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

Chapter 67 - Town Called Malice (The Jam)

DARYL

So....this is what it's really  like to turn into a walker?

Yer open yer eyes but there's still nuthin but blackness. Then those twitches begin. And before yer know it?

Yer whole body is jumpin around in agony. As if someone's shoved a cattle prod between yer butt cheeks and flicked the switch.

Except, when yer start to turn, yer sweat buckets....don't yer? That's what Jim did before we left him by the roadside. He was meltin like an ice-block in the sun, not shivering like a ghost.

Can't stop moaning like one when I move my arms and start pushin my body upright. Feeling the ice-cold concrete under my bare butt. Then the rough scrape of the bricks on my back as it slides up to rest against the wall.

When my head lolls onto my shoulder I spot a sliver of light comin from underneath the door. Eventually, my pupils open up enough to see that I'm lying in a smallish storage room or cupboard.

Still butt naked and now....freezing.

"What the fu....?"

Never get any further when the old brain kickstarts. And my head overflows with memories.

Yer ain't dead, Dumbass!

Should be....but yer ain't. Not yet anyway.

My hand shakes its way up to my chest, to feel the bandage stuck on it.

Made it as far as the Doc's rooms before passing out again. Only I don't think it was because of shock and loss of blood.

Most likely due to the little 'accidents'  that happened to me along the way. Thanks to that murderin pricks lackeys.

Reckon I'll be pissin blood for a while.

*

Cringe when I hear a key turn in the door lock. In the sudden glare, Dwight appeared. Paper plate in hand. When he leaned over slightly, I reached out and snatched up the roll.

Shove it hungrily into my mouth. Instantly recognising the now familiar smell of the same dog food we give the Mutt at home.

Bite, chew, swallow....repeat.

Hell, I've eaten worse and I wasn't gonna turn my nose up at it.

Need to get my strength back and heal up, so I'll be ready for when they make their move. For when I can make my  move. Just wish I knew how long I've been here so far? How long both of us have been here.

Dwight huffed out an irritated breath. Stood there for a minute before turning and locking the door behind him.

I kept eatin in the dark until it was all gone. Then reached out for the bucket of water I noticed in the corner when the room had filled with light. Took a sip first and once convinced it wasn't tainted....drank deeply.

Only now can I let my head fill up with Nate. Giving thanks again....at her quick thinking about Blue. She'd already realised before I did. Maybe that's why she kept sayin sorry? Cos she already knew what she had to do for us both.

Been praying that fuckin maniac will go a bit easy on her.

Don't kid yerself, Dixon! The bastard's taken with her, even after she tried to piss him off. He ain't gonna give an inch until he gets what he wants.

And he's made it clear he wants her....and me too for reasons unknown as yet.

Almost broke my hand. Thumping it against the wall in anger, frustration and sheer fuckin terror. As all the thoughts run through my head of what he's already done and what he's doin to her right now.