Dixon's Daughters

part seven

We made it to my fathers' property, the door was flung open and there was not a soul in sight. I got out and ran into the house, just like I remember it: old carpet, dirty sofa, cigarette smell from Merle, booze all over the place again from Merle.

I understood why my mother didn't want us to live with him. I checked everywhere in the house, he wasn't there. I walked into his bedroom and sat on the bed.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see a glimmer coming from the closet. I slide off the bed and move over opening the closet, in a bag, there was a note and two other objects. I opened the note and it read:

Dear Natalia:

I'm sorry that I couldn't be there for your 18th birthday but I got you something, look in the bag.

I looked in the bag, there was a gun and a knife, the gun was gold with black detailing. I smiled and looked on the bottom of it, it had my nickname sunshine inscribed on the bottom I put in in my brown bag and picked up the knife, it was gold, with gold detailing and on the handle it had blue and white marble texture. Looking back at the note I read the rest of it.

I hope that you like your gifts, also I hope you forgive me for getting you sent to your mother.

Love, Uncle Merle.

I wiped the tear that slid down my cheek and stood up putting my backpack back on, I walked grabbed a few of my fathers' shirts before I went to the front door, looking out I motioned for everyone to come in. They walked in and set their stuff down by the front door. Rick looked at me and motioned to go to the other room so we can talk.

I walked into my dads' bedroom with him following, "What's wrong?" He asked and I shook my head, "We're staying here. I can't take, Presley or Grayson into the city." I said softly looking at Rick, he nodded understanding where I was coming from, Rick then said, "I'm leaving tomorrow at dawn, I'll go into the city and see how is," he paused before continuing to talk, "I need to find my family, so we'll meet again someday."

We finished talking and went back into the living room, I looked at Grayson and Presley, "Grayson, you can have the spare bedroom. Presley and I will take my room, Rick can take my fathers' room. 

Hours later we were all sitting around the dinner table talking and eating. I held Presley close to me and for a little bit, I forgot about how the world around me is. Rick said goodnight and went off to where he was sleeping, then Grayson was off to bed. I sat at the dining table and quietly singing 'Parting Glass' by Ed Sheeran to get Presley to sleep. As soon as I heard her small snores I stood up and walked to my bedroom laying her under the covers then, laying beside her and soon I fell asleep.

I shot awake when I felt a hand touch my shoulder, I looked over and saw rick. I sat up, "I just wanted to say bye." He whispered I nodded, "Be safe, stay alive and, find your family also don't forget about us," I said softly, he leaned down and hugged me then placed a picture of him and his family on my nightstand, then left. I heard the front door open then close. He took the spare car that my father had.

In the morning I woke up to Grayson saying my name, "Where's Rick?" He asked, I sat up and get out of bed walking out of the room. Grayson following behind me. "He left about 4 hours ago." I calmly stated, "He what!? Where did he go?" Grayson rushed out, "He went to find his family. He's going into the city, I didn't want to risk our lives to go into a city full of walkers."

"We need to go get him," Grayson said before continuing I shook my head cutting him off, "It's dangerous. I don't want you guys turning into what Mia turned into. We're staying here." I said her name with so much sadness in my voice, he looked hurt.

"Fine, we'll stay here." Grayson finally agreed with me.