It's My Life

Disclaimer: I own nothing except for Charlene.

Chapter inspired by The White Stripes' Seven Nation Army.

Chapter 7: Seven Nation Army


Charlene dropped into the sewer before the two men with her. Her flashlight hand rested across the forearm of her hand armed with her kabar. The sewer water sloshed up against her boots as she peered down one side of the tunnel and then the other. "Clear." As soon as the words were spoken, Daryl jumped down beside her. His chest pressed against her shoulder warmly. Charlene shoved the blush that worked its way up her neck. Foolish mind.

"Watch our six, Shane. Daryl- stay close to me and cover my flanks."

For the first time in their entire time of knowing each other, the Dixon man didn't grumble nor snarl. He gave an astute nod of his head and pressed against her shoulder tightly. They quickly made their way down the sewer tunnel, their feet landing as silently as they could possibly manage. The gentle slosh of the water was the only give away and even then it was a very small, easily over looked sound.

Charlene flicked her flashlight off as she approached the broken sewer grate she had noticed the first time she had been held captive. Her body stilled and melded into the shadows as she checked the corners of the room. Daryl watched her with a new sense of respect for the amount of knowledge and skill the woman possessed when it came to entering enemy territory.

He rolled his eyes. Who would have guessed that particular skill would've been valuable in an apocalypse. Her tiny body lithely squeezed through the opening; she dropped a short ways and landed silently as a cat. Her body rolled into the shadows once more. Her hand held up to keep them in place. Daryl watched the cracked doorway in the front of the room attentively with his crossbow.

Charlene picked up a pillow from the room and moved to the corner, her eyes peered quickly in the room. Her back flattened back up against the wall. She looked at her boys in the sewer opening and held up four fingers and patted her chest twice.

Shane whispered, "What?"

Daryl's response was so quiet that the older man had nearly missed it. "Four beating hearts."

He breathed out, "Right. Non geeks."

Daryl and Shane slid from the sewer silently. They landed in the room and quickly made their ways to dark corners. Daryl took his spot behind the door and Shane moved behind a cabinet near the opposite corner of the room.

Charlene gave Shane the nod. Her brother bumped his leg against the cabinet intentionally before darting to the other side of the room. There was an eerie silence from the lit room when a hushed voice grunted, "What was that?"

"Stop trying to be a dipshit."

"No, I'm serious-"

"Move ya' pussies." Came a deeper voice. Charlene's face grimaced as she flattened against the wall and seemingly attempted to meld with it. A large man bumped the door open and peered into the dark room. His boots stomped against the dusty concrete. Charlene gave the nod to Daryl. The hunter leapt up and wrapped an arm around the man's mouth, stifling any sounds and slid his blade through the brain stem in the back of his head.

The large lumberjack of a man was silenced instantly and his body went completely limp. Daryl lowered his body quietly and quickly removed all the weapons from his person.

"Jack?"

"Knock that shit off, dude!"

"Both ya' guys shut the fuck up."

Charlene pressed against the wall again as the trio of men entered the room. She waved her hand to her brother and he immediately caused another noise towards the body of the large man. The small woman lifted her pillow and smothered the man lurking in the back of the group. She slid her kabar into the brain stem like Daryl had shown her on the way to the building.

Daryl took the man in the middle just as quickly and Shane grabbed the last man as he whirled around to the dead bodies of his comrades. The trio lowered the men to the ground silently. Charlene grabbed Shane's pack and began placing all the weapons and ammunition inside.

Her brother shouldered it and she gave him a smile and took point once more. Charlene shoved her way through the opening into the lit up room quickly, she cleared the corners before freezing. Daryl and Shane turned around at the suddenness of her complete lack of motion.

In the corner of the room sat a young girl, no older than five years old. She sniffed as her chocolate colored eyes lifted to the three of them. They did not miss the chunk missing from her right arm. Her face was beet red with the fever tearing into her little body; she rubbed the side of her face gently against her arms crossed over her knees. "Are you going to kill me?"

Charlene's form felt as if she had had the air knocked from her. She blinked several times before sheathing her weapon. That question would be a question that would torment her for the rest of her life. Are you going to kill me? The little girl's voice echoed in her mind. Charlene looked back at the completely haunted and bewildered stares of the men fighting by her side. "Guys- shut all the doors so we're ensured full privacy."

The woman sat beside the little girl, "What's your name, darling?"

The little girl's eyes flickered with a familiar child-like delight she had seen in Sophia nearly a week ago. She pressed her face against her raised legs and mumbled shyly, "I'm Abigail- will you save my brother?" She asked suddenly. Her hot little hand rested on Charlene's hand- her eyes wide with hope. The older woman swallowed sadly. "Where is your brother?"

"He's at the end of the hall with the bad men!"

Charlene's heart broke at the desperation of the little girl to save her brother. Abigail's eyes welled up in pain as she curled into herself and began shaking. The older woman stared in horror as the tears steam rolled down the porcelain face of the child. Her whimpers haunted the room with a reverberating echo.

The black infection oozed from the bite wound on her arm. Charlene turned to the two men, "Y'all get me some gauze, cloth, whatever so I can wrap this up."

Shane dug in the bag for a few minutes before handing her some rolled up bandages. Charlene unraveled a chunk and tore it off. Gently, she wrapped it around the bite wound and tied it in a neat bow. The little girl smiled weakly, "I'm tired."

Charlene held out her arms and the small child paused hesitantly before giving in and crawling slowly into her lap. The older woman cradled Abigail in her arms as she nestled her furnace of a body against hers. The child murmured softly, "Am I dying?"

The woman's face flinched; she sucked in a shaky breath. "Everything's going to be okay, love. I promise." The child began to sob into her arms. "Can you make it stop hurting?" Charlene rocked her gently and pursed her lips tightly- struggling to control her raging sorrow.

"Shhhhh. I want you to go to sleep, love. Everything will be fine when you wake up, and it won't hurt anymore." She continued to rock Abigail in her arms as the girl obeyed her. Her eyes were planted on the feverish child in her lap- she ignored the attention of Daryl and Shane.

After several minutes the whimpers of the child became silent as her form rose and fell with each breath. Charlene whispered, "Shane- grab me that pillow in the other room."

Her brother returned with the pillow, the woman swallowed hard as she placed it over the girl's face. Shane's startled voice hissed at her, "What are you doing?" Charlene didn't look at him as she pulled her glock and fired instantly. Her body flinched when she felt the splash of blood on her arms and legs. The woman lifted the pillow away to be sure the bullet went through the girl's brain.

Her breath quickened at the sight of the hole in the middle of her forehead- a sight that would forever be burned into her memory. She set the child gently on the floor and stood to face Daryl and Shane. Not being able to bear the sight of the little girl anymore. Shane stared at her with shock and Daryl's arms were crossed as he leaned against the wall, keeping his gaze to the floor. Charlene spoke slowly as she wiped the girl's blood on her jeans gingerly, "It had to be done. She was in pain and she was gonna turn soon." Her voice fell to a faint and haunted whisper. "It had to be."

Her brother's face fell in understanding. He shuffled his feet uncomfortably. Charlene took a deep breath and shoved the little girl to the furthest recesses of her mind. They still had a mission and a boy they could save. It was time to go.

The authority and power returned to her voice with another deep breath. "Let's get this done, and get outta here. I'm really fucking sick of this place."

Daryl grunted in agreement, Charlene felt her brother's hand grip her shoulder. "You okay, Char?"

Her cerulean eyes connected with his. "We don't have time for feelings right now, Shane. Let's get our shit done and we can talk emotions later." A proud and pained smile crossed her brother's lips. "Right behind ya', Char."

The woman nodded her head and began to move forward down the darkened hallway again. The smell of death reached her nose- she choked on it and faltered before she felt Daryl's callous hand pushing her forward past the rotting human limbs and blood painted hallway. Charlene strengthened her resolve as the man pressing into her back- trusting her to get the job done and get them all out alive.

She stopped near the opened doorway. Charlene chanced a quick peak in and saw a small, extremely battered child in the corner. His little eyes locked onto hers, a small smile flashed across his face. He couldn't have been older than eight years old. Charlene feared he would give them away, but then the child leapt to his feet and kicked one of them in the shin. The man roared in anger. "YOU LITTLE BITCH!"

There were three in the room; two of the men cornered the whimpering child- taking the attention of the third man. Unbelievable. She couldn't resist the smile that crossed her exhausted face- the kid had nerves of steel. Charlene held up three fingers- she turned to Daryl and pointed to the lone man in the corner. "Overpower him."

The hunter nodded his head and pressed against her back- preparing for the quick jump. Charlene counted down from three before leaping in the room. Daryl heard two rapid shots and held the third man in a headlock and dropping him to the ground- Shane followed up and kicked the gun away from him. Her brother's dark eyes shifted to her. The two men lay crumpled together- a single trail of blood seeping from the bullet holes in the center of their foreheads.

He and Daryl shared a look as the third man struggled against him weakly. "Holy shit."

"No room for hesitation, boys." The woman crouched down in front of the little boy. She smiled tenderly, "Hey there little man." His eyes were wide with something other than fear. "You saved me."

Charlene rested a hand on the kid's head, mussing his hair- "You saved our lives." His thin, malnourished cheeks spread into a wide smile of pride. He huffed his chest and stood before her. Charlene's smile widened. "My name's Derek!"

A disbelieving laugh rushed through her lips. She craned her neck at Shane. "Seems like God has a sense of humor." Her voice was dry and she caught the crack of a smirk from Daryl. Charlene stood up and approached the man on the ground struggling for breaths. "Shane- take care of Derek for me." The siblings shared a knowing look. "Don't waste too much time with him- we need to get out of here."

"Understood, brother." A mocking smirk contorted her face. Her eyes connected with Daryl's. "Follow me- we need to ask him some questions." Daryl forced the terrified man to his feet. As they exited, Derek looked at Shane questioningly. "What was her name?"

"She, my little man is my sister Charlene. We're going to take care of you from now on." His bright green eyes widened. His voice lowered to a whisper and he cupped a hand to his mouth. "The other man is really scary."

The older man laughed, "Ya' know you aren't the first to think so." The kid's eyes widened again. "But don't worry, my sister will protect us."

The little boy lowered his head some and Shane watched as his eyes welled up with tears. "I had a sister too. B-but-" The tears rushed from his eyes as he stared at him in panic. "I couldn't save her! I tried but they wouldn't let me and s-she- I tried!"

Shane's stomach lurched at the pain that etched the young boy's face. The older man gripped the boy's shoulders and looked him in the eyes. "Listen to me. That wasn't your fault; these are bad people. There was nothing you could have done."

"I should be dead, not-"

"Hey! Cut that crap out. Don't let Charlene hear you talking like that."

The young boy nodded his wet face and swallowed the trembling whines and sobs. Shane stood to his feet and placed his hands on the kid's shoulders. "Now, I need your help to gather all these weapons up- can you help me?" The little boy nodded his head eagerly- his mop of chocolate colored hair flopped against his forehead.


Daryl watched the woman force the captive man onto his stomach. She placed a boot in the center of his back and leaned her weight to hold him down. Daryl had just thought she was going to use him to beat the crap out of the man- instead the woman was inflicting wounds on the man that made even Daryl cringe and have to look away.

Charlene spoke gently as she knelt over him. "I'll ask again- where are the others?"

He gave a snarling sob, but didn't say anything. His body trembled in fear. Charlene growled and licked her lips. Before moving closer to his prone form. "Did you know that the triceps muscle has strands of nerves?" Her fingers pinched the back of his arm and the man gave a short yelp and jerked. "Hurts don't it? Now I want you to imagine the pain of me digging my knife into your arm and pulling each of those nerves strands apart while still attached to your tendons."

The man burst into tears and moaned in desperation, "Please, oh god, please- I can't tell you- please I'm begging you-" She sighed heavily. "Look- you wanna live. I get that- we can escort you out of here and get you to safety, if you tell us where the other's are."

The strangled sob that came from the man's mouth wasn't the answer Charlene had been looking for. Daryl's lips curled when he realized what would come next. She hissed vehemently and pressed the tip of her knife to the back of his arm. The man cried louder, "No! NO! Please!" He watched a stream of blood began to seep out of the cut she was slowly creating. The desperation in the captive's voice increased before finally giving in. "OKAY! Okay! I'll tell you! Just p-p-please- no more."

Charlene promptly withdrew the knife as he continued to cry. His face was soaked with tears as he began slowly. "T-t-there is some nursery home a-and they thought there were people with weapons there- they went to check it out." The woman wiped her face slowly as exhaustion crept into her mind. "How long ago?"

"Five or six hours- they'll be here s-soon! We need to leave!" Charlene stood suddenly. "You're right." Daryl jumped in surprise as she shot the man in the head. Blood splattered all over the floor and her legs. She shoved the glock back into her waistband and stepped away. Her eyes held a haunted look as she stared down at the gory mess she had created.

Her eyes found his and Charlene started slowly. "This is a messy business- the apocalypse." Her tongue ran across her lower lip. "You have to understand why I lied to him-"

The hunter cut her off while he shouldered his crossbow. "You're protectin' the group. I get it."

Charlene nodded her head and ran a weary hand through her hair. "Y'alls safety comes first." With that, she strode from the room. Daryl stared after her- trying desperately to understand. She had just proven to be even more ruthless than him and Merle combined- and he wasn't sure what to think of that. He had a sense of respect but also another feeling. It wasn't fear of any kind but a sense of wariness.

Charlene wasn't merciful and he had no reason to question her loyalty yet- but he wondered just how far that loyalty extended- especially when her life was hanging in the balance- or Shane's. Did the rest of them become expendable? Daryl would bet she wouldn't hesitate to cut any of them up if they betrayed her, just like she did this man. He wasn't sure how he felt about this revelation.

Daryl closed the door the behind them. Charlene rested against the edge of the table in the center while she reloaded her weapon. Derek returned to her side, "Where are we going?"

"You're coming home with us."

"Are there other kids?"

"Yes, there are. They'll be really excited to meet you." Charlene smiled and ruffled the boy's hair. Daryl wasn't fool enough to believe it- he saw the flicker of unease in her eyes. Whatever he thought of her lack of mercy or faltering loyalties, he could at least be sure that she most definitely didn't enjoy ending that mans life.

"So what'd y'all find?" Shane looked up from the pack. He smiled halfly, "Good couple of shotguns, three hand guns, several bowies, and plenty of ammo." Charlene nodded her head with a slight grimace. "Not as much as I had hoped."

Her brother nodded his nodded. "Found some good medical supplies- for what all it's worth, the trip wasn't a waste." His eyes lingered on Derek and returned to the cerulean one's of his sister. Charlene smiled, "Good. Let's get the fuck outta here."

Daryl made a jerky movement causing her to tense up. He released a bolt and she heard that familiar pelting and sucking sound of contact. "We got company." The hunter murmured as he jumped over the table towards the door that had just opened. He peered out and then jumped back in when a bullet whizzed past his head. "FUCK!"

Charlene was on the other side of the door immediately, "I'll take point- Daryl bring up the rear." The woman kicked the door open and leapt outside quickly. She fired a single bullet and dropped the first man on in the inside of alleyway. The bright sunlight beat down as they broke into a quick jog.

Charlene called back, "They're making a run for the sewer- Daryl take point!"

The woman stooped down at the dead man's body and relieved him of his gun and ammo. The two men and child suddenly froze up ahead; Daryl began to fire the shotgun quickly. "They ain't flanking us, Char!"

Charlene suddenly heard the horrifying snarling moans of the dead. She broke into a dead sprint as Daryl and Shane covered the alleyway. She ran into the street and her eyes took in the large horde moving towards them. "Holy fucking shit." She lifted her glock, "FUCKING MOVE!"

The men began running towards the truck at the opposite end of the street. Charlene followed behind them closely. Shane lifted Derek up so he could climb the chain link fence. Shane dropped to the other side. He cursed loudly. "SHIT! CHAR!"

Charlene faced him and saw several more geeks approaching him and the child. They were effectively surrounded and their group split by the fence. The hunter at her side made the tough decision for her. Daryl snarled, "Get the fuck outta here!" Shane paused, and Charlene growled as she began firing again, "GO! We'll be fine!"

Shane hesitated once more- his mind warring violently as he struggled to protect the child from the onslaught of the dead. "GODDAMNIT, CHAR!" She could literally picture the gouge he was digging in his bottom lip as he grabbed Derek and took off for the truck. "We need to lead these assholes away from the fence- ideas?" Her calm voice betrayed the fear roaring through her veins at the grim death she and Daryl were presently facing.

Daryl stabbed into the skull of closing walker before he caught sight of the men from the base running across the street. Charlene growled, "Daryl!-"

"LEFT! Go left!"

She didn't waste any time plowing her kabar into the skull of the zombie standing in her way. Her glock clicked on empty. She shoved it in her waistband and began swinging her hatchet to clear the way for them. They broke into a dead sprint alongside the chain link fence. The dead pursued tirelessly behind them.

She felt the gritty fingers brush against her skin- Charlene yelped and swung her hatchet forcefully. She completely swept the head of the beast from his shoulders. A calloused, rough hand gripped her free hand and tugged her along. Charlene struggled to keep up with the speed of Daryl's sprint. She faintly heard him snarl through her haze of adrenaline, "COME ON, WOMAN!"

They stopped where the men had climbed the fence just to watch them speed off in a pickup truck. Daryl gripped her hips and grunted with effort as he tossed her up the fence. Her fingers grasped the sun-heated links and climbed furiously. The fence shook with their weight as Daryl followed closely behind her. She registered the growing proximity of the moans of the horde of undead and dropped from the top of the fence- her boots clattered loudly against the concrete.

Charlene laid eyes on another rusty pickup sitting near where the other's had left. She grabbed Daryl's arm and tugged him to follow her. The man growled, "You need keys-"

"Don't doubt me, Dixon." She hopped into the cab and stabbed into the ignition with her bowie. Daryl slammed the door to the passenger side just as the truck roared to life. He shot her a rare grin- Charlene returned it as she floored the truck out of the little lot. "Let's go save Shane's ass again." She muttered between gritted teeth while Daryl struggled to keep in his seat.

He grabbed onto the dashboard as the truck swung out from the jerk of her turn. The engine roared as it raced faster and faster along the dirt road. The tires skidded wildly as they turned onto the highway. Daryl yelped amid the violent fish tail of the pickup, "FUCK WOMAN!"

Charlene shot him a delighted grin. They caught sight of the two trucks ahead. Shane swerved violently as bullets shattered the back window. He shoved Derek down into the floorboard, "KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN KID!"

Shane jerked his body as he felt a bullet whiz past his neck- he shot a glance back and fired his glock once. The bullet struck one of the men standing in bed of the pickup. The rearview mirror reflected another truck speeding his way. Shane's growl died in his throat when Daryl crawled out and sat on the passenger side window and began firing his shotgun over the top of the truck. One of the men fell from the speeding vehicle. Shane whooped loudly, "GET EM' BOY!"

Charlene shouted over the hail of gunfire, "HOLD ON!" The rusty pickup veered into the enemy men's. They screeched on contact- their truck swerved and fell behind as Charlene jerked the steering wheel and struggled for control of the wavering truck. Daryl dropped back into the passenger seat, "You get em'-" Her question was cut off as their window shattered and hailed glass down on them. They ducked their heads and Charlene swerved the truck from rapid path of gunfire, "FUCK!"

Her lips pursed as her thoughts ran wild. A hostile group was pursuing them and they were headed back to their camp. "They don't know there are three trucks." She suddenly said, her eyes wide with a realization. Daryl ducked his head again as a bullet tore off the side mirror, "The fuck you goin' on 'bout?"

Charlene smiled manically. "Their group! They don't know there's a third truck!" Daryl gave her a look like she had finally lost it causing the woman to laugh with another swerve. "Their group is going to come looking for them- if they find two crashed trucks- they'll assume we survived and won't pursue any tracks! The camp will be safe!"

A horrified look crossed the hunter's face. "You're fuckin' crazy woman! If you think I'm gonna-"

She jerked her head down as another bullet entered the cab. "Fucking shit!" Charlene grimaced as she handed him the glock. "I'm gonna pull up beside Shane- you need to jump into the bed and defend his truck."

The man shook his head with a snarl, "And what are you gonna do?" His face was incredulous at her glock in his hand. Charlene swerved again as she closed in on Shane's truck. "I'm gonna hope I make the jump! NOW GO!"

"Jump-" Charlene gave him a shove as he crawled out of the passenger side window and ignored his words. Her lips were pressed thin as he fell into the bed of Shane's truck- she sighed with relief. "Sweet fuckin' Jesus let me make this."

She swung her driver's side door open and it was suddenly ripped off in a scream of metal and flying sparks. She covered her face in sudden fear and confusion- her truck swerved violently with the impact of another. She felt the wind of a bullet pass by too close for comfort.

Daryl sat up in the bed of truck in time to see the man in the bed of pursuing vehicles truck leap into Charlene's. The woman jerked in her seat as the hostile approached the back window. She growled through her teeth, "Not this time, bitch." And floored the truck- she approached the bed where Daryl sat attempting to cover her.

Now or never.

Charlene sucked in a deep breath as she slammed on the brakes and twisted the wheel violently- she made a leap of faith from the drivers side for the tailgate of Shane's truck- the scream of terror never left her throat as her hands gripped the handle of the tailgate and it jerked open violently. She felt her body rip backwards and her shoulder wrench against her failing hold.

The sudden realization that she was going to die was cut off as a calloused hand gripped the waistband of her jeans and swung her into the bed of the truck. Charlene's body crashed into Daryl's- she covered her ears as the sound of metal crashing into metal screamed in the blazing sun of Georgia. They looked up in time to see one truck flip vertically into the air over the barreling truck Charlene had just left.

Shane cheered loudly, swinging his fist in the air, "FUCK YEAH!"

The breath rushed back into her lungs as she fell back against the bed of the truck. Daryl was shifting away and slammed the tailgate shut. Charlene spoke over Shane's joyful jeers.

"Thanks for saving my ass again."

"Stop doing stupid shit woman."

Her eyes located the angered glare from Daryl. She smiled weakly as the pain from the events fully hit her. She sat up slowly- resting against the side of the truck. Charlene attempted to move her arm and had to bite back a yelp.

Daryl muttered more to himself than her. "Crazy fuckin' woman." He caught her pained wince as she shifted in the bed jerking it's way up the mountain. After that highway chase he really couldn't ignore that Charlene's loyalties were firm. A coward doesn't crash a truck intentionally so others could live- an idiot maybe; but at least she was a loyal idiot.

Regardless of her merciless and completely fucking stupid heroics, Daryl could rest easy knowing she'd have his back- he didn't mind so much returning that favor either.


Hope y'all enjoyed the chapter! Thanks for reading and reviewing guys!