Our Extinction Event {Daryl Dixon}

Negotiating Terms

"I'm going!" Parker shouted from the top of the stairs. "Maggie's going. I am too!"

"Parker, Maggie can make her own decision," Rick pointed out to her.

"And what do I do?" Parker snapped back. "Sit here and get told that I can't do things? I'm my own person, and just because there's two future people growing inside me, doesn't take away my right to decide what I do and when I do it!" She was angry, and Rick could see it. She had woken up that morning and Daryl was already getting ready, informing her that they were going to launch their attack on Negan's compound that day. Parker had not been at the meeting with Andy the night before because she had spent the night with Maggie, comforting Rosita after Abraham left her without an explanation, so she knew little of their plan. It was Rick's idea to get into the outpost the only way they knew how, and that was by giving the Saviors exactly what they wanted. Gregory's head. They, of course, weren't going to kill Gregory, but they were going to kill walkers that looked like him and find a nearly identical one.

"Parker, I understand that Maggie's going, but she's also not as far along as you," Rick tried to explain to her.

"It's more dangerous in the first trimester," Parker argued defensively, staring down at Rick from the top of the stairs. "I'm in the second trimester and everything is going perfectly, apart from the fact that I'm trapped inside these walls."

"It's because your-"

"I get that!" Parker shouted, and although there were others in the house, none of them left their rooms or quickly evacuated the house in fear of having to deal with her. "I understand, Rick. Believe me, I do! But believe me when I tell you that I'm going crazy here. Going out with you and Daryl was the first time I felt completely alive in months, and after everything that happened, i need to get out of here. Please let me come with you."

"You know I can't go along with this," Rick ran his hand over his face, feeling bad for her. "What did Daryl say?"

"No," She ground out. "But I was fine when we went out last time, and I've been fine ever since. I know how to take care of myself. I'm the best chance you have besides Sasha, so let me go. I'll stay away from the action unless you need help. I'm desperate, Rick. Just let me tag along."

"Fine," Rick sighed.

"I'm sick of being in this house because I feel like I'm going insane and I need to get out before I lose my mind and- wait, what'd you say?" She pinched her eyebrows together, wanting to make sure she heard him clearly.

"You can come," Rick gave in, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Obviously I can't stop you, and like you said, you're your own person. As long as you're careful."

"Always am," Parker stated, her entire demeanor changing. "I'll be fine, Rick." If everything went as planned, Parker wouldn't be needed for anything other than standing guard outside the outpost while the rest of the group entered. She joined them by the RV, and although Daryl was upset when he saw she was coming, he couldn't help but feel relieved that she was there at the same time. No one knew what was going to happen, so having her there calmed him down a bit. 

They spent the day away from Alexandria, calling out to walkers with their vehicle horns. The group split into pairs and trios to search the woods, and Parker and Maggie ended up together. Although they found no walkers that looked like Gregory, being in the forests again with a rifle in her hands was a pleasant feeling. As strange as that sounded. They picked out a walker as they searched, and when they returned to the group later that day, they discovered that their mission was successful. They had four walker heads who looked like Gregory, and when Jesus picked the closest-looking one, worried that the nose was a little different, Rick solved the problem by punching the walker's face several times.