Hi everyone!
This is my first TWD' fic, I do not feel sure about posting this yet but I'll take the risk.
The story wants to be a Carol/Daryl fic and I hope it will be. I have a hard time writing both characters so I will use another character in order to develop their relationship, hope you like the idea.
By the way, English is not my first language and I know I'm far from perfect, but I need and want to improve my English so I thought this was a good way to do it. If anyone wants to help me, I'll be glad (actually I'm going to be the happiest person in the whole world) to hear all the suggestions you have.
Disclaimer: I own nothing =)
T/W/D/T/W/D/T/W/D
"A dictatorship will take you nowhere, big guy." After Rick's speech everyone had been quiet, until the soft voice of someone close to them broke the silent.
"Who the hell are you?" Rick's voice came out rough; he was on a breaking point and didn't need a stranger at that moment.
"My name is Lucy, I'm harmless, I have food and fuel maybe we can make an exchange." The girl's voice sounds loud and clear, apparently she wasn't scared of them.
"For what?" T-Dog speaks up before Rick could say a thing.
"I need rest, I been driving for the last two weeks, I need someone to watch my back for a while." The voice this time was closer to them, but didn't come for the same place, she was walking around their camp.
"Do you think we are going to buy that bullshit?" Daryl was now in his feet, crossbow at hand, he was tired and confused but he will be damned if something happens to this group while he was standing there.
"From where I'm standing you don't have many choices." Once again the voice came from a different direction. Who the hell was this girl?
"We can shoot ya in the head." Daryl said, even when he knows how stupid it sounds, since none of them had hear her coming.
"You don't even hear me coming, are you sure you can shoot me? I'm pretty fast" All of you can hear the smile in the girl's voice, she was right.
"Who the hell are you?" Glenn asked, his voice sounded a little bit afraid of this girl.
"I already answered that question." The voice came this time for the same direction, she had stopped moving around.
"Can you come closer?" Carol's voice was uncertain, but somehow sounds friendly enough for the girl.
"First I need a reassurance that no one will shoot me on the head."
"You have my word, my name is Carol." Daryl turned his head to Carol, what the hell was she thinking?
"Hi, Carol! My name is Lucy." Everyone was surprised when the girl came very quickly in front of Carol, like she had been two steps behind her all the time. She doesn't look very threatening, but no one could be sure about it. "I'm tired and I don't want to fight, I have food and fuel on my car, we can make an exchange, I need rest, for at least one night." The girl told Carol.
"My name is Carol; the "big guy" over there is Rick, our leader." Carol extended her hand and shakes the girl's hand, a small smile touching her lips.
"Nice to meet you, Carol. Rick, may I have a word with you?" The girl turned to face Rick for the first time; she looks friendly and really young.
"You can say anything in front of the group." Rick's voice echoed.
"Well, that's good, it makes everything much easier." She smiled to everyone shyly.
"Where do you come from?" Rick asked, his posture was still rigid but had softened a little bit.
"I came from the north, my sister wished to come to Atlanta. I'm heading that way right now." Everyone looked at her, a sad expression in their faces.
"You're sister? Where is she now?" Rick's voice brings back every one of their memories.
"She's dead. She's been dead for the last two weeks." For the first time the girl's voice sounds bitterly.
"Was she bitten?" Carol asked shyly, knowing perfectly the girl's pain.
"No, Carol, my little sister was murdered, a group of people found us, they had this strange habit of eat people, we were on the menu once they found us, but we fought back, they killed Lilly." The girl closed her hands into fists, the pain evident in her soft features.
"Where did you find those guys?" T-Dog asked, one more time, before Rick could say a word.
"It doesn't matter, they're dead now." She said, a creepy smile touching her lips, for the first time they feared the girl.
"But you just said…" Carol's voice sounds worried.
"I went back, they killed my sister and I needed to return the favor. I killed them, one by one. My sister can now rest in peace." After she had said that her features softened once again.
"You're been on the road since then." Rick's sounds really impressed.
"Precisely."
"You said you have food, right?" Carl asked before Lori can stop him.
"I do, little one, and I have blankets too, if you want them." She smiles to Carl in a very friendly way. Perhaps she wasn't dangerous.
"Why are you been so nice with us, we could be worse than the guys you found early." Rick said, trying to sound threatening.
"I think you're good people, you have nothing, not even a tent, besides I'm pretty sure you don't have enough fuel or ammo, otherwise you wouldn't be here." She said smiling, she was really tired, sick of been on their own for the last two weeks, she needs her rest; she needs human company before her memories drive her crazy.
"What do you know?" Rick insisted, not sure of her yet.
"Rick, I'm not a fool, I've been on the road since all this shit started; groups do not stay at the open except they have no choice. I'm pretty sure you guys have no choice, just like me." She was damn right, Daryl thought.
"You're right, we just lose everything." Carol's voice sounds again.
"Carol!" Rick almost yelled at her, but he knew better, they should be quiet.
"Sorry guys, but it's true, we have nothing, no fuel, no food, no ammo, and we'll be grateful if you can help us with food and fuel." Carol looked to Rick and then the others, it was true, they just had lost everything, they were tired and the girl doesn't look like a crazy bitch that will kill everyone.
"I can help you with that, ammo included." She smiled once more to Carol, she doesn't know the woman, but she seems friendly enough and looked as lost as she felt.
"Carol, may I speak with you?" Rick came closer to Carol and took her forearm in his right hand.
"I think anything could be said in front of the group." Carol's voice changes a little when she answers Rick, she was pissed at him and anyone could tell that.
"She ain't part of the group, woman." Daryl hissed at Carol, for him Carol had been very stupid, damn woman!
"She can be the reason we survive, nobody sees that." Carol raised her voice, they could think she was just a stupid bitch, but they had nothing to lose.
"Carol, you don't know if she's…" Rick tried very hard to sound collected, but he was now very pissed at Carol.
"Guys, easy, I know all this shit sounds strange as hell, but I need to rest, I need someone to watch my back for just one day, in change, I can give you fuel, food and ammo, this' my offer, you can take it or leave it, that's your choice." The girl stepped between Rick and Carol, without even knowing she took Carol's hand in her, reassuring her everything would be ok.
"Where's your car?" Maggie speaks up for the first time.
"Back on the road, very close to your cars. We can go for the things you need and then come back here, I'm pretty sure the little kid and the women are frizzing." She stood still, waiting for the result of their silent exchange.
"Daryl, what do you think?" Rick asked out loud.
"This could be bullshit, but we have no choice. I'll go with her." Daryl wasn't sure of the girl, but it was true they didn't have many options.
"I'll go with him, that way we can bring everything we need for the night." Glenn said, leaving Maggie with an open mouth.
"Ok then, if you don't mind I would like to start moving, I'm really tired." The girl said, her foot taping impatiently.
"Then start moving your ass, we'll follow ya." Daryl said, trying to sound annoyed.
T/W/D/T/W/D/T/W/D
As soon as the boys and the girl disappeared into the woods, Rick made his way toward Carol. "May I have a word with you, Carol?" He was really pissed at her, she just told to a stranger they were vulnerable, she needs to understand this wasn't the old world anymore, she cannot trust everyone just because they look friendly.
"What do you want, Rick? I already know all of you think I'm a stupid woman; that I shouldn't tell the girl we have nothing, but to be honest, she doesn't look threatening and I said nothing but the true, Carl is freezing and we all are hungry, so yes maybe I was stupid, but that girl could be our salvation. Think wherever you want, I'm tired of you and the way you seem to think about us as stupid people, you want to be our leader and decided everything for us, fine! But that could start tomorrow, tonight I'll be glad to have all the help this girl can offer us." Everyone was speechless; Carol had never talked to someone like she just did to Rick.
"You can leave if you don't like the way I treat you, go ahead, Carol. I'm sick of you too." Rick wasn't in his best moment, and Carol's words were like as a slap in the face.
"Don't you worry Rick, if the girl is as good as she seems I'll be glad to go whit her." Carol face was determined, she had realized her role in the group, a burden, and she already had enough of that, she was sick of herself and the others, she once told Lori that she had lost her daughter not her mind, and it was true then, but right now she wasn't sure anymore. She has to change if she wants to live, and she wants to live.
T/W/D/T/W/D/T/W/D
The girl moved like a fucking cat and that gives you the creeps, she was really silent and graceful, none of the women in your group were like her, maybe Carol, but this girl was different, she was sure of herself and she doesn't fear you, not even a little.
"We're almost there, the black SUV is mine, there you can find a lot of things, but I hope you would accept to just take what you need for the night, tomorrow morning we can talk about the fuel and ammo, if you're okay with that, of course." She kept quiet waiting for an answer, Glenn and Daryl exchange the silent looks that between people that know each other say more than words.
"How can we be sure you're going to be here tomorrow?" Glenn asked, still unsure of the girl.
"I'm tired and sick of been alone, you can be sure I'm going to be here tomorrow." Her voice sounded tired.
"I'll be watching ya." Daryl said as angry as he could sounds.
"That makes me feel better; you seem like a very badass, nothing bad can happen to me if you're watching my back." She said smiling, her voice was soft as velvet and Daryl felt more uneasy around her.
"Whatever! Just show me where the fuck is the food and the damn blankets." Glenn touched Daryl's shoulder, he was as uncertain as Daryl, but they have no options, besides the girl was really pretty, tall, black long hair, gentle eyes, she can't be dangerous, can she?
"Everything is in the back; I'll give you the boxes right now." She went to the driver seat and opened it, then she pushed a button and the trunk opened, you were sure she could had open the door with her keys, was she stupid or what?
"I know I could do that with the key, but this way is quieter, none of us want one of those things close to us, right?" She was fucking reading your mind, but at least she was smart.
"Well, then hurry your damn ass over here!" You hissed at her, you want to be back as soon as possible.
"Ok, mister…" She waited for an answer that never came.
"His name is Daryl, I'm Glenn." Daryl said something that sounds like 'fuck you' and then head to the open trunk.
"Ok, Glenn, better if we hurry up, Mister 'fuck you' is waiting for us." Glenn smiled; the girl wasn't scared of Daryl and that was something worthy to see.
"What the hell are ya giving us?" Daryl asked.
"Well I have canned fruit and vegetables, powdered eggs, things like that, you'll see." She said while picking up two boxes. "You can carry those to camp; I'll watch your back." She closed the trunk before any of you can say a word.
"Of course, then you can stab us, right?" Daryl said.
"Look, mister, I'm tired of your fucking attitude, if you have a problem with me, fine! I just want protection for a damn night, that's all, and if you want me in front of you, that' great too, it'll be lovely to see how you fight a dead person while you're carrying a damn box." She hissed, never screamed, and even then her voice was somehow sweet, she was really young, Daryl decided, but was a strong girl.
"Fine! Move your feet china man." Daryl growled.
'Till then they hadn't notice that the girl was carrying a bow and a sword, it looked like a samurai sword or some shit like that, Daryl hoped it would be enough, he didn't feel safe with her at his back.
"I thought you want to be at camp as soon as possible. Move your lazy ass, mister." Daryl walks faster, not because of her; just because he really wants to be back with the others.
T/W/D/T/W/D/T/W/D
"Carol we don't want you to go anywhere, sweetheart. I'm sure Rick didn't mean to say that, right Rick?" Lori's voice was uncertain and full of worry and hatred, the man in front of her wasn't her husband, that man… she doesn't know him anymore.
"I mean every word I said, Lori and if anyone of you wants to leave, be my guest! You can leave as soon as you want, no one here will stop you." Rick was tired, scared and doesn't know what else to do to keep his family and the group together and alive, certainly his new course of actions wasn't helping him any.
"What the hell is happening here?" Everyone turned to see Glenn, Daryl and Lucy; the guys had two boxes and the girl was playing with a sword. "I asked you something, Rick, what the hell is going on?" Daryl speaks again, this time really pissed.
"Nothing, I'm just having a conversation with Carol, she said she's sick of me and wants to leave with our new guest. I wonder if this girl would take with her someone as useless as our friend." Rick felt everyone eyes on him, he had taken the things too far. The girl stopped playing with her sword and speaks loud and clear.
"Well, of course I would take Carol with me, she will be better with me than with you, asshole." The girl's hands turn into fist and she took a step closer to Rick, she looked at him like she was looking at a piece of shit. "Carol could come with me if she wants; I'm pretty sure she isn't useless, at least she knows how to remain human and hadn't turned to be a piece of shit like you, big guy." The girl looked to everyone and she reaches for Carol's hand. "Come, Carol, I think you don't need to be around this people anymore."
"What the hell are you doing? Do you think I'll let you take her with ya? You had to be fucking kidding me!" Daryl took Carol's free hand and made her turn around.
"Let me be, Daryl, I'm sick of this, I'm a damn burden to all of you, I'm sick of been the old and weak woman you feel sorry for." Carol's voice sounds harsh. It was the true; she was done with all the pity and bullshit everyone had given her since they found Sophia in the barn.
"Look mister, I don't know you and I don't give a shit if something happen to all of you, but I would not let something happen to this woman, I'd been on my own for a long time now and I'm pretty sure I can take care of Carol, if you think she's useless then I'll can take care of her." Lucy's grip on Carol's hand was now stronger, Carol was really thankful with the girl right now.
"Like you did with your sister?" Daryl's words were like a damn punch in the guts for the girl. And before anyone knows what the hell was happening the little girl had her sword in Daryl's throat, blood already dripping from his neck.
"The mother fuckers that killed my sister are now burning in hell and I'm pretty sure Lu will be glad to have you with them. I took care of my little sister, I did my best, and if you mention her one more time I will kill you. Now watch your tongue if you want to continue breathing, asshole." Daryl was really confused, he couldn't move a damn muscle, the sword was pressed to his throat and the only thing he could thing was that Carol will be better with this girl than with them.
"Lucy, please, let him go; he didn't mean to say what he said." Carols was so nervous, she didn't want this to happen, not with Daryl involved.
"You don't have to worry, Carol, he would be just fine, mister 'fuck you' is a tough guy, right?" Everyone was speechless; Daryl would have killed anyone for less than that. But he stood still while the girl pressed her sword to his throat and then, once she was far from him and close to Carol, he just stared at her, not saying a single word.
"You're damn right, girl, but you would want to be as far away from me as you can, if it wasn't for Carol there, you will be dead." Daryl looked surprised, he know his treats were meaningless.
"Hahaha, you can come with us too if you want, I have arrows for your crossbow and enough food for the three of us." Her laugh echoed in everyone's ears, she takes Carol hand again and walks her close to the fire, then she turn around to face everyone in camp.
"I'm leaving tomorrow morning, before I go I'll give you more food, fuel and ammo, I'm taking Carol with me, and if someone else wants to come with us, he or she will be welcome. I need a night of sleep and we already have a deal, I hope you can keep your word, big guy." She stood as tall as she was; her eyes were shining like stars and her features normally soft had hardened.
"You're leaving as soon as you give us what you promised." Rick spoke; the air was now full of tension, and he feel really tired.
"We have a deal then, your people can take everything they want for those boxes, there's food and blankets. I'll go back to my car and bring some things for Carol and myself." Carol looked to her, that wasn't necessary, or at least she thought it wasn't.
"That's not necessary, if any of you need something from the boxes you can take it, Carol is still part of this group." Rick feel uncertain, he knew he had been a jerk to Carol, all that had happened to them wasn't her fault and he needs to apologize to her somehow.
"There's no need, I can go back myself, I'm a big girl, don't worry, I'm not leaving, not without Carol at least." She held Carol's hand once more, smiling sweetly at her.
"I'll go with you." Carols stood.
"No, honey, you're staying, I'm going to be just fine, I just need a pillow, besides, mister 'badass' over there would bit me if I try to take you with me. But don't worry I'm not leaving you, once we are by ourselves I'll show you how to use a weapon, so you can defend yourself." She smiled and turned to face Daryl.
"Would you mind to take care of her while I'm gone, I don't want Rick close to her; he had done enough." Daryl had been very close to Carol and the girl.
"What the hell you're talking about; you ain't going nowhere, lady. Put your ass down and sleep." Daryl doesn't know the girl but he was grateful with her for the way she defended Carol.
"Haha, mister 'fuck you' you should know better, I'm not going to do what you want me to do. Now, move your ass and let me go, I really need my beauty rest." She moved and then Daryl took her hand.
"My name is Daryl, and you're going nowhere, now sit and shut the fuck up." She was going to answer but Carols took her hand. "Listen to him, please. Stay, Rick said we can take anything we need from the boxes. Let's just rest, okay?" Carol said, almost pleading.
"Okay, then go to the boxes and pick some food and blankets for you and Mister Daryl. You must be starving." Carol nods and smiled to her and Daryl.
"You ain't taking her, so stop this bullshit right now, she ain't leaving this group." Daryl said as soon as Carol was far from them.
"I already told you, you can come with us, I'm not leaving her with you, not after I saw the way your leader spoke to her. Besides is her decision not yours." The girl was right, Rick had been an asshole to her, even you were mad at him, but you can't let Carol go with this girl, none of you know her.
"I'm not fucking kidding, girl, Carol stays with me." The girl looked at Daryl directly and then she smiled softly.
"You're in love with her, I respect that, but if she still wants to leave with me in the morning I'll take her with me." She says, turning her head to look to the dying fire.
"What the...! I don't know what the fuck you're talking about I ain't in love with no one, stupid girl." Daryl said and then turned his face; his cheeks were almost burning, stupid girl! She didn't have a fucking clue.
"Everything alright, guys?" Carol soft voice brings Daryl back from his thoughts.
"Yep, I was talking to Daryl, he thinks you must stay with them, but I already told him it's your decision not his, besides he can come with us, I'm not taking you away from him and if he wants he could come." The girl smiled to Carol one more time, she was a stranger but she already cares for the woman.