Daring Dixon (A Daryl Dixon fanfiction)

Chapter 7

A warmth started in my chest and spread to my face. His chapped lips brushed mine lightly. He pulled back after a second. I wanted to kick myself. Kissing Daryl Dixon! Was I stupid?

I scooted back across the seat, trying to get as far away as I could from him. I looked out the window, trying to clear my head.

This couldn't be happening. Like I had said to Shane and Lori, relationships couldn't work in this world. Besides, I hated Daryl, didn't I? I shook my head. I didn't know what was going on.

A honk alerted us that we were stopping. I hopped out as soon as the truck came to a stop. I walked quickly up to the group that was gathered outside the RV.

"What's going on?" I asked.  

"Radiator hose," Daryl answered. I ignored him.  

"I told you we'd never get far on that hose. I said I needed the one from the cube van," Dale said.

"Can you jury-rig it?" Rick asked.

"That's all it's been so far. It's more duct tape than hose. And I'm out of duct tape, Dale explained.

"I see something up ahead. A gas station if we're lucky," Shane said, peering sown the road with Dale's binoculars.

A moment later, Jacqui came rushing from the van. We all looked at her, scared of what she would say next.

"Y'all, Jim… It's bad. I don't think he can take anymore," she said hurriedly.

She rushed back inside the RV, obviously not wanting to leave Jim alone for two long.

"Hey, Rick, you want to hold down the fort? I'll drive ahead, see what I can bring back," Shane promised.

"Yeah, I'll come along too and I'll back you up," T-Dog offered.

"Y'all keep your eyes open now. We'll be right back," Shane said. He and T-Dog got in his Jeep and drove away.  

Rick went inside the RV, and I went over to where Dale and Glenn were standing in the front of the RV. I extended my hand to Dale. "I don't think we've been properly introduced. I'm Rosaline."

He took my hand and shook it. "Nice to meet you. Glenn told me how you saved him in Atlanta," Dale said.  

"It was nothing. I was just trying to help someone in need," I said, a light blush reddening my cheeks.  

"I look forward to getting to know you," Dale said. I smiled and nodded.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to use the restroom," he said, leaving Glenn and I.  

"Hey Glenn, do you know where Dale has the crossword puzzles?" asked Andrea, coming out of the RV.  

"No, why?" Glenn asked. Andrea and I both rolled our eyes.  

"She obviously wants to use them," I said to Glenn. He smiled.  

Rick stepped from the RV carrying Jim. Glenn, Andrea and I exchanged looks, then followed Rick. I noticed that Dale, Lori, Carol, Sophia, Carl, and Daryl followed closely behind. Rick set Jim down underneath a tree. "Just close your eyes, sweetie. Don't fight," Jacqui said, fighting back tears. She walked up and leaned down, kissing him on the cheek. It was enough for my eyes to brim with tears, but I quickly wiped them off. T-Dog and Shane tramped up the hill. They stood with us, silent, paying their respects to Jim. Rick took out a small gun and held it out to Jim.

"Jim, do you want this?" Rick asked.

"No. You'll need it. I'm okay. I'm okay," Jim croaked.

We all stood there, unable to say anything, and not knowing what to say in the first place. We made eye contact for a split second. "Thank you," I mouthed to him, and he nodded in understanding. I went back down the hill, catching up with the others. We all went back and sat in out cars without saying a word to each other. I sighed, knowing that the even though the rest of the ride would be short, it was also going to be very awkward.  

We arrived at the CDC a little while later. Our spirits were low. We were still upset about Jim. We all got out of the vehicles and made our way to the doors. Pile of bodies were everywhere. The stench was overpowering. We made it to the doors, but they were shuttered and locked. I shook my head angrily. We came all this way for this?   Daryl turned to Rick. "You led us into a graveyard!" he spat.

"He made a call," Shane said, trying to calm the group

"It was the wrong damn call!" Daryl screamed.

"Just shut up. You hear? Shut up. Shut up! Rick, this is a dead end," said Shane, an angry edge in his voice. I could almost hear him saying 'I told you so.'

"Where are we gonna go?" Jacqui asked with urgency.

"Do you hear me? No blame," Shane said to no one in particular.

"She's right. We can't be here, this close to the city after dark," Lori reasoned.

"Fort Benning, Rick… Still an option," Shane pointed out.

"On what? No food, no fuel. That's 100 miles," Andrea snapped.

"125. I checked the map," Glenn said. Shane turned to glare at him.

"Forget Fort Benning. We need answers tonight, now," Lori said. I agreed. We needed food, water, shelter... We couldn't stay here. And who knew how long it would take to find a suitable place to camp. By then, we could really be starving.

"We’ll think of something," Rick reasoned.

"Come on, let's go. Let's get out of here. Let's go. Please," Shane begged. But something caught my eye, and I could see by the look on Rick's face that he had too.

"The camera… it moved," Rick said breathlessly.

"You imagined it," Shane wrote off.  

"He's right," I spoke up. "I saw it too."

"It must be automatic," Lori said. "Come on, we need to go," she insisted.  

"I know you're in there! Let us in, please! We have woman and children and we need food and water. If you leave us out here, we'll have absolutely no chance. Please. Help us," Rick begged.  

We all turned around, defeated, until we heard the grate rising and were bathed in bright light.