FALLING APART daryl dixon

THIRTY NINE - GOODNIGHT, LOVE

Under the overcast sky, the group scrambled to rearrange the cars in the upper yard. Rick, the de facto leader, barked orders.

- Move the cars to the upper yard, point them facing out so they'll be ready to go if we ever need to bail - He commanded.

As the group hustled to follow Rick's instructions, tension hung in the air. T-Dog received a peculiar task: to give Axel and Oscar a week's worth of supplies and send them on their way. T-Dog, showing disbelief at letting them go, questioned the decision. Alycia, seemingly unfazed, walked ahead, uninterested in the unfolding conversation. She climbed onto a nearby jeep, her arms reaching for the wheel as she let out a sigh, a small smile playing on her lips as memories flooded her mind.

- Twin Cylinder, is that a Triumph? - Axel inquired, eyeing Daryl's motorcycle as he joined him.

- Don't even look at it - Daryl grumbled, focused on reviving the stubborn engine, ignoring Axel's attempt at conversation.

Observing the scene from the corner of her eyes, Alycia rested her elbow on the open window of the jeep. She caught Axel's gaze on her, prompting her to furrow her eyebrows and narrow her eyes.

"Disgusting men," she thought to herself.

Daryl, sensing the tension, coughed and straightened up. Axel's attention shifted from Alycia to Daryl.

- Best be damn sure you can't be looking at her either - Daryl warned.

Alycia, overhearing Daryl's words, felt her heart quicken its pace, a mixture of surprise and anticipation flooding her. The unspoken dynamics of the group were shifting, and Alycia found herself caught in the crossfire of glances and unspoken tensions.

- I'll go with you - Alycia volunteered.

Daryl nodded, a subtle smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

- We'll throw as much wood as we can in the dog run - Rick explained, disregarding their side conversation.

- What about the fire? - Alycia asked her father.

- Won't it attract more walkers? - Glenn finished her thought. - Maybe we should bury them.

- We're behind the fence; it's worth the one-time risk to get rid of the bodies for good - Rick stated firmly. - I don't want to be planting crops in walker-rotted soil.

Alycia glanced up, watching as Hershel maneuvered with his new crutches in the courtyard, assisted by Lori, Beth, and Carl.

- He is one tough son of a bitch - Glenn grinned, stacking firewood to the side.

Rick nodded at Alycia, who then sprinted inside.

- All right, Hershel - Glenn yelled.

Daryl quickly silenced him, reminding him of the potential dangers outside the walls.

- Keep your cheers down - He cautioned.

The walkers, drawn by the noise, began to approach the fences.

- Oh man, can't we just have one good day? - Glenn muttered under his breath.

Alycia rejoined the group, embracing Carl as she saw him, momentarily creating a sense of contentment. Rick stood, observing his wife with a hint of appreciation for the fleeting moment of security.

- Looks like you have an audience, Hershel - Alycia jokes, glancing back to where eyes were fixed on Hershel.

Until she saw it.

Walkers in the courtyard.

- Walkers! - Alycia screamed.

Alycia swiftly positioned her mother and Carl behind her, weapon in hand, eliminating the approaching threat.