FALLING APART daryl dixon

THREE - TROUBLE

Over the next week, the camp settled into a rhythm. After the chaos and devastation of Atlanta's explosion, several cars had followed their group up the hills. Among them were Ed and Carol's vehicles, which had stayed close behind. Their new destination was high ground, a place that would offer safety from both the walkers and the madness below.

Alycia, ever observant, made a point of learning everyone's names. If she was going to survive here, she had to carve out her own space in this growing group. She helped Shane with perimeter checks, lending an extra pair of sharp eyes. She washed clothes with the other women, even if it felt surreal doing something so ordinary in a world that had become anything but. Dale, the old man with the RV, taught her about mechanics and survival tips, skills that were becoming essential. And when she wasn't doing that, she scoured the woods for anything edible, coming back with mushrooms or fruit. It wasn't much, but it was something.

Her presence in the camp didn't go unnoticed. Alycia had always drawn attention, even before the world fell apart. There was something about her—her long, chestnut hair that caught the sunlight and her piercing blue eyes that seemed to see straight through people. She had inherited her father's strong jawline and her mother's grace, an intoxicating blend that left people staring, whether they meant to or not. It wasn't just her beauty; it was the way she carried herself, with a quiet intensity and a sense of purpose that seemed out of place in someone so young. People in the camp often found themselves staring when she passed, mesmerized by the way she seemed to glide through this broken world with a calm certainty.

Even in this harsh new reality, Alycia's beauty seemed to cast a spell over people. There was an air of mystery around her, something magnetic. People noticed her—men, women, even children. Some, like Glenn, saw her as a beacon of strength and became loyal friends. Others, like Shane, watched her with a wary respect, recognizing her ability to stand her ground. And then there were those like Ed, who let their eyes linger too long, their thoughts too obvious. But Alycia was used to it. She knew how to handle that kind of attention, shrugging it off with an indifference that only added to her allure.

Among the camp, she found a close friend in Glenn, the young Korean man with a heart of gold. He was quick and resourceful, someone she could rely on. Then there were Amy and Andrea, two blonde sisters who had become her companions. Alycia especially bonded with Amy, the younger of the two. They were close in age, and in a world where their generation had been robbed of the chance to grow up, that connection mattered.

The camp settled into a routine, and every morning began the same way. Alycia would wake up, her mother already outside the tent, likely helping Carol with Sophia or doing some other task. Alycia would glance over at Carl, her little brother, still curled up asleep. Their tent was spacious enough for the three of them, a relic from a time when camping had been a family bonding activity. Her father had insisted on it, wanting them to be close. Now, that memory brought her more pain than comfort. Every day, her heart broke a little more as the guilt gnawed at her. She had had her father for 23 years, but Carl hadn't even had him for 13. It was unfair.

But today was different. Alycia and Amy were foraging for food when they heard the roar of a motorcycle.

- What the hell? - Amy asked, eyes wide with curiosity.

Alycia's instincts kicked in.
- Must be new people - She quickly grabbed her gun, tucking it into the waistband of her pants. She wasn't going to be caught off guard—not anymore.

When they reached the camp, the motorcycle had come to a stop, and Shane was already storming toward the newcomers. Two men were unloading from their vehicle.

- This is gonna be interesting - Alycia muttered under her breath, watching the scene unfold.

The rider, a man in his 50s with a smirk that made Alycia's skin crawl, leaned back, lighting a cigarette as if this whole thing was a joke. His companion, younger with dark blonde hair and striking blue eyes, seemed quieter but just as formidable.

- You got a death wish or something? - Shane growled. - Riding around on that thing is gonna bring the walkers right to us.

The older man sneered.
- What, you the law 'round here or somethin'?

Before Shane could respond, the younger man intervened, stepping between them.
- We don't want no trouble - He  said, his Southern accent thick. His eyes briefly flicked to Alycia, and for a moment, the world seemed to still. Her striking blue eyes met his, and there was a flicker of something there—recognition, curiosity, maybe something more. It wasn't the first time someone had been mesmerized by her, and it wouldn't be the last.

Alycia held his gaze, feeling her heart rate quicken, but she didn't flinch. She was used to people staring at her, studying her. But something about this man's eyes unsettled her in a way she couldn't quite place.

- We just need a place to stay - The younger man continued, turning his attention back to Shane. - That's all.

Shane crossed his arms, sizing them up.
- Names?

The older man scoffed but finally relented.
- Name's Merle Dixon - He said, smacking the younger man on the back. - And this here's my little brother, Daryl.

Shane nodded slowly.

- Deputy Shane Walsh. This is our camp, and we don't do trouble. If either of you is infected or causes problems, you're out.

- We ain't infected - Merle growled. - But trouble... well, we don't make promises.

Daryl shot his brother a warning look.
- We'll camp away from the others - He said, turning to the woods. - Come on, Merle.

Shane pointed at Merle.
- You better not turn that bike on again unless you want a horde on your back.

The tension was thick, and Alycia could feel the weight of the camp's collective gaze on the scene. She noticed Dale watching from the RV, Andrea and Amy standing nearby, and T-Dog lingering near his truck. Everyone was waiting, tense, for what would happen next.

Deciding to defuse the situation, Alycia stepped forward.
- He's right - She said, her voice steady. - That bike's too loud. It'll bring walkers right to us.

Merle's eyes snapped to her, and a slow, greasy smile spread across his face.
-Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes, princess?

What a fucking idiot, she thought.

Alycia bristled at the word, but she stayed calm. She had dealt with men like him before. She knew the look in his eyes—hungry, predatory. But she wasn't about to let him see how much it bothered her. Instead, she pointed to a clearing at the edge of the woods.
- There's a good spot for you over there.

Daryl's eyes followed her gesture, nodding slightly as if in agreement. Merle, however, wasn't done.
- Well, ain't you a bossy little thing? - His eyes raked over her, but she ignored him, turning her attention back to Shane.

- Let them camp there - She said firmly. - Away from the rest of us.

Merle's smirk widened, but Daryl's expression remained unreadable. His eyes lingered on Alycia for just a moment longer before he turned to his brother.
- Let's go, Merle.

As they moved off, Glenn appeared at Alycia's side.
- Who are they? - He asked, watching the Dixon brothers walk away.

Alycia smirked.
- Trouble.

Glenn chuckled, shaking his head.
- Come on, we need to figure out our route into the city, remember?

They walked together, Glenn casually throwing his arm around her shoulders. But as they passed by, Alycia felt the weight of Daryl's gaze again. His eyes tracked her movements, studying her like a puzzle he couldn't quite solve. He wasn't the first person to be drawn to her, and he wouldn't be the last.

Alycia's beauty had always cast a spell on people. They were captivated by her without even realizing it. But in this new world, where survival was everything, it wasn't just her looks that mesmerized them—it was her strength, her resilience, her ability to remain composed in the face of danger. And in a place where everything felt out of control, Alycia Grimes was a force of nature they couldn't look away from.

And, for better or worse, she was starting to notice Daryl Dixon couldn't either.