Chapter Text
January 7th, 2012 (500 and something days after this shit storm hit)
Snows falling a bit today. Slows the walkers down but makes it dangerous if you're out here on your own. Cold can get you just as easy as the walkers.
I've started to get my strength back since I met that group. Glad they took me in, not sure if starvation or walkers would've gotten me first.
I got to see a bit more today. The prison is big, has good security and they have a good food source of pigs. Heard they were wanting to start planting once most the cold was gone.
I sat straight up in the tattered old prison bed, groaning from being hunched over. As I stood, I closed the leather journal with ease. I placed it on the small wooden desk adjacent to the bed.
I could hear the crowded chatter from every cell where people laid to rest. But despite the loud chatter, spoken words were lost within each other. I didn't bother trying to listen to gossip, despite it being the only thing I could do lately. I wanted to try to go out on my own for supplies, but I wasn't sure if I'd be seen fit to go out alone. Or even at all.
I moved from the open cell, looking out to the ground below me from the upper floor railing. People sat at round tables with their new friends or the last loved ones they had. Children played together. Who knew when their last moments would be. I looked to my left and right, it seemed I had been the last one up for now. The rest wanted to sleep in or were too scattered to want to face the world. But most of us had work to do.
I glanced back into my cell, realizing I needed the last of my stuff before walking out. I grabbed the hat off my desk, letting it rest by my side. I took the journey back out and made my way down the steps. Some of the people stopped to stare as I passed by. Others carried on. I hadn't been out and about as much. I don't blame them for being weary of fresh faces.
I let myself out into the courtyard. Few walkers had been lined up along the outer fences while the rest wandered. A light snow blanket had scattered across the ground. Small soft flakes fell from the sky. The scene felt nice. If it wasn't for the danger lurking yards away, that is. I walked towards the homemade fence.
Two horses stood inside, eating at the leftover grass they could find. There was another fence between the two, separating them. Flame was a chestnut saddlebred owned by Michonne. The other? My own horse. Dutch was a grey shire breed, built for work. But he can still run like no tomorrow. We kept them separated for now to keep them from breeding, but I wanted to talk to Hershel about it. Would be good to have foals. The more horses, the better travel, at least when they're not spooked.
I looked around my surroundings a bit, trying to see if I could spot Rick around. At this point I had more strength, and I wanted to provide. I saw two figures off to the side of the gate. I made my way to them both. Once I got closer, I could make out the features of both Rick and Daryl. I talked to Rick when I was first brought here. But never Daryl. He was a quiet type.
"Hey Rick? Could I ask you something?" I spoke up. The two were silent before, watching the walkers. Both perked up, turning to look at me.
"Sure, Buck. What'd you need?" Rick replied.
"Was wondering if I could scout out on my own. See if there's anything to look for near the forests."
Daryl scoffed, interjecting, "Are you sure you could handle it on your own?"
"I've been on my own since I was sixteen. I think I'm okay." I couldn't help but laugh at the comment.
It makes Rick snicker a bit too. "Well, you wouldn't be the only one to go out on their own. If you really think you'd be okay."
"Don't worry, I won't be far." I waved both men off, already starting to walk back to the horses. "Come on buddy, we're going out for a bit." I opened the gate to Dutch's pen and walked in. I grabbed the large saddle from off the fence, shoving a stool over with my foot. I climbed up top, grunting as I swung the saddle over him. Only getting a sigh in response as he looked at me. I move a hand to his neck, giving him gentle strokes. Stepping off the stool, I pushed it to the side. I set up the lead over Dutch's muzzle, making sure it was comfortable. I grabbed onto the end of the rope, leading him out of the pen and making sure it was closed tight. I climbed onto the side of the fence, using it to help swing myself over.
"Come on Dutch, you can see your girlfriend later." I pat at his side as he nickers towards Flame, her giving a whinny in response. He trotted off towards the front gate as Daryl propped it open for me. "Thanks, boys." I gave a quick remark as Dutch sped up past the walkers. They turned to try and follow, but were quickly left behind. I pulled a bit at Dutch's lead, letting him slow. Down the road was a lot clearer.
As Dutch trotted further and further, trees took up more space. The forest soon surrounded the long stretch of road. Once it was clear enough from walkers, I moved Dutch off to the side of the road. Letting myself down with ease.
"Rest here Dutch." I whispered, watching him ease down to eat at the grass below. Looking around a bit, I checked it was clear. I turned to face Dutch, grabbing the wooden bow and quiver that had rested on the saddle. I threw both over my shoulder, making sure they were secure. I let myself wander into the heavily forested area. It's been a year since this all started. Nature was taking back its land. Weeds and grass were overgrown and trees got to live longer.
I was careful of where I walked, keeping aware of my surroundings. I knew it'd be hard searching for animals. Especially larger ones, but I'd spend all day out here.
It felt like hours that I scoured through the woods. It was empty. Not even walkers would come near. I was trying not to lose hope, but that little voice in the back of my head told me to leave it.
That's when as I wandered. I spotted it. I try to keep my excited breathing quiet as I spot a deer. It seemed weak, not moving much as it rested on the ground. I quietly pull the bow from my holster. Curling my fingers around the bow, I reach back and quietly pull an arrow from the quiver, notching it and crouching closer. Pulling back on the drawstring, I let the string lay on the tip of my fingers. My arm quivers with the strength that's required to pull back the string as I sight down the arrow before releasing the string, letting the arrow fly straight and true.
My breath hitches as I watch it strike the deer. It wasn't clean. I stood quick as the deer collapsed to its side. It screamed out in distress and pain. I knew I had to act quickly before it drew attention.
I stood from where I was. Putting the bow back over my shoulder. I rushed towards the suffering buck. Unsheathing my knife off my side. I carefully grabbed the buck's antlers. Keeping it steady, I let the knife dig into its neck. It bled quickly, dying. I knew I had to hasten. The noise was loud and would have attracted walkers. I pull the arrow from its shoulder, throwing it back into my quiver.
It took me a bit to drag it back out of the forest to the road. I could see some walkers coming close. They were far enough away. Just needed to get the deer up. I struggled a bit to get it up onto Dutch. Grabbing the straps from the saddle. I secured them under the buck, making sure it wouldn't come loose. I moved to the side of Dutch as he put his head up. Looking around, he snorted. I could tell he was getting uneasy.
"You're aright, we're gonna be leaving." I reached up. Grabbing onto the horn of the saddle. I used my upper body strength to pull myself up, feeling my body strain a bit. I grabbed onto Dutch's lead. Giving a tap to his side, he set off back down the road. I turned to look behind me. Walkers followed but were too slow. And the buck was still safely secured.
I finally arrived back at the prison. Once I was near, the gate opened for me. It opened enough for me to squeeze in with Dutch. Rick had been long gone by now, but Daryl had been on duty.
"Missed me?" I tease, nodding my head behind me a bit. He gave me a look before looking behind me.
"Guess I shouldn't have doubted you."
I chuckled, giving him a quick wink. Before I said anymore, I steered Dutch back to the pen. Daryl only followed, opening the pen gate for me.
"Where'd you even find it? Been forever since we've spotted anything." He spoke.
"Found it quite a bit down the road. Walkers were far, and it was weak." I climbed off of Dutch. I unbuckled the deer from the restraints. "Mind getting Dutch settled in for me?"
"Why not let the men get it ready?" Daryl huffed, turned away from me.
I couldn't help but chuckle. "Fine, get it onto a tarp. Once I'm done with Dutch, then I'm picking up where I left off. It's my kill."
He perked up, turning to look at me before pulling the deer off. I watched him carry it off inside. I grabbed onto the saddle, pulling it off with a quick swoop. Dutch gave off a happy snort, happy to have that weight off of him. I pulled off his lead as well, immediately watching him lie into the grass. I decided to give him a quick brush down before going in.
I walked to the kitchen, finding Daryl inside with a tarp laid down. Already starting to skin the deer.
"It's not too bad. Not as much meat on it as I'd like." He spoke as he continued to carve, not looking up. He must've heard me come in.
"You got good ears for someone who runs their mouth." I walked closer, crossing my arms.
"It's all in good fun." Daryl stopped. Looking up at me, he hesitated. He reached his hand out, pointing the bloodied handle of the knife towards me.
"It's fine. Keep going."
He didn't respond, twirling the handle back into the palm of his hand.
I watched as he skinned and gutted the deer. It was similar to how I learned. "Where'd you grow up?"
He slowed, almost stopping before continuing. "Here in Georgia. Just more up north. You?"
"Texas. In Alpine."
"That's pretty far." He grunted, stretching his back from being leaned over.
"Yea. I didn't think I'd be here either." I leaned back against the wall, crossing my arms. The air felt dull and dry. I got lost in just watching Daryl work on the deer. Gutting wasn't the prettiest site, but he sure was. I stood straight up, grabbing the knife from its sheath at my hip. I crouched down near the head of the buck. Grabbing one of the horns, I started to saw just below the base of the antlers. I saw Daryl give me a puzzled look from the corner of my eye.
"Taking the antlers with you?"
"First kill in months, maybe the last we'll ever see." I spoke softly, focusing on what I was doing.
"Hopefully not last."
The two of us went quiet after that. So much focus was put into working on the deer. I found myself on instinct to help.