Disclaimer- I do not own the Walking dead.
Long time no see, please enjoy this chapter. Review if you have the time.
Danny's POV
Merle and Daryl took the first two watch shifts as I thought they should have a longer sleep period seeing as they are the ones doing all the driving.. I then did the next shift and Carol is doing hers now. Sleep was hard and I doubt anyone got anything decent.
Merle is leaning up against a wall, a blanket wrapped around his shoulders and Sophia's head resting on his legs. She's been wrapped up tight but I think I can still see her shivering slightly. We've got to find some decent covers and clothes because otherwise we're going to get sick pretty quickly. A cold is fine but I'd rather nobody caught the flu.
I'm using my backpack as a pillow while Daryl is lying flat on his back beside me using his arm as his pillow. We do have pillows but we didn't really want to unpack too much stuff just yet, this place isn't secure enough for that level of comfort. We're hoping to find somewhere a little easier to fortify for tonight that way we can search that area for a couple of days, make sure we've found everything we possibly can.
As the sun gets higher it shines directly onto my face, straight into my eyes. I roll onto my side with a groan and bury my face into Daryl's side. I don't want to get up, even being extremely uncomfortable won't fix my hate for mornings.
Daryl wraps his arm around my back and pulls me tight against him. "Cute", He says it so quietly that I'm not certain that that is definitely what he said, but I can't think of anything else that sounds like that.
We lay in this embrace for a couple more minutes before Daryl sighs, he loosens his arm wordlessly telling me it's time to get up.
I shove off my blanket rather reluctantly and start packing my stuff away. I'm assuming we'll be leaving as soon as we've eaten something. Although I think I might have to pass on breakfast, my stomachs really not feeling settled this morning. It's probably a cross between nerves of our first morning back out in the world and the fact that it is extremely early in the morning, and I still can't stand the idea of food too early.
So as they eat something I find a pair of jeans and some long socks to put on, I also put my hair up in a pony tail but I'm thinking I need to find a woolly hat after we've found food… and gloves.
Within half an hour we've stuffed our belongings back into the truck and I've retaken my seat on the back of Daryl's bike. He asked, I couldn't refuse. This time round though I've gone straight for tucking my hands into his pockets.
We have no idea how long we're going to be travelling for, or even what we're looking for. A house out in the middle of nowhere, or a house in a cul-de-sac. Something with walls would be great. The only thing we can be a hundred percent certain on and that is no cities or big towns. Too many Walkers and too many people and I would like to stay as far away from other people as we possibly can.
...
We don't travel for as long as I thought we would, before too long Daryl is stopping the bike in the middle of the deserted street. I missed the towns name as I must have been facing the wrong way when we rode past it but this place is tiny. This street has a dozen or so shops on it and then nothing, I can see the end of the town from here. My eyesight isn't good enough to make out the name on the `You're now leaving...` sign.
I can imagine this place looking picturesque back in the old world in the summer. This street is covered in trees, all bare now thanks to the fact that autumn has set in good and proper. Leaves have covered nearly every square inch of the ground thanks to the fact that there are no cars blowing them around or no sweepers to clean everything up. There are only a couple of cars parked along the street covered in leaves meaning I doubt anyone is using them, meaning I don't think there are people here... At the moment.
We don't immediately climb off the bike but after waiting a few minutes and nothing shows itself, I heave myself off the back with a sigh. My butts still sore but that could just be leftover from yesterday, I've never heard Daryl complain or walk funny so I guess I'll get used to it soon.
I look up and down the street, "We're staying in one of these buildings?" Nothing wrong with that but I figured we'd go for a house seeing as he wants to stay put for a few days.
He unclips his bow from the back of his bike and loads in an arrow. "Nah, there's houses round there". He points towards the only turning on this road. "I just thought we should check the place out first".
Right, got it.
Three car doors shut behind us and then a hand that clearly does not belong to an adult latches onto my arm that is lazily swinging my bat around.
"I'm sticking with you". She's nervously looking around, eyes darting all over the place. I guess this is kind of scary for her, more so than anyone here. From what I can gather they packed up and drove straight to Atlanta, failing to get into the city they camped up at the quarry and that's where they stayed until we moved onto the farm. Other than our little lost adventure she's probably never spent anytime away from camp, out in the real world.
Merle walks past us with his knife in hand, "Same rules", He turns to look at Daryl and I in turn. "Two of us stay outside, the other two scout the buildings, we alternate. Squirt and I can watch first".
I go to agree but Daryl interrupts me, "No, Danny comes with me, Carol stays out 'ere with you". He's stern as he tells us what he wants us to do but as he squints I can see the slight twitch in his cheek, the start of a smile he won't let show.
I fold my arms across my chest. "And why, may I ask, am I not allowed to stay with Merle".
"'Cause ya both fuck around too much and I'm startin' to not trust you two together". I purse my lips at him and give him a glare that I do not mean.
Merle grumbles, "Fuck you, at least we know how to 'ave fun".
"And havin' Carol out here with you will keep ya in check".
Carol's smiling as she goes and stands beside Merle, "I'll watch him and you," She points at her daughter who is still clinging to my arm, "Do everything they say".
"I will mum".
This time when Daryl narrows his eyes it's not with humour, he's not happy that Sophia's coming with us, that is instantly obvious. He doesn't voice his disapproval instead he just mutters a "Come on" and leads us towards shop number one.
As he peers through the door I try and look through the window, but I can't see anything. The suns behind this building and it's pretty dark inside.
"Sophia". She looks up at me instantly, looking pretty eager that I'm about to include her in something, "Can you get the torch out of my bag please, I think it's in the front pocket". A disappointing task but it doesn't seem to affect her. I bend my knees a little just so she can see inside the bag that's on my back.
As soon as she's passed it to me and zipped me back up Daryl opens the door, "Formation". He whispers back before walking into the eerily dark shop.
"He means stay in line, stay right behind him and I'll take the rear". Sophia looks so nervous as she nods her head and follows Daryl in. I wish she didn't have to do this but she does. She's no longer at a safe camp so she needs to learn these things. This moment in time it's learning what to scavenge, hopefully another day we can learn more of the important things.
This place isn't big so it doesn't take us long to sweep the handful of aisles, we don't come across anything but as we near the door that leads to the stock room we can make out noises coming from inside. The growling and the weird banging cross with some scraping means it's probably a Walker on the other side.
Daryl looks at me over his shoulder. "You ready?"
I nod and give Sophia a shove, making her go stand beside Daryl who is leaning up against the wall. I ready my bat and plant my feet and then on a very quick count of three, he opens the door. The Walker comes stumbling out so before it can gain it's footing I swing causing it to fall backwards, it's head partially caved in. Daryl has his crossbow aimed straight at it's head but it doesn't move, doesn't even twitch meaning it's most certainly dead.
I breath out in relief, that seems to be the only Walker in there and if there is another one in there then it's stuck and we can get those pretty easily. Daryl glares down at the tiny hands that are gripping his shirt but she doesn't notice and just looks up at me with a weak smile. I jerk my head slightly telling her to come over to me because Daryl still isn't happy about her tagging along, I don't think he could make that any clearer.
"I can wait here if you want to go check inside", I offer him, meaning I'll stay out here with Sophia. I'm not a fan of this idea even though it is mine, it's super dark inside. He switches his flash light on and sticks it between his teeth so he can hold his crossbow up ready. I really don't understand how he can do that, just the thought of trying to do it myself just makes me want to gag.
"Watch back that way". I point towards the open shop area before moving closer to the stock room door and shining my own torch around the room. It's not very big but it has got some supplies in there. There are a few packs of water stacked up which we will definitely be taking, the food will have to be sorted though so as not to take anything that's gone bad. Really don't fancy having food poisoning, especially without a flushing toilet. That's just disgusting, and will be an awful day.
Daryl finishes his full sweep on the room without another Walker appearing. He appears in the doorway shouldering his crossbow. "Go grab a trolley". He directs that straight at Sophia who looks a little hesitant but does what he says.
"Daryl!"
"What? Either she helps or she don't tag along".
"I get it and I agree but you were the one that said she could come along so now you've gotta be nicer to her. And help her otherwise she won't learn anything and she'll be just another body you have to protect".
He grumbles but no actual words come out of him.
I slide closer, "you helped me and now I can hold my own.". It's a millisecond of a glance but I'm almost certain he looks down at my injured leg. I'm favouring my right leg trying to ease some weight off of my left cause it is hurting. I roll my eyes, "except when I'm injured yes I know. But I did alright up until that tumble down the hill." I grin, "so pat on the back for me". I turn slightly to show him my back and then I stare at him with an eyebrow raised.
It takes a second of him just scowling to realise what I'm waiting for and when he does I see the crack in his mood. His lip twitches.
"I'm not pattin' ya back".
I shrug. "fine, I'll do it myself". I then pat myself over the shoulder.
He shakes his head. "Ya an idiot".
"Be nicer to her and help her. Kids pick things up fast so who knows she could out track you someday".
He sighs heavily, "fine. But if she don't take it seriously I'll stop".
"Thank you". He just jerks his head in a tiny nod and then disappears back into the store room.
Sophia reappears pushing two trolleys that are still joined together.
"I brought two. I didn't know how many you needed".
I pull the back one out, "let's see shall we". I then lead the way into the store room torch held in one hand.
...
We've taken all the water we could get our hands on, and a lot of the food. The truck bed is rammed full and so is the back seat. It's taken us most of the day to go through pretty much all of the shops in this town but with it getting dark earlier now we've had to call it quits because we need some light to look for a place to stay.
Daryl is currently leading us towards some houses, I think we need one with a garage to make sure our stuff stays safe but in the morning Merle wants to find a top for the back of this truck. Shouldn't be hard to find with all these abandoned cars about.
It really doesn't take us long to reach some houses. There really isn't a proper reason why we pick the one we do, I think it's just the house Daryl happens to stop his bike outside of. From the outside it's looking good. The front door is closed, none of the windows are broken and the front garden isn't covered in belongings.
I honestly couldn't be happier that we're done for the day, my leg hurts so much and I'm trying so hard to not let it show. However Daryl grips my arm to help me off the bike, which he's never done before so I'm probably not as discrete as I thought.
"We can stay here for a few days, take a break 'fore movin' on". Daryl tells the five of us, I hope he's not doing this because of my leg.
The look he gives Merle tells me it is.
"Sure", Merle turns to stare up the house. "I could live in luxury for a few days". He then stalks up the path twirling his knife between his fingers. "Hurry the fuck up, I ain't got all day".
Carol sighs, "For someone who doesn't really give a shit". I am mildly taken back by the swear word Carol drops, I haven't heard her talk like that before. "He sure has been bossing me around today."
I had noticed that but I think it's because he's worried about her, Daryl can be the same way. "He'll stop once he gets back into being out here".
"Well he better, if not I'm gonna stab him with that knife". She then grabs Sophia's hand and follows him down the path.
I turn to look up at Daryl who has yet to move. "If he ever goes missing we can safely assume it will probably have something to do with Carol".
"Ya don't say. Ya mind stayin' out 'ere while I go help them check the house?"
I sigh, "I will but only because I don't want someone stealing our stuff but for future reference I am fine. It only hurts because I haven't been on it this much since I injured it, the more I use it the better it will be." I pat the bike seat, "Plus this thing is really uncomfortable so my butt hurts more than my leg does."
His eyes narrow slightly and then he hooks an arm around the back of my neck and forces me closer, he presses his lips against my forehead. "If somethin' ever 'appens to my bike then I guess I know who's responsible for that." He walks off leaving me out here alone, fun.
They manage to sweep the house pretty quickly because I don't have to wait long for the garage door to open. Daryl comes walking out of it backwards dragging a walker by it's feet. Merle follows after him dragging another one by it's arm, they dump them both in the neighbouring garden.
Merle turns to me and throws something, somehow I manage to catch whatever it is gracefully, car keys. "Ya wanna learn to back the truck up into this garage, if ya crash ya owe me a new one".
"I'll have you know that I do actually know how to drive, I have a drivers license". Had, who knows where that is right now.
"Then why the fuck 'ave I been doin' all the drivin'?"
I shrug as I climb into the drivers seat, "'cause you never asked and hey, I didn't want to take away the only thing left that you're good at". I slam the door on Merle's very angry reply and Daryl's surprisingly loud laugh. Thankfully Merle is forced into being semi quiet so with the door shut I can't actually hear what he's saying. He punches Daryl rather hard looking on the back then walks back into the house leaving me to reverse this monster back up the driveway. To be honest, I can drive but reversing wasn't one of my strengths but I think it was probably because I always over thought it. But other than Daryl there's no one out here to see me fail, and even Daryl's not actually looking at me, his attention is focused down the street.
I do it, no corrections needed, if only my instructor could see me now.
My door opens before I have the chance to do it myself. I can still see the humour in the softness of Daryl's eyes. "He's pissed".
"He lost that hand, what, over a month ago. I'm allowed to make jokes now".
He helps me down, "Ya can cause there's some comin' 'bout ya limp".
Of course there is and I've just given him the freedom to say them.