This takes place about two days after Randall is brought back to the farm.
Chapter 1-A Different Path
Daryl walked across the field of Hershel's land. He walks past Glenn and Maggie and sees Shane by his car that he fixed. Daryl walks up to him. "What are you doing?" Daryl asks. Shane glances up at him and back at the engine.
"Making sure this car is ready for a long trip," Shane tells him.
"Are you going somewhere?" Daryl asks him.
"Yeah, I'm leaving. I'm done with these people. They don't need me, and I don't need them," Shane says. He stops what he is doing. "You believe these people will make it?" Daryl doesn't say anything. He stares at Shane. "You see, Hershel and Dale don't yet understand this world. Glenn and Maggie might have a chance. Patricia will die the second this place goes down, and so will Jimmy. Beth will be lucky to get out. Carol is so broken after Sophia that she is a problem. Lori is stuck up Rick's ass, and Rick doesn't understand that you have to become someone else to survive. Andrea has her problems," Shane says.
"What about T-dog and I?" Daryl asks.
"You'll be fine. You're a survivor, Daryl. T-dog, well, it can go either way with him," Shane says. "You should come with me. I'll have someone I know is capable of watching my back and has your set of skills," Shane says. "You grab your bike and anybody that you think will be useful, and we go,"
"We don't get along," Daryl says.
"Doesn't matter. We trust each other to watch each other's back because we both know we'll do what needs to be done," Shane says. "So you coming or not?" Daryl stares at Shane for a moment and nods.
"When are we leaving?" Daryl asks.
"Tomorrow afternoon. We'll get the supplies we need. Rick will give us what we want, and we'll leave. Anybody you thinking about bringing?" Shane asks. Daryl nods.
"Get ready. I'll go talk to 'em now," Daryl says before he walks away. Shane nods and continues to work on the car. Daryl walks over to Dale, who looks down at him. "Have you seen T-dog?" Daryl asks.
"I think he is helping Hershel with the horses," Dale says. Daryl nods as he walks away. He walks into the horse barn and sees T-dog moving hay.
"Where's Hershel?" Daryl asks.
"Checking on Beth," T-dog says as he sets the hay down and walks over to Daryl. "What's up?"
"I just talked with Shane. He's leaving, and I'm going with him," Daryl says.
"Why are you telling me?" T-dog asks.
"He said I should bring anybody I think would help," Daryl says.
"And I'm the first person to come to mind?" T-dog asks. "The man who dropped the key to your brother's handcuffs," Daryl nods.
"You know what you're doing. For the most part, you do. You don't have to come. It's just an offer," Daryl says.
"What about everybody here?" T-dog asks.
"They'll be on the farm," Daryl says. "We'll find somewhere else to go. Again it's just an offer," Daryl starts to leave.
"When are we leaving?" T-dog asks.
"Tomorrow afternoon," Daryl tells T-dog, who nods. "Pack, T-dog," Daryl says before he walks away. T-dog watches him for a moment before he starts to work again.
Shane stood inside his tent, putting his things in his backs with the intent to sleep in his car that night. "What are you doing?" Lori asks as she comes over to his tent.
"Packing," Shane says. He turns and looks at her. "I'm leaving like I said I would. Hershel wants me gone. Rick won't say it, but part of him does too. Dale will throw a party,"
"You can't leave. You'll be alone," Lori says.
"And that is where you're wrong. I'll have our resident redneck with me," Shane says.
"Daryl's going with you?" Lori asks. Shane gives a short nod. "Does Rick or Carl know?"
"I'm sure they'll know the second you leave this tent and tell 'em," Shane says.
"Shane, we're your family," Lori says. Shane stands up and looks at her.
"That's changed. I saved Carl, and I killed those walkers in the barn. Rick is too nice once he loses you or Carl. He'll understand what he has to do. Go on, tell Rick so he can try and talk me out of it. Maybe he'll try and talk to Daryl too," Shane says with a smirk. Lori doesn't say anything as she walks away. T-dog walks up to Shane's tent. "Please don't tell me you are trying to talk me out of it,"
"No, I'm coming," T-dog says.
"You're who Daryl wanted to bring," Shane says. T-dog nods. "Makes sense. What do you need?"
"What do we need?" T-dog asks.
"Anything you can get your hands on. Weapons, food, gas, medicine, and water," Shane says. T-dog nods.
"I can get my hand on some of that," T-dog says before he walks away. Shane had a small smile on his face. Daryl put his bag on his bike as Rick walked up behind him.
"News spreading?" Daryl asks as he looks at the man.
"Shane told Lori," Rick says. "Daryl, you almost died to find Sophia. You've made friends here. Why throw that all away by leaving?"
"Because that girl is dead. What I did. It didn't matter. I didn't help that girl. She was dead the night we lost her. I ain't staying here to watch it again because it will despise what you and Hershel think," Daryl says. "Why the hell are you talking to me? Shane is leaving too,"
"You'll be easier to convince to stay," Rick says.
"How so?" Daryl asks Rick as he puts another bag on his bike.
"Because you care about the people here," Rick says.
"Sure, believe that if you want," Daryl says.
"You cared about finding Glenn when the Vatos took him. You may not have shown it, but you at least respected Jim. You searched every day for Sophia for the group to have peace. You gave Carol that flower. Daryl, you are a good person. You have earned your place in this group," Rick says.
"I ain't a good person," Daryl says as he takes his tent down.
"Anybody else going?" Rick asks.
"T-dog," Daryl tells him.
"Why?" Rick asks.
"I don't know. I told him why I wanted him to come, and he said he would. I don't know why," Daryl says. "Now, leave me alone. I got shit to do," Rick nods as he walks away. Daryl glances at him and continues to grab his things. That night the group ate together, and the air was tense. Nobody said anything as they ate. After dinner, Daryl pulled his bike up beside Shane's car as T-dog and Shane finished loading the supplies in the back.
"We'll leave tomorrow," Shane says. Daryl nods as he turns the bike off.
"We took our tents down," T-dog says.
"We'll sleep in the car," Shane says. T-dog nods as they get into the car. Daryl and Shane get into the front seats, and T-dog climbs in the back. Daryl closes his eyes with his crossbow between his feet and goes to sleep.
The next morning Daryl was the first person awake. He opens the door and sets out as Hershel walks over to the car with a bag. Daryl looks at the older man as he stops by them and sets the bag down. "Rick told me how T-dog was able to get most of what you all need. Besides medical supplies, the bag has some in it that should hold you over till you find more," Hershel says. Daryl nods, and Hershel holds out his hand to him. Daryl shakes it. "I hope you find what you are looking for, son," Hershel says. "Who knows, maybe he will too," Hershel looks at Shane through the window and gives Daryl a nod. "Carol would want to see you before you leave," Daryl nods as he walks away from Hershel and to the R.V. He knocks on the door, and Dale opens it. Dale lets him in, and Daryl walks over to Carol, who was sitting down. She looks at him.
"I just wanted to make sure you were okay," Daryl says.
"I should be asking you that. You're the one leaving," Carol says.
"I'll be fine," Daryl says. "You're going to be okay too. You're stronger than you think, Carol," Daryl says. Carol nods as pats his arm.
"Stay safe," Carol says. Daryl nods as he pats her shoulder and leaves the R.V. He walks past Dale.
"You know what he did to Otis Daryl. Be careful," Dale says. Daryl nods and walks to the car. Daryl looks at Shane as he hugs Carl and stands up. He gives Glenn a short nod as he walks past him. He gets to his bike and climbs on.
"Stay safe," Rick says. Daryl nods as he starts the bike and starts to drive. Shane follows him with T-dog in the passenger seat. Daryl opens the gate and drives out. Shane shuts it as Daryl pulls onto the road. Shane follows them as they leave, not knowing what's ahead of them.
Welcome to my new story. I have had a lot of time on my hands and decided to start this. This story will follow Daryl, T-dog, and Shane as they travel and meet new people. I don't know yet if anybody from Fear will cross over. For now, it will be the regular walking dead only. I'm excited about this story, and I hope you guys are too. I think Daryl and Rosita will be a pairing. As always, suggestions, ideas, and feedback are welcomed. Until next time.
