Newly Revised
The next day started off intense. Shane had all but demanded in front of the entire group to know what she had been doing the night before in the woods in detail, which had gotten more than one person to speak up about it too. Feeling obligated to answer, she simply said she was checking for game trails and foraging, reiterating that that was how the kids got the berries this morning and the camp had some herbs that could be used for dressing wounds. She also restated that it wasn't a big deal, she knew how to hunt, knew what was useful, and was simply doing what she thought was needed for the betterment of the group. He once again tried to tell her that she should stay in camp, only for her to laugh at him. Tea told him that she would do no such thing as she had seen a few promising game trails the night before and game wouldn't be enough to feed the camp anyway. On top of that, she also had routes and stores planned out in the city and surrounding areas to get supplies for the camp. She was surprised when several members spoke up for her regarding it, effectively shutting Shane down. He was pissed that she had fought against his wishes and won, and made it well known to her and the rest of the group how much he thought it was a stupid idea for anyone to walk off alone, let alone go to the woods at night.
"Ya wouldn' tell that ta the Dixons," she pointed out ending the conversation, noticing the shared looks of annoyance from the brothers at being brought up. "Face it, Shane. Ya tryin' a force ya ideals on me, and that shite ain' gonna work."
After that little squabble was done and over with, everyone gathered around the campfire to eat. It was a meager breakfast consisting of mostly protein bars and the berries Tea had found the night before, but it was better than nothing. Tea found herself bringing out the maps she had marked last night and placing them on the hood of her car, calling Glenn over. Grimacing when Shane, along with Lori and Dale came over too, she explained a general plan of what shops needed to be hit today and what shops could be hit in the days to come. She showed a route to a small town not too far from the quarry and opposite the city. It had at least three different shops that would contain the immediate necessities, such as tents, camping gear, and hiking essentials. There would be non-perishable food items, too, which would last them a good long while if they rationed right. If they were really lucky, they'd even be able to find some fresh produce to last a week or so. There was a small pharmacy in that town too, where they could pick up at least the basics of first aide supplies to help them.
"How you suppose you're gonna get so much stuff up here, anyways?" Shane scoffed, ever the optimist.
"Well, my SUV has a lotta room in it with the backseats layin' down and I can lash more up on top. 'Sides that, the smartest way ta go 'bout gettin' so much stuff is ta take it out a the packagin' and pack it inta the trunk like that," she replied evenly. "I already got the betta part a everythin' figured out. Jus' needed ta tell Glenn the plan so we could go."
"Why you and Glenn?" Shane asked suspiciously.
"Glenn knows more 'bout the layout a the area, right?" she asked him, receiving a nod. "If we need ta find a different way out, he's the best man for the job." She added, "And it's my plan and my vehicle with the mos' space ta get it done. We don' need anyone else."
"You said it might take a couple trips?" Lori stated, sounding unsure.
"Maybe. I mean, we could take anotha vehicle, but mos' a the otha vehicles with any kinda space are taken up. The Dixons' truck's prolly the only vehicle that'd be much good for this, seein' as Asshole's Cherokee is stocked," she stated, a bit miffed that the fat man in it hadn't pulled out what was clearly MREs to help the group.
"Asshole?" Shane chuckled, clearly amused.
She didn't respond to that, simply continuing with her train of thought, "I can ask the Dixons, but my guess is they'll want somethin' in return. Maybe makin' mention a the huntin' store ta them will make a difference. Could always let 'em have first choice on what they want from it. I got a few otha things I wanna run by everyone, too. Like how everyone should always have a knapsack ready with 'nough supplies ta last a couple days and everyone should be carryin' at least a knife or somethin'."
"Yeah, I don't know if I like that last part. Put a weapon in the wrong hands and things could go real wrong, real quick," Shane said, looking over at the Dixons thoughtfully. "Though, I do agree with the bag thing. As far as the Dixons, well shit, my Jeep's got room."
"Not enough ta really matta. If the Dixons are willin' ta go, they jus' gotta pull the choppa out the back and there's all the space we'd need for the whole dang trip," she countered.
"Well shit, I don't like it. That older Dixon may very well leave with all the supplies."
"I doubt it. At least not right now. 'Specially when this won' be a stockpile a supplies or nothin'. Jus' what we need ta get us up and runnin'. If 'e were gonna rob the camp blind, 'e'd do it when we got enough stuff ta last for months, not jus' days. 'Sides, the food'll be with me in the SUV anyways."
"And how in the world do you know that?" he questioned her, quite miffed.
"Did ya forget I'm a damn forensic psychologist, Shane? It's literally my job ta know people," she stated firmly while staring at him straight in the eye. "'Sides that, that's what I'd do 'cause that's the smart play."
Shane backed off at that, catching the warning she gave. It pissed him off to no end that she was warning him about knowing what he was thinking when all he was doing was trying to keep an eye on the little thing. She was so hot and young that he couldn't help but want to touch her, and when she pissed him off and walked away before he was done it was a perfect opportunity to. When she suggested talking to the Dixons about using their truck, he immediately bristled because who in their right mind would willingly talk to the drunken, druggie rednecks? All through the night last night and already this morning, Merle Dixon had been on a bender of who knew what pills, cussing and yelling up a storm. Daryl had been watching the little thing as she went around camp while talking to Merle at times, giving dirty looks to anyone who got too close. The two were worthless hicks, and Shane thought it was ridiculous that they were the first people the girl had thought of asking for help. The fact that Daryl had seen the altercation between them earlier in the morning and had just stood there watching miffed him too. He had seen the way the younger Dixon was watching Tea, and he did not like it one bit.
"You know, I can just take the stuff out of my Jeep," he tried once more.
"Still wouldn' be half as much room as the truck," she called over her shoulder, walking away towards the Dixons.
"I know you wanna look after her, but she'll be okay," Lori said behind him, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah, I know. Hell, this plan of hers is brilliant. How you think she did all this?"
"She basically said last night she was smart," Glenn offered. "I guess she just proved it."
"I guess," came Shane's reply, eyes still following the girl's retreating back.
Tea was oblivious to their conversation as she walked over to the truck Daryl was leaning on. She didn't expect his eyes to widen slightly in surprise as she walked over nor his jaw slacken just a bit. He registered his own reactions as quickly as she saw it, though, and set his face back into a scowl. He had to admit, he didn't expect the little girl to be walking right up to him. He had figured that she would be just as wary of him and his brother as the rest of the group were. Merle being drugged up didn't help matters any, either. In the light of the morning, he could clearly see her face, which had him squinting his eyes in confusion. Right below her lower lip where her chin jutted out, there was an ugly crescent scar. It almost looked like someone had dug their nail into the girl's chin and it marred her otherwise unblemished face. He realized he was staring as she finished walking within appropriate speaking distance and quickly looked away. The door to the truck opened and the older Dixon stepped out.
"Well lookie here, baby brother," he started, "Little Miss Educated come over to our side. What ya say about given ol' Merle some attention, sweet cheeks?" as he spread his arms wide and poured on the charm.
Her eyes momentarily showed confusion before she replied, "I'm already givin' ya attention by talkin' ta ya." She watched as the grin fell off his face and a look of 'are you shitting me' replaced it. "If I said we're plannin' a trip ta get supplies we need right now, and that we're also gonna be hittin' up a couple huntin' stores and ya could have first pick a what we find in 'em, would ya be willin' ta pull the choppa out a the truck and go with us ta get the supplies? Ya truck is the only otha vehicle with enough space ta matta."
"Huh," he huffed, taking a serious look at the girl. "And why ya think ya can ask somethin' like that?"
"Well, I did offa the first pick a the weapons at the huntin' shops," she pointed out.
"Don't need no fuckin' weapons," Merle shot at her.
"Alright, first pick a the gear?" she offered.
"Could just take all of it," he said.
Looking him right in the eye, she explained, "I mean no disrespect 'ere, Mr. Dixon, but if ya were gonna make off with the supplies, ya'd wait 'til there was a decent amount, not jus' take the shite needed ta make camp. It'd be stupid ta take the supplies right off the bat, let alone break from the group when everythin's still goin' ta hell, anyways. I know ya ain' goin' ta go for nothin' eitha, 'cause nothin' worth doin' comes for free."
"What're you gettin' out of goin'?" Daryl asked, taken back by what she said.
"I get ta get the fuck away from Shane for a while," she once again deadpanned, earning a snort from both Dixons. "Anyways, are ya willin' ta go?"
"I ain't leavin' my bike here with these pussies," Merle said.
"Neva said ya had ta."
"Well, sugartits, you wanna ride with ol' Merle? I can show you a grand ole time," Merle asked with a sly grin, fully enjoying the glares he was receiving from Daryl for the attempt at flirting.
Daryl had never been fond of Merle's advancements on younger women; the man was old enough to be the little girl's father and he was still trying to get in her pants. He kept telling himself that that was the only reason he was bothered, but the truth was he just couldn't stop looking at the girl. He'd been watching her flit around camp, going up to the kids with a little extra food, helping to sort out some of the camping equipment from the RV. She didn't talk except for when she was spoken to or had something she found important enough to say. The fact that she had spoken up for him the night before was still running around in his head, too. No one stood up for a Dixon but the Dixons, and half the time it was just him. Merle'd left home as often as he could right up until he joined the military, leaving him to fend for himself at an early age.
"I have ta drive my SUV," she stated simply. "Maybe anotha time, but don' be expectin' me ta be holdin' onta ya. I don' need ta hold on ta ride a motorbike, 'specially not a Triumph. Choppas like that are the best rides in my opinion."
Shock crossed both Dixons' faces when she agreed, and even more so when she correctly labeled the bike. "Didn't peg you for knowin' bikes now, girly," Merle said, impressed. "I have to agree that choppers are the best."
She shook her head before sharing, "My papa had a Triumph Bonneville, too, but I think it was an olda model. He would take me out on rides durin' the summa afta I turned twelve. Said I was big 'nough ta ride then. We'd jus' go get lost on the back roads. Neva needed ta hold on afta that first ride."
"No, with thighs like that, I s'ppose you wouldn't," Merle attempted to flirt again.
However, looking straight in his eyes in all seriousness she said, "I do what I can ta stay in shape, thanks for the compliment. We're goin' ta leave in 'bout an hour, if that's good with ya."
"Hell, girl, you're a hard one to crack. Yeah, an hour's fine," Merle sighed with a laugh, shaking his head and giving up for the time being.
The quizzical look she gave him nearly made him laugh again, "What do ya mean by that, Mr. Dixon?"
This time he did laugh, full and hearty, earning an even more confused look from the girl and looks from around the camp. Her eyebrows were turned in and her eyes squinted, mouth in a hard line, head cocked to the side with her hands on her hips. She was honestly and fully confused and for the life of him, he couldn't help but think she was way too funny in that moment for her own good. He looked over to Daryl, who was also smiling and shaking his head, stifling a chuckle of his own at her expression. It was times like this she hated being a versie, especially since her inability to understand the context of a conversation had lead to many embarrassing and confusing moments just like this one.
"Well, shit, girl, you ain't never had a man 'fore? Ain't no one ever try to sweet talk ya or make a move on ya?" Merle questioned while taking a couple steps towards her, completely enthralled by how her face morphed.
She blushed for all of two seconds before her face and eyes went stoically still and she stepped back, "Well, I suppose I have been sweet talked. Ends like this every time, though. I tend ta take things at face value, I guess. Like I said last night, I'm a freak," she said before she turned and walked away, her shoulders tense as if she was trying not to slump.
"Damn, Daryl. Didn't think she was that innocent. How's a hot piece like that not know she's bein' hit on?" Merle wondered, thinking about how she'd basically just implied that she was a virgin.
"Dunno, just happy she's gone" Daryl pointed out eyeing Shane briefly before turning to watch Tea. "Watch out for Casanova over there."
Merle looked over towards where Daryl had gestured only to find Shane glaring daggers at the men. Merle gave the cop a shit eating grin while Daryl went back to watching the little girl walk away. He realized then that he was happy she was gone for more than one reason, and damn if he wasn't a man for staring. It was rare to find curves like that very often where he was from; thick in all the right places with an hourglass body. Even when she stopped walking and stood by Glenn bending over her vehicle, he kept watching her, prompting Merle to state he was the one the pretty boy cop was gonna go after now, sounding ready to start throwing punches himself. Daryl guessed he'd been staring a little too long at the amber-headed backside and Merle'd noticed. When he looked over to him, he saw the cop coming over to where the brothers were, oozing dominance. As if either brother was scared of the wannabe tyrant; they both squared their shoulders and stood up a little straighter.
"So, you two are going on the run then, is that it?" he asked none too friendly.
"Yeah, what's it to ya?" Merle spat out.
"You keep your heads together, you hear? I don't wanna be hearin' about you two hillbillies tryin' crap. That little girl's got a plan all laid out and you best be stickin' to it. While you're at it, keep your damn comments and eyes to yourselves. She's way outta your sorry asses's leagues anyway," he said.
Both Dixons scowled openly at that with Merle stepping right up into the man, "You fuckin' kiddin' me right now? You think you can come up here and say shit? Boss me 'round? Don't think I won't put you in your place, ya fuckin' pig."
"Stay away from Tea if you know what's good for you. Keep your damn hands to yourself while you're at it," Shane insisted, not backing down.
"Really, Shane?" her voice rang out from behind them. "Tellin' othas ta do what ya can' seem ta do yaself?"
Shane turned around to find Tea standing at his back with a map and two CB radios in hand. She had placed herself in a position where her back was turned to the woods and the entire camp were within her field of vision. The Dixons were similarly stanced, and it didn't go unnoticed by Shane. He was starting to wonder just what kind of person she was to have the same habits as the trouble-making rednecks and still work with the police. The fact that she had gotten them both to at the very least chuckle had not gone unnoticed by the better part of the camp and it made his blood boil. He himself had been trying to show his concern for her and she brushed him off every time. Now here she was, backing up the Dixons of all people when he was just giving them a warning. And it was the second time she'd done as much in as many days. His face contorted as his anger boiled over and he rounded on her.
"Look, Tea, I'm just tryin' to look out for you, that's all. You're young and ain't got no one here in your corner and people like the Dixons, man, you don't know what they'll do. You don't know the Dixons like I do. I've detained both of 'em more than once and Merle's been in and out of jail since he was a teen with a rap sheet damn near a mile long. You can't just go around trusting anyone and everyone," he told her, sounding like a father admonishing his kid.
"For one, I don' need ya lookin' out for me," she started, shaking her head and letting out a sigh in exasperation. "Been doin' it myself my whole damn life. I certainly don' need some rando I don' even know past 'is name tryin' ta do it for me now. For two, ya thick in the head or somethin'? I worked for the fuckin' Atlanta PD! My entire fuckin' field is about me knowin' how ta read people, how they think, and figurin' out what they're gonin' ta do next and whetha or not I can help 'em. For three, detainin' ain' the same as arrestin'. For four, and let me make myself crystal clear here, I don' trust anyone who don' earn it, period. Neva have and neva will, least a all arrogant fuckin' cops. I don' trust a single damn person in this camp yet, least a all ya. Hell, especially not ya! I'm jus' trustin' people ta do what's got ta be done. I'm trustin' Glenn ta be able ta give me a way out if we get ovarun and I'm trustin' the Dixons ta get it from point A ta point B. I'm trustin' y'all ta stay the hell put and gatha firewood, make a real fire pit, and gatha whateva supplies we currently have so I can index it when I get back! I'm trustin' people ta get shite done, Shane, but that don' mean I trust the people 'ere. So get ova yaself and get ova thinkin' I have some sort a misplaced trust in anyone. Ain' no one I can trust in this camp but me," she said firmly, noticing the Dixons nod their heads in agreement.
"Now listen," Shane said in a huff, hands on his hip as his anger flared. "I was an officer of the law-"
"And I don' give two shites 'bout that. Ya ain' no shinin' unicorn jus' 'cause ya got a badge. I've seen one too many a cop get trigga happy or go behind the law ta give a shite 'bout the damn badge or title. I've seen one too many people who get a bad rap sit there and be the first ta help when shite hits the fan. Hell, the people I go afta, the cases they need my help on, are the ones where it's a Mr. Nice Guy next door no one thinks ta look at half the time! The do gooda who no one suspects ta be hurtin' 'is wife and kids or runnin' an illegal fightin' ring! No one deserves me trust jus' 'cause, Shane. No one," she cut him off, watching as all three men's faces morphed into varying expressions of shock, anger, and/or amusement. "Quit fuckin' actin' like ya lookin' out for me, 'cause ya ain'. I know exactly what ya are doin', and why ya think ya can."
"Oh, and just what is it you think I'm doing?" he sneered tilting his chin up and looking down on her while stepping up to stand inches from her.
"Ya tryin' ta stake a claim," she stated as a fact, face as hard as ever. Merle full on cackled while Daryl went wide-eyed at her next bold choice of words. "Ya see a hot, young piece a ass in front a ya, emphasis on young and lookin' even younga than that. That's enough ta get ya caveman blood boilin' and ya brain kickin' out all kinds a testostarone, dopamine, and serotonin. It's got ya all kinds a ways thinkin' out ya ass. Actin' possessive, claimin' concern, bein' all hot headed when I don' listen ta ya, puttin' ya hands on me like ya've known me my whole damn life. Ya actin' like I belong ta ya when plain and simple, I fuckin' don'. I ain' ya sista, Shane. I ain' ya daughta or ya ward or ya kin. And I sure as hell ain' eva gonna be ya lova! Ya got Lori for that, the way she's glued ta ya, and ya givin' 'er plenty a attention! Quit actin' like ya got some right ta stick ya nose in my fuckin' business! Get ova yaself, Shane! I ain' eva lettin' ya stake a claim on me! I'd ratha fuck Dale than be claimed by ya!"
That had Merle howling with laughter, "Jesus, girly! You're a little spitfire ain'ch'ya?"
"I do what I can," she said with a nod and a smirk of her own before it fell from her face.
Shane was just staring at her, mouth agape, as if she had just grown an extra head. For her to say what she had like that made him step back. It made his anger rise to a boiling point as she had stood there talking to him about what he was doing. All he wanted to do right then and there was to haul her over his shoulder and throw her in her SUV before climbing in after her. She was right that his blood was boiling. But what threw him over the edge from lust to anger and allowed the moment of conversation between her and Merle to pass without notice was that she had outright said she'd rather sleep with the oldest man in the group than give him a chance.
"Let me tell you something, little girl, I am just tryin' to look out for you. You're young and it don't seem like you know what's good for you. You had to have grown up fast with how you went through school and working with the cops like that. You might be a psychologist, might think you know people, but you don't. Not really. If you did you wouldn't be defending them. You might think you know how they think and why they do what they do, but you really don't. You can't even tell good people from bad. You seem to think I'm bad people when you keep going 'round defendin' druggies and drunkards. People like these two are gonna take advantage of a person like you," he said as he put one hand on her shoulder, leaving the other on his hip and bending down to look her straight in the eye.
"Get ya hand off me, Shane," she bit out glaring at him. "I don' think I know people. I do know them. I watch and observe everythin' and learn who people are when they're at their most vulnerable. I can tell ya the Morales's aren' gonna end up stickin' 'round. They're jus' waitin' for things ta calm down 'fore they head out ta look for family. They keep talkin' 'bout it in Spanish thinkin' no one undastands 'em. I can tell ya Jim is hidin' the pain a loss from everyone. It's a recent and big 'nough one that 'e's lyin' ta himself that 'e's okay and in a complete state a denial. Dale has taken ta Andrea and Amy and sees 'em as the daughtas 'e neva got ta have. I can tell ya that Andrea isn' at all happy bein' stuck with 'er sista. She ain' got much in common with the girl and don' want the responsibility she comes with. It ain' like she don' love 'er sista, jus' don' like havin' ta look afta her. And Amy ain' edxactly thrilled ta be stuck with 'er ovabearin' big sista, neitha. I can tell ya and Lori have been wantin' ta fuck since 'fore 'er man bit the bullet. Both a ya touch each otha way too intimately and eye fuck every time ya look at each otha" she stated as he finally removed his hand and backed away from her stunned.
She continued, "I can tell that Daryl is reliant on Merle and Merle thinks highly a himself as an olda brotha. Merle has military experience, too, and more than a little, and prolly got kicked for retaliatin' against SOs that thought the same a him as ya do! Daryl's a fuckin' hunta, through and through. Prolly spent 'is whole life in the woods huntin' and foragin' jus' ta eat. Might know as much as I do 'bout what's edible out there in the woods, and prolly 'nough 'bout the poisonous shite, too. They're the only ones in camp that got any real chance a survivin' this mess, includin' me. They both know how ta survive out 'ere betta than any a us eva could. I don' know the Georgia woods as well as the Dixons seein' as I've only been 'ere eight years and I've spent most a that in school, not huntin'. Me backyard was in the middle a fuckin' Michigan. I wasn' called a damn prodigy for nothin', Shane. I'm a fuckin' genius with a 167 IQ. That's high 'nough ta rival Einstein! I ain' no fuckin' damsel in distress that can' tell 'er left foot from 'er right. I know people, and I know how they think. I ain' jus' got pretty packagin'. The stuff inside's high quality too," she finished.
"You think so fuckin' highly of the town trash," Shane started. "They gonna chew you up and spit you out, girl."
"Only 'cause I'm too tough and gamy for 'em," she shot back, earning another snort from the men behind him.
Shane just huffed before storming away as she walked over to the Dixons' truck and laid the map out. Merle looked at her like she'd grown a second head, "Get this shit off my truck."
"I was plannin' on hittin' up these spots," she started as if Merle hadn't said anything and the conversation with Shane hadn't occurred. "They're close 'nough ta each otha that it won' be a problem reachin' all a them in one day. We leave within the hour, work through lunch, we can make it back 'round the time the sun starts hittin' the ground, maybe soona. We'll have a little light left ta at least get some tents up for the families."
"Damn, girl," Daryl said, looking at the map and the stops she had marked out, each one seemingly coded to color before turning to look at her, her emerald orbs meeting his clear blue. "Thought you were a cop."
"Ain' a cop. I'm a forensic psychologist. Ain' got no damn badge let alone a damn ego ta boot."
"What's the fuckin' difference? Still work with the fuzz," Merle cut in just to get the two to stop eye fucking.
"Like I said, I ain' got a badge. I can' make any arrests and otha than when I'm doin' evals or whatnot, I don' even have nothin' ta do with the jail or prison part a the system. What I do have is an eidetic memory and an obsessive need ta have everythin' planned out and unda control, though," she responded. "'Cause that's what this really is 'bout, me takin' control a the situation and actin' accordin'ly with the right plan."
"Now you're just pissin'," Merle said looking miffed at the idea of the little woman being in control.
"I'd know if I was," she deadpanned, almost as if she believed he thought she was actually urinating, effectively shutting the redneck up before he could even start. Neither he nor Daryl knew if she was being serious or not when she turned her face towards the camp and, in a voice that rang louder and clearer than either Dixon thought she could muster, yelled, "Glenn, get ya Asian ass ova here! Got ta talk about the trip."
It amused all three of them to watch Glenn's eyebrows shoot into his ball cap at how she called him over from clear across the camp. As he started walking, Merle and Daryl worked to get the Triumph out of the bed. Tea simply continued looking over the map and messing with the CBs as the men worked and waited for the three to finish what they needed to do, double checking everything she had planned. They huddled around her, Merle and Daryl standing just inside her peripherals and making her hackles stand. Putting the CB back down on the truck, Tea changed position to so that the three men were in front of her and her back was to the lake below, completely absolving any advantage anyone in camp had against her. She was still able to point out what she needed to on the map, though, so she didn't much care that the three men gave her confused looks. Glenn was fidgeting, glancing anxiously at the Dixons and back to her, clearly unsure of his place in the situation while the Dixons looked impatient and expectant.
"I want ta hit up this town 'ere on the outskirts. It's got two different huntin' shops, a shoppin' centa, a supamarket, and two pawn shops that buy and sell weaponry. If we go this route, we can easily hit all the shops by goin' in a circle and headin' back out the same way we go in. We can take eitha a these routes if somethin' goes wrong, and we can meet up 'ere if we get separated," Tea pointed out every place she was talking about as she mentioned them, tracing the routes with her slender fingers. "If anythin' looks like it might be useful between shops, we stop, get what we need, and get out. I got a couple more knives in my car, and the two walkies. We split inta teams at each stop, each team takin' a walkie and everyone gettin' a knife. If it tries ta eat ya, stick it with the pointy end," she finished, making sure her eyes were directly lined with Glenn's and only Glenn's; she trusted the Dixons to know how to fend for themselves.
Merle whistled, "Ya really do have it all planned out, ain'ch'ya sweet cheeks?"
"It's what I do best."
"I ain't splittin' up with my brother, though, maybe if ya wanna give me some of that attention I was talkin' 'bout earlier, I might be willin'."
"I'm still givin' ya attention right now," she retorted. "I don' get why ya keep askin' for attention."
"Fuck, girl, ain't the kind a attention I'm talkin' 'bout and you know it," Merle replied, his voice clearly agitated.
"Attention is attention? Be clear with ya words," she said, the confused expression from earlier returning. "This is a waste a time. I'm gonna go get my knives and ya can pick from 'em, ok?"
"Ain't need no pig-sticker from you," Daryl said going around to the driver's side and pulling out a crossbow and bolts from the back along with a few hunting knives, somewhat amused by the girl. It was clear to him that she didn't understand what his brother was wanting and he sure as hell wasn't going to say anything. "Was plannin' on goin' huntin'," was all the explanation he gave at the look she gave him.
"I need ta get me a crossbow," she thought out loud. "I hunted with a rifle, but I didn' bring it with me ta Atlanta and it ain' exactly a safe option anymore. 'Sides, reusable ammunition. Would ya mind helpin' me try and find a good one, Mr. Dixon?"
It was Daryl's turn to look at her like she'd grown two heads, "You even know how to use one?"
"Can' be too hard ta learn. 'Stead a load, point, pull, it'd be knock, point, shoot, right? 'Sides, I jus' gotta watch ya with ya's a bit and I'll pick it up. I'm a freak like that," she stated, again with a blank expression and tone.
"You can learn just by watching?" Glenn asked in awe.
"Ain' really that hard. Thought anyone could do it 'til I accidentally showed up my momma learnin' stained glass. Came in handy when I moved out, though," she responded.
"How long have you been on your own?" Glenn asked.
"What's it matta?" she simply asked, "Are we clear 'bout the plan?"
A chorus of affirmations were given and she handed Daryl the walkie, telling him to keep it on channel three and just beep it twice if they needed to stop. Deciding that she needed a moment to get herself together, she walked back to her car and got in the back. She didn't have time to go smoke, or she would have. Instead, she started cleaning her machete, the two hunting knives she had, her buck knife, and the five throwing knives and double checking the maintenance of her Glock. There were another five hunting knives that she had out, trying to decide which one she was most willing to part with as she'd promised to give one to Glenn. Merle had his own hunting rifle he was taking and at least one hunting knife. She would have to ask him not to fire unless absolutely necessary. Her brain was already coming up with what would be the best tactical way to go forward if they ran into a group of walkers given their weaponry and knowledge. It would be best if she and Glenn spread forward and to the side a bit with their knives to give Daryl room to shoot, keeping Merle in the back to shoot only if the three of them were unable to contain the threat. He would probably not enjoy that, let alone that it was a woman telling him what to do, but she was hoping she could tap into the military man hidden behind the druggie.
Glenn hopped into the passenger's seat about twenty minutes after she had climbed in the back, just as she was attaching the holster for her throwing knives high up on her thigh close to her hip. Her buck knife was in it's sheath above her throwing knives connected to a belt that sat high on her waist, right behind her Glock .22. On her other hip was where she clipped her sheathed machete. Her hair was in a tight pony tail high up on her head, combat boots coming halfway up her calf with her camo cargo pants tucked in. She had a tight fitting, gray muscle shirt tucked into them, her arms free of any sleeves. She looked kind of comical to the young man, almost like a Lara Croft from Tomb Raider if she wasn't so teen-like and small. He still couldn't believe she was only two years younger than himself. When she had first pulled up in the quarry and climbed out of her mid-sized SUV, he thought she was actually a teen that got separated from her family, not a full grown adult with numerous degrees to boot. How she had planned out this trip was above anything he could do, and he had spent the better part of the last six years in a car driving the streets in and around Atlanta.
"Be right back," she told him, climbing out and walking over to the Dixons. "Y'all prolly ain' gonna like this, but if we get in with a group a walkas, Glenn and I will be on point, fanned out ta the sides with our knives. Daryl, ya'll keep us from bein' ganged up from the centa and, Merle, I'm sorry, but ya'll be bringin' up the rear as the rifle is the most firepowa we got. Only fire if we can' handle it," she stressed the last point.
"Who the fuck do ya think you are, tellin' me what the fuck to do?" Merle shouted at her, getting in her face and causing several sets of eyes to pop over, including Shane's, who smirked and crossed his arms. He'd step in at the last minute and prove to her that he was just looking out for her after all and that she really did need him to, and after that he'd keep her under thumb. "What? You think just 'cause you some college educated bitch with all them fancy degrees you got a right tellin' me what to do?"
"No, I'm no one. I jus' thought it's the best tactic ta keep us all safe, that's all," she said, shock in her eyes at what she must have sounded like to the soldier momentary, though he and Daryl caught it and thought it was from Merle. "Or at least I thought it was based on trainin' at the academy and military shows I've seen. I'm such an idiot. Ya the one with actual military experience. I should a jus' asked ya 'stead a comin' up with somethin' on my own. Told ya I had an obsession when it comes ta control. Sorry for bein' a bitch. What tactic would ya suggest should the four a us come up on a large group? The noise from the guns could make it worse, so we still don' wanna be usin' 'em all willy nilly."
That got the old bastard to shut up, Daryl thought as he watched his brother's face morph from absolute rage to shock. He had to admit, she had a valid plan and valid points about why to use it, but that didn't mean either Dixon enjoyed being bossed around, especially by some little girl. She did, however, warn them that they weren't going to be thrilled with it. Little thing knew her place with them, at the very least, and apologized for stepping out of line. That had shocked the brothers, seeing as no one apologized to their family. She admitted her wrong and made it a point to explain herself so that the whole situation couldn't be pushed further, too. It was still surprising to him that she was so willing to talk to them and ask for their help. Something had to be wrong with her, he thought, for her to be so open with her words but closed with her face. She had to be off her rockers completely asking a Dixon for suggestions on anything and expecting a good outcome.
With her words, the feeling of rage quickly diminished within Merle, surprise replacing it as all the fight was taken out of him before he could even start. He still wasn't sure how she knew he had been a soldier; his tags he kept tucked in his shirt and he hadn't made any mention of it. "How the hell'd you know?"
"'Bout ya bein' a soldia? Call it an educated guess based on ya appearance and the way ya move. Ya brotha's no where near as clean cut as ya, let alone the fact that he moves like a hunta, all silent and stealthy all the time, while ya move with what I call the air a a soldia. All dominance and pride and shite. Hard ta explain, but I've been 'round 'nough soldias ta know how they move, and ya move like 'em. Plus, I seen ya had a chain on and there's only a few reasons a man wears a chain. A man like ya, narrows it down ta two and I don' see ya pinin' ova some woman," she responded, pointing to the back of her neck to indicate how she'd seen the chain.
"Well I'll be damned," he said, impressed. "Yeah, you're right. Nine years in the Army. For such a hot piece a ass, you certainly got one hell of a head, kid. S'ppose you're right about it bein' the best tactic. Ain't no real good positions other than lettin' me and Daryl handle it. Don't trust China-man over there not to freeze up. Not too keen on havin' a tiny fuckin' woman like you in front either. Don't see you bein' much help but at least ya geared up like that. Shit, can' be more'n a buck soakin' wet! Should just stay in camp like the rest of the coos 'round 'ere."
"I actually weigh closa ta a hundred fordy pounds completely dry. Muscle weighs more'n fat and I'm practically all muscle, Mr. Dixon. Trust me when I tell ya, ya ain' gotta be worryin' 'bout me. I actually trained in close quartas combat, self defense, and MMA. And if it gets ta be heat a the moment, there's no tellin' how strong or fast I'll get," she replied honestly, earning dual confused looks. "I'm a freak, rememba?"
"I'll bet you're a freak in the sack too," Merle grinned. "Come on, sugar, give ol' Merle a try."
This time she didn't get confused but outright stated, "I'm sorry, Mr. Dixon, but I don' undastand what ya mean. Howeva, we need to figure out the best tactic 'fore we leave so Glenn has time ta get 'is head in the game."
"Well fuck, girl! You seriously don' understand when a man's sweet talkin' ya?" Merle said angrily. "How the hell do you not know?"
Her face became even harder while her eyes became cold, "Mr. Dixon, I apologize if I have in some way offended ya. I am not very good at undastandin' convasational context. I can read body language jus' fine and undastand the English language. But the way ya talk, look, and act towards me is the same way ya do all the otha women in camp, so I can only assume that ya eitha jokin' or simply talk like this ta all women. Eitha way, I do not fully undastand the implications a what ya sayin'. Be plain with ya words."
"I'm sayin' why don't we make like a couple a rabbits and get ta fuckin'," Merle said plainly, leering at her.
"While olda men are quite attractive, Mr. Dixon, old enough ta have kids me age are not all that attractive ta me. Sorry. Try Andrea. Betta yet, go afta that mouse a a woman, Carol. She'll prolly be a freak for ya," she answered honestly.
"Well Christ, girly, you sure do know how to reply to a guy," Merle said with a chuckle. "Tell that Asian kid to keep in the back. You and I'll take point with my baby brother in the middle. You go fuckin' up and slackin' off, I'll leave ya for dead, girly. Don't think I fuckin' won't."
"Yes, sir," She said, stepping to attention and giving a proper salute before about facing just like a soldier.
Daryl had to stifle his chuckle as he watched Merle's face contort into disbelief that she'd done that. The people who had been watching the exchange were absolutely astonished. Merle Dixon had gotten in the face of almost every man in camp, had flirted with all the women and even gotten into a few of their faces in the short amount of time they'd spent at the quarry. It was well know how quick to temper he was and that he was not one to back down, either. When he had charged up to the small woman's face, several men in the camp had stood up ready to intervene. While they couldn't hear what the young woman had said, it had obviously been enough to calm the storm that was Merle Dixon, something that had many of them sharing looks. Shane, in particular, was looking exceptionally peeved; she had said she didn't need him to worry about her and had essentially just proven it. To hell with her, he thought looking over at Lori who looked back at him with raised eyebrows and an astonished smile.
If you continue reading further, you will probably notice a change in speaking patterns with Tea. That is because I'm going back through and editing a lot of errors that I've made and the fact that she's sometimes hard to read and I'm making it easier. Also, it will soon be rated M as I am adding the smut to this as I edit...But I'll also keep posting new chapters as well.