The Odd One Out ~A Daryl Dixon X Reader~

Chapter 28

Two men approached us, trailing three burly men with guns. One was lanky and tall, with dirty blonde hair, scruffy facial hair, and a cigarette stuck in between his teeth. The other was a bit shorter with broad shoulders, greasy, slicked back black hair, and stormy grey eyes.

"Well, what do we 'ave here?" The blonde one spoke, his voice thick was accent. "I think it's a little girl and 'er old man, mate."

Rick and I both exchanged glances and I bit the inside of my lip. This didn't look good so far. "I'm (y/n)." I started, taking a step toward them. "This is Rick. He isn't my dad. My dad is... Well, I'm pretty sure he's dead." I took a deep breath. "Who're you?"

"Pleasure to meet you." The black haired one bowed gallantly, his voice normal. "My name is Tom, and my companion here," he jerked a thumb at the blonde one, "this is Reggie. Now, what're you two doin' in these woods?"

"Well, we were travelin', but we saw you coming and thought maybe we should... Greet you so you didn't try to kill us." Rick spoke.

Reggie grinned, a gap toothed grin at that. "Well, I guess we could greet ya as well, mate. We could greet ya by taking all your stuff and stuffing you in the back of our trucks.

We tensed and the men all loaded their guns. I inhaled sharply and Rick looked terrified and furious, all at once. Reggie slowly walked over to me and grabbed my arm roughly. His calloused fingers dug into my arm and I forgot about everything else as he jerked me towards him.

"We could play a little game." He cooed in my ear, causing a shiver to dart down my spine. "I get to do whatever I want with a pretty girl like you for ten minutes, and if you don't make any noise I let you and your old man go, and you can keep your shit. But, if you do make a noise..." He grinned sharkishly.

I trembled and tried to pulled away but Tom held a gun up to Rick's head, so he didn't have time to draw. I forgot all about Daryl and Carol, Michone and Andrea hiding in the trees with guns. I forgot about everything as the man's breath rolled over me. It was a horrible stench. It smelt like cigarettes and rotted meat. Not cigarettes in a good way, like Daryl, but like choking smoke and mouth rot.

"Whaddya say, mate?" He grinned lustfully. I was so scared I couldn't say anything. I was shaking so terrible bad my teeth chattered. He pulled me close to him so our bodies were touching. I wanted to scream but no noise came out. His body felt like acid pressed against my close. He grabbed my hip. He leaned down and his scruffy facial hair felt like claws scraping grotesquely down my neck and when he kissed it it felt like fire shooting through my veins.

I tried to jerk away but his hold was firm and I couldn't break it.
"You taste good." He whispered into my ear. I couldn't squeak as tears rolled down my cheeks. Suddenly there was the breaking of wind and Reggie fell to the ground, howling in pain. Three gunshots sounded and the burly men were down and Rick caught Tom's wrist, twisting it until it popped. This happened all in one moment and all I saw was Reggie on the ground, an arrow in his shoulder and his arm bleeding profusely.

I finally began to sob. Men jumped out of the trucks with giant guns when suddenly warm, strong arms swept me up and held me close, protectively, as the person ran. I sobbed into Daryl's leather jacket, breathing in the wonderful, wonderful smell of sweat and cigarettes and strength and him. He cradled me as he ran and finally he stopped, panting, in the middle of the woods.

I was still sobbing as we he gently swept off his shoulder and set me on a fallen log. His hands brushed over my cheeks and my head and my neck and my arms, making sure I was okay.

"It's okay, (y/n)." He whispered as he suddenly hugged me close, enveloping in warmth. "It's okay. I'm here. I'm not gonna let anybody hurt you. I promise."

And I believed him.