Chapter 1
I had been studying at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta when the world ended. Luckily, I was away camping at the quarry when napalm had hit the city. Hearing the thundering, I had climbed to the ridge to look. The flames could be seen from here. That was almost a month ago. I had known this would happen for several months now. There had been subtle cues from nature and the shift in the cosmos was palpable
This was no act of nature; it had some human element. I knew for sure when I saw my first undead eat a deer. I had quickly dispatched the fiend who had strayed far too close to camp without my noticing.
I crouched by the ruined dear. Just from the smell I knew that the meat was ruined. I nearly screamed when there was crashing in the woods. Multiple people or maybe those who once had been people were coming this way.
"Oy Daryl get yer ass over here." The sound of the speaker's voice put my hairs on edge, the feeling of danger welling up in my chest. The speaker came into view soon after. My bow was ready, already knocked, my eye trained on his head. The man put his hands up in surrender. He was probably in his late thirties early forties, his blonde hair cropped close to his head. From the looks of him he had been in the wilderness for several days already.
"Now, now sweetcheeks, why don't you put down the bow and we can sort this out." Yeah right. I could hear his buddy in the trees just out of sight. There was the unmistakable singing of an arrow and a dull thud as it hit its mark. I held my ground, knowing I could not afford to trust anyone. Humans were dangerous and even more so when backed into a corner. I could feel his ill intent rolling off him in waves.
"Daryl! Where ya at?!" He called back not taking his eyes off me.
"Stop yellin' ya shit head, every geek is gonna hear you." A voice whisper yelled from the brush. Another man, this one visibly younger than the first, emerged then and as soon as he saw me, my bow raised, his crossbow rose to meet it. His blue eyes fixed me with an untrusting gaze.
"I tried to tell the lass that we mean no harm."
"Honestly if I saw yer ugly mug I wouldn't believe ya either." The other said. Daryl, "Excuse my brother, he is a little...rough." Honestly they were both a little rough, the younger looked like he cleaned up nice though. He dropped his crossbow, holstering the weapon across his back.
"I'm going to walk over to ya. Yer welcome to keep that aimed but I'm not going to hurt ya."
"Oh for christ sake, she's a girl not a puppy." Daryl shot a glance back at his brother.
"We have a camp up on the ridge above the quarry. There is food, other people…"
"I'm not that interested in dealing with humans." He raised an eyebrow.
"Guess that makes two of us. It's not safe to be out here alone." As if on cue one of the dead shambled over, and I released an arrow just as it went to attack the older intruder. He whistled.
"She didn't even look,Daryl, did you see that?" He had and he was giving me a strange look in return.
"Yer well trained on that." Yeah that came with the territory, "I'm Daryl and this is my unfortunate brother Merle."
"Hey what's so unfortunate about me?" The hostility I sensed from the older brother I sensed in him but it was not the same, and not directed at me. I relaxed.
"I'm good on my own thanks." I didn't need to be in a camp full of restless humans. Not with my condition. It was hard enough living with them before.
"Your eyes...i've never seen eyes that color." He meant the deep purple of my iris'. When I didn't answer he sighed and turned.
"Come on Merle, we still have hunting to do." I watched the hunter and his brother retreat, Daryl shooting a look over at me before walking off.
It wasn't much later in the night that another of their group stumbled into my camp or close. Two of them, a woman and a man, were going at it like rabbits. I shook my head not needing to see where they were, my hearing sharp enough to hear them. I gagged and went into my tent.
The next morning I came out to three dead squirrels pinned to the tree by my tent with a crossbow bolt. I let a surprised huff out my nose. I peace offering? I could hear more dead around my camp in the woods and I began to worry. Maybe it wasn't wise to be alone. I had killer instincts and sharp senses but wolves travel in packs for a reason.
When i was twenty i was bitten, not by these shambling corpses that now populated the area but by a different creature, born from folklore and science. Another thing let out of the government that should have never come to be. It was a small child who had been created in a lab, his genes mixed with that of a wolf. He escaped into the jungle and bit the shit out of me. Soldiers descended on us immediately. I spent three years in a lab having tests run on me. Once they determined I wasn't a danger I was released, or that was the story at least. They never could have guessed that the boy held a contagion that killed half my genes and replaced them with artificial wolf genes. I couldn't turn into a werewolf but it seemed to enhance me in ways I wasn't still hundred percent sure of. I knew though that I was no longer human.
I removed the squirrels, cleaned them then went to work on packing my camp.
They were parked just off the road maybe twenty or thirty people with cars and an RV. The lookout, an older man perched on the RV roof alerted the others to my approach. I walked into camp, my hands raised in surrender.
"Just better stop right there, miss." It was the man from yesterday who was rutting in the brush. He pointed a glock at my head. I squinted my eyes but I stopped. Idiot. I could be next to him before he had a chance to fire that. He was the authority. I could smell the alpha male coming off him. More like a puppy pretending to be a leader.
"I was issued an invitation by Daryl. Is he here?" The man looked back at the others.
"Have you been bitten?" I snorted. Shaking my head.
"Not by a dead guy if that's what you mean. I can hunt, I can fight," I patted the daggers on my hips. I can cook, I also have my own shelter and supplies. If it makes you more comfortable I will set up my camp on the outskirts." The man squinted at me, maybe trying to figure out if i was a threat, "My name is Gwen McLaughlin. I was an art student, no police record sir." He immediately stood down.
"Alright Gwen, on the edge for now if you don't mind." I nodded. That's really how I wanted it anyway. I noticed a tent not far from where I set up on the outskirts.
Wonder if that's theirs. I couldn't decide if i wanted to be closer to them or much farther away. I decided to compromise.
Before the end of the world I spent a lot of money on survival gear, one being this tent. It was a two person hammock tent that could also sit on the ground. I had several straps so that I could get it up as high as possible, also a safety net to hang beneath it. I usually used that to hold my other gear.
I saw a younger boy perched at the top of the hill, watching me shimmy up the tree and secure my tent.
"That's a really cool tent!" He called to me. A tall woman with brown hair walked over, steering the boy away, a quick nod in my direction. I just let out a huff and continued. Around nightfall I heard heavy foot falls on the ground below me and had my bow aimed, a cross bow aimed back.
"Ah shit Darylina! That's the biggest damn squirrel I ever did saw." I lowered my bow and he did the same.
" Ah that reminds me." I dug in my bag, "Thanks for these.'' I held up the cleaned squirrels. Merle laughed and walked to the tent that was theirs. Daryl walked over closer to me, a scowl on his face.
"Who are you?"
"An art student from the Atlanta suburbs." he rolled his eyes.
"Nah yer name woman." He growled.
"Gwen McLaughlin."
"Irish huh?" I shrugged, laying back down in my hammock.
"So I've been told. Ain't got any parents." I heard him hum in response before his footfalls moved away.
"Dixon, Daryl Dixon." I peaked out the side of the hammock but he was already walking away.
I was still raised by a foster family, they paid for my college even though they never officially adopted me. They were more my guardian than anything. I had traveled in Asia for some time, actually where I was bitten and held for many months.
I started college at twenty five and I was in my last year when the first dead began to rise. Something in my gut pushed me away from the city. Maybe my animalistic instincts. Seems like I had gotten out just in time. I sighed deciding to get some sleep.
A sharp thud against the tree woke me from my light sleep. I peered through a small window at the bottom of the tent, to see a "geek" as they called them, pinned to the tree with a bolt. I think I liked the squirrel offering better. I saw Daryl walk over, remove the bolt and drag the body away from my trees.
"You trying to prove som'thin' little brother?" I heard Merle grunt.
"Shut up, Bitch." He growled back. The older brother chuckled.
"I know you boy."
"They ya know ya better shut up, huh?" I snorted softly. Boy? He had to be at least thirty. I peered over the other edge of my hammock watching him drag the body into the woods. He finished his task and walked back to the tent and sat back in the open door, his eyes on my trees. I wasn't sure I felt about this development. It had been only a day since he and his brother walked into my camp. I listened to Merle talking, realizing Daryl said very little except to insult or tell his brother to "can" it.
Sleep eluded me until the older Dixion shut up and went to sleep. I dreamt of the jungle and the little wolf boy. My body jerked away as the sun rose, my mind through reliving my past. I pinched my nose, head throbbing. I dressed and descended from the tent, leaving all but one knife in the tent. The Dixon's were up eating a rabbit and drinking coffee. Daryl had a cigarette pinned between his lips as he cleaned his crossbow.
"Oy, squirrel lady why don't you join us?" Daryl fixed his brother with a look, but he moved his bag off the log next to him. I hesitated for a moment before deciding to sit.
"Some rabbit? We already ate a whole other one." Daryl cast me a sideways glance but continued to clean, stopping only to drag his cigarette. The rabbit was cooked decently enough, they probably spent a lot of time in the woods. They had a very strong redneck vibe to them, Merle was the only one that naturally made me uneasy. I didn't know yet what to think of the younger of the two. I knew he was different but i couldn't tell yet what it was.
"You think i might be able to steal one of those?" I pointed to Daryl's cigarette.
"What will ya give me for one?" I had the urge to tease him but the words died on my lips as Merle tossed one to me.
"Pleasure of yer company Sweet Cheeks. That's all it requires." Daryl's look was very apologetic in a grumpy hick way. It was in his eyes, where I think most of his emotion lived.
"All right but when I'm done with this I'm gonna go down into the quarry."
"What fer?" Daryl questioned, "you gunna fish?" I shook my head.
"Yes for cleaner skin that is. I've been in the woods for a couple days now. I need a bath." Merle wiggled his eyebrows.
"If you follow me I'll beat the shit out of you."
"Pfft! Yer a tiny thing, ain't no way." Merle laughed. I was leanly built which I attributed to my condition but I was at least five nine.
"Shut up Merle." Daryl growled. Maybe he was part wolf too, he growled enough to be. I took another drag from the cigarette, wishing it was menthol. Beggars can't be choosers.
"How many days now since Atlanta? How long have y'all been here?" The brother's exchanged looks.
"Not sure, I think we are getting close to forty." Wow, longer than I thought.
"Yeah long enough for there to be a supply trip planned for the city. Place is full'a geeks. But Merle's going huh?" Merle shrugged.
"I like a little challenge." I finished the cig and flicked into the fire.
"Well I'm off to my bath." I grabbed my bag and walked to the path that led down into the quarry.
The water was a welcome relief in the already mounting Georgia heat. Summer was almost in full swing. I noticed several women on the opposite shore washing laundry. I stripped and waded into the water, ignoring their curious stares. I did notice the lurking man leaning against the truck they had used to haul down the laundry. He reminded me of an overseer. The blonde hair woman kept glancing behind her at him.
When I was clean enough I exited the water, their eyes on me again. What? The little boy wasn't down here. What does it matter if you see me naked? The world ended, I think a lot of the other bullshit ended with it. Apparently not. I toweled off pulling my clean clothes on and leaving the quarry.
The group going to town was gathered together getting ready to go. Merle was arguing with the others, I could just tell from where I stood.
"McLaughlin, come here for a tick, yeah?" Merle waved me over, "Daryl's fixing to go hunting and I have an idea you should consider. Go with him. I'd 'preciate it." he clapped my shoulder and started off after the others. I turned and walked back to my tent.
Daryl was gathering some stuff into his backpack.
"Merle said you were goin' huntin'. Mind if I tag along?" he eyed me for a few moments.
"Why not...We leave in ten."
"Righto Captain." he scoffed, but continued to get ready to leave.
Twenty minutes later I was following Daryl through the woods, his crossbow raised, an arrow knocked. I was also ready, an arrow placed in my hand with my bow. He kept looking behind him.
"Damn yer quiet, it's like yer not there." He finally said, "Did you grow up in the woods?"
"Eh not really, I went to the jungles of Asia though, spent several years there. I came back….much changed. Not the same as over there."
"Where? Like 'Nam?"
"Yes and India and China, Korea. India was what messed me up the most." When I stopped being a human.
"You like some doctor or somethin'?" I chuckled.
"No, I just had wealthy foster parents. Sent me to see the world, paid for my tuition, now they are probably dead. They never flaunted their money either. He paid his employees well, she donated most of her money to charities. They were the doctors. I was just a homeless creaton they picked up at fifteen." He blew air out his nose.
"Sounds pretty close to me at that age."
We had gotten several rabbits and multiple squirrels when he saw the deer tracks.
"The one in your camp, the one the Geek got. Merle and I had been tracking that. These tracks are fresh so there must be another one who got close." I casually sniffed the air.
"Looks like it was here a few hours ago." I continued. He looked up at me from where he crouched to look at the tracks.
"Ya can tell that from up there?" He squinted his blue eyes at me. I just shrugged. He shook his head before moving on.
We tracked the deer until the sun was down below the horizon.
"I'm thinking no fire, don't want to draw attention. I'll take the first watch." I said as we set our gear out. We cleaned our kills before the light was totally gone, hanging it out of arms reach in a tree. The moon was full making it less dark. Not that seeing in the dark was a problem for me. I kept my eyes down though, worried the moon light would catch my highly reflective iris and give away the ticket.
Daryl woke me much later, curling up on the ground in his sleeping bag.
I was listening to him breathing and without looking I knew he was watching me. It made me a bit nervous. People could always sense something off about me. Could this be why he kept his eyes on me?
"What made ya change yer mind 'bout joinin' us?" He said.
"I dunno. Merle's good manners." He snorted, "Maybe the fact that even though I didn't want to come with you during the day, you still left me food. I'm sure Merle was thrilled about you given over food." I could audibly hear him shrug.
"Don't give a shit 'bout what Merle thinks. I'm a grown ass man."
"Oh yes you are, big boy."
"Shut up." He grumbled. I chanced a look back, his face the other direction. I almost didn't look away fast enough when he looked back.
"Like somethin' ya see?"
"Since the moment you strolled into my camp love." I teased, he made an irritated sound in his throat.
"That was rhetorical…" he grumbled again.
He was asleep now, so I dared to look back at him, actually look at him. His arms were muscled from pulling back the crossbow string and he was tan from the Georgia sun. His sandy blonde hair was shaggy and straight. Some of it stood straight up off his head. Well he fit the image of zombie apocalypse survivor all right. Not that i looked much better. Combat boots jeans, wife beater. My dark hair currently braided down my back. If i hadn't taken a bath it would still be knotted on top of my head in a bun.
I pulled the braid out now that my hair was dry,the wavy locks cascading down to my shoulders, the longest pieces touching the top of my butt. I fished my brush from my pack, slowly working through the thick waves. I caught a scent on the air, and I looked back over at Daryl. He was twitching in his sleep, the scent coming from him; fear. I heard him start to mumble, and the twitching became more abrupt. His cries were starting to get more desperate and gaining in volume. It would be best to wake him.
"Daryl, wake up it's a dream." I pressed on his chest, shaking him gently. No luck.
"Daryl, Daryl!" I shook him harder and with speed that could rival mine he grabbed a handful of my hair, exposing my throat, knife pressed to me. It took him several seconds to realize that I was not the assailant from his dream. I reached up slowly wrapping my hands around the hand with the knife. He relaxed his hand in my hair, slowly pulling it out of my hair. I was walking a strange line between scared and turned on. It had obviously been a while if an adrenaline rush due to a male was making me like this.
"S-sorry." He shook his head and got up walking a bit into the forest. I took a deep breath and walked back to my spot. I had seen much flash in those eyes just now.
Daryl did not return until the sun rose and he was especially quiet. We continued to track the deer for most of the day. It had started to head back towards camp when we caught up to it. He pointed through the brush, like I hadn't seen it and he was trying to be stealthy. I was already aiming an arrow. We shot together, the deer still able to run off.
"Damn it!" The hunter cursed and ran off after it.
We had almost reached the deer when a woman's scream permeated the air. Daryl took off, me close behind him. He pulled ahead and out of sight but I could still hear him yelling up a storm.
When I finally reached him, he was kicking a geek who had started to snack on our kill.
"Motherfucker…" I groaned. Daryl was already storming off several people trailing after them. Andrea, the blonde from the laundry team, was back, which meant he was heading for his brother. I took one last look at the deer. That would have been a good one.
Yelling in camp drew me over.
I came into the main camp just in time to see Daryl lunging at another man I hadn't seen when I got here the other day.
Two men tackled Daryl trying to hit a knife out of his hand. He broke free, swinging at the other man again. My welcomer, Shane, had a head lock around Daryl bringing him to the ground.
"You'd best let me go!" The struggling hunter ground out.
"Nah, I think it's better if i don't." I was in his face, my bow pointed.
"I think it's time you let him go. So we can talk like 'civilized' adults. That includes you Dixon." Daryl glared up at me.
Shane let him go and I relaxed my bow. Daryl pushed past me. I grabbed his wrist, but he yanked it from me.
"Back off woman!" He stormed off.
"What in Samhain was that about? And who are you?"
"They left Merle behind." Daryl had walked back over, pacing a short distance from me.
"What I did was not on a whim, ma'am. His brother does not work well with others. He beat up T-dog and was shooting from the rooftop, attracting walkers to our location." The look on Daryl's face was hard to read but he was using every ounce of his will power not to freak out more.
"It's not Rick's Fault. I dropped the key." The darker man that helped Shane tackle Daryl before spoke up.
"You couldn't pick it up?" Daryl shot back.
"I dropped it down the drain." The sound that came out of me was like halfway between a scoff and a laugh.
"If it's supposed to make me feel better, it don't." He was walking away again when the darker man, T-Dog spoke again.
"Maybe this will. I chained the door to the roof so the Geeks couldn't get at him with a padlock."
"So he's alive?" I asked. I may not always feel comfortable with the dude, but I didn't think leaving him behind was the answer.
"Yeah." T-Dog answered. I shared a look with Daryl, apparent worry in his eyes.
"Hell with all y'all. Just tell me where he is so that i can go get 'im." He finally growled at the men.
"He'll show you." The little boy's mother said. I squinted at them. The little boy looked a lot like this new guy Rick. Cop by his uniform. I wondered if he kept it on subconsciously or if he was trying to keep a look that was easy to trust.
About a half hour later I was by the truck that they had picked up in the city.
"What do you think yer doin' woman?" Daryl asked, seeing me sitting on the edge of the truck.
"Coming with. Merle may make my skin crawl a bit but who will call me Sweet Cheeks if we don't save him?" Daryl just squinted.
"I don't want to have to look after ya. I'm tryin' to find Merle."
"Never said I needed your protection Dixon. You decided that all on your own, big boy." He blushed.
"God, stupid woman." I rolled my eyes. He liked to hide his emotions with insults.
"Ma'am the city is completely overrun, i don't think that it's safe-"
"Don't Sheriff. Gwen can take care of herself. She was camping on the other side of the quarry by herself for almost a month." It was Glenn. Obviously word travels fast. The Dixon's must have told them they ran into me the other day.
"Just sounds lucky to me." Rick squinted his eyes at me. Well there was one way to properly demonstrate this. I could hear the flapping of wings and without breaking Rick's eye contact I shot the bird from the air. His mouth hung open a tick before he promptly shut it.
"Alright well we better get going." Carl, the boy, ran over to the downed raven, plucked out the arrow and ran it over to me.
"That was sooo cool! Can you teach me how to do that!?" Carl's mother came over and collected him. T-Dog joined Daryl and I in the back of the truck.
T-Dog took it upon himself to tell me a bit about everyone on the way. Lori, Carl's mother, was Rick's wife. Shane and Rick had been partners on the force and he was shot in the line of duty. Story goes, Shane had thought his friend dead. I was also pretty sure Lori was the woman Shane was messing around with in the woods. I shook my head as he continued to talk. I shared a look with Daryl, who was also shaking his head at T-Dog who didn't want to stop talking.
We parked the truck on some train tracks, making the rest of the journey on foot. This mission had another purpose, to collect Rick's big bag of boom. I guess he was carrying a duffle full of guns and was attacked by Walkers. Honestly Walker made more sense than Geek. I was still puzzled on the purpose of that name.
We managed to come out in a pocket between groups of the dead. Rick wanted to go for the guns but Daryl wouldn't have it. They were closest to Merle's location and Daryl could not be swayed.
Once on the roof the padlock T-Dog had spoken of was still there. Rick had borrowed Dale's bolt cutters. T-Dog had been tasked on retrieving the tools that were left up here that was one of his conditions. Dale was the older gentleman who had been lookout on the RV when I arrived.
Daryl jogged to the edge of the building and let out a strangled sound.
"No! No!" I could see tears rolling down his face and I felt my own sting the back of my eyes. Merle had cut off his own hand to escape. Daryl wrapped his brother's hand in a piece of cloth T-Dog handed over, the other man's face masked in shame. Yeah he should feel bad. It was also Rick's fault for not coming up here and letting him go himself.
Daryl was already following the blood trail to the other side of the roof. We followed close after, letting Daryl take point. I could smell Daryl's anxiety radiating off him. I had a strange urge to rub his back, but I don't think he would like me touching him. I noticed when I grabbed his wrist in camp. I would bet my last chocolate bar that he was abused growing up. The aversion to touch, his generally quiet demeanor and how completely unhinged he became while angry. I still knew very little about the hunter.
We followed the trail to a kitchen, two catering burners lit.
"Well at least he stopped the bleeding." I said seeing that he cauterized his wounds.
"Yeah but that means no more trail to follow." There was a short exchange of insults between Rick and Daryl and T-Dog, Rick preventing Daryl from going out the window Merle left through.
"Get yer hands off me! Ya can't stop me!" Daryl yelled at the law man.
"I don't blame you , Daryl. He's family, I get that. I went through hell to find mine. I know exactly how you feel. He can't get far with that injury. We could help you check a few blocks around, but only if we keep a level head." Daryl mulled it over. I was ready to jump in if people started pointing guns at each other.
Daryl agreed. Glenn and Rick drew up a plan, where we would split and go after the bag tactically.
"Daryl, Gwen and I will go here to this alley."
"Why us?" Daryl who had been silent finally asked.
"Your bows are quieter than their guns." he inclined his head at T and Rick. He had the other two in an alley farther away in case he couldn't come straight back. Then he marked a place on his makeshift map of where to rendezvous.
"Hey kid. Wha'd you do before all this?" Daryl asked, earning a confused look from the younger man.
"Delivered pizzas. Why?" I chuckled. Being a delivery driver in a busy city was something you had to perfect. Where the best short cuts were, the alternate routes to get around traffic. He really was a living map of Atlanta.
We climbed down a fire escape quietly landing on the ground.
Once Daryl, Glenn and I were in place we looked out into the street. Walkers shambled about, but I could see the bag.
"I'll come with you. Cover you while you make a break for the bag."
"No." Daryl said, "not lettin' you out my sight."
"It's not your decision Daryl." I furrowed my brow. I thought we talked about the fact that I didn't need his protection. I followed after Glenn, Daryl watching from the gate. I shot down two walkers as he ran for the bag.
We were running back when I heard Daryl cry out.
"Daryl!" I made for the alley, Glenn hot on my hells.
Two men were kicking Daryl as he laid curled on the asphalt. I ran at them, roundhouse kicking one into the wall. The other caught me in the chin with his fist. The one that punched me got an arrow to the ass. They grabbed Glenn making him drop the bag. I wanted to run after them but my vision was dimming and I passed out.
I woke up back in the office where we had made our plans before.
"Good Job McLaughlin. Thought you said you could take care of yer self." Daryl growled when my eyes opened.
"If I hadn't roundhoused that guy into the wall you would have been kicked bloody. What cool move have you done today?"
"Carried yer unconscious ass up a fire escape." he growled.
"Fair. They took Glenn." Daryl nodded in affirmation.
"Yeah but we have one of theirs." He nodded his head to the young hispanic kid with his hands zipped tied together. I wrinkled my brow.
"That shrimp? He runs with those big guys? What are you their bitch?" I leaned around Daryl to ask the boy the question directly.
"No! I'm a valued member of the gang….bitch." The insult was so thin I almost laughed.
"Watch your mouth." Daryl cuffed the kid around the ears, making him whimper.
"This is Miguel, he's going to take us to his leader Guillermo. Sort this thing out." Rick filled in the blanks.
"Yeah you crazy bastard. Guillermo's gunna kill the lot of you." Something about the statement was like the earlier insult. His heart wasn't in it. They were hiding something.
"Hey Rick?" He came over and crouched down to where I was sitting on the ground, "He's hiding something. I knew my fair share of 'vatos'. This kid is way too vanilla. Plus all those fools looked like they were dressed to visit their family. I think it might be a ruse."
"I agree. Probably families or elderly. Do you have a suggestion?"
"I'm going in alone and i-"
"Ah hell no! You crazy woman, you just got socked in the jaw amnd passed out. I am not letting you waltz into their base unarmed." Daryl was yelling.
"You and T can cover me from the roof. Rick can stay back. Just trust me." I growled at my unwanted protector. Rick didn't look one hundred percent convinced either.
"They were after the guns, I'll take the guns and Miguel." Daryl was still shaking his head and passing chewing on his thumb nail.
"It's really risky. Daryl is right-"
"He caught me by surprise as I was spinning out of a roundhouse kick, there was a lot not working in my favor. Fine, I will take half the guns and the kid." Rick thought it over and eventually agreed against Daryl's protest. Daryl just glared at me and stalked out of the room, stopping to growl at Miguel making him whimper.
"Pussy…" He said as he walked out of the room.
"Did you two know each other before?" Rick asked, "You stood up for him in camp, and he seems awfully invested in your well being." I shook my head.
"He and Merle stumbled into my camp a few days ago. Daryl is the one who told me i should join the group." Rick nodded obviously his curiosity sated for the moment.
We waited till morning, a risky gamble but i had a feeling Glenn was going to be okay. we arrived outside the walled entryway to the courtyard that led to iron barn doors.
"This is it." Miguel whined.
"Okay hold him for a sec." I handed Miguel's bound hands to Daryl.
"What are you doing?"
"Advertising.'' I gave him a devilish grin and pulled my hair out of its bun. I ruffled my hair, whipping a majority of the dirt off my face. I removed my flannel then my undershirt. The men quickly averted their eyes. I rolled my own. I pulled the flannel back on tying it up at my ribs and leaving the front wide open.
"Okay I'm ready." T-Dog whistled, earning him a death glare from Daryl.
"Trust me alright?" Rick just put up his hands in defense. I grabbed Miguel back from Darle and the half bag of guns and started to strut myself. I caught the blush on Daryl's before I rounded the corner. Little did they know that I gave off hella pheromones when my skin is exposed so this could work.
I was midway in the courtyard and stopped.
"Hola! I'm here as a peace offering! I want to talk to Guillermo!" The doors rolled open and a vato just a bit taller than me swaggered out. Oh this was most definitely a front. I could smell the fear on him, and the soft scent of old folks on his shirt. I vaguely recall a nursing home in this area.
"I see you have my bag of guns."
"Ah these guns? No these are our guns, just like you have our man. And we have one of yours. Trade?" I flicked my hair a bit, trying to pretend that this was real borning for me.
"And why would I want a half bag of guns and this puto? You assaulted our guys and kidnapped one of my guys' cousins. You have to up the ante."
"No can do, ain't that right boys." Daryl and T-Dog moved into sight, their weapons pointing at Guillermo who tsked.
"You really think you're in a position to negotiate?" On cue Rick stepped into view, his gun also pointed at the leader. The vato raised a hand and several men emerged on the roof and a bound gagged Glenn between them.
"I'll let you have him when I have my full bag of guns and Miguel."
"I don't think you have any idea what you are getting into." He grinned
"Oh I do." Three shots were fired at my feet. I heard Rick run at me. I threw the guns away from me but in doing so Miguel managed to push me towards the waiting arms of Guillermo.
"Oh Daryl is going to be so pissed." The leader grinned down at me as he dragged me into the base.
"GWEN!" I heard Daryl screaming for me and in that moment, they way he yelled my name something from my past floated up.