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We drove and drove keeping a close track to Shane and Lori's car; we had some other's following us too. They were some guys that Lori and Shane had been talking to on the highway. Got a little kid as well, but I think the Daddy's a bit of an abuser I saw the way his wife and kid were shying away from him before we left. We approached a guy stood at the side of the road waving his arms and we all came to a stop.
"What's this clown wanting?" Merle asked.
I reached over and smacked his arm. "Be nice!"
I watched as the guy approached Lori and Shane's window and they talked for a while, before he climbed into the backseat of the car and we all started moving again. After having driven through the night, eventually Merle passed out in the front seat snoring his head off whilst Daryl was driving. I knew he was tired too and seen as I'd pretty much slept the entire journey I leant over resting my chin on his shoulder.
"You want me to drive?" I asked.
I'd got my driving permit only a few months after my 16th birthday, but truth be told Daryl had been taking me out in the truck the minute I'd got my learner's permit and teaching me how to drive.
"Nah you're ok Kayl's look we're turning off now we'll be here soon,"
I sat back on my chair and watched as we pulled in to a camp. There was an RV in the middle and a car. There was a man on top of the RV with a fisherman's hat on he pulled down his binoculars from his face and waved us in. He must have shouted something to the other's because two blonde girls emerged from the RV, a family with two children appeared from a tent as well as two other people.
"Some kind of warm welcoming huh?" Daryl mumbled, and brought the car to a stop.
I leant over and flicked Merle's ear, he jolted awake. "What the hell's wrong with you?" He snapped rubbing his ear while I howled with laughter, and Daryl smiled.
I opened the door and jumped out, finally happy to stretch my legs. "I see you managed to find the camp," the old guy smiled making his way over to Shane.
"Yeah, we picked up a few travellers on the way hope you don't mind man,"
"No of course not the more the merrier,"
I rolled my eyes, how could someone be so happy at the fact the world's gone to utter shit. I opened the boot of the truck and began pulling our things out. One of the blonde girls came over to me she looked a little older than me nineteen, twenty maybe?
"Hi I'm Amy," The girl smiled, and held out her hand.
I put down the bag and shook it. "I'm Kaylin,"
The older blonde walked over and introduced herself as Andrea, Amy's older sister. They both seemed really nice and friendly; I think I'd get along with them well I hoped so. Right when we were just getting to know each other Merle came over.
"Run along girlies we got unpacking to do," He stated picking up one of the bags and flinging it over his shoulder. They both looked at him in shock at his rudeness and I sighed.
"Amy, Andrea this is my super charming older brother Merle," I introduced sarcastically.
Merle smirked and walked away. "I guess I'll catch up with you guys later," I smiled and followed him.
Daryl caught up with the last of the bags and we followed Merle as he made his way over to the older guy.
"Where we setting up camp then?" He asked.
"Oh welcome I'm Dale," he smiled holding out his hand to Merle.
"Not really answering my question there fella,"
"Oh right errm just anywhere you feel comfortable really,"
Merle nodded and walked past him and Daryl followed, me been the most polite Dixon kid introduced us all to poor Dale.
"Kaylin!" I heard Merle shout of me.
"Well it was lovely to meet you Kaylin, I'll see you at dinner," Dale said and walked away.
I walked over to where Merle and Daryl were setting up two tents.
"It's nice here," I commented.
"Don't get too comfy darlin' we ain't staying long," Merle stated sitting down on a log and sharpening his knife.
"What why?"I asked.
"Coz we don't need people we got each other's backs," he answered tossing me the knife. "Add that to your collection," I put the knife in the belt of my shorts where my gun rested.
"But it's safe here; why in the hell would I wanna be out there with those freaks with only you two to rely on!" I stated starting to get annoyed with him and Daryl; I mean Daryl always took Merle's side over everything even when he knew he was in the wrong.
"That's the way it's always been kiddo,"
"You're such a fucking arse Merle!" I shouted and began walking away.
"What have I told you about that mouth of yours?" He shouted after me.
I stuck my two fingers up at them both and went to join the others.
They were all finishing unpacking, I looked at how far away our tent was compared to everyone else's and sighed I really didn't understand why Merle constantly excluded us from other people.
"Hey Kaylin," Amy smiled.
I smiled back and went and sat next to her on the camp chair by a burnt out fire.
"So they're your brother's huh?" Amy asked pointing her head in their direction.
"Yeah, they're ok when you get to know them,"
Amy didn't look entirely convinced but she hastily changed the conversation. "You haven't really met the others yet have you?" She questioned.
I shook my head, "I met Shane, Lori and Carl on the highway to Atlanta. Carol, Ed and Sophia were there too, but I didn't really talk to them much, and I met Dale a few minutes ago but no one else really,"
"Well over there is Morales and Jim," Amy pointed at the two men who were deep in conversation the first one I assumed to be Morales, he was stocky, curly hair, beard. Jim on the other hand was much smaller and thinner he rubbed the beads of sweat off his forehead with his hat and wore glasses.
"Morale's wife, Miranda is other there with Jacqui and Andrea,"
"Louis and Eliza are there children," She smiled pointing to the two children who were playing with Sophia and Carl.
"T-dog came along with Shane and Lori,"
"Yeah they picked him up on the way," I informed.
"Oh and there is Jacob," She motioned to a guy who emerged from round the back of the RV he noticed us both staring at him and smiled before making his way over to us. He had an axe in his hand and his shirt was open showing off his tanned skin and muscles. I would be lying if I said I didn't find him attractive...then my heart fell thinking about Thomas, it would have been our date tonight. I never even got chance to check if he was ok, I didn't even think to look for him.
"Thought I'd better come over here and introduce myself. I'm Jacob,"
"Kaylin," I replied. "Got yourself a nice axe there," I commented.
He smiled and lifted it up, "Yeah just been chopping up some firewood you know, was a bit useful too when it came to walkers,"
"Walkers?" I questioned.
"Yeah you know those things that keep walking around eating people,"
"Huh I would never have thought to call them walkers,"
Jacob smiled and shrugged, "Well I better get back to chopping that wood, nice to meet you Kaylin," and he walked away.
Amy playfully slapped my arm, "He's cute right, bit young for me though,"
"Who's he here with?" I asked.
"No one, Dale picked him up a few days back he lost his whole family, mum, dad, little sister,"
"That's so sad," I said and looked over at my two brothers who were sat outside their tent. I couldn't imagine life without them; they'd had my backs since...well forever. Maybe I'd acted a bit harsh before I mean in days like this who'd risk falling out with people over stupid stuff that doesn't even matter.
"Amy, can you come over here for a second please?" Andrea called of her sister. Amy stood up and brushed the dirt off her jeans before walking over to see what Andrea wanted.
I looked over again at my brothers before standing up and making my way back over to them. I plonked myself next to them both and smiled sweetly at Merle.
"It really creeps me out when you do that," He chuckled.
"Can we pretty please stay please," I begged.
Merle looked at me and then Daryl who shrugged. I knew he liked it here to. "It seems pretty secure man, away from the city, away from them things,"
"Walkers, they're called walkers."
"Well whatever they are they ain't here,"
"Fine we'll stay here and see how it goes ok?" Merle stated.
I could have literally jumped for joy but instead settled for giving my brother a playful punch on the arm.
"Right come on get up we're going hunting," He ordered. "Guess we better earn our keep some way," He mumbled and we all headed for the woods.
We stalked through the woods, I swapped my gun for the bow and arrow I'd remembered to pack. We often went hunting quite a bit before the outbreak happened, and I remember the day I got in from school I was only about eleven and I found a bow and arrow waiting for me in my room. They both took me out taught me to use it, Daryl was more helpful than Merle coz he didn't lose his temper as much. I was a quick learner though and I remember when I got my first kill and Merle had never been so proud, he called me a true Dixon.
I kept my eye out for any kind of animal...or walker that may come by, but it was all quiet. I was careful where I tread I didn't want to be scaring off anything. It was then I noticed the squirrel running up the tree trunk, without a second thought I aimed my arrow and shot, and watched as the squirrel fell to the ground. I pulled the arrow out and picked up the squirrel.
Daryl gave me thumbs up and Merle added it to the string of squirrels flung over his shoulder. After about an hour or so I'd managed to catch a few more squirrels but nothing else much. None of us had caught anything big like a deer, but we hadn't been out very long.
"Alright we better head back before it starts getting dark," Daryl commented and we all agreed.
"Do you reckon this is like forever now?" I asked.
"What you talking about kiddo?" Merle questioned.
"This thing that's taking over the world, will it ever go back to normal, will we ever get to go home?"
Daryl and Merle looked at each other unsure what to say I guess no one knew really.
"You gotta be tough as ever now Kayl, that's all I'm saying," Merle finally responded.
I nodded.
"We've been through enough crazy shit over the years we'll survive this too," Daryl added.
It was then I realised how lucky I was to still have my brothers by my side. "The Dixon team huh?" I smiled.
"Yeah that's right little lady," Merle said ruffling my hair.
When we got back to camp Merle flung the squirrels on the table and surprised everyone. "Not exactly luxury but better than that canned shit you all been eating,"
"Thanks man," Shane commented.
Merle grunted and walked back over to the tent.
"How do you even cook squirrel?" Amy asked.
"Same way as any other meat just needs gutting is all," I explained and grabbed a squirrel ripping it open.
"That's so gross," Amy said putting her hand over her mouth.
I shrugged, "It's gonna feed y'all tonight,"
Amy shuddered, and walked away.
"Not exactly squeamish are ya?" Shane laughed.
"I grew up with two brothers raising me, I was never gonna be squeamish," I replied putting the fresh meat into a bucket.
He nodded before leaving to go and talk to Lori; I swear something was going on between them two.
Jacob came over and inspected the squirrels. "You gonna help?" I asked throwing him one.
"Sure," He smiled and sat down at the table with me.
"So you're a hunter?" He asked.
I nodded, "Ever since I was younger,"
"Me too, before I met Dale I relied on catching my own food after ya know I left the house without any,"
I smiled I wanted to ask about his family, how he survived on his own before he met up with the others, but I felt it was way too personal. I mean I barely knew the guy.
"Hey maybe we could go hunting one day," He suggested.
I looked up from my squirrel, "Maybe," I said. I noticed Daryl turn around and give Jacob the stare, the 'don't even think about it kid' stare, but I chose to ignore him. This didn't go unnoticed by Jacob though.
"Wow that was a stare and a half," He said once Daryl had gone.
"Just ignore him, he's my brother raised me since I was a little girl he's gonna be a little protective," I explained.
We continued gutting the squirrels in silence.
Later on that night we all sat round the main fire, including Merle, and eat the squirrels we'd caught earlier.
"Oh my god I hate to say this but this is so good," Amy laughed.
"You got that right," Andrea said playfully elbowing her.
"Well when you ain't eaten nothing but powdered eggs and canned food for days you can't complain," Morales added.
"Powdered eggs courtesy of T-dog will be breakfast tomorrow," T-dog smiled, and everyone groaned.
The only two who weren't enjoying it were Carl and Sophia he seemed slightly freaked out at the prospect of eating a cute little animal. Eliza and Louis had taken less persuading and they were happily munching on their last bit of meat.
"Come on Carl, you won't get anything else until morning," Lori said to a reluctant Carl who sat with his arms folded and his full plate on his lap.
"Little man, Merle, Daryl and Kaylin caught this for us so we wouldn't go hungry it would be selfish to throw it back in their face," Shane said softly.
"Please Sophia, just a little bit," Carol begged her daughter who shook her head.
"Hey kids," I called and they both looked at me.
"You eaten lamb before?" I asked.
They both nodded. "What's lamb?" I asked.
"A baby sheep," Carl responded.
"There you go," I smiled and popped a bit of squirrel in my mouth. "You guys won't know the difference, promise,"
They both smiled and seemed to be coming round to my way of thinking, before Ed had to ruin it.
"Sophia!" He roared making everyone jump, but especially her, "Eat your god damn food now!" He screamed again.
Both of the kids grabbed their forks in fear and began eating. I glared at Ed what an utter arsehole, everyone stayed in an awkward silence slightly disturbed at what just happened. Sophia's hands were visibly shaking as she struggled to eat under her daddy's watchful eye.
Daryl watched as I clenched my hands to the log trying to refrain myself from doing or saying something I'd regret. "Just breathe we don't need to get involved in no one's business," He whispered in my ear.
"Well it's nice that this group has gotten bigger," Dale commented breaking the silence.
"Yeah some have already made big impressions," Jacob said looking at me, I looked up catching his eye before looking back down at my plate, chewing my squirrel smiling slightly.
"What you getting at boy?" Ed's booming voice erupted.
"Nothing sir," Jacob stated.
"Yeah it better be nothing!"
"Calm down man," Shane said.
"Don't tell me to calm down," he yelled to Shane, "And you better watch your mouth boy," Ed warned before pulling Carol up roughly by her arm.
"Come on we're going to bed," He said dragging her along. "Come on!" He shouted back to Sophia. She whimpered slightly and quickly followed her Mom and Dad.
"That man needs sorting out," Shane stated.
"Stay out of it Shane," Lori replied.
"It ain't our business," Jacqui added.
Shane shook his head, and I couldn't agree with him more.
"It's getting late, we should all turn in," Dale said and everyone agreed.
We all said goodnight to each other and walked our separate ways.
"Shane's right, he can't act like that it's wrong," I said to my two brothers.
"It ain't our business kiddo," Merle said.
I stopped and looked at him in shock, "How can you say that?" I asked in disgust.
"Because it happened a long time ago, we gotta get over it ok?"
"Night," I replied ignoring the question and climbing into the tent; I crawled into bed not even bothering to get changed because as soon as my head hit the pillow, I was out like a light.
Hope you liked it I beg of you to review because I kind of feel like I'm wasting my time so any comment will do. I will really really appreciate it.