Summary: One step forward, three steps back. No matter what she does, it's always Somehow labeled in a Holy way. Honestly, they're just some really advantageous game traits. Not that anyone ever seems to believe her. (GamerOC/SI)
Warning: AU, from beginning older Carl, spoilers everywhere, mature content, language, violence, gore, sexual content, racism, sexism, sensitive topics (rape, suicide, torture, mental disorders)
Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me except my OC/SI
"One mans fault is another mans lesson."
- Maltese Proverb
Chapter 1
"Angel"
"-No, no, no! God please no, god, help me! God! God! Jesus, please! Jesu-, PlEase! HElp Me! Come on nOw! Help me-"
"No, Jesus, Jesus! No no no no no no... Please.. I didn't behave- I know.. I know I'm being punished- I know- I... Ohh I deserve it, I Deserve it. I've been bad... help me now, show me the way! Go on, tell me what to do. Tell me, Tell Me..God, I'll do anything, please please..."
"God.."
Thankfully her startled yelp by the abrupt Log In was contained by the shocking terrifying view of the ground quickly approaching had she not rapidly grabbed onto the rough textured edges of the buildings wall. Bloody hell that was Way too close!
Her heart was beating way too fast, eyes too wide as she gulped back her suddenly dry throat just gazing at the wall touching her face and front body.
That was definitely on purpose..
Jesus Christ they don't kid around with the Disadvantages of the Skills.
The Advantages better be worth the Disadvantages that came with it, or else she's gonna file a shit ton of a complain to their Central office.
Alright, enough time hanging around (ha, she cracked herself up), taking in a deep breath and exhaling shortly before using the strength in her arms to pull herself up. Easily hopping up to the thick edge with a light thud sound of her black combat boots, leaning forwards on her hands to settle her gravity and lowering a knee down on the brick edge wall.
Rough raspy breathing drew her attention sharply, wide baby blues taking in the form of- oh my god it Worked!
Merle Dixon laid before her in all his damaged self; covered in dirt, various burn wounds from the scorching sun beating down, dried sweat and new sweat clinging to his incredibly (oh man, that can't be too good) face and head from what she can see-
Oh my god, just- She really Really felt for the man. Sure, he wasn't such a good person, but he wasn't a Bad human, per say. Besides, with everyone being all prejudiced despite everything the Dixons had done for them in the beginning (she may be a Bit bias, considering they had that plan to steal from the group- but they Didn't! Anyone can fight her on this) its no surprise they were all apart from the group itself; but still. Her heart literally ached in pain at the thought of leaving anyone like that- no matter how bad someone may be... she thinks her hearts too soft for this world sigh.
Eyes were the window to the soul; she's heard that quite a lot, especially from Charles.
So she quickly tries to mask the suffering look from her eyes, knowing she's too expressive in the face most times and not wanting Merle to see that, goodness knows he'd just perceive it as some type of Pity and get aggressively defensive.
...Though he's been suspiciously quiet.. considering how long she's just been silently blankly staring at him as he's staring back almost incredulously wide eyed back.
All silent except for the rough breathing of his dry throat and the eager impatient sounds coming from that locked door, you're a good man T-dog. At least you Tried sigh. Her narrowed glance to the door shifted back casually to an unnaturally stilled Merle, who was just Staring at her with gaping stunned- was that Awe? Nah can't be- expression.
Now that her calm mask was on, she lowered herself slowly to the ground in a nimble move, landing softly on the ground with a slight bend of her knees. She unconsciously brushed back her long hair that swept forward when she had hopped down, walking on swift steps towards the unmoving silent taller man, not even gracing the ravaging noises of the dead from a few meters away from them with any attention.
No, her focus was on making sure Merle didn't end up the way he did like in the original version.
Lowering herself to her knees just about a foot beside him, uncaring of the dirt and pebbles digging into her jean clad knees and of his reactive flinch, she swiftly grabbed the navy book bag behind her to take out a long new white towel that hasn't been used yet, and an unopened cool water bottle which she unceremoniously dipped half of the water onto the two foot long towel until it was soaked through.
Being so concentrated on her fast action, she didn't see the rising devout expression on Merles face despite feeling his eyes on her, she really needed to lower his temperature first of all things.
Honestly, the dead were her last concern at this moment.
Finishing with completely wetting the towel, she turned her full attention to him. He was staring at her still, just blinking dumbly and looking so out of his element with the vulnerable way he was looking at her, almost as if he was looking at a holy being or something. Feeling herself heat in embarrassment, she was no saint definitely, but she ignored it as best as she could, her priority was his health after all.
"Hello..."
She softly greeted, not taking her focus off him. The way he flinched again even though she had greeted him with a low tone made her heart throb, oh man.
"I'm going to put this towel over your head and shoulders, alright? It'll lower your temperature some. You can drink the left over water in the bottle, I have a few more in my bag." Motioning to the dripping towel and bottle she held in her hands, she kept her voice soft and calm, not unlike when speaking to a wild cornered animal.
After waiting for a few seconds, she preceded to place the wet towel over his head and shoulders when she received a small nod from him. Merle's expression didn't change, still looking at her in that strange aweing way.
She patted the area somewhat so that it would stick over his heated head and shoulders, huffing in annoyance at the situation in general. Jesus Christ, if this world didn't make survivors and warriors, she would eat her shirt she swears.
Thankfully the intense eye contact was broken when he grabbed the half full bottle, drinking from it in a panic haze though his now contemplating reverent eyes kept glancing at her, less of a daze in his gaze than when she arrived.
She moved her serene gaze towards the Still persistent dead that were all shoving each other and the door to get to their fresh buffet.
The doors lock that T-dog had put on was Still holding on, what a Champ.
..Hmm, knowing Her skill set though, something was bound to give sooner or later and she would rather they be in a more calmer location when (yes When, and not If, it was tic for tac after all) that happened.
Though she also knew that they would come looking for him the next day, so she had to find a location where they can also have view of the others; not to mention she really wanted to give Some advice for Guillermo's group to help them live a bit longer this time.
Yeah okay, Serena knew that she couldn't save Everyone in the damn fandom, but she would do her damnest sure that they would at least survive what they didn't before.
Shifting back to Merle when he lowered the bottle with his free shaky hand she gracefully ignored it knowing his pride and ego wouldn't want for attention on his weaknesses. Hell, she was pleasantly surprised that he had let her take care of him so far.
Best not to think about it, don't look a gift horse in the mouth and all that.
Serena casually brought out another cool water bottle; opening the bottle and leaving it in Merles free hand as he shakily threw away the empty one. He gave her another one of those reverent stares, this time not moving his gaze away while he gulped the cool water more calmly this time.
She had no problem giving him a small smile, just an upper shift of her lips.
His eyes looked to be shining suspiciously and he rapidly blinked, glancing away from her; coughing out some water from his dried lips.
"Easy." Serena soothed unconsciously. Leaving her hands in her lap though.
He didn't say anything in defense, didn't even tense up at the gentle sound of her voice.
...Hasn't said a Word since he's seen her actually- and shes Kinda getting a bit worried? He's very much conscious, and now lucid so she's not too sure what the calm silent means...
...Calm before the storm?
"I'm going to get you out of here Merle, but there's something...I hope you can believe me."
Serena calmly explained, tilting her head a bit at his slow nod and vehement concentrated face.
No aggression.
No offense.
No opposition.
Incredibly observant eyes and a placid body language.
Huh.
"You may have answers for what you'll see, but I can't promise I can answer everything."
After a few seconds of tense thoughtful silence, he nodded slowly again.
Surprise flickered through her at that easy admittance.
"And I hope you can keep to yourself what you'll see. It's a bit... outrageous and not everyone will react to it in a.. humane manner lets say." Serena's lips twitched at those honest words, nerves making her fingers clasp together.
Merle seemed to be watching Everything, what she's saying and what she's not saying.
He nodded once again, this time opening his mouth and she mentally prepared herself for anything-
"It's no problem ove' hea', I'll follow."
She blinked at his rather amiable response.
"Thank ya for comi'n for ol' Merle here. I ain't eva' gonn'a forget tha'." His words were clearly spoken with some coarseness left over from the dryness of his throat, but he spoke in that accent drawl of his tone respectful yet still watching intently but face more relaxed, as if there weren't still the dead making a fuss from a few meters away from them.
Serena didn't sugar coat in her mind, it was very weird. How Merle was acting so... passively. She kind of felt scared, did she accidentally break his mind by saving him?
Oh my god, that would be it. Going through all those training simulations, just to break the dudes mind once I go into the actual thing.
What a great way to end it, Thanks System.
She did know she saved him at quite a vulnerable time, so maybe he's just showing his appreciation in his own way?
Would explain everything actually...
Not going to overthink it, remember Serena, let the horse run free.
She only smiled, because what could she say to something like that? Anything she says she feels would be less than what she would mean it to, so she just stays silent and gives him a warmer smile than the small curious one she gave at first.
There was a flash of giant white light, and Merle thought this was it. Somehow the'r was' a bomb an' he was gonn' die sooner than wha' them dead walkers be at'him.
His mental state; from the fear of being eaten alive with no way to escape, the sun burns and heat waves he's suffered under the direct sun with no way of cover, dehydration, plus the down turn of the drug now moving out his system from all the sweat he's had; didn't have the reason of mind to understand that it wouldn't be logical for a bomb to appear out of nowhere.
Merle's unshackled hand went up to cover his face instinctively when the burst of abrupt white light appeared directly in front of him, thinking to himself This wa' it.
When he felt such a deep regret for leaving his little brother alone and doing what he had done that had led to this point, it made him ache something fierce. Sure he's an asshole and he freely admits he wasn't ever the best person, but he was willing to Change some, he wanted to Live, he Could be a better person with just one more chance if anyone was ever listening, God, Jesus...
All these thoughts ran rapidly through his muddled head, and because he's still the stubborn man he's always been, he might as well go out the same way. So he lowered the hand covering his face just in time to catch-...what th' Fuck?
Just as he had lowered his hand, the flash disappeared to reveal a petite female form of white fall directly from where the flash was, dropping with no gravity from the other side of the building and his heart jumped in a panic at that- holy shit, it was fuckin' rainin' angels!
Cleaning his eyes with his hand just to be fuckin' sure he wasn't goin' delusional now too, but fuckin' no. His mind was now more coherent than before, narrowed attentive eyes taking in the feminine hands grasping the edge.
His mind was strangely silent, heart thundering in his chest and for once he wasn't focused on the frantic walkers nearby, but on what appeared out of nowhere, a larger threat maybe? He expertly ignored the deep throbbing pains of his body, an expert in enduring the worst type of aches.
...And then she hopped on to the ledge like fuckin' cat woman, all nimble and smooth and it was a vision of white and he knew.
His gut, his instincts, his battle worn mind, and everything inside him was just Screaming that this woman, this small petite woman, was a god damn sent.
Long pale blonde, literally almost white hair looked as if it was glowing or shining or some shit directly under the sun beams, pale skin automatically receiving redness as if it's never received sun before, white blonde long eyelashes, same with the eyebrows and a pair of large pale baby blues. He had heard of this before, albino's if he remembers correctly staring entrapped.
The world was large, Merle knew despite his more than closed off racist thinking, there were all kinds of people out there so seeing a pretty doll like young woman wouldn't have been such a fuckin' surprise.
Not if this woman didn't appear out of literally nowhere with that flash of white light (Merle wasn't That far gone that he didn't remember that abrupt light and Knowing he was the only left up in this roof; he bitterly thought), clothes and skin all damn squeaky clean as if she hasn't entered into this realm yet.
He had a deep gut instinct he wasn't too off the mark.
Then she raised her head and looked straight at him with those baby blues, and she knew him. She Knew ol' Merle, he could see it from her open expression- and from what he understood sharply, she knew him deeply.
She was a god damn heaven sent.
She was his second chance.
He was heard.
Saved.
Thought to be worthy for that second chance.
The soothing cool of the water filled towel almost brought him to fuckin' tears, he's got no shame in admitting that. The relief was swiftly felt, and he unconsciously slumped down against the giant pipes behind him some more, feeling relaxed in a way he hadn't felt since this whole damn walking dead shit show happened.
With her, he didn't have to front. She knew him down to a detailed level he had a feeling.
And then another water bottle, without saying anything.
A quirk of her lips, pale features shifted to somethin' warm, he had to look away les' he go up and burst into fuckin' emotional irrational tears.
Never, except maybe his mama one time years ago had smiled at him in such a carefree non-judgmental way that wasn't his blood. He knew it was all due to himself, he's got no one to blame but himself and all his actions and mistakes that have led to not having many positive people in his life, and once ago he thought that would be fine in the Dixon life he led.
But he doesn't want that anymore.
Fuck, he don' want tha' no more.
What really cemented how he knew she wasn't from around this literal pane of earth, when she mentioned his name without him saying anything.
His name flew out casually from her soft voice and it was assured in his mind.
She was an angel who came to help ol' Merle.
And he wasn't 'bout to waste that second chance, no sirrey.
AN: Been having so many ideas, so figured I'd write them down as I await the day to update all my other ones sigh lol
Thanks for reading! Hope you've enjoyed the story so far! ^^)/
