Between the Thorns

Chapter 27

Being assigned as the outpost's huntsman was easier than Daryl expected. The wooded area around the building was ripe with game. The only attempts to shoot a deer before he arrived were being done off the back balcony with handguns. Daryl tried his best not to laugh. If someone had exceptionally good aim, it might have been possible to get a deer with a rifle at that distance. But all they were going to do with the small handguns they were using was waste ammunition.

Daryl did as Gavin said, choosing three of the younger men and arming them properly before he took them out into the woods with him. While they might not be proficient in hunting and tracking, the saviors soldiers were well versed in following orders. They were quick and quiet and Daryl discovered quickly that they did whatever he told them to do without question. Within the first hour, they had a deer. Daryl showed them how to field dress the animal. And then he suspended it from a nearby tree. By the time the small group headed back to the outpost, they were swinging not only the large doe Daryl shot, but a giant wild boar that he let one of his new apprentices take down.

Life at the Savior outpost was much less eventful than Daryl expected. There was some drinking and smoking, but the noise was kept to a dull roar. The second full day, Daryl was not able to go hunting. There was a herd of the dead heading for what Gavin referred to as one of their tribute communities. Daryl understood by now this was a polite way of saying people that the saviors bullied and stole from. The herd was large. And their group was met by saviors from another outpost. From how smoothly the process went, Daryl could tell this wasn't the group's first time taking down a herd that size. They used a large stationary machine gun to thin the bulk of the herd. Then the men moved in and took out the rest hand to hand. They worked as a team and watched each other's backs. Daryl hated to admit it, but he was impressed that they were able to take out such a large herd without sustaining any losses or injuries. And since the herd was heading for one of their tribute communities, who were most certainly not well armed or experienced in combat, Daryl was starting to wonder if the relationship between the Saviors and the communities they controlled wasn't a little more symbiotic than he first assumed. The Saviors might be demanding payment for their services. But they also just stopped an entire community from being overrun.

"Time to load up," a man said, poking his head into the room and gesturing to Daryl. Daryl nodded, swinging his feet off the small bunk he was laying on and stuffing them into his boots. He climbed into the waiting truck, more heavily armed than usual. He had his bow. But there was also a large handgun strapped to his belt. And another smaller gun tucked away into his boot. His companions were armed similarly, but with large automatic weapons instead of a bow.

When they pulled up into the small parking lot that Daryl guessed was pre-arranged as a meeting spot, the other group was already there waiting. Daryl was relieved at first that they weren't familiar to him and he didn't know them. But then he spotted a familiar face.

"Daryl?," Morgan exclaimed, "...is that you?" Daryl nodded, stepping forward and sticking his hand out to the other man. He wasn't sure if he was allowed to greet the people they were shaking down, but no one said he couldn't. So he did. Morgan clasped his hand, giving it a brief shake before they both fell back in line.

"New friends?," Morgan asked, a hint of amusement in his voice as he glanced at Daryl's companions. Daryl returned Morgan's pointed glances.

"Looks like you made some too," Daryl observed. Morgan smiled, adjusting the fighting stick in his hands. "Anyone else around from home?"

"Carol," Morgan said, "...she's in a house outside town." Daryl's reaction to the mention of Carol appeared nonchalant to those around him. But inside he was quickly filling with mixed emotions at the possibility of seeing her again.

"Can we get on with this?," Gavin asked. "...or do the two of you need to sit down for tea?" Daryl nodded and stepped back, squaring up his shoulders and resting his hand on the butt of his gun. "The drop looks light," Gavin said, gesturing to the supplies that were neatly organized in the bed of a pickup truck.

"I think you'll find everything is here and accounted for."

The man that spoke stepped forward slightly. He had long white hair that was twisted into dreadlocks. And his tone of voice was calmer than Daryl expected given the situation. Gavin nodded and the man with the dreads instructed his people to load the supplies into the saviors' truck. The whole exchange was going smoothly. Until a tall white guy in makeshift body armor shoulder checked one of Gavin's men. The two of them started arguing and Daryl found himself getting angry with the man that caused the disturbance. Not only was he causing trouble where there didn't need to be any. And letting his ego put his entire group at risk. As far as Daryl was concerned, these people owed them these supplies. They just took out one of the largest herds of walkers Daryl had ever seen. A herd that was heading straight for their community. They saved them from being overrun. And all they were asking in return was some cantaloupe and green beans.

"Back off asshole," Daryl hissed, shoving the stranger away from his companion. The man backed up. But he looked like he might not be done causing trouble. "Gimme yer gun," Daryl ordered, holding his hand out. The man started to argue. But the other man with the dreadlocks stepped in, telling him to give Daryl his gun and go get in the truck. The man huffed. But he did as he was told and handed his gun over. Daryl spoke up again, directing his words to the man with the dreads since he seemed to be in charge. "If ya know what's good for ya, you won't bring that asshole here again. He's gonna get someone killed."