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

Actions, Not Words

Chapter 32--Actions, Not Words

I've spent the last few days resting in bed. I've felt awful so it wasn't as hard to stay put as I thought it would be. The only time I've been out of bed is when I've had to go to the bathroom. Either Carol or Maggie will help me down the stairs or Daryl will carry me down. I have a terrible headache and I'm still sore from the attack. I can't believe how many bruises are covering my achy body. They've really darkened up over the last day or so.

Things between Daryl and I have been pretty good. He's been sweet and attentive, never pushing me to talk about what happened. I know he's worried about me shutting down and withdrawing into myself. I went through all these feelings before when this happed last time but this time is different, I'm not alone. I know that doesn't mean I'm unaffected by what happened, I just don't feel hopeless. I've talked to Maggie a little and she's been very supportive. It's comforting to know I'm not alone.

So far we haven't seen any sign of Sam and his group. Rick is still being cautious and has increased watches and patrols of the property. The group has constructed a sniper tower on the side of the mill. You can see almost every inch of the property from that vantage point. This will give us a little advantage if someone tries to surprise us.

Rowan's POV

4 days after the attack

I wake up and the bed is empty, Daryl's side cold to the touch. I sigh and roll onto my side staring at the wall. It's been four days since the auto parts store and I'm slowly getting myself together. I'm starting to feel better and hopefully I'll be back to my normal activities soon. Today is the first day I've woken up without a headache and I'm optimistic that my day will progress like this.

I get out of bed, dressing in my jeans and a clean tank top. It's chilly so I grab one of Daryl's flannel shirts and throw it on. It has sleeves, so it must be one of his winter shirts. I know it's big on me but it's warm and smells like him, making me smile a little. I look over at the full length mirror leaning against the wall and notice the large dark bruise on my cheek; you can clearly tell it's a handprint. I run my finger lightly across my bottom lip, the bruising dark and the scab noticeable from where my lip split when I was hit. I sigh and pull my long hair back in a French braid as sit in the chair to slip my boots on before wandering out to the kitchen. I'm still a little sore but I manage to walk down the hallway without too much pain.

I walk into the empty kitchen and pour myself a cup of coffee. I carefully sit down at the table and drink my coffee, wondering where everyone is. I finish up my coffee before getting back up to pour a second cup and grab a plate of leftover food. As I eat my food I faintly hear voices outside the mill. I realize that if I can hear them in here they must be quite loud. I quickly get up from the table and go back to my room. I peer out of my window down to the yard in front of the mill. Sam and his men are outside arguing with my group. I grab a couple of throwing knives and put them into my back pocket. I grab my 9mm handgun, slipping it into the waistband of my jeans at the small of my back. I see a small knife on the table and grab it as I walk out of my room, tucking it into my bra.

I can hear Trey arguing with Sam about me and Ray-Ray. Sam is insisting that Ray would never touch me like that. I feel my anger boiling as I push open the heavy wooden door of the mill. The door swings closed behind me and eyes are on me. Sam looks shocked when he sees my face and diverts his attention back to Trey. I feel intense anger at being dismissed and walk briskly towards Sam. Daryl reaches out for me but I wiggle out of his grasp. I get in between Trey and Sam as I yell, "What's the matter Sam can't look at yer son's handy work?" Sam looks at me and growls out, "This don't concern you none woman, git your ass back inside!" I look at him in disbelief, "Fuck you Sam! I'll do what the hell I want!" Sam gives me a look of disgust and yells to Daryl, "Ya better git yer woman under control Redneck before she causes y'all a heap of trouble." I hear several of my group quietly laugh at Sam's command and Daryl responds, "Naw, I think she can handle this just fine." I glance at Daryl and he gives me a look to be careful. I turn back to Sam and put my hands on my hips, "Don't ya ever dismiss me like a fucking child. This concerns me more than anyone else here." Sam glares at me, "I wanna know who killed my boy!" I straighten my shoulders back and look him dead in the eye as I walk up to him, "I killed your fucktard of a son for trying to rape me. If ya got a problem with that then here I am Sam."