Make it Till You Don't

Progress

It's been about a month now, and things are going great. We managed to grow several plants, build a food stand with seating, dig a canal for fresh water, and even gained a few animals.

The only problem was that the number of Walkers at the fence were multiplying like crazy. Though, it's to be expected with the animals in the fields and the number of people living within the prison... attracting them like flies.

I was currently with Carol, keeping her company as she made breakfast for all of us. "It feels great to actually have a full meal and not just scraps." I sighed in delight at the smell of whatever Carol was doing with the pig meat.

"Well, thanks to all the food runs, pigs, and hunts you and Daryl bring in, there's plenty to go around." She replied, handing one of the men a plate.

I nodded my head. "You got a point there." Over the last few weeks, I've been getting better at tracking and got to start hunting. Only, I used a gun with a silencer versus the crossbow to take down prey. Thanks to that, my aim has gotten better. Turns out I didn't need those target practice lessons afterall.

I heard a few people greeting Daryl, causing me to turn my gaze as I saw him walking over. "Speak of the devil..."

As he got to us, he glanced back at one of the women that greeted him before looking at us with an annoyed look. "Smells good." He spoke up, grabbing some food.

"Just so you know, we liked you first." Carol teased, causing me to chuckle.

"Stop." He replied, looking at us. "You know, Rick brought in a lot of them too."

"Not recently." Carol reminded him. Rick and Daryl have been finding people stranded, bringing them in if they met the conditions. "Give the strangers sanctuary, keep people fed, you're gonna have to learn to live with the love."

"Right." Daryl brushed off.

"Anyways." Carol changed the topic. "I need you both to see something. Patrick, you want to take over?"

"Yes ma'am." He replied, taking the spatula from Carol. "Uh, Mr. Dixon, I just wanted to thank you for bringing that deer back yesterday. It was a real treat, sir, and I'd be honored to shake your hand."

I raised an eyebrow at Patrick's politeness as he held out his hand. I glanced over to Daryl, who licked his fingers clean before shaking the boy's hand. Did he really have to do that...

I rolled my eyes as Carol and I both began walking off, chuckling. I turned to Daryl as he walked up to us. "Mr. Dixon, huh?" I teased, grinning at him.

He let out a huff, eating another bite of his food. "Shut up."

I let out a snicker at his embarrassment. "Whatever you say, Mr. Dixon." I saluted him. He gave me a look, causing me to laugh even more.

"Leave the poor boy alone, (Y/N)." Carol looked at me, smiling. "I don't think he can take anymore." She glanced over to said man.

"You two are dangerous together..." Daryl grumbled, causing Carol to laugh with me.

After we calmed our laughter down, Carol told Daryl and I what she needed. "About today, I don't know if we're gonna be able to spare a lot of people for the run."

"This place is good to go, we're gonna move on it." Daryl replied as we came up to the fence facing the field.

"Yeah..." Carol trailed off. "Thing is, we had a pretty big build up overnight."

"No shit." I muttered, glancing at all the Walkers.

She nodded. "Dozens more towards tower three. It's getting as bad as last month. They don't spread out anymore." Carol explained as we watched the Walkers gather at the fence.

"With more of us sitting here, we're drawing more of them out." Daryl pointed to the fence. "You get enough of those damn fence-clingers, they start to herd up."

"Pushing against the fences again." Carol added in. "It's manageable, but unless we get ahead of it, not for long. Sorry pookie." Carol used his nickname she gave him.

Daryl let out a scoff, squeezing my arm before walking off. I glanced over to Carol after he walked away. "Don't let him fool you, he secretly likes having a nickname." I told her, grinning.

She gave me one in return, smug. "I know he does. You given him one yet?" She raised a brow at me.

"Why would I give him a nickname?" I asked, not seeing a reason to.

"You two are tied at the hip, can't find one of you without the other not far behind." She explained. "Figured you'd have one by now."

"Nope." I shook my head before grinning mischievously. "Though, Mr. Dixon has a nice ring to it. Plus it'll get a rise outta him." Carol just laughed, shaking her head at my antics.

She was right, though. Ever since that day he took me out to track, we were always found together. And when we weren't, the other wasn't too far away. However, even after what happened in the woods, we weren't together in the slightest. Hell, we haven't even kissed since then, just glances and affectionate touches here and there.

Though, that didn't stop people from thinking we were, can't say I blame them. Carol always asked and my answer continues to stay the same... no. It annoys me to no end because I know there's something there but I know how Daryl is so I leave it alone.

If he wants to take the next step, I'll let him decide that.

"I better go get ready for the run as well." I told Carol as she gave me a nod in return. I went back inside, grabbing my ax and gun from the cell before heading back outside.

As I made my way over to the cars, I saw Zack and Beth chatting. Beth gave him a kiss on the cheek before walking off. "Okay, are you gonna say goodbye?" Zack called out to her.

"Nope." Beth replied, not looking back at him.

I walked up, placing a hand on Zack's shoulder. "You picked a tough one, she ain't a damsel." He looked over at me, defeated.

"It's like a damn romance novel." I heard Daryl complain, walking with a crate in his hands.

I slung a rifle over my shoulder, glancing in his direction. "Leave them be. Let them have their fun." He let out a grunt, going to put the crate in the back of the truck. "Any more stuff we need?" I asked, walking over.

"Nah, let's go." He said, walking to his bike. I followed after Daryl, walking past Sasha, who was talking to Bob, one of the newer people.

"I just want to make sure you know who to play on a team." Sasha told Bob.

Daryl looked at the two as we passed. "We ain't gotta do it unless it's easy."

"You know, that's just another person we gotta look after, right?" I asked as he started up the bike.

"He shouldn't be too much of a problem." Daryl replied as I got on.

"If you say so." I replied as we began to drive off.

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Published: 07/22/2024