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

Dawson County

Chapter 10—Dawson County

The Dawn air is full of chill as the sun slowly warms up the Georgia countryside. I'm cuddled up the Daryl's warm body, his arms wrapped around me protectively. I really don't want to get up; maybe it's the Benadryl coursing through my system or maybe it's the warm man I'm lying against, either way I feel like I could stay here forever. His raspy voice breaks my thoughts, "Hey princess, I know you're awake. We need to get up." I groan and snuggle closer to him, "But I like it here." He quietly laughs, "Yeah well I like ya here too but we need to get moving Rowan." I pull my head up and stare down into his blue eyes. He looks up at me, arching an eyebrow, "What's going through that pretty little head of yours, princess?" My mind is filled with things I wish I could admit to myself as well as him. Once again I chicken out and let out a deep sigh, "Nothing, just thinking about getting up." He gives me a long look but doesn't push the matter, "Yeah me too Rowan." I sit up and he follows. As I retie my boots I mutter, "Do ya think we'll ever actually git to point where tell each what we're really thinking?" I hear him let out a deep breath and I look back at him. He slowly nods, "Yeah, I think so." I just nod as he reaches over to push a stray curl off my face and he whispers, "I want to but it will take me time. Be patient princess, I'm trying." I give him an understanding look and for us, it's enough.

Soon everyone is up and fed. We're ready to leave and as we pack up the truck, Rick works out seating arrangements. The farm truck will only hold two people in the cab because it's a stick and the driver needs to be able to shift. Rick decides Daryl will drive and I'll navigate, since I know where it is we are going. Everyone else gets in the back, making themselves comfortable. Daryl climbs in the driver's seat while I get the map from Rick. Rick gives me some last minute instructions and I suggest stopping at the Walmart as we cross into Dawson County. Rick doesn't look convinced until I mention, "It's the only Walmart or large store in fifty miles of the mill. We're gonna need jackets and clothes, those things won't be stocked even if the mill is secure. We have room in the truck; if Walmart isn't overrun it would be a good idea." Rick nods, "Okay we can stop there and take a look. We can also stop at any other store on the way that may have something useful. Use your judgement Rowan." I nod and get into the truck. Rick bangs on the roof, signaling that everyone is ready to go.

We are making pretty good time and from my calculations we should reach the Walmart in about another hour. We aren't driving very fast because of the chance of running into walkers and since there's no way to secure anyone in truck bed, we need to be careful. We pass a couple of gas stations on the country highway but you can easily tell they've been looted. We're about fifteen miles from the Walmart when we come upon a small gun shop. The front doors are chained and we decide to take the chance. Daryl parks and we get out of the truck. Rick decides that Daryl, I, Maggie and Glenn will breach the store. Rick and Abraham guard the truck.

Daryl pulls his hunting knife and bangs on the glass door. It doesn't take long for three walkers to appear, trying to get at us through the glass. He looks at me and I nod as he motions to Sasha to shoot out the glass on the one door. We step back and she takes aim with her sniper rifle. Once the glass is gone the walkers come out and Daryl takes down the first one. I plunge my knife into the second walkers head as the third stumbles over the downed walker and heads for Maggie. She easily makes short work of it before helping us pull the bodies out of the way. Daryl motions to me that he's going in first and I nod, flashing him a "be careful" look as he steps inside. I follow with Maggie and Glenn close behind me. We check the store for more walkers and once we've cleared it, we begin looking for weapons and ammo. There's not much left for guns but there is quite a bit of ammo and arrows. I search through the racks of arrows looking for what I need. I grab some bolts that Daryl can use and finally find some for me. I grab a few bow strings for each of us before moving on to the glass cases. There are a few decent knives and a couple of smaller caliber handguns. I clean out the case and look over to Maggie who's rummaging through holsters. I grin and ask, "I don't suppose there are any thigh holsters for a 9mm? She looks around in the case and pulls up a holster, "Like this?" I nod, "Oh hell ya! Lara Croft here I come!" I hear Daryl snort and I glance over, "Kiss my ass Dixon." He smirks at me and goes back to filling a cardboard box with ammo.