Big thanks to Brandy, Carla and Abby for helping me out with this story.
I'm ecstatic to see such a response from you guys. Hopefully you'll enjoy where I take this story.
Daryl woke up with the sun blaring through the thin sheet that hung over the window. He sighed, damning that internal clock of his that always had him wake at the break of dawn. Now that they had entered the fall, the days were getting shorter so he could sleep in an extra few minutes everyday, but after last night, he wished he could just sleep the rest of the day away.
He rubbed his eyes, feeling those little eye crunchies on his fingers. He shouldn't have gone out with Merle the night before, but his brother had finally kept a job for longer than three months and he dubbed it a good idea to celebrate. Of course, celebration to Merle Dixon involved copious amounts of alcohol and closing down the bar they were in. By the time they crashed inside of the old trailer, it was closer to three and now it could barely be seven.
He was happy that he didn't have to work today, but he did remember that it was his first day of teaching an archery and wilderness class for Lori. He flopped back in his bed, wishing he had the power to say no to that woman, but Rick had done Daryl such a big favor with Merle that Daryl owed the sheriff back, and if Dixons were good for one thing, it was paying back favors and promises.
The other thing they were good at was avoiding people, or at least Daryl was. He wasn't the social butterfly that Merle was; he much preferred to nurse a beer and observe his surroundings. He was so used to being on alert; it just became second nature to him, to blend into the background and not be noticed. It wasn't the best way to live a life, but it seemed to work for him.
He sighed and got up, knowing he wanted to set up the grounds for his class beforehand and possibly think of a reason why this was a bad idea. As he grabbed his towel and made his way to the bathroom, he saw Merle sprawled out on the couch, passed out and dead to the world. He shook his head, and made his way to the bathroom to get ready for the day.
Even though Daryl was making noise with the drawers of his dresser, closing bedroom doors, and making a quick breakfast for himself, Merle never stirred. Daryl always figured his brother could sleep through anything and this just went to prove it. He figured by the time he got back, Merle would probably be gone and back at his own place. Daryl has a small metal trailer that barely fit himself, so Merle had to fend for himself by sharing an apartment with some other random, just out of jail guys. It made sense as Merle was in and out himself, and Daryl sometimes wished he and Merle could live together, so he could keep an better eye on his brother. That was how this whole teaching mess started.
Merle was fresh out of prison from a 18 month stint, and shortly after, he was caught stealing from a nearby bar. Rick came to Daryl and told him the situation. Rick was willing to help out a friend, but if it happened again, Merle would be violating his probation and be back in jail. Daryl made sure the money went back and got Merle a job at a warehouse, moving boxes around. When Lori found out about it, she was livid.
She was never a fan of Merle, and the fact that her husband had covered for him instead of sending his ass back to prison just increased the hatred for him. Daryl, trying to help out his best friend, told Lori he would make it up to her and now, here he was.
When he arrived at the YMCA on his motorcycle, he was surprised to see Lori arriving at the same time. She typically didn't work on Saturdays, instead wanting to stay home with Rick and the kids, so he was a little confused to see her.
She carried her travel mug of coffee in her hand and some paperwork in the other as she strolled right up. He was gathering his crossbow and bag when she finally made it to him.
"I don't want to admit that I was worried about you not showing up today, but I was a little anxious getting up this morning," Lori conceded.
"Don't break promises," Daryl murmured. "That why you're here? Making sure I showed up?"
"Well, I have four kids signed up so I didn't want to leave them stranded if you didn't," Lori started, walking into the building with Daryl following after her. "Most of them are older, twelve and thirteen, but I do have a six year old, with his mother's permission."
"Must be crazy," he gripped.
"Isn't that when you were learning how to shoot?" Lori challenged with an arched eyebrow. Daryl said nothing but put his bag down in her office. "It's ten classes, and if you're so against it, then I won't ask you again. But don't forget, you offered to help."
This was the thing that he liked about Lori—she's always been able to call him out on his shit and he respected that. Most people he grew up around just ignored him and let him do his thing. Lori pushed him out of his shell little by little, and when he was being an ass, she wasn't afraid to let him know it.
"We still using the back field?" Daryl asked anxiously, wanting to get this over with.
"Yeah, I had some of the pool staff block off an area and put safety signs around like you requested. You just need to setup the targets and grab the equipment from the gym room," Lori gave him a key to get the things he would need. He left the room silently and gathered his equipment.
He already inspected the small bows and they weren't terrible, just older. They were probably still better than the pieces of crap he used when he was younger so he couldn't complain. The field had been set up exactly like Lori had said and he set up the stands with the targets on them only about fifteen feet away. He placed one of them only ten feet away for the smaller kid, since he probably had no upper body strength yet and he didn't want to overwhelm him. He felt content with how things were set up and he remained busy getting the bows ready with the safety arrows and fingers guards.
Before he knew it, he heard Lori's voice carrying over the field and he looked up to see her leading a group of people over. He saw all boys in his group, teenagers with no parents with them. Then a young boy, practically sprinting to where he stood, and who he assumed to be the little boy's mother, talking with Lori. He stood up from his crouched position to get things started.
"Daryl, I got your group for you. This is Josh, Elliott, Michael, and Chase. This is Chase's mother, Beth. I told her she could watch over the class and keep an eye on Chase due to his age," Lori confirmed to Beth.
"Don't need my mom," Chase muttered as he went to grab the bow off the ground.
"Chase, don't touch anything until your teacher says you can," Beth spoke sternly. He watched the small boy stand up straight and drop the bow from his hand. He refused to move from his spot and would not look back at his mother. His mother just looked embarrassed that she has to yell at her child in front of complete strangers, but she had a point.
"I'll leave you guys be, but if you need anything Daryl, just call me on the walkie-talkie," Lori handed over the small electronic to him and he attached it to his pant loop. She gave Beth's shoulder a little squeeze and left the group to it.
"Okay guys, I'm Daryl and I'll be teaching ya 'bout archery and outdoor skills. Any of you been camping before?" The teenagers all raised their hands which Daryl nodded at. He looked over at Chase, to see him looking at Daryl.
"You a boy scout?" Chase asked with scrunched eyes, not quite sure what to think of this man in front of him.
"Nah, just grew up in the woods. Learned to shoot a bow and hunt when I was just a little older than you," Chase's eyes grew in wonder. At that point, Daryl figured he had the boy's attention and hopefully wouldn't be a problem for the remainder of the hour.
He got into his lesson quickly after that, showing his group all the different parts of the bow, how to be safe and hold the thing, and how to pull back and shoot. He got everyone to spread out in front of a target and they each took turns trying. The older kids just couldn't get the arrow sitting correctly and it just fell at their feet. Chase, he could barely keep the thing together, which only lead to more frustration.
He helped each of them out, nocking the arrow and placing it on the arrow rest. It took a few tries but finally they were all getting the hang of it and their arrows were actually landing a few feet away from them.
When Daryl stood behind Chase, helping him pull the string back, he felt Chase relax and breathe softly. The other kids had been anxious and nervous but Chase seemed calmer, as he was finally improving. Daryl let go and told him to take the shot when he was ready. He saw Chase take a few breaths and let go. He watched the arrow sail through the air and hit the target, no more than inch from the bullseye.
Daryl couldn't believe the kid got that close after just learning less than an hour ago. He looked over to Beth and could see the amazement in her own eyes. She was sitting on the grass, just a few feet back from where they were practicing but she saw the entire thing transpire as he did.
"Mom, I hit it!" Chase jumped up, clearly excited about his accomplishment.
"Oh my goodness Chase, that was amazing," Beth clapped from her seat. "I'm so proud of you!"
"Good job, kid," Daryl said, wanting to focus on the others. "We'll try that again in a minute,"
By the end of the class, the others had made their shots too, although none could get as close as Chase did. Daryl even moved the targets a little closer and still Chase was inching closer and closer to that middle circle. Daryl couldn't help but feel some pride, having never taught anyone before, and now he had four kids who at least know the basics.
"You guys all did great today. Guess we'll see ya next week," Daryl said proudly. He felt a burst of confidence in himself after this class and he figured it really wasn't all that bad. The three older boys made their way back to the community center while Chase was looking at the equipment.
"Have you ever seen someone that young do that before?" Beth asked, clearly still amazed at her son't talent. Daryl was taken back by her voice and how young and pretty it sounded. He then chastised himself for finding a girl like her pretty. This wasn't the time or the place to be thinking that.
"Apart from myself, no," Daryl chuckled. "Kid's a natural."
"I've never seen him this composed and attentive before. He's usually bored out of his mind at this point," Beth complimented him, or at least he thought it was a compliment. He wasn't really sure what to say and he was happy when the little guy interrupted.
"Mr. Daryl, do you hunt animals with this bow?"
"Nah, I got a crossbow I use. I left it inside, but I'll bring it next week," Chase's eyes grew in wonderment at that promise and was happy to take his mother's hand as they made their way back to the building.
"I guess we'll be seeing you next week then?" Beth asked hesitantly. "I mean, you don't mind me tagging along to this thing?"
"I got no problem with it. Probably safer and stuff," Daryl mumbled. Beth nodded and walked along with Chase. Chase waved his hand towards Daryl and started absently talking about the shots he made, and Beth just agreed with him. There was something about that little boy that made Daryl think of himself when he was younger. He obviously had a mother who cared about him but there seemed to be something missing in that kid's life. Daryl wouldn't worry about it; it wasn't like the kid meant anything to him anyways.
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