Chapter 2 - Car Troubles

Seven Years Later

"There have been three more incidents of these vicious attacks in Washington, California and Georgia. It is currently unknown what has been causing these attacks but authorities have warned that if you come into contact with anyone that has these symptoms to immediately call 911. More to report later on in the programme."

I sit down on my couch and sip my coffee as I look at the TV, the female anchor woman going on about the royal family. I look back down at my crossword when there's a knock at the front door, "Come in!" I yell, knowing exactly who it will be. The front door opens and I hear thumping footsteps coming down the hall way.

"Got any beer Darling?" Merle asks before even properly entering the room.

"In the fridge." I murmur, filling in a word.

Daryl comes over and takes a seat beside me, putting down his crossbow on the ground, "You want one baby brother?" Merle asks from behind me.

"Yeah." Daryl says, wiping at his face with his doo-rag.

"Bree?" He asks and I look up from my crossword, "Yeah Merle."

I place the crossword and pen down onto the small table and look over at Daryl, "How was the hunting trip?" I ask, taking in his dirty form.

Merle walks over and hands him and I our beers as he speaks, "We were tracking this deer for a few days, we eventually got the stupid prick."

"Yeah, it was ninety five degrees out there. We were both sweating our asses off something shocking. But we eventually caught the son of a bitch, it's sitting in the back of the pickup waiting to be skinned and cooked. Want some?" He asks as he takes a long drink of his beer.

I nod my head, "Yeah, I'll make dinner for the three of us tomorrow night seeing as I have to work at the diner tonight. Besides, it's not like it's something I do most days." I chuckle, taking a sip of my beer.

The guys chuckle, "We cook for ourselves when you're on the night shift." Merle protests.

"Merle I haven't been on the night shift in almost two weeks, they very rarely give me them after I specifically asked to have day shifts so that I could feed your lazy asses." I say, smirking between the two men.

"You better watch your mouth or we won't fix your car no more." Daryl says as he takes a drink and I punch his arm, earning a chuckle from him.

"Breaking news. There have been four more attacks reported from Oklahoma, Utah, San Diego and Florida. A total of thirty people have been killed by these vicious outbursts, amongst these being five police officers and two paramedics. Reports show that officers tried to reprimand the offenders and were attacked." The news anchor reports, showing footage of the police officers being attacked from a distance on a camera phone.

"This is getting insane, this is the fourth breaking news story I've heard within the past three hours. This is getting out of hand." I say taking a sip of my beer as the news reporter continues.

"Nah, I bet it's just the government trying to get people scared. I bet there's nothing even to really worry about." Merle says as he takes a drink.

I shake my head, "No Merle, there have around fifty attacks just in this past week alone. With around four hundred dead. This isn't just some scare tactic." I state.

"Do they even know what's going on?" Daryl asks and I shake my head, "No, they don't know what it is. So far they've mused gang related actions, terrorism, some form of virus that's been travelling through the water system and effecting everyone but they don't have anything definite." I explain.

"You don't need to worry Darling, this will all be over before you know it." Merle says and I turn back to look at the news anchor.

"Police are urging that you to stay cautious as you travel, being aware of any danger and call for help immediately if you are in danger. Stay safe."

"Alright that's enough of this bullshit." Merle says, reaching for the remote and switching off the TV.

I look away from the TV and glance up at the clock on the wall which reads five thirty, "I gotta go get ready for work." I state, putting my beer down and getting up.

I walk into my room, my mother's old room and begin to get dressed for work. My mother passed away around three years ago, her liver and heart failing due to all the drinking and smoking. It wasn't exactly a surprise but it still hurt when she passed away. Daryl and Merle were there for me the whole time, supporting me and helping plan the funeral. Their father had passed away around a year or so before hand, though they didn't give a shit what happened to him. They didn't even hold a funeral, just cremating him and getting rid of the ashes.

I pick out the uniform and pull it on, the skirt halfway up my tanned and toned legs. Though I'm forty years old, I keep pretty fit. I go on a lot of walks and runs, making sure I keep fit. I mostly eat healthy as well, which annoys the shit out of the guys most nights but it helps them too. I slip on the top and undo a few buttons, knowing that it will help with my tips from the pervy older men. I slip my hair up into a pony tail and spritz on some perfume. I apply my work make up and pull on my boots before walking back out.

The guys sit there having their drinks as I walk over to the coffee table to grab my handbag. They look over at me and Merle gives out an appreciative whistle and I roll my eyes, "You do this every time you see me in my work uniform."

"Well I have to tell you, that work uniform does things to me." He says suggestively and I laugh at him, "You're disgusting." I say.

I notice Daryl's eyes on me too and a small blush comes to my cheeks. I pull my handbag onto my shoulder and look between the two of them, "If you're staying for dinner, there's some left over casserole from the other night as well as plenty of beer. If you're not staying, lock up when you're done."

They both nods their heads and I turn and make my way out of the house, "I'll see you later." I call out and they mumble a goodbye.

I roll my eyes as I make my way out of the house towards my truck, keys jingling on my hands. I get in and toss my bag on he passenger seat, turning on the car. I try it a couple of more times, thinking about how much I need Merle and Daryl to look at it. On the next try it starts and I let out a sigh of relief, quickly pulling out of the driveway and making my way towards the diner. I get out of the car and make my way inside, settling in for five hours worth of work.

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It's eleven thirty by the time I make my way home from the diner, completely and utterly exhausted. It was a busy night tonight, some big game on but I'm not sure for what sport. Heaps of sweaty and excited men crowded into the place, their eyes eagerly focused on the TV screen. Though it was busy, there were plenty of tips coming my way which was good.

However as I drive along I hear a weird noise coming from my car. I look down and see the check engine light flashing brightly up at me and I sigh angrily. I turn onto my street and turn into my driveway when it makes a loud sound, the car suddenly stopping, "For fuck's sake." I mutter, getting out of the car.

I slam the door and walk to the front, using the street lamp for light to see what I'm doing. I open the hood up and steam rises out and I cough, swinging my hand to wipe the steam out of my face. I hear a door open and I turn to see the front light of the Dixon house come on, Daryl standing on his front steps, "Everything alright?" He asks.

I shake my head, "No, the evidence died."

He stomps his way down his steps and across the front lawn towards my car, "What happened?" He asks as he approaches.

I shrug my shoulders, "I don't know, the check engine light came on and then it just died as I pulled into the driveway. The stupid thing has been playing up for two weeks now." I mutter.

"Why didn't you tell us?" He asks as he looks down into the engine.

"I didn't think it was anything serious, if it got worse I would have gotten you guys to have a look. Besides you had your hunting trip." I state, folding my arms over my chest.

"We could've pushed that back a couple of days, this is bad Bree." He says before he turns and looks at me, "Put it in neutral and help me push it over towards the front porch." He says instructs.

I nod and open up the door, climbing in quickly. I turn the key and put it in neutral before climbing back out. I stand by the door and Daryl opens up the other and he looks over at me, "Ready?"

I nod my head and get into position, "Now." He grunts and I push forward on the truck, it sliding forward.

We easily guide the truck towards the door we stop it before it rolls too far forward. I climb back in and park the car before hopping back out. I turn to Daryl, "Now what?" I ask.

"I'll go get the tools from the shed, you get the porch light on." He says as he walks towards his garage.

I nod and walk up the stairs, letting myself inside. I open up the door and flick the switch for the front porch light before I walk through the house. I quickly duck into my room and change into something more comfortable. I undo my hair and walk to the kitchen, grabbing two beers before I make my way back outside.

I walk out the door and see Daryl bent over the engine, his reaching down inside. I look him over and watch as the muscles in his arm bunch deliciously as he works the tool. I feel slightly flustered and I look away, stepping down onto the porch, "Brought you a beer." I say, taking a seat at the edge of the porch, my legs hanging over the edge.

He grunts in acknowledgement as he works the engine, "How was work?" He asks.

I take a sip of my beer before I speak, "You know the diner, same old shit different day." I state and he chuckles, "But it was game night so there was some decent tips." I state.

"That's why you always volunteer to work on game nights." He says knowingly and I smile at just how much he knows me.

I shake my head and take another drink, "Where's Merle?" I ask, wondering where his doofus brother is.

He pokes his tongue out to the side as he pulls at something, "Passed out. We ate dinner and then came home, a few of his mates coming over."

"High or drunk?" I ask, taking another sip.

"Both." He says as he pulls something out of the engine and I chuckle.

He looks at it for a moment before grabbing out a screwdriver and beginning to work on the piece of engine in his hand. I settle back against the post and look over at him, watching him work. His face is in complete concentration, his eyebrows knitted together. After about five minutes he turns back to the engine and starts to screw the thing back in.

"You wanna get into the truck and start it up?" He asks as he grabs his beer and has a drink.

I put my bottle down and jump down, walking over to the driver's seat. I climb in and twist the key and the engine roars to life. I smile as he pulls the hood down and he has a small smile on his face to. The radio comes on and I switch off the engine, leaving the radio going. Daryl grabs my beer and gets into the passenger's side, handing my beer over to me.

I smile at him as a slow song begins to play and I prop my feet up out the open window, leaning my elbow on the middle seat. Daryl does the exact same thing on the opposite side and we stare out the window as the music plays. We sit there for a while, just sipping our beers and listening to the music in peace. Another song comes on and I recognise it immediately, my lips turning into a sad smile.

"This was my Mom's favourite song." I say quietly, off in my own head.

I listen to the song as I stare out the windscreen, "God I miss her." I say quietly, looking towards the window of her old bedroom, my bedroom.

"She was one tough bitch." He says and I chuckle, nodding my head, "You got that right. That woman was the only family I ever really had you know? Besides you and Merle." I clarify after a moment.

He see him nod his head, "Yeah, she was always good to us." He states.

My Mom would look after Merle and Daryl a lot when their parents couldn't, not that they ever really did anyway. They were always over at my house, we very rarely went there to avoid their father. Mom made sure they were fed, seeing that they were skin and bones most of time. I chuckle at the thought, realising that that is what I do now.

"You ever think about your Mom?" I ask.

He's quiet and I turn my head to see him looking out the windshield, his eyes looking at something but not focused on it. He stays quiet for a moment longer before shaking his head, "Not really, I don't really like to." He admits.

I nod my head and look down at my near empty beer bottle, "For what it's worth, before everything happened, your Mom was pretty great." I state, thinking back to all those years ago.

His expression is unreadable but eventually he nods his head, "Yeah... She was." He states.

He takes a long drink of his beer and I have another sip, finishing it off. The song finishes and a radio announcement comes on, "The Governor of Georgia Sonny Perdue issued an emergency statement at six twenty pm today about the vicious attacks that have been going. Here are the highlights from his speech."

Daryl and I exchange a look before we look back towards the radio, "These attacks have become more frequent and have created great concern within our government and everyday lives. Earlier it was announced by President Obama that we now know that what is causing these attacks is some sort of illness. It is unknown what causes it or what treatment there is but it is advised that you stay indoors and avoid large crowds to avoid transferring the illness."

The speech stops and it tunes back to the newsman, "Perdue also stated later on that the CDC as well as other government facilities are working on what is causing this mystery illness and finding treatments for it. Until then, we urge you to stay indoors and keep yourselves safe."

The broadcast finishes and it cuts over to a DJ, introducing the next song, "This is getting really bad Dare." I say, looking over to him.

His eyes remain on the radio, "This is just like those Ebola scares, I'm sure it's barely even a threat." He says.

I look at him unsurely, "How can you be so sure?" I ask.

He turns and looks at me, "Because this type of thing has happened so many times now that you'd think we're all infected. There haven't been any attacks around here, it seems to only be in the big cities. We're fine Bree." He states.

I look at him for a moment before nodding my head, "Okay." I say, knowing that I'm more than likely over reacting.

He nods his head and I look forward once more, letting out a long yawn. I blink tiredly and he sits up in his seat, "Go to bed."

I shake my head, "I'm fine." I say, just really enjoying his company.

He shakes his head, "No, go on to bed. I'll see you tomorrow." He says, getting out of the car.

I get up from my seat, letting out a grown and I turn the car off. I climb down and grab my empty bottle off of the seat and shut the door, locking it behind me. Daryl walks over and grabs my beer bottle off of me, "I'll put these in the trash on my way past."

I nod my head and let out another yawn and stretch my arms up, my shirt riding up on my stomach. I put my arms down and readjust my shirt before turning to him, "I'll see you tomorrow." I say.

He nods his head and I turn, making my way into the house, "Night Dare." I call back.

"Night." He says and I clomp my way up the steps and into my house, I close the door behind me and lock it. I shut off the front light and turn into my room, dumping my keys on the bedside table before falling onto the bed and falling asleep instantly.