Farmer's Daughter (Daryl Dixon Love Story)

Chapter 41

Melinda's POV

"What the hell does that mean?" Daryl barked. I gripped at Daryl's shoulder, silently begging him to stay calm.

There was a chuckle amongst the crowd, then an older man stepped into the open. A scruffy beard lined his face, a toothy grin peeks through the hair.

"Alright Frank, settle down." He holds out a hand and the so called Frank backs to his original stance. The man takes another step towards us, and stuffs his hands in his coat pockets.

"What did he say to her?" Daryl repeats. His shoulders were stiff as he stands prepared.

"I'll explain that later." The man smiles. "I'm Joe." He extends a hand out towards Daryl. Daryl stares at it in response to his actions. Joe laughs and holds his hands in mock defense.

"That's okay. You don't trust us yet, I understand that. But don't you think that if we were going to do anything we would have done it while your backs were turned?" He questions. I swallowed hard at the thought. My head spun as the minutes passed.

"That's a cowardly thing to do." I pipe up from behind the brick wall I call Daryl.

"Ah so she does speak." Joe teases as he turns to look at his group members. They echoed his laugh in a not so cheerful way. But he turns and holds up a finger. "That reminds me of your question. But before I answer yours, you have to answer mine." He bargains. Daryl gives a short nod.

"What's your names?" He questions.

"Daryl" he mumbles his name ever so softly.

"And who's the lovely lady at your side?" His voice was hoarse. Daryl paused for a moment.

"Melinda." The way my full name rolled off of his lips was so foreign to me. I had come accustomed to the little nickname he uttered in my presence.

Joe repeated my name a few times before nodding and licking his lips. "Last names?"

"What's it matter?" Daryl's thick accent comes into play as he snaps at the man.

"Last names matter to us. But I guess I'll answer your question before you have to answer yet another one of mine." His brown eyes look across at us as he begins to explain.

"See we have rules in this group. It keeps everything neat, we get along. No problems. If you just follow the rules."

"What are the rules?" I kept my voice stern but soft. I didn't want to think I was weak, or threatening. Both could lead to a bad outcome.

"Well those are simple. There are three major rules." Joe starts. "One; no lying." He then hold up two fingers. "Two; no stealing." Then three fingers. "And three; if you want something, you claim it. Just say the word claimed and it's yours. No questions ask."

My mouth dropped at the mention of the word. My palms became clammy and my heart pounded.

"Which means Frank over here," he points to the man, he waves in return. "He claimed little Melinda here. She now belongs to him." He says slowly. It was like a horror film was unraveling. Tears gathered in my eyes at the very thought of being in any other mans grasp than Daryl.

"No, that ain't happening." Daryl reaches around himself and brings me closer to his body.

"I'm sorry, it's already done. Remember the rules. Now, about those last names." He places his hands on his hips. We both stood for a moment, too shocked by the news we had just gotten to speak.

"Dixon." Daryl snaps out of his state as he says his last name. Joe nods and points my way.

"And you?" He questions. I was about to answer when Daryl cut me off abruptly.

"Dixon." He repeats. Joe and I both look at him with confusion before he continues to speak. "We're married."

A/N

Alright I know this is veryyyyy short.. But a lot was revealed in this chapter. Joe and his group. The fact Mel was claimed. Their rules and who they are as people. And that Daryl and Mel are... "Married"

Please comment ;)

-Melinda