Hello again! Just wanted to say, thanks so much to all you beauties who either favorite, follow, or review. You all are the life support that keeps this story going.
And to answer an important(and not weird) question by Souls of the Blue Fire Phoenix, Alexa's relationship with the guys will most likely be a polygamy one eventually as Rick and Daryl will become two special people she can't live without. The same will go for them too. Now, some of you might find that odd or not like that, but you have to remember, in the TWD world, morals and rules from normal 'American' society don't really apply anymore. Plus, this is 'my' story, so you know..
Anyway, with that said and done, hope you all enjoy and see ya' in the next one!~Lovely
-Where the Arrow Flies
-Paring(s): Rick Grimes/OC/Daryl Dixon
-Rating: M for gore, language, violence, and adult situations
-TV-based
Disclaimer: I don't own The Walking Dead. The characters belong to their creator Robert Kirkman. I only own the OCs introduced.
Chapter two:
"Watch my six"
"Nope, there's no way I can go through with this." Alexa thought as she glared at the hoofed animal in front of her. She couldn't even see over the damn thing, making her again curse her five foot five inches stature. The sheriff finished double checking the saddle and reins before glancing at her.
"Now, I know you're nervous—"
"No, I'm not." she interrupted, snippy.
He continued on, pretending she hadn't spoke. "But she's just as scared of you as you are her. So you two need to be properly introduced first. Come stand next to me."
Hazel eyes rolled in annoyance. "Oh my..we don't have time for all that!"
"Actually, we have all the time in the world now." Rick reminded, being suddenly very cynical. A sharp glare was thrown his way. She complied, though staying a good distance from the horse in case it got spooked. With arms crossed, she stared at it; not sure how to start.
"Tell her something about yourself." he gently encouraged. The young woman peered at the older man. He had a smile on his face that made her wonder if secretly he was enjoying her discomfort.
"Fine.." she sighed before saying to the patient animal, "Name's Alexa and to be honest with you, you scare the shit out of me. But I promised this stubborn man next to us that I'd help him, so..go easy on me, 'kay?" Once done, the archer stupidly waited for some kind of response from it. Instead, it just looked at her.
Alexa tossed her hands in the air and turned to stomp away, fed up for this whole dumb exercise. But as she did, her wrist was grabbed by Grimes who then placed some grass in her open palm and holding it out towards the tan-colored horse. She went to protest in fear when it all of a sudden began to graze and was surprisingly gentle. The man beside her quietly watched her eyes widen before a huge, giddy grin spread across her pretty but dirty face, lighting up those big hazel eyes of hers too.
"..You have a beautiful smile.." he suddenly blurted, surprising himself and the archer. She looked at him with a raised brow, making him stammer. "Uh, you should do it more. Frowning so much will end up giving you a headache eventually."
"There's no room for that anymore." the young woman told in a somber tone before stepping back. "We really need to go now." The officer nodded. Grabbing his bags, Rick climbed on first before offering a hand to Alexa. But the only assistance he gave was holding her bag with Harley safely inside and her weapon for her. Instead, she placed her foot in the stirrup and gripped the saddle for support, lifting herself up with ease behind him.
Her bag was handed back. "So you've done this before."
"Never said I didn't. I just don't like the beast." she remarked while putting the pack back on carefully; mindful of her pet.
"And I forgot to ask why before, if you don't mind telling.." he pressed softly, curious. A long pause stretched between them until Alexa spoke in her normal flat tone.
"I fell off one.." She showed the faint scar on her right arm. "and it scarred me for life..literally."
"Then you might want to hold on tight," stated Rick with a smirk. "Because I haven't done this in years."
"..That's it. I'm walking." came the young woman's immediate response, starting to slid off. But their new horse friend had other plans. The animal suddenly began to trot and then into a full on gallop in a matter of seconds. From the abrupt motion, a frighten squeak came from the archer who quickly wrapped her arms around the man's stomach. Said person chuckled briefly before trying to slow the horse down; it going too fast for even his liking.
It wasn't too long before the duo made it to the once bustling city of Atlanta. A place where many cultures, tastes, and unique sights merged with the residents living out their lives as best they could there. Upon arrival, Rick had took in slowly the vacant metropolis; blue eyes filled with silent horror. He had visit the city a few times in the past with his family for shopping outing, museum visits, and such.
But now, it looked like an episode straight outta The Twilight Zone. Silence replaced the sound of traffic and the buzzing of people talking. Litter and abandon cars filled the streets hazardously. And not a single person strolled about; Atlanta was officially a ghost town. Alexa, on the other hand, appeared unfazed. She'd been expecting the blatant differences to her former home. She just didn't anticipate the serious lack of Unfriendlies roaming around.
As they quietly headed farther into the city, her discomfort grew. She unconsciously grasped the front of Rick's shirt as her hazel eyes watched the empty buildings like a hawk. His lighter ones had glanced down and saw her small fist clutching him as if he was a lifeline. Wanting to reassure her, he placed his hand over hers gently, keeping it there for moment. As he told her before back in the squad car, Grimes wouldn't let anything happen to the young woman—serve and protect, the motto he sworn to hold since becoming a police officer. But something was very wrong..something was waiting to fuck them over and she couldn't be stuck sitting in one spot.
"Hey, stop for a sec." the archer told her companion.
He pivoted, glancing back at her. "Why, something wrong?"
"Yes, and I want to be on the ground for it." he was informed in a cryptic manner. The man pulled the reins, halting the hooved animal. He felt her arms release from around him as she carefully slid off the horse, landing on her feet a bit wobbly.
"Care to clarify that?" asked Rick, his gaze drifting down. Alexa and Harley, who stuck his head out the small opening made for him to breathe, peered up at him.
"I told you the last time I was here, it was almost overrun. Now, there's almost nothing or anyone. If the Army gained back control, we would have came across them by now." An arrow was pulled free and notched in her bow then; a deadly glint the woman's eyes. "It's best if I move on foot and keep an eye out for trouble. Plus, we don't want the beastie to get spook and barrel off into danger either."
"All right, I won't argue with ya' on that." he reluctantly agreed, "Just be careful, kid."
A complacent smirk graced her pretty features. "Careful is my middle name, Cowboy." With an eye roll and smirk of his own, he got the horse moving through the deserted streets again while Alexa trekked on foot close by. They continued like so, all the way into the deep part of the city where the most damage from the sudden chaos could be seen..and where a few walkers sat waiting. The two had slowly walked by a burnt out city bus and while the young woman couldn't see inside, Rick saw instead—two bodies hunched over in the blacken bus seats. At first, he thought they were just left behind bodies of those who perished inside. But as he passed, they begun to stir as if simply 'sleeping' and 'awoken' by his very presence. In the back of his mind, he wondered if their former human behaviors lingered too like it did with Morgan's late wife. His musing was cut short as the sudden movement and growling spooked the horse.
"Steady." he murmured to the animal, "There's just a few. Nothing we can't outrun."
The archer, still standing close, heard and scoffed. "Rule one, newbie—Unfriendlies enjoy the chase. It's best, if you can, to limit as many as possible because a 'few' can alert 'many'." Stopping, she removed her pack and gently placed it on the ground; Harley's head retracting inside as he was trained and familiar with what was to happen. She then lifted her bow higher and readied to strike all officer stared at her in shock by such strong wisdom.
"Go on and scope the area up ahead. I'll catch up." Alexa instructed him, waiting patiently for the ones inside to come out. "Oh, and there's bound to be more hiding away, so be careful."
The first zombie finally arrived—black-haired and clothed in a once-clean-but-now soiled suit—and animalistic hissed upon seeing the armed human, growing louder. But as quickly as it started, the inhuman sound was cut short by a fast arrow to the right eye before tumbling to the ground.
Grabbing a replacement with a cool expression, hazel eyes glanced pointedly at their companion. 'Move your ass, Cowboy.'
"Right, I got it..Legolas." Grimes didn't see the surprise fill her gaze as he turned and continued moving around civilian and army vehicles without her. Which was clearly against his better judgment. Shaking her head with a light smile, she returned to her task removing the threats with ease thanks to her hunting bow. The young woman then went to retrieve her arrows, cleaning them with a dirty rag used for such when the smug voice appeared.
'So cute. He's given you a nickname.'
Blue gray rolled, picking up her bag and hurrying back to Rick. "So what? I call him Cowboy. It's only fair."
'Oh no, you call him that because you don't want to say his name again after I scolded you.' the voice clarified, 'But he did it out of sentiment. He's starting to like you.'
"Yeah, well it's one-sided."
'Liar!' was sung in her head.
"Oh, shut up, Mishka!" hissed the archer, stopping in the middle of an intersection. She was then brought completely out of her mental argument with her phantom by a sharp bark next to her ear..along with a distressed shout of her name.
"Alexa!"
Her blond head snapped to the left, seeing Rick galloping full speed towards her. Though his tone held his fear, his face was hard with determination to get to her and Alexa knew perfectly why for she had warned him beforehand. The calm before the storm was officially over by a wave of possibly a hundred Unfriendlies trudging behind him. Instinct quickly took over. She spun around, her gaze moving in all directions for possible exits. Her only potential one was the tank beside her as more were coming her way now. The archer started to climb the massive armored vehicle until at the top where she remembered Rick.
He had came to a halt as she hurried up and quickly became swarmed by the monsters, thanks to the horse panicking in fear. She helplessly watched the walkers bring him and the large animal down. But luck was momentarily on the officer's side as he landed in a currently empty spot of the street while the poor horse was targeted instead. Still, they were slowly closing in on him. She needed to save Rick somehow. Alexa would not standby and watch yet another soul die when they had more to live for than herself.
"Rick, look out!" she screamed just as a zombie came at him. Hearing her, he managed to kick it away hard before scrambling back. And she finished the job with her fast arrow. "Get under the tank now until I can get you!" Because of her shout, some of them took notice in her and began going after her too. So she could only hope he listened while her Converse-covered feet kicked some that got too close as well. She didn't bother fighting the rest of them off; there was a ridiculous amount flooding the area now.
The tank hatch was thankfully open next to her feet, allowing her to slip inside. It was insanely hot inside and empty in the cramp space expect for the dead army man that sat tucked in the corner. Harley, sticking his head out now that the two were temporarily from danger, growled upon seeing it.
"Yeah, not taking a chance either, Har." Removing a black Defender bowie knife tucked inside her jacket, she quickly went over and stabbed the corpse through the temple. Loud gun shots rang from underneath just as the blade was pulled out with ease. The young woman noticed another hatch was placed inside and where the sound came from along with growls.
"Rick." She scurried over and looked, coming face to face with the said person and his gun currently to his head. Fear filled her for the first time in a long time that unconsciously her hands shot out and grasped his sweaty face. "Cowboy, I'm here!"
Scared blue eyes met hers; relief pooling them instantly at the sight of her. Her hands moved to his shoulders then, pulling him inside just before Unfriendlies closed in. Grimes shut the opening, locked it, and fell to his side with the archer. The two panted heavily; their harsh breaths echoing the only noise in the metal container. Once her breathing regulated enough, Alexa spoke.
"Told you I'd get you."
Rick opened his eyes, tired mirth in sky blues. "That you did..thank you." She nodded with equal exhaustion before sitting up to shrug off her pack and free her beagle for a bit. Now was the time to try and think of a possible escape plan while regaining their strength. The lower escape was definitely out of the question and after awhile they could leave through the top..but with the dead horse, the horde was likely to linger for a long time. So basically, they were screwed six ways till Sunday. The archer growled in frustration, tears prickling her eyes.
"I'm sorry." came a soft apology from the officer.
A defeated sigh escaped her. "For what?"
"This mess. I caused it because I heard the helicopter overhead and tried to follow. You warned me this might happen."
"We were bound to run into them anyway. But what helicopter are you talking about?"
"You didn't hear it?" A brow was raised. "Kinda hard to miss unless I imagined it."
"I-I was lost in my own head before shit hit the fan..so, yeah." the young woman informed, glancing down. "And it could explained why we got surrounded so quickly outside. Unfriendlies are easily attracted to noise and smell."
"Rule two?" Grimes quirked a smile, jesting.
"Rule two." she smirked back, "Rule three is survive and adapt, by the way." He chuckled lightly. It was very unusual with the sudden shifts of his emotions lately. A second ago, he was ready to end it all and now seemed calm but still rattled. His current feeling was all thanks to the tough-minded young woman across him who he owed once again. His gaze watched her tilt her head back then and whisper quietly towards the tank's roof.
"What now..Mishka?"
"Mishka? Who's—" His curious thought was cut short when suddenly the CB radio nearby began to crackling before a male voice spilled through.
"Hey, you two..Dumbass and Badass.." Grimes and Alexa glanced at each other, bewildered. "Yeah, you two in the tank. Cozy in there?" The officer hurried over, so fast he accidentally bumped his head, and spoke into the mic.
"Hello? Hello?"
The person on the other side sighed in relief. "There you are. You had me wondering."
"Where are you?" Rick questioned wildly, "Outside? Can you see us right now?"
"Yeah, I can see you." he was told, "You're surrounded by walkers..that's the bad news."
"No shit." the archer's muttered remark came from behind him. He ignored her.
"There's good news?"
"..No."
"Listen, whoever you are, I don't mind telling you I'm a little concerned in here."
"Oh man." commented the stranger suddenly, "You should see it from over here. You'd be having a major freak-out."
"All right, that's it." The young woman appeared at his side then and snatched the mic away. "Hi, as much as we appreciate the somewhat interaction with another human being, some helpful advice would be better than a goddamn play-by-play right now!"
"Jeez..calling you Badass was accurate." mumbled their conversationalist before suggesting, "And yeah, I've got some—I'd say make a run for it." The two stared with similar 'Is this guy serious?' expressions.
Rick talked into the mic next. "That's it? Make a run for it?"
"My way's not as dumb as it sounds. You've got eyes on the outside here." This person was talking a mile a minute, Alexa worried for a second he might bite off his tongue. "There's one geek still up on the tank but the others have climbed down and joined the feeding frenzy where the horse went down. You two with me so far?"
"So far." they replied, weary.
"Okay, the street on the other side of the tank is less crowded. If you move now while they're distracted, you stand a chance. You got ammo?"
"In that duffel bag I dropped out there, and guns." the other man informed, "Can I get to it?"
"Forget the bag, okay? It's not an option. What do you and her have on you?"
"Hang on." Grimes told before searching around. He hurried over towards the dead body, finding an army-issued Beretta M9 at its' hip and checking the clip. The man then felt in the pockets for bullets or more. During his desperate search, his gaze drifted up when catching a small round object in his peripheral vision—a hand grenade.
"Well..that could come in handy." noted the woman, eying the tiny bomb warily.
"Yeah, but hopefully we wouldn't have to use it." he said, tucking it into his pants' pocket. The former officer returned the CB. "I've got a Beretta with one clip, fifteen rounds."
"Make 'em count. What about your lady friend?"
"She's got her bow and a good amount of arrows left—" Alexa crawled back to the bottom hatch to retrieve her knife where she left it when helping him and waved it in front of him. Sky blues gave an impressed glint. "And a nice bowie knife."
"No gun?" Her companion looked expectantly at her to which she scrunched her nose in disdain.
"I don't do guns."
He nodded, understanding. "She doesn't have one."
"All right. Jump off the right side of the tank, keep going in that direction. There's an alley up the street, maybe fifty yards. Be there."
"Hey, what's your name?" asked Rick out of nowhere.
"Have you been listening?" their helpful stranger shouted, "You're running out of time."
"Right." He dropped the mic and turned. Alexa was already by the top hatch waiting while returning Harley in the bag. Her male ally grabbed a small shovel off the wall before joining her side. She had slipped on the pack and got her bow ready with cat-like speed. Hazel met blue then and the two stared at each other. The air was warm but suddenly seemed electric around them. They knew there was more than likely chance either of them might not make it. The young woman wouldn't admit it aloud but she was becoming depended on his presence, ever-slowly pushing her motto away. It was foolish and a danger to her survival. Still, if something happen to his safety, she'd jump in and take the fall instead.
"He has a family out there maybe. He still has someone unlike me..so Rick deserves life more than anything." Grimes could see the inkling of fear lingering in her hard gaze. He mistook at as her own fear of dying when in actuality, it was his own. The thought caused him to reach over and hold her shoulder in a friendly gesture.
"We're gonna make it, okay? I'll watch your six and—"
"I'll watch yours, Cowboy." she finished, smirking lightly.
He grinned. "Good. Let's do this, Legolas." The archer nodded before reaching up and unlocking the hatch. With one last unspoken promise between them, the forced companions headed back into the chaos together once more.
Lovely's Honorable Mentions:
I'm a fire truck, xAmandaxXxPandax, lean238, galwidanatitud, ladybug213, AquaRoseWaters, mlm0330, celia azul, Violentchick2011, jenni10121, Denna Arabella, PrissyLovesItAll, KairaiGensou, SmillyReaper, Souls of the Blue Fire Phoenix, Lilly72, walter-needz-luv-2, Woodland Spirit, XLady-ZoZo-The-Pict-PrincessX, cloudsomniakitty
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