Two months pass before we know it and Shane's organising a small group to go into the city. Glenn, who's become a good friend to us, had tried to argue, but Shane put on his 'Deputy' voice and pretty much bullied him into taking the group.
"Damn it." Glenn hisses as he stomps over, a scowl on his face. "He's going to get me killed."
"You're too good for that, Glenn." I smile and lean against the RV.
He sighs, pulling his hat from his head and rubbing a hand through his hair. He glares out at the crowd in front of the van as he slips it back on. "This isn't fair."
"Nothing about this is."
"Amy's not taking Andrea's volunteering well." D comments as she sidles up next to the Asian.
"Can't really blame her." I shrug.
We don't get on. There's no shouting matches, or violence, she's too soft spoken and gentle for that, but there are snide comments and sarcasm, mixed with glares and eye rolls. I'm not sure where all the hostility comes from, it could be in part due to Andrea and I not getting along, but there's more to it than that. Surely. But, despite all that, I can't begrudge her on the way she's acting.
"They are the only family they have." I continue aloud.
"I have to admit," Glenn begins sheepishly, "I'm just glad I'm not going to be here to listen to her complaints." He sends me a small smirk.
I snort and roll my eyes, "There's no way I'm hanging around for that. I'll spend my time with the kids." I point a finger in D's direction, "She can deal with the blonde."
She sends me a grin, her dark eyes glinting mischievously, "It's finally nice to find people your own age huh?"
"Hardy har, har." Pushing off from the RV, it looks like it's almost time for them to go.
"Where're you going?" Glenn pouts.
"Merle needs a send off."
The Dixon brothers are a confusing duo. They're gruff and rude, racist, sexist, Merle more than Daryl, and don't care who they insult or offend. However, if one looks carefully you can see another side to them. By no means is it soft or sweet, they don't do that. But they have been looking out for us, in their own way.
"This is where we part with him." D whispers as she catches up with me.
"I know. Despite it all, I'm going to miss him."
"Me too."
We round the back of the van and Merle's leaning against it mucking around with his gun. "Hey Red-Neck,"
"Red, Girlie." Merle smirks as he spits on the ground. "Come to see Ol' Merle off?"
"Yeah, thought you should know, if you get eaten I'm taking your crossbow." It's hard going for a light-hearted comment.
"Not like ya could use it." He continues to smirk.
"I hit my marks."
He snorts, "Barely Red."
"Alright!" Shane's voice catches our attention, "Let's get going people, we're losing daylight."
"Don't get eaten, Ol' Merle." I smile weakly; Merle doesn't do sappy or sad.
"Nah, they'd like that too much." He spits on the ground
"And we can't have that can we?" D chuckles softly, her eyes a little moist.
"Fuck'n hell no. Them lil' pussies need Merle." He scoffs as he jumps into the back of the van. "You Lil Bit's don't be getting into no trouble while I'ma way, ya hear?"
"Sure thing Merle." D nods.
"See ya Old Man."
We head back after a final fair well, a little quiet and subdued. We pass Glenn, and make him stop for a hug, wishing him luck. He'll be fine and they'll all be back. We continue staring long after the van leaves, Amy joining us once Andrea 's in.
I never realised how hard it was to watch someone go. Whenever Glenn went for supplies D and I went with him. We'd go back to scavenging on the road, and throw the stuff we found in the van when he came back for us. With Merle and Daryl, it never counted when they went for their hunt, it was the woods, and they're more then capable of handling it.
I look away, my gaze landing on Daryl; he's getting his things together. Obviously heading out for a hunt. He's usually gone for a couple of days, three at the most, not hard to tell this is how he's going to deal with his brother gone.
"Looks like Daryl's going hunting." I murmur quietly.
"And?" Amy asks with a slight sneer.
Rolling my eyes at her attitude, and turning away, it takes a bit of effort to not rise to the bait. It helps that D hasn't shared her secret about the Hunter. I'm no saint, sometimes there's no helping my retorts, but at least it's an attempt, if only for D.
The short trek to the redneck is quiet, but the faint excuse D gives Amy makes me smile. D's at my side almost instantly, she'll never give up an opportunity to spend time with the younger Dixon brother; even if she is still too shy to talk to him.
"How long will you be gone this time?" I lean against a chair, sad to see him go.
"Until I got somethin' decent." He grunts and checks his bow thoroughly.
"Be careful." D mumbles.
He hesitates, then smirks, "I aint the one who can't shoot."
D goes red, and her lip juts out in a pout. "I'm trying."
"Yeah, will ya need more practice," he grumbles as he gets up and shoulders his bow.
"When you get back?" The hope in her voice is cute, and the way her eyes widen with her plea visibly gets to the Hunter.
"Yeah, when I get back." He nods, not looking at her, as he grabs his bolts. "Later."
Despite how obvious it is to me, nobody seems to see how much Daryl likes D. They don't talk, at least not in any normal sense, and when they do, Daryl never seems to be able to look her in the eye. He's a man of stubborn pride and always locks gazes when talking to anyone. Something is definitely going on between the two of them.
"Bye." D whispers under her breath, staring longingly at his back.
Smiling and wrapping an arm around her shoulders, it's best to steer her away from the Dixon Camp. "Come on Girlie, let's go do something fun."
"Like what?" She sighs sounding even more dejected now that he's gone.
"Uh...I don't know."
To my surprise, two days go by with no word from the volunteer group. I knew that they didn't come back on time, but my thinking was merely a day. On the second day Amy almost gets in Shane's face, demanding a rescue team be sent out. Of course Amy's aggressive action is standing by the fire pit some feet from the self appointed leader and telling him to send more people out.
It's rather funny that Amy's started annoying D. Whenever my gaze goes to them; my best friend is trying to hide a frown as she watches her furtively and every so once in awhile will open her mouth to say something, then closes it. She doesn't know whether to shut the blonde up, or let her continue.
Over the last few weeks Lori and Shane's trysts appears to have escalated. No one comments. Not even Carl, who I know has noticed. His face falls and he stares at them with such a betrayed expression. I'm worried. He tries to pretend nothings wrong.
It's heartbreaking to watch, I do my best to be there for him, for all the kids. Whatever way they need me. Back home I was never fond of kids. Now though, my role as 'big sister' is the best thing about this place. It gives me the sense that I'm needed and relied on. I like that feeling.
When I first started hanging around with them, their mother's were always watching, not that I can blame them too much. But it wasn't even like I was taking them into the woods or anything, we would be at the table or down by the water and they'd perch somewhere nearby and watch.
After a month they relaxed. No longer do they tail us, and now the kids are really talking to me. I know things that they'd never tell their parents. Carl's come to me a couple of times about his mum and Shane.
These two days are a little harder for me than I would have thought. Usually if I wasn't with the kids I'd just hang out with the Dixon's, but since neither of them are here, I've come to realise that I don't have many friends.
"When's papa coming back?" Louis asks sadly as he tugs on my arm.
I'd taken the kids down to the water to get rid of any excess energy before starting their tutoring. It sucks, big time, that even with it being the end of the world and all, it's still expected they learn.
I've taken over, sort of, lending some practicality and fun to the lessons. It's going great, the best part is how much it upsets Amy. D told me she was studying to become a teacher. She hates it that they love me more than her, that they listen to me more than her and that the four of them would rather play with me.
Turning away from watching Eliza and Sophia ganging up on Carl, my gaze goes to the young Hispanic boy. "He shouldn't be too much longer." I pull him into a hug. "Be brave muchacho."
The splashing stops and Eliza comes to stand next to her little brother. "What if he doesn't come back?"
Looking at their sad little faces and crouching in front of the two kids, it's hard not to feel for them. "Your father loves you all so much." I wipe away a stray tear of Eliza's. "He'll come back, there's nothing in this world that would keep him away. You just have to be patient." Pulling them into a hug and kissing the top of their heads, my thoughts are on the volunteers.
"Promise?" Louis asks through a sniff.
"And cross my heart." I do the motions and give them both another kiss on the head. "Now, how about we get dry? Your mother's want you to go through your math homework."
"Do we have to?" Carl pouts, the more vocal of the four.
"Would you rather help with laundry?" My gaze goes to the mischievous boy.
"No way!" He shouts, his nose wrinkling. "That's women's work." He grins slyly, his blue eyes sparkling.
With wide eyes, my mouth drops a little, "Why you." I lunge and catch him around the waist, dragging him back to the water. "You think you're so hot don't you?"
"Yes!" He shrieks through laughter, trying to wriggle from my grasp.
"I think you need to cool off a little," I pick him up and turn him upside down. "What do you girls think?"
The two giggle and nod their heads. He gets lowered a bit more, his laughter the loudest. He's got a good grip on my legs, keeping from getting any closer. This isn't the first time he's been cheeky. He's pulled a number of pranks. I'm sure he gets it from his dad; I've met Lori, no way this is from her.
"What are you doing?" D asks as she stops at the edge of the water, Amy by her side.
"Why don't you tell them what you said Grimes?"
"I said nothing! She's…"
I grin and drop him a little lower, "Really, is that right?"
"NO! I said laundry's women's work!" He shrieks with laughter.
"Oh, in that case, do as you please." D grins, waving her hand in a dismissing manner.
I drop Carl until the water is barely touching his hair, and not for the first time I'm grateful for all I've done. If not for all the exercising and work, there's no way I'd be able to hold him like this for long.
Of course all our fun has to be ruined by Amy and her, "I don't think you should be doing that."
I feel like she does this because the kids like me more than her, that it's me getting to have fun with them. Eliza's confessed to me how Amy, when I'm with the Dixon's, tries to play friend with them. Apparently none of them appreciate that. Not that I'm pleased by that or anything.
"He deserves it!" Eliza replies, giggling at Carl's struggles.
"I'm sorry!"
"Are you sure you are?"
"YES!"
"Do you take it back?"
"Yes! I take it back!"
"Good." Grinning at his surrender, he's set back on his feet on the shore. "Go get dry."
My glasses are spotted with water, and as I dry them the boys race back, while the girls follow at a more sedate pace. Lori, Carol and Miranda are at the top of the hill, waiting on their children. I wave to the women and at their returning gesture my attention is back on D and Amy.
D chuckles and shakes her head, "What a cheek."
"He's such a troublemaker." I smile fondly.
Amy sniffs delicately. "I still don't think you should've done that, he could've gotten hurt."
Rolling my eyes and biting back a sigh, it's another struggle with my temper. "Relax, would you? We're just having a bit of fun." I turn to D, catch her gaze and give her a pointed look. "I'll catch up with you later."
It's my hope that D understands it means when Amy's not around. We just can't talk like we used to when the blonde's tailing. Neither of us wants anyone to know our real origins. It's also difficult to not snap at her, she's trying to steal my best friend.
Eventually, everyone's attention is caught by the sound of a loud car alarm echoing throughout the Quarry. A lot of us stand at the top of the road, watching as a small, sleek red sports car kicks up dust and rock as it races along the path.
When it stops, the alarm still blaring, Glenn stumbles out. There's a wide, massive grin on his face. He honestly looks like kid on Christmas. It's kind of adorable. Apart from D, I don't think anyone else thinks that; they're all shouting for him to turn it off.
Glenn's trying to gush about the car to D and I, while doing what he can to answer Shane, Dale, Jim and Amy's questions. We laugh at the way he's being inundated with such desperate queries.
Amy's the loudest with, "Where's Andrea?", "Why isn't she with you?", "Where's my sister!"
Jim gets the alarm to stop, commanding Glenn to pop the hood and yanking a bunch of wires out. It stops instantly. Dale's the one who squashes the Asian's joy, when he declares the car is going to be used for parts. Glenn's chin lowers to his chest, he looks away from the car and Dale, resting on his feet as he kicks at the ground.
"It's okay Glenn, I'm sure someone will steal you another one." I reassure, patting the boy on his back.
"Where is my sister?" Amy demands once again, pushing her way between Glenn and I.
"They're coming," He answers her with a slight glare, "We meet this new guy, if it wasn't for him I don't think we'd have gotten out."
As if on cue, the white van can be seen coming around the corner. Before the vehicles' parked, the doors are thrown open and Andrea jumps out, immediately seeking her sister. T-Dog and Jacqui are next, and I cringe at the beating T-Dog's gotten. Sometimes Merle's a real douche bag. He'd still be with us, and have both hands if he could just play nicely with others.
Morales' next to appear, and Louis is racing towards him split seconds later. Eliza's not too far off and Miranda follows. The relief on Miranda's face is tangible and she buries her face into his neck. Obviously without prior knowledge that they'd be all right, everyone was terrified. Not that they can be blamed.
Despite knowing that Merle isn't here, that he's stuck on a roof in Rick's handcuffs, I find myself just waiting for him to come stomping out of the van, cursing everyone.
Instead the man that emerges is lithe and tall. The Sheriff's uniform doesn't hide how fit he his and I ogle. It wasn't news to me that Andrew Lincoln was attractive, but Rick Grimes has an air of authority and masculinity that the actor didn't. Due to days on the road there's a bit of growth to his beard and his hair is a shaggy mess. Regardless, the man seems to be sex personified. Lori's a lucky lady.
"Dad!" Carl screams, disbelief and love ringing through.
Rick gasps; a slow smile forming and unadulterated love shines through his eyes. It's heart wrenching. That doesn't stop me from noticing how his arms flex or how toned he is. My lips pull down in a frown when Lori's there, throwing her arms around his neck.
This is completely unfair; the woman had Rick but then shacked up with Shane. Now she's back in his arms. Granted, she did think he was dead and they've been married for years. He's the father of her son. Put like that it's kind of understandable; I can't really hate her.
"Where's Merle?" D asks, bringing me back from my thoughts.
D, they'd ask the same question. No body knows that we're not actually from here, and we'd like to keep it that way. So it would seem odd if one of us didn't ask. We're the only ones that care about the Dixon's. That doesn't stop the eerie feeling the camp gets when all of a sudden it goes quiet; I'm sure it would have been comical if the situation hadn't been serious.
Rick pulls back from Lori, and continues on towards us. Carl's clutched in his arms, like they're both too afraid to let go. He smiles, though there's a touch of unease as he approaches us. Looking past him briefly, it's not hard to see that Glenn's avoiding eye contact. Hell, even Morales and T-Dog won't look our way. Andrea's the only one who's unaffected by everything.
"Hi, I'm Rick Grimes." The Sheriff introduces, holding out his hand.
D takes it and nods, "I'm D and this is Lauren." They pull away.
"Nice to meet you." He holds out his hand to me and I hesitantly shake it.
Government workers never sat well with me, especially those with power. It has nothing to do with my conspiracy theories; like this outbreak, and everything else wrong with the world. They're all probably hiding in underground bunkers and waiting this out.
But I digress.
"What happened?" I ask slipping my hand free.
Rick begins by clearing his throat, "Merle…"
"Merle was Merle," Andrea interrupts, being completely insensitive and cold. "What do you think happened?" She walks a little closer, Amy right on her tail.
Why can't they leave me alone? We might clash, horribly so, but why can't they be adults about this and leave me alone. Why do they have to continually try to pick fights we me? Why is it always up to me, to be the bigger person, to walk away?
Got to give him credit; the look he shoots her over his shoulder is enough to get her to back off, for now. He turns back and a genuine expression of remorse crosses his face. "There was an incident, and I had no choice but to handcuff him to a pipe on top of a building."
Blinking at him, it's a little disturbing to hear it in such a reasonable tone. Like as one of the last law officer's in the world he has a right to do as he pleases. It's understandable; Rick was just protecting the others, because as much as I hate to agree with her, Andrea's right. Merle's Merle, and does stupid horrible shit like this. It just grates that Rick can say it in such a way.
"You left him there."
T-Dog steps forward, he too looks genuine in his guilt, but that's probably more to do with our feelings than actually caring Merle's trapped. "I dropped the key."
Andrea's scoff is heard clearly. "Why are we even explaining this?" She glares at me, and then faces Rick. "He was a racist, redneck who beat T-Dog. I doubt anyone will miss him."
"Daryl will." D replies defiantly, glaring at Andrea.
"Big whoop." The blonde sneers, turning her nose up.
Shaking my head in disgust, and clenching my fists, it's difficult to ignore her. "Well, what's done is done." Holding back my emotions is even harder.
Walking away is the best option at this point, so my destination is the lake. The atmosphere is getting too tense and their disregard for the man is getting to me. He's a jackass. But, it's not like they tried to get on with him. They're just as close-minded to them as the Dixon's are. At least the brothers go out of their way, if not for them we wouldn't have meat.
"Its just Merle," Andrea scoffs, "Not like it was any one important."
Stopping in my tracks, I can't take anymore from her, my anger and frustration bubbles up. "He's a redneck and an ass, but he and Daryl are the only ones who ever do anything about our survival; I don't see you going into the woods to catch us food." My voice isn't loud; it's low and dangerous. "So shut up Andrea, just shut up!"
"Excuse me for going to school and getting an education!"
"Which is now useless!"
"That was seven years of my life, I worked hard for that."
"Congratulations Andrea," I sneer at her, "I worked my ass off for my Psychology degree. How the hell are they going to be of use now? Those 'redneck ass holes' you always complain about are the ones that feed us."
"I could if I tried."
"Then go and do it. Stop saying you can, and do it." I bite back a scream and turn on my heel stomping towards the shore, seething.
