What Lies Ahead • the walking dead ¹

39 • Someone to live for

(Written Third person point of view, limited. But this time it's Daryl, not Alexa) I wanted to do something different so Enjoy 😊.

Once the group pulled back up to the camp, Alexa and Daryl immediately jumped out of the truck. Both going their separate ways, ignoring those around them. Neither of them was in any mood to talk, especially not to each other. Alexa walked over to her brother by the firepit, while Daryl stayed near the truck, listening to Rick discuss the new living arrangements they had planned.

"It'll be tight, fourteen people in one house." Rick was saying.
"Don't worry about that." Hershel cut in. "With the swap hardening, the creek drying up-"
"With fifty head of cattle on the property, we might as well be ringing a damn dinner bell," Maggie said, cutting off her father.
"She's right, we should have moved you in a while ago." Hershel finalized.

Rick nodded gratefully. "All right. Let's move the vehicles near each of the doors, facing out toward the road."
The group nodded before they left to gather their belongings. Only Shane and Daryl bothered to stay around as Rick continued, discussing plans for lookouts.

"We'll station lookouts in the windmill and another in the barn loft. That should give us sightlines on both sides of the property." Rick explained. Shane and Daryl nodded before walking away. Or trying to.
"Daryl," Rick called, getting the man's attention.

"What happened out there?" He quizzed, glancing in Alexa's direction. "She covered in-"
"Blood." Daryl cut him off. "Just some walkers. No big deal." Daryl said assuringly. The man didn't want to attract any attention to himself and Alexa. So he was relieved when Rick nodded and walked away to talk to other group members.

Daryl huffed as he glanced in Alexa's direction. She was still crouched in front of her brother, probably joking with him like she usually did. Daryl watched from his distant position as a smile broke across the girl's face. Not a fake half smile or a sly smirk like she always gave the group members. But a real genuine smile.

Daryl almost smiled himself watching as the girl stood, ruffling her brother's long brown, cocoa-colored hair like she always did. It was funny watching the sibling's playful relationship unfold in front of the man's eyes. The two were so different compared to himself and Merle.

Daryl sighed as he watched Chase walk away. He knew he had to apologize to the girl. He had been thinking about how to do it the moment he sat in the truck. Apologize to Alexandra. Daryl thought as he walked toward the girl. What could go wrong?

"Hey." Daryl started awkwardly as he stepped in front of the girl. Alexa looked the man up and down before death staring into his steel blue eyes.
"What do you want?" She asked, emotionless.

"Sorry," Daryl grumbled, watching as the girl's tired emerald eyes widened slightly.
"What did you say? I didn't hear you." Alexa said. Clearly just to mess with the man. Or piss him off.
"I'm sorry," Daryl repeated loudly. "I didn't mean what I said."

"About what?" Alexa quizzed making Daryl decide whether he should chuckle or sigh. He chose the latter.
"You're just trying to get a kick out of this, aren't you?"
"Oh, definitely." The girl smirked.

Daryl sighed again as he began to fiddle with his crossbow strap.
"I- uh. I..."
"You're sorry," Alexa suggested as it was clear the man didn't know what to say.
"Yeah... and I shouldn't have brought up Chase-"

Alexa held up a hand to quiet the embarrassed man.
"We're good." She confirmed, excepting Daryl's makeshift apology. "But next time I will personally stick an arrow up your ass and tie you to a tree as walker food."
"Got it," Daryl replied, remembering it was the same threat she made back on the highway.

"That's not a threat," Alexa spoke, reading the man's mind. "It's a promise."
Daryl nodded, knowing the girl was being serious and would stick to her word if he did anything against her little brother.
"And also." The girl continued. "I can watch out for myself. I don't need you caring for me."

Before Daryl could respond, Alexa had already walked away. Her defined steps taking her in the direction of the duo's campsite. Daryl sighed, relaxing a bit as watched the girl leave. Her bow thrown lazily over her shoulder along with an arrow quiver. Her dark brown hair swinging behind her in its usual ponytail. One hand resting on her knife handle, the other hung at her side.

Daryl dragged his eyes away from the girl's figure. Becoming fully aware of the fact that he had been staring at her too long. He instead looked to the farmhouse where people were moving in and out. Unloading boxes, bags, and whatever other loose supplies they had in the back of the pickup.

Today is going to be a long day. Daryl thought as he trudged up to the house. Remembering that Rick had asked him to fix the hole in the rafters at Randall's makeshift cell. The man was just ready to get this whole Randall thing figured out. Which was good because he and Rick were planning to drive the kid out latter that evening.

Daryl arrived at the shed, spotting the hammers, nails, and wood boards that were already there he tossed the supplies onto the roof before climbing up himself. The hole wasn't too big so Daryl knew it would be an easy fix. Quickly grabbing a board off the platform the man got to work, hammering the wood in place.

When Daryl was finished he spit out the extra nail he had in his mouth before turning to leave the roof. Only to be met with a tiny child standing behind him at the top of the ladder. It was the green eyes that the man recognized first, the emerald green eyes of Alexa's little brother Chase.

"Oh, Jesus! Hi."
"Sorry." The boy apologized. "I didn't mean to scare you."
The boy was so cute that Daryl would have chuckled at his apology. If it weren't for the fact that Chase had actually scared Daryl by sneaking up on him.

"Uh, it's okay," Daryl said, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.
"Whatcha doin'?" Chase quizzed curiously, rocking on his heels. Daryl gestured to the wall he had just fixed behind him. Is mind swirled as he began to wonder if the boy's sister knew where he was.
"Uh, does your sister know you're here?" Daryl asked, deciding to voice his concerns.

"I don't know," Chase stated blankly, much to Daryl's surprise. "Is he really a kid?" The boy asked curiously, glancing around the man in front of him.
"It's a figure of speech," Daryl grumbled. "Com' on, why don't we get outta here." He suggested.

Chase nodded, turning to the ladder and climbing down before Daryl followed. The two stood at the bottom of the ladder, both just looking off into space before the young boy spoke up.
"Do you know what's wrong with Alexa?"

Daryl looked at the kid for a second. He didn't know exactly why Chase was asking him about his sister. But he had a pretty good idea.
"I think she might be getting sick," Chase added before Daryl could answer. "Y'know, she always takes care of others before herself."

"Ya, I know." Daryl sighed. "I wish I knew."
"Could you talk to her? She might listen to you." Chase responded, catching Daryl off guard. "I think she just needs to sleep. Focus on herself for once, y'know."
Daryl hummed, still in shock by the boy's request for help.

"I'll see what I can do," Daryl answered, making Chase smile.
"Thanks." He said simply before starting to walk away but stopping. He came jogging back and swiftly added. "Alexa's afraid of losing people she cares about. But I think she needs someone to live for." Before running away again.

Daryl stood in shock, watching as the boy ran away again. Someone to live for? Daryl thought as he stood dumbfounded. Daryl thought Alexa only lived for Chase. After all, he knew she would do anything to protect her brother. But the fact that Chase came to Daryl for help made it seem like Alexa was afraid to lose him in general.

Daryl did care for Alexa. That much he knew. But it's not like he cared for the girl in some other way. Right?