Author's Note: Got some major Caryl feels going on recently, so I decided to do some writing. This wont be many chapters, but there will be a few and the Caryl will come a little later.
What happens if Carol was on the run with Glenn instead of Maggie?
It was meant to be a simple run.
Lil Asskicker was in desperate need of more formula and since Carol knew exactly what was needed, she asked to go along with Glenn.
Daryl was not overly fond of this idea, especially considering that she had just been found in the tombs and was still recovering, but Carol was the only one who knew what a baby needed, excluding Hershel.
"Asskicker needs a lot of supplies, Daryl and unless you want to send Hershel, I'm the best one to go and get what she needs."
Daryl was not happy, but he let her go with a warning, "You stay safe. I don't want to have come get ya myself."
Daryl and Maggie had brought back enough for Lil' Asskicker to survive a week at most and with day to day life being so unstable, it was better to stock for long periods than to hope that periodic runs would be a possibility.
Carol knew that she had to go, Maggie may be stronger, but Carol was able to hold her ground and she knew that Rick needed all the help that he could use at this moment.
With a round of hugs and lots of warnings to be careful, her and Glenn set off in search for supplies.
Hunting for baby supplies brought back fond, but hurtful, memories for Carol and she found herself being drawn to some familiar toys.
"We struck gold," Glenn's voice drew Carol out of her reminiscing and she looked to see him standing near a shelf full of diapers.
"Grab everything," she suggested, "making extra runs is just a hassle and Asskicker will need everything we can get her."
Carol found the formula that she knew was best and began loading a basket with everything she could find while Glenn focused on the diapers and small clothing items.
They were loading up the truck when they heard a voice that neither of them thought they would encounter again, "And where is it ya'll good people callin' home?"
Turning quickly and raising their guns, Glenn and Carol came face-to-face with a gun carrying Merle Dixon. His face immediately showed recognition and they were shocked when he instantly lowered his gun and began laughing, "wow," he raised his hands in surrender and began walking closer, "Jesus!"
Glenn looked stunned, but kept his gun firmly trained on Merle, "you made it"
Merle didn't seem fazed by the gun at all, "Can you tell me… is my brother alive?"
Carol could tell he was sincere and replied with a simple "Yeah", but kept her eyes trained on the sharp knife attachment that he has fashioned into his stump.
Merle started to inch towards Carol, "You take me to him and I'll call it even on everything that happened up there in Atlanta. No hard feelin's"
Glenn gave her a look of suspicion and she subtly shook her head as she gestured to the dangerous weapon.
Merle noticed their looks and chuckled, "You like that?" he shook the stump attachment, "Found myself a medical supply warehouse. Fixed it up myself, pretty cool huh?"
Carol knew that Merle was lying. He was a tough SOB, but he did not survive on his own this long. He had friends somewhere and he was not coming back to the prison until they knew more.
Glenn seemed to be thinking the same way as he proposed a plan, "We'll tell Daryl you're here, and he'll come out to meet you"
Merle was, sadly, not impressed with this plan and began advancing towards the pair, hands still raised and asking them to just hear him out.
Glenn raised his gun, "Woah, woah"
And Carol followed suit, "Merle, get back"
Merle listened to their warnings and stopped his advances, "hey darlin', the fact that we found each other is a miracle, c'mon now, you can trust me"
Glenn and Carol looked at each other again, trying to wordlessly figure out a solution. Merle wasn't exactly someone you blindly trust. The only thing Carol knew about him was that he was Daryl's brother and he'd been a jackass while they stayed at the quarry.
Glenn had been in the city when Merle was left on the rooftop, but all Carol knew was that he had been a danger to the group, so Rick was forced to lock him up. The key had been lost by accident and Merle was not the type to wait around for rescue.
Glenn took charge, "You trust us. You stay here."
Merle was clearly not used to the new Glenn, and did not appreciate being told what to do. Without any warning, he had another gun in his hand and fired a shot right between Glenn and Carol, shattering the back window of the truck and causing Glenn and Carol to turn in opposite directions.
Before Carol knew what was happening, Merle was holding his bladed stump against her neck and pointing his gun at her head. Glenn came around the back of the truck, gun in hand and found the sad sight.
"Hold up, buddy" Merle was taunting a clearly distraught Glenn and Carol stayed a still and quiet as she could. Showing weakness at a time like this would just put more stress on Glenn and she already felt stupid for getting caught.
"Let go of her!"
Merle ignored Glenn's request completely, "Put the gun in the car, put it in the car!"
Glenn complied and raised his hands, but Merle did not ease his grip at all, "Now we're gonna go for a little drive."
Carol was not risking her family by being the cause of this, clearly dangerous, man coming back to the prison, "Don't drive him back to camp, Glenn. Just go if you have to."
Merle chuckled and looked down at her, "No, mouse, we're going somewhere else. Get in the car Glenn! You're driving."
Glenn looked petrified and slowly moved backwards as Merle rose to his feet, dragging Carol.
Merle pushed her roughly into the car and Glenn gave her a concerned look as he began to drive away from their supplies.
As they drove away, Carol knew that they were in serious danger, but her main thoughts were straying to baby Grimes and how badly she needed that formula.
She couldn't help but think that she had let another child down. Rick was not in a good place right now and she knew that he needed help. Part of her wanted to go on this run to repay Rick for everything that he had done for Sophia and she had failed.
Merle gruffly barked directions every few minutes, but other than that they drove in silence. Glenn looked nervous and kept shifting his gaze towards her and the gun that was still pointed at her head.
Maybe Maggie would have reacted faster and Merle wouldn't have been able to grab her.
Maggie and Glenn were used to going on runs together and maybe they would have been more efficient and been able to get the supplies loaded before Merle had even showed up.
Maybe's were no use to them now. Now they had to focus on survival and try to figure out where the hell Merle was taking them and how they were going to get home.