"We're gonna be okay, Hailey. Grandpa Daryl's gonna be okay and then we'll go back and be with Daddy.".-
Taylor Wook
•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•
-Chapter Summary:-
The fair is a wonderful treat for all the communities. That is until Taylor realizes someone is missing. Setting out to find them, her and the others make a horrifying discovery.
•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•
-Chapter one hundred & three; The Calm Before Part 2-
•••
-6 Years Ago-
TAYLOR
TAYLOR ALWAYS USED TO LOVE
winter season where she could step outside and enjoy the chilling air.
But now that enjoyment had turned into something lethal, and instead, it was up to her to keep herself and Daryl warm throughout the harsh winter months.
Shivering, she rubbed her hands covered with fingerless gloves together before placing them over the heat that radiated from off the campfire in front of her and Daryl's tent before crawling back inside and bundled up in the many blankets.
She placed the back of her hand on top of his forehead, and after seemingly weeks, his fever seemed to be finally disappearing; atleast to her it was.
It might have been just how cold her hands were...
Groaning, she felt the growl of her empty stomach, instinctively placing her hand over it.
She hadn't eaten in days, and her and Lee's baby was getting bigger with each passing day.
Was this murder to her unborn child...not being able to eat and give the nutrients her baby needed.
Lori had the same problem with Judith when they were on the road for eight months after the downfall of Hershel's farm, and they managed.
...Lori...Hershel...
Grabbing her backpack and crossbow from the corner of the tent, she spoke to Daryl, "I'm gonna go out and see if I can find us some rabbits. Maybe a deer; if I'm lucky...I'll be back soon.".
She placed a kiss on his forehead before slipping out of the tent and zipped the flaps shut, hoisting her backpack over her shoulder.
There had to be some animal tracks around here somewhere...
Following the creek line, she made her way into the forest, scanning the snowy floor for any signs of disturbance.
Perking her head up, Taylor heard barking in the distance, and she rushed ahead to see what was going on.
Racing up to a small clearing, a german shepherd was barking up at a group of walkers as they surrounded the dog.
"Hey fuckers!" She called, grabbing some of their attention, and she shot one of the walkers in the head with her crossbow.
Pulling out her hunting knife and tossing her crossbow to the ground, she stabbed a walker in the head as the dog tackled and killed a walker.
Pulling out her hunting knife, she threw it into another walkers head as the dog took out the last walker.
Retrieving her hunting knife and sheathing it, she picked up her crossbow as she caught her breath, "Good dog.".
The dog barked before rushing up to her and hopped up on its back legs before it happily licked her face.
Giggling, she scratched the german shepherd behind its ears, "You're a cute doggie, aren't you?".
Taylor then froze as she heard the cock of a gun from behind her, "Drop your weapons and get away from the dog.".
Dropping her crossbow, Taylor then unbuckled her belt along with her sheath and let the two items fall to the ground along with her crossbow, "Listen, lady. I-I don't want any trouble. I'm just trying to find some food.".
"Says the lady touching my Dog. C'mere." The unknown lady called for her supposed Dog that just so happened to be named Dog.
Dog walked past Taylor and to the unknown woman behind her as she ordered once more, "Turn around and hands where I can see them.".
Slowly, Taylor turned around and faced the unknown woman, seeing a dirty blonde haired girl around Daryl's age holding a double barrel shotgun.
Taylor hated how much energy it took out of her to take out those walkers; she felt ready to fall over...
The woman's face softened at the sight of Taylor, "You're just a teenager...".
Sniffling from the cold, Taylor clung to her military coat as a particular chilling breeze gusted through the air, "I'm just trying to find food for me and my dad. He's...he's really sick. Do you have any medical supplies or food to spare?".
The woman looked her over one more time before slowly lowering her shotgun, "Think you can keep up? It's a fair walk to my place and you look thinner than a tree branch.".
Taylor nodded, a bright smile spreading across her face, "Thank you so much! Seriously, this means a lot to me.".
The woman simply nodded before whistling for Dog, "Dog! C'mon, we're heading back.".
Taylor followed the woman silently through the woods after grabbing her gear as they made their way to her place, and roughly half an hour later, they came up to a wooden cabin.
"Do you and Dog just live out here by yourselves?" Taylor finally asked, breaking the awkward silence between the two as she looked over the wooden structure.
"I tend to stay away from people." The woman replied as she opened the door to the porch, "I'm making an exception for you because I feel bad and have a surplus amount of supplies. Now get inside, it's freezing.".
As soon as Taylor crossed the threshold of the porch, she heard the woman mutter a sorry before something was rammed into the back of her head, knocking her out cold.
"You can never be too careful." Was the last thing Taylor heard from the woman before everything faded...
•••
-Present Time-
OF ALL TIMES, TAYLOR HAD NO
clue why that memory came to mind as she walked out onto the stage set up in The Kingdom's square.
Maybe it was the cloudy day that was that of the day she met Leah...
All thoughts dissipated from her mind as she walked up to the microphone set up in the middle of the stage, a large crowd in front of her that was waiting for her to preform.
Reluctantly, she grabbed the microphone, "Hello, everyone. I hope you're all having a wonderful time at the trade fair so far. Everyone that is here and the people who have passed are the reason this is possible. I have my adoptive father, husband, daughter, and friends to thank that I'm still here. They're the only reason I'm still here. To thank you all for making today possible, I'm bringing back a classic song by one of the greatest bands of all time: Nirvana. Clap it up for Smells Like Teen Spirit everyone!".
The mass of people began cheering and clapping as Taylor began playing the beat to Nirvana,
"Load up on guns and bring your friends"
"It's fun to lose and to pretend"
"She's over bored and self assured"
"Oh no, I know a dirty word"
"Hello, hello, hello, how low?"
"Hello, hello, hello, how low?"
"Hello, hello, hello, how low?"
"Hello, hello, hello!"
"With the lights out, it's less dangerous"
"Here we are now, entertain us"
"I feel stupid and contagious"
"Here we are now, entertain us"
"A mulatto"
"An albino"
"A mosquito"
"My libido"
"Yay"
"Yay"
"Yay"
As she switched to the guitar part, she couldn't help but smile as the crowd began to clap along with the beat,
"I'm worse at what I do best"
"And for this gift I feel blessed"
"Our little group has always been"
"And always will until the end"
Memories of the Atlanta camp group from all those years ago flooded through her head as she continued to strum on the guitar,
"Hello, hello, hello, how low?"
"Hello, hello, hello, how low?"
"Hello, hello, hello, how low?"
"Hello, hello, hello!"
"With the lights out, it's less dangerous"
"Here we are now, entertain us"
"I feel stupid and contagious"
"Here we are now, entertain us"
"A mulatto"
"An albino"
"My libido"
"Yay"
"Yay"
"Yay"
As she switched to the guitar part once more, the crowd wasn't only clapping now, but they were also cheering her name, "Taylor! Taylor! Taylor!".
Of all the pain she went through before the apocalypse, and even after all the losses she had experienced, moments like these are what made it worth it to continue living...
She hoped her mom, dad, and sister could see her now...
"And I forget just why I taste"
"Oh yeah, I guess it makes me smile"
"I found it hard, it's hard to find"
"Oh well, whatever, nevermind"
"Hello, hello, hello, how low?"
"Hello, hello, hello, how low?"
"Hello, hello, hello, how low?"
"Hello, hello, hello!"
"With the lights out, it's less dangerous"
"Here we are now, entertain us"
"I feel stupid and contagious"
"Here we are now, entertain us"
"A mulatto"
"An albino"
"A mosquito"
"My libido"
"A denial!"
"A denial!"
"A denial!"
"A denial!"
"A denial!"
"A denial!"
"A denial!"
"A denial!"
"A denial!"
(For the audio and video for Smells Like Teen Spirit just tap on the video above. ^^)
As she strummed the last chord, her breath heavy and her voice practically gone, the crowds cheers never died down.
She grinned brightly as she waved down to everyone, "Thank you everybody! Thank you so much! Let's give it up for Becca Black now everyone!".
The crowd began cheering for Becca as she walked out onstage and waved, Taylor tossing her the guitar before hugging her, "Break a leg, girl.".
Becca hugged Taylor back, "I will. Don' you worry 'bout that.".
Taylor rushed backstage and took the steps down out back and to the crowd full of people, most of them having long forgotten their chairs, opting to stand for the mini rock concert.
As she walked up to Jordyn and the others, Daryl was the first to embrace her, "Ye did great, babygirl.".
She smiled, hugging him back, "Thank you.".
Jordyn then hugged her, "I've never seen Daryl so pumped in my life.".
Taylor chuckled, "It's 'cause he's an ancient fossil.".
Daryl scoffed, "I'm only fifty two. I ain't that old.".
"Anyway, have you guys seen Lee?" Taylor asked, "I didn't see him during the show.".
"Daddy went to use the restroom." Hailey replied with a smile before rushing up to Taylor and hugged her, "You did amazing, mommy!".
Taylor delicately tucked a few strands of Hailey's hair behind her ears, "Thank you, baby.".
Jesse got up from his seat, "I'll go check on him. Knowing him he probably had to take a shit.".
Joel scoffed as Jesse walked off, "How charming.".
Dina smirked as she looked up at Taylor from her seat beside Ellie, "He probably couldn't handle your sexiness.".
Taylor blushed embarrassingly as she burried her face in her hands, "...You're embarrassing me...".
That's when Becca strummed her guitar, "Who's ready to fucking party!".
The crowd cheered and roared as Becca began playing her song, "Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes! Here we go!".
"I'm gonna fight 'em off".
"A seven nation army couldn't hold me back".
"They're gonna rip it off".
"Taking their time right behind my back".
"And I'm talkin' to myself at night".
"Because I can't forget".
"Back and forth through my mind".
"Behind a cigarette".
"And the message comin' from my eyes says leave it alone".
As Becca switched to the guitar solo, Jesse walked up to Taylor and the others, "Lee's not in the bathroom.".
A look of worry spread over Taylor's face, "He never came back...".
Daryl grabbed her hand, "Hey, it's alri'. We'll uh...we'll look 'roun' the fair for him. I'll ask Ezekiel if he's seen him.".
She nodded, "Tell Becca I'm so sorry I missed her show. I'll make it up to her.".
"Taylor, wait! Where the hell ye goin'!?" He called after her as she began making her way through the crowd.
Becca picked back up the lyrics,
"Don't wanna hear about it".
"Every single one's got a story to tell".
"Everyone knows about it".
"From the Queen of England to the hounds of hell".
"And if I catch it comin' back my way".
"I'm gonna serve it to you".
"And that ain't what you want to hear".
"But that's what I'll do".
"And the feeling coming from my bones says find a home".
(For the full song, you can listen to it here. ^^)
•••
-Six Years Ago-
TAYLOR AWOKE WITH A GROAN
a strong ache at the back of her head from where the woman hit her with her shotgun.
Trying to sit up, she failed, seeing her wrists were tied to the bedposts of a bed.
Turning her head to the sound of a door opening, she saw the woman walk inside the bedroom she was in with Dog behind her, and she sat sown a backpack at the edge of the bed.
Taylor glared at her, "Why the hell did you hit me?".
"Can't be too careful." The woman simply replied, pulling out a pocket knife as she walked up to her and freed her wrists, "Eat.".
The woman pointed over to a small table by a fireplace that had a bowl of soup on it.
Quickly rushing over, Taylor sat down at the table and began downing the contents of the soup.
The woman sat down across from her with Dog in her lap, "You said the last time you ate was days ago?".
Taylor simply nodded, "I gave the last of the food rations to my dad.".
"Sounds like you really care about your dad." The woman commented, patting Dog on the head.
Taylor smiled to herself, "Uh...anyway, what's your name, lady?".
"...Leah..." The woman quietly responded, "You?".
"Taylor, Taylor Dixon." She replied.
The woman got up, "Well, Taylor, whenever you finish eating take the bag and go. It has a good bit of food and medical supplies for you and your dad.".
Taylor looked around curiously, "Do you live by yourself?".
"That's none of your concern." Leah replied, "C'mon Dog.".
Leah then walked out of the bedroom with Dog, closing the door.
"Alright then." Taylor sighed, standing up.
Walking over to a mirror in the corner of Leah's bedroom, she slid off her military coat and let it drop to the floor before rolling up her turtleneck over her baby bump and stood sideways in the mirror, smiling as she rested her hands over her stomach, "We're gonna be okay, Hailey. Grandpa Daryl's gonna be okay and then we'll go back and be with Daddy.".
•••
TAYLOR FROWNED AT THE
memories as Becca switched to another guitar solo, Taylor grabbing her crossbow, backpack, and sniper rifle from backstage.
Did Lee really leave the fair without a word?
What reason did he have to leave?
After grabbing her belongings she headed to the front gates of The Kingdom.
The King was walking around greeting pguests, and he caught her worried gaze, excusing himself from the guests before walking over to her, "Lady Taylor. What seems to be troubling you?".
"I can't find Lee anywhere." She replied as she swung herself over Daryl's motorcycle, "I'm heading out to find him.".
"Whoah. Do you not think that is a bit rash. I am sure he's around here somewhere." The King tried to reason with her.
She revved up Daryl's motorcycle, "I have a bad feeling about what happened. Please, help the others search here. I'll be back in a bit.".
She called up to the guard on duty to open the gates which they did, and Taylor was then off to find her husband.
•••
-The Next Day-
NIGHT HAD ALREADY PASSED AND
it was now the following day.
A few miles back, Taylor saw some footprints in the woods, and she abandoned Daryl's bike, opting to follow the tracks.
It led her to a dull, grassy clearing, and she could see some of the others standing out there on the field.
"Guys!" She called up to them, beginning to run her way towards them.
She could see Daryl holding a crying Carol, and Becca burrying Hailey in an embrace.
'Oh god...what the hell happened...'.
"Guys!" She called out once more, and she saw Daryl turn to face her.
Ellie hugged Carol instead of him as he rushed towards her, "Taylor, don' look!".
She was confused as he burried her face in his vest and flannel, and she struggled out of her grip, "What the hell happened?".
She turned to look at the pikes, seeing something she never, ever dreamed of seeing...
People's cut off heads were stuck on top of the pikes, and they were walkers...
Some of the people were unfamiliar to her, but she recognized some.
Tammy, Tara, Henry, Tommy, and...
"No. No no no no no no...." She fell on her knees as tears welled up in her eyes.
"M-Mommy..." Hailey cried, rushing up to Taylor and hugged her.
Lee...no....
Joel and Ellie hugged the young mother and her daughter at her realization that her husband was dead.
She felt lost...like a piece of her had been ripped in half by a walker...
The fucking Whisperers did this...and they were gonna pay...
•••
-A Few Days Later-
WINTER HAD OFFICIALLY COME TO
Virginia.
Sinxe Taylor's arrival in the northern state, this was her first time seeing snow, but yet, she couldn't enjoy it.
She was currently sharing a room with Daryl back at The Kingdom with Hailey, as the young mother couldn't stand to be alone right now.
Hailey's head was rested in Taylor's lap as she rubbed her back, Hailey having just gotten done with crying over her passed-on father.
Sighing, Taylor's pointer finger brushed over her now ringless finger, "I'm so sorry, Lee...".
Daryl walked inside the bedroom, seeing Taylor and Hailey sitting on their bed as he brushed the snowflakes off his shoulders, "Hey...".
"Did Lydia put it there?" She asked him, "Did she leave the ring?".
He gave a subtle nod, "Yeah, she did.".
Sniffing, Taylor gently laid Hailey down on the bed before rushing up to Daryl and burried her face in his vest and flannel, "...I miss him so much...".
He hugged her back, resting his calloused hand at the back of her head, "I know ye do, babygirl. I know ye do...".
This Whisperes had to go...
To Be Continued...
Word Count: 3074
Edited: ❌
@Taylor_Frickin_Dixon
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