Disclaimer- I do not own the Walking Dead.
Hello.
Danny's POV
I'm free of my crutches although my limp is quite bad, Herschel believes I could possibly have it permanently but it should get a little less limiting. Fingers crossed that's the case because it's going to be hard to run if it stays as it is. I am hoping though that with how this place is fairing so far that running can just remain a hobby, nothing more.
Other than the town that Glenn and the Sheriff came from, there doesn't seem to be that many Walkers around here. Daryl and I have gone out a few more times over the last six days so we could be alone together again, also to get me some more weather appropriate clothing for me.
Daryl was also starting to be less tense however that's now ruined because yesterday Shane and the Sheriff were supposed to drop Randall off but that didn't go to plan at all. Not only do they look like they had a massive fight with each other, which neither one has admitted to but they are both bruised pretty badly, but it also turns out that Randall knows Maggie and her family, he went to school with her. Maggie doesn't remember him at all which sucks because if she had, something could have been done about it sooner. He can't be released, not now that we know that he knows where Maggie lives, or the vicinity of her house. It wouldn't take him long to figure it out, find his group and make his way back here.
When they brought him back they shoved him right back into that shed, handcuffed to the wall. The decision was made to wait the night and then first thing this morning the Sheriff managed to get Daryl and Merle to go in there and get answers from him. He said question him but he sent in the Dixons knowing full well they would beat the crap out of him to get what they wanted. I'm not sure how I feel about them being used like that but I also don't think Officer Friendly could beat the kid up himself and we all know that if Shane was sent in there he would probably just beat the kid to death. It's not a terrible idea but he'd probably do it before we found out any of the answers we needed.
True to the Sheriff's word he came over to me causing the rest of the group to as well. He doesn't actually need to do it anymore as I am a little faster on my feet without the crutches but hey, I'm not going to say anything. Means I get to sit in my chair while we wait for the brothers to reappear.
"So, what you gonna do"? Lori asks a very distracted Sheriff. "We'd all feel better if we knew the plan".
Before Randall knew who Maggie was I wasn't bothered by him being released but now, we either keep him and have to feed him or we do what Shane so desperately wants.
"Is there a plan?" But the Sheriff ignores Andrea to. I spot Daryl and Merle as they emerge from beside the house. I guess that means they got all the information they needed. As they get close Daryl locks his eyes onto mine and shakes his head once. Oh. Whatever happened in there it wasn't good news at all.
"Boy in there's got a gang, thirty men. They 'Ave heavy artillery and they ain't lookin' to make friends." He casts another look at me. "They roll through 'ere, our boys are dead and our women, they're gonna." I know exactly where this is going and I can tell Daryl doesn't want to say it. "They're gonna wish they were".
I see red, I yank out my gun and then I'm moving before my brain can even register it.
"Hey...Hey". I can hear Daryl but I ignore him. He knows what has to happen. He suddenly yanks on my arm. "Stop".
"Get off me". I try to jerk my arm away but he just tightens his grip.
"Ya can't do this".
"Why?"
But Daryl doesn't get to answer me as Dale pushes his ways forwards, his voice stopping Daryl's in it's tracks. "You're just gonna shoot him?"
"That boys sick, his group is sick. Every one of those fuckers", I sneer at him, "Deserves to die".
"You can't..." Dale tries to reason but I cut him off, I don't care what he feels not at this moment in time.
"I've done it before", Stabbed but same end right? Plus despite the initial shock of actually killing someone I soon realised that I don't feel bad or even slightly regret doing it because they didn't deserve to live. "And I'll gladly do it again. I have no problem doing anything I have to to protect my family".
Daryl grips my other arm forcing me to look at him and not Dale.
"I know ya angry but I won't let ya do this".
I scoff. "Won't let me". I rip my arms from him, I try and side step him but he matches my steps. "You and Dale are the only ones who are trying to stop this".
A barely there smile graces his lips. "'Cause ya 'ave a gun. The last time ya got angry ya threatened Rick with it. They'd be stupid to argue".
A sound somewhere between a groan and a scream comes from the back of my throat in frustration. Ignoring all the stares on my back I stalk off without another word.
I know Daryl is following me as I slowly walk out across the fields, although he never says a word and his footsteps are just as silent.
It's another few minutes of him following my very loud footsteps before he sighs. "Herschel told ya to use ya leg but I don't think he meant go on hikes with it". I stop but I have nothing to say. I feel slightly betrayed that he wasn't with me on this, In fact I probably only had the potential backing of both former Officers of the law. "I know ya pissed but he was unarmed. You wanna go out there and kill every Prick who tries to kill ya then be my guest. But killin' an unarmed man isn't somethin' I want you to 'ave to do. At least not yet".
My shoulders slump, of course he's right. I was, am, angry about what his group do but if I'd stood in front of him would I have actually pulled the trigger. I don't know.
I finally turn to face him just as he readjusts the strap of his crossbow on his shoulder. I zero is on his scrapped up knuckles.
"You should let me clean them".
He turns his hand trying to hide them from view, doesn't really work. "Later, for now we're gonna stay out here". His mouth twitches and he shrugs. "Unless you'd rather go back over there".
Definitely not happening. "Thank you".
"Search for some sticks. Gonna teach you the right way to make arrows, ya last ones were shit".
"They were not", I know they weren't the best but they certainly weren't that bad.
...
We're sitting side by side on the now dry ground, he's shaping some arrows and I'm not helping. If he wants them done to his standards then he might as well do them himself. We still haven't gone back to the camp and he doesn't seem to be in any hurry to. The fact that he is willing to wait all the way out here until I'm ready just makes my insides warm. I don't know why, maybe because it's a pretty sweet gesture. He's not rushing me to go back and is letting me cool off in peace, away from everyone.
"Shit, you guys couldn't be sat closer to camp". I look over my shoulder as Merle comes up behind us. He's just as silent as his brother when he wants to be.
"Sorry", he raises an eyebrow at my apology.
"What for?"
"For acting crazy back there".
Daryl sighs, "ya haven't gotta apologise. Ya ain't got nothin' to be sorry for".
"Honestly, if you'd kept insisting", Merle jerks his head at Daryl, "He'd 'ave probably let ya do it. Persistence is key Squirt. Ya gave in way too soon". Merle looks at something over me and scowls. "Incomin'".
I look over my shoulder to find Dale waking towards us.
Daryl hauls himself to his feet with a sigh. "What does he want?"
"He's goin' round tryin' to convince people to side with him on the kid situation. I told him not to bother comin' over". That means Dale's already tried to convince Merle.
"I need to talk to you", Dale directs that straight at Daryl, doesn't even look at me as I stay seated on the grass.
"I ain't interested". Daryl scoops up his newly made arrows as Merle drops down beside me.
"You stopped Danny from killing that boy, meaning you don't want him dead".
Daryl scoffs, "nah, it means I didn't want her doin' it. Listen ol' man. If she wants him dead then so do I."
"But that's not your own choice. That's you going along with what she wants", Dale knows I'm sat here right?
"You better watch your tongue" Daryl steps up to Dale. "I trust her a lot more than I do you. If that's what she wants to happen then it's fuckin' happenin'."
Dale opens his mouth to talk but shuts it again after a beat, he then finally looks down at me before stalking off back the way he came.
"The two of ya walked off 'fore ya could be told but Rick's havin' a meetin' at sunset to put this thing to a vote. Don't look like anyone agrees with Dale so I guess it's happenin'".
"He didn't try and convince me." Although I can probably see why he didn't but you would have thought he'd still try and change my mind.
Merle chuckles, "ya tried to kill the kid ya self, I think he knows where ya stand".
...
The afternoon sun on my face is blocked as someone stands in front of me. I came back to camp because Daryl and Merle have gone hunting but this is the first time someone's come up to me.
I squint against the figure in front of me, Dale. "No one else agreeing with you so you're gonna try and convince me." And I will listen to what he has to say.
"I think you acted impulsively because of what was said but I don't think you actually want to kill him. He's a kid".
"No, he's the same age as Maggie so I'm fairly certain that means he's an adult". I feel bad for Dale, I really do.
"Danny". He says my name the same way my parents ever did if I'd done something to disappoint them. "You are a sweet and caring young women who risked her life to save that of a young girl. This isn't you".
"That is a completely different scenario. Her running away was on me but Randall", I sneer his name, "is a monster that preys on innocent people who just need help. I almost lost Daryl and Merle to a group like that"
"But that's his group not him".
How naïve must he be to believe that. "And you honestly believe he just stands idly by while his group do that to people. He's lying to save his own skin".
"You don't know that", he challenges.
"Neither do you. In fact why don't we let him go, let him find his people that way he can lead us straight to them." I may regret some of this later.
"What happened to you? Your parents would be heartbroken at the sight of you".
I stand up out of my chair so harshly it tips back onto the ground. How dare he mention my parents, how dare he say anything about me or my life.
"You don't know me" I step closer keeping my voice low. "You don't know what I've been through to get here or what I will do to stay here. I don't care about the what ifs. His group is dangerous and so is he, end of". I take a step back and unclench my hands. "If you ever mention my parents in any way again I will make you regret it".
I turn to stalk away but hesitate when I see that Glenn is stood less than two metres away but he doesn't say anything, he just stares at me.
He side steps away from me as I walk past.
I felt sorry for Dale because he felt so passionately about saving this boy, even though I couldn't agree with him but now, he had no right mentioning my parents. He knows nothing about them or me.
I make my way out to an area of Herschel's farm that has what's left of a brick building on it. Not sure what it used to be but the fire place and a few exterior brick walls are all that's left.
I don't know how long I sit here for but slowly the sun is disappearing behind the trees, won't be long before the meeting and then the inevitable execution of Randall. Once he's gone maybe we can get back to normal because I'm really not enjoying these emotional outbursts that I'm having today.
I can hear the person who is coming up behind me and to be honest, when I stand up and face the person I'm not surprised to find that it's our good old Sheriff. Daryl is walking a few steps behind him looking at me with an eyebrow raised, and when the Sheriff finally stops in front of me Daryl stays back.
"Glenn told me what happened".
And now Sheriffs here to scold me. "I would never actually hurt him if that's what this is about."
"No I know. I'm not out here because you're in trouble I'm here to see if you're okay".
Oh, I cast a quick glance at Daryl over the Sheriffs shoulder, he inclines his head slightly. "I'm fine, I think I'm just over emotional about this whole Randall thing". Brings back the anger I had from our close call with David and his group.
"I heard what happened to you three and what ya had to do". How? We never explained what happened to anyone, all that was said was we ran into some bad people. "I am on your side over this whole thing and Dale should never have said what he said. He over stepped a massive line and for that I'm sorry." The Sheriff offers me a half smile which I return. I think that's the first time I've ever actually smiled at the man but it seems Daryl's trusting him more and more as the days go on so I guess I should too. I think he quickly realises he isn't going to get much of a conversation out of me so he clears his throat. "If ya ever need help just come to me".
"Thank you Officer".
He hesitates on his retreat. "Ya can call me Rick".
"I know". This time I offer him a full blown grin, he just shakes his head and walks off. "Thought I was in trouble".
Daryl scoffs, "wouldn't let him come over if ya were". He comes closer, lays his crossbow on the ground and grips my chin gently between is fingers. "Are you okay?"
"Nope 'cause Dale said something that is probably true", and I just didn't like hearing it. The sight of me attempting to go and murder Randall would have surely disappointed them.
"They'd be proud of ya 'cause I know I am". He squeezes my chin before letting go. "'Ave ya seen my gun anywhere?"
"No," I nudge him, "ooh, have you misplaced a weapon?"
I hope this is okay and please, any ideas just send them to me. Nothing is a bad idea.