I'll Take The Pain (A Daryl Dixon Story)

Miss Nothing

"You know you're not coming, right?" Daryl asked as he checked the engine in the RV. I let out a yawn as I said, "I am coming."

"That's the 4th yawn in 5 minutes. You haven't slept," Daryl said, standing up. I huffed and said, "I'll sleep in the RV. I'll be fine. You're gonna need someone like me if you wanna make sure a deal gets hammered out."

Daryl sighed and said, "Please don't argue."

"Then don't fight it. I'm coming," I said. I picked up my bow from where it was leaned up against the RV and I knocked an arrow saying, "Give me a target, guarantee I'll hit it bullseye."

Daryl sighed and said, "The tree behind the bushes. Get it right between the first branch up and the second one up."

I nodded and I shot the arrow, hitting my mark, "Boom. Right where you told me. I'm going."

Daryl huffed and said, "Fine. Get in the RV. I don't wanna hear another word from you until we get there."

"Aye aye, captain," I said and I went to grab my arrow before getting into the RV. I saw Denise walk over to Daryl and hand him something, which he ended up putting in his pocket after a bit of talking. After about 10 minutes of prep, I heard Abraham outside the RV say, "Let's chew up some asphalt."

Everyone piled into the RV, Daryl walking in last as he closed the door. The redneck then sat next to me and wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close as he mumbled, "You best get some rest."

I nodded and leaned my head on his shoulder, closing my eyes, soon falling into a light sleep. I was soon woken up when Daryl said, "Yo, Rick. What's going on?"

I opened my eyes and sat up, stretching a bit as Rick answered, "We got a crash ahead. Looks like it just happened."

I looked out the front window and saw a car that was turned on its side with walkers trapped in or under it. Jesus then jumped up and said, "It's one of ours."

Rick stopped the RV and we all piled out. I made my way towards the crash site and looked over it and said, "Blood's fresh but they've all turned. Happened maybe in the last half hour or so."

Rick then pointed his gun at Jesus and said, "If this is a trick, it won't end well for you."

"My people are in trouble. They don't- we don't have a lot of fighters. I know how it looks, but I'll play it out. Can I borrow a gun?" Jesus said. Daryl walked over, handing me my bow as he said, "No."

Daryl looked at the ground and motioned to Rick saying, "We got tracks right here."

We followed the tracks to a building and Rick went straight to the door, pointing his gun through the glass on the door as he banged on it. He waited for a second in silence when Jesus said, "They gotta be in there."

I looked at Jesus as I put my bow on my back, resting my hand on the hilt of my knife. Abraham looked at Jesus, then back at Rick asking, "We moving in or what?"

Daryl moved away from me, walking around Jesus towards Rick saying, "How do we know this ain't firecrackers in a trash can?"

"You don't," Jesus answered. I looked at Rick as he said, "We'll get your people. You're staying here with one of us."

Jesus looked back at Michonne, who just told him, "That's the deal."

I heard Glenn ask Maggie if she would stay, which she agreed to before she told us, "Y'all go. Just be careful."

Rick put handcuffs on Jesus saying, "Yeah. We're gonna be careful."

"Just hurry," Jesus said, not fighting against the restraints. I sighed and pulled out my knife, walking towards the door, just to be stopped by Daryl. I gave him a look and said, "You are not benching me now. I had my nap, I'm fine. I already proved I can still protect myself."