Chapter 30 – Daryl
It's pretty damn quiet out here in the woods and that's just the way I like it. I don't like a lot of noise, or people or conversations going on around me… out hunting is my favorite place to be. Walking through these woods everything looks so normal. The sky is bright blue and the sounds around me are only coming from the wildlife in the trees and underbrush. You would never know that the world has gone to hell. Hell doesn't exist in this moment.
I feel different today. I want to be here…but I don't feel that need to be here as strong as it used to be. The need to get away from people and be by myself isn't the same as it used to, or maybe it's' the fact that I'm missing Lauren. I've never really missed anyone before. For the first time in maybe ever, I finally felt like I belonged somewhere and with someone. I was no longer alone. That put a smile on my face.
"Dixon, you are whipped already. It hasn't been two hours since you left her and she's all you can think about," I said out loud. "She's making me crazy!" The squirrels chirped their damn agreement.
I kept up my search of the land surrounding our new home. I had noticed narrow paths throughout the trees and underbrush that had multiple deer tracks going up and down them, I crouched down to study one. These were new tracks as the recent storm we had would have washed away any previous trace of them. This would be good hunting grounds. The fact that I had found several of these well-traveled areas indicated that deer were plentiful here.
There was a sudden rustling of brush and I pulled the crossbow up ready to shoot. Several deer emerged from between two large oak trees. I could have easily taken one down, but it was too early to end my day. I wanted to scout out the area more so I understood what was around us. I wasn't worried about bringing back a deer today.
Another couple hours later, I figured I was about five or so miles from home. I had taken a zig zag route through the woods to end up where I was now. I thought I was on the right side of the lake, maybe a mile inland. I had seen plenty of wildlife, but no walkers or actual live people. It had been a really long time since I had seen an area this free of walkers. It made no sense, then again not much lately did.
I saw the trees opening up a few hundred yards ahead of me, so I approached it with caution. I made it to the edge of a clearing and sat low in the brush while I surveyed everything. I saw a small farmhouse that was worn, but well-tended. I could tell where a vegetable garden had been, that may still hold some late in the season crops. There was a medium-size barn that had an old blue pickup in front and a wind turbine behind it. This house was lived in. It was the first sign of life I had seen since arriving here with Lauren. This could be good or bad news.
I stayed crouched on the forest edge waiting to see if anyone would come out. After about thirty minutes or so, a big man in overalls and a long beard came out of the barn wiping his hands on a dirty rag. Not knowing if he was friendly or not, I stayed put. He looked around and I almost suspected he was looking for someone or something. I knew I had been quiet so I was surprised that he kept looking in my direction, but I knew I was well concealed. He finally returned to the barn and after a few minutes I backed out and started my trek back to the house.
I had to ask Lauren what she knew about this guy. I wouldn't have anyone endangering the family, not again. The walk back to the cabins was faster than the trip out. I was no longer scouting or tracking, so I took as direct of a route I could find. With any luck, I'd find a deer that I could bring back too.