It is Not The End - Daryl Dixon

𝐎𝐍𝐄

(pictured above is Alexandra)

THE INTRO

The whine of a broken window unit and static of a jukebox that had seen better days filled a twenty four year old Daryl's ears as he threw back pint after pint of some skunked unlabeled beer. His brows furrowed with every swig as it coated his dry, burning throat and when he slammed his third obliterated pint onto the raw oak, his eyes locked onto the bartender who polished one of the stainless cups with some microfiber cloth.

"Ay, be a sport and get me another," Daryl slurred out to the young bartender, he performed every task with such care and haste that it practically gave away his young age.

"Uh, yes sir, but maybe you should slow down," The bartender had sheepishly suggested before reaching beneath the counter and grabbing two more glasses, he filled them just so and slid them over to a Daryl who sat at the furthest end of the counter.

The bar at this time of night was always dimly lit and rather uninviting so with that knowledge it was known to be quite the deserted wasteland and that rang more true than ever on this stormy night, in this middle of nowhere bar in the heart of redneck country. The only soul that accompanied Daryl's other than the young bartender was some old geezer who left his burnt cigar dangly out the right side of foul mouth and more often than not smelt like fresh trash. He was always there, no matter the time of day.

Sighing to himself, Daryl stared his two bubbling pints down with dulled eyes. His once greasy long locks were now freshly cut into a more maintained stereotypical look and his knuckles sported deep purple bruises, from a fight with her oldest brother Merle. 'What a hard headed bastard' he thought to himself before taking a solid swig of his throat numbing beer. His hands gripped the cup with such a strength he thought he could shatter said glass, but as he clenched his cup with animosity, the bar bell rang.

It sent ripples through the barren bar and with the creaking of the weighted saloon styled door, Daryl hesitantly looked over his shoulder towards the deafening sound and his pale blue eyes were met with the eyes of a woman who had seen better days. Her long damp, wavy locks hit her hips, they were teased just so and her hair was the darker than the night sky, with a shine that could blind the entirety of the bar. Her eyes dark with smoke, adorned with deep bags and smeared makeup; and her body thin, showing its tendons but still managing to keep its curves.

Her long bangs dangled in her face and her thin fingers were curled into tight fists, her claw like nails digging into the soft skin of her palms. Her body twitched from the tears she stifled back and she walked with small precise steps to her chosen stool. Her solid black outfit accented her tanned skin and her full rounded lips quivered with every breath. Daryl soaked her in like he'd never see her again.

"What has the most alcohol," She choked out with her head hung down. Her hair covered her like a curtain shielding her from the prying eyes of strangers and with reddened eyes she glanced over at Daryl who sported such drab clothes. Quickly, Daryl looked away and locked eyes with his pint not wanting to scare the female off with such an intense gaze.

"Yeah um-" The young bartender searched his shelves for something hard for the beaten down woman, but when he took a hard glance at her he quickly realized she wasn't some mature lady, rather his sister's friend from school. "Alexandra, what are you doing here, you have school tomorrow don't you," The bartender preached out, his hazel eyes widened and he slammed his cloth down with a soft growl.

"You need to go home," The bartender had lectured with and as the situation escalated Alexandra swiftly stood to her feet and slammed her hands down onto the oak. Salty tears collided into the wood and her thin arms shook like a leaf. Daryl's gaze shifted back onto the young woman and with his second look he noticed the fresh bruises and scratches that coated her frail arms and legs. This girl was shaken to her core and when she finally looked up at the bartender, her face tense and wet, she threw the rag to the splintered floor and slammed her palms down onto the oak, the vibrations reaching Daryl as he slowly moved to his feet with caution.

"I said give me something to drink," She screamed out between tears that rapidly flowed. "Give me something now," Her voice was shrill and as Daryl reached into his ripped pocket for a twenty dollar bill, Alexandra came barreling over, pushing past Daryl while she grabbed his half empty pint and slammed it with a scream. Stumbling, Daryl kept quiet but with an ounce of confidence he reached for Alexandra's pained arm and in return she shot a confused look at him with labored breaths.

It was then and there that Alexandra felt her heart slow down. Daryl's deep blue eyes stared intensely into Alexandra's and with a soft touch he moved her hand away from the pint. For just a moment the bar was silent, the lights that flickered just so in the bar illuminated her face perfectly and it was just the two of them, no trembling bartender, no creepy coot passed out drunk in the corner, Just Daryl and Alexandra. Suddenly, her tears stopped and she pulled away from the redneck who had such a hardened expression. Her head dropped again and with no gusto she dropped her arms to her side and let out a gentle whimper.

"I'll go home, I'm sorry Carter," Alexandra had whispered out to the bartender as he cowered in the corner with the store phone shaking in his sweaty palms. Softly, Carter, the bartender nodded and pointed towards the door with his trembling fingers. Clearing her throat, Alexandra glanced up at Daryl with sorrowful eyes before she gently pushed past him once more and took gentle steps on the sticky wood floors. Every creak of the boards sent chills down Daryl's spine and as the broken girl exited the bar filled with despair and loneliness, Daryl sat his twenty dollar bill on the oak bar and nodded a thank you towards the bartender.

Quickly, Daryl grabbed his pocket knife, tucking it into his denim pocket and he ran his callused hands through his short hair. He took a few small deep breaths and tilted his head back looking at the bar lights that emitted a soft buzz, their orange glow kissed the velvet walls of the bar and Daryl thought back to every missed opportunity. Suddenly, his eyes filled with hope and he darted towards the bars swinging saloon doors, his heart practically pounding out of his chest.

Once Daryl had made it outside he was surrounded by the thick warm Georgia air, Birch trees that caressed the night sky, the smell of fresh rain and the soft roar of engines from miles away. His eyes searched for the saddened girl who not long ago stood screaming in the bar and when his eyes fell on her petite body placed firmly on the gravel with her exposed legs tucked tightly into her chest, Daryl slowly made his way over to her.

"Let me get you a drink," Daryl had murmured out, standing adjacent to her. His toned body towered over hers and as she looked up at him she softly nodded her head and motioned to be helped up; her small hand fit perfectly into Daryl's and when she was level with Daryl's chest, Alexandra bit down on her cut red lip. She seemed so lost and Daryl knew she had been done so wrong.

"At your place." Alexandra whispered out before looking up at him, heartbroken and this wouldn't be the last time Daryl stared into those beautiful dark eyes, eyes that wouldn't be beautiful forever.

~