Walker || Daryl Dixon

chapter 6:

The deep rumble of an engine reached her ears as Kate stood on the front porch. Rick and Lori along with T-Dog and Glenn had already given their condolences and even though they didn't really know her dad, Kate could tell they genuinely meant it.

Looking out towards the gate they all stopped to watch as a motorcycle and two other vehicles made their way up the gravel driveway towards the house stopping as they got closer.

Rick and Lori made their way down the steps and Katelyn watched as a man got off the bike looking around curiously while four others made their way out of the other two cars.

An older man wearing a floppy beige fisherman's hat rushed forward stopping a couple feet away from Rick, followed by a taller blonde woman and a second woman with short gray hair.

"How is he?" The older man asked expectantly. The rest of their group all looking to Rick for an answer. The man from the motorcycle's eyes passed my mom and maggie disinterested before landing on Katelyn.

He was handsome in that rugged hunting mountain man type of way. His body lean but not frail and you could tell from the muscles in his arms and the crossbow hung on his back he was no stranger to hard work. His eyes were a deep icy blue that seemed to look right through you and
his gaze turned slightly curious as he looked at the blondem

Realizing she was staring, Kate snapped her attention to Rick as he told the others that Carl was fine thanks to all of us and Shane. Kate eyes trailed over to said man to find him staring at the dirt like it was the most interesting thing in the world before Rick continued to explain that it had all been just a stupid accident.

Kate watched as the grey-haired woman walked over to Lori embracing her in a hug while the blonde woman let out a breath looking relieved. A gentle hand looped around her arm and Katelyn turned her focus straying from the strangers in front of her.

Patricia stood there looking past the group and Kate followed her mother's gaze to see Hershel, Beth, T-Dog, Glenn and Jimmy making their way towards a big oak tree with a wheel barrow full of stones.

Patricia squeezed Kate's arm softly before slowly pulling her towards the tree,Maggie following after them. Rick and Lori stayed behind presumably filling in their people with what was going on.

After a few minutes Rick's whole group made their way over to the tree to pay their respects to Otis and his family while Hershel stood at the head of the makeshift grave with his bible. Beth and Jimmy stood on the side of the grave, both looking on their eyes filled with sorrow.

Kate's mother stood to her right, now clutching Katelyn's hand like a life line with Maggie on her other side the two of them leaning into each other for comfort

Katelyn gently squeezed her mother's hand before releasing it to wrap her arms around her waist feeling small and alone as Hershel began to lead the service. Katelyn felt herself sway slightly still a little weak from donating so much blood and she heard as well as felt a presence from behind shift a little closer to her.

Kate glanced slightly over her left shoulder seeing it was the man from the motorcycle but he was looking straight ahead listening to Hershel as he spoke. Up close you could see he was more handsome than kate had noticed at first glance.

He wore a serious face, his eyes not really giving away any emotions away as he stared forward. He had some scruff around his jaw and upper lip,and Kate could tell her hadn't shaved in a few days but it still suited him well.

The man had a small mole that sat near his left cheek almost hidden and his hair was a little darker than her own. It looked like it could use a trim and a wash but it worked for him.

He must have felt Kate's eyes on him because he started to turn his head and she quickly snapped her head back around, not looking away from Hershel until he asked for shane to speak on her fathers behalf to which Shane tried to refuse.

"You were the last one with him, you shared his final moments," Patricia croaked out sadly her voice full of despair. Katelyn could feel a fresh wave of tears burning her eyes but she stayed silent as her mother continued.

"Please, I need to hear. I need to know his death had meaning." She all but begged Shane. Everyone's attention turned to him as he reluctantly agreed and began to recount the events that unfolded.

"We gotta save the boy. See that's what he said." Shane paused, his gaze was distant and he began to fidget trapped in the memory. Katelyn's body locked up. Her shoulders tensing and her eyes beginning to water as she thought of her dad.

How caring he was and how much guilt he'd had burdening him at the knowledge he'd shot Carl. Even though it had been an accident he wouldn't have been able to forgive himself if Carl hadn't survived.

Not sure if she could handle hearing whatever it was that Shane was going to say next Kate listened anyway lifting her gaze up the tree, fighting back the tears she so badly wanted to release. Shane continued and she looked at him again.

"He gave me his backpack. He shoved me ahead. 'Run' he said. I'll take the rear. I'll cover you and when I looked back." He stopped his dark brown eyes taking on a sort of desperate look before meeting Patricia's and Kate's gazes. He looked down, hobbling over to the wheel barrow to pick up a stone before looking at Kate's mother again.

"If not for Otis, I'd never have made it out alive. If any death ever had meaning, it was his." Nodding respectfully towards the two women in Otis' family he set the stone down on the pile used to create a grave before hobbling back to his place.

Patricia cried, sniffling softly as she turned to her daughter burying her head into Kate's shoulder but Katelyn's eyes never left Shane.

He looked at the ground again, devoid of any emotion and a quick glance around the group told Kate she wasn't the only one thinking there was more to the story than what Shane told them.

**Author note**

Okay, First off...Thank you for being patient I know the intro was a little long but I felt like my Character needed this little bit of background story to build up her personality so we understand the way it changes throughout the story. However, the Atlanta Group is finally in the picture and I'm hoping the story will pick up from here.

Second, please let me know if there are things I can clarify or that don't make sense. Also any grammar mistakes I'm hoping to edit out later as I'm currently writing this on my phone and autocorrect is crap.

Other than that.
I hope you enjoy the story.