I'm kind of shy, but somehow I get by.
-Zuzus Petals "Johanne"
The morning after the bombs dropped Danni had taken Glenn back with her to get her van. She left a note on one of the abandoned cars for her guys. She had a bad feeling that if Hayes and Luke were not back by now they'd never be. She drove up the breakdown lane until they reached the RV, Shane's jeep, the Cherokee and another recent arrival. Danni observed an older model Gray and blue Chevy pickup truck. It carried a 1980's Triumph chopper with high curved handlebars or ape hangers as her motorcycle owning friends called them. The Dixon brothers, the Merle and Daryl Amy mentioned, had made their appearance. They'd scavenged the abandoned cars for supplies during the night. Merle was already shouting about bartering for the stuff he'd found.
"Merle is generous." He said of himself. "But nothin's for free." He had a raspy southern drawl that matched his rough, weathered face. He looked mean, calculating and like he hated the world enough to kill you in your sleep and steal your stuff. Amy was right. The younger brother Daryl wore an angry expression that was more defiance than malice. He must have been Danni's age, if not a little older. He looked indifferent under his scowl, but also like he was hiding something, protecting something. Danni couldn't help but notice he was absolutely filthy with dirt on his clothing and even some on his face like a little boy with no-one to make him to wash up. She didn't think he'd said more than two words to anyone except his brother. They kept their distance. They seemed like loner, survivalist types, yet they followed when Shane directed the ragtag caravan to a fresh water quarry off the main road. It was secluded, surrounded by dense forest. As far as they knew the Walkers, as they began calling the creatures, were confined to the city or at least what was left of it.
Everyone, aside from the Dixon brothers, seemed to look to Shane for some kind of direction and he was comfortable giving it. There were challenges to living in such close quarters with a group of strangers. Danni may not have looked it on the outside, but she was shy, always had been. That's why she liked to drink. The bourbon was long gone now with some of that impulsive bravery but the jump back on the wagon was her obvious next move. Being clear-headed and alert now would serve her better. She had to watch her back and be careful while interacting with all these diverse personalities. She might have been on the shy side, but she did not take shit. It wasn't about making friends right now but neither was it about making enemies.
She offered to do any work she could. She watched the kids, collected firewood and hauled water. She spet a lot of her time in search of edible plants, mushrooms and berries which she had done all the time as a kid. Another thing her Nan taught her. The smells, colors, shapes and names of those safe to eat and the ones that could be used medicinally came back to her quickly. Like she'd never gotten out of the habit. It was good to have a focus. Contributing to the group kept relations civil. The days passed easier if everyone had a common goal. Survival was that goal.
Even with all the work around camp she had plenty of time to watch everyone. She'd always been observant of people. Back to those Dixons. She was compelled to figure them out but didn't know why she cared. They were off hunting a lot of the time. Merle didn't like sharing their spoils, but Daryl left squirrel or rabbit for the rest of the camp without telling his brother. It did surprise Danni when he did that. On the surface she pegged them as the kind of guys who'd get drunk and heckle her band, make rude comments then start a huge bar brawl at the club. She ran into that type all the time. Merle had already made comments about all the sweet pussy around camp. He called Amy sugar tits. Danni would have given the older Dixon hell if he'd singled her out like that. Even so, she knew to be careful with that type. He was throwing his weight around, creating a simmering tension with Shane. Daryl was constantly sharpening hunting knives or skinning animals. Still silent, still keeping to himself. And still dirty. He seemed dirtier than he had to be.
She and Glenn had an easy time getting along. He was funny and they shared pop culture references. He went on runs into the city to get supplies. Danni was the only one he took requests from. He compared the dangerous journey to a video game. He was playing Mission Impossible. It turned out that Shane was a friend of Lori's husband who had been killed. So he wasn't Carl's dad. He seemed so natural with the kid. He was really stepping up for them. He and Lori had a way of pulling people together. They spent most of their time organizing the camp and supplies. There was the other family, Sophia's. The mom Carol was a soft spoken, skittish woman. Her husband Ed was as gruff and unmannered as she was sweet and loving toward their daughter. Danni knew the tension of an unhappy family and signs of domestic abuse when she saw it. Dale was a grandfatherly type. He enjoyed looking out for Andrea and Amy. He constantly tinkered with the RV's engine. Andrea was the classic big sister to Amy; protective and kind of bossy. Andrea made sure Amy kept a full distance from the Dixons. Now, Amy was not a woman Danni would ever have met outside this situation. She was a blue-eyed, blonde who smiled a lot and had long, tanned legs that looked good in shorts. Danni on the other hand was pale with black hair and never wore shorts. They made her feel like a camp counselor. Definitely not sexy. She stuck to jeans and leggings no matter how hot it was. The entire assortment of travelers felt somewhat thrown together. They were a diverse group with nothing much in common except day to day living made easier by a combined effort.