Scars & Shadows(Daryl x Octavia)

Chpt 1: Crossed Paths

The forest was quiet, save for the rustle of leaves beneath Daryl's boots. His crossbow was slung over his back, and his eyes scanned the tree line, ever watchful. It had been a few weeks since his group at Alexandria had scattered, searching for supplies and scouting new areas for possible threats. Daryl, as usual, preferred to go out alone—people were too unpredictable, too noisy. He worked better this way.

A distant crack of a branch breaking caught his attention. His hand instinctively reached for his crossbow as he crouched low, pressing his back against a tree. His breath was steady, but his mind was alert, assessing whether it was a walker, an animal, or something worse—another human.

He didn't have to wait long to find out. A figure stepped into view, moving quickly, but with an ease that showed they were used to the woods. Dark, long hair, athletic build, and leather armor. The woman was different from anyone he'd seen before.

"Who the hell are you?" Daryl muttered under his breath.

As if she heard him, the woman froze, her sharp gaze flicking around the forest until it landed in Daryl's direction. Her hand went to her belt, where a curved sword was sheathed.

Daryl stepped out from behind the tree, his crossbow aimed at her but his stance not entirely threatening. "Ain't lookin' for trouble," he called out, voice rough. "But if you're plannin' anythin', this ain't gonna end well."

The woman's eyes narrowed as she slowly raised her hands. "I could say the same to you," she replied, her voice low but firm. "I don't know who you are, but if you're out here, you're either dangerous or dead."

Daryl kept his crossbow trained on her but loosened his grip just a bit. "Could say the same. Ain't many people just wanderin' around the woods these days unless they're tryin' to survive."

She studied him for a moment, then slowly lowered her hands. "I'm Octavia. Octavia Blake," she said. Her eyes flicked to the crossbow. "You gonna lower that, or are we gonna have a problem?"

Daryl kept his weapon up for a beat longer, eyeing her with the same cautious mistrust he had for anyone new. After a long pause, he lowered the crossbow, but kept it in his hand. "Daryl. Daryl Dixon."

Octavia nodded, her body language relaxing a little but still guarded. "You from around here?"

"Nah," Daryl replied, eyes still scanning the surroundings. "What about you? You don't look like you're from here either."

"I'm not," Octavia answered, her gaze shifting to the trees as if she expected someone—or something—to emerge at any moment. "Long story, but... I came from a place called Earth, or what's left of it."

Daryl raised an eyebrow. "Earth? Thought that's where we were."

"Not anymore," Octavia said bitterly. "Not the Earth I came from."

There was a brief silence as Daryl tried to figure out if she was crazy or telling the truth. Either way, she didn't seem like a threat—yet.

"So," Octavia started, breaking the silence, "what are you doing out here alone? Where's your group?"

Daryl's jaw tightened. "Scattered. Lookin' for supplies, tryin' to stay alive. Same as always."

Octavia nodded in understanding. "I know the feeling."

Daryl glanced at her, noticing the scars and battle-worn look she carried with her. She wasn't just another survivor; she had seen her share of fights. "You alone too?" he asked.

"Not by choice," she replied. "My people...they're gone. Or lost. I don't even know anymore."

"Yeah," Daryl muttered, shifting his weight. "People don't last long out here."

Octavia tilted her head, watching him closely. "You've lost people too."

Daryl didn't answer at first, his eyes briefly clouded with memories of Merle, Beth, Glenn—everyone he had watched die over the years. "Yeah," he said finally. "Too many."

For a moment, the two stood there in silence, two warriors from different worlds bound by loss and the instinct to survive. The wind rustled through the trees, the quiet before the next inevitable danger.

"We should move," Octavia said, breaking the silence. "We're too exposed out here."

Daryl nodded in agreement. "There's an old cabin not far from here. It ain't much, but it'll keep us outta sight for the night."

She looked at him warily. "And you're offering me this why?"

Daryl shrugged, his expression guarded. "Don't know what kinda trouble you're runnin' from, but you ain't no walker. And if you were gonna try somethin', you'd have done it already."

Octavia smirked, the first sign of a real emotion since they'd met. "Fair point. Lead the way."

They walked in silence for a while, both of them keeping an ear out for any signs of danger. Octavia was fast, and she moved with purpose. It reminded Daryl of how he used to be before everything—before losing people made him more cautious. More deliberate.

"You said your people are gone," Daryl asked after a few minutes of walking. "What happened?"

Octavia's jaw tightened. "War. Too many wars, and not enough survivors."

"That how you got them scars?" he asked, glancing at the faint marks on her arms.

She looked down at them, as if she hadn't thought about them in a long time. "Some of them. The rest...came later."

Daryl didn't press. He understood. Everyone had their scars, physical or otherwise.

As they approached the cabin, Daryl scanned the area, ensuring it was still clear. He pushed open the door, and they both stepped inside. The air was musty, but it was dry, and the walls were solid enough to hold off any walkers—or worse—for the night.

Octavia took in the small space and nodded. "This'll work."

Daryl set his crossbow down but kept it within reach. He wasn't used to strangers, but something about Octavia didn't scream "danger" the way others did. She was tough, like him. Hardened by what she'd been through.

As they sat across from each other, the quiet stretched on. Finally, Octavia spoke.

"So, what happens tomorrow?"

Daryl looked at her, his expression unreadable. "We survive. Same as always."

Chapter 2 Preview:
Daryl and Octavia are forced to work together as they come across a new threat in the forest, testing their ability to trust each other. Both start to learn more about the other's past, but as they fight for survival, it becomes clear that their worlds may have collided for a reason beyond chance.