(TW!! Mentions of abuse, s/a, self-harm, and drug usage!!)
We all cautiously approach the brown metal gate surrounded by a blue metal wall. Aaron slowly helps Eric in and a sudden thump to the left of us causes us to immediately aim our weapons to where the sound came from.
When a little possum comes scurrying out of the trashcan next to us, Daryl immediately shoots it. I let out a sigh of relief until I look back at the gate.
Nick.
What if Nick is there? No, he's a whole state away.
Adrenaline and worry cause my fingers to tingle and shake, even the scars on my back are screaming "Turn back!"
The gate fully opens as Daryl grabs the possum. "We brought dinner." He says.
The man at the gate looks at Aaron with a confused look.
Aaron nods and says, "It's okay." He turns to us and waves us in, "Come on in, guys."
Slowly, everyone begins walking in. I exhale slowly through pursed lips and follow, my grip tight on my whip.
Once we're all inside the gate closes behind us. As soon as I hear it shut, my body is filled with dread and regret for agreeing to come here.
"Before we take this any further," The gate man starts. "I need you all to turn over your weapons." He's got short, curly brown hair and a long face. He's wearing an orange flannel and grey-green cargo pants.
Fuck that.
Rick begins approaching Aaron so the gateman says, "Stay. You hand them over."
"We don't know if we want to stay." Rick says, matter-of-factly.
My senses are all on high alert. Any bump, trigger pull, scream, cry, anything and I'll know.
"It's- it's fine, Nicholas," Aaron assures the gateman.
Nicholas.
My mind immediately goes back to Nick screaming and slapping his mother for calling him Nicholas. Her cries as she tries to get him off of her and help me before he takes his anger out on me almost fully drown out all other noises.
"If we were gonna use them, we would have started yesterday." Rick grunts.
When Nicholas looks unsure Aaron turns to him. "Let them talk to Deanna first."
Without wasting a second, Abraham asks the question we were all wondering.
"Who's Deanna?"
"She knows everything you'd want to know about this place." Aaron answers.
"Rick, why don't you start?"
Rick doesn't respond, he just turns around and says, "Sasha."
All of us turn to face the gate, as well as Sasha, and we see a Walker making its way toward us.
Sasha aims her sniper and headshots the Walker point-blank.
I smirk, "Badass." I whisper. She just snorts quietly with a straight face in response.
A curtained gate closes in front of the metal one, blocking us from seeing the road.
"It's a good thing we're here." Rick quires, walking away with Aaron.
A little over an hour later, I'm the last being interviewed, of course. I was nervous to enter the house but considering my little sister came out unharmed, I decided to not be a pussy and go inside.
The room this Deanna chick has me waiting in looks like a living room from a T.V. show. There's a white fireplace on the wall to my left as I'm facing the back windows. A large, cherrywood bookshelf sits in between the two windows, and behind me is a couch and a patterned armchair across from each other.
The floor is nice, clean hardwood and everything in this room looks like it's been polished every morning, even the lamps.
My back is facing Deanna when she says, "Hi."
I whip my body around immediately and stare at her with a hard expression. A short, old woman stands about ten feet away from me. She's wearing a blue dress shirt and black dress pants. Her brown bob-hair cut is trimmed nicely and she's wearing very light makeup.
If they expect me to wear that shit, I'm fucking leaving.
She smiles and motions to the armchair for me to sit. I hesitate but with a jaw clench and a few bad words swimming in my head, I sit down.
"Mind if I record?" She asks casually.
I narrow my eyes suspiciously, "Why?"
She stands next to the camera that's placed on a tripod. "At Alexandria, we like transparency." She takes my lack of response as a yes and a quiet beep shows me that the camera's turned on.
"I'm Deanna." She smiles warmly, sitting in the middle of her brown, leather couch across from me. "And you are...?"
"Adrian..."
I pause for a split second. "Dixon."
Her eyes light up, "Daryl...is he your-"
"Yeah. We're together."
I am not calling him my husband. No, we haven't talked about it but it's pretty clear neither of us are leaving.
"Cute." She leans down and rests her elbows on her knees, interlocking her hands. "How long have you and him been together?"
"I dunno, a while?" I shrug, my words dripping with sass and annoyance.
She smirks at my response before looking me up and down. "Where'd you get those scars on your back from?"
My heart stops.
A few weeks ago, I found another shirt other than the dad shirt I'd been wearing. It was a black tank top and I cut it so that it showed barely any of my belly button, cooling me down ever so slightly from the summer heat.
I hadn't realized people could see my scars or else I would have switched shirts. I haven't seen my reflection in weeks.
"My ex-boyfriend," I recall, reluctantly.
She nods, "Who was he?"
"Nobody." I spit, sitting up straighter. "Nothing. An abuser, rapist, drug addict, whatever the fuck you wanna call him, he probably was."
Deanna nods in understanding, "You seem to have a lot. Was it just from him?"
"Are you callin' me a liar?" I bellow.
"No!" She assures me quickly. "No. Just...trying to get to know more about you."
I let out a sigh as I relax slightly into the chair. "No, not just from him. It was a group," Chills run up and down my body. "The Claimers."
Her expression goes solemn as I explain to her what the Claimers were.
"I'm...so sorry." She says quietly.
I shrug, "I'm alive, ain't I?"
Her smile returns and she nods, "You are." I think she could tell I was done talking about those mistakes for "men" so she changes the subject.
"What did you do before all of this? I was a congressperson." She smiles like being a politician is the most prominent, awesome thing ever.
"I was in a gang." I pause, deciding if I should give her the details or not. "The Brass Knuckles."
She raises her eyebrows, "Where'd that name come from?" I roll my eyes in annoyance.
"I don't know. I didn't come up with it. I think it's stupid but whatever."
She nods, "Fair point. Did your gang members have nicknames?"
I nod slightly, "Some of us."
"Did you?" My quiet groan wasn't purposeful but I don't think she could hear it.
"Yeah. Rattlesnake." As she opens her mouth to say something, I hold my hand up. "It was Rattlesnake because I was...am dangerous. I gave people a warning...the rattle of a Rattlesnake, and if they continued to try me, I would hurt 'em. Usually so bad they were on life support, venom."
Deanna nods, "What were your warnings?"
I smirk, "You'll know."
Her small lips curl into a mischievous smile, "I like you. You're sassy. You don't take anyone's crap, do you?"
That's why I was fucking called Rattlesnake, dumbass.
"It's almost like you know me already," I say with a very fake smile.
I get sick of the questions so I wave my hand in dismissal. "'Kay, whatever. Adrian, gang, psycho ex-boyfriend, Rattlesnake. What the hell is this...place."
Her eyes light up and she straightens up. "This... is Alexandria." She moves her hands in a motion to show that she means all of the area inside the walls. "Alexandria was formed before the fall. We found the brochures on our way back to Ohio."
"Our?"
"My family's. We were stopped along a backroad and sent here. My husband and new recruits built the walls. This place came with cisterns, eco-based sewage systems, solar panels. Practically apocalypse-proof."
I raise an eyebrow, "So...you've been here...the whole time? Have you even seen what it's like out there?"
Deanna shakes her head, "No. That's why we need-"
"Oh my god!" I exclaim with a laugh. "So all y'all are a bunch a' puppies?" I scoff, "No fuckin' wonder Aaron was up our asses about comin' here."
Deanna nods, "Correct. We need people who have been out there. Who knows what it's like out there."
I lean forward, mirroring her position by resting my elbows on my knees. "You wanna know what it's like out there?" When she nods, I narrow my eyes. "A bunch o' cannibals. Men who'll do whatever just to get in your fuckin' pants. Psycho fathers. Kidnappers. People who say that they're a leader but then force people to fight with Walkers surrounding them as others watch."
I continue, "Those same people who have torture chambers set for your group members. Murderers, eating dogs, not knowing what the fuck you look like for weeks. Smelling like a fuckin' athlete's shoe, being so thirsty you begin to ring out your hair after it sprinkles. Seeing any person and immediately thinking 'danger'. Trauma, PTSD, sleepless nights, funerals, finding a family."
"Airborne diseases, explosions, amputations, wars." I sit back and smirk at her appalled reaction. "That's what it's like out there."
She straightens up, "And I assume..."
"Yes, all of that is things I' been through.
Deanna opens her mouth to say something but I stand up and cut her off, "As much as I love this...no I don't. I'm sick of being in a house that smells like the perfume section of Bath and Body Works so...bye."
I don't wait for a response before I begin walking out of the house.
Once I hear the door behind me close, I groan exaggeratedly. "God she's so...animated," I complain as I stomp down the front porch steps to the group waiting outside.
"I know. She's like a fuckin'-"
"Inejra!" Gabriel exclaims.
"Sorry. She's like a mother fucking narrator for a cartoon."
Gabriel throws his hands up and shakes his head. Inejra and I smirk at each other.
I gaze at myself in the foggy mirror.
Holy shit. That's what I look like?
I look like, thirty years older. My hair is way longer than I thought, about to the middle of my ribcage. My eyes are colorless and baggy and I'm a little over ten pounds skinnier.
I place my hands on the counter and look closer at myself. In the reflection of the mirror, I catch a glimpse of my wrist.
They're healing. Fuck.
I drop my wrist and look away from the mirror.
A soft knock comes from the other side of the door, "I got some clothes I think you would like." Abraham's voice says. "They don't smell like Daryl's head."
I snort, "You can open the door, I'm wrapped in a towel."
The door flies open and Abraham stands in the doorway, staring at me. He smirks, "I see why Daryl chose you."
I chuckle and grab the clothes from his hand, "I don't see why Rosita chose you." I push him out of the door and close it. I hear him chuckle.
"Okay, asshole." His footsteps depart as I realize I'm smiling. Slightly but, it's a smile.
I look at the clothes and he, somehow, knows me so well. He gave me a pair of brown Carhartt cargo pants and a tight dark, army-green tank top.
Scars.
I smirk as I see he brought me a black jacket to pair with my outfit.
Once I change and blow-dry my hair, I walk out into the living room. We all decided to crash at the same house since we don't have our weapons.
Damien whistles, "God you're like eleven times hotter when you're...clean. If only I wasn't gay."
I smirk, "If only."
I'm so glad everyone now knows that when I say that stuff it's a joke. Thank god.
"Hey, Adrian Dixon." Alyssa smiles.
Everyone immediately turns and looks at me, Damien's mouth drops open into an open-mouthed smile.
"What?!" Damien exclaims.
My face reddens and I make eye contact with the smirking Daryl.
"Does anyone expect us to break up? No? Then technically we're... I am not saying married."
Alyssa giggles excitedly and runs over to Daryl, "So you're my brother now?"
"Ew, 'Lyss." I groan.
Alexandria is already changing her into her old, annoyingly giddy, happy self.
Daryl scoffs and ruffles her hair, shoving her by the heady very slightly. "Sure."
She jumps excitedly, "Yay! This is so exciting!" She quickly turns to me. "Next step is to have a child." She says, her face dropping in a mock intimidation.
Everyone reacts by chuckling, scoffing, typical apocalypse responses.
"You're fuckin' funny," I respond, shoving her lightly. "Also, woah, how the hell did you know I told Deanna my last name is Dixon?"
She smirks, "I didn't."
My face drops but my mouth quickly forms into a smile. "Oh. My. God. You're an ass. You're a genius. And you know me too well it freaks me out."
Rick comes in the room from talking to Michonne and I see him freshly cleaned since like weeks ago.
And shaved.
He notices my smirk and we both just stare at each other. "Jesus, you look like what the word leaf sounds like."
He looks at me confusedly, "What? Leaf?"
"I see it." Abraham says from behind me, walking next to me. "And now I can't unsee it." He tilts his head to the right.
A knock at the door automatically causes all of us to tense and stand up straight. Rick walks over to the door and slowly opens it.
Deanna steps in, "Rick, I-" She pauses at the sight of his "leaf" look. "Wow." She exclaims.
Rick groans but she continues. "I didn't know what was under there."
She takes another step inside, "Listen, I don't mean to interrupt, I just wanted to stop by and see how you all were settling."
Her eyes scan the room, "Oh, my," She whispers. "Staying together, smart."
"No one said we couldn't." Rick says, matter-of-factly.
"You said you're a family." Deanna smiles, "That's what you said."
She scans the room again, "Absolutely amazing to me how people with completely different backgrounds and nothing in common can become like that. Don't you think?"
Her eyes lock with mine, "Found family."
I narrow my eyes but nod.
"Everybody said you gave them jobs." Rick disregards the previous conversation.
"Mhm, yeah. Part of this place." Deanna nods and then chuckles. "Looks like the communists won after all."
"Well, you didn't give me one." Rick fake smiles and then leans against the door.
"I have." She smiles, "I just haven't told you yet. Same with Michonne. I'm still closing in on Sasha and I'm just trying to figure Mr. Dixon out, but I will. Oh and Mrs. Dixon too, she's a toughie."
Rick looks at me, his eyes glittering though, his expression hard. I just smirk very slightly.
Deanna looks Rick up and down with a smile before turning and saying, "You look good" while walking out.
A few hours later, it seems like me and Daryl are the only ones up. We're laying on the ground and I have my arm draped sleepily over his chest.
I'm just starting to fall asleep when he whispers, "Adrian?"
I just mumble quietly.
"You told Deanna your last name is Dixon?"
I smile tiredly, "Mhm." I nod against the side of Daryl's chest.
He doesn't respond, his hand just tightens around my shoulder.
In the morning, we all make our way out of the house and down the Alexandria streets. I finally get a chance to soak it all in. It looks like a book neighborhood.
Huge, groomed houses, green bushy trees and bushes, perfectly paved roads. A small pond in the middle of Alexandria has a little fountain. There are kids running around and laughing, perfect for Alyssa.
Speaking of which, Alyssa runs up to me. My heart races as I see her flushed face and heavy breathing. I reach for my whip and ask, "Are you okay? What's-"
Inejra appears and groans, "She's fine Adrian." Alyssa nods as she crouches with her hands on her knees and catches her breath.
"Can I...go over...to..." She straightens up. "This kid's house..." She inhales deeply and finishes. "With Carl and Inej?"
I hesitate, "I don't want to sound like a mom but-"
"Rick's met the girl, Rick likes her, she cut his hair." Inejra spits.
I clench my jaw, "And the 'kids'?"
Alyssa shrugs, "I haven't met 'em yet."
My mind whirrs with possible scenarios but, reluctantly, I nod. "Fine. Go for the dick and the eyes." She smiles broadly and nods.
"Never let them know your next move." She giggles excitedly and raises her hand for a high-five from Inejra but she just scoffs and rolls her eyes. Alyssa giggles at the lack of a high five and runs off with Inejra.
I sigh and move my hand off of my whip holster.
Once I make it back to the house, Daryl is still sitting on the front porch. "Hey," I start, stepping up the last step and walking over to him.
He's sitting against the railing with his crossbow next to him. In typical Daryl fashion, he nods as a "hello".
"Why're you still here?" I sit down next to Daryl and mirror his man-spread, knees up position.
He shrugs, "Someone's gotta watch the house."
I nod, "I'm here now. At least go take a shower, you smell like a wet washcloth."
He scoffs, "Nah, thanks though, Adrian Dixon."
I smile lightly and look at my feet, "I pulled that outta my ass when she asked me for my name. But I liked it."
Daryl nods, "Me too."
My eyes widen and my face warms, I have to look to the left to avoid making out with him right then and there.
"Go take a goddamn shower and show me how much you like it." I boldly say, turning to look at him.
He smirks, "How long do we have the house alone?"
I shrug, "Maybe ten minutes?" He grabs my hand and stands up, practically dragging me to the bathroom.
I'm walking around Alexandria with Damien and Abraham as Glenn, Tara, Noah, Nicholas, and Deanna's son Aiden walk bitterly in the gate.
"You three need new gigs." Aiden spits, handing Nicholas his gun.
Oh god, who tried to kill who?
"You're not ready for runs yet." He continues.
"Yeah, pretty sure you got that backwards." Glenn grunts, looking at me as he continues walking.
"Hey. Hey." Aiden speeds up and grabs Glenn's shoulder. Glenn turns around and sizes him up.
"Look, we got a way of doing things around here."
"You tied up Walkers." Glenns words cause me to quickly approach them, intrigue making my head spin.
"It killed our friend!" Says Aiden like it's the most normal thing ever. "Look, I'm not having this conversation. You obey my orders out there." By now, people have started gathering a small crowd around the argument.
"Then we're just as screwed as your last run crew."
Whoo! God, I love you, Glenn.
Aiden approaches Glenn, "Say that again."
My body tenses and I take a step closer, ready to whoop some ass.
"No, back off, Aiden." Tara orders.
Aiden, like a middle schooler, shoves Glenn back. "Come on. Come on, man. Just take a step back." Noah groans, stepping closer.
Aiden continues shoving Glenn, "Come on, tough guy."
"No one's impressed, man. Walk away." Glenn whispers.
"Aiden!" Deanna's voice comes from behind Aiden. "What is going on?"
"This guy's got a problem with the way we do things." Aiden responds without looking at his mom. Finally, he turns his head to his mom and asks, "Why'd you let these people in?"
"Because we actually know what we're doing out there." Glenn retorts.
Aiden's face hardens and he turns, going to swing at Glenn but missing. Glenn punches his nose just as I go to run to Aiden.
"Asshole!" I yell, trying to lunge at him but Abraham's arms wrap around my waist and he heaves me away.
"Calm, calm," Abraham whispers in my ear as I try to fight him off, to no avail. "You're fine. Glenn's fine."
I groan irritatedly as Abraham tightens his grip around me, "I'll set you down as soon as you're calm."
I kick my foot back and kick his knee angrily, purposeful to not cause damage. "Dickwad." I grunt, relaxing into his grasp.
"I want everyone to hear me, okay?" Deanna calls out to everyone. Abraham slowly sets me on my feet and I glare at him.
"Rick and his people are part of this community now in all ways as equals." She looks around before bellowing, "Understood?!" She turns to Aiden and glares at him until he says,
"Understood."
"All of you," Deanna starts, turning back to us. "Turn in your weapons." She points to Aiden and orders him, "Then you two come talk to me."
I smirk,
Oh, I like her.
"Fuck you." I spit to Abraham, slapping him on the back of the head.
(Summary:) Adrian and her group get used to Alexandria. Adrian has a last name change and Daryl seems to enjoy it. We take a closer look at Adrian's backstory, especially in the gang.