Hey everyone I had real fun writing this chapter and hope you enjoy it too. Thanks again to my followers and favourites and of course my reviewers!
We'd been tracking this deer now for most of the morning and I was beginning to lose patience. I was tired, hungry, thirsty and not to mention dripping with sweat but I could imagine the joy on everyone's faces when we'd bring it back.
Daryl bent down once again, "It's real close,"
It was then I spotted it hiding behind the bushes, without thinking I aimed my arrow and shot I was not about to miss this opportunity again. I smiled widely when I saw it fall to the ground, I'd done it, I'd caught it.
Daryl patted me on the shoulder, "Well done Kayl,"
Suddenly the sound of children screaming snapped us from our happiness, "That sounded like Carl and Sophia," I looked at Daryl worryingly, without hesitating we both sprinted towards the screams which coincidently were in the same direction as the shot deer. We pushed our way through the branches and shrubs to find the whole camp with most pointing guns at us.
This was met by further shit when we discovered the deer we had spent so long tracking had been mauled by a walker who lay next to it headless. I could feel my blood boil in annoyance.
"Son of a bitch," I shouted as we pushed our way towards it.
The whole camp looked on edge and rather suspicious, including Jacob who rubbed the back of his head not even able to look at, before beginning to follow the others back to the camp.
"That was our deer!" Daryl exclaimed. "Look at it all nawled on by this filthy, disease bearing, motherless, poxy bastard," He said as he aggressively kicked the dead walker other and other again. I stood with my arms folded as I watched the others shy away from my brother, something was definitely up.
"Calm down son, that's not helping," Dale advised, of course reasoning with my brother's was just impossible.
"What do you know about it old man?" He asked making his way over to Daryl, "You take that stupid hat and go back to on golden pond,"
"Daryl don't take it out on Dale, it ain't they're fault," I defended.
"Yeah, it's only a deer," Jim added.
"Hey man, he has a right to be pissed I am too, we've been tracking this deer for miles thought we'd drag it back to camp and cook us up some venison," I argued.
Again everyone looked at us with guilty expressions and faces of worry. I glanced at Amy who was stood next to Andrea she looked at me before looking away and this was happening with everyone I looked at.
Daryl was of course oblivious to this and was still thinking of ways we could get the deer, "What do you think we could cut up around this chewed bit right here?" He asked looking at Shane.
"I would not risk that," He replied balancing his gun over his shoulders, his hat covering his eyes.
Daryl sighed and admitted defeat, "That's a damn shame, well we got some squirrel about a dozen so that'll have to do,"
Suddenly the head of the walker snapped its mouth and eyes open making the most disgusting sound.
"Oh god," Amy gagged and her and Andrea hurried back to camp. I rolled my eyes and shot an arrow through its head before pulling the arrow out and standing next to Daryl.
"Come on people, it's gotta be the brain," He reminded them. "Don't you all know nothing? come on Kaylin lets wake up Merle," I nodded and we headed back into camp walking past a guy who stared us down. I'd never met him before so just assumed that it was some loner who got picked up in Atlanta.
Everyone was stood round the RV and watched as we emerged into camp. "Merle!" I shouted running over to the tents.
"Get your arse out here!" Daryl shouted.
"We got some squirrel!" I added wondering why he wasn't here to greet us. We threw our heavy bags down and before we could get him up Shane was calling us.
"Hey Daryl, Kaylin wait up a sec, there's something I need to tell ya's," He said putting his gun in one of the cars. We both turned around and my heart began to pound something was up for sure.
"What about?" I questioned and Shane paused.
"About Merle," he finally said and me and Daryl both turned to look at each other, it was then I knew that something had happened in Atlanta.
The whole group stood behind him watching us, it was driving me insane I felt like an outsider like there was some huge secret that everyone knew except us.
"There was a problem in Atlanta," He continued.
I began to feel my body crumble as I struggled to contain a sob I could feel building up from my stomach. I stumbled backwards but Daryl's hand was there to keep me up, my lip began to quiver and my body began to shake. There was a huge silence between us all as I watched everyone's gazes.
"Is he dead?" Daryl asked.
"We're not sure," Shane admitted.
My head snapped up a glare of confusion and anguish in my eyes. "What!" I shouted how the hell could he not know whether he was dead or alive?
"He either is or he aint!" Daryl shouted as he began pacing.
"There's no easy way to say this so I'll just say it," The mysterious guy interrupted making his way towards us.
"Who are you?" I asked.
"Rick Grimes," He replied.
"Huh Rick Grimes got something he want to tell us," I mocked.
"Your brother was a danger to us all so I handcuffed him to a roof on a bit of metal, he's still there," He explained.
That's when I saw red, "You handcuffed our brother to a roof and left him there!" I screamed.
"Yeah," Rick replied.
Daryl lunged for Rick but Shane tackled him to the ground, this gave me my opportunity while everyone concerned themselves over violent Daryl and stopping him from hurting Rick, my fist flew to his face and connected straight with his nose. He stumbled his hands covered his nose as it bled, everyone gasped in shock and Jacob sprang into action holding me back.
"You're a murderer!" I screamed at him. "You left him for dead! You wouldn't even do that to an animal!"
I kicked and struggled as Jacob kept his grip on me. "Let me go!" I roared. Shane still had Daryl pinned to the ground we looked like a bunch of mad people but I don't know how you can be expected to take news like that well.
"I'm gonna kill you! Ya hear me I will kill you!" My hair was coming loose from my plait and my face was red raw, angry tears burned my eyes and I couldn't even see straight anymore.
Lori was by Rick's side looking at me in shock, the kids had been pushed into the RV out of the way and everyone else just watched not sure what to do or how to act. I trusted these people and they'd let me down in one of the worst ways possible.
"Stop!" T-dog yelled standing in front of me and for some reason I did, I stopped screaming, I stopped struggling and was ready to hear what he had to say which could make this situation better.
Of course Mr Big Shot had to carry on running his mouth. "Your brother does not work and play well with others,"
"What would you know anything about my brother?"
Daryl at this point had broken free from Shane's grasp and was running at Rick with a knife. Shane grabbed his neck while Rick elbowed him in the side.
"Best let me go!" He shouted.
"I think it's best if we don't," Shane replied choke holding him.
"Choke holding's illegal,"
"Hey file a complaint,"
Rick bent down to my brother's level, "I'd like to have a calm, discussion on this topic you think you both can manage that?" Rick asked turning to look at me.
I began to struggle again but Jacob was too strong, "Shhh," He whispered in my ear, "Just keep calm Kaylin keep calm,"
I looked towards Daryl who had finally succumbed to Shane and Rick, he gave me a look back as if to say give them a chance to talk. I slowly relaxed my heavy breathing began to soothe and my heart stopped pounding, exhausted I fell limp in Jacob's arms and he let me go.
"It's not Rick's fault," T-dog began and Daryl and I both turned to look at him. "I had the key, I dropped it,"
My mouth fell open, T-dog of all people who I had spoken to on a numerous occasions, who I had laughed and joked with, who I considered a friend. It was his fault.
"Couldn't pick it up?" Daryl asked in frustration.
"I dropped it down a drain,"
I'd heard enough at this point; I began walking away back into the woods. Jacob grabbed my arm but I pulled away.
"Leave me alone!" I shouted. "Just leave me alone," I said again my voice cracking under pressure, I began sprinting before they could see my tears. Running through the woods branches scratched my arms and caught onto my hair I tore away from it but eventually my legs crumpled and I couldn't run anymore. My knees buckled under pressure and I fell to the floor.
I don't know how long I sat there crying, but eventually my sobs subsided and I sat in silence staring at the same tree wondering how in just a matter of weeks my whole world had been turned upside down.
Footsteps made me more alert but my mind began thinking maybe I would be better off dead, all this world was filled with was hopelessness and despair.
"Hey kiddo," Daryl's voice said softly as he sat down next to me.
I didn't reply just kept staring ahead; he rested his hand on my arm and pulled me towards him. My head fell on his shoulder and more tears began to roll down my face.
"Now you stop that ya hear me?" He asked brushing away some of my tears. "After you left T-dog said he chained the door to the roof so no walkers could get through."
"That's supposed to make me feel better?" I asked.
"It means he's probably still alive Kayl, Mr Big Shot has said he'll go back to Atlanta to get him T-dog's coming and Glenn," He paused. "And me,"
"No Daryl please or at least let me come with you, I can't lose another brother I just can't," I cried.
"Kaylin, stop it," He said gently grabbing my arms and making me face him.
"And what if you don't come back huh? I'm stuck here on my own with people who I can't even trust anymore, who would quite happily turn their back on me if it meant keeping themselves safe,"
"I promise I'll be back before sundown," He reassured me.
I looked away and began running my hands over the dirt on the floor. "Merle was right, we were better off on our own always have been, trouble happens in big groups," I cursed at myself for persuading Merle to stay here.
"Maybe we could have been, but then we could all be dead," Daryl explained.
"When you come back with Merle we're leaving, I don't want to stay here anymore,"
"Maybe you should come back to camp and listen to Jacob and Amy they have some things to tell you, they stuck up for you last night," Daryl said standing up and holding out his hand. I paused for a second before reaching out and allowing myself to be pulled up. I fell into his arms and he rubbed my back.
"We're gonna be ok Kaylin I promise," He said softly resting his chin on my head.
"I really hope so Daryl," I whispered.
"Oh and by the way, the guy you hit was Lori's husband and Carl's dad," Daryl smirked.
I groaned. "Great so I'm likely to be public enemy number one now,"
"Who cares that was a great punch!" He laughed and I couldn't help but giggle back.
We re-entered camp, and much to my surprise despite my behaviour earlier everyone gave me small sympathetic smiles, even Lori who was helping Carol collect washing. I glanced at Rick whose nose was beginning to bruise and couldn't help but feel some kind of satisfaction; he saw me staring and began making his way over to me.
"Hey errm I just want to say I am really sorry for what happened in Atlanta, and I understand how angry you are but we're gonna bring him back ok and maybe we can start again?" He held out his hand. "I'm Rick Grimes,"
I kept my arms folded, "Just bring my brother back," I said coldly and walked away, I spotted both Amy and Jacob stood next to the RV taking a deep breath a walked towards them. Amy spotted my first and gave me a huge grin; Jacob was a bit more hesitant.
"Hey," I said nervously playing with my fingers.
"We are really sorry about what happened with Merle," Amy began.
"Yeah I know, Daryl told me thanks guys and I'm really sorry about what happened earlier, especially to you Jacob."
Jacob's face was blank eventually he smiled, "You're one crazy girl Dixon, you know that,"
I smiled in relief.
Once the others had gone to get Merle and Jacob was keeping watch with Dale, me and Amy decided to go and help Andrea, Carol and Jacqui with the washing.
"I do miss my Maytag," Carol sighed as she tried to scrub a stubborn stain.
"I miss my Benz. My satnav," Andrea continued.
"I miss my coffeemaker, with that dual-drip filter and built-in grinder, honey," Jacqui replied.
"My computer. Texting," Amy added.
"I'll second that," I smiled raising my hand.
"I miss my vibrator," Andrea admitted.
We all giggled and I nudged Amy who was laughing in embarrassment, but I never expected what would be said next.
"Me too," Carol joined.
That was enough to have us all burst out laughing, never expecting that from Carol. Of course happiness was always short lived whenever Ed was around who had been watching us from his truck.
"What's so funny?" He asked making his way over to us, we all stopped laughing and exchanged glances with one another. Carol went back to her fearful expression of constantly stepping on egg shells.
"Just swapping war stories Ed," Andrea told and we all went back to scrubbing clothes but he didn't leave us alone as he paced behind us cigarette in his mouth. I looked at Amy with raised eyebrows and she returned the stare.
He was so fricking annoying, acting all high and mighty around us all the time making us feel uncomfortable.
"Problem Ed?" Andrea asked in annoyance.
"None that concerns you, you ought to focus on your work aint no comedy club," He replied.
Andrea scoffed looking at me and Amy, I turned around and gave Ed an evil stare but he was too busy staring daggers at Carol to realise, Carol who had fallen silent refusing to catch anyone's eye.
A few more minutes had passed and we continued washing clothes in silence, stealing glances to see if he was still staring he was stood over us all watching us work.
Andrea had seemed to have enough and she stood up with wet washing in her hand. "I'll tell you what Ed you don't like how your laundry is done you are more than welcome to pitch in and do it yourself, here," She confronted throwing the wet shirt at him.
He threw it back with force and it hit her hard in the chest, she gasped as it knocked her back. Amy was immediately to her feet and I followed.
"Ain't my job missy," He replied.
"Andrea don't," Amy warned, I tapped her shoulder and shook my head it was about time someone told Ed the truth and Andrea seemed to be the right one to do it.
"What is your job Ed? Sitting around on your arse smoking cigarettes?" She asked.
"It sure ain't listening to some uppity smart mouth bitch, I'll tell you that, come on," He ordered to Carol.
Carol began standing up. "No Carol you don't have to go you stay here," I said to her.
"You keep your smart little nasty mouth out of this ya hear me?" He snapped at me.
I shook my head in disgust. "You don't scare me Ed, she's not going with you," I said sternly.
Carol was hesitant but started walking towards Ed; Andrea tried to stop her which only riled Ed more.
"Hey, don't think I won't knock you on your ass, just cause you're some college educated cooze, alright?" He snarled at Andrea.
"And you," He said turning to me, "The same goes to you missy just coz you're a Dixon doesn't make you something special, it makes you scum," He spat. "Now come on, or your gonna regret it later," he threatened to Carol.
I clenched my fist by my side and blocked his access to Carol. "So she can show up with fresh bruises later Ed?" Jacqui asked. "Yes that's right we've all seen them,"
Ed laughed at us all which only made us angrier. The next few minutes happened in a blur Ed was pulling Carol's arm and we were all trying desperately to keep her away from him, he reached out his hand and slapped her across the face and then everything went mental.
Andrea and me were hitting out at him, while he continuously tried to push us away keeping a firm grip on Carol's arm. Finally Amy managed to pull her away and he raised his hand to both of us and I prepared myself for a hit which never came.
Shane had grabbed Ed by the shoulder and threw him to the floor. Too shocked to do anything we watched and did our best to comfort Carol as he continuously punched Ed in the face over and over again. Carol was sobbing and I tried to rub her back in comfort. Ed deserved it but it was now going too far, he looked like he was going to kill him, and Carol still brainwashed by him would never forgive Shane or any of us for that matter.
"Shane stop!" We all shouted but it was proving too difficult. Eventually I ran over and knelt down by his side. Lifting my arms up I grabbed his fist before it had another chance to land another blow on Ed's face.
"That's enough," I said. Shane looked at me catching back his breath beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He allowed relaxed his arm and I let go of his now bruised fist.
He turned his attention back to Ed and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, finger pointing in his face.
"You put your hands to your wife, your little girl or anybody else in this camp one more time I will not stop next time, do you hear me? Do you hear me? I'll beat you to death yeah," And he landed one more blow on his face before standing up and kicking him.
I pulled him by his arm gently, "I said that's enough," I hissed.
Amy let Carol run to Ed's side who was crying and apologising over and over again, a very sad scene to watch and it took me a while to realise I was still holding on to Shane's arm, he turned to look at everyone who was staring in shock and his eyes fell onto me the only one who could see understanding in his actions. I let my arm drop and watched as he walked away my eyes not been able to cast away once there was something very interesting about Shane.
I said it was going to be pretty explosive! Hope you guys enjoyed it and will leave me a review telling me what you thought. I'll be back soon with another update!
Leah