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

Changes

Chapter 20—Changes

****Adult Content

Rowan's POV

The few days have been one of adjustment, not for the rest of the group but mostly for myself. Having Trey here is throwing me for a loop. He's been very forthcoming with stories of my childhood and I've been very guarded about things. It's not that I despise him being here but I really wish the topic of conversation wasn't always about me. I've been distancing myself from everyone and I know they've all noticed. I find it easier to pull myself into a shell when I'm uncomfortable. This new group dynamic, as well as the way things between Daryl and I have shifted has really made things difficult for me. It's way too much for me to handle.

On top of everything I feel like my place besides Daryl has been down-graded a little. The last two mornings Daryl's taken Trey out hunting and hasn't even asked me to go. This morning he didn't even wake me before he left. I'm uncomfortable as it is and now the one person I look to most for comfort isn't around.

I emerge from the mill and stare out across the meadow. The sun is starting to climb and I know today will be hot. The hotter days are numbered here in north Georgia and even though I know I should embrace one of the last summer days, I'm just not feeling it. I light my smoke and take a big drag, trying to cover the bitter taste in my mouth created by the attitude I feel welling up inside. I take a sip of my coffee as the large mill door opens and Rick steps outside. He cracks a small smile and greets me, "Good morning Rowan." I grunt and nod making him chuckle, "You sound just like Daryl. I think you spend way too much time with him." I glare at his remark and mutter, "Not lately." He catches wind of my bad attitude quickly and asks, "You okay Rowan?" I shrug, "Doesn't matter." He sighs, "What's bugging you girl?" I take another drag, "What isn't." He nods, "You have been quiet and distant since your cousin arrived. You didn't have to invite him in if you didn't want him here, it was your call Rowan." I let out a deep breath, "It's not that he's unwelcome here; I'm just not adjusting well. He's been running his mouth about my past and I would rather not have my memories put on display." Rick nods, "I get that, you've always been tight-lipped about your past. Why aren't you hunting this morning?" I look at the ground and mumble, "I wasn't invited." Rick nods, "That's two days in a row huh?" I shrug, "Yeah I guess." Rick gives me a soft look, "Have you mentioned how you feel to Daryl?" I laugh, "You have met Dixon right?" He smirks, "Yeah and I know that sounds ridiculous but Daryl may surprise you; you may want to mention it." I roll my eyes, "That ain't how we work Rick. We seem to prefer grumbling and bitching at each other. Eventually one of our stubborn asses will yield to the other, it's a process." He laughs, "You two are something else. You can pretend all you want but I know you two talk more than you'd like to admit to the rest of the world." I crush out my cigarette and finish my coffee, not saying another word.

Maggie, Michonne and I head to the west side of the property to check the strength of the fences. Daryl and Trey are still hunting, so I suspect I won't see them until the end of the day. I suck up my feelings and try to make the best of it.

Daryl's POV

I follow the tracks of the deer through the thick underbrush and large trees, Trey close behind me, remaining pretty quiet. We're outside the fence on the west side of the mountain so being extra alert is a given. Trey's carrying his recurve bow and keeping an eye out for walkers. I find the deer eating in a small clearing between some Pine trees. I motion to Trey and take aim with my crossbow. My crossbow bolt hits the deer in the shoulder and it stumbles off into the trees, the two of use following it.

We find the deer quickly, lying in the Pine needles and I step forward with my knife drawn to finish the job. As I lean down to slit the deer's throat Trey keeps watch. I flip the deer over and get ready to field dressing my kill as Trey watches me. He looks down at me as he says, "Rowan's not gonna be happy that she missed out on this." I grunt, "She needed the sleep, she'll be fine." He chuckles, "She is as competitive as they come Daryl, she won't be happy that we left her behind." I shrug, "I'll smooth it over with her." He nods, "You are closer to her than anyone I've ever seen, even family." I look up at him as I gut the deer, "We have an understanding." He nods, "I gather since ya share a bed that ya know about her scars." I look at him surprised, "I do, how do ya know?" He sighs, "She don't know that I know; I saw 'em once." I stare at him making him explain, "Rowan would sometimes swim down at the creek by herself. She was about sixteen when Billy and I snuck down to the creek to watch her." I give him a glare as he defends himself, "Sorry man, we were stupid kids back then and well, she was as beautiful then as she is now. The thought of a beautiful girl skinny dipping in the creek was too much of a temptation for a couple of horny teens; even if we were family. I ain't proud of it now but it happened." I take a deep breath and mutter, "What did ya see?" He shifts his eyes to the ground, "Honestly we saw everything God gave her and we were close enough that we saw the scars all over her thighs. Billy and I knew immediately where they came from. We went running back to our Pa and told him. Poor girl never deserved that, especially after everything she went through losing her own Pa."