The Walking Dead {Daryl Dixon}

Goodbye Atlanta

"And you're sure this thing was here the whole time?" I question Merle for the millionth time. Last thing we need is to steal someone else's transport.

Merle's leaning against the cube van, looking at me bored. He gives a long sigh, "Girly" Here we go. "I already told ya! How many times are ye gonna keep askin' me that? Can't we just go?" He groans.

"Fine, fine!" I sigh. Merle offers me his hand to climb on the vehicle. I take it and seat, turning the engine on like he had taught me many years ago. After he climbs onto the passenger seat I start the car, making our way out of the hell hole Atlanta is now taking highway 85.

-

We drive aimlessly. Keeping off main roads and highways. Merle is passed out on the seat next to me with the gun I gave him in his one hand.

Merle wanted to head back to where the group he and his brother were with had been staying. I don't really understood since they left him on the roof but he told me he had to go back for his brother.

"Darlyina, right?" He laughed. "Yeah. That 'im "

I mean it was always weird when it came to Merle. It took me a couple of years, and some bar fights but he opened up to me... A little. A lot of other stuff I figured for myself.

'Darlyina'. 'Baby brotha'. I don't really know his brother's actual name. And Darlyina is not exactly a give away. I'm not really sure how I feel about his brother. I mean, sure, Merle said he was out hunting when he came to the city but shouldn't had his brother go back for him? Look after him or something? That's what's family is about, what siblings are for. They're supposed to look after each other.

I glance from Merle sleeping form to the road. Not wanting to bump into a herd of those damn things but also worried about this assholes hand. Maybe duct tape it? I would really like for him to have something he could defend himself with. Something he can poke those things with.

I think over the many possibilities of what to do to help him and how to do so, where to get the materials, etc. I take the exit before the one Merle instructed me to take. Gonna look for some shit to fix him up while he's passed out so he can't give me shit about risking my life and danger and Yada Yada Yada.

We arrive to a small town after about an hour? give or take. I park and exit the vehicle. Bag on my back and knives ready I make my way into the ghost town, ready to scavange.
-

Merle wakes up when the sun is going down. He stirs then looks at me with groggy eyes. "Why aren't we there yet, sweetheart?" I ignore him and change the subject. "You should rest some more" I try. "Girly?" He asks again. "Girly I asked ya something!"

"I'm pulling over" I say dead serious. I do as I said and pull over and turn the engine off. He looks at me expectantly. "We need to do something about your hand"

He gives me a nod, "Whatcha got in mind? Gonna pour some magic chemical shit for my hand to grow back?" He mocks. I give him my best bitch face.

"Yeah, that right. I know you got yourself a diploma and shit." I bow my head not liking the look he's giving me. "That was why you left? Didn't come back? 'Cause now you are some educated bitch. WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU ANYMORE?! That it?!"

I swallow and shake my head, hurt that he thinks that. "No... No, Merle. It-it wasn't like that. I swear." I say with a low voice.

"Like hell it wasn't!" "It WAS NOT" I put my head in my hands, frustrated with this damn situation going on. "I... I was accepted! I was doing shit I liked! Hell, I HAD FRIGGIN MOVED, YOU ASSHOLE! What the fuck you wanted me to do?!"

"YOU LEFT ME!" He yells back. I bite my bottom lip, deep in thought. So this is what its all about?
"Merle.." I reach for him but he pulls his hand away. "No! Don't 'Merle' me" He exits the car with me following after.

"Don't storm off like a fucking child. Behave like a damn adult for once!" He turns to glare at me. Great, now he really is mad. "You can't keep avoiding me, Merle! I didn't left you, you left first. Juvie, over and over again; the militia, jail! Whenever I tried to visit, you were elsewhere!"

He keeps walking along the treeline, completely ignoring me. Witch each step it only fuels my anger more. "You think I didn't care? That I- that I left you? I grew up! I had my family to care for. And yet I came back to pay visits to your troublesome ass because I GAVE A DAMN! I fucking handled your asshole of a father so neither you or your brother dealt with that prick anymore!" By now we are walking into the woods.

"When this all was starting... I was in Macon. Visiting family. You know what they said in the news, that it would pass. That they'll have it under control, that they could control it." He stays put and so do I. We just stand there, in the middle of the woods. "We came back. Things kept getting worse and... I was going to check on you. I was on my way but the cops got me and-"

"Cops got you?" He asks. "I stole a bike. It was faster, the world was hell, I didn't care. I just wanted to check on you" I take a deep breath to clear my head of the memories. Last thing I need is Merle being an asshole to me while I'm crying.

"I FUCKING TRIED! IT WAS NOT MY FAULT I failed... It's not my fault" I whisper the last part, thinking of what happened last time I was at the woods with someone I cared about. Merle doesn't say a word after that and neither do I. I'm too tired for this right now. I just walk away from him and back to the van.
-

I sit on the stupid vehicle staring at my hands, like somehow they will give me some much needed answers.

After all that happened since the friggin apocalypse began, after all the people gone, I don't think I'll survive to the very end still being me. 'Cause I know, I will survive. I'm a survivor but I'm not sure how much me I'll be when the time comes. I'm strong. I've always been. But I had people, family and friends. I kept strong for them, so they could lean on me. Keep them safe but now.. Now they're gone and I'm on my own. And I'm afraid without them I might loose my mind. Loose my self and get lost in a primal urgency that only survives.

I'm pulled out of my thoughts by the passenger door being opened. Merle climbs into the vehicle not saying a word. I pump the engine back to life so we can leave and get his brother. By now is already night making it hard to see with the power out and I don't feel like turning the lights on so the dead don't notice us.. much.

The ride is silent. Awkward, uncomfortable, dead silent. The only sound coming from the engine and the wind blowing through our windows. A blinking light calls out my attention on the dashboard. We're running out of gas. Oh that's just great! I curse under my breath.

"What was that?" Merle asks still not looking at me. I shake my head then I realize he can't see me and I'm an idiot.

"Nothing" He hums.

"We're running out of gas, that's all"
Now it's his turn to curse.