Shattered

Chapter Four: Family

      I was up early for a run trying to get my mind cleared. It was nice to see everything so calm. I was just passing the stables when I fell hard onto the ground. I gasped from the pain of my leg and grasped the stump waiting for it to stop. When it finally did I slowly got up and walked back to the house. I was almost up the stairs of the porch when I heard yelling behind me. "Hershel!" I ran up to the field and a man came running down with a boy in his arms. Merle stood behind me and tensed up. "What's wrong?" "He's part of the old group, Officer Friendly." "Leave him alone Merle. Who's the other one?" "Shane." 

       I yelled for Rick to take him in the house. I ran up to Shane and kept pace with him. "Where's your group? I'll go get them." "Back on the highway." I nodded and Maggie led me to the horses. She grabbed one to grab Rick's wife Lori and I went to get the others. I was glad I put on my uniform. I went as fast as the horse would carry me and it jumped over the gate. The dirt was dust behind me. 

      The sun was falling when I found them. "You all a part of Rick Grime's group?" "Who's asking?" I looked down at the old man and he backed away. "We've got a few of your own. Carl's been shot, Rick and Shane are with him now. Lori is headed that way. Which one of you is Daryl?" I scanned the faces in front of me and got off the horse. He glared at me when I walked up but I ignored it. "Doesn't do much good. We also have Merle Dixon. He yours?" "Maybe.." I smiled and got back on the horse. "Follow me." They got in their vehicles and I heard a voice coming out of the RV. I shook it off and we started moving. Daryl was on his motorcycle behind me trying to scare the horse. All I could think about was the Dixons.

       We pulled up to the farm and I put the horse back. Merle was already in the stable with one of the horses. "He's here." I saw his light up and smirked. He pushed me lightly and we walked up. They were all gathered in the kitchen. Daryl saw us and took a step away from the group. He stood next to Merle and whispered something to him making Merle laugh and look at me. Jon looked at me and slipped out the back door. Andrews looked over and I motioned for him to follow. I tackled him to the ground and twisted his arm back. "I'm tired of playing nice with you!" "I'll have you-" "Have me what? You're powerless. Now what do you think you're doing?" "Going for a walk." I pulled a gun out of his pants and got off of him. "With six shooter to keep you company? You can either stay on your own or I'll tie you to a fucking tree with a fucking car alarm next to you. Choose!" He spit at me and walked away.

        "Give me the signal and I'll shoot him." "Not yet." He clapped me on the back and walked away. I looked up and saw someone step out of the RV. I started to walk back in the house when I gave them another glance. Without knowing what I was doing I was running. I threw my arms around her and fell to my knees. I took her face in my hands smiling. "You're here.. and pregnant." She nodded and I hugged her as tight as I could. We finally let go and I put my hands on her round stomach. All of a sudden I was old news. Merle stepped off the porch and she sprang to life. I went over with her and punched Merle in the face. He started cussing and I put my hand out for him. "The hell was that for?" "Knocking up my sister and then not telling me." "I didn't know she was your sister." I slapped the back of his head shaking my head. "We're twins. Kind of hard to miss." 

         Daryl gave me a nod and I returned it. It was a weird evening. I had mixed feelings about Merle and my sister but she was happy. I kept stealing glances at Daryl watching him just look at the ground. We all introduced ourselves and sat around for news on Carl. Hershel sent Otis and Shane for medical supplies that I didn't have and the night was pretty quiet. I left the group and went out to the jeep. I climbed in and leaned my head against the steering wheel. I wanted more than anything to scream until my voice went out. Instead I grabbed my cigarettes and lit one up. I climbed out and leaned against it. Andrews hates when I smoke in the jeep. "Got another one?" I nodded and handed him one with a lighter.

        "What are the chances we run into each other?" He shrugged and took a drag off the cigarette. I smiled and he gave me a questioning look. I shrugged and blew the smoke out in circles. "Merle's one tough son of a bitch." "Yeah." I walked away and sat on the swing. Daryl walked up the stairs, paused, looked at me and walked in the house.

        I woke up laying on the porch. I got up and stretched. A yawn escaped my lips and I went to the jeep. "Energy drink?" "Definitely." "Can believe Mary's pregnant." "Hell about time. Maybe this is why she kept sneaking back to Georgia." We both laughed and I grabbed a fresh pack of cigarettes. I tossed it to Daryl when he stepped out of the house. I walked over to the camp they were making and helped set up a few tents. "Can I talk to you?" "Yeah." We walked away from the others and leaned against the fence. Mary bit her lip and looked around. She held out her hand and showed my the small diamond on her finger. I hugged her and jumped up and down. "I can't believe it. He doesn't seem like the type of guy." "We've been together for three years." "I knew you two didn't just meet. Why didn't you ever tell me?" She shrugged and leaned back. "I knew you would be protective but now you know him." I laughed and flipped out another cigarette. I put it in my mouth without lighting it. "So what's with his brother?" "No idea. Daryl keeps to himself." I looked over and saw him setting up a little spot for him away from everyone. "I can see that. Kind of sexy if you ask me." "Grace! You don't even know him."

      "Who cares? Not like it matters. I said he was sexy not that I was going to go rape the man." We both started laughing and Merle walked up. He pushed me back off the fence and just laughed. I looked up and saw Mary walking off with him. "Love huh?" "Yeah.. love." Dale helped me up and I held up my lighter he shook his head and I lit up. "Had to make sure. People hate the smell." "A few of my friends used to smoke cigars now those smelled." I nodded and looked back down at Daryl.

       "He's odd don't you think?" "He's something else. Has a temper like a firecracker but he has a good heart. He tries to cover it up but I see right through it." "The wise always do." We sat at the talking about his group and just laughing. It was a good time. Maggie walked over with a basket and nodded at Daryl. "You mind bringing this to him? I brought one to their camp already." "Yeah sure." I grabbed the basket of fruit and shit and started walking it down. I was almost there when my stomach felt like it was knotting up. I stopped and he looked over at me. "What are you doing over here?" He sounded angry but like Dale said his eyes told the truth. "I brought you some stuff. Hershel sent it over." "Whatever." I looked over and smiled at the squirrels.

        "I used to hunt with my father." "Good for you." I ignored him and walked over to the line. "I used to bring squirrels home since I wasn't quite big enough for anything else. My mom taught me how to fix them up real good. Most people think it's disgusting but the brain was my favorite."

       "Nice story why don't you go tell it to someone who cares?" "I just did." I walked away smiling to myself. I wanted to look over my shoulder to see his face but decided against it hoping it bothered him. Maggie met me at the porch smiling. "You were spying again weren't you?" "No." "Then why do you have your binoculars?" She smiled and looked back over. "It was for a good cause. He looked interested." "And Glenn?" She shrugged and turned away with a slight blush. I walked inside and grabbed my stuff out of the bedroom. "Andrews we're being kicked out by the lovely stupid couple on the bed." "I'll be sure to send champagne." He grabbed the cots and left. Jon sat outside on the porch mumbling under his breath. Greene walked down with Beth on his back trying to cheer her up. "Where we going?" "Just off the porch is fine." I laid on the cot and looked up at the stars. Nice plan...