Welcome To Evangrove - A Walking Dead ff

Chapter 5 - Introductions

Once again, Daryl remains the black sheep and follows pensively behind the others, eyes glaring at whomever dared look behind them. Perhaps it was a fit, perhaps it was his naturally solo nature, but he refused to include himself in the little family reunion that was playing out before him. It was sickening, honestly, the way his brother got all handsy and kept putting his arm around her shoulder, how she kept smiling and they just couldn’t get their eyes off each other. It seemed, however, Isaac was just as offset as he was by her suddenly diverted attention. Isaac seemed to sense this too, because he eventually quit trying to weasel himself into their conversations and fell back, walking alongside the silent Dixon.

“She couldn’t shut up about him for two years.” He says, finally, breaking the uncomfortable silence they shared. Daryl doesn’t bother turning towards him, only tucks his hand in the pocket of his jeans. Wasn’t ignoring him as much as he was simply too angry to have a friendly conversation. Briefly, however, he see’s Isaac hold up two fingers. “Merle this, Merle that, I mean, I know she loved him but I had no idea this much.”

“Don’t say m’ brother’s name.” Daryl growls. “Fact, don’t even talk t’ me.”

“Whatever, pal.” Isaac scoffs, a hint of amusement in his voice. To him Daryl was one of those cats who arched their back and made their fur stick out when they were threatened, and he expected any second for him to start hissing.  “Anyway, I can tell it was just the same way for you. How long did he -”

“Did I fuckin’ stutter?” There it was, the hiss,  and Isaac lowered his head, letting out a soft laugh. “What, you think m’ funny?”

“Daryl, stop.” The pair in front of them stopped, and Daryl realizes how loud he was speaking to her companion. A bit ashamed, but moreso embarrassed, he pretends to scratch his nose and mumbles a soft apology. He wouldn’t meet Merle’s gaze because he knew there would be disappointment, because he was being selfish. Since he refused to look up, he waited until their foot steps on the snow were audible once more to resume walking. This time, Isaac was the one all the in the back, and though he didn’t feel sorry, he waits until he’s beside the man and once more, walks alongside him. This time they’re mutually silent. He feels Isaac’s eyes on him multiple times, though.

At some point in this journey they came across a tall metal gate, perhaps twelve or so feet high. This was unlike Woodbury’s fortifications in the sense it appeared much more purposed, rather than the scraps of metal that they used to build a makeshift wall. No, this was solid concrete, with faded yellow letters that no doubt would explain their origin; and upon further inspection, they did. 

“This place was one of the few towns the military actually managed to successfully quarantine.” Isaac pointed out as they gathered outside of a black, metallic gate that served as the only entrance through the massive blockade.  “Didn’t last too long on the inside, but it makes one hell of a defense system, huh?”

“Hell yeah it does.” Merle remarks, awe evident in his voice. Daryl is still on edge, confused by the man’s oddly pleasant attitude, and remains silent. “Military still here?”

Quinn blatantly tenses.

“Oh, no, they weren’t even here when Quinn an’ I got here. No, just a handful of doctors, few kids and some nobodies. Don’t think the military even exists anymore.” Isaac says smoothly, not missing a beat in the explanation. He even flashes a smile, toothy, showing off his pearly whites. “We can discuss this further inside, after you?” His words served as a cue; with a click and the sound of sliding metal, the gate opens and reveals a husky fellow in a hat, who seems pleased to see the group, until his eyes dance over the two unfamiliar. Then a broad smile crosses his face.

“Found some more?” He asks.

“Not me, Quinn.” Another cue from the charismatic gentleman, as Quinn does a mock curtsey and smiles. Daryl’s stomach twists, and he feels he can resent life no more than he does currently.

He was wrong.

One after the other, Isaac led them inside, and what lay before them was paradise on the shore of eternity. Like some Christmas village taken out of a story book; nestled neatly in white, powdery snow was house after house, cobblestone roads, and from there position what looked to be a town square. This place was cute, picture perfect, and with the massive lake off in the distance serving as the cherry to top this vanilla cone of sweet, it was too much. Despite his apprehension, even he realizes how great this place looks, even if it felt painfully fake.

“Way better than Woodbury, huh lil’ brother?” Merle finally acknowledges Daryl again, turning his head and grinning at his younger. Still silent, he nods and fakes a smile in return. Quinn laughs from beside him and the fake smile vanishes into the lines of Daryl’s face.

“Yeah, it’s way better, in every way.” She replies.

“If you guys would follow me.” Isaac waves them over, having moved twenty or so feet away. They comply, though of course hesitantly, and end up following him through a small part of the lakeside town, all the while being regaled by the leader of Evangrove’s post apocalyptic history. From what the last survivors of the quarantine had told them, the military did section off the town successfully. For almost four months they were kind and careful, working hand in hand with the few citizens that were there until they heard the CDC had been destroyed. Daryl grimaced at the memory. When their outpost had heard of the destruction, Isaac continued, they split into two and went to investigate Atlanta; and it was in Georgia did the soldiers, Isaac, and Quinn join into one small group.

When they had entered the building, the topic had changed from Evangrove to Merle and Quinn, as the man was eager to find out his side of the story. Merle was hesitant, and it was Daryl who told him not to ask such a personal question. He apologized, and they continued to shoot the shit for a few hours until sleeping arrangements were brought up. Quinn was far too eager to invite the Dixons to her dwelling, at least Merle, anyway.

“It ain’t nowhere near nightfall.” He says, making sure his crossbow was loaded. “So I’ll meet ya’all there when it gets dark, ‘till then m’ gonna -” He waves his hand around. “Explore, er’ somethin’.”

“Feel free to.” Isaac flashes a quick smile.