in a dark meadow -- daryl dixon

don't care

word count: 5586

"Guys, there's walkers in the barn."

Glenn's outburst interrupted their sleepy breakfast. Carol had just finished dishing out her egg skillet to the group, while everyone ate quietly around the fire. Avery had settled in a fold-out chair next to Daryl, occasionally sneaking glances at him to ensure he wasn't in pain. She looked up from her plate when Glenn spoke up, eggs half-chewed in her mouth, and stared at him. Was this why he was acting so strange? He'd been keeping this secret from all of them? She had a dozen questions ready to rapid fire, but Shane and Rick jumped to their feet and made their way to the barn. The rest followed, while Avery hesitated. Obviously the walkers hadn't let themselves in - the Greene family knew about this. So why put them there?

The low growl of at least a dozen prowlers could be heard through the rotted hardwood. The barn walls shuttered as the walkers pushed against them, drawn in by the scent of living flesh. The doors had been secured with industrial chains. Avery joined their group just outside the doors, and she could feel their panic rising. Shane paced back and forth, as if unable to contain his anger.

"You cannot tell me you're alright with this." He marched up to Rick, almost as if challenging him.

"No, I'm not." Rick's jaw clenched. "But we're guests here. This isn't our land."

"This is our lives!"

"Lower your voice," Glenn worriedly glanced between the barn and the farmhouse, not sure what he was more fearful of - the walkers or a rageful Maggie.

"We can't just sweep this under the rug," Andrea joined in.

"We've got to either go in there, we've got to make things right or we've just got to go. We've been talking about Fort Benning for a long time." Avery could see there was something off with Shane, not just right now, but over the past few weeks. Something in him had unraveled like a snagged thread, becoming looser and wilder.

"We can't go." Rick tried to shut his friend down.

"Why, Rick?"

"Because my daughter is still out there," Carol spoke up, her eyes darting between Rick and Shane, as if she could not believe he'd ever suggest leaving.

"Okay," Shane rubbed his hands along his face, suppressing a cruel laugh. "Okay, I think it's time we all start to just consider the other possibility."

Avery's mouth went dry. To suggest such a thing in front of Carol... Her first thought was to go to the mother, as if she could shield her from those wicked thoughts.

"We're not leaving Sophia behind." Rick, thankfully, kept his voice firm and unyielding.

"I'm close to findin' this girl. I just found her damn doll two days ago." Daryl stepped forward to Shane, anger in his eyes.

"You found her doll, Daryl. That's what you did. You found a doll."

Daryl moved in front of Avery, shoving his forearm against Shane's chest. "'Ya don't know what the hell you're talkin' about!"

"I'm just saying what needs to be said!" Shane held his hands up defensively, as if he wasn't the one acting like a raging asshole. "And let me tell you something else, man. If she was alive out there and saw you coming at her all methed out with geek ears around your neck, she'd run the other direction!"

Daryl lunged for Shane and Avery quickly moved away from the scuffle, watching as Rick and T-dog quickly worked to separate the two fighting men. Daryl held himself back, the pain in his side stopping him.