Animal Gone Wild [DISCONTINUED]

24

THE DEAD TAKE ANOTHER, AFTER SO LONG

    I tiredly got up after awhile and started for the food. I got there just in time to see Daryl there with Carol.
    "Oh, well would you look at that," Carol smiled, "both of you are up at decent times."
    "Please," I frowned, "not today Carol...as much as I love bantering-"
    Carol held out a bowl without a word but a smile. I sighed in happiness and gladly took the bowl from her. Daryl smirked at me.
    "Tired," Daryl questioned.
    I glared at him, "you would know. We share a damn cell—let alone the fact that you smacked my leg this morning."
    "Now now you two," Carol teased, "no need to bicker so soon."
    "Aw come on, it's Red."
    "And it's bow boy," I pointed.
    "I need you two to see something," Carol stated, ignoring our comments, "Patrick, you want to take over?"
    "Yes ma'am," Patrick nodded.
    Daryl and I walked to stand next to Carol as we feasted with our hands. Until we stopped.
    "Mr. Dixon, I just wanted to thank you for bringing that deer back yesterday. It was a real treat, sir."
    I snorted and clapped him on his shoulder. Daryl and I usually trade between hunting every week. This week it was Daryl's, I was last week.
    "And I'd be honored to shake your hand."
    I nearly choked on my food at Patrick's words. I turned to look at Daryl who looked hesitant.
    "Well go on," I coaxed, "don't leave the boy waiting."
    "Says the most anti-social one here," Daryl grumbled.
    He licked his fingers before clasping Patrick's hand in a quick handshake. I tensed at how sexy he looked when he did that. Stop it, we're in front of others. Behave yourself June. Luckily, it didn't last long as Carol started moving; Daryl and I following after. It was a long walk to our destination which seemed to be heading towards the fences.
    "About today," Carol went on, "I don't know if we're gonna be able to spare a lot of people for the run."
    "That place is good to go," Daryl explained, "we're gonna move on it."
    "Yeah. The thing is, we had a pretty big buildup overnight."
In our line of view was walkers all lined up against the fence.

"Jesus," I sighed out.
    "Dozens more towards tower three. It's getting as bad as last month. They don't spread out anymore," Carol commented
    "With more of us sitting here, we're drawing more of them out. You get enough of those damn fence-clingers, they start to herd up."
    "Pushing against the fences again."
    I tilted my head slightly.
    "Why not spread out all our people and make noise to draw them out? Make them spread out," I questioned.
    "This is why you're on the council Red," Daryl clapped my shoulder, "next time we have a meeting, bring it up."
    I shrugged, "just might if it's gettin' as bad as last time..."
    "It's manageable right now, but unless we get ahead of it, not for long. Sorry, Pookie," Carol went on.
    I stopped mid-bite and turned towards Daryl with a smirk.
    "Pookie?"
    Daryl pointed his finger at me, "don't you start."
    I turned towards Carol with a grin, "please tell me there's a back story."
    "Let's go Red," Daryl called.
    "I'll tell you later," Carol promised, "he doesn't seem to be in a waiting mood."
    I raced to catch up, "never is!"
    I walked at his pace next to him towards the cars as I finished up, throwing my bowl into a nearby trash. We started filling up the truck with things we need. Luckily Daryl was kind enough to toss my crossbow into the back of the truck. Handing me my holsters for my knives and bat. Daryl tested the gas container to see it's fullness.
    "Runnin' low," Daryl commented.
    "We'll get more when we're out there," I pointed out, "or I'll siphon it myself while you guys work on the place."
    "Ain't no way you're siphoning fuel by yourself."
    "Alright then."
    I knew better than to push on it. There was practically and 'end of discussion' on the end of that sentence. I handed him a shotgun and followed after him.
    "Hey," I heard Zach state.
    I turned and saw he was talking to Beth. I nudged Daryl who looked at me as I head nodded towards the two love birds. He turned to look at the scene as well.
    "I was just gonna come find you."
    They shared a kiss and I grimaced.
    "Gross," I grumbled, "glad we don't do PDA..."
    "Me and you both," Daryl grumbled.
    "Hi," Zach mumbled.
    "What's up," Beth asked.
    "Well, the council pulled back everyone on the coal crew from going on the run. They're shorthanded right now. I figured I'd step up to help, go with 'em. Just, you know, wanted to make sure that I saw you before."
    "Okay."
    "I just—'cause, you know, it's dangerous going out there."
    "I know."
    Beth kissed his cheek and started walking away. We quickly looked away and started messing with other shit that needed to be messed with. Like the fucking truck's oil gauge.
    "Okay, are you gonna say good-bye?"
    "Nope."
    Daryl walked to the back of the truck with pop bottles.
    "It's like a damn romance novel," Daryl piped in.
    "Oh, like you don't have one," Zach sassed back, "between you and June?"
    I coughed a laugh before shutting the truck's hood. I pointed at Zach.
    "You're funny," I commented, "y'know that Zachy?"
    Zach shifted uncomfortably at the nickname I dawned him weeks ago out of frustration.
    "Please don't call me that when you're calm...it scares me."
    Daryl chuckled, "good. Maybe that'll teach ya next time to not question her."
    Bob appeared and I did a short whistle, Daryl perked up I pointed with my head. He nodded and started towards the front.
    "How did you just-?"
    I tapped my head, "connection. That's what many months together gets ya."
    I patted his back and started for the front of the caravan where Bob and most others were.
    "Okay," Sasha agreed.
    I continued on and hopped on behind Daryl, expertly wrapping my arms around him. I leaned towards his ear.
    "You licking your fingers earlier today," I whispered.
    "Mmhmm," he mumbled, probably not even paying much attention.
    "Was sexy."
    He sighed and placed one hand on top of mine for a brief second as I quickly kissed his cheek with a silly grin.
    "You're evil."
    I chuckled, expecting that reply. We started going and I heard a familiar whistle. I tapped twice on Daryl's shoulder. He nodded as we moved. He slowed down as Michonne came into our view at the end of the gravel drive way with our only horse. We stopped the caravan.
    "Well, look who's back," Daryl jokingly stated, "Red heard you comin'."
    "Thank you June," Michonne bowed her head slightly.
    "Any time," I smiled, "love proving Daryl wrong."
    "Didn't find him."
    My grin died as a huff escaped my lips.
    "Glad to see you in one piece," Daryl commented instead.
    "I'm thinking of looking over near Macon. It's worth a shot."
    "70 miles of walkers. You might run into a few unneighborly types. Is it?"
    "I can go with next time," I offered, "give her some cover, warnings of sounds?"
    "You were hurt last time Daryl and you rode back. That was only 20 miles from here," Rick pointed out.
    I huffed, "they got the jump on me only because Dixie here decided to scare the shit outta me earlier with a freaking fly swatter."
    "You freaked yourself out," Daryl stated, "I just happened to see it go down."
    I raised my hand to beat his head but Rick gave a quick low whistle. I huffed and lowered my hand and frowned.
    "Jackass..."
    "I'm gonna go check out the Big Spot. The one I was talking about, just seeing."
    "Yeah, I got to go out and check the snares," Rick stated, "I don't want to lose whatever we catch to the walkers."
    "I'll go," Michonne offered.
    "You just got here," Carl disappointingly called out.
    "And I'll be back."
    "She's in safe hands Carl," I smiled kindly.
    Carl grinned slightly, "yeah, I know. You'll be okay out there, right Ember?"
    "Smooth sailing pipsqueak."
    We started moving and Rick got the door for us. While on our drive, Daryl and I were bickering about the fly swatter. That's one thing we hadn't talked about since it happened, which was about two weeks ago.