Merle smirked at the disgruntled look on the girl's face and the uncomfortable look on his baby brothers. This was just too easy and Sugartits was making it even easier for him.
Andrea had decided to come see everyone off for the run, for the first time since he'd stopped fucking her. However she was clinging to Daryl and telling him how much she was gonna miss him, especially after just getting him back. Merle snorted at that, the woman cared about no one but herself and how she could live the high life without doing any goddamn work.
If looks could kill Andrea would be a walker by now for sure. Lara looked as if she were mentally digging Andrea's grave as she hung off Daryl. His baby brother looked like he'd help dig the grave, if only to get him away from the uncomfortable situation.
Merle had been watching everything for the past couple of days. He was many things, but unobservant while sober wasn't one of them. He watched how Ranger Rick's group integrated or didn't integrate. He watched the very subtle change of dynamics. He watched as he was not at all surprised by the two who seemed most comfortable in the Pound.
He also watched Lara spend hours with Daryl for the past two days. Going over plans in case things got bad, where their safe houses were, just in case. He had also noticed the pair laughing a few times and sitting closer together than was strictly necessary. His plan would work, and it looked like Darylina was finally letting his balls drop. Thank fuck and about time. Merle was clean now and admitted to himself he had some part of Daryl's self confidence issues. However he was gonna do his best to see his little brother happy for once. God knew the son of a bitch deserved it above anyone else on this god forsaken planet.
Despite his observations, he failed to notice the one pair of eyes that trained themselves on him throughout the days. Eyes seeking him out, measuring him, assessing.
"Alright! Wrap it up before he has to wrap it up to avoid whatever the fuck you've got. We're wasting daylight!" Lara finally burst out in a snarl. Merle chuckled while he shook his head. She had lasted twenty seconds longer than he thought she would.
Daryl blushed deeply and ducked his head but climbed in the car with Lara. Two cars, two teams. Other than him, he couldn't think of anyone better to have his brothers back, or have Lara's. Merle had gone out to watch them fight together in the woods thirty minutes after they had left the day before. He knew, they knew, he was there. But it didn't stop them. They fought back to back, trading places as needed and very little effort was put into making them a cohesive unit. For once he was confident that both Lara and Daryl would be as safe as they could be while on a suicide run.
"You trying to get Andrea killed?" Kill Bill asked from next to him casually, a smirk on her face.
"Hey I didn' have nothin' ta do with that little lovers quarrel," Merle said with a chuckle. Andrea had been making moves on Daryl since he had arrived. Apparently she thought Daryl would be higher up in the peckin' order than Oscar. If Merle had his way she would be right about that. Still he wouldn't let her get her vapid claws in his little brother. Not that he thought Daryl would ever go for what amounted to a gold digger in this new world. He was a Dixon, he respected hard work, a willingness to do anything for family and the ability to protect yourself rather than depending on anyone else for if. Nah, whatever she was trying she was really barking up the wrong Dixon for that one. Merle would give her another night though, she worked hard for her gold digging that was for sure.
"An I'm sure you ain't going to do anything to stop it," Kill Bill muttered with raised eyebrows.
"Nah, not unless it looks like Andrea might actually be on ta somethin'. Sugartits is making things mighty easy on Ol' Merle though," he chuckled.
"When I first got here, I thought you were a stupid redneck, racist, sexist, asshole who would have been better off as a walker than among the living," Kill Bill started saying making Merle lift his eyebrows. Been a while since he and Mitch had got into it. Felt like years in the new world.
"Don't hold back now darlin'," Merle replied, folding his arms.
"Then I thought that Lara led you around by the balls," Kill Bill carried on and Merle felt himself get tighter, the familiar white hot burn of anger rising. "But then I got to know you. You're a good man Merle. You're still a redneck, racist, asshole, but you're a good one and you sure as hell aren't stupid. Don't let playin' cupid take up all your time."
With that Mitch walked away. All the bitches in the Pound must be losing their damn minds together or somethin'.
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Daryl climbed into the car with Lara, his face felt hot and he knew he'd be blushing. He didn't dislike Andrea, but he didn't have a lot in common with the woman who originally had thought herself so much better than him. Now it seemed like she was being a little too friendly. He wondered if it had pissed Lara off because she didn't like the other blonde, or maybe she'd been jealous? His inner voice scoffed at him. Jealous? Of a gruff, white-trash, redneck like you. Dream on Dixon.
The car in front of them was already loaded and ready to go, holding Red and Rosita (or G.I. Jane). He found he didn't mind the two. They were alright people, welcoming enough without being too creepy and stepford about it. Unlike Bob, there was just somethin' off about that guy. His gut told him to keep an eye on the man and he listened to his gut.
Daryl glanced at Lara who pushed in a blank CD into the cars player before she leant out of the open window and raised a hand. Red's hand came out of the window in front and then the gates were opening. As the gates opened Lara pressed play on the CD player and a heavy beat flooded the car. Lara's face lit up and a hissed 'yes' escaped her lips as they rolled forward.
As they started driving Lara's hands tapped along the steering wheel in time. He turned to look at her in surprise as she joined in with the words. He wouldn't have pegged her for a rock fan. But she sang along with a lot of enthusiasm and little skill to Killing In the Name as she expertly navigated the road out, following the beat up black car in front of them. Daryl smirked and turned his head to look out of the window enjoying the song he hadn't heard in a long while. Better than Rick's country crap anyway. Thank fuck he didn't have hours of listening to that again.
The next song that came on was a love ballad type of song. He was surprised when the girl turned it down with a disgusted sounding scoff.
"Wouldn't have taken ya for a rock fan," Daryl said as they kept up with the black car in front easily.
"That's cause ya don't know me Barton," Lara said, her voice more clipped than normal, her hands tight on the wheel. She looked angry but he had no idea about what. Daryl had thought she was good about him being her backup, she seemed fine the last few days. Maybe it was all for show though? He'd be damned if he knew, or could figure her out. Or that weird fuckin' feeling whenever they made eye contact for more than a moment. Like she was seein' into his soul or some shit. Like she wanted him. And he knew that must be bullshit.
"I know ya like a freaky ninja with how quiet ya are. That yer pretty handy takin' out walkers and that ya got a smart mouth," Daryl said smirking a little. He also knew she was beautiful, that her eyes sparkled when she laughed and that her smile lit up her whole body, not just her face. He knew he wanted to get to know her more. He also knew that she was way too good for the likes of him.
"All of that is true," Lara said with a little laugh, her body relaxing slightly.
"What d'ya do before all this then?" Daryl asked curiously.
"Ah, nah, can't tell ya that, ya gotta guess," Lara grinned now, glancing at him briefly before she turned back to the road.
Daryl thought. She was good with kids, and could have been a teacher. Could have been one of those martial arts teachers. Maybe she worked in a high powered office? She looked like that kind of uppity bitch that used to look down on the likes of him an' Merle. Posh like.
"Erm, ya were like a business executive or somethin'?" He guessed, looking at her smooth skin except for that little scar in her lips. Her clear eyes. The way her hair hung down in shiny waves around her half way down her back.
Lara started laughing at that, really laughing, flashing him her pearly whites. "Not even close Barton, but thanks, needed that."
"Alrigh', teacher?"
"Nope, can't stand kids," Lara said, still chuckling a little.
"What about Twink and Sophia?" Daryl asked with a frown, she was real good with those girls. And she took care of them like they were her own. He didn't get how she couldn't like kids.
"That's different, they're awesome. Kids like them, I can hack. It's the whiny, self-entitled kids I can't stand. Nah, I'd get myself into too much shit with the kids and the parents being a teacher," Lara said, her smile not faltering and her hands now loose on the wheel.
"Hell if I know then. Ya had to be somethin' professional," Daryl said.
"Nope," Lara said, slowing down as she took a turn, her eyes focused on the road and the car in front. "Before the zombie apocalypse I was just white trash, kind of girl ya wouldn't have looked twice at."
Bullshit, was his first response. He would have looked twice, three times even. If she looked this good during the end of the world then Daryl was sure she looked even better when they had hot water and decent meals. Then there was just something about her, she didn't come across as white trash. Not at all and he'd known many that were. Hell he'd fucked white trash, she wasn't it for sure.
"Well that's crap," Daryl replied, his thumb going to his mouth.
"Not at all," Lara disagreed.
"Fuck off, there's no way you were white trash."
"Didn't even get my GED, left home at fifteen, got a car at sixteen by stealing money and then left my town with a fake ID and got a shitty job as a waitress. Hopin' ta save enough money for a trailer. White trash enough for ya?" Lara asked, raising her eyebrows and glancing at him. Despite what she had just said she seemed okay with her previous life. Daryl however was taken aback. He would not have thought that of her at all. Leavin' home at fifteen? That was just somethin' he used to dream of, never had the balls to do it though. He wasn't unfamiliar with stealing to get by, nor with fake IDs so he couldn't judge her. Still he was pretty shocked.
"Huh. Wouldn't 'ave guessed," Daryl replied before rubbing the back of his neck. He bit his lip and encouraged himself to have some balls in his own head. "Ya wrong though."
"How can I be wrong about my own life story?" She asked, her eyes darting to him once more, her eyebrows lifting in disbelief.
"Nah, not about that shit. About not lookin' twice," Daryl admitted feeling the small flush on his neck and the burn in his cheeks.
He'd never been good talking to women. Didn't enjoy it. He was fine getting wasted in a bar and grabbing someone to fuck against a wall before he went home and passed out. Actually talkin' to some girl he liked though? That was not in his comfort zone. Did he like her though? Like that? He bit his lip and stared out the window willing his blush to go away. Yeah. He did. He just didn't get it. He didn't like people this quick, least of all women. Maybe it was something about this new world? Maybe it was just her. He didn't know. He didn't get her at all, she surprised him, pissed him off, made him laugh and made him horny as fuck at the same time. Maybe it had just been too long since he'd been laid.
"Fuck off, you were the type of guy who wouldn't have noticed me at all," Lara scoffed at that. Damn girl just couldn't let anyone say anything nice to her, it was annoyin' as hell.
"What type of guy's that then, huh?" He asked, knowing his voice came out sharper than he wanted it to but not caring. She thought she had him down pat obviously.
"Well, look at ya…" Lara said gesturing with one hand, her face red with a blush this time. "Ya hot and ripped, probably had yer pick of the girls and popular to boot. Then I had scraggy hair an' second hand clothes, yer wouldn't have seen me for a second."
Daryl was the one laughing that time, it came out bitter though. He thought she knew Merle? Must have known he wasn't any of that shit. He was a loner, always had been. Everyone used to look down on the Dixons. He would have thought she was too good for him. Hell she was too good for him.
"See, ya don't know me either, Goldilocks. None o' them things," Daryl said, turning his head resolutely to the window. He didn't know why he was so pissed with her, but he was. Assumin' he was better than he was, better than her. Was bullshit. That was what it was.
"Ya right, I don't know you either Barton," Lara said, her voice quieter.
After a few minutes of silence Daryl started to feel a bit bad. Girl hadn't been anythin' but decent to him and the rest of the group. Plus she had found Sophia and Merle. What the fuck had she done to him anyway? He was almost like a changed man. It was weird as fuck. Not once had he called Daryl a pussy, other names for sure but nothing overly harsh. Nothing like Merle had been for the last fifteen or twenty years.
"What happened when ya found Merle? He's different," Daryl said, letting his voice lose it's angry edge. He still kept his eyes on the window as they passed woods though. He didn't want to stare at her creamy skin or popping blue eyes. They were distracting.
"I found him as I was looting cars on a highway. It was a huge white van, though I was bound to find something in it. Food or water, ya know?" Lara said, her voice distant as though she was losing herself in her memory. Daryl hung on every word. "He was in the cab, sweaty and pale, in and out of consciousness. I checked to make sure he wasn't bit, and I just couldn't leave him. I couldn't."
Lara tapped her hand on the steering wheel and pushed her foot further to the floor as the car in front sped up.
"I got him to a safe house, this crappy little house, wasn't much before the world turned ta shit. Still, I boarded up the windows and the doors, 'cept the basement window. Merle was in and out like I said. When he was awake he fought me, verbally and physically. Called me all sorts of names, I learnt some good ones off him," Lara chuckled at that.
Daryl frowned, he knew just how nasty his brother could be. Hell there were times Merle had gone off on him that still got under his skin when he thought back. This tiny little girl though was just laughin' as though Merle was a misbehaving toddler havin' a tantrum.
"It was about week three when he stopped fightin' me. He was all there when he was awake then. Think he actually felt bad, had some bruises and shit, he couldn't look at 'em," Lara said.
Daryl winced, Merle was an asshole. He had always been sure about two things though, he'd never be like their worthless piece of shit pa. Merle was never gonna beat a woman and would never lay hands on a kid. Daryl could only imagine how bad his brother felt when he realized he had hurt a woman. It explained a little at least.
"When he was ready to travel he made me go back ta the place you guys had been last. The Quarry? He found those graves. Made me help him dig up every single one to make sure they weren't you," Lara said, her voice had a tone of disgust at that. "From there we went lookin' for any sign of ya. He was still a total ass. He was sharp with his words. Called me all sorts, but he was there. Then we were huntin', well he was, I can't hunt for shit. Five guys came across me in the woods. There was a... fight. Merle he… he saved me. Fixed me up afterwards. Started being a bit nicer after too. Not too nice, he wasn't a changed man after all."
Daryl wondered about that… the fight? She was holding back something there, he wanted to know what, but he wouldn't push it. He damn sure wouldn't want someone pushin' him about shit he didn't want to talk 'bout.
"Not much after that we found Bit. Merle had put snares around while we were tryin' to find someplace to hole up and loot the place. Needed a bit of rest. I was checkin' the snares and heard her. Some shitbrains were chasin' her. I took her back to Merle. Talked to her about y'all. Merle wanted to find you and Bit wanted her momma. Bit was scared of him though, of Merle. Think that was what snapped him out of things. So far as I know he hasn't touched drink nor drugs since. That little girl had him wrapped around her finger, mine too if I'm honest. She's a really good kid," Lara sounded sad at that, a quick glance over at her showed Daryl that she looked like she was tearing up a little. He didn't get why. Did somethin' else happen she wasn't sayin'?
"Then we found Twink. Saved her from getting eaten. She didn't speak at all. Merle was the one who figured out… she didn't have a great childhood. Ya know? He's determined to give her a better one now. We both are," Lara said firmly.
Daryl felt sick at the thought of someone hurting the tiny little kid who followed Lara around like a puppy. Sick fuckers.
Lara sighed, her scarred lip taken between her white teeth.
"I don't wanna lose them. They're the only family I have," she whispered, as though she really didn't want to tell him that but couldn't keep it inside.
"Why d'ya think you're gonna lose them?" Daryl asked, his voice quiet too.
"If ya group leaves, then Merle will go with you, Sophia will go with her momma and Twink will want ta go with Merle and Sophia. Can't stop 'em, wouldn't ever do that to them. But… I don't want to lose them," Lara said, a hand going up to brush away tears from her eyes roughly.
"We ain't goin' nowhere if ya don't want us too. Think, Carol would wanna stay with ya anyway and Merle would put up a fight leavin' ya behind," Daryl told her honestly. He didn't add that he would likely stay with Carol, Merle and her. Carol was probably his best friend, after everythin' they went through he wasn't gonna leave her if he had no choice. He sure as hell wasn't gonna leave his kin now he found him again. And… he wanted to get to know Lara more. Couldn't do that if he wasn't around her.
"We'll see, think Eastwood and Lori might have different ideas," Lara said before closing her eyes tightly. She obviously hadn't meant to say that. Which meant she was comfortable talkin' honestly with him. Interesting.
"Why ya say that?" Daryl asked, he hadn't picked up on anythin'. Carl seemed happy with the other kids. Gettin' to do kid stuff for once, play and shit. Beth, Hershel and Glenn were happy, real smiles on their faces more often than not. Carol was on cloud nine. She wasn't goin' anywhere, they'd have to drag 'er kickin' an' screaming from the damn place. Sure Rick hadn't been happy about staying somewhere where Merle was in charge, but his brother had kept
clear of Rick and there hadn't been any problems. Though Rick also seemed none too happy about Daryl spendin' so much time with Merle and Lara.
"Just… Eastwood doesn't seem to like deferring to others. Kind of reminds me of Andrea a bit, 'cept he pulls his own weight and as far as I know isn't a slut," Lara's voice once more got darker at the mention of the blonde.
"Nah, that's his wife," Daryl said without thinking. Well damn.
At least he was rewarded with that soft laugh of hers again.
"So what's it like, your group? Seems, kinda…" Lara bit her lip, one hand leaving the wheel and motioning as if searching for a word.
"They're good people," Daryl defended instantly, his defense's slamming up. This bitch wasn't gonna get him to go against his family.
"Whoa, wasn't saying they ain't. Hell look at my group, Candyman and me are smart mouths who tend to put our feet where they don't belong. But we're good people, well he is, jury's still out on me I guess. I ain't judging, ain't got no room to, at all. Just trying to figure things out about the dynamics and how it works is all," Lara said defensively. Her shoulders tightened and her hands clenched the wheel tighter again.
"What d'ya mean? Dynamics?" Daryl asked, still annoyed, but also interested. He wondered how the group came across from the outside.
"Just… look, again, no judging at all. I like most of y'all so far. Just seems like, not everyone pulls their own weight and they expect others to do things, with no thanks. I don't really get it," Lara said quietly. Her eyes firmly fixed on the road as they passed through a town.
"We all do our part," Daryl said.
He didn't quite believe himself though. Sure Rick pulled his weight. Hershel was their medical man and he'd had them on his land for months even when by rights he shoulda kicked them off. Daryl would have done without remorse for sure. Carol did pretty much all the cooking and household stuff, sometimes Beth helped but not much. He tried to remember the last time someone thanked Carol for cooking for them. Daryl was a fighter and a hunter, he provided and protected, that's what he did. No one had thanked him for it, but then he didn't need that, did he?
Glenn was their go to guy for runs, he was fast and smart. Figured things out way quicker than most. Again, was he thanked? Daryl wasn't sure.
Lori didn't do anythin', but then she was pregnant, should she have to? Maybe she should watch her boy more though. If that was her job she was piss poor at it. Beth was basically a kid. But then at what, seventeen surely she should be able to do somethin?
T-Dog took watch with others. And Maggie helped, and helped Glenn some.
That's what a group did though, right? Looked out for each other and didn't expect no thanks.
"Hmm… Rick's obviously the boss man and makes decisions, and he relies heavily on you, his right hand man. And you do the huntin' for the group and the bulk of the protection. Carol is Suzie homemaker. Hershel is your medicine man, that I get. His kids… we'll see and Lori, they don't seem ta help much at all. Glenn doesn't either unless he's talkin' about a run. It's all just… I don't get it. In our group, we have people in charge of things, but we all help out. I do laundry same as Grouch and Rain, I do cooking' just like Kill Bill and Bob, though not often but that's cause I suck at it. Even though I organise and do all the runs I still help out in other ways. And when we get back everyone we give anythin' to will thank us. Because they know what we risk doin' this shit. Same way I thanked Elmo for breakfast this morning, even though it was just oatmeal, because cooking for a large group is a huge ball ache, so I appreciate it," Lara said with a shrug before they lapsed back into silence.
She gave him a lot to think about. Even if he didn't necessarily agree with her.
They were silent for a long time after. By his estimate they must be almost there by now. Maybe ten minutes out.
"If this goes sideways-" Lara started saying as they got closer, the CD changed twice over since they'd finished talking.
"I get it. I ain't stupid and ya been over it a hundred times now," Daryl barked. He hated people thinking he was thick. He wasn't. And she had told him the plans they had over and over again. Enough that even the simplest person would have got it. And he wasn't simple.
"Sorry, no-one's died on one of my runs yet, despite Candman callin' them suicide runs and I'm not looking to change that. That's all. I wasn't insulting your intelligence. Now your patience and temper, that I might challenge, not your intelligence though," she said with a roll of her eyes as if he was being a badly behaved kid. He really didn't get this bitch at all. He was pretty sure she had lost any sanity she had at some point. Maybe Merle had knocked it out of her.
Daryl started putting all his weapons on his body as the building they were raiding came into view. It was a mall, Lara said it had been looted partially but that it was fairly walker free.
They would hit the stores first. Level by level, startin' at the top and working their way down before they hit the storage area behind all the stores and the one at the back of the mall. The plan she had laid out had been impressive. She had scenarios for everything. There were extra
vehicles for getting the hell out if needed that she had placed there already. Houses she had made into safe houses over the months, that she had drilled them all in the location of. She explained that for something this big she planned and planned. A simple town run was basically a dash and grab, this shit was run like a military operation though.
She even had vans gassed up and waitin' if they hit a huge haul. He got why she was in charge of all that shit. And as much as he had seen her joke around, when it came to this she was serious.
The two cars did a loop of the mall, it was fuckin' big and it took a while. They saw though that the back, where they planned on going in was clear and that the front only had ten or so walkers outside of it. Meaning the front was an option if the back became overrun. Smart.
"All good?" Lara asked as the four of them got out of the cars and hooked empty bags over their shoulders.
"All good Princess, let's do this thing," Red drawled, a smile on his face as he looked up at the back of the huge building.
"Let's just get this over with," G.I. Jane sighed.
"Red, you get the door. I'll take point, Barton you've got my back, Jane you've got Red's. If everything's clear you guys hit the right side, we've got left. Ya know the signs, ya know the signals. No guns unless there's no other option. You all have a copy of the list, get what you can and anything else you think could be useful, same as always," Lara said, her voice intense, her face hard as she looked each of them in the eye.
Daryl found himself standing a little straighter, a nod slipping out at her words. She had a commanding presence that made ya wanna salute or some shit.
"Right, everyone gets back alive and no-one gets eaten, 'kay?" She smiled at them all.
"From your mouth ta God's ears Princess," Red smirked before they headed to the back entrance.
Red counted down from three with his fingers as he gripped the door. When he'd counted down Red knocked three times against the door then opened it outwards.
They waited for a beat of twenty but when nothing attacked Lara went through first, Daryl right behind her. The place was pitch black and Lara passed over a head light for everyone. It left hands free for fightin' and was a hell of a lot easier than a flashlight.
With lights on, they stepped through what had obviously been an employee area. A vending machine stood in an otherwise empty corridor that Jane was instantly prying open and emptying into her bag, Red right behind her.
Lara carried on, Daryl bringing up the rear. He noticed how quiet she was on her feet. She ghosted through the corridor as though she wasn't even there despite her hard wearing work boots.
Lara gestured to her left as they came up to a fork in the corridor. Daryl nodded his understanding. As they walked up the next corridor the smell hit them. Sharing a look they slowed down their steps. It smelt of death and decay. A smell, that despite now being commonplace ya could never get used to. The smell of a human decomposing, rotting in open air, no matter how often ya smelt it always hit ya.
The lights lit up till about seven feet in front of them, but the slow shuffle that could be heard was further back. They didn't know how many were there. They could be overrun.
Daryl's ears picked up five, maybe six sets of shuffling feet, but he knew it could be more than that. He also saw boxes stacked against the walls, as if waiting for the stock inside them to be moved to the stores.
A hiss and a growl let them know they had been spotted. Daryl grabbed a spare bolt and put it in between his teeth as they waited, poised. His crossbow against his shoulder, prepared, he raised himself on the balls of his feet so he could move quickly.
Daryl fired his bolt into the first Walker that appeared, one that had been an employee at sometime judging by its ragged uniform. As he loaded up Lara took out two more with her throwing knives.
It became rote and almost too easy. He would fire then she would take out one or two as he reloaded. His heart rate barely increased. They took out nine walkers by the time the monsters had stopped coming.
He admitted the girl was a good partner to have, she was quick, an amazing shot and she watched his back.
She walked over to the dead in front of them and started pulling out her knives and his bolts. Passing his back to him as she reattached hers to her sheaths. She kept one out and slid it through the top of one of the cardboard boxes.
"Score!" She whispered happily. "Pain killers, feminine shit and deodorant."
Daryl moved to the next box as she took hers back to where they had come from and slid his knife through the cardboard. Stationary, useless. The next box held ties, again useless, wasn't
like anyone would be wanting to wear one of them again. Last box was full of kids' clothes. He took that one.
This carried on until they made it into the mall proper. They had five boxes full of crap they needed and had only come across the small group of Walkers so far.
The mall echoed. He could hear groans but it was impossible to work out where they came from. Windows in stores had been smashed, boxes were on the floor outside of them, dead people clutched TVs and games consoles. Must have been before that shit was useless.
Lara took the lead as she led them past a book store and a music store and into a drug store.
The place had been trashed. There was one pack of band aids, that Lara grabbed, some toothpaste, which he got and a handful of baby crap left. Lara grabbed all the baby stuff.
In the back a few bottles of pills were left which they snatched up. No matter what they were, they might become useful at some point.
From the drug store they went into the dollar store. There they picked through the almost full shelves, gettin' snacks and sodas. Clocks, as some of the groups wanted them in their cells, batteries and cleaning supplies. The dollar store had their bags almost full by the time they had finished in the back.
"Ya think we should hit the next place or take these back first?" Lara asked in a whisper as they left the dollar store.
Daryl glanced at their next store. Clothing. "Unload it first," Daryl whispered back. There was a shit load of clothin' on the lists, if they even got a quarter of it they'd fill the bags again.
"'Kay, hit the talkie twice for me please," Lara said as they carefully made their way back to the back entrance. Daryl did it, all four of them had the walkie talkies and hitting the button twice sent static down the line. It meant they were going out or in. Again, smart.
The pattern carried on through all three floors of the mall. And they filled one of the vans before they'd even hit the storage area. They'd only come across small clusters of Walkers that hadn't been an issue. It was like winning the damn lottery.
After they cleared the stores the four of them took a break, sharing a small lunch and some drinks. It was cold outside, winter well and truly there. The ground was frozen in places and the wind bit at them all making them shiver despite the fact that they had all been covered in sweat before the break.
"We got about two hours before we need to leave if we're gonna make it back tonight. Don't wanna be drivin' at night. So let's get this done. In an out," Lara said as she stood by the door
that led to the store room. A shiver rippled through her despite the leather jacket she was wearing and the leather pants. She looked like one of them chicks in movies about the apocalypse, how they should look while fightin' and survivin' he wondered if that was on purpose.
Again Red got the door. This time though the groans were audible before he'd even opened it. Now Daryl's heart rate started increasing.
On three the door was thrown open and the horde of Walkers behind the metal staggered their way through.
"Fuck," Lara muttered before her hands were throwing her knives at an astounding pace. Daryl fired his bow until his quiver was empty then grabbed his knife and hacked. He didn't think just did. The four of them moved into a formation that had all of their backs protected without thought.
It was brutal but quick. When they had finished they were inside the storage area and all covered in blood and gore. They breathed heavily but they were done.
Daryl started gathering back his bolts and Lara her knives as Red and Jane started going through boxes. The storage area was piled high.
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Merle walked the perimeter of the fence. He did it once a day despite not finding any faults before. Still they couldn't afford to let their guard down even if this place was a fortress. Gettin' sloppy' got people killed.
A little sniffle caught Merle's attention and he turned to where it had come from.
Sophia was sitting with her arms around her knees, her head on them and her shoulders shook. He frowned. Bit rarely cried. She was a hard kid as well as a sweetheart. One of Officer Friendly's group better not have fuckin' done or said anythin'.
Merle sat next to Bit, his hand restin' on his knee as his eyes took in everythin' except the crying newly turned teenager.
He sat in silence by her side as her sniffles subsided.
"Wanna tell me what has ya leakin'?" He asked after a few minutes.
"I thought you didn't do crying females," Sophia said, her voice wet as she wiped at her face with her sleeves.
"Good job yer just leakin' then ain't it?" Merle said, shooting the kid a wink. He focused just on her, tuning out everything else for now.
"It's nothing, I'm just being an idiot," Bit sniffed again, her brown eyes watering again.
"Nah, that I don't believe. Ya a pain in tha ass an' you're an annoyin' shit but ya ain't stupid. Now tell me," Merle said.
"Carl said some stuff," Bit said in a quiet voice, her lip going in between her teeth. A habit she had picked up from Lara.
"And what did tha dumbass have ta say?" Merle asked. He didn't have anything against the kid, but if he was picking on Bit then he would do. The end o' the world, the fuckin' apocalypse and kids were still mean little shits. Apparently some things never changed.
"That 'cause he can shoot and didn't get himself lost by not listening…" Bit took a deep breath and let it out. A small grunt left her mouth, a habit she had got from him. "That I'm just another useless girl that everyone would have to carry."
Merle seethed at that. He had a good mind to grab the little shit and shake some sense into him. Too much like his damn parents. One of which was one o' them useless females. Preggers did nothing but complain.
"Well that's a whole lotta horse shit now ain't it? We done talked about this Little Bit. You ain't at fault for getting lost from the others. Hell, you ain't got lost from us now. Officer Friendly was the adult, he shoulda taken care of ya. And what's that crap about you can't shoot? Hell, think we should put on a competition, bet Twink would beat him, let alone you," Merle said, nudging her shoulder and making her smile a little. It wasn't huge but it was a start. "Now just 'cause a person can't fight don't make um useless. Hell ya momma she ain't a fighter, but she can cook up a storm from nothin', meaning she makes sure people don't starve. Sasha ain't much of a fighter, despite her temper, but she's still useful, helps out don't she? Look at Tommy Boy, useless for anythin' but teachin' Twink how ta read, but he still does his bit. We all got our parts here. Yours is bein' a kid, havin' fun but also kickin' ass. Don't you listen to that jackass. Just cause you're a girl don't mean anythin'. If ya don't believe me, talk to Lara when she gets back. But be prepared for a longer lecture."
Sophia actually giggled at that. Lara had lectured on feminism in the apocalyptic world many a time. And then had kicked the ass of any man stupid enough to still argue. It was always amusing.
"Feel any better?" Merle asked.
"Lots. Thanks Candyman," Sophia replied, resting her head on Merle's shoulder.
He smiled and patted her on the back.
"Yeah well, next time he gets your panties in a twist just punch him one," Merle grinned, only half joking. In fact not even half. He would like to see the boy going on about how useless Bit was after she had given him a black eye.
Carol watched the exchange and her heart clenched uncomfortably. She had got Merle just as wrong as she had once got his brother. He was a good man.
So there you are. My 1st ever submission for evil author day, your thoughts would be very much appreciated! Hope you enjoyed!