting and letting out a quick smirk. I chuckled, making the first sound since I woke up. "Yeah, it was obvious she didn't want you in there, so a nap was the next best option." I gave him a look of confusion. "I was in the pantry." Oh, that's why. "You know, my first wife looked a lot like you. Same color eyes, and some bold personality. I see you a lot in her. I guess it's the Lord's way in saying she's watching over me." I let out a smile, "I'm sure she's watching over you, along with the rest of your family." I said standing up.
"She said that whenever I lost someone. It makes me miss her a lot these days." After I was silent for a few minutes, trying to think of what to say I heard him whisper, "Breast cancer. It was rough back in those days." I nodded my head. "Go on, I'm sure I'm boring you." I was fixing to rebuke his statement whenever Carl came running in screaming, "Supper time! Come on guys, let's go!" I picked up my boots with one hand and opened the door, holding it for Herschel. "You go on. I'm gonna give myself a minute for my thoughts." I nodded and gave him a quick smile, before slowing closing the door and walking up the stairs and throwing my shoes in. I quickly ran a brush through my tangled hair, and ran downstairs for supper.
I walked in the door and sat down next to T and Daryl. "Hey Em," T said. "Hey," I replied back with a yawn. "How was the nap?" Daryl whispered as everyone began making small talk. "Good, I guess." He looked and me and said, "Let me guess. Nightmare?" I nodded and said, "I don't wanna talk about it." Daryl looked at me angry for a second, but then noticed that Alex and Blake were listening intently to our conversation. "Considered it dropped," he said, picking up his fork and digging into his food.
We both finished in record time, due to us being famished. "Beth, can you do us a favor and take Carl upstairs and make sure he's done all his schoolwork?" Lori asked, sweetly. Even though Carl disapproved, she took his upstairs. "Thought y'all could use a little drink." she said, pulling out a twelve pack. Thank God. I actually had been kind of craving one. They all got passed around the table, even Carol taking one. Daryl pulled one out for me and disposed of the cardboard box. Everyone opened theirs except for me. Daryl gave me a questionative look. I mouthed 'later' and he just nodded. "Well I think it's time for us to turn in. Em and Daryl, I need you to go out scoping for new places tomorrow if that's alright with you two? So get some rest, cause you'll need it. No need to go out at dawn either. Try more like eight or nine. Don't need you two down."
I nodded and scooted back, grabbing my beer and popping the top. "Sure thing Rick." I said, as I clanked bottles with him and taking a swallow. "See you in the mornin," I said, walking out of the kitchen and up the stairs. I was just about in my room when I heard Alex call out. "Hey Em, where am I gonna sleep?" He gave me that picture perfect smile. "Couch or loveseat. Sorry every other room is taken." He let out a small sigh, "Not your room?" I let out a menacing grin. "It's already taken. Sorry." I took a swig of my beer.
"You never were much of a drinker when we were together." he said, trying to make small talk so Daryl could hear from the kitchen. "I drink at night. You were too busy shoving your dick somewhere else you never saw it." I turned my back on him, and I was making my way to my room when I heard him say, "It's cause you were a bad lay!" I instantly whirled around and walked halfway down the stairs. "You were the one that taught me." I said, and smirked. "Remember, junior year?" I said, turning on the stair, and strutted to the top. I looked down once I reached the top and saw two faces. One was full of shock and the other was filled with amusement.
"Don't play games with a girl whose won more than once with you," I said, looking down at him. "Come on Daryl. Let's finish our beers and go to bed." I said, with a wink. Daryl brushed past Alex and made a straight beeline to me. His hand wrapped around my hip, and together we made our way to my bedroom.
AN: Hey guys! Please leave your favorite and least favorite character in the reviews. Please and thanks. :)