Of Blood and Hope

by Moonlit_Quill

Summary:

Adeline Dixon's life shattered when the world ended. At just ten years old, she is thrust into a nightmare where the bonds of family and survival blur into one. But when tragedy strikes at the dawn of the apocalypse, she finds herself under the reluctant protection of a uncle she barely knows, Daryl Dixon-a man more accustomed to the isolation of the wild than the responsibility of raising a child.

Together, they must face not only the horrors outside but also the wounds of their shared history, discovering that survival is about more than just outlasting the apocalypse-it's about rebuilding the broken bonds of family.

 

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Disclaimer: The Walking Dead and its characters are not my property. They belong to their respective creators. Only the original characters in this story are my own creation.

Chapter 1: Part I

PART I

Original Main Characters

 

 

Summer Fontana

as

Adeline Dixon (S1E0 - S3E16)

Pinterest: https://br.pinterest.com/moonlit_quill/adeline-dixon/adeline-s1e0-s3e16/

 

You could let it all go

It's called free fall

It's called free fall"

—Rainbow Kitten Surprise. It's Called: Freefall.

 

"Weren't we the stars in Heaven?

Weren't we the salt in the sea?

Dragon in the new warm mountain

Didn't you believe in me?"

—Adrianne Lenker. anything.

 

"Something in the orange

Tells me we're not done"

—Zack Bryan. Something in the Orange.

 

—Flawed Mangoes. Swimming.

 

—Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners. Evergreen.

 

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Norman Reedus

as

Daryl Dixon

Pinterest: https://br.pinterest.com/moonlit_quill/daryl-dixon/

 

"Our mother has been absent

Ever since we founded Rome

But there's gonna be a party when the wolf comes home"

—The Mountain Goats. Up the Wolves.

 

"You were always the wrong guy... 'Til you weren't"

—X-23. Deadpool & Wolverine. 2024.

 

"There's a theory that says

you don't exist unless

someone calls

and you respond"

—Sam Sax. Hydrophobia.

 

"You came"

"You called"

—Sandman. 2022.

 

"If I get too close,

And I not how you hoped,

Forgive my northern attitude,

Oh, I was raised out in the cold"

—Noah Kahan. Northern Attitude.

 

"It's a lonely road

For the tired man"

—The Lumineers. Gale Song

 

"Villain and violent

Infant and innocent

Baby, both arms cradle you now

Both arms cradle you now"

—Adrianne Lenker. forwards beckon rebound.

 

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Alex Pettyfer

as

Jason Dixon

Pinterest: https://br.pinterest.com/moonlit_quill/jason-dixon/

 

"I was far too scared to hit him

But I would hit him in a

heartbeat now"

—Sam Fender. Seventeen Going Under.

 

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Halley Bennet

as

Lillian Dixon

Pinterest: https://br.pinterest.com/moonlit_quill/lillian-dixon/

 

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Kristine Froseth

as

Serena McAllister

Pinterest: https://br.pinterest.com/moonlit_quill/serena-mcallister/

 

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Josh Brolin

as

Mason Dixon

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Foxy

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Notes on Part I:

* This first part covers the time period before Adeline, Daryl and Merle make their way to Atlanta, where Of Blood and Hope will cover the events of the show as they happen.

* It contains a few chapters, including flashbacks.

* It takes place right at the beginning of the outbreak.

* This first part will move very slowly, and it is so for a reason, so please, just hang tight :) This part is essential to understand my main characters and their dynamics, and to explain why things happen the way they do in Part II :3

* I promise your patience will be worth it.

 

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General Notes:

This is my first-ever story. It's been on my mind for literally years. I never put it down on paper until about 2020, but only now (2024) I came to believe that I could actually write something.

The story will follow the events of the series, though there will be some changes to the timeline and the flow of certain events, especially in the road to Terminus, the Saviors' arc and the time skip in season 9.

Just to be clear, it is NOT a Carl x OC fanfiction. They are besties. Adeline's love interest is an male OC.

Adeline will not change the outcome of the main events and arcs, but even though I will stay true to Daryl's character, she will inevitably influence some of his decisions. After all, he will be a father, and we'll have to stay true to that fact.

The ages of Lillian, Merle, Mason, and Daryl are not explicitly mentioned in either the story or the show. However, to align with the narrative and maintain consistency, I've decided to set their ages at the beginning of the fic as follows: Lillian and Daryl are both 36, Mason is 41, and Merle is 45. It is probably younger than they actually are at the show, but those adjustments were necessary.

I'll try to update the story at least once a month, but sometimes my schedule gets a little tight, so apologies in advance.

As the story advances, I will update Adeline's face claim.

Also, English isn't my first language, so any corrections and feedback are more than welcome.

Hope you guys love it 🦊

 

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Original Characters (Soon):

 

Raffey Cassidy as Diana Hargrove

Stephen Amell as Andrew Hargrove

Timothy Olyphant as William Hargrove

Mireille Enos as Sabine Hargrove

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Trigger Warnings:

Violence: Given that it's set in The Walking Dead universe, there will be scenes of violence and gore.

Abuse: Mention and description of abusive relationships.

Mental Health: Mention of mental health issues, including trauma, depression, and bipolar disorder.

Death: There will be character deaths, which could be unsettling for some readers.