Farmer's Daughter (Daryl Dixon Love Story)

Chapter 39

Melinda's POV

"Mel. Wake up." His groggily voice swims into my thoughts. His calloused hand glides along my skin as he lightly shakes my arm. Goose bumps line my skin and I quickly rub my arms to rid of them before he takes notice.

"What time is it?" I yawn. My bones lightly crack as I spread out and stretch my muscles.

"I'm not a fucking clock." He grumbles. I scoff looking over at his tired face.

"Someones grumpy." I tease while poking his cheek. He lets out an agitated sigh while slapping my hand away.

"I'm ready to go is all." He groans. He quickly opens the car door and steps out. He grabs the gear out the back seat before slamming the door closed and stalking away.

I sigh while repeating his actions and getting out of the car. I do my best with folding the large blanket but it just turns into a big ball by the time I'm done. I roll my eyes and follow in the direction I heard Daryls feet walk off to.

He leant heavily against the black truck as I passed the corner. His arms crossed as he stares out at the rich blue sky that reminds me ever so much of his eyes. I tucked the blanket in the bed of the truck and leaned next to him cooly.

"Did you get any sleep last night?" I worry. Yet another sigh leaves his mouth before he pushes off the truck and walks around the cab.

"Let's just go." I can barely make out what he says. But without a second thought, I get into the passenger side of the vehicle.

I know he didn't get much sleep last night. His voice reeked of exhaustion.

The keys dangled in his hands as he turned the switch. The motor turned over and came sputtering to life with an ongoing purr.

"Full tank." He mumbles before putting it in drive and going to the other side of the highway.

The cars to my right were backed up beyond belief. Images of what may have happened before flooded my mind. Images of small children, mothers, fathers, uncles, aunts, the elderly. Everyone running for their lives as the undead seek them out and make them join their army. I saw families being ripped apart as I look out at the sea of cars. I saw fearful children being slaughtered. I saw parents losing all hope for the future.

"We should be there before nightfall." I jump at Daryl's voice as it sharply cuts into my thoughts. I give a simple nod and continue to stare at the vehicles.

"You didn't answer my question earlier." I mumble. I give him a second to recall the moment. "Did you get any sleep last night?" I ask again. I look over at the hard headed man to see his thumb nail between his teeth.

"Yeah." He moves his hands to both rest along the steering wheel. I turn my body to him as I pick up the lie.

"Don't lie to me, Daryl." He takes a glance at me before quickly going back to the road.

"I got enough." He try's again.

"Yeah, and what's enough?" I push. I just want for him to tell me the truth. To trust me. God knows we may be on our own for a while.

"Dammit Mel, someone had to keep watch and ye needed yer sleep!" He hits his closed fist on the steering wheel forcefully. I jump at the roughness of his voice. I turn back to the window, satisfied with my answer and to fed up with his attitude to ask anymore.

The cars soon died out and Daryl switched back over to the other side of the highway. The truck bounced and clanked the faster we went, so it was kept at a slow and irritating pace.

Hours passed by and no one said a word to each other. No one moved or made any noises. The only thing to be heard was the diesel truck and our hearts beating. At times it was awkward, you felt the need to say something to keep spirit alive. But it was mostly peaceful.