Walker || Daryl Dixon

chapter 1

The sink was being stained red with blood as Katelyn scrubbed at her arms with soap and warm water. When she graduated college last year she definitely hadn't envisioned taking up becoming a veterinarian apprentice after earning a degree in Agricultural Business. No, Kate's goal was helping her parents further their peach sales.

She'd hoped to partner up with a grocery chain or something to sell them peaches from her family orchard. Walker Farm Peaches was supposed to become a household name by the time she was 30. Now however, that would never happen. Not that it even mattered anymore.

Nope, now Kate would learn everything possible about veterinarian medicine to be able to help out as much as needed on the Greene family farm.

Sighing heavily, she finished rinsing off her hands and cleaned the remaining red streaks from the sink. Shutting off the water, Kate dried her hands on a nearby towel. Katelyn raised her head, hazel eyes locking onto her reflection in the small bathroom mirror.

The girl staring back at her looked as tired as Kate felt, if the bags beginning to settle under her eyes were anything to go off of. Dirty blonde hair was much longer than she was used to, reaching well past her shoulders and where there was usually a bright smile in place now held a more serious look. It seemed that was the most she was capable of expressing these days after having to flee her home, but she was alive and so was her family so she'd be okay.

The Walker family was grateful to Hershel and his family for taking them in. They'd been close before all this mess had started. Kate's father and Hershel had grown up together and continued their friendship into adulthood.

The Walker's and the Greene's had raised their children together as close as family, so Hershel's second wife, Annette didn't hesitate to move them all in when the world fell apart. Not long after though, Annette and her son Shaun were bit and fell ill. At least that's how Hershel had seen it.

Kate never agreed with that logic. She knew the undead were beyond just being sick.and waiting for a cure. Had known since the first day. She'd tried explaining to her parents but they wouldn't believe her...Couldn't believe her. Kate knew.that her parents needed to believe there was still hope. It was their brains way of protecting them from the Horrors of this new world. She'd long since stopped trying to change their perspective.

Annette had made Keatelyn's parents promise to stay and help take care of her family. She didn't want Hershel alone and the Walker's had been doing that ever since. Which is why Kate was currently holed up in the bathroom after scrubbing her skin damn near raw.

Hershel had asked for help with a procedure one of the cows needed in the pasture and seeing as everyone else had taken a turn this week, she'd happened to draw the short stick.

"Katie darlin, you alright in there?" Her mothers soothing voice followed a soft knock on the bathroom door. Katelyn straightened glancing at her reflection one last time before opening the door forcing a soft smile.

"I'm fine mama. Did you need something?" She asked. She walked out of the bathroom and into the hallway of the old farmhouse, her mother Patricia giving her a soft love filled look as her blue eyes met her daughters. As much as she tried though,her smile didn't quite reach her eyes like it used to.

Kate knew her mother and father, Otis, had been high school sweethearts. They loved to tell the story of how they had gotten married straight after graduating, and began building their life together. They took their savings, bought their orchard and built themselves a little house on it. After a few years of struggling to concieve, Katelyn was brought into the world and had been the center of theirs ever since.

"I just wanted to check on you sweetie, I know you don't exactly enjoy helping out with medical procedures for the animals." Kate's mother shot her a knowing look. Kete shuddered before sighing softly looking back at her.

"I don't, but its gotta be done, and daddy is out hunting today so someone had to do it." Shrugging, Kate's mouth pulled into a slight grimace as she made my way down the hall slowly. She stopped at the landing, turning to face her mom.

"Yeah," patricia nodded in agreement before continuing. "Well, now that your done you wanna come help me prep dinner with Maggie and Beth? We're gonna start cooking here soon, besides your daddy said he'd be home before supper." She added softly. She pat Kate gently on thebshoulder as she passed her. Nodding in reply, Kate walked down stairs toward the kitchen where Beth and her boyfriend Jimmy were already pealing potatoes for tonight's meal.

Jimmy had already been at the Greene's house when the Walker family had gotten there. From what they all knew he only had his mom and he said she'd been taken by the illness too. He was a good kid for the most part. Respectful, kind and always helping wherever he could so no one was surprised that Hershel had let him stay.

After making her way to the kitchen, Kate got to work shucking corn and not too long after starting, Maggie came in to help. The two girls made small talk and joked around quietly before Maggie headed out to the porch again to keep an eye on the property.

As Kate continued to wash and chop some more vegetables, stealing a carrot or two for every handful sliced, her mother began to cook the meat they had while Beth and Jimmy started to make the base for the stew they were all having for supper.

After she finished chopping all the vegetables Patricia shooed her from the kitchen, muttering something about Kate eating all her carrots. Katelyn chuckled quietly in response making her way towards the front of the house.

Once in the living room she slipped on her boots and grabbed a pair of binoculars from the coffee table. As Kate walked towards the front door, she glanced at the clock hanging on the wall and smiled slightly. Heading out to join Maggie on the porch she had only one thought on my mind.

At least dad will be home soon.