Daryl Dixon: A Beautiful Disaster (SEQUEL)

Chapter 17: Meeting in the Woods

Rick, Michonne, Rosita, Daryl, Spencer, Glenn and I all head out at the break of sunrise the next day. Denise tried to argue, saying I wasn't ready but none of us were having it. We needed to go days ago and I wasn't going to wait until I was "better". Although we don't have ammo for the tank anymore, they don't need to know that. We all carry, wanting to show up to their home proving we aren't to be messed with. We figure we'd arrive a bit before noon, but are stopped half way through our journey with the dirt road in front of us blocked by cars. It's not just cars though, people start to pile out, their own guns showing on their arms. The first person I see is Clint, and he has a large grin on his face. He smiles wider when his eyes land on me and he licks his lips. They knew we'd come. I do my best not to shutter away and stand tall in-between Rick and Spencer. "Where's Leroy?" Daryl calls out, referring to his dad.

"Who?" Kyle asks out loudly. Do these people not know his name? I wonder.

Rick clarifies "your leader" his voice is hard, not having patience for games.

Clint calls back "lucky for you he is dealing with problem one at the moment. If you want to return what was lost, we'd be happy to tell him you were compliant." He eyes me up and down continuously.

"We need to talk to him" Daryl yells back.

Kyle now speaks, trying to show us he's in control and not Clint "can't say he's going to be in a chatty mood when he gets back, may need an offering of some sort to get him to even consider it."

"Tell him his son wants to talk to him." Daryl yells, and all 8-10 people around the cars and trucks look around at each other in wonder and confusion.

Kyle and Clint both smirk and Clint hollers "interesting, why don't we meet back up in two days, he should be back tomorrow."

"We'll wait." Rick tells them clearly, not giving them any chance for further time to plan an attack on Alexandria.

Clint rubs his hands together and nods with a chuckle. Although I can't hear it, chills run down my spine as the chuckle from previous encounters echoes through my brain. I make the first movement and retreat back into the truck. Spencer stays close behind but everyone else just stands still, staring at the group of people in front of us.

Rick sends Glenn back towards Alexandria to tell Maggie and the others that we are hanging out another day and to tell them to stay prepared for anything. Rick and Rosita take first watch, along with Kyle and 2 of his men. Daryl and Michonne back track the way we came to try and find some game for us to cook. When they get back, they switch watches. Spencer stays hovering around me and I start to feel like I'm back in the compound being held against my will "can you not linger, damn." I mutter out in the car as I fan myself.

"I'm just making sure you're safe, who knows how many people are really out there." He responds.

I roll my eyes "no one else is out there, they would've attacked by now."

Spencer keeps his voice calm, not feeding into my attitude "I'm just being careful, they are still after you."

"Ugh" I finally groan, moving to get out of the truck.

Spencer asks "where are you going?" He moves to come and follow me.

I turn back and mutter "the bathroom, do I need your permission for that?" Spencer shakes his head and sits back down. I shut the door quietly and begin to quietly walk behind some bushes to relieve myself. After, as I move to button my pants I hear a rustle behind me. I throw up my gun and am face to face with Daryl. "Ah, God. What?" I throw my arm to the side "did Spencer send you to babysit me?"

Daryl doesn't flinch and says "naw, nature calls. Sorry to scare ya" He shrugs, turning and unbuttoning his pants.

"Whatever." I mumble, and move to head back to the cars. I brush shoulders with Daryl as I pass him and chills run through me. Daryl utters, almost in a whisper "you doin okay?"

"What?" I ask, not catching what he said. I turn back to eye him and he's already zipping up his pants.

He repeats "you doin okay? Injuries and all?" He clarifies what he means.

I exhale, relieved he's not asking if I'm okay with being here "I'm fine" I quickly utter and walk back off. Instead of getting in the truck with Spencer, I hop into the car Rick's in "not tired?" I ask him.

He stares out the window at everyone in front of him "nah, need to keep a close eye on these people."

"Rick, I'm so sorry" I say into the quiet air. I've never had the chance to apologize to him for bringing all this into his world. I put so many people in danger and I'm sure he's regretting letting me stay. He turns his head to look at me and I continue "I wish I left when I had the chance. You shouldn't be here right now, none of you should."

"Shannon, we are choosing to be here right now. You are a part of our home and we will not let them hurt you." He says firmly.

I smile, knowing he means what he says but I can't let anyone die because of me, so I tell him "I appreciate that but--" I hesitate, not sure how I want to say this. I eventually slowly say "my old community burned down because of me. Everyone always dies because of me."

"No. They died because Joey set it on fire." Rick clarifies in a matter of fact, there is no use in arguing this tone.

I shake my head "but Clint was there looking for me. I'm not going to let anyone else die because of me. If there's no other solution, if they are willing to fight then I'll go willingly to them." I tell him my plan.

"No, you won't." Rick argues firmly.

I persist though "you can't stop me Rick. I can not have any more blood on my hands. This has to end, I'm tired of running and I'm sick of seeing people die because of me."

"No one is going to die but them, and we're not running. We're going to handle this tomorrow. " Rick promises. But I know that's not what's going to happen so I simply just nod my head and look back out the window at everyone standing and staring at us as we are them.