Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to The Walking Dead, AMC or any of their affiliates. This is purely for entertainment purposes and is a fan created fiction. This story does not reflect the actual Walking Dead series and doesn't claim to be anything but a fan (me) expressing my appreciation for the characters and the wonder that is The Walking Dead. All OFC's (Original Fictional Characters) are a product of my own imagination. Any resemblance to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental.

Do or Die trying

Chapter 2

Dylan stood by the body of her father. Tears rolled down her cheeks but she didn't utter a sound. Roger was a strong, peaceful man who kept his emotions in check but showered her and her mother with affection. Her dad loved life, even when life seemed to be ending he found happiness. Shortly after the outbreak there was a rainbow off in the distance. He and Dylan were camping for survival, forced from their homes like countless other people. Roger had pointed at it and said what he always said at the bright colors. "Heaven is celebrating; they've hung out the decorations." Dylan failed to see the beauty in the world they lived in. It was ugly. And heaven, even if it did exist, they had nothing to celebrate. Dylan choked back a sob, searching for strength. She really didn't feel like being strong, or surviving. She would though if only for Roger's sake. Life just seemed pointless now, without another human on this planet that she could call family or friend.

.

Rick saw the woman struggling with her emotions. He knew how it felt to put on a brave face when all you wanted to do was lose it. He rested his hand on her shoulder, giving it a soft squeeze. "Ma'am I am deeply sorry for your loss." Dylan made eye contact, her lips quivered in response to the emotions she desperately wanted to hide. Rick tried his hardest to comfort her. "Maybe it's best if you come with us."

Her eyes got wide and she shook her head. "I…I can't leave him. This is my home, our home. I can't go. No get out! Get out of my home!"

.

Outside Rick and Shane argued. "We can't just leave her there." Rick wanted to reach the human side of Shane before he was too far gone. He worried it was too late for that.

"Why not? She doesn't want to go. Who the hell is she anyway? One more mouth to feed and Hershel is chomping at the bit to get us out of there! If we bring back…"

"Not us…you. He wants you out." Rick stood his ground staring Shane in the eye. "Look all I'm saying is we can't just leave her here. What if those guys had other people in their camp like them? Maybe…Maybe Hershel knows her."

Daryl scowled "Christ sakes!" He marched into the cabin slinging the crossbow over his shoulder.

.

Dylan had knelt by her father. His skin was starting to change color as the blood pooled. So much of it had drained out of his body that Dylan was surprised there was any left to leave the purplish marks. She ignored the evil looking man. Daryl silently waited for her to say her goodbye. He figured she would and then see the best thing for her would to come with them. As the minutes ticked on he realized she wasn't going to budge.

"Lady you can't stay here! I give you two days and you'll be out of here faster than shit! The smell alone will drive you…"

She lifted her face to him, staring at him with the deepest blue eyes he had ever seen in his life. They were rimmed with tears that pooled and hung at her lashes. He wasn't sure if it was the tears or the strands of dark hair framing her face that made her eyes seem so much like sapphires.

"It's time to leave, it ain't safe. We got to get back to the farm."

"I can't go! You have to know that."

Daryl had enough asking. He put his hands under her arms and hoisted her to her feet. Before she had a chance to respond he had her flung over his shoulder. She punched him on his back while screaming at him to put her down. He ignored her request, marching straight out of the cabin, carrying her all the way back to the truck. He tossed her into it with enough force that it reminded Dylan of having the wind knocked out of her lungs by that man who attacked her. She gasped trying to breathe deeply.

"You…just…going… kidnap me?"

Daryl climbed into the truck and started it. He leaned out the window of the driver's side. "Ass in seat now or you walk back!"

Shane opened the door making Dylan slide over closer to Daryl. She wanted to argue but part of her was grateful he forced her to make the choice she couldn't have made on her own. He was right what was she going to do, live with her father's corpse? And how would she defend herself alone? Rick ran back to the cabin. Dylan noticed no one argued or said a word that he didn't get into the truck right away. He returned with her bag. She hadn't thought of her supplies but this man had. Maybe the three of them weren't so bad after all.

.

They all remained quiet for most of the ride, until Dylan couldn't stand the silence anymore. She had no idea who they were other than the few facts she had picked up from hearing them argue. Nervously she rattled off every detail she could recall. "There's more than the three of you in your group? On a farm? And which one of you is Rick Dixon?"

Shane laughed out loud. "Honey that's an insult if I've ever heard and insult. I'm Shane Walsh, and this hear is my partner in crimes, Rick Grimes!" He laughed again eliciting a glare from Daryl. "And that mean son of a bitch you're sitting next to is Daryl Dixon." Shane reached back over the seat snacking Rick on the bicep. "She thought you were a Dixon!"

Daryl muttered a few curse words about being proud of who he was. Dylan smiled when she heard clearly "mother fuckin proud!" Daryl was Rebel to the bone! She knew men like him. Rough men, loyal to a fault, rowdy sons of a bitch, the type you made friends with because you didn't want them as an enemy. Rick couldn't help but laugh at Daryl's muttering and Shane's light banter. It was the first time since the shit hit the fan that he had heard Shane sound like the man he once knew. He believed it was also the first time in a long time Shane had laughed without cynicism. "You're right there is a farm and we are from a larger group we will introduce you to everyone once we are there. Strange to be asking you this now but what is your name?"

"Dylan… Dylan Brody." She caught Daryl taking a quick doubtful glance in her direction. "It really is my name. After Matt Dillon. My father is a big…" She held her breath to keep from breaking down. Her voice shook when she attempted to finish. "…was a Gun Smoke Fan"

.

Daryl walked off as soon as they got out of the truck. A woman with long brown hair and a boy came up to Rick. Shane went to an RV without speaking to anyone. A couple of woman stood around staring at her while a man stood on top of the RV. Another was on the porch with a girl. Dylan thought she would get a welcome but so far everyone just looked at her as if she posed a threat.

"I can go back home…"

Rick suddenly realized what was going on. Everyone was drifting into their own worlds again. He didn't want to see that happen anymore although he understood it. "Gather round, everyone, you too Daryl. Maggie will you get Hershel and the others." As soon as everyone, but Beth, sat on the porch Rick introduced Dylan. "We all know how it feels to have bad things happen. Dylan is no stranger to tragedy and loss. I'd appreciate it if we'd help her get comfortable." He turned towards Dylan. "Hershel is a physician."

Dylan began shaking her head. "I'm fine. I don't need…"

"It's okay my wife Lori, Patricia and Maggie will be there. They'll help you get some clean clothing. You'll be fine. You can trust us."

Maggie came down the steps and went to Dylan. She smiled. "I bet a hot shower would feel great right now, wouldn't it?"

.

Dylan nodded and allowed them to lead her to the house. Hershel gave Rick a warning stare. Rick held onto Lori's arm and went in for what looked to be a kiss. He whispered close to her ear. "Do you have any of those pills left?"

"The morning after pills? No. What happened to her? Shane didn't?"

Rick was taken aback by Lori's question. Why did she think Shane hurt the woman? "Is there something you're not telling me?"

Lori pulled away from Rick and jogged to the house. "I better get inside."

Rick looked at the RV just in time to see Shane staring at Lori.