Disclaimer: I do not own The Walking Dead.
I hope you all enjoyed chapter 12. This chapter is now officially the start of season 2, my favourite season.
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Enjoy
Danny POV
Merle ended up demanding that I switch seats with him, apparently he's fed up of being in the back. I haven't minded the switch though because this new position allows me to stretch right out across the back seat with my ear buds in.
Daryl has decided that if these guys don't find somewhere soon then he's leaving them because he isn't up for riding around the streets of Atlanta in the dark.
The truck slows down as it passes by some upturned vehicles. My heart stutters as I catch sight of where we are. The place of my nightmares, the place the worst moment in my life happened.
My Mum got bit trying to pull me from my dying Dad, she was trying to save me but instead I killed her. We managed to get a few blocks but she was losing too much blood, she couldn't go any further so we found an unlocked car. She crawled in and forced me to leave her, I didn't want to but the Walkers were closing in and I had no choice.
I yank out my buds and move up onto my knees so I can look out the window, we're on the road, the car I left her in isn't too far from here. I can't, we need to turn off.
"What ya lookin' at?" I ignore Merle because my heart is in my throat and I'm not sure I can form any words. There's the car.
I'm not sure why I think this is a good idea but before I can stop myself I have opened the door, causing Daryl to slam on the breaks. The truck hasn't even fully stopped before I'm jumping out.
I ignore the shouts from the brothers as they try and get me to come back, instead I run over to the abandoned car. I stop a few feet away but I can't see anything, nothings moving inside. I hesitantly move closer until I'm up against the door.
The hands that slap against the glass cause a cry of anguish to slip past my lips. My legs start shaking as I place my hands against the window. I never thought I would see her again. I can't believe I allowed her to die and turn all alone, I should have stayed. I could have been there for her and then made sure she didn't have to live like this.
My legs finally give out beneath me causing me to crumple to the floor. I mourned her but seeing her here has my whole world collapsing around me.
Arms try and lift me but I refuse to cooperate. I can't leave her like this, not this time. I duck out of the arms and draw my gun on the man who's trying to move me.
Daryl raises his hands slightly, "Danny stop, we've gotta get out of here". He casts a nervous glance around at all the walkers that are emerging from the darkness.
"I can't, she's my mum". The dam of tears bursts and they flow freely down my cheeks and my hands start to shake. "Please".
He nods and leans his crossbow against the car. "I'll get the door but as soon as you shoot we have to go".
I just keep my gaze on my mum so with a sigh he opens the door. She was leaning against it so it suddenly opening causes her to tumble out. As soon as she moves I send a bullet straight into her skull.
As soon as she stills Daryl is forcing me back causing me to trip over my feet, but his grip around my arm stops me from falling. He thrusts me into the back of the truck where Merle grips my shoulder.
...
No one has said anything since we started moving again, I have yet to move from where I was practically thrown into the truck. My tears have stopped but her decomposing body is engraved into my mind. It's behind my eyelids every time I blink. Merle's hand turned from restraining to comforting but it isn't doing anything for me.
Daryl's hand suddenly bangs down against the steering wheel, startling me into actually move my head. "Why didn't I think of it?" I let my gaze move away from him, I don't care what he has to say. "The care home".
"The one run by the pricks that kidnapped the Chinese kid?" Daryl doesn't verbally reply to Merle but I'm assuming Merle gets his answer because he swears under his breath.
Daryl stops the truck and they both climb out, two seconds later my door is opening and Daryl is stood in front of me. He holds his hand out silently, I stare at it before slowly putting my hand in his. He pulls me out but doesn't move away when my feet touch the concrete.
He opens his mouth but before anything can leave it Shane comes barrelling over. "What they fuck was that? Your stupidity nearly got me fuckin' killed".
Daryl spins around and puts his back against my front. Shane gets in his face. "Back the fuck off". Shane ignores him but it doesn't matter because the Sheriff has arrived.
"Shane back off." He does. The Sheriff turns to Daryl and I. "What happened?"
"That was her mum". My fingers grip Daryl's top so hard my knuckles turn white but the Sheriff just nods, he accepts my actions without any more questions.
The Officer looks over Daryl's shoulder at me. "I'm sorry". I just close my eyes.
When I open them again everyone, but Daryl, have started moving to the entrance. Before Daryl can ask if I'm okay I take out my gun and follow after the group. I need to just get through this alone for now. If I have to talk I will cry, there's no doubts about that.
As I climb through the broken window I spot the first dead lookout. This is bad.
The Sheriff leads the way through the ruins and as we turn the corner we find the other two lookouts dead, being feasted upon by walkers. We are screwed, why does nothing ever work out for us?
"To hell with the noise". Daryl then forces himself to the front of the group where he, Shane and the Sheriff start shooting. I could help but why waste the bullets.
When the gun fire ceases we all close the gaps between us, we huddle up and move as one.
I step through the care home door but I can't seem to make my feet move any further. Lying in doorways and throughout the corridor are the bodies of the elderly and all those that stayed to care and protect them. There isn't a single hope of finding anyone alive.
A sob comes from Sophia as she walks around me, Carol wraps her arms tightly around her daughter and pulls her to her chest.
"Put a sock in it". Daryl snarls and glares down at the crying child. "Shut her up or I will". I step in front of the parent and child and glare at Daryl.
"Do not talk to her like that". My voice comes out low and steady. I don't care how scared he is you never threaten a child. After a moments hesitation he just turns around and stares down the hallway.
Lori steps up from behind me. "Are we staying or going?" The Sheriff doesn't have an answer all he does is mumble that we don't have enough fuel.
"We can hunker down for the night". Shane takes charge and points at Daryl and Merle, "Both of you can come with Rick and I to sweep the buildin'. Make sure we're alone." He then gestures to the rest of us. "You lot barricade these door".
Daryl immediately follows after Shane and the Sheriff but Merle hesitates. "You alrigh'"?
"Nope". Might as well be truthful. This pain I'm feeling is worse than when I was forced to leave my parents for dead because now she's actually gone. There is no hope left at all. "You?"
The tiny hint of a smirk plays on the corner of his lips. "Nope, means we're fucked together sweet cheeks, I'll see ya in a few". He then goes after his brother who has disappeared deeper into the building. He's being honest with me about how is because I'm being honest with him.
Sophia has finally stopped crying but she's now clinging to my arm. I'm not gonna lie I did kind of agree with Daryl about the noise she was making. It would have been bad if she'd kept it up but there were better ways to get her to stop, shouting at her was not one of them.
I've had enough watching these people push furniture against the door, it won't last if there's more than a couple of those things trying to get in but I guess it would act as an early warning system. It can give us a heads up and tell us we're probably about to die.
I force my arm free of Sophia's death grip and then I just walk away. I move through the empty corridor refusing to look in any of the rooms, I don't think I can.
I end up in the giant hall where we found Glenn alive, I close my eyes as soon as I step through the door. The smell is bad and the sight is one of the worst.
I can hear the footsteps of the rest of the group coming up behind me.
"So what's the plan?" Andrea's voice as me opening my eyes and when I do I realise Daryl, Merle and the two deputy's are now stood in the middle of the hall. Well Daryl is crouched beside one of the many bodies.
I ignore the Sheriffs reply and head straight to the brothers. "What are you doing?" I keep my eyes on the side of Daryl's face instead of the body at his feet.
"He's thinkin'. Tell him to stop 'cause we're in enough trouble as it is". Merle whispers in my direction.
Daryl suddenly stands up tall, he's looking worried. "What's wrong?" I question him.
Andrea doesn't allow him to answer. "Isn't it obvious? They got overrun". Both Daryl and Merle scoff simultaneously which causes Andrea to turn on them. "Got something to say?"
Daryl steps forward, "Yeah how 'bout observant".
"Observant. A big word from a guy like you. Three whole syllables". Bitch. She's upset and confused, fine, but that doesn't mean you can go around insulting people who have done nothing but help even when they didn't have to.
I take an unconscious step forward, my hands balled into tight fists, but a grip on my arm stops me. I don't even know what I was planning to do. Hit her or maybe just shout at her.
Daryl's grip on my arm doesn't let up. "Walkers didn't do this. Geeks didn't show up 'til all this went down. Somebody attacked this place, killed these people. Took whatever they wanted". I finally look down at the bodies that are surrounding us. "They've all been shot in the head, execution style. Ya'll are worried 'bout Walkers, I'd be much more worried 'bout the people who came and did all this. Get a dictionary, look it up, observant".
Despite the situation I love the look of astonishment on all their faces. That's what you get for underestimating a Dixon. Now that he's told us what's happened it's so obvious I'm shocked we all missed it. Nearly every single one of these poor souls has a bullet hole to the head.
Daryl doesn't stick around, just as quickly as he's shocked everyone he's stalking from the room. I glance back at Merle to see he's wearing a small smug smirk on his face, of course he is. He doesn't seem intent on following after his brother so I'll go instead.
I quickly vacate the room, just as I step out the door I spot Daryl disappearing around a corner. I have to jog to catch up but as I turn the corner I find him leaning up against the wall.
"I like it when you prove everyone wrong". I take in a deep breath and step closer. "You don't think whoever did this will come back, do you?"
He finally faces me full on. "As far as they know there ain't nothin' left. They ain't comin' back". He grips my arm and tugs me closer and then I'm wrapped up in his arms. I don't want to cry, I really try not to but his arms holding me tight against him just breaks me.
...
The Sheriff has made the executive decision that he is now going to listen to Shane, which means we are all heading off to Fort Benning. Neither I nor the brothers are a hundred percent sold on the plan. The army were the ones killing people in the streets but it is a chance we should take. If it doesn't work out then we can leave.
Technically the journey isn't that far but with little fuel between us all it is a risky journey. Carol and T-Dog are both giving up their vehicles which gives us two spare tanks of fuel. We would have a third if Shane still had his jeep. My scene on the street caused him to have to abandon his jeep as it was an open top.
My head is currently resting on Merle's outstretched legs. I've tried to get some sleep but it's just not happening. I doubt I'm the only one though, I don't think anyone bar the kids has gotten any amount of sleep tonight. It doesn't help that we are squashed into a tiny little office where there is little to no free space.
The sun is starting to rise and it won't be long before we all have to get up and move out. Daryl's been out in the hallway keeping watch for the last few hours.
I sit up and stretch which cause my neck to twinge, probably wasn't the best idea using Merle's legs as a pillow. Nobody says anything as I stand up and leave the room.
I close the door behind me and head straight to where Daryl sits at the top of the stairwell.
"You should be sleepin'". He doesn't even glance at me as I come up behind him but he seems to know it's me.
"So should you". There are plenty of people in this group but for some reason they only allowed a few of the group to keep watch. It's extremely unfair. Of course I'd rather not keep watch because I would rather sleep but I am up for doing my part so everyone can get a decent rest time. "I couldn't". I sit down beside him.
"You wanna talk 'bout it?"
"We don't have to". I'd hate to burden him or force him to talk about something he doesn't want to talk about.
He looks down at me with a softness in his eyes. "Ya did the right thing".
"I know but before, I never saw them actually die. And even though I knew they were dead it was just easier to get over". I'm not sure that even makes sense, I don't know how to explain it.
He places his hand against my bare thigh and gives it a gentle squeeze. He doesn't say anything. No 'I know how you feel' or 'it'll be okay', and I appreciate it so much. I do know that I will be okay, I just need a couple of days.
...
It's barely an hour later and everyone is up and getting ready to go. Daryl has waited until now to tell me he is riding Merle's bike. It frees up space in the back of their truck to help store people's tents and belongings that are too bulky for the RV.
It's not a shock to anyone but I have never ridden on a motorbike before but he asked so I said yes. I don't know why. I suppose it's because I trust him.
I climb on behind him and place my hands against his sides. "If I die Merle is allowed to kill you, you understand?"
"Ya ain't gonna die".
...
The breeze is amazing against my face. This is probably one of the best ways to travel in this scorching heat. It is also a lot less scarier than I thought it would be.
I only just hear the sound of Daryl swearing over the rumble of the engine. I peer over his shoulder, up ahead is a pretty bad traffic snarl. It is confusing on why it just starts out of nowhere, I'm assuming a crash might have started it. The problem is if it's too bad the RV won't be able to fit through which would mean turning around and wasting more fuel. Actually these cars could actually be useful, if they haven't already, we could siphon fuel out of them.
Daryl turns his bike around and pulls up outside the RV's drivers window.
Dale sticks his head out. "You see any way through?"
With a nod of his head Daryl turns back around and then we're slowly weaving our way through the abandoned cars. However on closer inspection I realise they aren't exactly abandoned. Most of the people are still sat in their seats. How did something like this happen? Were they executed where they sat or did they just die?
I flinch as something bangs from behind us although it's not hard to guess what it was. It's the damned RV. I'm not sure why we even still have it.
Daryl kills the engine with a sigh. "They should just get rid of the fuckin' thing. More trouble than it's worth".
He leans forward to allow me to climb off.
"I'll let you try and tell them that". He just scoffs in reply. Everyone else thinks that that thing is a necessity but it's not. Other than an actual toilet it doesn't have anything the Dixon's don't already have in the back of their truck.
As soon as Daryl's off his bike he heads straight over to an open boot. He starts rifling through it as I reach past him and grab a box full of cookies, it's full and unopened.
I smile up at Daryl and shake the box gently. "I can't believe this place hasn't been ransacked yet".
He hands me a full bottle of water. "We've hit the jackpot".
Daryl starts walking over to the gathered group so I follow after him, glancing into cars as I go. How have we found this stuff?
I join the group just as T-Dog picks up a jerrycan. "We can siphon these cars for fuel".
Merle strides over to me with the biggest grin on his face. "It's like fuckin' Christmas". He's probably more excited than he should be about this but he's not wrong. I smile back at him but the rest of the group don't seem to find any humour in his remark, but other than their sour faces they do manage to keep their remarks of disdain to themselves.
After a quick discussion, led by Sheriff Rango, we all start to split up. Daryl and Merle have decided they are going with T-Dog to help with the fuel finding. I'm not sure what everyone else is doing but I'm gonna stay around here and find things for that the brothers and I might need.
As people start splitting off I turn to Daryl and Merle. "I'll hang around here and try and get something clean for Merle to wear." I stare right at Merle. "And then we're burning all your old crap".
Merle glares at me but I know it's not real. "Fuck you". He then leaves with a jerrycan in hand.
Daryl knocks his hand against mine. "We'll be along here if ya need anythin'".
"Be careful", he nods and gives me a small grunt in response before he then follows after his brother.
I grab a bag out of the boot nearest to me and empty out it's contents so I can stuff the cookies in it, and whatever else I find.
I can hear as someone walks up behind me and then my arms being tugged. Sophia stands beside me looking up at me with wide eyes.
"You can come with us". I look at who the 'us' is and it's her mum, Lori and Carl. I guess I could wander around with them. It'll be an extra pair of eyes on the kids.
I shrug, "Sure, why not". She's instantly pulling me after her mum, trying to catch up.
"Don't look". I can easily guess what Carol doesn't want the kids to see. Carl looks, of course he's going to if someone tells him not to. I manage to stop Sophia from looking by quickly grabbing her hand and pulling her over to a car. I grab a pink flowery suitcase and after struggling to drag it closer I open it. It's girls clothing, it might fit Sophia. I hold one of the T-shirts against her torso, it fits.
"Looks like we've found you a new wardrobe". She stares up at me with a huge smile lighting up her whole face.
"Danny". I look over my shoulder at the harsh whisper of my name. It's the Sheriff, he's running towards us in a crouch. Something's wrong. He gestures towards the cars, "Get under the cars". He then runs past us calling Carl's name.
I don't hesitate. I quickly yank off my bag and fling it under the nearest car, I then follow after it pulling Sophia behind me.
We don't have to wait long before what scared the Sheriff appears. I have never seen anything like this, the shuffling feet just seem never ending. There must be three times as more walkers here than what tore through our camp.
The smell is rancid and the groaning is just amplified. How has this many congregated together? One good thing out of this is the dead bodies that were already here, we should be safe because the smell should be enough to mask us.
I just really hope Daryl and Merle have found somewhere to hide. I'm also hoping Merle isn't reckless enough to try and fight.
I follow, what I expect to be, the last of the Walkers feet as they slowly shuffle by, disappearing behind the cars up ahead of us. I let out a sigh.
A high pitched cry makes me flinch as it sounds from right beside my ear. I'm then being force flat against the ground as Sophia crawls over me. It takes me half a second, which is half a second too long, to realise what is happening. The walker drops down to it's knees beside the car. I drag my bat forwards but I have no room to do anything under here, and I can't fire my gun. With the angle I can get I jam the end of my bat into the Walkers face, it knocks him backwards where he loses his balance and takes a tumble. It buys me time.
"Sop..." I turn my head to tell her we need to move but she's gone. I can just see her legs as she stands up and then she's running. I slide out behind her but she's already over the road barrier and sliding down into the ditch, another Walker following close behind her.
I vault over the barrier and somehow manage to run down the ditch without falling over. I ignore the Walker that I know is following me because the one following her is more dangerous right now.
I'm not a tracker, I can't tell what direction she's run off in. I'm just assuming that it's straight ahead. I'm running as fast as my feet can go but I feel like I'm never catching up and then I spot her. She's just ahead, off to my right. I force myself to go faster.
As soon as I reach her I grab her arm, ignoring her cry of alarm, and just start pulling her after me as I start the loop to get us back to the highway. I don't break stride but I do have to slow down my pace to allow her to keep up.
Her arm is suddenly ripped from my hand as she tumbles to the floor. I try and force her up but she doesn't cooperate.
"Come on Sophia, get up".
"Shoot them". Her hands try and grab the gun attached to my hip but I grip her hands in my own.
"I can't. The others will hear and the everyone will be in danger". I yank her to her feet. "Now move".
The Walkers are closing in.
We're running for a few more minutes when another Walker appears before us. I keep pulling her after me as we run around it but she's struggling. I'm running half speed and she's just getting slower.
I glance behind me, the Walkers aren't too close. If Sophia could hide before they see her I could probably pick them off before they group together.
I lead us over to a ridge and after a quick glance down it I realise Sophia could hide down there. It's not a steep ridge and it is mostly grass.
I kneel down in front of her. "Listen to me Sophia. You need to slide down there and hide and under no circumstances are you to move and become visible". If she does the Walkers will spot her and will split off and I won't be able to help her.
She hesitates so I shove her to the edge. "Go".
She does, I watch her as she starts her decent and then I turn my back on her, I have to trust she'll do as she's told.
I swing my bat in my hand and step closer to the nearest Walker. I whack it straight across the face with all my strength knocking it sideways onto the ground. It's jaw is loose. As it tries to get up I bring the bat down hard onto the top of it's head, it's skull crushed under the force.
I move back a couple of steps as I wait for the next one. Those two are now closer together so I'll have to be quick. I shove the bat into the closest one, killing it instantly.
It happens so quickly, something slams into me and then I'm falling. Every hit against the ground as I fall down the ridge has me crying out, and then I'm screaming as something digs into my leg.
I finally come to a stop at the base of the ridge but I only have a second of relief as the Walker lands on top of me. I try and reach for my knife but the Walker doesn't move. I sigh in relief, it must have bashed it's head on the way down.
"Danny!" Sophia cries my name and then the weight of the Walker is being dragged off of me. The body being moved knocks my legs. The scorching pain that shoots through me feels like someone has a sharp knife embedded into my leg and is dragging it slowly through my thigh. I really try to stifle myself so I don't attract any attention, instead I bite down hard on my lip.
Sophia helps me sit up, and then I see it. Sophia begins to cry as my heart stops. In my left leg is an eight inch gash.