Chapter 2-New Faces
Thank you for all the feedback on the first chapter. If I keep seeing that kind of feedback, I'll upload two chapters a week.
Al's P.O.V.
Althea drives her S.W.A.T. truck down the roads of Texas. She had her supplies and camera in the back. She slows down as she sees a group of walkers surrounding a car. The walkers look at her car. Al opens the door to the truck. The first walker comes up to her, and Al stabs it in the head with her spikes. She kicks the second walker and stabs it. Another one tries to grab her. Al moves to the left and stabs it in the side of the head. She sees three more. Al sighs as she pulls out her gun and shoots the last three in the head. She puts her gun in the holster and walks to the truck. She opens the door and looks at the man holding his side. "Were you bit?"
"No, I got shot by an asshole and his friends," The man says.
"Names, Al, mind if I help you?" Al asks him.
"Not at all," The man says. Al nods and helps him out of the car. She leads him to the truck and helps him inside. She lays him down on the seat. She looks around her car and finds her medical supplies. Al lifts his shirt up, and the first thing she notices is a stab scar. "What happened here?"
"I made a bad decision that almost cost me my life," The man says. Al looks at his wound.
"It only grazed you. Let me clean it," Al says as she starts to take care of her wound. "Do you know why they shot you?"
"Because I killed one of them," The man says.
"Why?" Al asks.
"Because they killed someone I loved," He tells her. Al finishes cleaning and bandaging the man's wound and looks at him.
"I helped you, and now you help me," Al says.
"With what?" The man asks. Al grabs her camera.
"Tell me your story,"
"It's a long one," He says.
"Then let's start at the beginning," Al says as she turns on her camera. "State your name,"
"My name is Shane Walsh," Shane says.
"Where were you at the beginning?" Al asks.
"I was in Atlanta, Georgia," Shane says.
"Long way from home," Al says. "Let's start with how you got that scar,"
"I lost it at the beginning. I slept with my best friend's wife. I thought he was dead, and he came back, and I thought he had taken what was mine. He didn't, but that is what I thought. We ended up on a farm, and his boy got shot, and to save him, I left a man for the dead to get the supplies. Over the next few weeks, I slowly lost it. One night I led him out to a field with the intent to kill him. I failed, and he stabbed me. Almost fatally, and I wondered if that was on purpose or not. I still wonder that," Shane says.
"What was his name?" Al asks.
"Rick Grimes," Shane says. "If I ever find him or anybody from that group. I'll say I'm sorry,"
"What happened after?" Al asks.
"I was able to patch myself up. I started walking, and somehow I ended up in California, and I met some people. I don't wish to state their names. The ranch we stayed at was overrun, and we went to a damn that blew up. After that, we made a place, but now it is gone, and I don't know if any of them made it," Shane says.
"What now?" Al asks.
"I don't know," Shane tells her. Al nods as she turns the camera off and looks at Shane.
"Thanks," Al says as she takes the tape out and writes Shane on in. She puts it in her box and locks it again. "I can give you some supplies and send you on your way,"
"Would you mind if I joined you for a few days? I would like to get away from here," Shane says. Al looks at him for a moment and nods.
"Sure," Al says as she goes to the driver's seat of the car. She turns it on. Al starts the car and keeps going.
Daryl's P.O.V.
Daryl and Morgan had been on the road for almost two weeks and have barely said a word. They would have light conversations. They were walking through the woods during the night. They had encountered a man who needed help but didn't want it. A group that they didn't talk to and plenty of walkers. They have walked through fields, roads, and mud. They had gone through two cars and plenty of supplies. They had walked through the rain too. All the way to fucking Texas. They see a walker and hear a man.
John's P.O.V
A few moments earlier.
John Dorie sat up against a car with a book in his hand. He grabs a piece of candy out of his pocket and eats it. He hears a branch break. John sets his book down. "Someone there? I mean... not one of the passed?" John clears his throat. "I haven't used my voice in a while. Uh... am I talking loud?" John asks. "I am," He says to himself. "Maybe, sir or madam, you are not there, but it is something to hear your voice after a bit. Just say words. Platypus. Pasta. Potable. Hmm. If you are there, you can come out. We can sit. Split a can of Pecos strawberries. Have a little...badinage, my mama used to say. That's just a fancy word for chat. It's been...I don't know...maybe a year," John clears his throat again. "I had a place where I was before. I had a good metric ton of popcorn. I've still got a lot. I could make some. I just read books. I...I watched movies mostly. But I- I read books now. I got a few with me...if you have a need for reading material," John lets out a sigh. "Well...since there is no one there...hmm... before I...go quiet again for maybe another year...I might as well tell you that I-I did talk to someone. She wasn't just someone. She came to my door. Just showed up. I let her stay. And we fell...we had feelings for each other. One day we allowed it. One day. I just thought I'd say that. 'Cause I supposed, I would see it when I said it. And I did. And that was nice. There ain't been a lot of nice," John turns around and hears a walker. He pulls out his revolver, turns around, and shoots it in the head. Behind the walker, Daryl and Morgan stood. John holsters his weapon and puts one hand up. "So...what's your story?"
Daryl P.O.V
"So...what's your story?" John asks them. Daryl and Morgan stare at him.
"We're just passing through," Morgan says.
"Well, why don't you come on and sit a spell? I don't know how much you heard, but I-It's been a while since I talked to someone. I'm John. John Dorie, like the fish. But I-E, no Y," John says.
"Daryl, and this is Morgan," Daryl says.
"Daryl and Morgan. Are you hungry? 'Cause I could cook you something. I got beans, and I got beans," John says. Daryl doesn't say anything.
"No, thank you," Morgan says. John pulls a piece of candy out of his pocket.
"It's tasty," John says.
"No," Morgan says. Daryl looks down at the tape covering Morgan's shoe.
"Where are you from? John asks.
"Back east," Daryl says.
"You walk?" John asks.
"We ran," Daryl tells him. John chuckles.
"Hey. In your travels, did you, uh...," John pulls out his gun, and Daryl tightens his grip on his crossbow. "Come across a woman carrying a pistol like this? Identical in point of fact. I've been looking for her...for some time,"
"We haven't seen anybody like that," Morgan says. John lowers his head and nods. "We're gonna go," Daryl looks at Morgan.
"Wait- Hey, there- there's no sense in setting out this time of night. Why don't you take the back of the truck. I'll take the cab. Or visa versa. I think having a covered place to lay your head would give you some relief. Having come as far as you have. Yeah,' John says as he motions them over.
"He's right," Daryl says. Morgan nods as he walks towards John. That night both sat in the back, and when John went to sleep, they left. They walk down the road. Morgan looks at Daryl, who had a slight smile on his face.
"You're smiling. Why?" Morgan asks.
"Have you ever heard about Beth?" Daryl asks.
"Maggie's sister," Morgan says. Daryl nods.
"She told me once that not all people are bad. That there are still good people. I've been having a hard time believing that for a while: that man, John, he was a nice reminder that she was right," Daryl says. Morgan nods. They come across an old tent and look inside of it. They turn around and are both hit in the head, sending them to the ground.
Daryl and Morgan open their eyes and see a man looking through their bag. They both get up as a man aims his gun at them. "Whatever you're thinkin', don't,'' A man says.
"This looks handy," A man says as he holds Morgan's staff. Daryl's crossbow at his boot. "You some kind of karate man? I'm assuming you're an archer," He says to the two. He swings the staff at Morgan with a smile.
"We're just passing through," Morgan says. "Keep the food. Give us back the rest, and we'll be on our way,"
"Afraid you ain't exactly in a position to bargain," The second man says.
"We just can't have you telling folks our little mousetrap here," The first man says.
'We got nobody to tell. We don't know anybody here. We don't want to know anybody," Morgan says. A gunshot goes off, hitting the man's gun.
"I've got no beef with you gentlemen," John says as he cocks his rifle. "I'm just looking out for my friends," A man comes up behind John.
"We have friends too," The first man says. John lowers his gun and sits down by Daryl.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to apologize for shootin' your gun," John says.
"Karate, man...Archer and a gunslinger, How about that?" The first man says as he checks John's gun.
"Now, that's an antique. Only one other one like it. So I'd appreciate it if you'd-" John is cut off by the man pointing John's gun at his head. They hear a truck approaching them. The three men look at the S.W.A.T van. The van stops, and Al opens the hatch.
"Thought you didn't drive at night, Al," The man says.
"I was parked nearby. Heard a shot. Wanted to see what was what. So what's what?" Al asks.
"They said they were on their own. Their friend damn near shot my hand off," The man says.
"New people. I like new people," Al says.
"Just keep driving, Al. We're good here," The man says.
"You don't look good. You look hungry. I got a case...Cup-O-Noodles in the back. Korean brand. It's got that kimchi powder you mix up on top," Al says.
"Not enough, Al," The man says.
"I'll throw in a case of Pall Malls. I know how you love your Pall Malls," Al says.
"You got your hand on the lever?" The man says. Al nods. "Why in the hell you actin' like we have a choice?"
"There's always a choice, Leland," Al says as she pulls her level, opening a hatch revealing guns mounted. "This just happens to be an easy one," The men leave, and after, Al climbs out of the van as the back door opens. Daryl looks at the back door, and his eyes widen when he sees the man. Shane stares back at him.
"Holy shit. Daryl Dixon," Shane says.
"Rick said he killed you," Daryl says.
"He was in your group?" Al asks Shane, who nods.
"Yeah, he was. Had shorter hair back then," Shane says.
"Well, it looks like we have a fun story," Al says. Daryl looks at Jonn.
"You are one persistent bastard, aren't you?" Daryl asks him.
"Yes, sir," John says with a smile. Daryl looks at Al.
"I'm Daryl. This is Morgan and John," Daryl says.
"Morgan? The Morgan that saved Rick?" Shane asks.
"The very same," Morgan says. Morgan starts to walk away.
"Hey," Al says.
"I got it," Daryl says before he walks over to Morgan.
"Hey," Daryl says. Morgan looks at him. "That group is out there, and right now, being alone is not a good idea. We owe this girl. Let's at least get away from here," Morgan nods as they walk to the truck and climb in.
They drive down the road. John, Daryl, and Morgan in the back and Shane and Al upfront. "Hey, thanks for giving us a hand back there. Al, is it?" John asks.
"Althea, actually," Al says. John holds out candy to her.
"There's a candy for you," John says. Al grabs it.
"Thank you," Al says. John holds one out to Shane, who grabs it with a nod. "Leland and his boys have gotten pretty desperate. It seems like every store, kitchen, and pantry from here to Tyler is picked over down to studs," Al says as John looks around.
"I'm guessing from your vehicle that you are or were an officer of the law?" John says.
"Not exactly. Shane was," Al says.
"We'd like to get out of here, please," Morgan says. "Anywhere along here is fine,"
"Sorry, guys. Didn't rescue you out of the goodness of my heart. You guys owe me," Al says. They pull into a trailer park. Al and Shane open their doors.
"Uh, I don't mean to be ungrateful, ma'am, but my truck's parked in that town back there?" John says as Al grabs a back and gets out with Shane. The back door opens.
"All right. Who wants to go first?" Al asks as she opens a bag. John pulls out his gun and aims it at her.
"Ho," John says. Al and Shane look at her.
"You're quick," Al says.
"I am," John says.
"Well, easy there, cowboy," Al says as she opens the bag. "I didn't save you so I could kill you. I just want to ask you a few questions," Al says.
"Questions?" Daryl asks.
"Yeah. What you've seen. Who you've met. Where you've been, where you're going," Al says.
"Why?" John asks.
"It's for a story," Al says as she pulls a camera out. "I'm a journalist,"
"Could we start tomorrow?" John asks. Al looks at him for a moment and nods.
"Yeah, early though," Al says. Shane looks at Daryl.
"I think we have some catching up to do," Shane says. Daryl nods as he climbs out of the truck. They shut the door and sit down.
Thanks for reading. If you think Shane couldn't happen. There have been plenty of stories about it. I love John Dorie so freaking much. This was another really fun chapter to do. I will mention you might see a question twice in two chapters, like if Nick's death had a purpose. This is just so more people can answer. I do have a question: does anybody think that Nick's death served any purpose besides Alicia wanting to kill Charlie and Alicia forging her? This is the last time I'm asking people. It has to do with a choice in the story. Also, what do you think of Daryl and Alicia as a couple? As always, suggestions, ideas, and feedback are welcomed. Until next time.