Home Is Your Heartbeat ('Home Is' Book Two - Daryl Dixon)

Chapter 57 - You Should Never Have Opened That Door (The Ramones)

NATE

"I can kill them too, Nate....just so you know."

"Sorry....sorry. I get myself a little carried away sometimes. The next one is all yours."

I apologised to Jesus as he gazed at the pile of walkers scattered around us.

Poor Andy  😔

He looks like he's barely hanging onto the oatcakes he'd scoffed down. Tara handed them out on the drive here.

Mind you, he ate about six of them. Didn't even think to ask why some of us were more than happy to pass ours over. So he has no one else to blame but himself  😉

I love Denise like crazy and it's not just because her Ditzy is the total equivalent of my Derpa. She's a total sweetheart and one helluva Doctor to boot. So it's such a shame....that she can't cook to save her life.

Or anyone else's?

The last time I watched her on duty in Olivia's community kitchen? I'm preeeetty  sure she conjured up a demon or ten, as she stirred whatever was in her pot.

"We only need one who resembles Gregory. Why are you killing all the others?"  Andy whispered, while holding a hand over his mouth.

"If it's safe enough to take care of them, then you should. And not just for their sake either. What if you trip and they get you? Or heaven forbid....they wander off and kill someone else?"

"Seems like you've taken 'care'  of a few, then. What's your highest number so far....in one sitting?"  Jesus asked as he planted his knife into an older male's ear.

We take a good look at his face and nod to each other. Then I get to work, hacking off its head to take back with us.

Andy stumbled away a bit. We wait patiently as he and the oatcakes finally part company.

"Ummmm....let's see. About two hundred in a gas explosion. Roughly five hundred, but that was over a few hours with a slingshot. Hand to hand....hundred and twenty roughly?"

"Mind you, everyone else took down the same. Probably more I'm guessing."

At Jesus's confused look, I went on to explain about the quarry and subsequent horde. The ill-timed attack on Alexandria by the Wolves.

He blanched on hearing their name.

"They were another group who the Saviors made a deal with. Except they took it to extremes in order to pay their share."

I feel the blood draining away from my face. My fear of what we're getting ourselves into floods in to take its place again.

We're stumbling headlong into this. Action = knee-jerk reaction.

'That's just plain fuckin stupid, Nate. Jeezus....why do yer always have to over-analyse shit like this so much?'

Daryl's words from this morning hit me with a wallop once more.

And just like I've done almost every minute since, I stomp down on them forcibly. So they can't get a grip on me again.

There are far more important things to take care of right now. So much more at stake than ever  before.

"Sorry, Andy....what was that?"

"I said I've never killed a real person before. I mean....one who's still alive. Have you, Nate?"

"Yup, a few"  My voice is terse as I nod briefly.

"How many and why?"  Jesus asked gently.

Reminding me of the questions Daryl would ask of any newcomers he found. And thought of bringing back home.