Survivors Folly Part 4
Later that night, they had all filled up on the food and drink provided them by Daryl and Alexis's run into the small town. For the first time in a long time, there wasn't a single somber note. The theme of the night seemed to be gratitude. How grateful they were the food used to nourish them. How grateful for the prison, which provided them shelter and some semblance of home. And how grateful they were for one another. Of course, there was the few sour pusses who refused to participate, and that was fine with Alexis. She knew she would have to deal with both Silas and Krystal later on, but not right now. She was feeling nice and mellow with the wine in her belly, as she sat back and watched the others swap stories. She felt her eyes begin to close as she leaned back against an old sleeping bag, as she felt someone sitting down beside her. She expected Cecelia or Rick, perhaps, but when she looked up, it was Daryl, looking down at her with a pleased smile.
"Ya did good, Baby Grimes. Everyone is eating great tonight and we have more weapons and ammo. So, ya did good", he said, before spooning more beans into his mouth.
Keeping her eyes shut, she hadn't forgotten what transpired between them back in the small town. At first it had surprised her to the point where she was unable to speak, but now, she had time to rethink it, perhaps even dwell upon it. But she knew Daryl, like she, was a pretty private person. Now was not the time nor place for her to ask him a simple question. Like "Why?" She was tired but she knew she still had a perimeter check to do, even as drunk as she might be. Pushing herself up off the ground and groaning slightly, she smiled. "Well, I am just glad I could contribute. I know some of the ones I brought in… well, they don't. I feel like I have to take up their slack, ya know?"
He sat his plate down next to him, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Nah…that's not how this works, Cherry Bomb. They gonna get with the program or they won't last. Hell, you know that. Ya can't be around to protect them all the time, ya know? And dead weight ain't an option. Ya chose to bring people with ya. Chose to keep 'em safe. But that burden can't be on ya, not anymore. Spoiled little rich dick over there? Hes gonna get hisself killed with his attitude.
He has had y'all watching his back for too long. I ain't gonna sit back and watch you trade your life for his. Ya get me? And that girl…excuse my language, Baby Grimes, but she ain't good for nothing'. A whore… She has tried to get up on every man here, including your brother. Useless, ya know? We need fighters.. survivors. That's what makes us strong. But them two? Nah…they ain't long for this shit."
Alexis sighed, softly. She knew that deep down, but she had tried. All of them had. To make sure all of them that left Michigan together survived it all. They lost three already. Silas and Krystal managed to survive by taking shelter while the others fought off the rest. But there would come a day where there would be no more hiding. She shook her head.
"I don't want them to die. I really don't. Hell, I did everything in my power to make sure they got this far. Even Neveah, who was widely acknowledged as the "spoiled princess" had fought them off before. But Silas and Krystal? Whole other story. Casey wanted Krystal along because at the time, he believed she was some kind of damsel in distress. She has made it abundantly clear she is anything but. And Silas…well, Silas doesn't do well under stress. All his life everything was guaranteed him. He does have a degree in engineering, but I don't know if he can do anything past that….Maybe that makes him of some use. Somehow."
He sighed, gripping her hand within his. "Come on. I will do perimeter check with ya. Besides, I snagged a pack of smokes back there. Lets go enjoy one, huh?" She smiled and nodded. It had been ages since she had smoked, but it wouldn't hurt to enjoy one after the stress of the last few months. She picked up her machete and headed out the doors with him, not noticing the small smile that imprinted itself on her brother's lips as she did.
As they pushed open the doors, the night breeze hit her in the face. While the cool air felt wonderful, there was never any escaping the smell. The smell of death, decay. And the noises these things made. Always within range enough to hear them. She picked up on of the poles they used to impale them to keep them from building up along the fences and walked toward the open field. Half way there, Daryl turned and grabbed her arm. "I know what ya been thinking'. And I am sorry if I offended ya back there. I just…I ain't kissed a girl in a long while. And you're damn near the prettiest thing I have ever seen. Plus, I like talkin' with ya. You're smart. Ya got courage in ya. I acted on impulse… but I don't regret it none, either."
Alexis's eyes sparkled. She hadn't been with anyone since her failed attempt at a relationship with Silas. And there was nothing wrong with a distraction. No one was calling this a relationship. She didn't think either of them had that in them anymore. Relationships were a thing of the past. She admired Glenn and Maggie for having the courage to try and nurture one within this hellish world. But she didn't know if she had that kind of spirit. Not like Glenn, Maggie, Cecelia or Jamie had. She was frightened to let anyone this close, and yet, she desperately needed it. Something had to bring her back from the abyss of darkness that seemed ready to swallow her at any moment.
"No, Daryl, you don't have to explain or apologize. Sometimes, in this world, I think, we have to remember what we are. And what we are capable of. You have been good to me. And besides, I liked it… I did. I wish….well, wishes ain't meant for this world…", she stammered, feeling herself start to quiver.
" No one has to put labels on nothing', baby girl. But I like ya. You're the kinda woman I always seen myself with. And who knows how long we got? I wanna spend what time I got left with someone…I am tired of bein' alone. Aren't you?", he spoke softly, as he inched his way closer to her, their lips mere inches from one another. "I know what ya lost can't be replaced. But we can make it better, somehow. I wanna make it better, for you. With you. Just give me a sign…any sign."
Alexis closed the gap between them, placing her hands on his shoulders. "No one can replace Lynnie. But that's not to say that there isn't room in my heart or life for someone new. I like you, Daryl. I really do. And it scares me." He took her hand within his, placing a gentle kiss upon each one of her fingers, as he whispered, "I know ya ain't that weak, Cherry Bomb. Stop thinking' about the "what if's". Live now, in this moment. Because no one knows when…not you. Not me. Lets live now…"
Before she knew it, she was wrapped within his arms, their lips feverishly pressed against one another, her body awakening to feelings she had long forgotten. A small moan escaped her lips and he slowly slid his tongue between them. She felt him holding her so close, her body reacting to his own as the snarling of the walkers was overcome by the instincts rushing through her veins. Her tongue gently danced with his own and before she could catch her breath, he gripped her hand and started walking, quickly towards the guard tower.
"What…? Where are we going?", she stammered as she pulled her along. He didn't look back or stop but spoke plainly. "I am takin' ya away from all this ugliness for one night. Away from everyone else. I am feelin' a bit selfish. Besides, what I wanna do to ya, no one else needs to see." He slung open the door to the tower and pulled her inside, slamming the door shut behind them. He pushed her against that door and full on attacked her lips, his hands slowly sliding up her sides, as their breathing intensified. Biting at her lower lip, he looked up into her eyes as he whispered, "I could feel your nipples through that tank top, Cherry. Now, you need to feel this." He placed her hand over the rock hard crotch of his pants. "I need this… I want this. And I know ya do, too. Tonight is about us. And at least for tonight, you're gonna forget everything."
His lips left her own as he started to gently nibble and kiss down her long neck, her right leg bending at the knee and resting against his hip, so she could feel him grinding against her through her jeans. Running her fingers up his back and over the planes of his shoulders to the mess of hair atop his head, she moaned and whispered, "Make it go away…Make it all go away. I need this. I need you. Now."