Thanks for the wait and understanding. I recently went through my high school senior yearbook and it brought back some sad memories. I wanted to show my friends, but it caused a bit of depression in the process. Enjoy!
Two months had passed since the fall of Woodbury. Angela fulfilled her role and within a month made a defence with the trees around the prison. She had some help from the new members from Woodbury, including Sasha and Tyreese. Angela learned about the siblings, seeing Sasha as the tough nut and Tyreese and a softie. They're duties were to guard the people as they chopped down dead trees and collected the wood for their plans. Daryl, Michonne, and Merle left every other day to make searches for the Governor. Always returning with no news, but never empty handed. It was informed there were wild pigs in the woods, Merle tried to hunt them down but proved harder than imagined.
Angela was responding and handling things better everyday, but had relapses whenever a walker was put down. She wasn't ready for a run or to clear the fencing when walkers started lining up along them. Winter wasn't as harsh as last year, in fact, it snowed very little sparing them.
The Dixon brothers took the hunt for the Governor with Michonne constantly, to a point that they were gone for more than a day at a time. The first time this happened, Angela was panicking all night until they arrived home the following afternoon. Daryl didn't leave her side for three days after that. Merle was finding this a sick thing, he would annoy his brother constantly on toughening her out. He even offered to spend a day to which most of the members were against.
More people were found, making the prison numbers grow over time. They built a new gate and fixed the courtyard to an eatable and cookable area. It was turning into a real home for the members.
Another thing that Daryl has taken notice to Angela was not only her readjustment, but her attachment toward him. Whenever he got back, she would hug and kiss him, then grow more physical with him. He had gotten used to sleeping in the same beds as he thought it was a coping for her. Only were they alone on watch or just sitting in their cell did she get like this. Daryl wasn't uncomfortable, but he felt lost on how to respond. Angela would nuzzle and kiss his neck and he liked it, wanting it to continue. Something inside made his gut grow warm letting her continue. But he would ignore it or tell her he was tired to avoid something happening. Her hands would skim over his chest and stomach at night when she slept in the same bed as him. Daryl could be imagining it, after all he never thought he'd be thinking someone would want this with him, but Daryl Dixon thought Angela was seeking deeper in their relationship. Deeper as in-
"She wants sex, man." Merle suddenly told, as he heard his brother pour out his conundrum. "How many times does your buddy gotta tell ya that's what it is?" He laughed as the two walked through the woods. "Or is communication a bit weak?"
Daryl groaned to himself, seeing this conversation was a huge mistake as Merle bellowed a laugh behind him. It's not that he wasn't getting signals down below, he just froze up at times not knowing how to respond. Unlike Merle who slept around almost getting every sex disease under the sun, Daryl just worked on bikes and kept to himself.
Michonne was with them but wandered off somewhere else, claiming to spot something in the distance. The two let her go, knowing she could handle her own but Daryl kept his ears open for her.
"She finally shows something and ya denying it from her?" Merle chuckled passing Daryl. "That's cruel, brother."
Daryl looked to him, "There's too much goin' on to let it happen." he excused.
"Yeah? Try telling that to the love birds- or horny birds, really." Merle countered.
"Glenn n' Maggie ain't the best examples." He muttered.
Merle shrugged, "Well, y'know where to go for some gloves." he added.
Daryl heaved another sigh, pausing to turn to his brother. "It's somethin' else, Angie wouldn't act like this without reason."
Merle gave him a look, "Sex is a reason, numb nuts." he bluntly told him. "What other reasons do ya need?"
"Angie was never like this before, not since the incident with her sister." He shrugged. "Doesn't seem like her. She always kept her distance n' talked more than-"
Merle rolled his eyes, "If ya wanna keep her, bro," he raised his rifle as he spotted a racoon at the base of a tree. "Ya better make a move."
An arrow pierced the raccoons gut, stabbing it into the tree. Merle looked over seeing his brother walk over and rip the raccoon from the tree and held it up. The older Dixon shook his head, "Can shoot into a coon but not his woman. Dare I call ya my brother." he told passing by him.
Was Merle right? Daryl followed as the two continued their search/hunting. The one time he actually goes to his brother for advice, why did he not expect to get the answer Merle gave. Man up, grow some balls, all the usual things he's said to him growing up. What if someone else did come into Angela's life? There were many more people, including the new group they had found a week back. Whenever they found people, three questions were put together to ask them.
How many walkers were killed.
How many people were killed.
Why?
These questions were a golden rule for everyone to go by. Merle followed as well in asking, but rarely did he feel okay with any stranger they picked up during searches or runs.
Daryl focused his mind to searching the best he could with his brother. Three months and no sign of the Governor. Most hoped he was long dead and others thought he'd come back anyway for revenge. Daryl wouldn't allow that to Angela. Every day he went out, Daryl hoped she would voice out in joining. But when mentioned, she simply kissed his cheek and wished him to be careful early morning. It wasn't like her, but he was willing to do whatever to help her.
"Haven't seen Dreadlocks in a while." Merle noted, looking around the thick trees to try and spot Michonne.
"Gettin' concerned?" Daryl asked, earning a short laugh from his brother.
Some twigs had snapped behind them, the brothers turned seeing Michonne 're weapons up but lowered once they spotted her. "Where ya been?" Daryl asked.
"Found what we were looking for." She told, turning around expecting them to follow.
With hesitance, the brothers followed her. They stepped over branches and past through trees until a clearing was shown. Michonne shushed them, mostly Merle, as they spotted a chestnut horse grazing in a meadow. It had no sign of any ownership, it must have escaped a farm nearby. It was just chilling in the field chewing at whatever grass it could eat, not a care in this dangerous world. Michonne shared a look with Daryl, then they both looked to Merle. Question was, who would catch the horse?
"I swear, you boys grow up fast." Angela commented, smirking at Carl who was blushing as checked over their makeshift stalls for animals. "Sure, girls mature fast, but I didn't expect your voice to crack so soon."
"It didn't crack." He denied, clearing his throat as it sounded deeper than before.
"Oh, it didn't?" She inquired, raising a brow as he nailed in the wooden fencing. "I could've sworn-"
"Yes, it cracked!" He told, covering his mouth as it cracked once again in a pitch.
Angela chuckled and patted his back. "I'm just kidding, Carl. You're lucky you get only a voice crack and some acne here or there."
"Well, at least I haven't had any acne problem so far." He told, standing from kneeling in the dirt.
Angela sigh suddenly, "If lucky you'll be spared." she told. "But, that's something you should be worrying about. Instead of…" She turned letting her gaze fall on the walkers against the fence line. Some members were in charge of clearing them off, stabbing them through the fence holes.
Carl looked over, frowning when he noticed she was staring longer than she should be. "Ever rode a horse?" He asked, hoping to get her mind back on track.
It worked, as she looked to him and then back down to hammering nails in. "Nah, always wanted to though." She told, reaching down to pick up more nails. "When my family first moved from Delaware to Savannah, he told me how my sister and I can learn to ride horses. There aren't many ranches back in Delaware."
Carl chuckled, "There weren't many in Savannah, either." He countered. "Maybe Maggie can teach us." He suggested.
Anela smiled at him, "It would be fun." she agreed with a nod. The thought of riding a horse or interacting with one was something to look forward to.
"Hey!"
The two looked over seeing someone calling them as three figures were jogging towards the gates. Carl and Angela instantly dropped everything and bolted toward the gate seeing Michonne, Daryl and Merle returning. With a new contraption set up on the gates, it required two or more people to open it. Carl took the rope on one end and Angela the either, the two yanked hard opening the gate. The three entered, pausing once they were in the safety of the prison. Angela and Carl released the ropes, slamming the gate with sighes. Rubbing her sore hands on her jeans, she turned her attention to Daryl, jogging over and hugging him instantly. Daryl was used to this and hugged her back, despite the look his brother still gave to this day. Though now, after his talk with Merle, he instead sent the little brother a perverse knowing grin. Daryl flipped him off behind Angela's back as she pulled back.
"Any luck?" She asked, looking up with her hands around his waist.
Daryl used his free hand to show a possum and two racoons by the tails. "It's not much-"
Angela stepped back a bit more, Michonne and Carl walking ahead as Merle stayed behind. "I meant the other thing."
Daryl dropped his hand to his side, the animal corpses hitting his leg. "We saw a horse, Michonne's gonna get what we need n' bring it back."
"Were there others?" She asked.
Daryl shrugged, moving his hand to her back to indicate to walk back up the prison. "Possibly." He answered, walking up the path with her as Merle walked ahead of them. He snatched the dead rodents, as he and Daryl agreed he'd prepare them.
Angela nodded, looking down to the dirt path for a moment. "Any sign of him?" She asked hesitantly, knowing the answer.
Daryl glanced to her, not needing to tell her they didn't. "If we had," Came Merle as he turned to them. "We would've held a party and have his head with us, wouldn't we?" He questioned, earning a look from the two.
"I was just asking." She countered at him. "You could've just killed him and left his body to be fed by the walkers, for all I care."
Merle chuckled, shaking his head and turned to march back to the cells. Angela glared the back of his head, feeling anger boil in her just for him talking to her. Daryl's hand reached her back, she was fine until Merle opened his big mouth. The two didn't get along well still, but at least she wasn't barking at him or starting fights like before.
Getting to the cells, Merle trudged up the stairs to his secluded cell as his baby brother and Angela entered their own, moving the curtain that gave them privacy. The curtains were found on a run Glenn and Maggie went on a few weeks back. At first, they were thought to be useless, until Carol had the idea of using them for the cells. Merle made a crude joke about not having windows, Carol showed him when she hung a curtain in his cell and 'accidently' shut the door on him. Merle didn't argue about the curtains since.
The cell the two shared had changed over time. The bunk bed had been taken down and now the beds were sitting beside one another in the corner. It took room but the two didn't mind, as most of their items were in the corner until they found more shelving units to use. Stacked by the entrance were books Daryl collected for her to read at night. They seemed to help her through the night when he went on watch duty, leaving her alone in the cell. The stacks weren't the usual books, nothing of fantasy or fiction. Knowing her well, he collected history and world books for her. As Angela sat on the edge of the bed, Daryl placed his crossbow in the corner eyeing the books up.
"Did ya read them all?" He asked, earning a nod. Daryl bent down to pick one up that was titled 'The Great 1925 Race of Mercy'. "Ain't this from the reading collection Carol collected?"
"Oh yeah, Carol had a look through and she thought I'd like it better. Seems the kids voted and it was taken out." Angela shook her head, "Shame, it was a favorite when I was a kid." she told.
"Ain't this a fiction? Thought ya hated fiction." He said, skimming through the pages.
Angela chuckled, standing and taking the book. "I don't hate fiction, I just don't favor it." She flipped through the book and sat back down. "Besides, this isn't fiction. It's a real story about a dog who saves an entire town from an deadly illness. It could've wiped out all of Nome, Alaska."
Daryl gave her a weary look, hands shoved lazily into his pockets. "A dog savin' a whole town? Sounds pretty fictional."
"So does that Chupacabra." Daryl gave her a look, she shrugged with a chuckle. "Carol told me about the story you told once. It is a bit far fetched." She laughed behind her hand.
Daryl chewed his lip nodding with a grin. "Far fetched, huh?"
Angela stood, using the book as a shield knowing that look. "Daryl, don't you dare." She warned.
"Ya find it so funny, why dontcha laugh?" He tackled her onto the bed and started tickling her ribs. Angela screeched out and laughed loudly, trying to squirm from him. "Ain't so funny, ain't it?"
"I give! Uncle!" She cried, tears pricking her eyes as he ruthlessly kept rubbing her sides. "Mercy, Daryl!"
"Say it! Say it's real." He demanded, reaching up to her wrists and holding her down against the bed.
Finally catching her breath, she sighed and smiled up at him. With a warmth building in her chest, Angela reached up to kiss the tip of his nose. "It's real."
Daryl felt that sensation he got whenever she showed affection. Remembering his brother's words, he moved to lay beside her, allowing her to wrap her arms around his waist and snuggle into his chest. His eyes fell on the curtain, seeing it was pulled and no one could see. He felt something touch his face, looking down he moved his head back out of instinct when Angela's fingers were seen in his sights.
"You're hair is growing out." She commented softly. "It'll be one hair cut session for you and Carl."
Daryl whipped his head to the side, letting the bangs sway out of his face to see her. "I'll live. I never do good with haircuts." He muttered.
Angela reached up to play with his strands, she remembered first meeting him when his hair held a lighter brown shade. They were now on a dark brunette side, her fingers moved down his cheek. Her eyes fell down to the facial hair that had grown on him. He rarely tended to it, but she noticed he never let it grow out like Hershel's beard or Rick's growing one.
"Your's is growin' too." He told, seeing her hair combed to the side finally able to hide the scar on the side of her head. Though the fresh scar on her face was still visible, Angela didn't use mirrors as often but didn't try to hide it.
"Only a little." She told, twisting his hair between her fingers.
"Havin' fun?" He asked, looking down at her with gentle eyes.
"Wish it wouldn't end." She whispered, reaching up to kiss his cheek.
After all these months and the two still haven't shared a true first kiss. It was either never the right moment, got interrupted, or Daryl turning away. They hugged, kissed each others cheeks, held hands, Daryl even held her in his sleep during the night. Angela was sure he didn't know he was doing it, as the first time he deeply apologized when one morning she woke up with his arms around her waist. She shyly told her it was fine, soon moving to a habit of sorts in his sleep.
Angela knew he wasn't one to show affection in public and she respected that. But when she showed signs of a hug or something, he returned it in the privacy of their cell.
"Do you have to go?" She asked with a bit of a whine as he laid his head down on the pillow beside her. He tangled his fingers into hers to comfort, hearing the strain in her voice. "You just got back."
"Won't be gone too long. Just a short run Rick wants to go on." He assured softly, rubbing his thumb across her boney knuckles.
Angela sighed and turned her head, wrapping her arm around his waist and pressing her head into his shoulder. "Last time, you weren't back until evening. I thought-"
"Stop." He told, tucking his arm under her to hold her close in. "Only a Dixon can kill a Dixon." Something he's told her since they first met.
She shook her head. "Why can't you just stay for more than a few hours to a whole day?" She asked, looking to him with pleading eyes.
Daryl kissed the top of her head and sighed as he rested his head on her's. "I want ya safe, Angie. If it takes goin' out there to find that sum a bitch everyday."
"Maybe he's finally dead." She suggested, moving to sit up and look down at him. "He would've had an army back by now, maybe he saw Woodbury and died there. Kill himself, got eaten, or anything."
Daryl saw how much she wanted him to stay, every day he left was a heavy painful wait on Angela's heart. She moved the bangs from his face again, moving her body on the bed. Angela made Daryl flinch as he saw her straddle her leg over his side and sat on his stomach. Adjusting her spot, she leaned down to rest her chest on his stomach, Daryl felt her petite breasts against his chest. She raised her hand holding his up, kissing the back of his hand as she moved up kissing his cheek.
Daryl froze just as her lips passed his jaw and towards his neck. The words his brother said echoed out in his mind. Sex; Angela wanted sex. Can he do that? People were in the cell block, in the middle of the morning. He could hear Beth greet Rick in his cell just god damn next door. Hershel's voice and the cooing and Judith as well. Merle could be heard from above laughing, possibly at something someone said or some crude magazine he found.
He closed his eyes, trying to allow himself to relax and allow her soft kisses against his collar bone. Her free hand reached up to unbutton the shirt, as the other moved his fingers over his hand in his grip. Nothing was giving her the indication to stop, the breathing through her nose against his hot skin made him flinch and within that instant, he became alert. He shot up , knocking Angela off his chest and untangled his hand from hers.
"Woah, Daryl!" She cried, almost falling off the bed as he rushed to the edge.
"Gotta check the bike." He excused in a rushed manner, leaving the cell in a hurry.
In a bit of a daze, Angela moved to sit at the edge of the bed and spotted Daryl's crossbow by the entrance. With a roll of her eyes, she slipped on her boots and grabbed the heavy thing, leaving her cell.
"Chased him out, Hot Head?" Angela turned scowling at the sight of the older Dixon above. He chuckled, resting his arms on the railing. "Going too strong, girl. Don't wanna scare him off."
Deep redness showed on her cheeks, how could this perverted old Dixon know what they were doing? "It's none of your business, Pig." She spat at him and spun around to catch up with Daryl.
Merle rubbed his chin, shaking his head. He glanced to the side and nodded in the direction she ran off to. "Months and hasn't had a ride on my baby brother yet."
Kaylee shook her head, back to the railing as she sat hugging her knees. "I really don't care." She told looking up at him. "You should talk to her when Daryl leaves"
"'Bout what? How to give some loving?" Merle tilted his head but gave a look. "Not my type, sorry."
"It's for your own good." She advised, appearing at his other side. "Nervous as a long-tail cat in a room full of rocking chairs, you are." Merle gave an annoyed groan, rolling his eyes.
"Tell her and I go away." She told with ease, leaning her elbow on the railing. "I've been telling you for months, that's how it works."
"I've lasted with worst tortures." He dismissed, turning to return to his tattered unkempt cell. He moved the curtain and plopped onto the bed with a sigh.
"We'll see." She sang out, peeking down from the bunk above him where he kept his shit. Merle glared at her and laid back in his bed with his hand behind his head.
Angela jogged out of the prison to find Daryl at the front gate, poncho on and tending to his bike in a quicker manner than usual. He kept wiping his cleaning rag and kneeling down at different spots around the motorcycle. Angela walked over just as he stood and cleaned the handlebars were walker blood was spotted. He must of had a run in with them, hence the cleaning.
Out in the yard, Hershel had gotten Rick out of his cell to talk. As Rick approached Hershel, he used one of his crutches and slammed the end onto the ground. "Here." He said.
Rick gave the yard a once over, seeing the dead grass start to fade as they cut the once was long grass a while ago. Making it easier to move around the yard in case the children wanted to play.
"What is?" Rick asked, hand resting on his Colt as the other had his thumb tucked in his belt.
"Those feral pigs in the forest, it doesn't take much to domesticate them. Same with the horses we've seen, Carl and Angela finished the stable. Maggie plans on taking a few out to round them up." Hershel explained. "We have seeds. We can grow our own food. It's time we started planting."
Rick nodded, looking at the dirt then back up at Hershel. "Okay." He nodded, glancing toward the gate as he saw Angela approach Daryl with his crossbow.
Hershel shook his head, "Can't do it myself." he told gaining Rick's attention again.
Rick then got the gist of what Hershel was saying and gave a short smile, pointing toward the couple at the gate. "I got to go out there. Go on runs, be at the fences."
Hershel took a step closer, "I teach you how to do this." he started. "You teach Carl. We're gonna be here a while."
"They need me." Rick insisted, not favoring what Hershel was telling him.
"We've been here two months. You've made it work." He insisted. "The war is over, Rick."
"No, we don't know that." He denied, shaking his head and refusing to make eye contact. "Still need to go on runs, keep the searches going." His eyes fell toward the couple, watching Angela try to tak to Daryl about something. He could hear the hunter changing the subject left and right.
Hershel tilted his head, trying to keep his attention on him. "I'm talking about you." He looked over seeing Angela then back to Rick. "I'm saying it, and I'm saying this, you pull Carl back from going out there, fine. He shot that boy."
"Yeah, I know." Rick quickly replied.
"He's lost a best friend, and he needs his father." Hershel insisted, trying to get Rick to see reason. "He needs his father to show him the way. What way are you going to show him?"
Rick stayed silent, finally listening intently to Hershel's words. His eyes casted down, feeling the emotions weigh heavily on his shoulders.
"He can shoot, we know that." He continued. "What's his life going to be? What's yours?" The once was farmer gestured to the field. "All this."
Rick looked around, seeing he was meaning the entire prison as a home. He was going to have this safe life for his son. Hershel looked down at the ground watching Rick shift his footing, eager to get on that run.
"I'm just saying everything, because I owe you. We all owe you." He told.
"A few don't owe me a thing." He insisted, hearing Angela's voice in the distance as he rubbed his brows.
Hershel looked over seeing something going on between Daryl and Angela. She moved to sit against the gate, now watching silently as Daryl continued with the bike. "Kaylee's death is not your fault."
Rick shook his head, "I could've done better to keep her safe." he told looking up at him. "Keep a better eye on her, lock down, maybe?"
"Rick." Hershel reached up, placing a hand on his shoulder to get his attention. He didn't want Rick to go full guilt mode. "You couldn't keep her from doing what she thought was right. We'll never know what she was thinking when she went after Merle."
Rick swallowed thickly, nodding. "Maybe she just wanted to die somewhere else, anywhere else than here."
"Maybe, but what's happened, happened. We can make this better now." He told, resting his hands now on the handles of the crutches. "Better for all of us."
"Things changing in here doesn't change things out there." Rick said, not believing his words.
"No, it doesn't. But we're here today, right now." Hershel gave a hoping smile. "This is a good place to start."
The sound of Daryl's motorcycle engine roared gaining Rick's attention again. Angela leaned over, unable to hear the couple over the engine's revving. "There's a run soon." Rick excused. "I got to go."
"No, you don't." Hershel stated with a grin. Rick stepped back, clearly thinking deeply over the conversation.
Angela sat at the bus watching the farming starting to happen. Daryl had left about an hour ago and she sat there waiting for his return as usual. She didn't know how, but Hershel convinced Rick and Carl to start digging for a garden to grow. Beth stood by holding Judith, laughing and and chuckling. Carl was struggling with the shovel, his father approached him showing the correct way. When Carl tried, his hat fell off to which Rick picked up and dusted the dirt off. He placed it on Beth's head, prompting laughter in the group. Carl dug a few times, looking up to match eyes with Angela. Rick spotted her, stabbing the shovel into the dirt and turning to approach as he slipped on gloved Hershel gave him. Angela grew weary, looking away as if she didn't know if his approach.
"Angie?" He called gaining her attention. "Wanna help us garden? The more green thumbs, the better."
"I better not." She shrugged, squinting in the distance. "You saw what happened when I tried once before."
"Hershel's guiding us, Carl's learning too." He insisted, raising his hand to shadow over his eyes to see her.
She shook her head, leaning her chin into her palm as her elbow rested on her knee. "I'll just wait here."
Rick took a breath, looking toward the outer fence of the prison. He knew she'd want to stay there until Daryl got back. But, he was hoping there'd be something to occupy her for the time being. He could be gone for a long time again.
"Get your riding boots on, Angie." Angela looked down seeing Maggie stroll over toward the bus with Michonne. She frowned when the brunette grinned up at her. "We're gonna catch us some horses."
Angela felt more tense finally being outside the prison, she hasn't left since her sister's death. The group agreed she was alright enough to have her gun and a new weapon was on her hip. It was founded by Rick and Daryl suggested she have it, as the double sided axe she had once before went missing during the mission to Woodbury. The smaller axe was lighter with a hook shape, able to slice and stab walkers. So far, it was clean and unused, sitting in it's holster at her hip.
Walking through the woods with Maggie and Michonne, she kept silent as Michonne was leading them to where she last saw the horses. They all had ropes to lead them back if able to catch them, Maggie said it shouldn't be too hard.
"How many horses did you see?" Maggie asked.
"I saw this chestnut one that wanders alone, but it was followed by a few more. Maybe four or so." Michonne answered, raising branches up for the two.
"We'll bring back one at a time. We don't know how tame these horses are or were." Maggie instructed, ducking under the branch.
Angela followed behind Maggie, her eyes darting about. She turned back almost letting a large spider web hit her face, she went around a tree jogging to catch up to the ladies. Maggie watched her, promising Rick to keep an eye out on her. So far, no walkers were sighted much to Angela's relief. But she knew how much they love to just pop out of nowhere.
"So, how are things?" Maggie asked gently as she walked beside Angela.
"Things are things." Angela responded with a shrug.
Maggie stepped over a log, "I saw you and Daryl talking, everything okay?" she asked.
Angela glanced up to the brunette and sighed. She felt the need to talk to someone about them, wo else to trust than Maggie. "Well-"
"Shh." Came Michonne, holding a hand up behind her. The two silenced as they crept up next to Michonne seeing the chestnut horse she saw earlier. "I got dibs." She said, railing out the rope and emerging from the trees.
Maggie and Angela slowly stayed behind, not wanting to spook the horse. Maggie had the lasso rope ready to wrangle the horse. She spoke softly to it, as it huffed through his large nostrils and stepped back. Michonne paused, muttering assurance as she got closer. The horse allowed her to step up, soon returning to eating the dead grass. Angela watched, near holding her breath as the horse nickered and trotted away from Michonne.
"Slowly, we can't risk it making a fuss." Maggie told in a low voice.
Michonne moved closer, and risked having her lasso tossed toward it's neck. It shockingly make it around the horse's neck and it instantly didn't like that. Maggie ran over, grabbing the rope to help Michonne from getting yanked. Angela stood by awkwardly, not knowing what to do. Sooner or later, the horse stopped kicking and pulling, once Maggie held hands up at the creature.
"It's been tamed before, must have escaped a farm." Maggie informed, seeing the creature finally calming down. Michonne approached, holding her hand up to his snout, it twitched from her hand at first. But them Michonne tried again, the horse letting her pet her snout.
"Wow, it worked." Angela said, being distant to the horse.
Maggie smiled over at her, "Come greet her, Angela." she offered.
"It's a she?" Angela asked, keeping her hands closed fearful it would bite her fingers off if she reached out.
The horse got skittish, making the three women grow tense. She snorted and stepped back, tugging the rope in Michonne's hands. "Something is spooking her." Michonne cooed at the horse, petting its neck.
"Is it me?" Angela thought, pointing at herself.
"Well, horses do smell fear." Michonne stated, smiling as she felt the light brown mane on the horse. "She seems thin, must be starving."
"We'll get her some good food and get her strength up." Maggie assured, petting her snout as she nickered at her. "Once strong enough, we'll see if she's rideable."
Angela stood there still feeling awkward, "Are there other horses?" she asked.
Maggie and Michonne looked around, not seeing any other horses within the open meadow. "Could be, let's get this girl back and if we have time, we'll search for more."
Agreeing, Angela sidestepped for the two women to lead the horse toward the prison. She gave them large space, not wanting to be kicked by the horse or spook her. As she turned to follow, Angela heard what sounded like snorting in the distance. She looked toward the others, and took out her axe to follow the sound. It was signalled once she heard a whinny, she hurried through the brush and found another horse in a small meadow. The large creature was different than any horse back at the farm. It had large white and dark brown splotches, proving to be a pinto breed. It's main matched his coat, having a pattern of black, white, black white from head to back. The tail was long and white with the bottom trims being black.
Angela was inthralled by this horse as it chewed and bit at some berry bushes. Yes, she saw the horses on Hershel's farm and was close to the one the ladies had just caught. But, this one felt different to Angela. She watched the dark eyes of this creature look around, it seemed calm as if unknown to the dangers around it. Looking down at her rope, Angela took a step accidently having a twig snap under her boot. The horse whinnied and turned, neighing loudly and kicking its legs up once it spotted Angela.
"Hey, hey!" She yells to it, trying to have it hear over it's stomping and roaring. "I'm not gonna hurt you! I just-!"
It takes a chance to charge at her, causing Angela to jump into a thorn bush with a cry. The horse circles and runs past her into the dense trees.
"Ow, shit, ow." She hissed, clamoring out of the bush with thorns and stickers sticking into her skin. Her arms and legs stuck out, as she bent and reached over plucking the spiky bastards from her legs and arms.
"Angela? Angela!" Called out Michonne, as she burst through the trees with her sword ready. She sighed, frowning at the sight of a thorn and sticker covered Angela.
"Hi." She awkwardly said, waving her hand with a wince.
"I wasn't expecting you to just wander off when we got danger at every corner out there." Rick scolded, as Hershel tended to her cuts and plucked off the stickers remaining on her arm. She yelped and hissed at each one he yanked off.
"Rick, I'm sorry. I heard the horse and had to see if it was catchable." She tried explain. "I thought maybe-Ow!"
Hershel grinned as he placed the tweezers down, picking up the bandaids. "That was stuck real deep." He told, placing the bandage on her cut.
Angela sighed, placing her hand in her lap sitting on her bed. "Thank you, Hershel." She turned her attention back to Rick who stood in the doorway. "I thought maybe-"
"You thought you could handle it yourself?" He questioned, clearly not wanting excuses. Rick's hands tightly on his thin hips, looking down at her as if a child disobeying a rule. "We don't know where the Governor is and you go off on your own?"
Angela glowered at his tone. "I was about, what, ten feet or so from the two? I said I was sorry, why are you treating me like a kid?"
Rick sighed, pinching his brows. "I just- I don't want anything to happen to you. We can't risk having anyone go out alone."
Angela stood, blocking Hershel from leaving the cell as he sat on the edge Daryl's side of the bed. "You go out there alone all the time? You think we don't notice?"
"That's different." He argued, looking toward her.
"No it's not. Merle gets to go out alone too, as does Michonne. But when it comes to me, you want me locked up like some dog." She spat at him, band-aid covered fingers curled into fists.
Rick pointed a finger at her. "You're not allowed to leave this prison until Daryl gets back."
Angela gave a mocking laugh. "Oh, what's he going to do? Ground me for life? He's not my gaurdian and neither are you."
"No, but I am-"
"Not letting me out there. You think I'll just curl into a ball like the many times before, crying like a baby, and get eaten? Is that it!?" She barked at him.
"Yes!" He hollowered back. "You can't handle being out there, which means you can't protect yourself! You'll end up like Kaylee! Understand!?" Angela blinked back at his bark, stepping back to sit on the bed. Seeing she was submitting, his voice lowered. "I don't want you to go out there again, I can't-" Rick took a deep breath and left, rubbing his brows.
Hershel noticed her silence, patting her knee as he stood with his crutches. "He's worried is all, don't take it to heart that he's being mean."
"N-No, I get it." She stuttered, sniffling to keep her emotions in check. "I should've been…" Angela wiped her eyes, taking a shaky breath. "Sorry, Hershel. Um, can I be alone until Daryl gets back?"
"Sure thing, sweetheart." He gently told, turning and leaving her be. Hershel left the cell block to see Rick pacing left and right by the tables looking conflicted.
"She alright?" He asked, knowing he was a bit more harsh than he intended to be.
"She'll bounce back," Hershel told, moving to sat at the tables with a grunt. "She always has and will."
Rick shook his head, repeatedly rubbing his upper lip. He tried resisting in biting his knuckle, teeth marks already on his thumb and middle finger knuckles. "I went too far, didn't I?"
"You're just trying to protect her, Rick. We all are." Hershel tried to reason the worrying man. "Maybe she should join in the gardening." He suggested.
Rick nodded, pausing with a sigh and resting his hands on his hips. He kept expecting to feel his duty belt hang from his slender figure, but when he found none, he simply hooked his thumbs into his pockets.
"She'll be alright once Daryl returns." Hershel told, rubbing his palms on his knee, feeling the dirt in his fingernails. Feels like ages since he got that farming dirt soil on his calloused hands. "Her injuries are minimal."
"Tomorrow morning, I'll invite her to garden with Carl and me. Might be a good distraction." Rick offered.
Later that night, Daryl and his group of Merle, Tyreese, and Glenn showed no sign of returning. It was assumed they'd be back in the morning, since it wasn't the first time they were gone for more than a day. Dinner was made by Carol and everything slept contently in their warm cells and comfy beds. Once Angela was sure it was late enough, to a point her battery powered clock gave the time of 3:47am, she got to work. She dressed in new of dark blue jeans, her usual boots, black tank top under an off cream thick sweater, with her axe strapped to her hip and gun holstered to her thigh. With a small bag over her shoulder, she carried more bullet casings and rope for the needed mission.
Sneaking out of the cell block wasn't hard, as they barely had watchman at night, it was leaving the prison that would be difficult. Could be Maggie, Sasha, Michonne, or even Rick himself on watch tonight. Though she heard the sheriff snoring in the cell next door proved that being wrong. She didn't see Michonne in her's, meaning the samurai was on watch tonight.
Angela thought to try and take the back exit through the Tombs, but forgot that it was blocked off thanks to Glenn and Tyreese a few weeks back. Walking toward the side exit, she opened the door, pausing when it creaked so damn loudly. Biting her lip, cursing in her head, she slipped through the door and shut it tightly. Sticking to the shadows of the night, seeing the moon shine on the dark prison property, she spotted illumination of a flashlight or lantern in the far tower by the front gate. Michonne had to have been up there, Rick probably ordered her to keep watch for the night.
"Hey."
"Ahh!" Angela quickly covered her mouth, jumping a few feet from the ground at the whisper in her ear. She spun around to spot Michonne looking at her with a grin, almost content to have spooker her.
"Wait, aren't you- But the light- How did you?" Angela spaced out, now in a low whisper in fear of waking someone.
Michonne nodded, holding a hand up to silence her. "Just a small ruse. I actually went to your cell looking for you." She eyed her up. "I caught you just in time."
Angela huffed a sigh, her hands gripping the bag strap in a protective manner. "Don't stop me, Michonne. I have to prove to everyone I'm not some basket case needing to be treated like a defenseless child."
"I was going to go with you." Angela raised a brow at that. "I know what it's like, needing to prove something to someone."
Angela gulped, still unsure. "You're not going to report me to the sheriff?" She asked, turning her shoulder to her.
Michonne shrugged, "I could, but then how would you even get out without causing a scene with the walkers out there?" she countered.
Angela peeked over at the fence line, seeing the walkers wander left and right with nothing to do. Once sight of her and they'll go against the fences, the only silent way for her to get out without using the main gate. Sure, the main gate was safe, but the way to get out required assistance to opening it. She turned back to Michonne who held a smug brow at her.
"Okay, you win. But, why help me, Michonne? You don't think I can handle it, either?" She asked, folding her arms.
"It's not that I don't think you can, I just owe you." She said simply.
Angela was confused at this, dropping her arms to the side. "Owe me?"
Without answering, Michonne took lead into the prison yard. Angela followed after, heading towards the main gate. Michonne slide the gate open, as Angela stepped out with Michonne closing it behind them. Walkers started to gain attention, but thankfully they impaled themselves onto the wooden spikes Angela had setup weeks ago. Michonne stepped over the loge holding the spiks, making sure to keep herself from being scrapped by them. Angela repeated her actiosn, almost stumbling when a walker was marching towards them. Michonne was quick, slicing the head in half as the walker fell with a thud. Angela looked away, walking toward the woods with Michonne in suit.
The pair walked far from the prison, Angela using her flashlight to try and retrace their steps from this morning. They walked in silence as Michonne kept an eye out for any walkers. Whenever one would cross their path, Angela refused to look at the corpse and kept walking.
"What is it you wish to prove?" Michonne asked, whipping her blade to get rid of the walker blood on it.
"I want to prove to everyone I'm not some waste of space. Hell, Merle does more around the prison than I do." She spat with contempt.
"Everyone knows what you're going through, and want to wait until you're ready." She told in a low whisper to indicate for Angela to keep her voice down.
Angela shook her head, moving a branch over her head. "They treat me like they did back then, when I first thought my sister died."
"What did they do?" She asked.
"They kept a watch on me, I wasn't allowed near any weapons or to leave the property. It wasn't until I proved to Rick I can shoot and take care of myself." Angela explained, pausing to look back at her. "I was going to 'off' myself, to join her."
"They're worried." Michonne told. "But they haven't treated you like that. Here you are with a gun and axe on her body."
Angela nodded, turning back to continue her possibly lost trail. "Daryl helped me through a lot, it was before we found Merle, so he knew what it was like being alone in this world." She shrugged. "Once it was proved it was all a lie, things changed. But now…" Angela trailed off as her feet slowed down.
"It's different?" Michonne inquired.
"Yeah, Daryl has Merle but I lost Kaylee." Angela rubbed her eyes and turned to Michonne. "If I prove to Rick again, everything goes back to how they treat me."
"What would Daryl think if, you went out like this on your own?"
"He'd go after me for sure, drag me back or do what you're doing. Help me out." Angela answered.
Michonne nodded as they continued, pausing at a meadow as Angela tried to figure out which direction the horse could've gone in. Wanting to lighten the subject, but help as well, Michonne stepped up beside her.
"How are things going with Daryl and you? I knew you both were close when I first came around, but you're both inseparable." She grinned at the scarred women, giving the indication to start gossiping.
"Well, we have been together for a long while. Ever since the highway maybe- Wow, two years ago I think." Angela thought, flashing her light through the dense woods. "It wasn't until recently we started showing our true feelings, still getting the hang of it." She admitted sheepishly.
"Hm-hmm, heard all that this morning." Michonne raised a brow at her. "Him and Merle were talking about just that. Seems you got Daryl all confused."
"Confused?"
"He said you've been acting more attached than usual. Merle suspects… Sex?" She quipped, earning a blushing look from Angela. Thankfully, it was too dark to noticed as she looked back to focus on her searching.
"Um, I mean, if that's the message I was conveying-" Angela coughed into her hand feeling suddenly awkward to talk about this subject. "I honestly expected this talk with Maggie, no offense."
"No, you're fine. I was the one that heard Merle berating his brother, not her." Michonne said with a chuckle. "What's Daryl like when you two are together, if I may ask?"
"Oh, I'm sure this won't get to his ears. He's a bit more affectionate when we're alone. He'll snuggle, hold each other, he kisses me head or cheek." She told, with this soft smile gracing her lips in memory as her hands reaching to touch her boney cheek.
"What was the kiss like?" She asked.
Angela glanced over at her, "Oh, we haven't officially kissed yet." she told.
Michonne's jaw dropped, "That could be a problem." she purposed looking over at her as the dark night started to fade into early morning. "How long had Glenn and Maggie known each other before-"
"A week at best, I think." Angela pointed a finger at her. "You can't go by those two. They were have sexcipades all over the Greene property."
"Maybe that's why Daryl is confused. He seems to be a very insecure guy, with the way Merle treats him."
Angela turned her flashlight off, able to see now as the dark blue sky turned to a light blue. "What was it they said, exactly?"
Michonne stepped over a log looking over as Angela did the same. "Merle was guilting Daryl, as he claimed was 'denying' it from you. Daryl said it wasn't the best time with what's been going on."
"So, Merle was actually encouraging Daryl?" Angela was a bit surprised as Michonne nodded in confirmation. "I hope I wasn't scaring him. It took a long time for him to open up to me, let alone show affection when its just us."
"You gonna lay off him?" Michonne asked.
Angela shrugged, "I should give him time. Maybe talk to him when we get back." she suggested.
The sound of a snorting caught their attention. There they found the pinto again in a meadow in the distance. Bending low, the two women approached the open field, seeing the horse whinny and snort in the bushes. It stomped its hooves and seemed to be distressed over something as it kept bending its head down into the bushes. Michonne and Angela shared a look, she took the rope from her bag and slowly approached the horse. If she could get the horse while it was distracted, it would be easier to prove Rick and the others easier than she thought.
Of course, she felt her foot hook onto a root making her stumble into the horse's side. The creature let out a squeal as it stood on its back legs, kicking its front as if Angela was a threat. Angela stepped back, falling onto her backside as it kicked and had a fit. Michonne jumped in ready to help, but Angela got to her feet holding her hands up at her.
"No, we can't cause more panic to it." She told, turning her attention back toward the horse. "Sorry, hey! Shush, shhh." Angela tried to calm it down, but it kept backing up into the dense tree line feeling cornered by her.
Angela raised her hands up, accidently dropping the rope as she attempted to calm the beast. Michonne watched, hearing a hissing to her right finding a walker creeping up at her. She kicked the dead thing back and whipped out her sword, slicing its head. Once the body dropped, more started to come through the trees, attracted to the horse's loud cries.
"Angela!" Michonne called, trying to get her attention. "We gotta leave!"
"No, I can get it!" She barked back, finally able to get the horse to stop kicking about It still cried and whinnied at her.
Angela reached down for the rope, having the lasso ready to toss at the horse's neck. She heard a snarl and knew the horse didn't do that, finding walkers coming from behind her. Angela screamed, backing up into the horse, causing it to freak out. The walker reached over, eager to eat her flesh as she stood frozen as if a deer in the headlights. All she could hear was Michonne's yelling, the horse's cries, and the walker's snarling.
Acouvion- Right? It didn't feel right that this would be a problem with Angela, but need to set some connection with Merle to it all. Thanks!
RedVelvetPanPan- Thanks so much! I struggled with it, so I thought back on my old dating days in high school (HAHAHAhahaha….haha...ha) and how nervous I was with one guy I dated. I actually initiated a lot in my past relationships. Thanks again also for the patience and understanding. There's a petition out to get Gunn his job back, I highly recommend to sign if you support him!
Guest- Thanks so much! Merle always has to have a tough exterior on him.