Fallen Angel (Daryl Dixon)

What Went Wrong?

During our time in the camp, we worked hard to make a home for Jackson. Mason became a group leader on supply runs, and I helped with the everyday duties. It wasn't my favorite spot, but it was worth it to have protection. After I was done with work, I would go out and practice shooting. It would be good to know if I ever had to be alone. The thought was terrifying, but I knew it could happen at any time.

We lived day to day, not knowing if we would be rescued or taken out by the dead. A few stragglers would come by, but they wouldn't make it far into the camp. I was starting to think that we had been forgotten or that the military didn't exist anymore. This would be our future, and we had to make the best of it.

It had been a month since we had been brought to the camp, and it was still in the back of my mind about the family that used to dwell in our tent. I couldn't shake the feeling that something had happened to that family... something was wrong. When I would go out with the other women to do chores, I would ask about the family, but none of them wanted to speak of them. The only girl that was willing to talk was a short haired, tiny blonde named Carly. She was a chatter box, and she couldn't help it. I could tell that the other women were annoyed by her, but they tolerated her presence because they had no choice. I welcomed her outgoing personality after getting the shaft from the others. I had asked Carly about the family one day out at the lake. It was hot, and I took Jackson down to cool off. There were other families that had the same idea. I could feel the heat from the sun and from the other women when I asked the question. Carly for once stayed quiet as she looked around, not seeing approval from the others. It was like they had some sinister secret that I had to know. My thoughts were to drop it until I got Carly alone, and I was sure she would talk. I had to bide my time until then and keep watch for any other strange situations.

The next morning, the sound of gun fire jolted me awake. All I could think was a herd had gotten through. People were screaming and running.. calling out for their loved ones. Mason jumped to the opening of the tent as I held on to Jackson tight.

"What is going on out there, Mason?"

He unzipped a small opening and tried to peak out.

"I don't know everyone is just running."

The fear I saw in his eyes I hadn't seen since we had left our home.

"What should we do?" I kept to a whisper.

"If it's a herd, we have to run." He looked out and back at me. "If it's not, we have to stay quiet."

More gunshots rang out, and then it was quiet. Just a few whimpers from women was the only sound we could make out. We waited until we heard the worst possible outcome.

"Put the women and children in the trucks and kill the rest."

My stomach dropped it was a man with a deep, forceful voice yelling orders to what seemed to be a large group of men.

We tried to stay quiet. I held my hand over my mouth as I soothed Jackson to stay quiet.

"Check all the tents and campers for others and supplies."

As the man spoke, I could hear another man pleading for the lives of his people. It had to be Thomas, the leader of our group. He was the one who brought us to the camp that night so long ago.

"Please, don't kill my people."

The other voice hesitated then with a loud gruff, "Negan, is not happy with your part of the deal. He's tired of dealing with you. Now, it's time to take what we can and end the relationship."

"I'll talk to Negan. Where is he?"

The other voice laughed as he mocked Thomas.

"Negan's not making this house call."

Then another shot, and it was silent.

I couldn't breathe....they were going to find us next, and fear spread throughout my body. Mason put his arms around me, and I knew what he was thinking.

This would be our last time together.

It only took a few moments for one of the men to get to our tent. I listened as he slowly unzipped the opening.

"Well..well...well. What do we have here?"

A man with messy hair and a full beard looked in.

"We got us a couple of stow a ways." He yelled to the other men.

Another man came over who smelled of cigarettes, "Whatcha got Casper?" It was the man with the deep voice.

"Look see..for yourself."

With one hard yank, Casper had us standing in front of a group of men. They looked rough and smelled like the dead. I swallowed hard and held on to Jackson. The man named Casper walked around me, smelling my hair.

"This one smells real nice."

Mason turned to hit Casper, but the other men took him down.

"No!" I screamed for them to stop.

"I call dibs on this one." Casper stared me down with a smirk.

The man with the deep voice threw down his finished cigarette and smothered with his boot.

"Casper, you know you can't call anything until boss man sees them first."

"Dammit, why does he get all the good ones and we get stuck with the fat, dirty ones?"

I could see the disappointment in Casper's face, but I thanked God that he wouldn't be able to touch me, at least not now.

I stared up at the man giving orders as he smiled at me his deep voice gave one last command.

"Take the woman and child to the trucks and get rid of lover boy."

Then he walked away.

As Casper hauled me and Jackson away, all I could do was call out for Mason. He gave me one last look before a gun went off, and he fell to the ground.

Shock instantly set in as I watched the scene unfold. Memories of Mason came flooding through my mind. Everything in that moment fell in slow motion as I tried to run back to him.

Casper pulled me back by my hair, and I tightened my grip around Jackson. I screamed in pain as my head was yanked back.

"Where'd you think you're going?"

I turned to push Casper away, but I couldn't fight him off, especially with Jackson in my arms. Mason was gone my life, protector, my home.