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

The Quiet Before the Storm

Chapter 23---The Quiet Before the Storm

**Ok Angels, I know this is WAY overdue and I apologize. On top of my normally busy crazy life and my writers block, my Dad was hospitalized with a possible stroke. The last few days have been a mess to say the least. After numerous tests they are still trying to figure out what's going on. I should be able to knock out another chapter between Sunday and Tuesday. Hopefully no more surprises in my future (other than birthday surprises on Monday—yup my birthday is the 14th).

The last couple of weeks have been unusually quiet. I can't help but feel like something bad is going to happen. We finished strengthening the fences a couple of days ago and with the added placement of Chevaux de frise (sets of wooden spikes originally used against the Calvary in France and later adopted by Americans in both the Revolutionary & Civil wars), we should be able to easily hold back Walkers or people from gaining access through the fences.

I've headed up a couple of runs into Hubbardsville looking for supplies and we didn't run into Sam or anyone from his group. The amount of walkers in town was minimal but I have noticed a few more than usual on the roads leading into town. Hopefully that won't be a sign of what's to come.

Trey and I have patched things up but I know he's still getting used to the idea that I'm a strong fighter in this group. He still sees me as a little girl and he voiced his opinion of me heading up runs with both Rick and Abraham. I realize he's much more familiar with the area because of my long absence but I'm not about to step aside and relinquish my position to him or anyone else. Daryl has done his best to smooth things over with both Trey and me. I'm actually surprised that Daryl hasn't sided with Trey because I know he worries about me every time we venture outside of the fences. I've done my best to compromise with them both by making sure they are both included in any runs we do.

They days are getting shorter and the evenings are colder. I've noticed some of the leaves are turning and I'm guessing it's almost the middle of October. Soon the days will be chilly and leaves will start falling in droves. We definitely get a full-blown Autumn here in Northern Georgia unlike down below Atlanta. Here in the mountains the snow will be upon us in a few weeks and I think the group will be in for a shock. We don't get a lot of accumulating snow but it is much colder here than what they are used to.

Sun up---after breakfast

I walk down the steps and head out of the mill. I make my way to the outhouse, dreading this walk once the cold really hits. At least no one will hog the bathroom once it's cold as shit outside. Once I finish my business I walk back to the mill and see Maggie sitting on the log by the mill door. I plop my ass down beside her as I pull out my smokes. "So whatcha up to Mags?" I ask as I light my cigarette. She grins, "Not much, I was just relaxing before we all get started for the day." I nod, "I hear that sugar." She laughs, "You sound so much like Daryl you know that?" I shrug, "I guess, never thought 'bout it." She looks over at me, "So how's everything going with you two?" I groan, "Why?" She laughs, "Come on, I need a little girl talk." I sigh, "Girl talk; really? Ya wanna do my nails too?" She laughs, "If I had some nail polish I'd do it. So are you going to answer my question?" I mumble, "We're gittin along fine." She giggles, "I think you're getting along better than fine Rowan." 

I give her a confused look and she grins, "The walls are thin Rowan, we all hear you two going at it like a couple of bunnies." "Aww Christ!" I groan as I bury my head in my hands. She puts her arm around me and gives me a hug, "No worries Rowan, it's fine." I look over at her with a sideways glance as I mutter, "What can you hear?" She smiles, "You aren't exactly quiet Rowan and Daryl must be pretty damn good to make you say some of the stuff you do." I bury my head back into my hands as I blush a deep red. She giggles, "Come on it isn't that bad, we hear Rosita and Abraham too; though Daryl must be a hell of a lot better because you're way louder than her." I groan and can't help but tease her back, "Ya know we can hear you and Glenn too." She shrugs, "I'm sure but I don't scream Glenn's name the way you do Daryl's." I mumble, "Kiss my ass Maggie." She laughs, "Come on Rowan, you got to tell me what the hell he does that makes you scream like that." I look at her and shake my head as I tease, "Why? Ya gonna ask Glenn to do it?" She grins, "Maybe, depends what it is. He's got to be the best you've ever had to make you that loud." I blush, "I guess so." She looks at me, "He's not the best you've had?" I shrug as I admit, "He's the only one I've had." She gives me a shocked look, "Really? No one else?" I shake my head adamantly, "No one else, I swear." She still looks surprised as she says, "Wow, I didn't see that coming." I sigh, "Not what you expected huh?" She nods, "You can say that again." I shrug, "I wasn't interested in anyone before him." She gives me an impish smile, "Still he must be pretty damn good." I laugh, "Yeah he is; that man does some shit that will curl your toes." She grins, "Details girl, I want details." I giggle, "I don't know about that." She nudges me, "Come on please!" I give in, "He's got a freakin' amazing tongue." She giggles,"Oh really?  Lucky girl!" and takes a few moments to ask, "So is it big?" I almost choke on the drag I took off my cigarette and I croak out, "Damn Maggie!" She shrugs, "Come on I gotta know." I sigh, "He definitely ain't small. I thought he was gonna kill me with it the first time." She raises an eyebrow at me as I mumble, "And before ya ask, yeah I've seen a few to know if it's actually big or not." She mumbles, "Hot damn you lucky bitch." I laugh, "You sound jealous." She shakes her head, "Not really jealous; I just have average size to work with." I bust out laughing as she continues, "He knows how to use it thank god but sometimes big can be fun." I can't hold back my laughter as this point and she soon joins me.