Cherokee Rose (Walking Dead fanfiction)

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Daryl banged his fist on the truck's radiator, watching more steam pour out. Peering around the truck's hood at his family sitting in the cab, he couldn't help but feel a sense of desperation. They were all tired, he was tired and his back was in flames again as the hot sun beat down on his dark T-shirt. They were still 80 miles from the Kingdom and the thought of pushing them all to get back on his bike for the rest of the trip was unappealing as anything. They needed to find a place to rest, to eat and to let the kids work off some of their pent up energy. Slamming the hood down, Daryl walked back to the driver's side rolled down window, leaning inside.

"Truck is shot guys...I don't have anything to fix it here. Radiator hose has dry rot from sitting so long. We're lucky it got us this far"

Raven smiled softly at him, reaching over and pushing his dampened hair out of his eyes

"We going the rest of the way on the bike?" she asked softly

Daryl stared at her and then the kids...he knew they would do anything he asked of them and part of him did want to push forward and just get there but watching Cheri whimper softly, complaining she was hungry and tired he knew he couldn't do that to them.

"I'm with Cheri" Daryl said "I'm hungry and tired and I don't want to ride either right now. I saw a place a few miles back, you guys want to check it out and maybe stay there for the night? "

"Yay yay yay!" Cheri clapped her little hands

"I think you have your answer" Raven laughed.

Daryl grinned at them "well, we'll have to ride for a little bit to get back to the place I saw but it won't be a long one"

Raven and the kids climbed out of the truck and watched as Daryl backed his bike out of the back. Daryl looked at the truck and knew he couldn't just leave it sitting there, it would be like leaving a calling card for his dad. He would notice in a heartbeat that the truck had been recently used with no dust or dirt on the windows or body. Rolling up the windows and throwing it into neutral, Daryl pushed the truck over the side of the road and into deep ditch. Grabbing branches and brush, he threw it over the windshield making it look like the truck had been there awhile. Satisfied with his handiwork, Daryl climbed back out of the ditch and back over to where his family waited for him. Climbing on the bike and getting everyone situated Daryl took off back to where he had seen the possible place they could find sanctuary for the night.
Daryl rode his bike back through the winding road spotting the hidden turn off he had seen earlier. Stopping the bike and looking down at the dirt road, he shut it off.
"Guys, we're going to have to walk from here. I don't want to ride on the dirt road, it will leave a trail, so we'll walk from here and make sure to walk in the grass and not the dirt."
Raven picked up Cheri and held Hunter's hand while Daryl walked in front of them pushing the bike. Walking quietly Daryl turned into the woods followed by Raven and the kids and stopped the bike.
"You guys stay here, I think the house is right over that hill, I have to check it out first to make sure it's safe. I'll be right back" he said giving Raven a quick kiss.
Raven hated him going alone, she never felt right when they were apart. Bad things always seemed to happen when they were. After about 10 minutes Raven's anxiety started going into overdrive but felt instant relief when she saw him coming back up over the hill. Smiling at them he picked up Hunter and grabbed Raven's hand.
"I have to show you something..."
Raven looked at him curiously and began walking with him still holding Cheri. Just over the ridge, Raven looked down into the valley and caught her breath as she looked at the picturesque scene in front of her. There nestled in the valley was a beautiful log cabin with apple trees and a small stream running behind it. If she had made a wish for a house and a place to raise their children, this would be it. Smiling at Daryl she kissed him sweetly.
"It's so beautiful, it's hard to believe someone left this place." Raven said in wonderment.
Daryl nodded
"I know...but I checked and it's empty. There's still clothes and stuff inside...could be the owner got sick, turned and wandered off. We'll have to make sure no walkers are around but for now, it's ours"
Cheri was squirming, wanting to get down and run down the hill. Raven looked at Daryl, not sure what to do. Grinning, Daryl grabbed Cheri sitting her back on the ground.
"OK, we can run down it but you have to hold my hand. You too Hunter"
Raven watched as Daryl walked down the hill and had to smile as she saw her little one's legs run as fast as they could down the hill to keep up with his long strides. Hearing Cheri squeal and Hunter laugh was music to her ears. She had missed their carefree life so much. She would take any happiness they could get at this point.