Carol practically collapsed onto her bed. It had been another long day at the diner. She turned to lie on her back. Every muscle in her body ached. Being one of the few waitresses left at the place meant she was practically running the place. She let out a sigh, "Just breath Carol." She said to herself.

These last few months had been really tough on her. It all started when she left Ed. Oh how she had been an idiot to believe that was ever going to work. Maybe at one point it would have. She had met him in high school. When they first started dating he had practically swept her off her feet. He was charming, sweet, and practically made her feel like she was on cloud nine. Sure he had a slight temper from time to time, but she was young and in love and ignored the now obvious signs. They had graduated and both went to the same college, which of course had been Ed's decision. Carol of course didn't care. Majoring in Education she got her degree and was excited to start her career as a teacher. It was even more exciting when Ed asked her to move in with him. It all seemed so perfect. That's when stuff took a turn. Even after all her hard work, Ed found a way to convince her that she didn't need a job. That her job was to stay home to clean and cook for him. Carol being Carol though didn't want to cause problems in the happy relationship, so she accepted her fate. Then it happened. They were having some petty fight and Ed was getting angrier than usual and before she could even see it coming he had smacked her right across the face. Carol remembered him apologizing a million times saying how it would never happen again, and of course she believed him. A week later he proposed to her. It hadn't felt right when he asked, but she just thought it was nerves, so she said yes. That ended up being her biggest mistake. That's when all the beatings began. It started off as just a smack ever once in awhile, but then it gradually got worse. She couldn't even count how many nights she spent stitching herself back up. The countless times he told her she was worthless, and that no one would want her except him. Ed had tortured her not only physically, but mentally. The worst part of it all was that she soon found herself believing him. A year of abuse passed and Carol was trying to figure out how she was ever going to survive this. One morning she had accidently burnt his breakfast and she ended up getting thrown down the stairs. She had been rocked unconscious and by the time she woke up he was gone. That had been her last straw. Moving as fast as she could in her fragile state she grabbed a bag and started packing as much as she could. Carol had called a cab and headed to the safest place she could think of, her grandparents. She remembered arriving in tears and telling them everything. See her parents had never been the best role models. Always working, never having time for her. Carol couldn't even tell you where they were at the moment. Once she graduated they left her on her own. Growing up her grandparents had always been the ones who really took care of her. They were the reason she didn't grow up to be as cold and emotionless as her parents.

She had left a note saying she was getting groceries which bought her a little more time after Ed got home from work, but Carol still knew she needed to get moving fast. Not wanting to put her grandparents at risk she knew she had to make the tough decision of leaving them. They didn't leave her empty handed though. Her grandparents had given her some starting money, and an old car that her grandpa had been working on. It wasn't a ton of money, and the car still needed work, but it was enough for her to get out of there and away from Ed. With one last goodbye, she finally fled.

Two months later she was now in a rundown apartment on the coast side of Georgia. Carol had pawned off her engagement ring to get some extra cash and was lucky to pick up the waitressing job right away. She wasn't living luxury, but she was finally free.

Carol rolled over to look at the clock; it was only a little after seven and she could really use a drink. Hopping off her bed she went to change into some real clothes and head down to the bar for a well deserved Friday night beer.

Daryl kept his head down and mouth shut. He couldn't believe the day he had. He moved slightly and winced at the pain that shot through his body. "Asshole." Daryl muttered to himself. His body ached all over. It had been the final blow. Daryl refused to take anymore shit from his good for nothing dad. This morning he had gotten up as he always did to go down to the shop so he could pay for the old man's awful lifestyle. Booze, drugs, women, all of it. He had thought he'd be passed out on the coach like he always was, wrong. Daryl hadn't even finished turning the corner when the old man's fist connected with his jaw. "Mornin Darylina. Sleep well?" Another punch to the face. Daryl could tell his pa had shot up early this morning. "Just wanna get to work." He muttered before getting kicking in the side. He couldn't help but groan in pain. "You always were a major pussy." His dad let out a laugh. "Worthless piece of shit." Another kick to the ribs. "Good for nothing." Punch to the face. Daryl closed his eyes and waited for the next blow. When it didn't come right away he cracked an eye open only to see the belt buckle coming down on his. He winced at the pain as he felt the cold metal connect with his skin. "You're lucky-" Whip.

"That I-" Whip.

"Keep your-" Whip.

"Sorry ass-" Whip.

"Around." Whip.

Daryl felt the tears stinging his eyes but held them back; they would only make it worse. "I know." He mumbled. The old man sent him a devilish smile, "Good." With that he gave him one final whip of his belt. "Now get your sorry ass out of here."

Getting off the floor Daryl moved as quickly as possible to escape from the hell hole he was in. Moving outside he got onto his bike and headed to the shop. He knew he had to leave. Blood was dripping from his body. There was no way he could go back. Once he was at the shop he demanded his pay, and once it was in hand he was out of there without a second glance back. He knew this day would come eventually. It was either this or the old man would die first. Being prepared Daryl had left and emergency get away bag at the shop. There wasn't much, some clothes and a couple hundred bucks, but it was something to get him away from this hell hole. Getting on his bike once more he paused for a moment. The new lashes stung but he knew they'd heal. He had thought about his brother for a moment. Merle hadn't been around in awhile. He was most likely either back in jail or off with his junkie buddies getting into who knows what kind of trouble. Shaking his head Daryl started the bike and away he went, creating as much distance possible between him and this place he'd never want to go back to.

Daryl had driven all day not stopping for more than five minutes at a time. He just wanted to get away. At the end of the day he found himself in a small town on the coast side of Georgia. It was on the complete opposite side of where he was from so he thought it was a good place to at least settle down for the night. The first thing he did was find him a local bar, and that's where he was now. Nursing what seemed to be his second beer Daryl looked around at all the fellow people. It was Friday night so he expected it to be crowded. He had chosen a corner bar stool away from it all of course. Daryl didn't really do people. To him, he was a lone wolf and that's how he planned to keep it. Motioning towards the bartender for another beer Daryl turned his back towards the crowd so he could think for a moment. He was gonna have to find a hotel or something cheap to stay in or there wouldn't be much sleeping, and with the day he has had, he could really use a good nights rest. Daryl let out a sigh, a long night to go along with a long day.

He had been so caught up in his thoughts that he hadn't even noticed the girl sit next to him.
"Beer and a shot of whiskey please." Her voice nearly scared him.

Daryl heard her let out a sigh, and he couldn't help but look over at her. She looked as beat up as he did.

He hadn't meant to stare but the woman had looked up in time to catch him.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Was someone sitting here? I can move." For someone who looked as beat up as she did, her voice was kind and soft.

"Um, no. You're fine." He mumbled avoiding her eyes.

She gave him a small smile, "Ok thanks." She paused for a moment.

"You new around here?" she asked quietly.

Daryl wasn't really into making conversation, but he felt bad giving the lady a cold shoulder.

"Yeah. Just got to town." He muttered.

The woman gave him another smile, "Well welcome to Brightbrook,Georgia!"

Daryl nodded to her and let silence fall between them while the woman got her drinks.

"Bring me one more shot." She said. Turning towards Daryl she handed him one. "Here you go…."

"Daryl." He mumbled taking the glass.

"Well Daryl, here's my way of saying welcome. I'm Carol, now drink up."