Living in the End || Blake Dixon Book Two

Chapter 9 || I'm still mad you left.

Blake was torn, Hershel had finally freed her from bed rest and her injuries were in that itchy phase of healing. She was feeling better and even though she wanted to get out of the prison and finally be back hunting the last thing she wanted was to be going out with her uncle and father. Honestly she wasn't quite sure how she got roped into it, she had mentioned to Beth how she was thinking about going out at least walking the woods around the prison and before she knew it her dad was trailing along behind her with Merle in tow.

Things were admittedly awkward as they walked, Blake kept up a quick pace as she kept her eyes peeled for any game or sign of something and her dad trailed a few paces behind not saying a word. Merle would make an off handed comment here and there obviously trying to get a rise out of the youngest Dixon but Blake refused to let the man ruin this for her so she ignored him. He had shut up after a while, her dad mentioning how they were trying to find animals not scare them away.

Blake paused as she entered a clearing, it was a bright luscious green with wildflowers dotting around in it. Blake spotted some Wild Blue Moon that immediately put a smile on her face. Beth and her were doing better than ever, besides the blonde's constant fretting over her everything had gone back to normal and Blake couldn't be happier. Her relationship with her father was still on the fence but at least she could count on her girlfriend once again.

Blake forgot about hunting and threw her crossbow over her shoulder making her way towards the blue flowers. She knelt down and started picking a few, she moved along to the bunch of Fire Azalea's and added them to the bunch. She finished the bouquet off with some white Mountain Laurel. She had totally forgotten about her uncle and dad standing just a few feet away as she grinned down at the flowers in her hand.

"I thought we were huntin' not picking fuckin' flowers." Merle called out from behind her, drawing her attention back to the two men that were behind her. Blake scowled at the man as he smirked at her. "Never thought I'd see a Dixon picking flowers for some chick."

"Hey man back off," her dad grumbled out as he eyed Merle. Blake met his eyes for a brief second and he quickly dropped her gaze.

"Aw come on, your little girl is finally acting like a girl man. Picking flowers and frolicking through a meadow." Merle said with a laugh. Blake just rolled her eyes at the comment and started arranging the flowers into a nice bouquet.

"You're just jealous 'cause you ain't never pulled an actual lady before." Blake fired back at the man. Her dad let out a snort but Merle didn't seem to be a big fan.

"You know what you little brat I've been with plenty of women..." He started but her dad interrupted.

"She said ladies Merle, the hookers you would hire don't count." Her dad interrupted, Blake finally glanced up from the flowers to see Merle fuming. Her dad was obviously trying to hold back a laugh as he watched his brother stumble for a comeback.

"Ah fuck both of you, I don't have to sit here and take this like I'm some little pansy sack." He growled out and stalked off into the woods. Blake couldn't help the laugh that spilled out of her when she finally locked eyes with her dad. They both fell into a fit of laughter clutching their stomachs. Blake's ribs ached with every laugh but she couldn't bring herself to stop as she pictured Merle's disgruntled face.

Eventually they trailed off and Blake wandered over to a tree as she caught her breath, her flowers were still in hand and she sat them to the side as she stared off into the meadow. Butterflies were flitting about, seeming to be dancing through the air with one another. Blake felt a smile pull at her lips at the peace, this had been what she had been looking for ever since they got to the damn prison.

At first she had been excited to be in the place, having somewhere safe to call their own for once. But then everything happened, Lori died along with T and it felt like she couldn't escape. But here she was finally out in the place she felt most at home, where she could actually think and breathe. She felt her dad sit down beside her softly, almost hesitantly as he lowered himself to the ground. They sat in silence for a few minutes before Blake decided she couldn't hold it back any more.