Thank you all for your reviews! I am sorry if I don't respond to every one. I try to answer questions etc. I just want to thank anyone I didn't get back to.
I don't own the Walking Dead, its characters, storylines or quotes. OC and non canon plots are mine
Thanks again and ENJOY!
Merle walked toward the pillar-lined entrance to the building. The expansive greens now overgrown and uncared for. It was one of those places a Dixon never would've gone to before.
'Hoity-toity bullshit.' Merle grunted as he yanked open the front door to the abandoned country club.
He moved cautiously into the large room with a make shift tent city inside. Moans brought Merle eyes upward to find a handful of walkers hanging by ropes. They were all reaching for him, jaws snapping on broken teeth. Merle ignored them and started looking for supplies. Doing a thorough sweep of all the tents he found a few useable cans of food and some first aid bandages but nothing game changing. He moved down a hallway, passing an old grandfather clock and a few dead walkers strewn throughout. Merle looked the bodies over and realized the kills were only a couple days old. Someone had come through and scavenged recently. He couldn't help but feel some kind of hope, a sign of someone other than him being alive on the planet. He looked over the wounds and found a few with the highly recognizable holes in their heads. Bolt wounds were something Merle was quiet familiar with.
'Daryl' Merle murmured to himself, a flare of something similar to excitement burned bright in his chest.
Standing up he began searching the whole building for other signs of life or a hint to which direction to travel in. He found more dead, some suicides others killed with blunt objects and one with a wine bottle sticking out of its neck. That one seemed to be done in desperation. Merle concluded it was a second person. If Daryl had done it a distinctive blade wound would've been there. Daryl never went without his blade and if he was caught by surprise, however unlikely that was, he would've used his large blade. The wound in its forehead was a smaller knife wound. Merle last saw Daryl with Hershel's youngest, so the body was probably taken down by her Merle concluded. That thought gave him some comfort. His brother wasn't alone out in the world, he had someone with him at least.
Tapping the dead body in the head with his dirty boot Merle asked, "Hey ya see which way my baby brother and Blondie went?"
The corpse stared up with dead milky eyes and provided Merle no route guidance. Sighing Merle continued through the building, killing the walkers he encountered. He found the bar, which smelled of rot from bodies but also an overwhelming peach liquor scent. Merle's nose scrunched up and he wandered the room. 'Who fuckin drinks peach schnapps?' he asked himself toeing the broken bottle's label on the ground.
Looking around Merle saw a place someone sat at the bar, the dust having been wiped away by their resting arms. There wasn't much else helping him decide where to go. Someone had been there and his gut said it had been his brother and Beth but they were gone now.
'Nothin's takin' us Dixon's down,' he thought with a grin.
The day was getting long in the tooth and he needed to figure out his next path. He had lost the trail he believed was Michonne. The herd had come in and pushed him further and further away and when he returned back, the prints were gone. Merle decided he would circle the area and look for his brother for the time being and see what he found. He didn't have anything better to do and no better way to do it.
Sam and Rick heard men's voices downstairs discussing staying for the evening. Sam ground her teeth angrily as she realized they were trapped. Heavy footsteps climbed the stairs and they watched as a man came into the bedroom. Sam was crushing Rick's hand in hers as everything in her body was telling her to flee. Rick tried to reassure her by squeezing her hand but she could see the same fear reflected back. They needed to get the hell out of there and fast.
The man flopped down onto the bed and groaned loudly, his body settled down with a loud squeaking of springs. Sam slowed her breathing and tried to think of the easiest escape route. They had been in the house for a couple days and she had spent the majority of the day patrolling the windows. She remembered the guest bathroom had a window right next to the porch roof. If they could get to it they may be able to escape without being seen.
Another set of work boots clomped up the stairs loudly and entered the room.
The man entering the bedroom drawled, "Yo…. Comfy?"
The bed creaked as the man laying down rolled over and rasped, "You waking me up to see if I'm comfortable?"
Sam watched as the new man walked further into the room, his boots vibrating the floor underneath her.
"I want to lie down."
The man on the bed grumbled, "Two other bedrooms up here to choose."
"Them's kids' beds. I want this one." He demanded. Sam looked over at Rick who could also tell the two were going to start fighting over the damn bed. She rolled her eyes and pulled her knife out. Rick put his finger over his lips and had his gun lain in front of him, his hand gripping it tightly.
"It's claimed." The first man snapped. The two argued more until the second guy stomped toward the bed, his fist audibly hitting the other man. They struggled on the bed until they fell to the floor. The man on top was strangling his group member directly in front of Sam and Rick. Their eyes locked and Sam watched the man try to signal his attacker of their presence but eventually he passed out. Sam let out a slow quiet breath before looking at Rick with great relief. Rick shook his head in disbelief and listened as the winner laid down heavily, "My bed now, jackoff."
The pair lay quietly listening to the man fall asleep and watched the unconscious man on the floor. It was critical for them to escape before the strangled man woke up.
Sam lay there chewing her inner cheek waiting for Rick's signal to leave. Soon he motioned her to crawl out when the loud snores from the bed above started.
They rolled out and moved into the hallway but the sound of someone climbing the stairs found their ears. Rick pulled her into a teen's bedroom and they hid behind a wall separating the sleeping area. The man strolled around the room, a heavy rubber ball bouncing off the floor and then the wall in front of them. Sam gripped her knife waiting until her fingers ached and joint locked. She held her weight on the balls of her feet, body poised to strike. A voice called out for the man named Joe and the bouncing ball faded into another part of the house.
Sam whispered, "Guest bathroom, window by porch."
Rick nodded and led them out of the bedroom and they ducked into the tiny bathroom. As they entered they found themselves face to face with another of the new group's men.
Rick struggled with the gray haired man but he slammed his rifle butt into Rick's temple, knocking him to the ground dazed. Sam launched herself onto his back, grabbing the man in a headlock while tightening her legs around his stomach. She gripped her forearm and squeezed, just like Merle had taught her. He struggled with her arms but Sam's body wrapped around him like a boa constrictor. She could feel her heart practically bruising her ribs as adrenaline flooded her system. Her body was thrumming with fear but she held on for dear life. It was Sam or the man struggling with her. The man's hands were tearing at her arms but she ground her teeth and held on, crushing his throat.
Rick finally became stable on his feet, lunging forward and stabbing him in the gut with his hunting knife. Blood gushed out from the giant wound as he finally lost consciousness.
The man sank to his knees and stopped breathing while Rick helped lower him to the ground quietly. Sam was panting hard from the exertion but peeled herself away, her legs shaking underneath her. Blood oozed out from under the large man. Sam searched him, grabbing his weapons and extra ammo.
"Go. Window" Rick hissed, pushing her through the tiny exit before following her out. They crawled along the chipping siding, Rick lowering first to help Sam reach the ground without breaking an ankle. As they knelt by the raised porch they heard the same bouncing ball exit the home. The man named Joe stood above them as Sam was adjusting her knife to potentially stab him. Suddenly his group started yelling inside drawing him inside. The man they killed had turned and was now attacking them. Running full force across the street they were fortunate to intercept Michonne and Carl.
"Go! Go! Go!" Rick hissed as they ran by them. All four ran without a backward glance. They needed to get distance between them and the men who were not going to be happy with them.
Merle felt like he had been walking forever, crisscrossing through forest looking for Sam. Looking Daryl. Hell looking for anyone. Every track he found would end up disappearing into the prints of the herd brought to the area by the prisons fall. It was frustrating and infuriating. Everyone was just gone, blowing in the wind like autumn leaves. They could be anywhere. Sam could be anywhere and it made Merle's chest ache.
If he was any other person Merle would give up and just concern himself with keeping himself alive but he wasn't any other person. He was a Dixon and Dixon's were not only loyal to their kin but also stubborn as mules. So he walked. His feet were sore and legs heavy but he kept pushing through thick brush and climbing steep hills. He kept his eyes tracing the forest floor and his ears trained on the noises of the woods.
Merle was trudging through a thick parcel of land when he heard a single gunshot and then someone crying out. His heart skipped and he held his breath waiting for more gunfire. When nothing occurred he moved quietly toward the soft sobbing. Finding cover within a thick copse of trees Merle peered through at the scene before him. Despite the sadness of what he was witnessing he smiled, releasing a deep breath of relief. Carol was kneeling in a clearing of wildflowers crying over a little girl's body.
Merle hesitated for a moment, the grief she was experiencing was overwhelming. Scrubbing his face in frustration Merle stood up and stepped through the brush. Carol jumped up, pointing her gun at him before a look of surprise crossed her teary face.
"Merle?" She gasped her gun falling to her side.
"Hey doll." He rasped walking over and looking down at Lizzie's body. "She get bit?"
Carol wiped her cheeks and shook her head. "She killed Mika, was going to kill Judith. Wanted to turn them into walkers. She wasn't... Right or safe."
Merle ground his teeth feeling anger bubble up in his chest. "Ya put her down?"
"I had to." She said flatly, her eyes red and mouth in a tight line. "It wasn't safe."
Merle looked at her for a long moment, struggling to accept the action. It stung to realize she was right. Killing a child went against Merle's very core but the decision was a necessary one. There weren't many options for a situation like that when others innocents were in danger.
"You have Judith? Anyone else?" He asked looking toward the house she was staying in.
"Tyreese got out with the kids, I stumbled into them." She said tipping her chin toward the home before asking gently, "You by yourself? Daryl? Sam?"
"Saw Daryl run off with Beth." Merle said looking away as guilt hit him hard, "Put Sam on the bus and found it the next day.. Full of dead walkers. She's just... gone." Carol looked down and sighed, exhaustion clearly weighing her down.
"Got a shovel?" Merle asked setting his pack down.
Merle sat by the tiny fireplace, his honing stone between his knees while he worked on his blades. He watched Carol and Tyreese sit at the table having a conversation while Judith slept near him in an old laundry basket by the hearth. Merle kept glancing at the tiny bundle, her face peaceful and chest rising gently. It seemed so odd to have such an innocent life in the world such as it was. 'Poor girls surrounded by monsters.' he thought wryly.
A loud thump brought Merle's attention to the pair across the room. Tyreese was gripping the table, his eyes burning holes into Carol's. A gun lying between the two on the table making Merle feel edgy. He stood up and listened as Tyreese told her he forgave her but would never forget. Merle furrowed his brow and waited to see if things were going to escalate but the tension fizzled.
"Y'all a'right?" he asked his eyes looking over the large man suspiciously. Merle realized they were probably talking about Karen's and David's murder. 'Guess she did do it. Huh. Mousy broads got balls.' he scoffed inwardly. Merle wasn't too sure he trusted the guy but didn't think he'd actually hurt Carol. Tyreese nodded but left the room without a word. Carol made brief eye contact and explained, "We're fine. Just working some stuff out."
Giving her a nod Merle sat back down to work on his knife. Carol stood up moments later and asked, "Can you watch her for a bit, I need some air."
Merle looked over at the sleeping infant and wanted to say no but gave her a grunt of acceptance. Almost as soon as Carol left him alone, Judith started fussing.
"Goddamnit," he grumbled and set his blades aside. Looking at the kid squawking in the laundry bin he knelt down, placing a hand on her head and stroking the hair off her forehead, "Shush now. Ain't no reason to be a big baby 'bout it. She ain't leavin forever."
Judith's little face screwed up as she began to cry in earnest, big tears spilling over her red cheeks. Merle growled and maneuvered the kid into his arms, his blunt forearm under her diaper clad rump, his hand awkwardly patting her back. She rested against his chest, her hands gripping Merle's shirt collar and wide curious eyes looking at a new face. Raising an eyebrow at her Merle rasped quietly, "Ok lil' shit whatcha want huh? Ain't changin' no shitty diapers and ain't got no titties to fed ya with."
Judith gurgled and drooled down her chin, her hands smacking his whicker covered cheeks. Merle pursed his lips to hold back the smirk trying to make its way to his face. "Ain't fallin' for it girl. Ain't no sucker for kiddies. This is a one time thang."
Merle stood up and walked around the room, his hand still on her little back. He could feel her heartbeat and smell that sweet baby smell. It brought him back almost forty years to taking care of his brother. Merle was eight when Daryl was born. Their father was of course drunk and or gone while their mother searched for the bottom of every bottle of wine in Georgia. Eight year old Merle took care of Daryl almost full time. He missed more school than went just to make sure Daryl wasn't left crying all day or mistreated by one of the addicts they called parents. Merle may have fucked up in the long run with his baby brother but in the beginning it truly was just him and Daryl against the world.
Merle was brought back to the present when Judith blew bubbles and yammered, her hand pinching Merle's scruffy cheek. Rolling his eyes he spoke again quietly, "Ya know, ain't no way your daddy would want me holding' ya. I ain't a big softy like my brother."
Judith didn't seem to care, her mouth gnawing on her fist as he bounced her slightly, his feet pacing the room quietly. Merle shook his head in disbelief at the position he was now in. 'Fuckin babysitter Dixon,' he grumbled inwardly but if he were honest he wasn't feeling too put out.
Judith laid her head on his shoulder finally, her eyes drooping as sleep finally lulled her under. Merle kept her on his chest for a few more moments waiting for her breathing to even out before trying to lay her down. As soon as her body came in contact with her makeshift bed her little eyes popped open and her mouth screwed up into a frown. Merle pursed his lips and grumbled, "Come on now ya lil shit, ain't got time to hold ya. Be a big girl and sleep."
Judith was having none of his pep talk though, her little lungs working overtime letting out another screeching wail. Merle huffed out a feigned irritated breath and picked her back up, his arm propping her little body against his chest.
"Spoiled lil brat that's what ya're." He muttered his large hand rubbing circles on her warm back.
"Ya know I use t'do this with Daryl. He was a lil shit too. Squawking all night." Merle drawled, his timbre low and rough, "Pa weren't like your daddy. Ma well she could' do much way she was. Weren't no one else to do it so Ol' Merle did it."
He looked down at Judith who looked up with wide blue eyes, her little gums mouthing her pudgy fingers. Merle's lips curled slightly before he kept talking to the little girl, "You're cuter than his ugly ass was. Boy he had a big ol' head on 'im. Thought he'd never hold that damn thing up."
A chuckle from the doorway brought his surprised eyes up. Carol was leaning against the doorframe, her hand covering hiding her grin. Merle feigned irritation and growled, "Gonna do your woman work so I can get back to somethin' important?"
Rolling her eyes at his obvious fake impatience. "You really take care of Daryl as a baby?" Carol asked cross in the room to take Judith.
Merle handed her over feeling a weird urge to not let go. 'Jesus Dixon you are losin' it,' he thought.
He grunted and bobbed his head. "Ya' do what y'gotta do for blood."
Judith fussed in Carol's arms, her face turning red and angry. Carol cocked an eyebrow and watched the little girl reach toward Merle while wailing. He snorted and rasped, "Girls crazy."
"I think she likes your foul mouth." Carol quipped her voiced raised over Judith's cries. Merle sighed loudly and motioned for her to hand the kid over. As soon as Merle had her propped on his arm she calmed down, her nose sniffling and tears drying.
"Lil shit. Ain't no way Imma do this all the time. Ya caught me too tired t'argue." He rasped looking over at Carol and glaring at her grin. "Not a fuckin' word."
"Not a word. I'm gonna take watch, you ok to take her for awhile?" she asked her eyes still amused at the sight of Merle's holding a baby.
"Fine," he growled, his voice making Judith giggling. Rolling his eyes Merle grumbled, "Ain't doin' this cuz I like 'er. Jus' don' want walkers pilin' up outside."
"Of course Merle." Carol said while grinning before waving over her shoulder and leaving the room.
Sitting down by the fire Merle held the infant while staring at the bright flames, the warmth making the home feel cozy. Leaning back against the sofa arm Merle relaxed with Judith lying on his chest, his hand resting on her back holding her in place. His body felt exhausted from the last week and soon his eyes got heavy. The little girl's even breathing and steady heart beat calming Merle's tired body. He felt her body relax, her head heavy on his shoulder and her little hands gripping his flannel.
"Turnin' me into a big pussy, sweetheart. Better not tell nobody 'bout this ya'hear? Ain't lookin' to be no nurse maid." He mumbled his eyes taking in her smooth peaceful face. Her dark lashes lying on her flushed cheeks, a hand stuck in her drool covered mouth. Merle smiled crookedly and shook his head at the sight of a baby on his chest before closing his eyes and falling asleep himself.
They left the house the next morning after Carol told Merle their plan of checking out Terminus. Merle hadn't seen the signs for the supposed sanctuary and his gut was telling him it wasn't a place they should go. He decided to follow the pair nonetheless since he didn't have any other plans. He supposed the signs might draw others in and if they were careful they might be able to check the place out before entering. The group followed the train tracks in the direction Carol and Tyreese said the possible shelter laid. Soon they came upon a sign posted.
"Sanctuary for all, community for all. Those who arrive survive." It announced, the map showing the path to their front doors.
Merle furrowed his brow and his gut twisted. Everything in him screamed danger. He stood there staring at it for a long moment while Carol and Tyreese watched him.
"You think our people might be there?" Tyreese asked. Merle looked at Carol who shrugged in return.
"Don't trust it but others might." Merle said. "We could scout it I s'pose. See what we see." They agreed and moved toward the supposed sanctuary.
"What do you really think?" Carol asked her arms cradling her large rifle. Merle scratched his jaw and replied, "I think there's two types of people who'd post signs for survivors, stupid people and smart people. Could be they haven't run into trouble before and their just askin' for it which means the place ain't safe or they are the trouble and their bringing in prey. Ain't got a good feelin' for it but if they're there, if Sam's there..." he paused for a moment before concluding, "Gotta just see what we see I s'pose."
Sam walked next to Rick as Michonne and Carl balanced on the train tracks. Looking over her shoulder she saw them laughing and trying to psych each other into falling. Rick spoke to the others a moment, laughing at Carl's attempts to make Michonne trip.
Sam turned her attention back to their surroundings, her eyes scanning the large fields beside the tracks. The tall grasses were blowing in the breeze, the trees dropping leaves. She watched the landscape for walkers or other signs of live. Her eyes skipping over the forest line looking for changes in the shadows or flashes of colors. The day had been pretty clear of threats but Sam never let her guard down while traveling in the open like they were. Just as she thought how quiet their trip had been a few walkers stumbled out of the brush, their bodies drawn by the laughter. Sam slide her machete out and approached confidently. Swinging her blade up and over she laid the sharpened metal into ones temple while kicking another to the ground. Yanking her weapon out quickly she stabbed the second in the eye socket. Michonne's sword sliced through the air with a ring, the long blade cutting the third walker's head in half. Sam smirked at her and rejoined Rick at the train tracks. Giving her a grateful nod they began walking again.
"You feelin ok?" Rick asked after Sam rejoined him in the front position. Giving him a head bob she said, "No more coughing so that's a plus. Energy is coming back too."
"Good." He drawled his boots scuffing against the gravel between the wood railroad ties. Sam glanced over looking at his facial wounds and posture. "You feelin' ok? Your ribs and leg any better?"
"Yeah I'm good." He replied before his eyes looked back at Carl, "You ok about what happened… back at that house?"
Sam raised an eyebrow and smirked, "Yeah. I'm fine. It was us or them."
Rick cupped his mouth, his fingers scratching his thickening beard. Sam waited patiently for him to speak, his mind obviously contemplating something. Glancing back at the other two again he asked quietly, "Does it bother you… taking a life like that?"
Sam scowled and looked over at the one time sheriff deputy. She supposed breaking the law was a strange thing to get accustomed to if you were once the person upholding the laws. Not to mention it being the act of killing another human. Sam though couldn't feel much regret for the act anymore. The people that she had killed would have killed her in return. Saving her life or the lives of someone she cared for seemed to be a good enough reason to commit such a horrendous act.
"I wouldn't say used to it but…. I don't even pause anymore when I need to do it. If I need to save myself or someone I care for, I can't pause. I won't pause."
Rick nodded and glanced backwards seeing Michonne and Carl sharing a candy bar. Sam pursed her lips and jokingly bitched, "What you aren't sharing with us?"
Michonne smirked and handed her half of her chocolate bar. Sam rolled her eyes and took a bite before handing the rest over to Rick. He looked surprised but took the last tidbit of food.
Sam chewed her candy bar before speaking to Rick quietly, "Way I see it Rick, the world isn't made for hesitation anymore. Sometimes you need to just act and hope for the best. Before everything we had the privilege to thinking things through, weighing our options, thinking of consequences. Now? Now it's life or death, kill or be killed. That second of 'what if' or 'should I' can be that last second you get on earth. I may end up with a lot of regrets, a lot of 'maybe I should haves' but if my fast actions kept me and my loved ones alive I won't second guess myself. May not be the best way to live but it's the only way to survive."
Rick nodded while scratching his scruffy chin making Sam laugh.
"We need to find some scissors, you're turning into a lumber jack again." She joked.
"Shuddup," Rick grumbled while playfully shoving her shoulder and laughing.
The group walked another few minutes when a Carl pointed, "Hey what's that?"
Sam narrowed her eyes as they approached the sign posted on the side of the tracks. The map was glued to a pole, a thick black marker line showing a route ending at a giant star.
'"Sanctuary for all. Community for all. Those who arrive, survive. Terminus."
Sam looked over at Rick, his hands resting lazily on his gun belt. Michonne tilted her head looking at it her hand tapping the hilt of her sword.
"What do you think?" Rick asked his eyes scanning over Sam, Michonne and Carl. Sam chewed her lip as she looked at the map and then glanced over at the others. Carl smiled and said, "Let's go."
"Let's go." Michonne nodded in agreement her eyes skipping over to Sam. She felt the urge to stay far away. Her alarm bells were ringing but the others thought it was a good idea. It could be a real place. A safe place.
'Merle could be there,' a little voice told her, a shot of hope shooting through her chest. 'He could be waiting for you.'
That thought alone made her mind up. "Ok let's go." She said with a firm nod, "Maybe the others saw the signs too."
Thanks for reading! I hope I am keeping canon new and interesting with the added non-canon characters and situations.
Also Merle with a baby is adorable to me.