Authors note: I unfortunately do not own The Walking Dead. The only characters I own are Hunter and Angie. I will be keeping Merle alive and in tact throughout this story. Daryl and Merle will be a bit more ooc however, I will try to stay true to their characters at the same time. I did abandon this story but I will be picking it up again. Editing will be a bit shot. These chapters will be rough drafts and will eventually get revised. The first part of the chapter is more about summing up things that have occurred. Rick is already part of the camp and the trip to Atlanta went off with out a hitch. I want to start actual scenes when the characters reach the highway that is why it seems a bit summary. I am following the same general locations and certain time line events however I will eventually split completely from the timeline and start creating my own at my discretion. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy it. Also thank you to all the people that follow this story and still expect updates.
—Story Begins —
When Daryl and Merle first arrived at camp it became pretty clear that they wanted nothing to do with anyone at the camp. They only spoke when needed usually before or after a hunt. Well Merle did most of the talking and Daryl sometimes chimed in when necessary. Daryl and Merle created a side-camp almost as soon as they got there and at times were loud and brash with their arguing. Which lead to the immediate thoughts of judgement and prejudice about the brothers by the main campers. The camp occupants saw them as nothing but typical redneck's and racist even though they had no definite proof besides how they looked and the stickers along Merle's group came to a silent but united thought that since they looked and acted like rednecks that's what they must be.
The campers didn't realize how wrong they were nor would they find out till later much later. The days started to blend together and the months started to follow. However one day in the third month something occurred in the Dixon camp. A fight broke out between them and when the camp woke up the next day Merle was clearly gone. His triumph had somehow been moved out of camp without waking anyone and his hunting stuff was gone. After Merle left Daryl became more withdrawn and had resolved to communicating with the camp between grunts and one worded answers. Of course people were curious about Merle leaving however none of them dare ask. It would only cause more tension than there already was.
Merle hadn't come back as the days went on and two months passed. Daryl started to open up more to the other group members as he now had to rely on them more to survive since his brother was no longer there to watch out for began to prove that their was more than him than meets the eye . It became clear over time that he had a rather high intellect and his input became of value by the others but especially Rick. Which lead to more underlying animosity between Shane and Rick as Rick began to turn toward Daryl for guidance on what the next step should be instead of Shane. As Daryl communicated more with the campers it became clear that he was hiding something as at times he kind of went quiet and his eyes would become haunted. However while Daryl had gotten better at speaking that didn't mean they could just pry as it was well known he had a temper and prying would only set him off
What they did start to pry about eventually became a guessing game. The game of What did Daryl do before the Apocalypse? Daryl constantly knew different things that one wouldn't really know unless they dealt with it everyday either that or they were an unparalleled genius that. Was never heard of. Such as the position of the sun and about solar panels, how to construct buildings and weapons, how to rebuild engines which is why that R.V was still chugging along even though it should have died ages ago. Things about the forest, animals it was honestly amazing at times how much he knew. The game was played as they moved across Georgia figuring out there next move. During quiet times communicating across the airwaves. The guesses were getting wilder and wilder until Daryl finally decide that the person to get the closest guess would be able to finally know what his past job was. Then it would be up to their discretion to tell the rest of the group. The days passed and soon it became fall. Ironically fall is when things started to fall apart.
Daryl's POV:
After months of keeping the R.V running of course it had to give out in the most inconvenient time and area. We had just reached the highway when the R.V finally gave out. As I weaved my way through the biggest sections of space between cars I heard the blaring of a honk from behind me and turned around to see the R.V stopped in the middle of a section I had gone through a couple of minutes ago. Smoke was beginning to billow out of the front think and black practically sending a smoke signal to the sky.
"Shit" I said quietly to myself. I couldn't believe this was happening right had to be the most horrible spot for this to happen. I turned around my bike and drove back before parking it right next to the R.V. Dale opened the doors and came out standing next to me and started to wave his hand in front of his face.
"Wow, that's a lot of smoke" he said after a few seconds. Coughing as he breathed in the smoke. It was starting to pick up somehow this did not bode well.
"Yeah, pop the hood so I can look inside." I said, I noticed Glenn hovering out of the corner of my kid always wanted to help and learn.
"Glenn grab a flashlight so I can see what I'm doing" I directed toward him. Glenn nodded at me before running off. I head the sound of a pop and looked toward the hood to see it had a small slit so I can prop it open. I walked over and opened it further and hooked it up before looking in. I heard running and put my hand out waiting for Glenn to put the flash into my hand. As soon as the flashlight was in my hand I looked and saw that not only had the radiator hose blown to such epic proportions but it needed a new battery as well.
"Okay, we need to get a new radiator hose and a new battery. We're looking for a 12 volt and up kind of battery and any radiator hose will due I can hook it up someway. Evebody needs to spread out and start ;looking ?" I said turning around looking at everybody that had gathered as I tried to see what was going on under the hood.
"Okay everybody let's split into pairs. That will be safer and if anything happens another person will be there to hopefully rectify the situation" Rick said.
"Who goes with who?" Asked Carl I can already see the excitement leaking out of him at the thought of being able to explore this graveyard of cars.
"You don't go with anybody but me got it?" Lori injected before anything else could be said.
"Okay, Lori relax he will be just fine walking around with Sophia as long as they only look at the cars closest to the R.V. Is that okay with you?" Rick asked her and one she nodded her acceptance he turned to Carol to get her confirmation as well. She just sent a thumbs up and Rick started to direct his words to the rest of the group.
"Okay, than Glenn and T-Dog, Shane and Me, Lori and Carol, Amy and Andrea can do look out and of course Dale and Daryl will go together because out of everyone here they know what we are looking for the most let's split up and look. Let's meet here in a little while okay and try not to go to far. Keep a lookout for anything useful along the way but prioritize" Rick said before gesturing toward Shane and walking towards the back of the R.V to see if some of the cars we drove by had anything we could use.
"Come on Dale. The sooner we find the stuff to fix the R.V , the sooner we can get out of this deathtrap." Daryl said. He didn't wait for Dale to follow and walked off to a Jeep he saw in the vicinity. It would most likely have what was necessary for the R.V. gesturing for Dale to go to the front of the car Daryl proceeded to break the window and popped the hood.
"Crap, no good Daryl the battery is corroded. There's no retrieving it." Dale said after a moment.
"Okay, let me check the radiator hose." I reply I make my way to the front of the jeep and peer in as Dale holds up the light. Putting my hands in I start fiddling with the hose. After a few minutes I have no choice but to turn to Dale and shrug before putting my thumb into my mouth and biting at the skin. This might take longer than we are thinking to find working parts. A lot of these cars might not only be shot in regards to their insides but they have been sitting here for a quite a few months now in what was rapidly becoming deplorable condition. There's only so much a car can take before things inside start getting a bit crossed. Especially since these newer cars just plain aren't built in the same sturdy way as old ones were.
I gesture for Dale to lead the way to the next car when I hear what sounds like Carl cry out. I look up to see him and Sophia running toward me with a bundle within their arms gaining from ear to ear. I also see out the corner of my eye that Rick is running toward is also following but its clear he's in no hurry. I couldn't help but roll my eyes he really needs to get over his shit or he's gonna wind up getting someone killed. Stopping in front of me Carl thrust out what they were holding.
"Daryl, look what we found." Sophia cries out.
"Yeah, look we found a bunch of hunting knives we think" cries out Carl after her.
I grab the bundle and lay it out on the trunk of the closest car. It turns out they were right, there is a variety of hunting knives in very good condition it shows that who ever owned them made sure they were kept well. I grab the two smallest ones and make sure the sheath is on correctly, and wait for Rick. Once he reaches my side I let him look at what they found before gesturing toward the knives I was holding and than nodding toward the kids. After a second he understood what I was trying to get at and nodded his head.
"Here, each of you take one for your own protection. They're small so you can stick it through your belt loop and hang it there. Be very careful with these. They are sharp and are only to be used to defend yourself got it?" I say. I go to give it them before pulling back and before they can grab it and run off I stop them.
"Wait I wasn't done I want you to go to Carol and ask her if this is okay before I hand this to you Sophia. At the end of the day she's your Mama and has a say go on now I'll be watching." I let go and they take off running toward Carol and Lori. It only takes a second of them standing there before Lori turns red and starts making her way over to us Carol and the kids following as well.
As soon as she reaches us Lori starts going off.
"Rick are you out of your mind. NO! Carl can't be running around with one of those." Lori yells. I see Shane reach us finally and of course he starts backing her up as if he has a say. It becomes more clear everyday that they were having an affair at one point the fact that Rick still doesn't know or refuses to acknowledge it baffles me. Carol comes up to me before stopping. I look at her curiously ever since she walked Ed in the head after he got bit I couldn't help but give her some respect. I wait for her to say something so I don't spook her.
"Daryl, could I have one you think so I could protect myself?" Carol finally ask.
"Yeah, sure." I said. I look down at the knives before grabbing a midsize Bowie and handing it to her. "Here, I think this will fit. It's a good knife treat it will and it will protect you in kind." I said I grab a leg strap and hand it to her as well.
"Since your grabbing one I can only assume that your okay with Sophia having one as well." I said
"Oh, yeah for sure I want her to have it and if I can ask do you thin you could teach us how to use it."Carol asked
Before I could respond I realize that Lori overhead us and if I thought she was red before my god.
"Are you kidding me Carol your gonna let Sophia walk around with that? Not only that but your taking the advice from Daryl. This is insane they are children and children do not need weapons. They need education and to be safe. Not child soldiers no this isn't right." Lori states.
I go to interject but Carol steps up.
"Lori, at the end of the day Sophia is my child and I want her safe. This isn't the same world we lived in 8 months ago this is now. That world is gone and this is the one we live in. I want my child to be protected and safe if you don't care enough about your kid to realize that things have changed, that he needs to be able to survive and protect himself than that's between you and Rick. I trust Sophia to be safe with it and have asked Daryl to help us when we have time to show us how to handle the knifes. Now I am grabbing this, putting on the leg strap and going to look for what we need." Carol says before walking off.
I can't help but chuckle I hand Sophia the small knife and help her get it in her belt loop. Rick than takes the other small knife and puts it in Carls belt loop.
"Remember what Daryl said stay together now and before you continue looking go back to that car you found the knives in and look for anything else useful and bring it into the R.V.
The kids nod their heads at us before taking off. I see them reach a blue Honda looking car and start rifling through it. Lori at this point storms off toward where Carol was and starts looking for the parts and other useful items I assume. It's either that or she's bitching about how Carol didn't back her up who knows with that woman. I honestly couldn't stand her. Shane stands there watching Lori as if she'll just disappear. I can't help but want to make a snark remark and bring attention to it but instead I turn to Rick and start to ask him if he has found anything yet.
Rick and me start to talk however before we can start getting deep into it. I hear yelling and turn around to see Amy and Andrea on top of the R.V. shouting and waving their arms. Once they get our attention they start pointing toward the where we drove through already. At first all I see is what looks like a cloud of dust. It takes me a second to realize what that dust actually is. That's hundreds of walkers that have come together and are now meandering along the highway. They're maybe five minutes walking away. I turn to Rick only to see him starting to run off yelling.
"Get under the cars, get under the cars. Walkers are coming!" Rick yells.
I turn toward Dale and grab him rushing him to the R.V and pushing him in before closing the door. I hear Dale start to say something but I just tell him to lock the door. I head to go find the kids only to see the walkers coming closer. I go to jump under a car when I hear what sounds like a cry before sounds like groaning and panting in pain. I turn and see T-Dog grabbing his arm and shuffling my way. Blood is beginning to drip as he comes toward me. Glenn is nowhere in sight so I can only assume he has already hidden himself I rush toward T-Dog and start pulling him further down the highway as he tries to control the bleeding from his arm. I come across a pile of walker bodies and decided to throw him in. Pushing him toward it I separate the bodies and gesture him in toward the body sized hole I made before sliding a body onto of him. I slide under the closest car so I can watch him and listen with bated breathe for the walkers to go by. As the walkers start to shuffle by I started to go into my thoughts and couldn't help but to think back on the first day of the apocalypse.