In the Very End: Book One

Chapter 29

*WARNING: Please be advised that this chapter contains mature content and strong language.*

Chapter 29
Daryl's POV

Merle and I had been walking for quite a while now. I couldn't believe I had left her like that. The look on her face broke my heart, which is weird because I didn't think I even had a heart. We had been close since the day she got there. She was the only one who got me, who understood me. We had all been through thick and thin together. How could we just walk away the way we did? It was obvious that Merle wasn't affected by anything. Nothing affected him much anymore.

"Man, there ain't nothin' out here but 'squitos and ants," I mentioned.

"Patience, lil' brother," Merle answered. "Sooner or later, squirrels are bound to scurry across your path."

"Even so, that ain't much food," I pointed out.

"Eh, more than nothin'," Merle replied, hiking his pants up.

"Better luck goin' through one of them houses we passed by back on the turnoff," I informed.

"Is that what your friends taught ya? Hmm?" Merle asked, turning around. "How to loot for booty?"

"We've been out here for hours," I informed, taking the subject off the others.

I didn't really want to think about Quinn right now. I can't imagine what she's thinking of me. She could've gone with us, but how could I make her choose?

"Why don't we find a stream?" I suggested. "Catch us some fish."

"I think you're just tryin' to lead me back to that road, get me over to that prison," Merle notified.

"They got shelter, food," I started. "A pot to piss in might not be a bad idea."

"For you, maybe," Merle responded. "Ain't gonna be no damn party for me."

"Everyone'll get used to each other."

"They're all dead," Merle retorted, winding a piece of barbed wire around his stump. "Makes no difference."

"How can you be sure?" I asked.

"Right about now, he's probably hostin' a housewarming party," Merle answered, "where he's gonna bury what's left of your pals."

"Let's go hook some fish," I said, leaning off the tree and heading towards the woods.

___

"Smells to me like the Sawhatchee Creek," Merle said as he sniffed the air.

"Nah, we didn't go west enough," I informed. "If there's a river down there, it's the Yellow Jacket."

"You have a stroke, boy?" Merle asked. "We ain't even close to the Yellow Jacket."

"Yeah, well it ain't the Sawhatchee either, smartass," I retorted. "We didn't go west. Just a little bit south, that's what I think."

"You know what I think?" Merle challenged. "I may have lost my hand, but you lost your sense of direction."

"Yeah, we'll see about that," I said mockingly as I ducked under a tree limb.

"What do ya wanna bet?" Merle asked.

"I don't wanna bet nothin'," I answered. "It's just a body of water. Why's everything gotta be a competition with you?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Take it easy, lil' brother. Just tryin' to have a little fun here. No need to get your panties all in a bundle."

A cry echoed in the distance. At first I thought I was just hearing things, but then Merle spoke up.