Red ~ TWD (Daryl Dixon)

Taking the Fight to the Enemy

The next morning The Kingdom was alight with activity. The community broke down into smaller groups so they could focus on specific skill sets, everything from archery for the "fighters" to schooling for the children. It was an idyllic setting, if you ignored the fact it was at risk of toppling the moment Negan came knocking on the door. This place existed simply because The Saviors allowed it.

"I need to talk to you."

I grabbed Mr. Miyagi's arm, forcing him to stop. Daryl's steps faltered, eyes narrowed at me, but I waved him on. I already knew what Ezekiel was going to say, hearing it would only piss me off, and he didn't need to hear this. My husband gave me a curt nod, eyes briefly drifting to the man beside me before he turned on his heel and continued with the rest of the group.

"I was saddened to hear of your time..."

"Yeah, sure," I replied dismissively. I was sick of being the woman who was brutalized by The Saviors. Time to refocus. "Where's Carol?"

A blank expression slammed down on his face and I felt my irritation mounting. "I am not at liberty to divulge that information."

"You can tell me or I can beat it out of someone else."

His lips pressed into a hard line as he crossed his arms over his chest. "You would hurt an innocent for your own purposes?"

"That depends on you," I countered. In reality, no I wouldn't, but he didn't need to know that.

"She is safe."

"That's not what I asked."

"Why do you want to know?"

I stepped closer, "Listen carefully, I believe Carol means more to me than she does to you. If she's out there on her own she's at risk. She has no idea what we're up against."

She didn't know about those we'd lost, and was completely clueless about The Saviors.

His shoulders deflated. "She is not far from The Kingdom. She did not wish to stay, but the King has become quite fond of her so he set her up in a house close by."

"Wait, back up, the King is fond of her?"

What did that mean? They were friends, fuck buddies, in the same book club?

"Yes."

I sighed. Why was everything with this man difficult?

"Care to elaborate?" He shrugged and I pinched the bridge of my nose. "OK, he's fond of her, moving on..." I'd tuck that little nugget of information away and deal with it when I didn't have a madman trying to kill me. "I want to know where she is, exactly." I handed him my notebook. "Draw a map."

He exhaled harshly before taking the notebook, and hastily scribbling directions. "Please, she wants to be left alone. I assure you she can handle herself."

I wanted to be left alone too, and look were that got me. We didn't always get what we wanted, and he was wrong about one thing, she couldn't handle herself, not against The Saviors, not alone. Plus, I wasn't doing this simply to ensure her safety. She meant something to the man I loved. I couldn't sit by idly and watch him suffer if I could prevent it.

By the time he was done Ezekiel had delivered his verdict on our proposed alliance. Judging by the scowls on everyone's faces it went over like a turd in a punchbowl. I had to jog to catch up with the group who was striding for the gate with determined steps.

"Chicken shit said no," Merle barked, not giving a single, solitary fuck Richard was walking beside him.

"No offense," I offered the man though I didn't disagree with my brother-in-law's assessment.