Zoey's temper was starting to rise when her short walk was shortened even more by another person stepping into her way. She didn't have time to deal with other people's problems she just wanted to get the glare off of her brothers face. She had been ready for him to scream at her the moment she had realized she had completely forgotten to tell him where she was going.
It was just like her brothers to overreact to her absence, especially after the world went to shit. The red head couldn't figure out why, it's not like she couldn't take care of herself. They had made damn sure of that after what had happened to her neck. Zoey mentally shook that thought out of her head not wanting to think about the past especially when her brother was about to ring her a new one, well after she got this huge hunk of meat out of her way.
She didn't bother to look up to confirm who she figured would be standing in front of her, she just shoved with as much strength that was in her arms. The hardened body didn't even so much as budge so with an angry step she moved around the human post. She didn't get far when the clearly male hand grabbed at her upper arm and spun her around, causing her feet to slip slightly against the gravel under foot. "Why did Rick bring back a stranger?" Shane's voice growled down at her. Her eyes finally met his and she saw how angry he really was. He was livid and boiling like an angry tea kettle.
For the life of her she couldn't figure out why he was asking her. The man hadn't taken the time to even get the gist of the alphabet much less the time to get the gist of what she would say. Frowning Zoey attempted to pull her arm out of his tightened grip. Shane only clamped his hand down tighter around her arm pinching the skin where his fingers overlapped.
Her mind flashed to a time where she had dealt with this situation all the time and her body reacted accordingly. Her fist balled into a tight ball and she let her loose arm fly. Connecting smartly against Shane's jaw. Though she felt it should have caused him to let go completely, he only held more tightly.
Daryl stood there mutely his mind burning with the few short words he was going to embed into Zoey Ann Dixon's brain. At the moment when he should be yelling at his ignorant little sister, Rick's partner was grabbing hold of her upper arm loudly asking her something he should have asked Rick. It only took a moment for his body to take motion as he began to walk quickly over to them to dislodge the 'pigs' hand from her arm. He had only gotten a few steps before the little red head flung her hand up quickly and landed a slug to the side of Shane's face, with a satisfying smack.
Daryl felt a quick prick of pride before he realized that the idiotic man hadn't let go of his sister. "You better let go of 'er." Daryl said as he took two more steps towards the two of them, attempting to keep the anger out of his voice. "There was a reason Merle kept his hair short man. Not to mention he lost most of their fights even after his hair was cut." Zoey's eyes flicker to him for a moment with confusion.
The red head was reeling was he complementing her or was he just trying to egg her on so she would get her pay back for going to get Hershel. Shane laughed a moment, "You mean she could acutely beat that druggy up. I mean she might be able to beat you when you're not all cracked out and collecting ears, but a man that is on as many drugs as Merle, come on." Shane taunted ignorantly.
Zoey turned her head to look straight at Shane, her temper was completely lit and she was having none of his comments towards her family. The first thought that came to her head a fraction of a second before she saw her brother moving towards them was to spit right into Shane's face. It worked too, he released her arm and was furiously wiping his spit filled eyes. Taking that as a proper distraction she kicked him hard right in the baby maker. She watched slightly pleased with herself as he dropped to his knees cradling his crotch. Before she could move to continue wailing on him Daryl was there hitting him harder in the face than Zoey ever could of, making his head sound hollow.
Daryl was about to lay into him some more when two people grabbed his arms and drug him back. He was still fuming when they let go and stood in front of him like a feebly squishy wall. Breathing heavily he paced back in forth between Glenn and Rick, his eyes narrowed into slits of anger and his nostrils flaring like a wild animal. "Hey you need to calm down." Rick's voice was a gruff command and his hand was up pleadingly against Daryl's shoulder when he finally came to a stop.
"What's going on here?" Rick ask impatiently as her turned away from a not so wild Daryl. Shane spit blood into the rocks and dirt at his bent knees. "That's what I was trying to find out, when the wild ones attack." Shane was clearly not ready to stand up from his spot on the ground. Zoey smiled, it was a good thing. She glanced back over to Rick before taking a step towards the group that was gathered around her brother.
Their small little band was slowly gathering around them in the middle of the drive way. Carol was standing behind Sofia with an arm tucked securely around her daughter's shoulders. Lori was standing a ways back from the group mimicking the pose with Carl only hers was more of a restraining grip. Tdog was standing almost next to Glen helping to wall off Daryl with more muscle.
Andrea was the one to speak up first after a moment of silence. "Who was that?" her pointed question sounded snarky and demanding. Rick took a long deep breath and took a steading step towards the middle of the circle that had formed. "We ran into some trouble while getting Hershel." Rick began taking a pause to gather his thoughts. "We are going to need a meeting later, after Hershel is done patching his leg up. If not tonight tomorrow morning first thing."
Zoey sighed, she was tired and worn down from not just earlier but from hitting Shane's think head. She watched as everyone nodded. "I will come get you all tonight if need be." Rick announced dismissing his little group. No one spoke as they headed back to the little campfire. The red head looked at Daryl and gave a goofy smile hoping to dislodge any remaining anger.
"Get yer ass movin'." Was her only response as Daryl pointed the bolt in his hand towards their shared tent. Zoey's smile dropped off her face and was replace with a grimacing frown. With crossed arms and a little stomp Zoey headed for their tent.
Daryl sighed once she passed by him. He was beginning to see the benefits to running away. Following after her with his head down watching the grass pass under his feet. He reached the tent and Zoey was already in side with the little camp light on. The tent was still unzipped so he told his boots off and stepped into the tight confines of canvas. He placed his crossbow down behind him and hooked his elbows around his knees. He left his face blank as he stared at her, his hope was to make her feel slightly uncomfortable.
She shifted to mimic his position and stared back. Her blue eyes making contact with his, steal laced behind her gaze. Daryl took that moment to frown slightly breaking his stoic impression. "What the hell were you thinkin'? Or were you thinkin' at all?" he asked irritated. He watched her eyes roll around in her head a moment before she replied. 'Didn't think it was going to be such a big deal. it was supposed to be simple. Go to town, get the old man, and get back.' When she was finished she shifted again so that she could cross her arms.
"Yeah well from the looks of it, it didn't go smoothly did it?" he asked his glare tightened down more and his jaw clenched as well. Zoey smirk, 'yeah that happens when you run into people who threaten to kill your entire group just for supplies and a place to stay.' That snap Daryl's anger into a blistering worry.
She watched her brother's jaw clenched tighter and she could swear she heard the sound of teeth grinding together. 'Rick shot two of them, after they tried to get to their guns.' She explained more, hoping to calm him down. When he didn't respond to her statement she picked her hand up and waved a little at him and snapped her fingers together. 'Nobody followed us though. They even abandoned their little friend.' She supplied watching his face for a change.
His small nod was the only response she received so she left it alone. She could tell he was still pissed at her but his anger at her had simmered down some. So she shifted herself into a lying position and lifted her long red pony tail out from behind her. Zoey heard and audible grunt as Daryl pushed himself to his feet. "Get some sleep." He said, his tone let her know she wasn't off the hook just yet. Her brother grabbed his crossbow and slipped out of the tent.
No meeting was called that night. Everyone was allowed to sleep in as well, which seamed extremely unusual to Zoey as she climbed out of the tent. The sun was shining brightly and it was already stiflingly warm. Throwing her crimson colored hair into a tight bun on the back of her head, Zoey made her way to the house. As she entered the house she heard low murmurs coming from the kitchen.
"He won't be able to walk for at least a week, but he will be able to walk. His leg didn't seem to have too much nerve damage." Hershel's voice was low and accertive. The red head quietly rounded the corner in time to see Rick rub his hand down his face, answering with. "We should find out what his group is capable of, what he is capable of." He paused a moment with a deep breathe. "Maybe I can have Daryl interrogate him."
Hershel met Zoey's eyes just then. "Well good morning dear. I hope you slept well. Beth is awake to a degree if you would like to see her." Zoey just smiled but gave no indication on what she wanted. Rick took his time to turn in his chair and look her square in the face. "Do you need something?" he asked genuinely concerned. She frowned back at him a moment before shaking her head and turning her head in the direction of the stairs and Beth's room
Trudging carefully up the stairs making sure that her heavy footing wouldn't cause her to stomp. When she got to the top of the stair she turned down the only way that it gave her and walked slowly and trying not to make herself seem snoopy at first. The first room on her left seemed to be what she was looking for. Maggie was in a chair next to a bed smiling down at it occupant while she clutched her small pale hand in hers. Zoey took a hesitant step towards the door and stopped just short of the threshold.
Maggie noticed her and waved her in with a smile. Not needing any other formalities the red head sauntered in and took a seat at Beth's well covered feet. Zoey smiled at the pale form hidden half way under the blankets but the pale little blonde only seemed to wince out a smile back. Although the red head wasn't use to emotions other than those of her brothers, which seemed to only revolve around cockiness or plain pissed off, or herself. She knew how to deal with those emotions, they were something that she had grown up with. Beth being catatonic and loss, those weren't something Zoey thought that she could help with.
After a few moment of listening to Maggie's silly child hood stories Zoey stood to leave feeling more than a useless. With a small smile she exited the room and jogged down the stairs and out of the house.