It had always dawned on Tess Dixon that she would end up alone,but being this was the first time that she was actually apart from the group, anxiety and the acceptance of death seemed a lot closer.
Tilting her head back to lean on the tree behind h...
It had always dawned on her that she would end up alone, but being this was the first time that she was actually apart from the group, anxiety and the acceptance of death seemed a lot closer. Tilting her head back to lean on the tree behind her, she could hear the sluggish and hungry groans coming up closer behind her, with a final sigh, she closed her eyes and thought back to a time which ironically now seemed so much simpler.
"Fuck"
The Before
With a small sigh she looked at the house outside the window and turned to the driver's seat next to her, giving an attempt of a smile she leaned closer and gave a small peck to the corner of his mouth.
"Thank you"
Grabbing her bag she reached for the handle next to her, a strong hand grasped her upper arm, turning her towards him and pulling her closer. A hand snaked around her neck gently and fingers curled into her hair, her lips met with his in a searing but gentle kiss. His head pulled away but his face stayed close to hers, his eyes searching.
"Be careful, you hear me Tess? Anything happens you get out"
Giving him a slow nod she turned back to her door and stepped out into the rain. Taking agonizing steps closer to the house she made her way up the porch steps and pushing the first door aside she inserted her key into the lock and stepped inside, she was met with darkness.
Dropping her bag to the floor, and running her hands through her dampened hair she made her way to the stairs. Hearing a smokers cough coming from the front room stopped her in her tracks, as she saw light appear suddenly from the bottom of the door, closing her eyes knowingly she heard the door burst open and cringed as the handle smacked against the wall behind it. A low whistle followed, and she turned toward the light.
"And where the fuck have you been?". Her father stood wavering in the middle of the doorway, a bottle of emptied whisky hang limply from his grasp, but his eyes stood strong as they gazed menacingly at her.
"I've been out." She made sure that her tone was cautious, but even.
Her dad pressed his tongue into his cheek and nodded slowly whilst tilting his head, calculating and knowing.
"You been out with 'im?
Looking away from his gaze, she moved towards the stairs.
"No dad."
She was stopped dead in her tracks, as a glass bottle shattered on the wall in front of her, her arms unsuccessfully lifting up quick enough in order to protect herself, a sharp prickling pain erupted from her cheek. Before she could bring her fingers to brush against her cheek, she was pushed roughly into the wall, whisky soaking her back through her thin shirt.
"Don't fucking lie to me!" His face was inches from hers as his hands roughly shook her shoulders, his fingers puncturing into her skin. Her head smacked against the wall behind her as he gave her another push. His eyes trailed to the cut on her cheek and the small trickle of blood which flowed beneath it, he looked downcast, his eyes for a second softening but they soon returned to the steel gaze as he shook her again.
"I saw his fucking 'mpala out front, you think i'm some dumb hick girl?"
"No, da-" the last syllable flew from her mouth as his hand smacked harshly against her cheek, blood from her cut scattering small drops along her shirt and dotting her face, her eyesight blurred as he released his hold on her, and stomped back to his place on the couch, grabbing a can of beer from the table next to him and clicking it open.
"Get the fuck outta here."
Her legs carried her swiftly up the stairs, and she stumbled into her room, her eyes shining with tears, she collapsed on the floor at the foot of her bed and let her head sink into her curled up knees. She gazed up seeing her phone light up as it did when she was receiving a call but she just let it ring until the light went out. Staring numbly at the wall in front of her, she heard an engine cut off from outside and two pairs of heavy feet climbing the stairs of the porch. A few seconds later she heard the front door click open, two sets of heavy footsteps which then stomped abruptly, and the memorable sound of Merle swearing, and then it all went quiet.
"Tess!?".
Her eyes closed upon hearing the worrying call of her brother Daryl, and she could feel herself becoming smaller as she heard footsteps coming up the stairs. Her door was pushed open, and two shadows filled her room. One stepped closer to her, and knelt in front of her while the other stood motionless in the doorway.
Her chin was lifted from her knees and her eyes met the blue eyes of Daryl, his mouth turning into a tight line upon seeing her tear streaked face, the blood and the large bruise forming across her cheekbone. His hand dropped her face, and he moved to sit next to her, one of his arms moving across her shoulders and pushing her body into his side, his other enclosed her form and he tucked her head beneath his chin.
She heard Merle cuss silently towards their father, or what he thought was silent, in the doorway before he turned and punched the wall behind him, the plasterboard caving in and a large imprint was left, hearing their father shout upstairs his nose flared and he turned angrily towards the stairs. A couple of moments later she heard a glass shatter, and Merle's loud swearing and small grunts of pain but she tuned it all out.
"Hey".
Daryl nudged her body with his side and she moved her head to look up at him, one of his hands moved up to clear the water from beneath her eyes and he gave her a small strained smile.
"'Member what I always say?"
Some air left her lips as she managed a small laugh.
"Yeah"
Daryl pulled her into a hug and she rested her cheek against his chest.
His southern drawl filled the room as he whispered, "Dixon's don't cry."
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Opening her eyes she gazed at the forest around her and gave a small nod. No.
Running a rough palm over her cheekbone, wiping a lone tear she grabbed the base of her shotgun and the strap of her bag and wrapped it over her head, tucking an arm underneath she pushed the bag behind her and got to her feet.
