A Survivor's Diary of the Apocalypse (TWD/Daryl Dixon)

S1Pt7 - Drinking Competition

The RV stopped and through the windshield we saw the building of the CDC. It was dusk and there were a few walkers around, but we didn't travel this far to stop now. We all got out of the vehicles and made our way to the front doors that were barricaded to keep everything out, or everyone in.
Rick started banging on the doors and we all called out for help.
"Please! Help us." Rick yelled. "We have women and children. Please."
We were ready to turn around and leave, there was too many walkers showing up.
"Rick we need to go. It's not safe." Shane tried to persuade.
I ran out to kill a couple walkers that were getting close, and Daryl killed one that was behind me with his crossbow. We nodded at each other and killed a couple more together.
"Wait." Rick said. "I saw the camera move."
We turned around and all watched the camera.
"Hurry up! They're getting too close." Daryl yelled.
"Please! Are you just going to let us die out here?!" Rick yelled one more time, but Shane pulled him away.
We all turned our backs when a bright light shined behind us and the doors opened. We automatically ran in and the doors closed behind us.
We were standing in the lobby of the CDC. There were no people, but it was clean.
"Put your weapons down and hands in the air and then I will come out." A voice over a loud speaker said.
We obeyed and put all our stuff on the floor and we saw a man enter the lobby through a hallway.
"I'm Doctor Edwin Jenner. Welcome to the Center for Disease Control." He said.
Rick walked up and shook his hand. "Thank you so much for letting us in."
"Of course." He said. "Now let me show you around."
He first led us to the living quarters where he explained that there were rooms, hot showers, and a library with a working TV.
"I'll give you guys some time to clean up. Meet me in the dining room when you're all done." He said.
"How do we know where to go?" Glenn asked.
"Just follow the signs." The doctor said and walked away.
We all split up to find our own rooms. I chose the farthest one and opened the door. There was a queen sized bed all made and everything was clean. The lights worked and the heater was on.
I put down my bags and weapons and sat on the bed. Bud jumped onto the bed and was spinning in circles and barking with excitement.
I walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower. I looked at myself in the mirror and saw I was a mess, and I couldn't help but laugh. I took my hair out of a ponytail and it was all tangled. There was dirt all over my body and some blood here and there. My clothes were stained with mud and blood. I also saw that there was now a small scar where Daryl cut me with his knife, and that reminded me that I still had it.
I got undressed and stepped into the shower. The water was hot but it felt so good. I washed all of the dirt and blood off of me and washed my hair probably a dozen times. And then I stood there, just stood there and thought.
"I miss them." I told myself and then shook my head. "Focus, Kelley. You need to stay strong... You have a new family now."
After probably half an hour I got out of the shower. I wrapped a towel around my body and walked out to my bag and grabbed a new pair of clothes, a fresh pair of jeans, t-shirt, my vest on top, and my same pair of combat boots. I was about to change when the door to my room opened. It was Daryl standing in the doorway and we stared at each other.
"Oh." He said and turned his head. "I'm sorry. I didn't know you were in this room." He said.
I just stood there and nodded and Daryl slowly looked at me. We stood there awkwardly for a second until he cleared his throat.
"You can go now." I said with a smirk.
He nodded quickly. "I should go." He said and left my room.
I turned around and looked at Bud. "What the fuck just happened?" I laughed.
Bud raised his ears and tilted his head at me. I then quickly got changed and brushed my hair. I leashed up Bud and we left my room.
By the time we got to the dining room, I noticed we were the last ones to show up. They all smiled at me and welcomed me to sit down. There was plenty of food, like a feast, and wine and alcohol for everyone. We all chatted over dinner and Dr. Jenner was just watching us. I asked Shane to pass the whiskey and everyone looked at me surprised.
"What? You think I can't handle my liquor?" I said and laughed.
"Oh this is gonna be fun." Shane smirked.
We all laughed and they started taunting me and placing bets.
"You boys done screwed up. I can out drink any of you." I said confidently.
"Oh yeah?" I heard Daryl say and held up two bottles of beer.
"You're so on." I said and grabbed a bottle from him.
"Whoever finishes first wins." Rick said.
"What do we get for winning?" Daryl asked.
"Bragging rights." I said and playfully poked his chest.
Everyone laughed and Rick started the countdown. "Ready? On three. One... Two... Three."
We started chugging our beers and from everyone's cheers I could tell it was a close call. Once I finished I slammed down my bottle and saw that Daryl was just about to finish his.
"Oh hell yeah!" I yelled and raised my hands. "I just beat your ass again Dixon." I laughed.
He smiled at me and everyone laughed at my comment. For the rest of the night we feasted, laughed, and drank until we couldn't anymore.
It was the end of the night and everyone started wandering back to their rooms. I was walking to mine when I noticed Daryl caught up with me.
"Hey Kell." He said. "You were pretty badass out there. Showing me up."
I smirked and turned to look at him. "Did you just give me a nickname?" I asked.
He smiled and nodded. We walked together to my room and lightly grabbed my arm.
"Kelley. I wanted to say I'm sorry." He said. "Sorry for how my brother treated you and how I did."
I just shrugged it off. "Don't worry. It's fine." I said.
He looked at my arm and touched the scar that he left me with when he cut me.
"It's not fine. It wasn't right." He said.
It was weird to me the see the way he was acting. I've never seen Daryl apologize for anything or not act tough. And at the moment he was being really kind and sincere.
"I think that's the alcohol talking." I said and laughed it off.
Before he could say anything else I put a finger up to his mouth and shushed him.
"It's seriously fine. I've dealt with worse than you or your brother." I said.
"But-" He began.
"That reminds me." I said and pulled out his knife. "I never gave this back to you."
I handed him the knife and he hesitated before grabbing it.
"Just don't threaten my dog or cut me again, and we'll be fine. Goodnight Daryl." I said and went into my room.
"Goodnight." I heard him say from the hallway and started walked away.
It may be because of the food, or the environment, or the alcohol, but I went to bed thinking about Daryl Dixon.