Unexpected (A Daryl Dixon Fanfiction)

19 - Mortar

I was standing a bit away from the group, picking at the wood on the fence. I stared at the tree line contemplating my plan of action. Whatever happens, I need to have the strength to do what needs to be done. But is what needs to be done, right?

"Talkin' to yourself over here?"

I turned around and saw Daryl stomping towards me. I looked down slightly embarrassed. I didn't even realize I was talking out loud...

"What's the face for? Somethin' on your mind?"

"Nothing really, I'm just wondering how Sophia's doing. I wonder if she found herself a weapon to protect herself with," I said lightly. I knew Daryl was tired of everyone's negativity and it was weird to see him as the positive one, but really for a man who lost his brother, and found someone else to give a damn about. It's a nice side to see.

"Probably a stick or somethin'."

I looked back down for a second and started chewing on my lower lip. Daryl's footsteps came closer and I looked up just as he engulfed me in his arms.

"Don't worry so much, you'll get wrinkles."

"I just want you to come back safe," I mumbled in his chest.

"Hey now, ain't gotta worry about me. You know I'm comin' back to ya."

I giggled as I nodded. Daryl pulled away and placed a hand on my head before walking away.

"Aaron?" He said as he stopped before leaving the gate.

"Hm?"

"Try and stay put. Where people can keep an eye on you."

I grinned and rolled my eyes.

"Yes sir," I mocked. He shook his head as he left the gate and headed across the yard to the forest. I walked back to the group to see if there was anything I could help with.

When I reached them, Dale had just walked over and asked us to follow him to the well to check something out.

We looked down and saw a walker whose body had soaked up so much water that it enlarged his features. He was almost that kind of adorable where you see something fat and helpless, but I realize that it was flesh hungry savage and pushed my thoughts aside.

"Looks like we got us a swimmer," Dale noted.

"How long do you think it's been down there?" Glenn asked.

"Long enough to grow gills," Andrea remarked.

I rolled my eyes, and I'm the child here.

"We can't leave him in there. Lord only knows what he's doing to the water," Lori added.

"Well, we gotta get it out," Shane said.

"Easy. Put a bullet in its head. I'll go get a rope," T offered.

"Whoa, Whoa guys. No," Maggie argued.

"Why not? It's a good plan," Glenn asked her.

"It's a stupid plan, if that thing hasn't contaminated the water yet, blowing its brains out will finish the job," Andrea explained.

I sighed as I ran my hand through my hair and scratching it in confusion.

"She's right, can't risk it," Shane said.

"So it has to come out alive," T concluded.

"So to speak," Shane told him.

"How do we do that?" I asked.

~

Someone's great idea was to hang a whole ham in front of this walker and hope that it goes for it so we could wrap a rope around its neck.