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havin-fun-imagining-twd · 3 months

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Shame on a plate

Happy St. Patrick's Day, slowpokes!

When -- several minutes after Stuck in a damn bed. , after Shane blew up, and you found out that not only Dale, but Maggie saw, too.

What -- Sophia's still missing, Daryl and Carl have one more day in the house on bed rest, and you're dealing with the aftermath of your big brother Shane's actions in the previous chapter and the fact that others saw. The biggest thing you feel is shame.

Relationships -- Found family you and the gang! Lol, always a slow burn Daryl x Reader, there's also some platonic Glenn, brotherly Rick, and Maggie gets protective her new friend (you), and Papa Dale is there

Perspective -- 2nd You, 3rd Daryl

Pronouns -- none

TWs -- other than the hideous screenshot above, there's some language and discussion of abusive patterns and behaviors

How long is it? -- around 4,000 words

Masterlist -- Official one here and Chronological one here

In this chapter, Reader is struggling with shame, guilt and confusion over how Shane treated them at the end of the previous chapter.

Remember, being hurt by a loved one is not okay. If they are hurting you, they are doing something bad to you. Abuse is not earned or deserved. You are worthy of being safe and unhurt.

For help getting safe, you can call the Domestic Violence Hotline (USA) at 800-799-7233, chat online, or text START to 88788.

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“No, nothin’ like it before, ever.”

Her fingers tap tap tapped against the book in her hands. “I don’t like it. Daddy’s been uncomfortable around him, then I see this happen.”

You twisted your mouth. “It was an argument between siblings.”

“If it was an argument, then why didn’t I see you arguin’ back?”

Stupid, stupid idiot. It kept playing in your head, that refrain. It had a different spin than it did at first. See, at first, your brain repeated it because you’d given yourself fault for what happened, how Shane just…you don’t know what happened. But he behaved very badly.

But then, the refrain kept repeating over and over because you didn’t walk away or fight back when Shane started hurti acting like he did.

You did nothing.

It was the one thing you were not supposed to do. The thing Shane and your Mama always warned you never to do when things got scary. The thing Shane had literally just gotten done practicing with you so that you’d know even more than you already know about how and when to fight back.

All that effort and still, you froze.

Stupid, stupid idiot. You stupid, stupid idiot.

You had to clear your throat. “Beth didn’t see, too, right? Just you?” you hushed. The girl was already timid and uneasy about your group, If she saw what happened, it was the nail in the coffin if you couldn’t fix this.

“No, I was the only one by the window.”

“So he wasn’t too loud, then.” Which meant only Margaret and Dale knew. Your shoulders felt lighter.

“Y/N,” Maggie said to you. “You seem more concerned with others not seein’ what went on.”

“Well, yeah, I’m worried they’d overreact.”

She tilted her chin up and placed her hands on her hips. “Oh, is that what I’m doing? Was my comin’ to check on you an overreaction?”

“No, no, not at all!” you quickly apologized. “Not at all! I’m, I’m happy you care enough.”

“You’re a good person and you’re my friend, which is why I don’t want to tiptoe around this. What your brother just did was bad. You know that was abusive, right?”

Maybe scoffing at her heartfelt, caring statement wasn’t your best idea, but 'abusive' was such a strong word…right? “He’s my brother, and it was a one-off, I done told you.”

“I’m not sure I believe it when you say that,” she next had the audacity to claim. “You haven’t even been makin’ eye contact with me.”

Oh, you want eye contact? I’ll give you eye contact, bitch.

Your inner tea kettle was shrieking to be taken off the burner, and you could not have cared less. “You callin’ me a liar? Calling my brother an abuser? Rich words from someone I’ve barely known two weeks!”

Before any more was said, Dale inserted himself into the conversation, the thing he said he wouldn’t do. “If you want to keep your conversation private, I suggest not raising your voices.”

Maggie’s arms were crossed. She stared hard at you, but spoke calmly. “Sometimes when things are unhealthy, those looking in from the outside can see it better. And I know what I saw.”

“A sibling fight,” you whispered as gently as you could, feeling so heated. “You, you, y-you saw a sibling fight, those can get nasty.” She’s wrong, she’s wrong, she’s not, she’s not.

“You know what? I don’t have time for your pushback if you don’t have time to consider what somebody who’s concerned about you says, Y/N.”

More shame was added to your plate.

Her leaving shouldn’t have felt so awful, but it did. You covered your eyes and exhaled, as if that would help get rid of the worst of it. You then told God how much you hated this, immediately followed by the opposite, as you cursed yourself a little more, why not? You stupid, stupid idiot.

Not only did you disappoint (and insult) your new friend, but you worried it was another strike against your group. Lori and Carl need this place, it’s safe, it’s good, it’s — you stupid, stupid idiot!

But just like that, Maggie then called your name again as Dale was stepping toward you. You turned to see her facing you once more, no longer walking away.

“If this was a dating situation, what would you think about how he behaved, what he did?” she challenged.

As unfair as you thought the comparison was, the answer hit you in the face. Pun not intended, shit, um… at any rate, having Dale close by helped to ease you into the checkmate that Margaret just finished you with.

You hated your answer.

Because if you saw Shane behaving toward a romantic partner the same way he just behaved with you, you know exactly what you’d think and how you’d react. It wouldn’t be a gray situation, it would be black and white.

More shame for the plate. More guilt. More unease, more dread.

Eyes to the grass, you swallowed your pride. “I’d see it the way you see it.”

Maggie shifted her weight from the right to left, then back again, uncertain. “Will you tell Rick?”

You hesitated, too. After all, you’re an adult. You could be married with children at your age, you couldn’t just—“Tattle that Shane…got huffy, lost his cool?”

“Don’t oversimplify, kiddo, you’re smarter than that,” Dale muttered. He and Shane don’t get on (zero idea why, since Dale and you get on so well!) so this is just more bad press against your brother and more shame for your plate.

“But it’s, it’s not that dramatic, none of this has to be dramatic,” you insisted.

Dale answered again. “Then talking to Rick about it shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Rick’s family,” Maggie agreed. “So, he’s seems like the best person to help.”

A child in a grown-up’s body is what you felt like. Helpless, naïve, clueless. You stupid, stupid idiot.

They were right, though, Rick could fix this, he could talk to Shane, figure out what that was. And even better — agreeing with Maggie and Dale would get them off your back! For real, what were they doing, an intervention? Because Shaney poked you a little, gave you a little push?

The words felt sinful, but you said them anyway.“I-I’ll, um, I’ll talk to him. I’ll talk to Rick.” And, of course, you were then obligated because you despise dishonesty.

Maggie nodded, then put her thumbs in her pockets. Dale nodded and looked at the two of you, then all around. It was very uncomfortable.

It would be nice if instead of real life, this was a TV show or book, you remember thinking. The audience isn’t usually shown the awkward parts in TV or books, would be a waste of time.

“Y/N,” Maggie spoke, breaking the silence. “We have a raspberry thicket by the south-facing property line.” She pointed in the direction. “Completely overgrown. I’m gonna go back in, finish what I was doin’, but let’s go pick some together later, okay? I’ll come find you in a little while?” She smiled hopefully at you, with some pity thrown in.

Returning the smile, you hoped it made you look put-together and self-aware and confident instead of the shameful, idiotic mess you felt like. “That sounds delicious.”

The moment ended, and she went back toward the house. You heard the door open and clack shut again. A desk onto which you could slam you head would be nice, you remembered thinking.

Instead of a desk, though, Dale put a gentle hand on your shoulder.

He sighed. “Alright, troublemaker. Walk with me? We don’t have to talk, let’s enjoy the sunset awhile.”

Not two steps later, and he apologized for his timing in using the nickname that one month ago he’d christened you with. “And Y/N? What Shane did isn’t your fault.”

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Him

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Today marks one week of being stuck in this bed. Day 7.

He’d failed, that’s it. A weak-ass pussy dipshit who’d failed, and was still stuck in a damned bed after a full week.

Tomorrow, Patricia said he’d be cleared to move out. Not that it mattered much, he still couldn’t do enough to be useful. Not that he wouldn’t; he couldn’t. He’d still be on bed rest.

But hey, at least he’d be able to walk to the woods to find a place to squat and shit by himself now, right? Not even too sarcastic, it would be a step up from feeling like a total invalid.

Carol and Lori were doing a special dinner and cleaning up for the family here to try and thank them for everything. Daryl would just…lay in his bed, he figured. Except, all three of those clucking hens that he wished would stop preening him, Patricia, Carol, and Y/N, kept offering to help him eat with everyone else like they was all some big, happy, family.

This time, it wasn’t that he couldn’t; he wouldn’t. He didn’t want to face them all, not yet, it was too much. He could only take a certain level of shame, and his plate was already full.

The saving grace this past week that stopped him from drowning in his shame was his not seeing the whole kit and kaboodle of them in one sitting. Rick had told him a little over a week ago how it was no problem if Daryl left. Just Daryl, he’s pretty sure nobody else got that little talk.

He’d chosen to stay because of Sophia and Y/N. Sophia needed finding. Still does.

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You

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Carl is the kind of kid who’s double-digits, yet understands when his mother needs her baby again. Lori had snuggled with him on the bed, and both were sound asleep. Not even you knocking on the door or the door being opened/shut woke them.

Which must be why last night, Rick took the opportunity to bring up what Shane did, right there in the room.

It was a blessing that you didn’t end up having to do the hardest part, bringing it up, you suppose. Shane himself had done it for you. All you had to do was fill in the blanks.

“Said he lost control, acted a certain way,” Rick murmured. “What’d that look like?”

You didn’t want to describe it, it’d sound bad… “Shane didn’t say?”

“I’m interested in what you say.”

“Ah, you want to maintain ‘eyewitness sequeskra — eesh, that’s hard to pronounce. Se-quest-ra-tion?”

Rick did that raised brow squint thing he makes when he’s teasing, as if maybe he was about to call you ‘weirdo.’ But then, his expression faded back to serious and he spoke your name. “We both know he hasn’t been himself. What did that look like today?”

Casually, you told him about the way Shane had gotten intimidating. “You know how he’d talk when he needed to do ‘bad cop,’ it was, it was kinda like that.”

“Anything physical?”

Casually, you mentioned the jabs. “He was pokin’, like, with his pointer finger — and he’s strong, so.”

“Right there?” Rick asked, pointing to his sternum in mimic of how you’d gestured.

“Yeah.”

“Do you have a bruise?”

Your neck tightened.

Maggie had spotted it when you were berry picking. One had fallen down your shirt, so you’d pulled the fabric forward and down to retrieve it, and she (and you) saw the bruise forming. You stupid, stupid idiot.

It was fine, it wasn’t a big deal. Bruises happen.

Casually, you joked to Rick, “I get bruises from random shit all the time.”

He didn’t smile.

It actually lessened the shame, rather than adding more. You were grateful.

Continuing, he questioned, “He told me about that collarbone grab, and how he went like this?” And when he motioned with his hand, slowly pretending to clap it against the side of your head, you felt your cheeks heat.

“Once.” The insult he’d smacked you with at the same time hurt more, to be honest. Which…made it all click that what Shane did wasn’t as small a deal as you’d been thinking. Mouth shut, you licked your teeth and stared into space. “Did it to himself first, way more than once.”

Rick watched his wife and son sleeping on the bed and asked nothing more for a few minutes.

You picked at the string that stuck out of your arm wrap, feeling stupid, stupid, stupid, shameful, stupid. Per usual, then you missed your mom—and out of nowhere got swept by that flash flood of resentment toward Rick again.

Shane and you had left your mother alone to scope out the latest at the hospital, to figure out how to get Rick safely out without him decompensating. While you two were gone, what happened happened. Sometimes, you assign blame to Rick for it, as if comatose Rick was the reason your ma got killed. Sometimes, you assign her dying to Shane’s change in character, as if that made it better, gave it an excuse.

Grief gets sticky like that.

“Is that all, or is there any more?”

“He went like this,” you mumbled, and grabbed the neck of your shirt like Shane had. “That’s it, all the dirt. Happy?”

“Y/N.”

“…Sorry.”

“I know this wasn’t easy. Thank you,” he told you, putting his arm on your shoulder. You didn’t want it there, so you moved away. Rick was patient, not reacting a bit.

That was last night. This morning felt pretty normal when you woke up. Carol had shared your tent again. Shane was off in his, so you didn’t see him.

Coffee in hand, you were in in the middle of coaxing one of the pullets to waddle toward you by holding out dandelion leaves when Glenn came to see you. You’d figured he wanted to feed the baby chickens, too, or, even better, that there was good news about Maggie. (She likes him!, she told you herself the other day. She just isn’t telling, you know, Glenn himself just yet.)

“Y/N? How are you?”

“I’m warmed up good with my coffee, how about you? Sleep well?” You kept your smile in when you asked, “Talk to Maggie today?”

“Yeah, yeah, I slept fine, yeah, but, um—you’re like, okay, though?”

A flutter of dread. “Glenn, what’s up?”

“What did Shane do to you yesterday? I heard him—”

“—What did you hear, and from whom?” reverberated from the back of your throat as if it were a growl.

“Dude, chill. I’m trying to see if you’re okay.”

The way you tried to keep your voice calm ended up sounding snotty and insincere. Most likely because you were feeling very insincere. How many people saw or heard about what happened? Naked, you felt so naked and exposed! “Where. Did. You. Hear about it?”

“I heard your brother talking to Rick.”

The twist in your gut eased. “Okay, um, um — what did he, w-what, um, what did he, what did he say?” And how did you hear, do they know you heard?”

“I had the headphones in, but the battery died on your mp3 while I was going to the bathroom—”

“—Daryl has the mp3,” you thought aloud.

“He let T-Dog borrow it, who let me borrow it. I-I ate something that didn’t agree with me, so…”

Oh my ffing — “Did you sanitize it when you were done?”

“Dabbed it with hand sanitizer, yeah. Oh, also, Shane asked me to ask you if he could borrow it once it was charged again.” Glenn scratched his neck. “I told him it was on really low battery.”

You swallowed.“So he did see you?”

“He and Rick saw me with the earbuds on and I acted surprised to see them.Shane asked if he could borrow it, I told him it needed to be charged, um, hey, I can see it in your face that you’re worried, please don’t be! Shane believed me,” he assured you. “Trust me, he doesn’t know I heard him. I don’t lie, Y/N, you know that.”

“I do,” you admitted, nodding.

“Anyway, I was walking back from the woods and heard Shane and Rick talking. I figured it was about Sophia, but when I overheard something Shane said, I stopped and listened.” Glenn bent his head down and shuffled his feet. “He said that he messed up, like, snapped. Told Rick that he needed to talk to you and be on your side with whatever you told him. Y/N, he said that he,” your friend lowered to a whisper, “hurt you? Like literally ‘hurt’ you, like, did he hit you?”

You smiled to put him at ease, holding up your hands. “He poked me a little and clapped an ear, weren’t hardly no thing.” Y/N, you stupid, stupid, idiot.

It was probably good that he looked so disappointed and cautious, even if it didn’t feel good to see it in his eyes at the time. “Y/N, don’t…joke about this stuff,” he began. “Why would Shane would have gone to Rick in private if it wasn’t serious?”

“’Cause he’s a drama-king.” You made it sound almost like you were patronizing Glenn, the way you said it.

“No. No, this isn’t ‘no thing,’ you literally just confessed he did hit you — does Rick know about that, too? Shane mentioned something about a collarbone, grabbing your shirt, and shoving you, which is also not ‘no thing.’”

As he was speaking, you’d felt more and more defensive and naked and ashamed. You even had to beat down the urge you had to grab his shirt and shove him back, and prove it wasn’t a big deal!

Then, you considered how he’d take it. The look on his face, at a friend doing that to him. How you’d feel about yourself if you did that. How you’d feel if you saw somebody else do that to him or somebody else. A whole lot of rapid thoughts in the several moments where you figured out a way to respond.

The explanation you made was something you’d tried on everyone so far. “We’re siblings. Stuff like that is normal — did you never see your sisters go at it?”

“No, it’s not! And if it is, it shouldn’t be! Dude, if you saw me,” he countered, speaking louder than you’d heard him make since he cried that the bodies of those at the quarry camp weren’t going to be burned with the walkers. “Doing whatever Shane did with you to one of my younger sisters, what would you think of me? How would you react?”

Glenn’s strong emotional response wasn’t expected, so you stood there, dumb. And you knew exactly how you’d react if you saw him doing to his sisters what Shane did.

And yet, you’re still unsure if everyone else is overreacting because it sounded bad or because it actually was.

Either way, Glenn’s question raised your white flag for you. You surrendered, bowing you head in shame and covering your face with your free hand.

“Glenn, there are three other people who know. Four, if you count Shane.” With your injured arm still secured by the upper arm to your torso, you pointed at him. “Dale, Maggie, and Rick know. Which means already there are three others who know. Now, Glenn, don’t go spreadin’ this business any further, hear?”

You didn’t sound half as intimidating as the words may look, mostly you sounded defeated. Ashamed. “Talk to any one of them, talk to me, but do not breathe a word to, to anybody else or around anybody else.”

This is the part where you started to get a little weepy. “And Lori, she don’t need to know about this right now, she don’t need the stress, and not a word around my Carl, oh my gosh, not him.” This is the part where you got a little beg-gy. “Please. It, it ain’t a bad secret because those that need to know, know. Okay?”

The gavel was brought down when he said, “The way you’re scared of the others finding out makes it seem like a bad one.” He was right. Is right.

He then clasped his hands together. “Listen: I wasn’t about to tell anyone else, since Rick knows. Shane told him himself, dude, and I trust Rick. But, if it was a different case,” he went on, and shook his head as if he was telling you that all bets would be off. “Y/N, remember when Ed was around? How that felt? Dude, you literally threw yourself on him when you saw him hurt Carol.”

The comparison of your brother to Ed Peletier stung and wasn’t fair. And did Glenn forget what Shane did to Ed, to? “Glenn, that ain’t equivalent by any stretch.”

“Maybe not,” he accepted. “But just because it could be worse doesn’t make it not bad. Stuff like this starts small.”

“I know,” you whispered.

You raised the white flag higher, half with the plea that this would be over faster if you did. Lord above, you felt so small, stupid, and defenseless. “You’re right,” you ceded, your gaze reaching no higher than Glenn’s belly. “You’re right. And like you said, it’s, it’s b-bein’ handled, Rick’s got it.” Ugh, stress stutter. “And Shane did a much better job than me when he saw what Ed did, don’t leave out that part.”

“He did. That almost worries me more. Just — if anything like this happens again, or if it starts to feel the same, like — ” He raised his hands. “You’re my best friend. That means I’m on your team. Okay? Even if you end up hating me for it.” He then started to leave, give you some space. “We’re on the same search team today, too. Meet by the mailbox by 9:00, it’s in like 40 minutes.”

“Hey, wait,” you called, not wanting to look him in the eye yet but doing it anyway. And you forced the words out because they were true. “Th-thank you.”

He breathed out heavily and made an awkward (but real) smile.“I love you, dude.”

“I love you, too, man. You’re my best friend.”

The uncomfortable, clumsy encounter with Glenn left you feeling more ashamed than you already were. With Daryl, that day where you’d felt as if your very soul had been stripped bare, the vulnerability hadn’t felt shameful afterward. What you’d felt was so close, unbearably close, it was strange.

But yesterday evening and this morning, the vulnerability sucked, dude. And you’d been stuck in a cycle of shame, anger, and feeling stupid, but without those feelings going away once the truth let out.

The good thing was, the target of your anger began to change during the conversation with Glenn. You weren’t thinking stupid, stupid idiot about yourself anymore, no, it became directed at Shane. The one whose blowing up made this mess. Your view of the mess also became clearer. What happened wasn’t just one sibling bullying a little on the other and it getting out-of-hand it was…it wasn’t something to brush aside, you’ll say that. And you’re scared, you’ll say that, too.

But what you were supposed to do with all of it, that still wasn’t clear.

Still isn’t. Because sooner than later, Shane will know about the baby. Sooner rather than later, the situation with Sophia will end. Sooner rather than later, that little power struggle you’re seeing between him and Rick will come to a head.

Nope. You have no idea what to do and all you feel is shame about it.

Speaking of, Daryl’s been feeling ashamed, too, it’s kinda obvious when you look and talk to the guy. He thinks that because he’s bedbound, he’s useless. Might as well pop in before you go on the search this morning, you’ve got like 15 minutes until then.

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Him

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“Last day in this fine establishment, enjoy it while you can,” Y/N joked.

Yeah, so, he wasn’t in a joking mood and didn’t get why Y/N would be, either. An entire week in this ‘establishment’ was damned shameful. All because he stole (worse, Y/N had told him more than once not to do it) borrowed a horse that got spooked. A dumbass slip and fall. Twice.

If Sophia wasn’t found, it was on his hands.

“Did Carol convince you to come to dinner, yet? Or are you still feelin’ too poorly?”

“Just stop.” He wanted to be left alone, was that so fucking complicated?

And he wanted out of this fucking bed, out of this room, out of this house, off this shit farm, and away from this whole gaggle of dumb fucks.

He wanted Merle back. He wanted Uncle Jesse back.

…He just wanted Sophia back. He'd even prayed about it.

“Sorry, little man, not now. Yeah, nah, he needs some privacy and quiet,” Daryl then heard from out in the hallway.

The door was already closed. He didn’t even hear it shut.

“No, his head is still okay, Carl, his cognition is prolly better than the two of us put together. The man’s healin’ well, thanks be to God,” Y/N cheerfully chirped like a songbird. "Wanna visit the baby chicks again?"

More shame slithered on over, hissing at him for how he’d been a dick to Y/N, of all people.

Daryl tried to rub his chest to get rid of the tugging feeling in Y/N’s direction while trying to shut up the voice in his head that was screaming for a goddamn cigarette so he could smoke and dig the lit end into his skin.

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You

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So, that was a bust. Daryl kinda snapped at you. It sucked. Felt really awful, not gonna lie. First your brother, now the mangy hick.

Come to think of it, it's actually more on brand for Daryl to have done that, given you literally just referred to him as ‘mangy hick.’

Ugh, you wanna cry again. You wanna run back to Dale the way a little kid runs to their dad. Maybe this time you'd also run into a desk to slam your head against on the way?

Later would have to suffice for finding that desk, however, because now, there’s work to do.

“Aight, let’s roll. We’re headin’ south, looking around a small neighborhood. Tomorrow, Shane and Andrea will be hitting what we don’t cover,” T-Dog announces. “Ready to head out, y’all?”

“Head on back to your ma, okay?” you tell Carl, pecking a kiss on his head and patting your finger along the chick he's still carrying. Carl had walked you to the mailbox, it's his third and probably last ‘big trip’ of the day. He’s wearing Shane’s police baseball hat. “See you later, punk, I love you."

“Yeah, man, all set. Bye, Carl.” Glenn stands up from his crouched position by the mailbox where he was waiting.

You adjust the first aid kit in your backpack, then ease it on and snap the chest clip in place. “Ready, Teddy.”

T-Dog rubs his hands together. “Then let’s roll. See if we can’t bring Sophia back for this big dinner her mama’s got planned tonight.”

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-> Masterlist link here <-

and our teeny tiny taglist :D

@spenciepoo338 ; @its-freaking-bats ; @whistlesalot ; @buffy-the-assbutt-slayer ; @dreamingaboutthewonderland ; @kwazii-kat ; @darylsmavis ; @outlanderhornet22 ; @battinsonrobs ; @dontputyourfckingdrinkonmytable ; @writingmybeloved ; @boomergirl123 ; @iheartathena0 ; @moonliight-luv ; @suniloli ; @supernaturalgirl02 ; @cnake-garden ; @daryldixmedown ; @sophehe ; @crashlyrose ; @virgo-sunflower920 ; @jennythe ; @theficbaker ; @vampireautism ; @rosetta196 ; @wifeof-barnes

(inbox is open if you would like on or off the taglist, slowpokes. Please don’t feel bad or nervous if you don’t want to be tagged anymore, just let me know in the inbox! We’re all friends here and your comfort level matters)

53 notes · View notes

hiro--aoki · 2 months

Text

TWD Incorrect Quotes from my classmates

Tw: contains swear words, mention of sex, use of slut and maybe some other offense things, idk

Michonne: Because your minds are still developing you want to….

Y/N: Do drugs!

Michonne: Take more risks…

Y/N: Nah…

Michonne: A risk is any unsafe action or stupid, thoughtless and careless behaviour.

Carl to Y/N: Literally me.

*Coughs that sound like an erupting volcano*

Abraham: My tummy hurts.

Michonne: Can you name three risks?

Merle: Sex with no protection!

Carl: A gun with no safety on!

Y/N: Having a forehead as big as Merle’s!

Deanna: So, we have codes A, C and D.

Rick: Why not code B? Where’s the B????

Aaron: B-cause.

Glenn: You should b- ashamed of yourself…. I’m not funny

Maggie: You’re not funny

Deanna: So, code A stands for….?

Daryl: Ass!

Eugene: Acceptable!

Aaron: Yeah *fistbump*

Y/N: Nerd!

Deanna: What about code C?

Maggie: Coffee.

Eugene: Calculated!

Deanna: Yes! How about code D?

Abraham: Deez nuts!

Sasha: Dangerous!

Carol: Destructive!

Deanna: Yeah! You guys concern me!

Y/N: Ron, shut up you acoustic monk.

Glenn: Guys I accidentally wrote relationhips instead of relationships.

Carl: Y/N, has relationhips.

Y/N: What’s that supposed to mean?!?!

Y/N: Carl, has a shirt that says ‘ Roblox is life’ shirt, and he said it suits me.

Negan: Feel how soft my water bottle is.

Simon: Stop stroking your water bottle like that!

Michonne: What’s something that was legal, but was a destructive decision?

Merle: Weed!

Enid: I wanna jump off a cliff.

Y/N: I wanna kiss a 12 gauge.

Enid: My dad jumped out of a plane without a parachute…

Carl: My dad is a plane.

Andrea: My butt hurts.

Dale: *Gives strange look*

Andrea: You’re looking at me like you wanna fuck me.

Dale: What?

Shane: Ha!

Dale: No, I actually didn’t hear.

Amy: Real.

Negan: Did you wash your ass today?

Michonne: So, tell me an example of a safety risk?

Merle: Your mom

Michonne: …and some conatin cannabis

Judith: These gummies tastes funny.

*Watching a budget direct ad and Captain Risky comes on*

Jesus: Smash

Ron: Bro’s him

Daryl: I mean he has all the skills

Carl: Bluds the main character

Y/N: You look like a potato

Dwight: You look like a trash can

Y/N: Nuh uh

Dwight: Yeah uh

Negan: Dwight, keep working *Lightly caresses the shovel Dwight’s hand*

Y/N: Stop!

Dwight: Stop it I don’t like it!

Y/N: Yes, we are Sluts

Rosita: Sexy Ladies Under Tonnes of Stress

Y/N: I can’t make a decision that big, I can’t even tie my own shoes!

Enid: Please tell me you’re joking.

Y/N: I’m not, I tie them like a three-year old! Let me show you!

Enid: No, no thanks…

Y/N: Watch my feet! Watch my shoes. *Ties laces with two loops*

Enid: Ew *visibly cringes*

Carl: …I just asked if you wanted pancakes or waffles….

Glenn: Look how much funny shit we said today.

Daryl: I can’t it’s too black

Glenn: Ayo?

Daryl: I meant too dark!

Y/N: Nah!

*Glenn adjusts lighting*

Daryl: Now it’s too white!

Y/N: !!!

Daryl: Too bright! Too bright!

Negan: BALLS

Y/N: Gotta rizz ‘em with the ‘tism

Negan: I’m a Savior….save ya mom!

*Carl and Ron carrying a log*

Enid: For a second I thought that was in their ass’s

Y/N: I want them up my ass

Enid: What?

Y/N: What?

*Truck passes*

Daryl: Awww yeah, listen to tha’

Y/N: I can smell the air…

Daryl: No shit, sherlock!

Glenn: Don’t judge a book by it’s-

Eugene: Erm actually, it’s in the human instincts system, for us to make a quick judgement on a person appearance to determine whether they are friend or foe.

Y/N: Oooh, did I appear friend or foe when you first saw me?

Eugene: Well, when I first encountered you, you looked like you couldn’t hurt a fly, but since then, I have realised my mistake and have grown scared of you.

Rosita: He’s scared of everything…

Eugene: Not pickles!

Beth: What song do you wear?

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polls4u · 23 days

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final-girl96 · 6 months

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Broken World: Chapter Eighteen

"Oh, calm down, Dixon.” I pulled a shirt on and a pair of sweats. “There I'm fully clothed.” I pulled a pair of clean socks out of my duffle and sat on the couch. It's funny, I have a ton of underwear and socks but only have five shorts and three pairs of pants. My closet at my apartment is full of clothes, but I only grabbed a few things then practically shoved my whole sock and underwear drawer in my bag. I also only grabbed two regular bras and like five sports bras. Of course, at some point I will only end up with everything. “I'm going to check out that wreck room real quick, see if there are any good books.”

Daryl hummed and took a swig from the bottle in his hand. I stood up and started for the door. With my hand on the handle I paused. “Hey, Daryl?” I waited for a response, not turning around. I heard a grunt of acknowledgement. “I'm sorry.” I turned my head, making eye contact with him. A look of confusion washed over his face. He opened his mouth to say something but I walked out of the room before he could.

I walked down the hall, passing Lori, who had her head down and was walling fast. I caught sight of a couple tears running down her face when she lifted her head just a fraction. “Lori, are you alright?” I asked. She stopped in her tracks, straightened up, and whipped her cheeks. She had her back to me when she said, “yeah.” Turned around and gave me a weak smile. “It's just been a little overwhelming these past couple days with Rick coming back losing Jim and Amy, along with others. I'm grateful Jenner let us in here. We can be safe here.”

I noticed how she was a little shaky. Her hands and voice trembled and she looked distraught. I didn't say anything though and just nodded. “Yeah, hopefully this place is good.” I didn't want to say that we weren't going to be here long. That the clock in the great room was counting down. It was probably counting down to the end of this place. There was no way this building could keep going for long. It was designed to keep very dangerous diseases from getting out into the world. Disease that could be weaponized. They wouldn't let that happen even in an event like the one we're currently battling.

I said my good night's to Lori and headed to the wreck room. I was looking at the books when the door opened. “Lori?” I turned my head to see Shane standing by the door. “She went to bed,” I told him. He looked me up and down, leaned on the door and smirked. He was clearly very drunk and I was starting to wonder if he was the real reason behind Lori's tears. I wouldn't be afraid to bet he was, seeing as I started feeling very uneasy when he moved further into the room. I decided to ditch the books and just head back to the room. “Well, I'm going to bed,” I said, walking around the opposite side of the pool table from where Shane stood.

I didn't even make it to the door before he quickly moved to stand in front of me. “Wow. Wow. Hold on there. How about we get to know each other better.” I stepped back from him when he reached out his hand to touch me. “Yeah, I'd rather not. Now if you'll excuse me.” His hand caught my upper arm as I went to walk past him. “Come on now, don't be like that.” His grip tightened on my arm when I tried to pull away. “Let…go…of…me!” I yanked my arm free, stepped away from him moving closer to the door. “Don't ever put your hands on me or anyone else ever again. I won't hesitate to put you down.” When I got back to the room Daryl was passed out on the couch. I walked in quietly, locked the door behind me, and laid down, quickly falling asleep.

The next morning I woke up to an empty room. I groaned as I stretched my body out on the cot. I will admit that I haven't gotten a good night's sleep since this shit show happened. Staring up at the ceiling I sighed and rubbed my hands over my face then reluctantly sat up. I got dressed and headed to the dining area, where I found everyone else eating breakfast. T-dog handed me a plate with eggs, bacon and toast. I thanked him and sat down beside Glenn, who groaned and held his head In his hands. “I'm never drinking again,” he mumbled. I patted him on the back with a chuckle and took a bite of eggs. Five minutes later Rick walked in and Lori handed him a bottle of aspirin.

Shortly after that Shane walked in. I hadn't noticed last night but he had a scratch mark on his neck. Rick asked him about it and he gave the excuse of he must have done it in his sleep. He looked at Lori when he agreed with Rick that it wasn't like him to do that. This just confirmed what I had suspected last night; he was the cause of Lori's tears. Everyone ate their breakfast until Dale looked At Jenner and spoke. “Doctor, I don't mean to slam you with questions first thing…” he said. “But you will anyway.” Before Dale could ask anything Ansrea jumped in, “We didn't come here for the eggs.” He looked around at everyone, sighed, and told us to follow him.

We were led to the big room and the lights flickered on as we entered. “Give me playback of TS-19,” Jenner said, walking towards the large monitor in the wall. Vi, the virtual intelligence spoke up, “Playback of TS-19.” A few beeps sounded and the screen lit up. A scan of a person showed up on the screen and Jenner looked up at it. Everyone spread out and looked from him to the screen. “Few people ever got a chance to see this. Very few,” he said. “Is that a brain?” Carl asked in amazement. “An extraordinary one. Not that it matters in the end,” Jenner told him, mumbling the last part. “Take us in for E.I.V..”

Vi listened, saying, “Enhanced internal view.” Then she changed the screen. “What are those lights?” Lori asked. Jenner looked back at her for a second before giving his attention back to the screen. “It's a person's life... experiences, memories. It's everything. Somewhere in all that organic wiring, all those ripples of light, is you... the thing that makes you unique. And human.” Daryl scoffed, “You don't make sense ever.” I rolled my eyes and looked at him. “Those are synapses, electric impulses in the brain that carry all the messages. They determine everything a person says, does or thinks from the moment of birth to the moment of death,” Jenner continued.

“Death? That's what this is, a vigil?” Lori asked. “Yes. Or rather the playback of the vigil,” he clarified. “This person died? Who?” Andrea asked. Jenner looked at the monitor and was silent for a few seconds. “Test subject 19. Someone who was bitten and infected... And volunteered to have us record the process. Vi, scan forward to the first event.”

“Scanning to first event,” she said and a new image showed up. We watched as the lights slowly faded to black. “What is that?” I asked. “It invades the brain like meningitis. The adrenal glands hemorrhage, the brain goes into shutdown, then the major organs. Then death. Everything you ever were or ever will be... Gone,” he explained. “Is that what happened to Jim?” I heard Sophia ask Carol. “Yes.”

Andrea was looking at the screen and a few tears fell and Jenner looked at her with a little concern. “She lost somebody two days ago. Her sister,” Lori informed him. Jenner gave Andrea a soft look, “I lost somebody too. I know how devastating it is. Scan to the second event.”

“Scanning to second event,”Vi annoyed and switched to the sec9nded event. TS-19's brain lit up but not like before. “The resurrection times vary wildly. We had reports of it happening in as little as three minutes. The longest we heard of was eight hours. In the case of this patient, it was two hours, one minute... Seven seconds.” I looked fr9mt the screen to Jenner. He was talking like he knew this person. “It restarts the brain?” I asked.“No, just the brain stem. Basically, it gets them up and moving,” Jenner said. “But they're not alive?” Andrea asked.

“You tell me,” Jenner said, looking at her. She looked back at the screen, “It's nothing like before. Most of that brain is dark.” Jenner nodded and hummed. “Dark, lifeless, dead. The frontal lobe, the neocortex, the human part... That doesn't come back. The you part. Just a shell driven by mindless instinct.” Al of a sudden something went through the head of TS-19 “God. What was that?” Carol asked. “He shot his patient in the head. Didn't you?” Andrea asked.

Jenner didn't respond, instead he said, “Vi, power down the main screen and the workstations.” Vi shut the power down the main screen and workstations. “You have no idea what it is, do you?” Lori asked. “It could be microbial, viral, parasitic, - fungal,” he lis5ed pff. “Or the wrath of God?” Jacquie said. “There is that.”

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gotham-at-nightfall · 4 months

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The Walking Dead characters

By Charlie Faulks

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guardian-angel12 · 3 months

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Till Death

You said, "Drink from me, drink from me" When I was so thirsty Pour on a symphony Now I just can't get enough Put your wings on me, wings on me When I was so heavy Pour on a symphony When I'm low, low, low, low

Chapter Two

The brothers steps were near silent in the woods, no words exchanging between them but the occasional gesture and call that mimicked a bird or animal.

Elaina stuck close to Daryl, even when the two separated she stayed with him, doing whatever he ordered.

"Just right there," he whispered, his voice barely audible as he showed her where to lay the snare.

She carefully spread the rope, Daryl tying it tightly to a small tree across from them.

He was utterly silent as the two of them waited, backed up against a ditch a little bit away.

"You've done this a lot?" She asked quietly.

"Long before all this."

She watched him for a while, not once did he move his eyes to her, but kept them focused on the forest beyond, waiting on his trap to go off.

Finally, Daryl turned to her, blinking when he saw her hazel-green irises fixed on him. "What?" He barely pronounced the T, and she found she liked his drawled words. Elaina opened her mouth to ask him another question—thank him again, she didn't know, she just wanted to speak to him, but light footsteps sounded and both of them raised their weapons, Elaina having brought a large dagger.

Merle put his hands up, rifle in one hand and a smirk on his face. "Hope I didn't interrupt nothing..." he whispered, smirking at Daryl who rolled his eyes.

"Look," Elaina pointed, a large stag walking carefully through the forest, straight for the snare.

Merle nudged Daryl's shoulder, holding his rifle up, smarter to use the crossbow than the gun, and the snare might cause more attention than it was worth if they could kill it without.

"I got it," the younger murmered, he aimed with his bow held against the raised forest bed, one eye closed, then loosed the arrow. It whistled at it shot, and hit the buck right in the temple, making it collapse instantly.

Elaina raised her brow as Daryl stood, throwing his bow over his back. "Gotta hurry 'fore those ugly bastards smell it."

Merle walked over to help him, and when Elaina offered to help both men told her to simply watch for walkers.

+++

"Why the hell would you offer that woman to stay in the RV?" Andrea put her hands on her hips to ask Dale, standing just below the shade of the camper.

Dale gave her a look, rifle held against his shoulder. "Well, she's new and needs a place to sleep... The least we could do is offer her somewhere other than the dirt."

Andrea leaned in a little. "So you'd be comfortable allowing a stranger to sleep under the same roof as me and Amy?"

"She hasn't done anything wrong."

"Yet. You don't even know her."

"I didn't know you either when I met you and I never heard you protest me giving you a place to stay."

"Dale, her choice of companionship is the Dixons, does that really give off a good sense to you?"

"They've done nothing wrong to us either, besides the harsh word here and there. They keep the camp safe and food on the fire. Andrea, allies are what's needed now more than ever, and if we treat everyone new like an enemy how are we ever supposed to find the right people?"

"I don't like this."

"I'm not asking you to like it, I'm asking you to give her a chance. Like I gave you."

Andrea huffed, shaking her head slowly and looking away.

Dale looked across the camp at the people emerging from the woods, the brothers and Elaina, and a large deer in tow. "Looks like they came through again." He said to Andrea before walking off to them.

+++

The Dixons gave what was left over of their venison to the rest of the camp, between that and the fish caught in the stream by Shane, it was more than enough for everyone.

Merle had had a few sharp words when giving it away, something about how they shouldn't be the only ones to work for the food, but she felt like it was a mask to not show weakness, especially when Shane was trying to dictate the actions of the whole camp, the brothers would not appear helpless like most of the others.

As the sun started getting low she began to weigh her options, but felt the uncomfortable watch of most everyone in the camp on her.

"You know, the offer to stay in the RV?" Dale stood over where she sat on a log, giving her a small smile. "It still stands."

Elaina nodded. "Thank you."

She waited for him to leave before sighing, that seemed like the only option, but she wanted nothing to do with it if it would only be Andrea's glares and distrust the whole time.

"Hey," Daryl's thick voice suddenly caught her attention, "Come see this."

She stood and followed him, and came to find a makeshift tent pitched up right near his and Merle's. "Figured ya might like some kinda shelter tonight, I can move it to a more private area if ya like?" He looked to her with that half-squint he seemed to always do, cocking his head in her direction.

She didn't know what to say for a few moments, almost wanting to tell him she could take care of herself. "Daryl, I... Thank you. This is perfect."

He looked away. "Nah, just saw how they look at you. I get it."

She placed her hand on his arm gently. "I appreciate it."

He paused at her touch, then looked down at her hand, nodding once before walking into his tent without a word. She may have thought anything of it if that wasn't his normal behavior.

+++

The next morning clouds had rolled in, giving a slight relief from the harsh Georgia sun.

Elaina had offered to help Carol around the camp, quickly realizing the quiet woman was one of the only ones who didn't judge her much.

"You think you could check Sophia for me?" Carol asked gently, shoulders peaking inward as if she didn't expect a yes.

"Of course." Elaina nodded, setting down the clothes she was mending to walk off toward the area Sophia and Loris's son Carl were playing.

She rounded the RV and saw the two children hesitating near the edge of the camp, a drop in the ground outside the makeshift fence consisting of cans and bottles hanging from fishing line, a trap for walkers should they wander into the camp, that way they wouldn't go unnoticed.

"It went into the trees, Carl..." Sophia said. "I'll get Shane."

"I'll get it myself," Carl answered, readying himself to crawl under the wire and into the trees.

Elaina breathed in to tell him to stop when Merle approached the kids, making both of them stop short and look up at the man.

"The hell you kids think you're doing?" He asked them, barely any of the roughness in his tone like he took with most everyone else.

"Uh, we lost our ball, Mr. Dixon..." Carl stammered a little, clearly nervous that he would be reprimanded for being caught about to cross the barrier.

"Lost your ball," Merle looked into the woods, then back to the children, then with a small sigh stepped over the wire, walked into the brush and retrieved it for them, passing it into Carl's hands. "Don't you go running off into the trees, boy. Difference between brave and being stupid."

"Y—yes sir, thank you."

"Now I won't tell your mamas about this if you stay outta trouble. Now get."

They looked at each other and nodded. "We won't." Sophia mumbled, then they went on their way, Merle shook his head as he watched them go, then walked off to his and Daryl's area, he never saw Elaina, now smiling wryly, leaning against the RV.

She uncrossed her arms and went back to Carol, helping her hang the last of the clothes. "She's still with Carl?" Carol asked.

"Yeah, she's fine." Elaina answered, tossing the last pair of jeans over the line.

Carol smiled softly to herself, continuing about her work. Elaina felt comfortable around her, if a little sorry for the woman. She knew something was going on with her husband, but was too untrusted to ask, but she hoped they'd realize she had no harmful intentions over the next few weeks.

When she wasn't hunting, Elaina spent her spare time helping Carol and Jacqui with keeping the camp livable. Besides her, she felt fine with Dale, Lori and Glenn. She'd barely met some of the others but had stuck close to Daryl and Merle.

Daryl was quiet for the most part, he kept to himself. Although his temper was short-fused she never felt threatened or nervous around him, and knew they shared an understanding about life. She found that he would talk to her more if they were alone rather than around people, which she didn't mind.

Merle was rougher, that was for sure. Not afraid to voice his piece to the other campers even if they didn't listen. He generally said nothing to the women, and if he did he wasn't harsh with them like the men. He was the worst to Shane and T-Dog. Shane—Elaina thought—was understandable, especially with his self-righteous personality. But T had done nothing much to spark her distaste.

She knew both the brothers tried to act meaner than they were, especially with Daryl's unconscious protectiveness and Merle's soft spot for the children, one he'd shown the day he helped them with their toy.

"Was just about to go hunt." Daryl told her as she sat cleaning her knife outside her tent. "Wanna come?"

"Sure."

Merle said nothing to them as he walked by, tossing a few things into a small bag and loading his gun.

"Thought I was hunting today?" Daryl said, taking a step towards his brother.

"You are," the elder answered.

"Then what's the bullets for?"

"Headin' to Atlanta for a supply run, someone's gotta get it done."

"Then I'll go, too." Daryl instantly grabbed a leather vest from his tent, but Merle grabbed his arm.

"No, you won't. You're gonna stay here. City's infested."

"I can handle my own."

Merle smirked, giving a small nod to his younger sibling. "I said I've got it. Someone's gotta keep an eye on the lady, anyways." He jerked his head towards Elaina, she bristled slightly but couldn't disagree with his decision.

"He's probably right, you should stay." She told Daryl, then turned to Merle. "But are you sure it's safe?"

He scoffed. "Couple of creepers ain't gonna have shit on me. Be back before dark if all goes well," he clapped Daryl's shoulder. "See ya, little brother."

Daryl watched him go, joining a small group made up of just five others.

Elaina noticed his subtle nervousness and even frustration, a dark shadow in his eye as he watched his brother go.

Elaina stepped up next to him, but he quickly turned and treaded off into the forest, leaving her to catch up.

"Daryl?" She called to him softly as she stepped over the forest bed to make it to him. "Are you okay?"

"Hate it when he does that." He mumbled, watching his footing.

"Does what?" She pushed a branch up out of her face to walk past.

"Just up and leaves. Didn't even talk about it and wouldn't have. He would've just left. Again."

His last word was so quiet she barely heard it, but she chose not to ask. "I'm sure he would've." She offered. He scoffed. "Really, I believe that."

"Yeah..." he looked up into the trees, and she realized he probably didn't truly agree with her but was just done having the conversation.

She barely tried to speak to him throughout the day, just followed from a little ways behind, knowing he was irritated and needed space.

Maybe she'd ask Merle why his leaving bothered Daryl so much when they went back to camp, maybe she wouldn't. She just wanted to understand him.

+++

The crickets and other forest life surrounded them as they sat on either side of the tiny fire, concealed inside a ring of rocks and in a dug-out hole in the ground as not to attract walkers in the dark.

Daryl had caught a fish in the stream, Elaina building the fire as he cleaned it.

"Should find something worth while tomorrow," he said. "Then we'll head back to camp."

She didn't respond, just stared at the flames, knees up and her arms wrapped around them.

"What's wrong with you?" Daryl asked.

"Nothing..."

"Ain't got nothing better to do, might as well listen to ya talk," he tried again, trying to sound half-interested only for the sake of being 'bored', but his mannerisms gave away the fact that he really did care.

She put her chin on her arms over her knees, meeting his blue eyes—looking yellow in the firelight. "Just thinking about Atlanta. How the others just went in willingly."

"What about it?"

"I just... I never want to step foot there again, I don't know how anyone could."

"This about your family?"

"I was alone far before they died... they were never my family." She fidgeted with a twig she grabbed off the forest floor. "Not sure if you know what that's like, to be alone. But so alone where there's literally no one—no one alive, at least— it's... scary."

Daryl studied her for a few moments. "Well..." he leaned forward to shift the fire. "Y'ain't never going back to that shit-hole. I swear."

She smiled softly, "Maybe you're right."

"I am. I'll make sure of it."

She kept smiling, and he wanted to do it back, but then thought of all she'd said... "Get some sleep. Gonna get an early start tomorrow." He stood and threw a little bit of dirt on the fire, putting it half-way out.

+++

Elaina couldn't sleep much, no matter how hard she tried, thoughts raging in her mind too fast.

She rolled over and looked across at Daryl, sleeping on nothing but the dirt of the forest. She couldn't help but watch, seeing him peaceful instead of uptight and irritable... and maybe he was even a little sad, lonely.

The fire was pretty much done by now, only smoldering bits and embers left.

She heard shuffling in the forest that made her jump, quickly flattening herself against the ground.

The snarling of a walker got closer, and she loooked up slowly, seeing it was coming from the woods just behind Daryl.

She had only seconds to think before she was up and running across the ground, knife in hand, she grabbed its chest and stabbed it in the face just before it dropped to try and devour its prey.

Daryl woke with a start at the sound of a blade and had his own tight in his grip as he got into a crouch, eyes wide as he looked up at Elaina, panting softly, looking down at her kill. She turned her gaze to him slowly, shock and fear in her eyes.

Daryl stood quickly, glancing at the fallen walker and sheathing his knife, taking her arms in his hands to examine them. "Did it bite you?" His voice was ragged, real concern in it.

She shook her head slowly, dark blood running down her knife as Daryl took it from her and wiped it on a rag from his pocket, trying to focus against the way he could see her heart pounding through her shirt, now splattered with blood.

"Should've seen it..." he mumbled, "Could've had us both killed..."

"It's alright," her voice was hoarse. "I took care of it."

Daryl handed back her knife, his eyes flickering over her face. "Yeah... you did."

Elaina watched him retrieve his belongings, holding her arms with opposite hands as she stood there, the sun was barely showing, stars still twinkling above.

"Might as well get tracking now," Daryl said quietly. "No way I'm getting back to sleep. You good?"

His voice was so soft, sorry, maybe. "Yeah, I'm good..." she answered. He nodded and stared at her for a few more moments before walking off.

+++

Daryl had began tracking a deer just as the sun had came up, beginning miles of walking, thankfully back towards the direction of camp.

It was nearing midday when she heard his crossbow release behind her. She turned and saw he'd shot yet another squirrel, adding it to his line already full of kills.

He squatted down and checked the trail, standing to follow the deer prints once again.

Elaina put her hands in her pockets and followed him, he hadn't spoken since the incident with the walker, and she was starting to wonder how long she'd be ignored for—

"There," he said, as if to answer her silent question.

She looked to see him pointing at the deer a bit away, ears flicking as it scanned the ground for food.

Elaina got low with Daryl's hand wave, the archer then pulled out his weapon and aimed for the deer, ready to pull the trigger...

A blaring alarm went through the trees, a loud wailing that seemed to be moving. A car alarm?

The deer bolted, and Daryl still pulled the trigger, unsure of whether or not he hit it when it ran.

"I'm gonna kill whatever jackass is doin' this." He growled, referring to the alarm and standing quickly to follow the deer.

"How the hell is that even possible?" Elaina tried asking as she went after him.

Of course, he didn't bother to answer as they trekked through the woods.

There was splatters of blood in an uneven trail, definitely from their prey, but that also meant it wasn't hurt badly enough to stop running so soon and would only attract more walkers.

"Scuff that up with your boot." He pointed quickly to the blood in the leaves, kicking at some under his shoes as well.

Elaina scraped her boot across the dirt until it was gone, then ran back after him.

They finally emerged from the forest to find Shane and most of the men from camp, all pointing weapons in their direction.

They stood down when they realized it was only Daryl and Elaina, starting to back up. The deer they'd tracked was laying on the ground, ripped up by what could have only been the dead walker laying beside it.

Daryl scowled, "Son of a bitch, that's my deer."

Elaina felt him getting more agitated as he walked up to it, and noticed the other campers quickly backing up. "Look at it all gnawed on by this filthy, disease-bearing, motherless, proxy bastard!" he kicked the walker's body with each name he called it.

"Calm down, son, that's not helping." Dale said calmly.

Elaina closed her eyes in exhaustion when Daryl instantly snapped at him. "What do you know about it old man? You take that stupid hat and go back to 'On Golden Pond'."

"Daryl..." she finally spoke up, reaching to place her hand on his shoulder. He shrugged it off but breathed in, turning back to the deer.

"Been tracking this deer for miles..." he said, starting to pull his arrows out of it. "Was gonna drag it back to camp, cook is up some venison."

"It's alright," Elaina offered. "We've got food still, it's fine."

He grunted and looked over the torn flesh of his prey, then looked at her. "What you think, we can cut around this chewed up part right here?"

She pursed her lips, shaking her head.

"I would not risk that." Shane answered instead.

"That's a damn shame..." Daryl sighed.

"We still have the squirrels?" Elaina reminded him.

"Yeah, that'll have to do." He answered.

The walker's head on the ground started snapping, Andrea and Amy both exclaimed in disgust.

"Come on," Daryl rolled his eyes, shooting an arrow into the head.

"It's gotta be the brain," Elaina looked around at them to say. "Or it won't die."

"Don't y'all know nothing?" Daryl said, retrieving his arrow and walking back to camp.

She noticed the new man amongst the others but said nothing, wanting to get away from the lingering glares of the campers. If Andrea and Glenn were here that meant the Atlanta group had came back probably yesterday evening, but she found it strange that if he'd come back with them, Merle didn't come looking for Daryl in the woods.

If.

She cursed herself for thinking that word, but regardless, her stomach churned softly at the thought, especially when he was nowhere to be seen as Daryl started to call for his older brother.

"Merle! Merle! Get your ugly ass out here! I got us some squirrel! Let's stew 'em up."

Still, she didn't see him come from their shared tent.

"Daryl, just slow up a bit." Shane said to him. "I need to talk to you."

Both Elaina and Daryl paused, and she felt his nervousness as he asked; "About what?"

"About Merle. There was a—There was a problem in Atlanta."

"He dead?" Daryl had stopped moving, going straight for the question she knew the wrong answer would set him off in a way she didn't want to see.

"We're not sure." Was all the cop said.

Elaina shook her head. "The hell is that supposed to mean? You're 'not sure'?"

Daryl took a few steps closer to Shane, she could see his chest heave once. "He either is or he ain't!"

The new man approached Shane and Daryl, "No easy way to say this, so I'll just say it."

"Who are you?" Daryl asked instead of listen.

"Rick Grimes." He answered.

Daryl looked to his side, then back to the new man. "Rick Grimes, you got something you want to tell me?" He nearly snarled.

Rick remained calm. "Your brother was a danger to us all, so I handcuffed him on a roof, hooked him to a piece of metal. He's still there."

T-Dog came back into the camp with his arms full of firewood. By the look on his face, Elaina wondered what more happened.

Daryl started to pace, running a hand over his sweaty hair. "Hold on. Let me process this." His voice was rising in anger. "You're saying you handcuffed my brother to a roof and you left him there?!" He shouted the last part.

"Yeah." Rick said simply.

Daryl grunted as suddenly turned and threw the rope of squirrels at Rick.

Shane body slammed Daryl, knocking him to the ground.

"Hey, get off of him!" Elaina yelled, going at Shane, Dale grabbed her arms and held her back as T-Dog dropped the firewood and ran up. Elaina calmed a little, not wanting to be violent to the old man, but kept panting as she watched the men fight. Daryl tore himself from Shane's grip, pulling out his knife and going after Rick.

"Daryl!" Elaina yelled at him.

"Watch the knife!" T-Dog warned them.

Daryl swung the knife at Rick and missed wildly. Rick punched him in the gut while Shane grabbed him from behind and put him in a choke hold.

"Okay. Okay." Shane grunted.

"No!" Elaina struggled against Dale, "Let, me, go!" She grunted, getting out of his grip.

Rick took the knife away from Daryl as Shane forced him to the ground. Elaina went to shove Shane away but Rick stood in her path, she raised her hand to punch him, but he put his hand up. "Just calm down!" He said.

"You'd best let me go!" Daryl yelled.

Shane was panting as he answered. "Nah, I think it's better if I don't."

"Choke hold's illegal."

"You can file a complaint. Come on, man. We'll keep this up all day."

"Shane, get off of him!" Elaina yelled.

Rick kneeled down to be face to face with Daryl and looked him in the eye. "I'd like to have a calm discussion on this topic. Do you think we can manage that?" Daryl scowled at him so he enunciated, "Do you think we can manage that?"

Daryl finally nodded, angry as he had no choice than to comply. "Mmm. Yeah."

Shane let him go after that, the archer panting from the fight.

Rick put his hands on his hips. "What I did was not on a whim. Your brother does not work and play well with others."

T-Dog suddenly spoke up. "It's not Rick's fault. I had the key. I dropped it."

"You couldn't pick it up?" Elaina threw her hand out to say.

"Well, I dropped it in a drain." He seemed genuinely ashamed.

Elaina noticed Daryl choked up but quickly pulled himself together. "If it's supposed to make me feel better, it don't." He growled.

T-Dog nodded, "Well, maybe this will. Look, I chained the door to the roof so the geeks couldn't get at him—with a padlock."

"It's gotta count for something." Rick offered.

Daryl swiped tears out of his eyes. "Hell with all y'all!" He snarled. "Just tell me where he is so I can go get him!"

His voice wavered just a little, Elaina had never heard him like that... showing such vulnerability and fear. She knew him and Merle loved one another—no matter how big of jerks they were, they did. And now seeing Daryl actually cry at the thought maybe his big brother would not be there when he arrived, it made her heart hurt for him.

Lori suddenly stepped in from the sidelines. "He'll show you. Isn't that right?"

"I'm going back." Rick said.

Lori seemed angry, and went back into the camper, making Rick sigh. Elaina made a confused face, she'd thought Lori was with Shane...

Daryl stormed off to his tent, and she followed him. He grabbed another knife and checked his crossbow. "I'm sure he's okay, Daryl." She offered. "We'll just go get him, bring him back and it'll all be fine."

"We?" He looked up, "Ain't no we. Me. You're staying here."

"What? No, I'm going with you. You'll need my help."

"No. Atlanta's crawlin' with walkers just as it was before. I told you you ain't gonna have to go back and meant it. Besides, Merle told me to watch out for ya, I'm gonna. I need you to stay here."

She sighed, biting her lip and shoving the front of her shoe into the dirt. "You're gonna come back?"

"Promise."

"Bring him home."

He nodded, throwing his crossbow over his shoulder. "Just uh, stay away from Shane, look after things."

She nodded again and he walked away, joining Rick, T-Dog and Glenn to go back to the city.

She wished he would have let her go, but wondered what real memories returning to that place would force her to acknowledge.

#daryl dixon #daryl dixon fanfiction #Elaina coates #merle dixon #fanfiction #the walking dead fanfiction #twd #twd fanfic #till death #carol peletier #rick grimes #lori grimes #carl grimes #dale horvath #glenn rhee #sophia peletier #shane walsh

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shameless-notashamed · 2 years

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“We’re the ones who live.”

#carl grimes #lori grimes #daryl dixon #carol peletier #glenn rhee #maggie rhee #hershel greene #shane walsh #andrea twd #dale horvath #merle dixon #the walking dead #twd #twd photo dump #sarasays

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academicelephant · 1 year

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I tried my very best to get this right (the map is based on first three seasons ‘cause I have watched only that much)

Edit: I just realized Hershel should be more towards the “good” and maybe a bit more towards the “smart” too

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acquaesale · 1 year

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“TS-19″ The Walking Dead S01E06 (2010), dir. Guy Ferland.

#the walking dead #twd #twdedit #mine*#t-dog #carol peletier #sophia peletier #glenn rhee #jacqui #dale horvath #andrea harrison #rick grimes #shane walsh #lori grimes #carl grimes #daryl dixon #twd:s01 #twd:s01e06 #twd:allepisodesaesthetic

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clinicsharmartia · 2 months

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DISCLAIMERS BEFORE YOU PROCEED!

This is a DELAYED character review. I know what’s going to happen to them in s2. I’m saying this as to say that I’m fully aware of the dramatic irony of some of these character reviews 😭 also this is a transcript from an audio I sent to my friends when I actually finished S1 so I’m sorry if some bits don’t make sense. I’ve edited a bit but not entirely.

TWD CHARACTER REVIEWS - SEASON 1

Rick Grimes: 10/10. He is an amazing person, he’s an even more amazing father. He's selfless, kind, gentle, understanding, caring, protective, loving, brave and so much more. The relationship that he has with people around him is so nice to watch. Him owning up to things immediately without knowing how people react is such a nice characteristic about him that I really hope he doesn't lose. He’s just— ugh I love him. I can’t wait to see how his character progresses and how his relationships change.

Lori Grimes: 9/10. She's an amazing mother. She's an amazing wife. She is a good person who is trying her best. So many people hate on Lori Grimes because she ‘cheated’ with Shane. He was a rebound. If I was in her situation I would do the same. You get told that your husband is dead during the apocalypse, which means he’s DEAD, never coming back, and you’re forced to live in the woods with your only son who only looking up to you in this moment. It is such a devastating situation to be in. You’re mourning and grieving while trying to keep your only son safe in this horrible horrible world and the next best thing to your husband, the closest thing your him, walks up to you to give you comfort, protection and security. Of course she would turn to him. Of course she would sleep with him. I would do the same thing. And the guilt on her face, you know she regrets it so much. She's so kind and sweet and protective. I know it's not gonna be for very long unfortunately but from what we have with Lori Grimes I cannot wait to see her progression in the show a character, as a mother, and as a wife.

Carl Grimes: 10/10. I'm pretty sure I teared up a bit when I first saw him on screen because he's just so little he's just a baby it's just a little baby boy he is so small. My maternal instincts kicked in fucking immediately when I saw him on screen. He's just a little kid and this is what I love about Carl Grimes. He is accurate representation of what happens of what would happen if you put a child in the apocalypse and then them having to go through puberty during the apocalypse. I am so fucking excited to see his character progression. I cannot wait for him to be sassy. I love him mwah.

Shane Walsh: -10/10. I know we need characters like him in these types of media, and I know that he was an important part of the plot, and I KNOW that he is a well written character, but I hate him so much. The only time I want him on screen is when he’s dying. The only time I want to see him open is mouth is when he’s screaming in agony. I hate him. Disgusting filth.

Daryl Dixon: 8/10. He's a very very funny character with a lot of baggage but he’s so loving and caring, just in his own ways. You can really tell that he wants to protect everyone there and that his act is just an act because he can’t admit to loving anyone. He’s a complex character and I like it a lot. Also, the way that people treat him in this season is so horrible. You come back after hunting for the group of people that you have decided you were going to look after and you see this guy rock up and he says “yeah your brother? yeah I left him for dead after I locked him up to a metal pipe on the top of a roof in the sweltering heat surrounded by zombies LOL. I'm Rick Grimes by the way” and people get upset with him getting angry at that? Then, people are saying you shouldn’t go and find him because no one likes him. And then you go after him anyways BECAUSE HES YOUR BROTHER and you find his SEVERED HAND instead. And then you come back and your camp gets attacked by walkers and one of your camp mates get bit, and when you say you should kill him to prevent any pain or suffering, people call you crazy and weird. WTF! Wtaf. Daryl is getting so much hate from them like what. Anyways I love Daryl, I can’t wait to see how his character develops and how his relationships change, and how he adapts to the new environments and people (because we all know what he’s like).

Glenn Rhee: 9/10. Glenn is an amazing guy. He's funny, a bit stupid and has some great lines as well. He's very smart, very valuable and his humanity and compassion is what really makes me love him. He saw a random stranger surrounded by zombies and instead of doing what he was supposed to do he took time out of his mission time out of that situation to save him. What could've very much gotten him killed to help the stranger. And then the stranger comes back and makes him do something that he really doesn't want to do (covering yourself in blood and guts and gore and walking through a street of zombies which could very much kill you in a second is not something he wants to do) but he does it anyways because he does it for the people that he cares about. Then he comes back to camp and the whole ambush happens and they're about to burn one of the camp members bodies and he yells at them and he says “we don't burn our people we bury them”. That line made me so so emotional and it means so much to me that they added that in because it is such an emotional and beautiful line for me. It honestly really highlights him as a character and the humanity and compassion he carries even after everything. I really loved him again. I can't wait to see his character progression, I can't wait to see how his relationships progress as well and how his skills are able to be used in the long run.

Dale: 8/10. I really love him. He’s a great guy doing his very best to try and teach and help the group. He is the word of wisdom, he is the one you look to for guidance. I absolutely adore him. Although, dragging Andrea out of suicide was not great, didn’t like that. Can’t wait to see how he’ll help the group in the future.

Andrea: 6/10. She is a little bit annoying, but she seems quite smart. I don't like how she treats certain people though. Like, I can't explain it but the way she goes about some things just urk me really bad. I think she has a lot of room for improvement, but right now she's okay. I want to see what she can bring to the table though.

Carol: 9/10. BAD ASS BITCH. She is amazing and funny and trying her best. I cannot wait to see her healing process and how her relationships change and how her skills develop. I love her.

T-DOG: 7/10. He's cool, I like him a lot. You can tell that he's trying his best and he has a nice voice. I think he can do a lot of good for the group in the later seasons as we can see that he's already helped quite a bit. Also, his loving and caring nature is really nice to see. Merle called him a racial slur and threatened to hurt him and still he went back to chain the door shut so he could have a chance to survive. He's super cool.

#twd #the walking dead #twd s1 #character analysis #rick grimes #lori grimes #carl grimes #shane walsh #daryl dixon #glenn rhee #dale horvath #andrea twd #carol peletier #t dog

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