Little Dixon (Daryl Dixon)

Crickets Still Sing

(( Avery's POV ))

For the next few nights, I began to rub Daryl's back every night. It seems like he sleeps better when I do that, and he seems to like it. He'd still flinch a little when I first touch him, but he's getting better and better about that.

I could tell he was suspecting something. The night the new members came, I almost slipped out about the baby, but saved myself when I mentioned Judith. Daryl was still suspicious, however, but I mean, I would be too.

The new members were beginning to fit in well. Cathy and Mary helped out with the cleaning and caring for Judith with Carol and Beth. The men really took part in the patrols and all that. Our little group was growing bigger. Ever since the loss of the farm and Dale and Jimmy and Andrea and Shane and Lori and T-Dog... it's been so little and... empty without then.

I was sitting with the girls, which isn't something I do often anymore, and was holding Judith. The baby held up her arms and gurgled, smiling her toothless smile at me. I smiled a little and thought, in 6 months, I would have a baby. Cathy was watching me handle the baby with thoughtful eyes. She was the quietest out of the newcomers, and I could tell she didn't like fighting and shit.

Cathy turned to Beth, "So you and Rick had her?" She questioned.

Beth laughed a little and shook her head, "She's not mine."

Cathy looked around, "Where's the mother?"

Beth's gaze drifted from Cathy back to Judith.

"Childbirth," I explained softly. Cathy nodded slightly and looked down.

Honestly, I hadn't thought of Lori in a while, but I guess I spoke too soon. Then, my mind was whirling with thoughts of the beautiful woman, and for the rest of the day, I couldn't get her out of my mind.

Later that night, Daryl and I sat on our cot while I rubbed his shirtless back. Every night, I couldn't take my eyes off his scars. They were so dark and clear, like anyone could see them...

"Ya okay?" Daryl asked sleepily.

I nodded, then remembered his face was in the pillow and he couldn't see me, "Yeah."

Daryl sighed and relaxed some more. I could tell he hadn't been this relaxed in a long time, and it kinda made me feel bad for him. Ever since this apocalypse started, he'd probably gone around protecting people. He hadn't gotten a chance to relax yet. Well, now he did.

I moved my other hand on to his head, and started playing with his long, dark brown hair. It almost touched his shoulders now, and he needed a haircut soon. Except, those were hard to get these days.

Before I knew it, soft snores filled the silence in the small cell, telling me Daryl was asleep. I carefully removed my hands from his hair and back, and got up off the bed. Because of the silence in the prison, every step I took sounded like an earthquake, but I made it outside safely.

I hadn't gotten the chance to just enjoy the outdoors since this happened, and I guessed this was the time to. I sat on the grass of the courtyard, listening to the sounds of the night. Well, those were mainly just the soft moans of walkers, and an occasional hoot of an owl. But there was something else; crickets. The tiny creatures chirped and sung their song just like they did before the world went to hell. It like the apocalypse didn't even bother them. I guess the walkers took no notice in them, so the crickets just went on with their normal lives. I wish we could be like that... but I guess God chose us to be the walkers favorite food.

For a few moments, I could barely hear the growls of walkers, and all I could hear was the chirping of crickets and the hoots of owls. It felt like I was back home in Alabama, when I would sit outside with Dylan or my friends and just talk. But that moment disappeared once again when I began to hear the moans again.

I heard something behind me, and turned around to see Brandon.

"Mind if I join you?" He asked. I shrugged, "Sure." I said hesitantly.

The young man sat down beside me and sighed, closing his eyes.

"I haven't been this safe in a while," He said quietly.

"You're not totally safe. You're never truly safe. At any given moment, those fences could break and walkers could flood in here," I pointed out. "And then our home would be gone."

Brandon chuckled a bit, "You sure are a smart one aren't you?"

I shrugged again. I didn't feel totally comfortable with this man yet, but I guess no one did. They've only been here for like 3 days. I guess Rick and I were just lucky that they trusted us.

"Avery?" a gruff voice snapped me from my thoughts. I turned to see Daryl standing in the doorway of the prison. His blue eyes were blazing in the darkness.

"I-" I didn't get a chance to finish.

"Man, lay off her." Brandon spat. "She ain't your property."

"Lay off, ya bastard." Daryl growled. He walked over to me and stared at me. I could see the hurt in his eyes.

"Daryl, I couldn't sleep. I needed to think..." I explained, trying not to giving away too much.

"How can ya think when that sumbitch is sittin' practically on top of ya?" Daryl accused. I rolled my eyes, "It's not like I asked him to come out here."

Daryl sighed and grabbed my hand, "C'mon," he said quietly. I could tell he was hurt, and I felt terrible. But it wasn't like I wanted Brandon to be there.

"She doesn't have to go anywhere with you!" Brandon yelled, grabbing my hand.

"Actually, she does. I don't want her staying out here with a bitch like you," Daryl retorted.

"I don't want her to get hurt," Brandon said. "No woman deserves that."

Daryl stopped, and the anger in his eyes turned to sadness. "Ya think I would hurt 'er?" He asked.

Brandon crossed his arms, his eyes narrowed. "That's what it looks like."

Daryl stared at the young man for a second. He shook his head, the sadness disappearing from his eyes. "I would never hurt her. I love her," He growled. Without waiting for an answer, he turned around and stalked into the prison. I shot a glare at Brandon before following him.

I found Daryl laying down on the cot we shared. His face was in his pillow and he seemed to be waiting for me.

"I know you wouldn't hurt me," I whispered, laying down next to him. I began to run my hand across his back, and he flinched.

"I don't wanna be like my father..." He said quietly.

"You're nothing like you're father," I told him. I almost said that he was gonna be a great daddy, but I stopped myself before I could. I felt Daryl relax a bit and I smiled.

We sat in silence for a while. After a few minutes, I finally realized what good of a time that was to tell him. I was about to say his name, when I began to hear the soft snores, telling me he was asleep. I sighed and removed my hands from his back.

"You're gonna be a great daddy," I whispered before closing my eyes. Before long, I was fast asleep.

In my dreams, I was in a field. Trees lined it on every side, and a pond was in the middle, reflecting the trees on its water. The sun was high in the sky and there wasn't a cloud in sight.

Suddenly, I heard a happy scream, and turned to see a little girl, who appeared to be around 3 or 4, running through the field. She had long, curly brown hair and bright blue eyes. Her cheeks were chubby and rosy, and she was just absolutely beautiful. Behind her, I saw a figure running towards her. The person was blurred, so I couldn't make out who it was. I panicked for a moment, scared of what it would do to the little girl. But all the fear disappeared as I recognized the figure as Daryl. He ran after the little girl with a huge smile on his face. An actual smile! He quickly caught up to the girl and scooped her up in his arms, embracing her tightly. The little girl squealed in happiness as Daryl kissed her cheek, his stubble on his neck tickling her. She wrapped her tiny arms around his neck and laughed as Daryl swung her back and forth in his arms.

I woke up with the biggest smile on my face. I knew it for sure then, Daryl would be an awesome father. I had to tell him.