million dollar man | twd

ʀᴏᴀᴅʙʟᴏᴄᴋ

[ roadblock ]

꧁꧂

The group had been on the road for two days, aiming to reach Fort Benning. Exhaustion was setting in, but the urgency to keep moving was paramount. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows as Daryl, Vanessa, and T-Dog worked to siphon gas from abandoned cars on the highway.

Vanessa crouched next to a car, holding a gas canister and feeling the fatigue in her bones. She watched Daryl work efficiently beside her, his movements quick and practiced. T-Dog was a few cars down, muttering curses under his breath as he struggled with a stubborn gas cap.

"Here," Daryl said, handing her a full canister and taking the empty one from her. "That should do it."

She nodded, her suspicion lingering. "Why are you being so nice to me all of a sudden?"

Daryl shrugged, his eyes avoiding hers. "You've been through enough."

Vanessa raised an eyebrow, not fully convinced. "Just like that? You're Mr. Nice Guy now?"

He sighed, wiping his hands on his pants. "I know I've been a dick. But I don't want to see anyone else give up."

She bit her lip, the weight of his words sinking in. "I'm not looking for pity, Daryl."

"It ain't pity," he said firmly.

Vanessa glanced at T-Dog, who was now making his way back toward them with a triumphant grin. "Got it," he said, holding up his own gas canister. "We should be good to go."

Daryl nodded, then looked back at Vanessa. "You ready?"

She hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah. Let's get back."

As they walked back to the group, Vanessa couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Daryl's sudden change in behavior was unexpected, but she didn't have the energy to confront it. Instead, she focused on putting one foot in front of the other, the promise of Fort Benning driving her forward.

When they reached the others, Rick was there to greet them, his eyes scanning the road behind them. "Everything go okay?"

"Yeah," Daryl said, setting down the canisters. "Got enough to keep us going for a while."

Rick nodded, his gaze shifting to Vanessa. "You alright?"

She forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine."

As the group prepared to move out, Daryl caught her eye again, a silent promise in his expression. Vanessa wasn't sure if she believed him, but for now, it was enough.

The group was on the move again, the convoy of cars winding their way through back roads and desolate highways. Vanessa sat in the back of one of the cars, her eyes staring blankly out the window. She could feel Lori's gaze on her from the front seat, the tension between them almost palpable.