Chapter 010

The first day we had spent at the Quarry had been a day of many words thrown between the two Dixon brothers. They were discussing our next move as Merle didn't want to stay with the group, he wanted us to be by ourselves, protecting one another and surviving alone. He wanted the world to finally do right by us, because he believed the world had owed us something, anything really. Daryl thought otherwise, he wanted to stay with the group, he believed that there was safety in numbers. Now, he'd never admit it to anyone else other than Merle and myself, even in dire situations.

"The world doesn't owe us shit."

The words had spilled out of his mouth with ease, no doubt laced with venom as he glared daggers at his older brother. I remember watching the scene unfold, as the two brothers were inches apart from one another - no doubt ready to throw punches if needed. Daryl was right, the world doesn't owe us anything nor has it ever owed us anything. I think about his words often, especially now as Sophia and I are cuddled against a large oak tree. It has been fourteen days, tomorrow making fifteen since we were separated from the rest of the group.

After spending a few days locked away in a small cabin, healing from the wounds that were inflicted upon myself - we moved on. We packed what we had and what we found within the cabin, which wasn't much before separating ourselves from the blood soaked couch and the two dead walkers on the porch. During these fourteen days, I spent teaching Sophia the ropes of a gun and how to safely use it in case of emergencies. I even taught her how to use a knife and how to easily take down a walker with just a swift kick to the knee, swift swipe of a leg and a knife to the skull. She caught on easily, pushing through her own fears in order to be brave.

Sophia rests her head on my lap as my fingers glided through her blonde hair with ease. Her brown eyes had fluttered shut ten or so minutes ago, as her breathing became slow and even. She fell asleep peacefully in my arms as I stayed awake, staying alert to keep us both alive. My left ankle had took time to heal, especially after running on it the way I had - but it finally healed just enough for me to walk without pain. My right side was stitched sloppily and still pulled with each movement I made, but the pain was bearable.

God, I missed everyone.

We were just a few miles away from a small town that held a pharmacy and a single bar, the rest were houses that were abandoned when the world ended. We had searched each home and barely found a thing. We searched the pharmacy and took what was left of the deodorant, feminine products, medication, and a few tests for myself. My period was late, that much was for sure, but I couldn't tell if it is from stress, my injuries or pregnancy. I've had the test for a few days now but I still haven't brought myself to take them, the anxiety forcing me to keep them at the bottom of my bag.

Before the world ended, I knew for a fact that I didn't want kids, Daryl and Merle didn't want kids either. It was a product of how we were raised and my disabilities. How was I suppose to raise and care for a baby while deaf? But now that the world took a shit, I definitely don't want kids now.

Being deaf in this world is hard enough and now that I care for Sophia, it made this world even harder to survive in. I couldn't imagine doing it with just myself, Sophia and a wailing infant. Letting out a sigh, I watch as the sun slowly begins to rise over the horizon. Sophia had been up and down all night, but I know I'll have to wake her up soon so we can get a move on with our day. Gently move her head off my lap, I carefully rest in on her bag before standing.

Dusting off my pants, I stretch my sore limbs as I step out from behind the oak tree. A few hours before the sun had set yesterday, an older man drove down the road that was next to the tree. He hadn't seen Sophia and I, as we were hidden from plain view, thankfully. Not long after, another car came through, this one had a few people inside but I didn't get a good look as they had been spending. And by the time they drove past, the sun had already set.

Pulling out the map that I had in my jacket's pocket, I carefully unfold it as I look for the town I marked. We weren't far from the town anymore, but we weren't exactly close either so we couldn't turn around to take shelter there. Studying the map as I try to pinpoint where we are exactly, I begin to plan our next move. If we continue to move forward from here, we could potentially find a farm house or a home nearby to take shelter in for a few nights. The nights are beginning to grow cold, so it'd be nice to find a place before winter completely hit.

Grabbing the pen from my pant pocket, I click it open before I begin to mark down a few locations up ahead to check out in hopes something was there. Once I was satisfied with my plan, I put the pen and map back in their rightful places before turning on my heels. Freezing in my spot as I notice an older car driving in my direction, slowing to a stop, I glance toward the tree Sophia was hidden behind. Swallowing my fear as the car comes to a stop, I pull my gun from my holster, clicking the safety off. Watching as the drivers side door opens, followed by the passenger sides door and the door behind the passenger, my heart nearly stops for a second.

No. No, it can't be. They're gone. They have to be.

Shakily lowering the gun as I take in the sight of a familiar man with somewhat curly brown hair and oceanic blue eyes, that stood with his hands on his hips - I froze in my spot. On the other side of the car, the passenger was no other than an all too familiar Asian, who looked rather jumpy. Rick Grimes and Glenn Rhee stood in front of me, their eyes wide with shock as they stare back at me. Behind them was a much older man with white hair and kind blue eyes, I don't know him but I saw him driving into town last night.

"Kat?" Rick Grimes signed slowly as he begins to walk in my direction. Clicking the safety on, I put my gun back into its rightful spot before I closed the gap between me and the former sheriff. Wrapping my arms tightly around his torso, he pulled me in to a warm hug - one I've needed for so long. Clamping my eyes shut, I could feel the tears beginning to flow from my eyes. I finally found them.

Pulling away from Rick, I didn't give Glenn time to react before I ran toward my best friend. Wrapping my arms around him tightly, he stumbles a bit before returning the hug. Being the first to pull away, I notice that Glenn was also crying wt the sight of me. It has been too long since I last saw these too. "Wait here." I order before I rush off toward the oak tree.

Walking around the tree, I notice that Sophia was still asleep which causes me to smile a bit. Wiping my eyes dry, I grab my back before tossing it over my shoulders. Kneeling down, I carefully shake Sophia in hopes she'll wake up. The young girl stirs in her sleep before she carefully opens her eyes. "Grab your bag and follow me," I say as a small smile forms on my face. "I got something to show you."

Sophia only nods as she sits up, stretching as a yawn escapes her chapped lips. As she stands to her feet and grabs her bag, she then nods in my direction again which tells me she's ready. It's been our routine for fifteen days now, but those days are now over. Motioning her to follow me, the two of us quickly round the oak tree, my eyes finding Rick's instantly. His eyes move from my figure to Sophia's, a look of shock and relief flooding his features at the sight of her.

"Rick! Glenn!" Sophia shouts as a smile spreads across her face with excitement. She quickly begins to run in their direction, as Rick kneels down to wrap the girl in a hug. She collides into him with ease, as I continue to walk toward them, my eyes landing on a kid in the back seat blindfolded. Noticing blood on the seat, I suddenly feel queasy, causing me to look away and back toward Sophia and Rick.

"How?" Rick questions as he lifts Sophia up with ease before looking in my direction. I knew he wanted to know how we survived given my injuries and Sophia's fearfulness and not knowing how to survive. And honestly, I don't even know if I can give him an answer because I don't even know how we got this far. "Straight luck, honestly." I state as Rick carefully puts Sophia to her feet. The young girl then runs to Glenn and hugs him happily.

"Come with us. Everyone will be happy to see you two." Rick says happily after he had looked toward the older man who had said something, before glancing down at the blindfolded kid in their car. Nodding at his words, I motion Sophia to follow me toward the back of their car. Climbing into the long trunk as the older man climbs into the back seat to tend to the kid, Glenn and Rick get in the front. "We found them Kat," Sophia signs excitedly as she motions toward Rick and Glenn. She had never lost hope, despite us being lost for fourteen days. "I get to see mom again and you get Daryl back!"

><><><><

Greene's

That is what the mailbox read as we pulled into the long driveway, Glenn getting in and out of the car to open and close the gate. As Rick drove forward, I look out of the windshield to see a decently sized home; a farm house. It stood tall, untouched against the world around it - hidden by the death that seemed to lurked around every corner. Fences separated areas of the land, a spot for a garden, a spot for the cows, an area for the horses and a small but homey spot for the white house with a wrapped around porch. It was definitely my dream home, one I dreamt of for my mother and I years ago.

Picking at the skin around my nails anxiously, Sophia gently takes my hand into her own causing me to look down at her. Despite my anxieties, seeing the young girl excited was enough to calm my fears. While I taught her all she needed to know to survive, I knew I had to give her back to Carol - despite loving her as my own. Rick slowly brings the car to a stop, causing me to look back out of the windshield - everyone was there. Everyone was gathered around the porch of the home, staring at the car with their own anxieties.

"You ready kiddo?" I asked as I scoot toward the trunk's door, before clicking it open. Sophia nods as she steps out of the car, followed by me as she keeps ahold of my hand. Rounding the car slowly, I watch as Rick reunites with Lori and Carl, the trio embracing happily. Next to me, a brunette woman had ran toward Glenn, completely bypassing the older man who had been happy to see her, before wrapping her arms around Glenn.

"Mommy!" Sophia suddenly shouts as she lets go of my hand. Watching as the little girl ran from me and toward the house, I watch as Carol Pelletier stumbles as she rushes toward her daughter. Carol wraps her arms around Sophia, hugging her and checking to see if she was okay all while crying tears of joy. Before I could look away from the reunited family, I let out a yelp as I am forced to the ground. Catching myself, I am instantly greeted with a wet tongue and an overly excited dog - Millie.

Before I could react, Millie is carefully removed from my body, allowing me time to wipe her slobbers from my face. A ran is suddenly in my line of sight, an all too familiar hand, which causes me to trail it to the arm that was attached, before looking to see exactly who it was attached to. My heart suddenly begins to beat faster as I notice the all too familiar stormy blues, my stomach twisting in knots as I finally see my redneck in front of me. "Daryl...." I gasped out as I quickly stand to my feet and wrap my arms around his shoulders. Tears began to flow down my cheeks as he wraps his arms around my sides, lifting me from the ground with ease.

God, it hurt that he was squeezing my wound.

But I didn't care as I held onto my best friend, the love of my life, my redneck.

Daryl was the first to pull away, our faces inches apart as he cups mine with his worn down hands. The rough skin caressed my face gently as he wipes away the tears. Before I could react, before I could move away, Daryl Dixon's face collided with mine, our lips connecting instantly. Kissing back instantly, I place my hands over his, in hopes it'd last longer. We were sober, it was really happening.

I was kissing my best friend.

____Word Count: 2,384

Welcome back to The Deaf One!

I am so sorry that it took forever to get this chapter out, nearly a year to be exact. But life has been hectic. I found out I was pregnant toward the end of May 2023, got engaged in July of 2023, got married in October of 2023 and finally welcomed my son in January of 2024 via a c-section. On top of my regular, everyday depression and anxiety - I had formed postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, postpartum rage and PTSD from the labor and delivery of my son.

Then in March of 2024, my son had to have surgery due to Pyloric Stenosis. So I really haven't had the time to sit down and fully write and public a book or chapter. But now that everything is finally settled and my boy is a happy six month old, I sat down and wrote this chapter.

I really hope you guys enjoy it!

Lots of Love, Crimson Rose