A Redneck's Wicked Game (A Daryl Dixon Story)

Be Glad It Wasn't A Rock

Chapter 6---Be Glad It Wasn't A Rock

Over the next few days we make preparations to leave. We are unable to find a vehicle so we will start by walking and see about finding cars on the way north. The group scavenges what they can from the small town and surrounding houses. There isn't much but there are a few items that will be helpful. Daryl and I work together to make extra bolts and arrows; the more ammo the better. I collect some plants and herbs that we can use on the road, in case hunting is sparse. Daryl took some of the deer meat and salted it so it can cure. Once it's dry we'll have quite a bit of jerky to take with us. It's salty of course but its protein. I manage to find a couple of cans of powdered formula at one house. Judith is eating food now but if things get bad she will get all the nutrients she needs from the formula.

I spend an afternoon with Abraham, Rick and Daryl pouring over maps and plotting out a route up to north Georgia. I figure on foot with kids it will take several days to walk it. I'm hoping we'll find a car and can make the trip faster. I'm still dealing with my leg; it's better but not perfect. Daryl keeps telling me I'm fine and don't worry but I know I'm lacking skills I had before getting shot.

I've been avoiding talking to Maggie because I know she wants to pick my brain about Daryl. I don't know what I can tell her; I'm as confused as anyone. Daryl tends to run hot and cold. One minute he's affectionate the next he's pushing me away. The only thing I can count on is if someone upsets me he's there at my defense. I only know this because Rick and Abraham tried pushing me into explaining about my family and my past; Daryl came to my defense immediately, making them back off. Carol says it's typical Daryl and it's because he's working through his intimacy issues. Hell if I understand that psycho babble.

Daryl started out today with trying to bite my head off when I rolled over and said Good Morning. He obviously hadn't slept well because he had second shift watch and he woke up on the wrong side of the bed to say the least. Since I didn't do anything wrong I was a little hurt that he acted so mean to me. Dealing with his attitude over the last few hours has turned my hurt to anger. He snaps at me one more time and I'm going to let him have it.

Mid-afternoon

Daryl comes out of the woods after being gone for a couple of hours. He's got four squirrels strung on his waist and hopefully a better attitude. I purposely stayed back at the church, even though he asked me to go. I thought that maybe some time alone would help his mood. Only one way to find out, I guess.

I excuse myself from helping Sasha, Rosita, Maggie, and Carol pack items. I walk over to where Daryl is getting ready to skin the squirrels and I ask, "Would you like some help?" He nastily replies, "Didn't want to help me hunt 'em. Why would ya want to help me now?" I roll my eyes, trying to keep my cool, "I was offering my help Daryl, you don't have to be an ass about it." He glares up at me, "I'm an ass? You're the bitch that didn't want to help hunt 'em." My mouth drops open and the girls stop talking, waiting for me to respond to Daryl calling me a bitch. I bite my lip and stare down at the back of his head. I'm fuming inside and he has no idea how done I am with his attitude. I really just want to beat the shit outta him right now but I take a deep breath to calm down a little. My gaze falls on the squirrels lying on the ground next to Daryl and I just can't resist. I bend down and pick up the biggest squirrel there. I grasp the fat little rodent by its tail firmly and step back behind Daryl, who's ignoring me. I glance over at the girls who are trying to figure out what I'm going to do. I cock my arm back and smack Daryl in the back of the head full force with the dead squirrel. His head snaps forward and he yells, "WHAT THE FUCK?" I toss the dead rodent into his lap and growl out, "You EVER call me a bitch again and it will be the last fucking thing you EVER say Dixon!" I storm off into the woods, listening to the girls laughing hysterically.