Chapter 2: Hope for Something Better

AN: Sorry it's been so long, everybody! Midterms and spring break got in the way :/ but, it's all over now :) Hope you enjoy the next installment!

"Merle, let's go!" Daryl yelled to his brother who was shooting biters left and right.

They had been sitting by a small fire the following night, devouring the two rabbits Daryl had killed earlier that afternoon, when they heard the moans and smelled the stench of rotting flesh coming from the woods not 200 yards away. Daryl immediately sprang into action, grabbing his crossbow and aiming for a female walker that was stumbling towards him. As he made his shot, he could hear Merle's handgun going off besides him, mixed with his brother's cheers of delight as he took down walker after walker. Daryl rushed back towards his truck, shooting several walkers on the way, before he looked over his shoulder to make sure his brother was close by. What he found instead was Merle standing 50 feet away from him, wearing a gleeful expression, and moving ever closer to the group of geeks that were eyeing him like a 12 course meal.

"Merle!" Daryl yelled once again, stabbing a used-to-be doctor in the skull before pulling out his knife and repeating the action on, what looked to once be, a police officer. "Save your ammo! We gotta get the fuck outta here!" Daryl cried, throwing his crossbow into the passenger's seat before sliding in behind the wheel of his blue pick up truck. Merle looked over at his baby brother, shooting the last walker at point blank range, before sprinting to his bike.

"Stop being such a fuckin' pussy, Darylena." Merle shouted, swinging his leg over his bike and revving the engine. He turned around to look at Daryl and smirked, "Ain't nothin' able to kill a Dixon but a Dixon," and he peeled away, Daryl hot on his trail.

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The two families decided to camp out in their cars that night before, not able to go anywhere with the panicked crowds surrounding them anyway. By 7:00 a.m. the following morning, they were making their way into the woods along the side of the highway, trying to come up with an idea of where they should head first. After fifteen minutes of arguing, Carl mentioned a quarry he had camped at on summer during a boy scout retreat. Carol watched in amazement as both Shane and Lori took the young boy's suggestion into consideration, before finally agreeing that it was probably their best option.

Ed would never listen to Sophia like that . . . or me for that matter Carol thought bitterly before shaking her head to get rid of the negativity clouding her mind. With a destination in mind, the two families clambered into their vehicles and made their way to the quarry, Shane's navy blue SUV leading the way.

It was early in the afternoon by the time the the six of them stumbled upon the quarry that was just outside of Atlanta; however, they were not the only ones there. Parked along the side of the open field were several cars, one of which was an R.V., as well as five tents of different sizes. There were men and woman scattered around the area, some cooking over fires, others gathering water, and a few who were merely talking amongst themselves. Carol noticed an old man wearing a navy blue hat sitting in a beach chair on top of the R.V. He was shaded by a propped open red and white umbrella, and was scanning the area with a pair of binoculars, a rifle slung over his shoulder. Everyone in the camp stopped what they were doing upon hearing the sound of intruders entering their camp, the old man whipping around to focus on the new comers with his binoculars.

Shane was the first of them to approach the campsite, slowly raising his hands to show he didn't mean any harm. Carol watched on with wide, fearful eyes, as several of the men pointed their weapons at the six of them, defending themselves against a possible threat.

"Woah," Shane said, raising his hands a little higher. "We're not looking for any trouble," He continued, walking ever closer with cautious steps. "I'm Shane Walsh. I'm a cop from King County, and I'm traveling with my partner's wife and son, as well as another family." He was now standing in front of the wary group, arms still risen above his head in a defensive manner. "We're just looking for a safe place to make camp, nothing more."

A hispanic looking man stepped forward, lowering his gun. "My name's Morales. This is my wife, Sonya, and our two children." The man said, sticking out his hand which Shane then shook. "We would be happy to let you stay with us. There's fresh water in the quarry down the hill, and plenty of room to set up camp." He finished, smiling at Shane before turning his head to smile at the rest of them as well.

Carol felt her anxiety leave her body the instant Morales welcomed them into camp. She had been fearful of the beating Ed would have given her had they been turned away, as it would have been her fault for wasting time and gas on a dead end. She looked down at Sophia and saw the hope gracing her daughter's features in a longer time than Carol liked to think about; hope and happiness weren't common visitors at the Peletier household. Carol smiled at her daughter before replacing it with a grimace as she felt rough, meaty fingers grasp her right forearm in a painful grip.

"Get in the car," Ed whispered at her in his usual growl. "We're driving our shit down there," he spat, pointing to an area by the woods farthest away from the rest of the group. Carol lowered her head, waiting for Ed to release his hold on her so she could make her way back into the car, feeling the little bit of hope slip away.

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Daryl wanted to stop and make camp again. He and his brother had been driving down deserted Georgia roads for hours, and they were going to be running low on fuel soon. Not only that, but the heat of Daryl's truck was slowly effecting him. He didn't have air conditioning in his old, beat-up, light blue pick-up, but even if he did, Daryl wouldn't waste the gas to use it. He didn't know how Merle was standing the scorching sun for hours on end, although, he had a feeling the breeze he got from his bike helped. Daryl wiped his brow, feeling his hand practically slide over his forehead, which was drenched in sweat, and hoped that Merle would pull over soon.

Daryl and Merle hadn't spoken since the attack the night before. Daryl knew his brother thought him a pussy for wanting to abandon camp, but he hadn't seen any option other than to flee. Sure, walkers were easy to pick off when they approached one at a time, but it was an entirely different story when they were in a group of twelve or thirteen. They became more energetic and ferocious in a pack, charging at their prey as one unit. He knew he and Merle were screwed now. All their supplies had been back at camp, minus their weapons. They didn't have any clothes, blankets, or tents. Sure, they could do without clothes and blankets, for now, but they were in serious trouble without any shelter.

Gonna have to find some more supplies. Ain't no good campin' when their ain't nothin' to camp with, Daryl thought to himself. Just as the thought went through his mind, Merle started to slow his bike down, pulling it over to the side of the road by the woods.

"We're startin' to get close to the city. Hopefully be able to get some more gear since we fuckin' lost all ours." Merle said, dismounting his bike, and stretching his legs.

Daryl got out of his truck, pulling his crossbow out with him, and stretched his sore legs as well. "I'ma go huntin'. See if we can't find ourselves somethin' to eat before we head out." He cautiously said, not wanting Merle to think he was leaving, and also not wanting to listen to his brother spit insults at him for ditching their camp the night before.

"Better be back by sundown, little brother," Merle said, approaching the younger Dixon slowly, "Else I'ma have to beat your ass."

Daryl looked at Merle and nodded quickly before heading into the thick cover of the woods. The temperature of the Georgian summer instantly lowered, the shadows of the trees providing some relief, and Daryl felt himself relax. Taking his crossbow off his back, Daryl started his hunt, moving deeper and deeper into the forest. He could feel his mind clearing with every step he took, shooting and stringing small animals as he went. After three hours of walking the woods, Daryl felt totally relaxed and at peace, though unwilling to return to his brother. He loved his brother, of course, but he could definitely be a handful; sometimes Daryl just needed a break from the constant anxiety he felt whenever he was around Merle. It was difficult, never knowing what would set him off, especially when he was all doped up. His whole life was spent living in fear of his old man and big brother, and the forest was the only place he could come to escape to get some peace and quiet.

Daryl continued to walk, taking note of his whereabouts so he could make it back to Merle easily before sundown, and relished the silence of the woods. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, memorizing the earthy smell and savoring it.

"I said get that fucking gear out of the car!" A faint voice growled to his right.

Daryl snapped his eyes open and looked to where he heard the voice. He slowly began to move behind a large tree, peering out from the side of it, and watched the scene play out in front of him. A petite woman, not 200 yards away, was backing away from a giant oaf of a man who was advancing on her, raising his right hand menacingly.

"I, I'm sorry!" She whimpered, trying to cover her face with her small arms. "Lori asked me if Carl was with Sophia, and I-"

But the man hit her before she could finish her plea. Daryl felt his stomach tighten in anger as he watched the woman crumble to the ground.

"Don't give a FUCK what that bitch wanted," the man snarled, lowering his face to look at her. Daryl could hear the woman cry in fear, trying to scoot back farther from the man in front of her. "Get your ass back to camp, and do your fuckin' job, bitch." He sneered at her once more before turning on his heel, storming out into the clearing up ahead, which Daryl was surprised he hadn't noticed yet.

The woman sat there for a few more seconds, and cried into her hands, trying not to touch her face, which Daryl was almost positive was beginning to bruise. He debated going over to help her before he heard Merle's voice in his head.

Ain't your place, baby brother. You stay on back here, unless you want me to give you an ass whoopin' of your own.

As much as he wanted to help her, Daryl knew that it wasn't the best plan.

She don't even know you, for Christ sakes! What you gonna do, huh? Go up to her, probably give her a fuckin' heart attack. Stop being so fuckin' soft, Dixon.

With that in mind, Daryl stayed back, watching the woman slowly stand on shaky legs. She took a few deep breaths, tryin' to act like nothin' happened, he thought, and made her way back out of the woods. Dary continued to stare once she was out of sight. Even though he knew it was none of his business, he could feel that his jaw was clenched, and his hands were balled into fists so tight, his knuckles had turned white. Without realizing it, he started moving towards the battered woman, one foot stepping in front of the other.

Back away, Dixon. Ain't your place.

But he didn't listen to himself, taking quiet steps to just the edge of the clearing, and hid behind a tree once again. His eyes widened at what lay beyond the forest, and for the first time in a long while, the feeling of hope filled his chest. There were men and woman setting up tents, cooking over fires, and even talking and laughing amongst themselves. Daryl could hear the sound of children playing in the distance, running through the open space without a care in the world. A man standing on top of an R.V. put down his binoculars to look at the laughing children, and watched as the old man smiled to himself. Daryl wanted this; to be welcomed into a group like this. He knew he and Merle could survive on their own, but, deep down, this is what he wanted. He had been alone all his life, had grown to only depend on himself, but if he could have the option, he would choose this, hands down.

Get your head up out your ass, Dixon. Ain't no way Merle would ever let you join a stupid ass group like this one. No way any of them people would want you, neither. You're just some dumb redneck, and that's what they'll see ya as. Best steer clear 'a these people, and head back. Don't wanna bring no trouble their way.

But just as he was about to turn, he heard the crunch of heavy boots on leaves, and the snapping of twigs from behind him.

"Well, well, well," Daryl heard Merle whisper behind him. "Looks like we ain't so fucked after all, baby brother."

AN: Chapter 2, complete :) Now, idk if any of you are going to say something about how easily the campsite welcomed Carol and Shane's families (I'm just going to call them Shane's family for now... it's just easier, honestly lol) I want to explain quickly. My feeling is that in the beginning, when all of this first started to happen, people weren't afraid of each other, only walkers. Humanity was still very strong, so they wouldn't really have any reason to fear each other, and question one another. Reviews are always welcome!