(A/N): How's everything going? After I finished the last chapter my brain wouldn't shut off with ideas so I decided to write another chapter. Here's more of Jordyn! She be rough but I hope you guys grow to love her! Thanks, everyone and as always hearing from you is always a major plus for me.
Chapter 2: Surrounded but Alone
Since showers or any running water was scarce nowadays, Ryder didn't even care if it was cold. She was used to washing off in ponds or in any source of water. Most of the time she didn't get to wash off, and she just collected dirt, grime, and blood until it would rain. She was grateful that the prison had some type of water system that allowed people to clean up and wash off. She looked down at her inked-up feet. Under her feet, she could see a swirl of red and black as the remembrance of the outside was washed away from her skin. She turned as the water poured over her long bleach blonde hair regaining its bright color.
She sighed for the umpteenth time that day and closed off the water. She pulled on her underwear and pulled on a black tank top not bothering with her leather jacket. Ryder took a minute deciding whether she wanted to wear her shorts or if she should put another pair of jeans on. She didn't care what people thought of her or her ink. The problem was her artwork wasn't flowers and bright colors. It was dark and twisted as she was. She didn't wear her heart on her sleeve, but instead, she wore her soul on her body. Most people that knew her didn't even know most of the meanings behind everything covering her body. They always thought when she would get a new tattoo it was because she liked the design.
Ryder grabbed her jean shorts in a split decision deciding that she had made Daryl wait for her long enough. She grabbed her things and stuffed them into her bag she carried everything in. There wasn't much else considering she moved around so much that too much stuff would slow her down making running more difficult.
She threw her pack on and exited the bathroom crossbow in hand. They had asked her for her weapons, but they seemed lenient about her carrying them. She figured they didn't want her carrying all her weapons around everyone until she proved herself. If they by chance needed to take her down then her only having her crossbow would be easier to deal with instead of her being fully armed.
Ryder walked into C block gaining the attention of people wandering around. She didn't know where Daryl was and she didn't really care. She didn't bother with talking to anyone, but she did keep an account of everyone that seemed to be living in the block. Walking up the stairs, there was a young blonde who was bouncing a baby on her hip. She was paying attention to the baby, but Ryder could tell she was also watching her out of the corner of her eye.
Looking over the rail Ryder could see the young boy from earlier who was also in the cell block. He ran into one cell, grabbing something that she couldn't see. He ran back outside most likely bringing something to someone. She turned and walked back down to her cell. She took a minute to glance into the cell that Daryl was supposedly staying in but she didn't see him in there. It didn't even look like someone was living in that cell so either he didn't nest like other people or he moved cells to get away from her. She smirked to herself. If he didn't want to be around her, then she wouldn't have to worry about him hovering and being a watchdog.
Ryder quickly dropped her stuff off but kept a hold of her bow. She threw it over her shoulder leaning it against her back. One last check and she was out of her cell move quietly around everyone not making eye contact or even bothering acknowledging them. She wasn't going to be here long, so she didn't need to bother with making friends.
She left the building and leisurely made her way towards the edge of the fence. Ryder looked up at the sky as it twisted and turned into oranges, reds, and yellows. The sun was going down, but she would most likely be out here until it rose in the morning. Sleeping wasn't her strength. She chose to live out in the world by herself, but she had to make sacrifices and sleeping had been one of them. One thing that she loved about being in the woods of Georgia though was the smell. When there weren't walkers nearby, she would make sure to take a minute to take in nature around her. She lived in the woods, and that's where she was most comfortable.
Daryl was standing at the edge of the court arms crossed unarmed. He was watching the blonde walk around the perimeter. It was a curious act considering they had been living there for a while and they hadn't had a problem with walkers getting in without them knowing. There had been some incidents, but those were caused by other living humans.
He heard someone come up behind and stand next to him. "How is she doing so far?"
Daryl squinted his eyes at the question. "How the hell am I 'sposed to know? Not her babysitter."
"Daryl, I know you've been watching her."
He scoffed at Rick standing next to him. "Hasn't said a word to anyone. Cleaned up and came out here doin' a perimeter check like ya thought."
Rick turned facing Daryl now. "You planned on going to those apartment complexes, tomorrow right?"
Daryl glanced at Rick but didn't say anything. He didn't need to because he knew what Rick was going to say he just hoped he was wrong.
"I know we lost Zack yesterday, and everyone who went on the run is still tired. You even said you scoped the place out and it seemed easy to scavenge. Why don't you take her with you and see how she does on runs?"
Daryl started to chew on the inside of his lip thinking. "That why ya brought her here?"
There was a slight smile to Rick as he turned watching her walk along the fence line. "More or less. We need more capable people going on runs. I'm sure she's more than capable."
"Yeah, whatever. If somethin' happens, it's on you." Daryl raised his hand to his lips and let out a shrill whistle that got the attention of everyone around him including Ryder. He ignored everyone looking at him but nodded his head towards him and Rick signaling Ryder to come up to them.
Ryder started making her way up to the men that were watching her. It wasn't a surprise she could feel eyes on her when she had been making her rounds. She just didn't know who those eyes belonged to, but she had a pretty good guess. She met with the men watching them waiting for one of them to speak on why they called her away from being alone.
Rick was the first to speak. "Ryder, I want you to go with Daryl tomorrow to an apartment complex. We need supplies and Daryl checked it out a few days ago and said, it was clear for the most part."
She raised her eyebrows. "Just the redneck and me going?"
Daryl scoffed at her. "Got a problem with it you can leave now."
She smirks at him. "Just wondering. Don't want people slowing me down."
"Slowi…"
Rick stepped closer to them trying to keep the peace. "Alright, you two that's enough. Yes, it will just be the two of you going. You will probably be gone for the day tomorrow. I'll be awake when you guys leave so just come by the cell to grab the rest of your weapons. That work for you Ryder?"
She nodded her head once leaving the men standing still. Ryder was tired of standing around having curious eyes on her. The place seemed safe enough for her, so she was going to go to her cell. She wasn't going to be sleeping, but it was the only place set away from everyone.
Ryder walked through the cell block passing by everyone that lived there. She went up the stairs and went into her cell only to be greeted by a taller woman with shoulder length brunette hair. They met eyes, and she was met instantly with a sweet smile.
Maggie walked up to Ryder with her hand out. "My names Maggie Greene. We haven't had a chance to meet yet."
Ryder just watched the woman's hand. She didn't like touching people or having them touch her, but she didn't want to be a complete bitch to people who tried to put effort into talking to her. Hesitantly she leaned forward and shook hands with Maggie but pulling away almost instantly.
"So, how long were you out there alone?"
Ryder shrugged her shoulders. "A while. How'd you guess?"
"For one I saw you checking the fence making sure it was secure. I also noticed the way you hold yourself. It's hard to tell, but if someone were payin' attention, they would see how guarded you are with everyone."
"I guess I'm something to talk about around the prison… great. Don't you guys get new people all the time? I'm not the most interesting one that has walked through those gates." Being with a group of people always caused gossip and talking. She was happy that she would be going on that run with Daryl tomorrow so she wouldn't have to be with everyone. He also didn't talk much, so that was also a plus.
Maggie just simply smiled at her. "That's true. Daryl usually brings back new people, but it's not every day that a female version of Daryl comes around." Ryder squinted her eyes grabbing the strap on her crossbow watching the brunette, but it just caused Maggie to laugh. "See you have the squint and stance down. It's perfect." Maggie seemed nice, but right now she was bothering Ryder. She needed to leave and be away from everyone for a little while.
"'Kay well have fun with that. If Rick comes to find me tell him I'm going hunting." Ryder turned walking away from her cell, but she heared more laughing coming from her cell causing her to roll her eyes.
Walking back down the stairs she noticed Daryl walking into the block. Their eyes meet for a split second, but she turned walking into Rick's cell hoping that he wasn't going to follow her, but another part knew he was going to.
She was sheathing her machete and grabbing her tomahawk when she looked up and saw Daryl standing in the entrance of the cell watching her leaning against the edge of the door. "Watcha doin'?"
"Does it matter?" She turned around grabbing her other knife pushing it into her combat boot pulling her pant leg down to cover it. Lastly, she grabbed her handgun pushing it into the holster on her thigh. She stood up grabbing her crossbow and walked up to Daryl, but he didn't move. "How about stepping aside."
"Leavin' already? Thought you were stayin' for a couple days." Daryl still didn't move for her.
"Like I said. It's none of your business." She looked up at him staring him down waiting for him to give and move.
Daryl looked down at the woman not moving until she told him what he wanted to know. It seemed like they were stuck in an old-fashion standoff and he was going to win.
"If you don't move then I'll make you move. I don't want to hurt you or embarrass you in front of your friends but I will."
Daryl scoffed standing up straight but still not moving out of her way. "I'd like to see you try."
Ryder bristled at his words. This stupid redneck was the most infuriating person that she knew but considering she didn't know many people it wasn't a long list. She glanced behind him noticing that they're not so quiet talking had gained them a small audience. She turned away from him slightly and before he could react her right leg came up and made contact with his gut. He responded by bending over his hand shooting to his stomach where her foot had made contact. Once he was focused on his own injury, she pushed on his shoulder moving him to the side out of the way. She would have felt sorry for him since he was just doing what he was told and watching her but she didn't kick him that hard. It was just enough for him to move the hell out of her way.
Ryder walked past the now fuming Daryl Dixon but not caring too much. "Told ya." The crowd that had gathered around them was stunned into silence that someone had actually done something to the gruff man. Also, someone, who was new that could get kicked out back into the woods if they weren't careful.
The blonde woman walked out of the building for the second time that night crossbow in hand. She was walking down to the main entrance, but about halfway to the gate, she felt something wrap around her wrist, and her body went into panic mode instantly. She yanked her hand free from the grip while turning with her crossbow pointed at the head of the person grabbing her.
Two pairs of blue eyes met both full of fury. "I said don't touch me!"
Daryl stepped back half a step breathing hard. He couldn't tell if it was from the rage of her hitting him or from the run to catch her, but he assumed it was the former.
Ryder dropped her crossbow catching herself trying not to go into a panic attack after he grabbed her. "Just leave me alone." She started walking away from the infuriating redneck needing to be alone now.
"Where the hell you goin' right now… at night?"
She didn't stop moving to the entrance. "Away from all of you. I need to go where I feel most comfortable."
He looked at her back like she had an extra head. How the hell could she feel comfortable outside of the fence. Sometimes he needed to get away from everyone in the prison, and he didn't mind going beyond the barrier but damn. Even he didn't feel exactly comfortable out there with people who were crazy and the walkers. "Pfft, stupid woman." He watched her walk out of the entrance turning heading straight into the woods. He looked up at the sky that was black for the most part shaking his head.
Daryl opened his eyes looking at the bed above him. It was rare that he slept through the night. He didn't get a great night's sleep, but at least it was something. After his run in with Ryder yesterday he had gone back to his cell. She was the strangest woman he had ever come across. She didn't seem like she had a problem talking to people when she did have to interact, but she never chose to interact. She opted to be alone in the Georgia woods when everyone that he had come across would have chosen to be in a group or even with another person. Maybe she was bat shit crazy, and she was able to hide the fact that she was insane. Then, there's the touching. He had a problem with people touching him. That wasn't strange to him. She probably didn't have a great life before the world went to shit. Even after the dead rose, she probably didn't have it easy judging by the scars that marred her body that he could see. What caught his attention was how violent she got when someone touched her. She instantly changed to kill mode. At least if someone touched him when he wasn't expecting it, he flinched away, but he didn't want to rip their head off.
He groaned rubbing his palms into his eyes grumbling to himself. "Can't wait till she's gone." He stood up grabbing his crossbow moving to the cell next him ready to wake her up. To his surprise, she wasn't in her cell. His brows furrowed also noting that there wasn't anything in her cell. It didn't look like she had slept there or even touched the cell after their encounter outside.
He walked outside shifting his crossbow to his back. The sun was out, and everyone was milling about outside enjoying the sun. It wasn't humid today, so he almost felt good compared to the standard southern heat.
He walked up to their makeshift pavilion in the courtyard. People kept saying good morning and hello to him. He wasn't used to it, but they did it pretty much every time they saw him. Daryl walked up to Carol who was at the grill cooking some deer he had shot yesterday.
Carol looked up at him smiling putting some of the meat in a bowl. "Just so you know, I liked you first."
He half rolled his eyes at her. He was used to her poking at him. "Stop." Daryl looked around at everyone walking around. "You know, Rick brought a lot of them, too."
Carol didn't bother looking back up at him. "Not recently. The first person he's brought back in a while was that new blonde girl."
He picked at the meat in the bowl. "Speakin' which. Have ya seen her walkin' 'round today?"
She just shook her head. "The last time I saw her was when she got the best of you." She laughed to herself slightly.
Her response earned her a scowl. "If ya see her let me know. Gotta run today."
"Who else is going with you two?"
Daryl finished off the meat that he had been picking at in the bowl. "Just me and her. It's an easy run. I think Rick wants ta see how she does too."
Carol looks up past him pointing her tongs over his shoulder. "Just be careful. We lost Zack yesterday we don't need to lose you too."
Daryl turned noticing Ryder walking up with her hands in her pockets on the jean shorts she was sporting still armed with all her weapons like he noticed last night. "Where ya been?"
Ryder entered the pavilion standing next to the redneck glancing at the woman cooking behind the grill then looking up meeting his eyes. "Sleeping."
Daryl scowled at her watching her reaction. "That's bullshit, and ya know it."
She just shrugged her shoulders. "Guess I forgot." Ryder was sure that he heard him growl at her under his breath but she wasn't sure.
He was about ready to say something, but Carol decided to step in and try to defuse the situation to the best of her ability. "We haven't met. I'm Carol." The woman smiled wiping her hand on the towel next to her and stuck it out expecting Ryder to shake it.
Ryder looked at the woman then down to her hand. These people were too touchy for her liking. She glanced over at Daryl who had a slight smirk on his face. She reached her hand out hesitantly shaking it quick then dropping it back into her pocket. "Jordyn Ryder. Just call me Ryder." If Carol noticed how she was acting with touching people she didn't say anything which she was grateful.
Daryl watched their interaction. He was about ready to grab her shoulder but stopped himself not wanting her to punch him in the face. "Come on Killer. Let's get goin'."
She didn't say anything to him following him to where she saw the cars earlier. That's the first time someone had given her a nickname. Most people she knew just called her by her last name. They made it to one of the cars which was an SUV type car. There wasn't anyone around to say goodbye as they left which wasn't that surprising since Rick was busy and she didn't think Daryl talked to that many more people than she did. She jumped in the passenger seat laying her crossbow on the floor. She put her combat boots onto the dash in front of her leaning down into her seat looking out the window.
After throwing his stuff into the car, he got in and left the prison. The trip to the apartments was about an hour out so with them leaving early they would be able to stay there as long as they needed hoping to grab as much supplies as they could fit in the trunk.
Daryl had been driving for almost half an hour, and they hadn't said anything to each other. He wasn't complaining considering he didn't mind the quiet but he was used to being the one not answering questions that people bothered him with. He glanced over at Ryder with her feet still leaning on the dashboard. She had been wearing shorts, so it allowed him to see that her legs matched her arms. The tattoos that covered her legs weren't like the ones on her arms though. The ones on her arms were dark in image and art, but the ones on her legs weren't as bad. He was tempted to ask her about them, but he didn't think she would answer. He hadn't learned anything about her other than her name while she was there. Usually, when new people came around, they didn't mind sharing stories to make them seem more personable. They wanted people to like them, but it looked like Ryder didn't care or want people to like her.
Ryder could feel the glances from Daryl. She assumed that he wanted to ask her questions which didn't surprise her but it was annoying. If he wanted to ask her something, then he should just get on with it. It didn't mean that she was going to answer him anyway. "If you want to ask me something then just get on with it. I'm tired of feeling your eyes on me."
He watched her for a few more seconds debating if it was even worth it. "What do your tattoos mean?"
She didn't even bother looking at him. She hadn't stopped watch the trees pass the window since they left the prison. "What ones? I have a couple."
Daryl rolled his eyes. Of course, she was going to make this difficult for him. "How 'bout the one coverin' your left leg?"
After his question, she looked down finally looking at something other than what was outside of the car. She didn't say anything though. All she did was shrug her shoulders.
He noticed her shrug which only helped annoy him further. "How 'bout why ya choose to be by yourself out there." He made a gesture with his head motioning to the forest.
Ryder sighed tired of 20 questions already. She wasn't going to be able to get away from the questions. They were spending the day together, and he was going to try to keep asking her. Before they left she was actually happy she was going on this trip with just Daryl. She wasn't so sure anymore since he was just as annoying with questions. "Why does it matter?"
"Just tryin' to figure somethin' out 'bout ya."
"I'm leaving in a few days, so it doesn't matter if you get to know me."
That's it. He was done with trying to extend an olive branch. He tried being civil with her, but she obviously didn't want to do the same in any capacity. "Whatever."
Ryder heard the annoyance in his voice. She turned her head from the window looking over at him. She rolled her eyes when she saw how annoyed he was with her. "I like being by myself because it's easier."
"What 'bout when a herd moves through?"
She looks back to the window shrugging her shoulders again. "Just run. If you notice it quick enough, you can run or hide before they notice your presence."
"What 'bout if a group of people move through your area?"
"If they are dangerous, they die. If they aren't I move away from them. Simple"
"Wouldn't it be easier bein' in a group?"
"Being in a group means emotions. Emotions allow for error. Being critical and smart leaves when you see a friend in trouble. Thinking like that and being distracted makes you as good as dead. So, no, I rely on myself." After that Daryl didn't say anything. Either she had made him think about past incidents in his life dealing with groups, or he was done asking questions. "The tattoo covering my left leg is what's called a bionic leg. It means strength beyond what a human can possess."
Daryl looked over at her leg. The artwork was amazing. It wasn't anything like his few tattoos that just marked his drunk nights with Merle. She had spent some time and money under the needle for those pieces of intricate artwork. He could see different gears and pistons mixed in the dark spaces. There were joints where her knee bent and wrapped all the way around. Mixed in with all the mechanical parts were different muscle and tendons morphing with the machinery. He was pretty much seeing a machine leg combined with a human leg. It was interesting, and it made him want to see what other tattoos she had and what they meant, but he didn't think he would get very far. The other ones seemed to have more meaning considering they were darker.
By the time, Daryl was done in his thoughts about her tattoos he had pulled into the complex. It wasn't so much of an apartment complex as townhouses. These houses were only two floors, and they were separate from each other so it should be safer moving through these buildings than an apartment complex. At least he hoped it would be.
Both Daryl and Ryder jumped out of the car when they made sure the area was clear of walkers. They both had their crossbows ready moving to the first building. Daryl nodded his head up having her go through and check the upper apartment while he checked the bottom.
Ryder nodded once moving up the stairs making sure she was quiet not wanting to alert any walkers that weren't in the buildings. She took out her machete and tapped on the glass of the window looking into the apartment. After waiting a minute, she opened the apartment walking in her bow raised ready to take down anything that crossed her path. Her eyes darted around the living room making sure there weren't any walkers hiding under or around anything. She walked forward going into the adjoining kitchen, and again she came across nothing. Her eyes found a closet of some sort. She moved forward quiet on her feet pulling open the door and back stepping quickly. Again, there wasn't anything for her to find in the closet. The blonde turned around and headed to the first closed door to the right of the kitchen. She held her face up to the door listening trying to hear if there was anything bumping around in there. She grabbed the handle and pushed the door open bow up. There was a walker that came out of the bathroom a second later. Before it could even make a sound, there was a bolt through its eye. She walked cautiously around the room checking around and under the bed. She cleared the room and then checked the bathroom thoroughly along with the other bedroom in the apartment and any other closets she came across.
She cleared the apartment walking back into the bedroom pulling the bolt out of the walker's eye putting it back into the holder on the front of her crossbow. She threw it around her back grabbing the bag she brought with her starting to clear any supplies that they would need.
The rest of the day went about the same clearing through houses. With both of them clearing a floor of each building they were able to move quicker than originally planned. They would usually come across one or two walkers in each apartment. The buildings were mostly cleared but every once and a while they would come across a handful that looters had missed when they were moving through quickly. When they were done with a big section of the housing, they met back up at the car checking the supplies they were able to scavenge. Once Daryl had deemed their loot sufficient they got back into the car and made their way back to the prison.
Rick looked up from his weeding when he heard the gate open. One of their cars was coming through the gate on time for once. He knew that this run wouldn't be hard, but he never knew when something out of their hands would go wrong, like it did all the time. It was nice having something be on their side for once. He stood wiping off his hands on his pants walking to where they parked the cars. He was hoping to talk to Daryl to see how Ryder had done with clearing and working with him while scavenging.
Both Daryl and Ryder stepped out of the car walking around the back while Maggie and Glenn came over to them. They were both smiling, but he could see that Maggie's face held more amusement than Glenn's. What was she so amused about? Whatever, not important. He lifted the trunk and started grabbing bags that they had filled. They were able to fill five or six bags with different types of supplies and food that the camp would need at some point. It was better to get stuff before they needed it. It saved them from having to hurry and get careless on runs putting more people in danger.
Ryder grabbed a bag like Daryl but she was met with the woman named Maggie if she remembered correctly and an Asian guy that she hadn't met yet. She assumed that Maggie was going to introduce him though.
Maggie came up gesturing to Glenn next to her. "Ryder, this is Glenn, my husband."
Ryder's eyebrows shot up in surprise, but she schooled her features back into an impassive fashion nodding her head in affirmation that she heard her.
Glenn held out his hand smiling at her. "It's nice to meet you. It's good having new faces around camp." He looked into the car behind both Daryl and Ryder. "Especially ones that know what they're doing out in the field."
She watched his hand warily. These people needed to stop being so friendly with their invitations. She smiled tightly and shook his hand pulling her hand back quickly nodding her head at him.
Glenn gave Maggie a curious look, but she ignored it walking past her husband grabbing bags out of the car. He watched Ryder for a couple of seconds but decided to help his wife unloading bags from the trunk. They started moving them into the prison while Rick made it up to the car calling for Daryl catching him before he disappeared into the entrance.
Daryl handed the bags that he was carrying to other people walking in. He turned and walked with Rick stepping off to the side from where everyone was.
Rick crossed his arms looking past Daryl's shoulder watching Ryder help carry in bags. "How'd she do?"
Daryl just shrugged. "We cleared buildins faster than expected. Quick, quiet and thorough. Didn't need to help her once."
"So, she knew what she was doing?"
Daryl nodded his head. "Like she'd done it a million times."
"Do you know a way we can convince her to stay?"
"Hell, Rick, I don't know. She knows what she's doin' but she doesn't want to stay. That's damn obvious."
"Did she talk to you at all?"
"She said a couple sentences, but it was like pullin' teeth and nothin' worth shit." He turned away from Rick heading back into the prison. He waved his hand not turning back to Rick. "She ain't gonna stay."
Rick watched the back of Daryl as he disappeared into the darkness of the prison. That had been Ryder's first run, and there wasn't a problem. Daryl had said she knew what she was doing and it looked like she was smart about what she was doing and the choices she made. Her being smart like that also made her overly cautious especially when it came to people. She didn't talk to anyone unless they spoke to her first. From what he could tell even if someone did talk to her first she tried to get away from the conversation as fast as she could. For the most part, she wasn't rude about getting away either. They needed her to stay because there were things about her that were conditioned before the world fell. It seemed like she had training with hand to hand combat also. She had flipped him around before he knew what was happening and he had heard she put Daryl in place when he wouldn't leave her alone. This was going to be more complicated than he thought but in the long run, he hoped it would all be worth it, and she would make the right decision.
Rick rubbed his chin walking back out to the pigs grabbing the metal bucket he had before. He walked into the pig pen and started putting wilted and expired vegetables into the trough for the pigs. He looked over noticing that the recently sick pig named Violet was now dead. Standing up cautiously he looked over at the fence and noticed that the walker with the bulging and bloody eyes was still clawing at the fence trying to get in. He had a feeling something was going to go wrong, and he didn't like that feeling.
(A/N): I hope you guys liked the chapter! Just give Jordyn some time, and she will let up sooner or later. Also, I know you were expecting something to go wrong while they were going through the townhouses but they needed a break, and a win before shit hits the fan. Anyway, thanks for reading and don't forget to R&R!