A/N ~ Wow thank you all so much who reviewed, favorited and followed, thanks for reading and giving me some feedback! We're picking up with Carol to start, and then catch back up with Daryl… Still in the same time frame.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Walking Dead or its characters, just taking them out and playing with them for a while, any OC that is created or the plot lines are mine.
Chapter 2 ~Monsters down the hall
Late April
Carol paced the kitchen floor as she held her arm close to her chest, her wrist hurt so bad… she could still feel Ed's vice grip paw on her wrist, he'd like so many other times, had grown angry with her, but this time, she was trying to get him to get away from Sophia… The tears that flooded her eyes weren't necessarily from the pain from her wrist, but more so for her daughter… she tried to swallow the lump that came to her throat, but to no avail, as the tears that flooded her eyes a moment ago, fell down her cheeks, and they were hot…she mopped the tears off her face with her left arm. Her right arm just hurt so bad to move. She sniffled, and shakily padded barefoot over to the freezer, her left hand shaking as she pulled on the fridge door, trying desperately to be quiet. The last thing she wanted to do was wake up the Monster down the hall; that was her husband.
She winced, as she held the cold pack to her right wrist. She thought he was going to kill her, and all over forgetting to pick up his Coors. He had THREATENED to kill her… To KILL her BABY… oh SOPHIA, she just had to get them outta this HELL HOLE, Out of this MONSTERS CLUTCHES! She wasn't sure when Ed had started looking at her baby girl the way he had. It was one thing that he hit her, but to look at Sophia like he was, she was just a baby, nine years old. She had to think of her little girl.
But Ed held her under lock, and key…she didn't know HOW to get away from him. She supposed there were the COPS, but they hadn't been helpful so far… Ed didn't even so much as have a speeding ticket to his name, and he was so careful when he beat her…to make sure the bruising didn't show. She knew he'd kill her if she called the cops, she knew it in her heart of hearts…but she still knew that she had to get away. She'd been saving her pennies for years, scrapping what she could get in the change that Ed forgot to get back when he'd given her something to get groceries…but he let so little by. It was only pennies. And he made sure, that she was disconnected from any friend that she had ever had… It would take YEARS, for her to get away from this MONSTER, but she was certain she didn't have years…
She had to do SOMETHING… She slid down the side of the cabinet holding the icepack to her wrist, and prayed; Daryl to God, but she didn't think HE was listening to her… She prayed that he would SPARE her little girl from her bastard of a father…to give her a sign, to give her a chance to make this right. She pressed her fist to her mouth as more tears fell…
Her plan after Ed left for work was to drop Sophia off at kindergarten, and then go to the library to use the libraries internet, since Ed was too much of a penny pincher to have a computer, but yet he'd gotten her a cell phone that had all the bells and whistles in it…so he could know where she was constantly. She wasn't stupid, though, he'd notice if she used the phone to search the internet, but he wouldn't notice so much if she went to the library. Besides the library was close to the school, she didn't think GPS could accurately show that she was at the Library rather than the school or so she hoped…
Carol watched as Ed's truck backed out of the driveway. She had cooked him breakfast and he had not so much as looked at her the entirety of it, the only thing he called her that morning was a stupid bitch. After he'd left, she'd gotten Sophia up; Carol could have cried…her baby was worried about her this morning, asking her how badly she hurt. This was no way to raise a little daughter. Sophia always feared for her life. She'd flinch whenever Ed was in the room and walked like she was on eggshells whenever he was around. He'd yell at her if she made too much noise.
Sophia was extra clingy this morning, and she knew why she had witnessed her father beating her last night. She had tried to step in to help her mommy, and got a backhand for her efforts; Ed had never touched Sophia before.
"Momma…you ok?" Sophia looked up at her, her eyes full of tears, as she bit her lip.
Carol bit her lip as tears burned in her eyes. "I'm alright sweetheart."
"Why did daddy hit me?" Sophia asked her voice breaking, as she clung to her tightly. Carol pulled her baby close, wiping her tears from her cheeks with her left hand, her right…she had a wrap around it, and couldn't move it. She was certain that it was fractured. "He scared me…" Sophia cried and clung to her mother.
"Oh, Sophia…shhh," She continued to hold her, and push her hand through her hair, she had some bruising on her cheek, that she avoided.
She wanted to kill Ed for hitting Sophia, for scaring her. She wasn't sure what to tell Sophia, to make it better, but she leaned in and kissed her bruised cheek gently. "I promise you, sweetheart, I won't let him touch you again, you did nothing wrong baby…he was just angry at me." She whispered brokenly.
Sophia nodded slightly and looked up at her with grown-up eyes that no little nine-year-old should have…she should feel free to be a little girl, and not have to be a grownup at her age. "I won't let him hurt you, momma." Her eyes were moist with tears, but she could tell her little girl was refusing to let them fall anymore.
"I love you, Sophia, let's get you ready for school, alright sweetheart?" She ruffled her hair, and kissed her forehead. "Why don't you go wash up, and I'll see you out in the kitchen, we'll make some Malt-o-meal." She left the room then, after setting out clothing for Sophia, she'd come back and check on her in a little while. Sophia was good at showering herself, but she still had some struggle in certain clothing matchups, she usually would put circles with stripes, or mismatched colors…but she could dress herself.
Carol was surprised when her little girl stepped into the kitchen ten minutes later, looking fresh and clean, and with her clothes all on the correct way. "Oh, sweetheart you look beautiful today," Carol smiled at her, and Sophia smiled back, as she climbed into her chair, and waited for her breakfast.
It wasn't long after that Carol got Sophia in her car seat, and they headed for the school. It was just a half-day for Sophia today. Carol parked and walked Sophia to her home room, and handed the teacher her lunch bag with a smile. She hugged her baby girl tightly and told her that she would see her soon. It was difficult every time that she had to leave her baby at school. Sophia, for the most part, was dry-eyed, but after last night's scare, she was a little more clingy this morning.
"Momma, be careful…I love you." Carol leaned in and kissed her baby's forehead.
"I'll see you later baby; I love you too,"
Carol then left, and made her way back into the hallway, and outside into the hot morning sun. For the end of April, she decided it was certainly hot. Unseasonably so… She got in her car and started it up. Then headed down the street to the library. The library parking lot was virtually empty, so she might get lucky and not run into any prying eyes she thought as she walked slowly up the stone steps, and opened the glass door. She smiled at the librarian, and showed her library card, asking if she could use one of the computers to go online. The lady smiled and told her that they were all open so that she could go right on ahead. If it got busy, then they would only have an hour to use the computers, but being it was only seven-thirty in the morning, it was still very slow at the moment. Carol smiled appreciatively and made her way over to the computers.
The library was mid-sized, it was an older one, she liked this one because it still felt like she was in a small town, still she was in the Atlanta area, but a suburb of it…if she really wanted to she could go to the new one in downtown Atlanta, but this was just easier, and this way…it would still look like she'd only been at the school. She sighed, as she found the computers. They were located at the back of the library, with their own little privacy corner, it was like a lounge of sorts. Carol made sure to sit down where the computer wasn't facing the main walkway, so that if once someone else may enter, or if the librarian would enter, she still had privacy for what she was searching…because goodness…if it ever got back to Ed that she was searching for a woman's shelter…for a woman that were battered, that she was sure that he'd beat her to death. Then what could she do for her baby girl, this time, She blinked rapidly, as tears stung her eyes…God she wished she could be stronger…
Carol sat down on the chair that was provided, and turned the monitor on, the computer's monitor slowly came to life, and showed an icon on the screen, Carol took the mouse grimacing in pain, as she had to use her right hand that had the ace wrap on it. She bit her lip, and zoned the pain out…she'd had worse, this was nothing a sprained wrist she told herself, she could do this. Once she signed in with the code that she saw on the computer's screen…it was step by step instructions on how to get on the windows desktop, and then how to sign into the internet. It was helpful…in the sense that she needed the passcode to get on the world wide web. Carol clicked on the icon to get to the web, and went directly to what she knew was 'google' she knew enough that that was a search engine, that it was helpful in finding places. She supposed she could have used the white pages or something too…she knew of Dexonline… Saw the commercials constantly.
But Carol typed into the search bar once she was on the Google website 'Shelters for Battered Woman near me' She came up with only two… she bit her lip…maybe she just would search for woman's shelters, she changed her search name. Now she came up with more…one that looked promising, it had a program…but it was just a day program, and it looked like it was a temporary shelter, what were they supposed to do once they were done with the Sixty-day program? Do they find her jobs? Does Sophia still get her schooling? And How are they protected? Carol swallowed thickly. Maybe she was going about this all wrong…maybe she should contact the police?
Carol looked at the numbers long enough to memorize them. She knew that Ed went through her things, looked at everything, and he didn't miss anything, and if she were to write down those numbers, he'd track them down, and she'd never get away.
She was scared enough to believe that even going into police protective custody… Right now she had three numbers and addresses memorized but now was the fact that she had to figure out a way to get there. It wasn't like she could just get in her car and drive there… He'd know about that too! She thought desperately.
Once she was satisfied that's all that she'd find, for now, she erased the history of the last hour on the computer; she was paranoid sure…but she had to be hyper-aware most the time, and she didn't trust that the next person that was working on that computer wouldn't go looking at what people search for. Not that it mattered, they wouldn't know who she was…she was usually invisible. Nevertheless, she cleared the history. Then walked around looking for a phone, sure she had her cell phone…but again, she wasn't going to use that…Ed would know who she called. In fact, she was certain he'd be checking in on her soon as well. He did that all the time, called her regularly…harassing her and threatening her. Just so he could keep her feeling down, and low about herself. He was actually overdue in calling her. She hoped that was because he sawed off his arm or something, or a heavy item dropped on his head.
But that wasn't the case, as her phone buzzed. She rolled her eyes, and pulled her phone out of her purse, making her way back to the back of the library again to take the call. Again, he was brutal with her calling her a bitch and telling her that she was an ugly cow… She just tuned him out, only listening to what she had too. He'd given her money this morning to get him beer again.
She was glad that he'd had reminded her…no matter how brutally he had said it, because she didn't want to get home later and have him beating on her tonight because she forgot something so IMPORTANT to him.
So after Carol ended the call with Ed, she found a phone that she could use. She looked around herself making sure that there wasn't anyone within earshot. Each number she called, she was told that they were full, but there would be a room opening up in the next two weeks. The one with the program told her that yes, they help the women finding the jobs, and once they are on their feet, then they assist them to find a home. The program helps both the battered woman and Sophia. Helping with abuse, and protection, she was given a name of a cop in Atlanta, that was in charge of a program…that he'd set it up, that it was something that was personal to him, the lady on the phone said that he had helped her. She said that anybody could help her that he could. As he'd helped her. She also gave Carol her own cellphone number and told her to call her at any time…that she'd try and do what she could to get Carol out of this situation. Also, get her a meeting with this cop.
Carol thanked the woman profusely. Her name was Holly…she said that she worked with him at the police station as well.
So Carol hung up the phone with this Holly's name…and the cops name Daryl Dixon. What Holly said, had made her curious…what this personal mission was for him? Holly said that he never really told her, just that he got her out of the situation that she was in…and that he was just there for her every step of the way, and it was his personal mission to help her. She thought maybe that, maybe it was just because she was his friend or coworker…if that's what you called your fellow cops. But still, she bit her lip, as she shakily traced his phone number that she had written down. She memorized it, and then crumpled the paper and threw it in the trash bin by the phone. She shakily took a deep breath and dialed his phone number.
Late April
It was six o' clock, when Daryl brought his bike to a stop in his driveway, cutting the engine, and parking it next to his truck. Joel had dropped it off earlier; he'd gotten that text when he was at the hospital waiting on the doctor. Joel had also left him with the message to call him as soon as he could. So after getting off his bike, and pocketing the key. He walked over to his truck and reached his hand behind the back wheel, his hand feeling around for the key. It was there, as Joel had told him so. He pocketed that as well and made his way to his front door.
He unlocked the front door, stepping in, and was almost sent to the floor when Harley, came charging up to him, and jumping up on him…giving him slobbery kisses, whining all at once, she was a wiggling mess. Daryl chuckled, as he embraced, the chocolate lab, who just kept on wiggling, and banging her tail on his leg. He reckoned that he was gonna have one hell of a bruise.
"Miss ya too you little shit." He finally slid down the door frame, and was pounced on some more; he wrestled with her, and she went and found her tuggy rope, demanding that he play tug-o-war with her…she was feisty. Almost had him beat as she dug her paws into the carpet in the living room, and crouched low, pulling as hard as she could, growling and wiggling her tail furiously.
Daryl grinned, and tugged a little harder, this time being able to lift her off the ground, and spin a little… they usually would do that outside, so she didn't hit something, but his livin' room was spacious enough. So he laughed and continued to play with her. Until she got fed up and got the rope away from him. After about seven minutes of; Carol time clearly Harley had other thoughts in mind as she followed him outside to relieve herself. He'd forgotten something in the truck earlier that day. So went out to get the file, and waited on Harley to finish up. She pounced around for a while…clearly having cabin fever from being cooped up most the day, he should have told Joel to take her out. But maybe he'd take her for a run, before dark. He needed to clear his head, since now…he probably wasn't getting that week off, with everything that had happened this day. He went back inside and called Joel.
Joel told him that little Alyssa had made it out of surgery, she was still in critical condition, and hadn't woken up yet, but Joel thought that the Doctor said it was probably because her mind needed to heal. Daryl worried, though; it made him concerned. She'd lost a lot of blood, but they hadn't a clue what might have happened before her kidnapping, what her bastard of a father might have done to her when she was held in that house. He didn't want to think about it, made his stomach turn, and he had to swallow down the bile. If the man weren't already dead by his hand, he'd wished he could make the bastard come back to life, just so he could have the honor of killing him dead again…only this time slowly. But Daryl wasn't confident that that would make him any better than that monster. He swallowed thickly, trying to bring his mind back to present as he listened to Joel prattle on about the goings on since he left for the hospital for the shit he had to do with his bastard of an old man.
Daryl cleared his throat after Joel had got done talking about the little girl, and scratched the back of his neck. "So how's Tony?" He inquired.
So Joel told him that Tony would be okay…again they had put him in a medically induced coma, because of the gunshot, had caused some internal damage to his spleen, and he'd probably be in the hospital for a week or two. Daryl didn't consider that a good sign… "A week or two?" He frowned, even though Joel wasn't able to see him.
"He's still alive…that's the good sign, I ain't no doctor, but I reckon, they are just bein' a bit conservative with him…" Joel replied, there was a pause. Then he came back on the line. "…Sorry, Ellie was making a fuss about something, askin' if her friend could come over…"Joel sighed, then continued. "…there might be more to the gun shot…I don't know, Captain Stevens will most likely I reckon, talk more about it with you." Joel told him.
"Reckon so…well, thanks for bringin' the truck home…gotta take Harley out for a run, she's pacing at my feet." Daryl snorted, "So I'll catch ya later, did Stevens want me to call him t'night?" Daryl asked.
"Naw…think he just said in the mornin' was okay…He knew you had your plate full of all the other shit that was happenin'" Joel told him,
"Gotcha…gotta go, 'fore…Harley bites my hand off…"He snorted out a laugh. "'Night," He said and ended the call.
Daryl didn't have a good feeling about what Joel had said, but he didn't want to call the captain tonight…he needed the run just as much as Harley did. So he made his way to his room, and changed out of his jeans and cutoff blue shirt, for sweatpants, and a black t-shirt…again with no sleeves, he pulled it over his head and cut off the light as he made his way back down the stairs and to his living room. Harley was lying on the floor her nose to the front door, waiting impatiently to get his shit together, go out on their run. He tied his shoes, and rubbed her head, as he put her collar on…she was a good dog, and he lived out in the country, but there were still cars that drove way to fast on his road…and even though she'd be fine off leash…normally was, he wasn't going to risk it at this late hour. Sure it was only six-thirty….but that meant the sun was about to set in an hour, and it'd be dark before they got home. He made sure to grab his flashlight, and hooked it over his neck to his chest.
He locked up the house, and then set off on the road. They had run about four miles before the sun had dipped low in the night sky. He had already turned to started heading home; they were about a mile away from home when he heard a loud engine making its way down the road. So he dropped down into the ditch and continued running, he wasn't risking gettin' his ass hit at night. This truck wasn't moving quite as fast as some of the cars that came down his road, but it was still going over the speed limit. Daryl cut into the trees that led to his property. The truck had slowed, and it was making Harley nervous…in turn, it was making the skin on the back of his neck crawl…for whatever reason, Harley did not like the truck slowing. And Daryl trusted that dog's instincts, she was after all his dog…he trained her to hunt, track… she had worked a few years with him undercover, until she took a bullet that was meant for him while on a job undercover…he'd been stupid, let his guard down. He swallowed down the thoughts that were spinning around in his head. No sense was bringing that shit up; she was still here with him.
It was now dark, but he knew these woods… he'd taken Harley off leash once they were out in the forest, she was quietly walking along side of him, still very hyper aware of whatever spooked her on the road. Daryl was relieved when he made it back to his house, the truck had startled him a bit too, it could have just been the day…he'd been hyper aware all day long after being shot at, and nearly in the head to boot…he had the right to be a little shaken up. And there wasn't always good people in this world anymore. He reckoned he was overthinking all this shit, but…he trusted Harley's instincts as much as his own…and she was spooked. They made it back home, and he closed the door locking it tight. There wasn't anything amiss on his property, and his house wasn't the only house on that road, but his closest neighbor was about five miles away still too.
Tomorrow would be an early morning for him; he was going to drive up to Maple Peak first in the morning to pick up his Grandpa Norman. He'd called him last night wondering how the old man was. He could never figure out why his Pa was so curious on his daddy, but he thought that maybe…that was just him. He was his mama's daddy after all. Always more than a daddy than his own father was. So Daryl was going to go to bed early that night. The day had made him exhausted, both physically and emotionally.
So Daryl stripped down, and hit the shower, letting the hot water beat on his sore and tired muscles. His back was bruised from getting knocked around that morning. He felt better after the shower, grabbing a towel, and drying quickly, he walked back into his room for a fresh pair of boxers and pulled them on. He laid down then on his bed, locking his hands behind his head, and staring up at the ceiling in his room. His mind was a jumbled mess, of worrying about this or that. He had a lot on his plate at the moment, he never really slowed down.
It had also been a busy week for the women's shelter, and he was thankful that Holly was helping him out with that, but it was too much of a passion for him as well. He couldn't save his mama, but he could save others…and in the position he was on with the police force, it helped him quite a bit. Most the women, that were running from their boyfriends and husbands, weren't immediately gonna trust him...he knew that, but most the time they did trust him. The last one, Alyssa's Mama, hadn't, and that was heartbreaking for him. She'd not even trusted Holly… and that had broken both their hearts. Holly had called him earlier that day, just sobbing after she found out the woman was dead. It had been right before he'd gotten the call to go to the hospital about his father. He'd totally forgotten to call her back; he looked at the clock on the wall, it was only eight-thirty, still early. So he grunted and pushed himself into a seated position, and grabbed his cellphone looking up Holly's number.
Holly answered on the second ring, thankful that he'd called her back. She was still very emotional, about the whole thing. He tried to reassure her, but it hurt him too…it always hit him close to home when this happened. It brought those painful memories of his mama back to the forefront of his mind. Holly had a similar past, her daddy was like his…it was like he was the same man, damn well could have been…he guessed, his old man got around. But he wasn't, it was just another William of the world. He frowned at that, Holly had too, though, fell for the wrong man, and that's how he'd had to help her…she'd show up at the office with bruises, and strange stories of falling down the stairs, and Daryl worked closely with her. One day it was just too much, and he pulled her aside…she was graceful like he was, almost as quiet as he was…so he pulled her aside, and talked with her…she'd trusted him, and broke down telling him her story. So that's how it all started, and he got her out of that relationship. To both of them, it had brought up those painful memories. Tonight she was talking more about her daddy than he'd ever heard before. Her father, her story was the same as his was…only her father was in prison for the murder of her mother. He'd not known that, just that he was in prison…or he wasn't even sure of that…maybe she'd said he was dead…but this entire case had just brought those memories out of her.
Daryl had to clear his throat as he felt a lump there. "Oh sweetheart, why didn't ya ever tell me this?" He whispered, swallowing over the lump that was in his throat. He didn't trust himself not to speak more than a whisper, knowing that his emotions were already bleeding into his voice anyway. As his eyes burned slightly, he closed them and pinched the bridge of his nose.
He heard a sniffle on the phone, and a light sob…"I just couldn't…its too painful, Daryl…you know that." She choked out a sob.
He cleared his throat again and opened his eyes staring at the ceiling. "…I know that the case has been painful to me as well." He told her honestly, "…we gotta look at it this way, that little girl Alyssa is away from that monster…it coulda ended a lot worse…that little girl-" Daryl's voice broke, and he cleared his throat… "She'll have to grow up in the system, but…shit" He sat up, he didn't want her to have to grow up in the system. "…wish we could find her a family, dammit."
"Daryl, I grew up in the system, and I turned out ok…it's hit or miss, you know that…I know some foster families that I can get in touch with, thru this woman's shelter…we still can help little Alyssa…we have to." She whispered.
"…Hell, I know that Holly, just everything's at the surface right now." He rubbed his face wearily.
"Do you need to talk about it…I can't imagine what you're going through right now, with everything that is going on." Holly knew it was useless to ask Daryl to open up. He held his cards close to him, but the man had the biggest heart, he wore that on his sleeve, and that's what had saved her…Sure he was one of the toughest…if not the toughest guy she knew on the force or otherwise, but he was also the sweetest too, the gentlest man she knew. The way he held her when she told her story…for a man that didn't like to be close, didn't like to be touched. She wished that she could comfort him. But she knew that he'd just brush it off like he was right now. So she told him what she was doing tomorrow morning, she worked at the shelter that next morning, so she was going to ask someone there about Alyssa, and see if they can figure out how to find a foster family that could help her out. She knew of a few good ones.
"So that's the plan then…we get her there, you comin' into the office tomorrow at all?" Daryl asked.
"I work overnight…so…yes, just gonna catch a few winks of sleep, and I'll be in around one at the office." She whispered.
"A'right good…I'll be in in the afternoon, gotta pick up my grandpa in Maple Lake, and bring him to see the old man in Jefferson, then I'll be in…"He sighed, "…have more paperwork to do."
"Are you buried in it?" She snorted out a laugh.
He chuckled, "Yup…"He swallowed thickly.
"Anything I can help with?" She asked.
"Naw…I'll get it done, but thanks for the offer." He smiled and rubbed the back of his head. "I should call it a night, have to get up at four…" He sighed.
"Holy shit…well, I'll let you go, thank you for calling me back, and listening."
"Anytime, Holly," And then they ended their call.
Late April
Daryl groaned as his alarm on his phone went off, he glared at it and punched it off. He didn't mind mornings, he wasn't exactly a morning person, not at four in the morning, but he was usually up before the sun anyway. He wasn't one to sleep much, three – four hours were okay for him to operate on. Growing up in the Dixon house, you never wanted to have your guard down for long. When his mama was still alive, he slept…but after she died…he had to sleep with one eye open, especially after Merle left. Before Merle had left, he had been who stood between his father and him from the beatings. Sometimes at great personal cost to Merle… It wasn't until Merle was sixteen, that he could take the old man down, he'd beat him to a bloody pulp once when he saw him crack Daryl across the jaw. It was still a thorn in Daryl's side that Merle had left him to take care of himself, but he didn't think Merle knew the damage that was done there. They didn't talk that deeply, they barely spoke…he didn't know his brother at all. Daryl shook himself out of these thoughts; it wasn't doing him a bit of good. He was emotionally spent already today…he could tell Harley could feel that too, at the breakfast table, she'd put her chin on his thigh and look up at him with her golden brown eyes. She was either trying to comfort his sorry ass or was just begging for his bacon and eggs…he'd take the latter for now. Today was going to be another long day for her, but he decided to call Joel later in the morning to see if his girls could come over and check in on Harley, take her out to play. He'd agree to it, his wife and little girls always liked coming over and playing with Harley. He had thought about dropping her off there, but it was too early for any of that shit, he'd just call them once he got back to Jefferson. Maple Lake was an hour drive for him anyhow; it was two hours from Atlanta.
He took Harley out, fed and watered the horses… He was just keeping the horses for some of his granddad's friends. They weren't his, but he had ranch hands come in and take care of them usually. Then he went back in, made sure that Harley was set up with her food and water, she'd eat during the day…was too laid back to want actually to eat as soon as the food was in her bowl, she probably wanted to savior Finally, something. He ruffled her head, and scratched her ears, and threw her stuffed toy down in her bed with her. She was already moping, knowing that he'd be gone awhile.
"Stawp…" He knelt down by his whining girl. "I'll bring ya home a bone…" He kissed the top of her head and pushed to his feet when he saw her eyes look through him again. He'd have to remember that bone, or she was going to be a grouch. He snorted, and ran a hand through his hair, and made his way to the front door. He locked up, and pulled out the truck keys, although he'd much rather be driving his bike, he knew picking up Grandpa Norman, he'd need the truck, not that Grandpa, wouldn't riding his own bike…
It took him a little more than an hour to get up to Maple Lake, it was even more remote than Sweet Water, another maybe thirty minutes up there, and then another twenty up to his granddad's home up the mountain but that was because there weren't many roads that went up the mountain. Daryl just hoped that his truck would hold up to the rough one-lane mountain road. It was about twenty miles off of County 9. Daryl thought if the end of the world ever happened, this would be a good place to hold up…nothing would come up here, and Papa Norman had a lot of weapons and an old fall-out shelter on his land. He and Merle were big on that end of world business…maybe from what he saw in the war he supposed.
Daryl turned down his granddad's driveway, it was recently plowed…he had known he was coming, so…that was helpful. Although Daryl had always told his granddad, that he'd come up when he could to plow him out, or do some handy work. Grandpa wouldn't hear it, he was still an active man, even in his late-eighties …he didn't look over fifty…Daryl hoped when; something was that age he looked the same. He snorted, but that wasn't likely. It was about six am when he pulled into his driveway. Grandpa Norman, was already outside, tinkering around with his bike. Daryl pulled up close, and cut the engine of his truck, stepping out onto the gravel driveway. He could see his grandma was in the kitchen, and when she saw him, she made her way outside to see him.
"Daryl, come here…" She called out to him; she was moving slowly towards the steps. Daryl grinned, and jogged over, pulling his grandma into his strong arms. "Oh, my dear boy…it's been a long while again." She whispered, as she pulled back and patted his cheek.
Daryl bent and kissed her weathered cheek, and pulled her close again. "I know, grandma…I'm sorry…"He frowned, and she scolded him.
"Stop that; I know your busy…"She kissed his cheek, and he pulled back and helped her down the steps. She had arthritis bad in her knees and hips, from years and years of being on them, milking cows, and tending to farm duties. Their farm was snuggled right up to the forest, they had about thirty head of cattle, and about forty acres of wooded land, and pastures. Their property was up on the mountain, yes, but it spread out down over the valley, it was very remote, he didn't think they had any neighbors for twenty miles or so… So it was very secluded and isolated. He loved coming up here, and hunting on the land with his granddad; it was an escape…always had been.
His grandma, was in her early eighties, she too looked young for her years, she was a beautiful petite woman, much like his own mother had been, she still wore her hair long, and although there was some grey in it, a lot of the auburn waves he remembered his own mother having were still there. She had his same blue eyes, high cheekbones, and was a beautiful woman. His granddaddy, was a tall, broad man, of probably six foot three, he wore his hair long too…he looked like a mountain man in many ways. He wasn't someone that people wanted to mess with. Those that had, had paid dearly for it. His own father had seen this man's fists on many occasions, when his grandparents found out that Old Will had been beating Daryl, they got him away from the old man until he got the law on his side. Daryl always wondered how stupid those cops were, that they knew that old William Dixon was an abuser, that he didn't take care of his sons, but yet they let him come back to them. Grandpa Norman didn't take that sitting down either. He'd stayed in his life as much as he could after his mother had died. As much as his bastard of a daddy would let him.
It would be another half hour drive down the mountain, and an hour drive to Jefferson County Hospital. So he hugged his grandma again, kissed her cheek, accepted the blueberry muffin that was offered, and got back in his truck with his granddad.
"…He's still in a coma?" His granddad asked.
"That's what they told me…think it's his liver that is failing…"Daryl bit the inside of his cheek.
"Say what's on your mind son." His granddaddy told him,
Daryl cleared his throat, "Why does it matter so much?" His voice cracked, and he shook his head… "He took her from you?" Daryl's voice was hoarse as if he'd swallowed the glass again. "I just never got it." His cheeks burned, and he kept his eyes on the road.
Grandpa Norman cleared his throat, and Daryl turned when he hadn't spoke for a while, he saw tears in the old mans' eyes and felt ashamed. "…Yes, he took Lauren from us…and I despise him because of that…but; she would always want us to look after you, despite what that Monster is…for some apparent reason; your momma loved him."
Daryl swallowed around the lump that had filled his throat. "…Momma was always a hell of a lot better than me." His voice broke on that note, and he cursed himself. "I…just – shit…"He trailed off.
"I know son." Daryl swallowed thickly again and cleared his throat.
"…had a rough case, it's brought up a lot of this shit again." He whispered, and narrowed his eyes behind his shades. "…this little girl was kidnapped by her own daddy, he…ahhh, killed her mama, damn near killed the little girl, she's gonna have to grow up in the system if we can't help her…if she makes it." Daryl hated that the emotion was bleeding into his voice.
"Son…I'm sorry that all that shit is coming back up. I feel like I failed ya too." Grandpa Norman's voice cracked. Daryl glanced over and saw the old man wiping his eyes, and his own heart clenched.
"Ya didn't fail me." He whispered,
"I didn't help as much as I should…"He growled.
"You did what you could…I was the one that didn't share that shit with you…" He narrowed his eyes and turned onto the highway. They had about another half hour before they got to Jefferson. It was about seven in the morning now.
They were quiet for the rest of the way to the hospital; both lost in thoughts of t their failures. Daryl thought he failed his grandpa…that he didn't tell him that he was knocking him around. He just couldn't…his old man engraved in him that it was his fault that his mama was dead, that it was his fault that he made him do this to him. It wasn't easy growing up like that, under a heavy fist…getting beat on for merely just existing. There were things that he'd buried so deeply inside him that he'd never talk about…never think about. He couldn't, or he'd drown himself in booze, just thinking about it. Did that make him weak? Did that make him a failure? He thought it did…its fucked up sure, how the mind works. He was trying…he was working on healing. He's not sure he ever could…he was broken, and damaged. It made him not trust people, but it also gave him that ability to know who was a good person and who wasn't. He had a knack for that, and it made him good at his job. It made him good at helping those women, and their children get away from the Monsters in their lives. He couldn't save his mama, but he was damn sure gonna save that little girl and anyone else he could.
"Penny for your thoughts son?" Grandpa asked,
"Ya, don't want in my head old man." Daryl chuckled and loosened the grip he had on the steering wheel, his hands stung… his knuckles had been white; he was surprised the steering wheel hadn't cracked.
"You know you can talk to me, Daryl."
"…This shit up here." Daryl pointed at his own head… "I can't…not right now." He whispered.
He saw his granddad nod, "Well…if you need to I'm here son; I was a cop too…" Daryl knew that he frowned, he wasn't sure how to begin if he could talk about it. "Sometimes we go through some heavy shit…I did, we lose cases…and that little girl you spoke about, she has you on her side. You'll figure something out son..."
Tears stung at Daryl's eyes, and he only nodded, not trusting himself to speak. He blinked rapidly, and his vision cleared. "…yeah I know" He muttered and pulled into the parking lot of the hospital.
He sighed heavily as he pulled into the parking space. He shut off the truck, and opened the door, stepping out onto the hot pavement. It had been unreasonably hot these last few days of April. He couldn't remember it ever being this hot in his thirty-five years on this planet. Daryl locked his truck up, and waited for his grandpa to close the door, and they made their way towards the hospital entrance. There hadn't been any change overnight at all his father was in a coma, after the surgery. He had guards standing outside his intensive-care hospital room. Daryl thought REALLY; the old bastard was gonna get out of his bed, and walk out UNDER HIS OWN POWER… He wanted to smack the two officers heads together. It was a waste of men…he thought…Case in Point, he was a police officer…course that didn't matter at all when your own family was involved. Captain Stevens, agreed though Jefferson County, was wasting men, if they were guarding his old man's room. He wasn't waking up anytime soon, and REALLY, it would be a miracle if the bastard was able to walk out under his own power, given he had a broken leg and all… Still Daryl didn't give two shits…He wasn't worth his worry he was just worried about Papa Norman.
Who looked sad, as he stepped into the room. Daryl stood by his side and put his hand on his shoulder. "Thanks for bringin' me here…"
Daryl shrugged and walked over to the window looking out over the city. "Gonna be pretty boring…" Daryl turned back to look at his granddad, and then his father. "If ya need anything, just give me a ring…gotta head back to the station, lots of paperwork." He frowned.
He hugged, his grandpa, and made his way back out into the hallway, it was almost eight-thirty now, as he rode the elevator back down to the first floor, and walked out to the parking lot. Just as he got to his truck, his phone started ringing; he looked down at it. It wasn't a number he recognized, but he still answered it, it wasn't likely that it was a wrong number…especially when he'd given this number to Holly, to call if she needed him.
So he picked the call-up and held it to his ear. "Hello, this is Daryl?" He in a soft tone. He could hear someone on the other end of the phone, sniffling like…the breathing was ragged, sounded like they were scared. He picked that much up. "This is Daryl Dixon, did someone give you this number?" He dropped his tone to speaking softly like he would a wounded animal. Because on his end of things, a lot of the women he'd come across these days when he was trying to get them away from the husbands or boyfriends…they spooked easily. And that's what this one was doing at the moment…if he was reading it correctly. "A'right, I'll just stay on the line until you are ready to speak, sweetheart. I don't know who you are, and I can't see ya…but I can hear, that you're scared…you don't even have to tell me your name…"
Carol froze when she heard his voice, her throat tightened, and her breathing was ragged, he said his name was Daryl Dixon…he didn't sound scary, but she was still frightened, she didn't know what the hell she was doing. She was expecting to get his voicemail, and then she would have been braver. She could have talked to him, and told him how scared she was… How she wasn't sure how she was going to get away from Ed, but she just couldn't get the words out of her mouth. He kept talking, and his voice was soothing her like a soft caress, letting her know that she was safe, that she could talk to him…that she didn't have to tell him her name. But, she wanted to do all that, she wanted to tell him her name and ask him how he could help her…that could he get her and Sophia away from that MONSTER.
"…I'm afraid…he raised his hand to her last night." She sobbed, knowing that she wasn't making any sense… not in the least.
"Sweetheart…take a deep breath, this is the first step, you are strong enough to pick up that phone, and call…did you talk to Holly?" He whispered.
"Y-yes…she gave me your number, when she said the shelter was full…I don't know what…I don't know what to do…I don't know how to get away….he can't hurt her…he can't hurt my baby girl." She sobbed.
Tears pricked in Daryl's eyes, and he leaned into the side of his truck, she sounded so broken…but yet so strong, to pick up that phone and call him. "…I know of a place…if you are ready" He whispered, not trusting to use his voice any more than that…he was sure the emotion would bleed through into his whisper too.
"Oh…but how…" She sobbed.
"Can you tell me your name sweetheart?" He whispered.
Carol thought she already had, but she knew she didn't. She pulled in another ragged breath. She didn't know this man, but yet she could hear in his voice that his heart was breaking for her, and he was exactly what Holly had told her he was. "My name's Carol Peletier…my daughters nine years old, and her name is Sophia…how can you help us, Daryl?" She whispered brokenly. "He knows where I go, he gave me a cellphone, that has GPS on it, Daryl…I'm – I can't…he'll know if I go anywhere." She whispered fiercely, her voice breaking.
Daryl had to think…he knew it would be something like that…but that also meant that he was prepared for it. "How about this…we meet in a public place, that he knows that you will go…Just give me a place, and I'll meet you there."
Carol thought hard…she knew of a place; she had to go to the liquor store that day. "Well, Ed…wanted me to pick him up his Coors today, I usually go to Mac's in King County." She told him giving him the address, and Daryl knew where that was.
"A'right, I'm in Jefferson right now, and will be leaving back towards King, I can be there in forty-five minutes or so, is that a'right?" He asked.
She nodded,
"Carol?"
"Oh…yes…it is, thank you, Mr. Dixon…do I need to pack?"
Daryl frowned at her calling him Mr. Dixon, "Call me Daryl, that's fine…did you want to meet today, or did you wanna leave today?" He asked her.
"I want to...I want to leave…I just want to get the hell away from him." She whispered.
"A'right…" He swallowed, he could do this… "Ok…you go home, and you pack what ya can…I can have one of my officers on your street…if you think that Ed, is going to come home anytime soon."
"That's fine…he usually eats lunch at his job site. But, I think I'd feel better with someone around." She whispered.
"A'right…" He cleared his throat and took down her address when she gave it to him. "I'll meet you at Mac's…around 11, does that sound alright?" He asked.
"Yes, again..thank you so much, Daryl." She sobbed.
"You don't have to thank me, Carol…I just do this, because it's something I need to do, I'm sure Holly told ya that,"
"She did…but I still am grateful to you…you're saving my baby." She whispered, holding her hand to her chest.
Tears pricked at Daryl's eyes again, and he swallowed. "I'll see you soon." He managed, and they talked a little more about the plan, before he hung up, and rested his back against his truck. He had to blink back more tears from his eyes, as he unlocked the pickup and hopped in. He immediately called Holly.
She answered almost immediately, sounding breathless. Daryl explained the situation to her because Carol wanted to get out right away…he was gonna have to impose on her, and see if she'd take them in. She more than agreed, she somehow had bonded with Carol, almost like he did. She felt the same…not sure if he bonded with her or not…it was just something different about her, and he hadn't even met her yet.
Daryl called Joel, and asked if he could keep an eye out on Carol's street, he trusted him…and it wouldn't be like there was a cop car, driving up and down the street. He said he would. Then texted him a little while later, letting him know that Carol had spotted him, and he'd let her know who he was. She'd already gotten everything packed, in her trunk. She packed very light.
Carol spotted a truck as she drove into her driveway it was a man in a black truck, he looked familiar, so she walked over.
"Hi…are you one of Daryl's men?" She asked timidly, making sure that she was at least seven feet away from the window.
"Yes ma'am, Joel Miller, I'm Daryl's partner, I just wanted to let you know I was in the area, I'll keep an eye out." He smiled kindly at her.
"Thank you, Joel," She nodded at him, wringing her hands, and then hissing in pain at her wrist. His eyes dropped to her hands, and she saw him swallow. So he knew…she noticed that already, that Joel, and even his timbre was gentle…much different than the cops that had come to her home when Sophia had called them. "I have to pick up my daughter too…can you tell that to Daryl?" she asked him.
Joel gave her a nod…"Yes, ma'am… he'll understand…he said something to me about it as well…just take your time, keep calm…Daryl'll take care of everythin' he's a good man…trust him with my life."
Tears filled Carol's eyes as she nodded, and hurried to the house unlocking it, and quickly moving to her bedroom, to pack the necessities. She took what she and Sophia would need and nothing more. She was thankful that she'd already been doing this, so she didn't have much to do except for packing her clothes, and Sophia's clothes…there was a lot wasn't a lot that she'd be leaving behind. She'd already packed up pictures of Sophia that she wanted to keep, and her and Sophia had spoken on what she would want to take with her should something like this arise, so she was prepared.
It took her all of about forty-five minutes to pack up all that she needed, and she did the packing by putting the car in the garage and bringing everything inside. Finally, she called the school and told them to have Sophia ready, that she had a doctor's appointment. The final step…she pulled off her wedding band, and pulled out the phone, she dug through the kitchen drawers and pulled out a hammer. Placed her ring on the kitchen counter, and took the hammer to her phone, repeatedly slamming the hammer into it, it might not have been what she should have done…but she pictured Ed's face as she slammed that hammer repeatedly into the goddammed phone. Then she closed the door for the very last time.
Stepped out into the hot sunshine, and walked to the garage and pulling out her car, glancing at the street, she nodded at Joel, seeing that he was about to pass another time. She got in her car, and started it up, backed out and pulled alongside Joel's truck. "Alright, I'm going to go get my girl…"
Joel nodded, "I'll be behind ya, and follow you to Mac's." He told her.
She nodded and put her car in gear…she drove the speed limit and tried not to bring any suspicion to herself. She pulled into the school parking lot, and there was a teacher outside that was already waiting with Sophia. Carol got out of her car, and got Sophia into her car seat, and buckled her in. "Baby…we're not going to a doctor's appointment. I got us some help…and we're meeting with him very shortly, are you ok with this?" Carol asked, trying to keep from starting to cry.
Sophia nodded, "I don't want to go back to the house Mama, I'm scared of Ed." She whispered she didn't even call Ed…Daddy anymore. She hadn't for a long time. She barely even spoke to him for the most part.
Joel had pulled in a few spots down, and walked over to Carol; he didn't stand right next to her, just greeted her like he would as a parent to another parent. It wasn't far-fetched at all, as he was a father and he had a little girl around the same age as Carol's little girl. "A'right, I'll follow you to Mac's then…Daryl is already there. Then we'll help get you to where you are going. Do ya got much to do with this car?" He questioned.
Carol shook her head no… "It's Ed's why?" She whispered.
"Well we'll be leaving it behind, not at Mac's…but, one of us will come back for it…I'll help once we get there." He smiled,
Carol nodded, she was wondering about that…that maybe Ed could trace her steps with his car…that made her a little nervous. "Well, maybe we should have just left it at my house?" She asked him.
"Naw…Daryl's been doing this a long time ma'am he'll know what to do…" Joel shook his head, "I'll be behind ya, just drive like normal…don't worry 'bout me, I know my way to Mac's." He grinned, and Carol smiled back. She liked him…he made her feel safe; he was intimidating…a strong looking man she decided, but she had no fear of him, maybe because he had kind eyes… She saw that her Sophia was eying him, but she didn't look scared.
"Momma, that's Ellie's daddy, he's nice." She said.
Carol looked at her daughter in the rearview mirror; she was a little surprised. "who's Ellie?" Carol asked,
"She's a few years older, but she's helped me at school. Got me away from some bullies…think she's in seventh grade." Sophia told her.
Carol nodded, well it was a small world she decided. Very small world…she wondered if Daryl had any kids too. Carol turned into the parking lot at Mac's and looked for the truck that Daryl described to her...a midnight dark blue new model pickup truck, a Chevy he'd said. She spotted it and glanced in the rearview mirror, seeing Joel's black truck pulling in behind her.
She swallowed tightly, and parked her car…her hands were sweating, and her heart was racing. First step of the new step in her new world…Never in her forty-one years had she been this anxious…She wasn't scared it wasn't that…she was happy that she was getting away from Ed.
It didn't take Daryl long to get from Jefferson to King County, and then to Mac's, he was early. Joel had texted them that they were on their way after picking up Sophia, that they'd be there in maybe eight minutes. Daryl nervously chewed on the cuticle on his right thumb. He was anxious, and he didn't know why… He normally was cool and collected doing something like this. He'd called Holly, and she was completely fine with taking Carol and Sophia in. So that wasn't why he was nervous…he just had to make sure that everything ran smoothly. He'd already called John; he was another one of his partners on the police force that would come and get Carol's car…and drive it either back to her home…or somewhere. Given it was Ed's car…they'd probably just drop it back off at his place. Daryl had already done a background check on Ed Peletier… he worked construction and bounced around from job site to job site. He had a routine after he'd get off a job, he'd hit up in one of the local bars in town here…he was surprised that Ed hadn't ever been picked up for a DUI, he was well known at the black bear bar. It was a biker bar, one where a lot of the tweakers frequented when he was working undercover work. It wasn't a good bar in the least. It was good that his undercover work helped him out there. He was good friends with the bartender there…another cop, well undercover cop…So it didn't take long to get information from him about Ed. He said he'd been in a few bar fights, but he'd usually kept to himself, the tweakers and the bikers didn't like him…he had a bad reputation with the ladies…. Knocked them around, so the bikers and the tweakers would knock him around. The problem was he was a big guy, so people got hurt. But, he wasn't invincible, and he'd been taken down a few times as well. But the cops stayed away from that bar…all except Daryl and Tony anyway. Daryl wracked his brain if he'd ever met the man…he was pretty sure he'd had a run-in or two with him. When he saw the picture of him, he remembered him then, though.
"Stupid dumb-ass…" He rolled his eyes…. "Ahhh…thanks, Tony…"
"Should I be lookin' at this fuck?" He asked.
Daryl didn't tell Tony much just that yes he should keep an eye out on him…he really wasn't a suspect or anything…but Tony then said that he might be, he'd been hanging around the tweakers a lot, pissing them off. But that could be because the bikers had a bone to pick with him.
"He's a piece of shit." Daryl snarled. Then swallowed thickly when he saw a gray car pulling up alongside his truck, and then Joel's black truck alongside the car. "Alright, thanks, Tony, gotta run…keep me updated."
Daryl quickly pocketed his phone and the schooled his face. Took a deep breath, and stepped out onto the hot blacktop. He hooked his sunglasses to his chest and steeled himself. He didn't know why he was so worked up, just could be that it had been a tough week, and this one was making him a little more nervous.
He grinned, when Carol walked up to him nervously, holding Sophia's hand. This had to run smoothly, he smiled at the little girl, and she took a step closer to Carol but didn't look too frightened of him. He squatted down to her level after he'd given Carol a nod, "Hi there, my name is Daryl…are you Sophia?" He asked in a gentle tone.
"Uh-huh…are you the policeman that is gonna get me away from Ed?" Her voice was trembling, and tears were filling her eyes.
His eyes crinkled, and he gave her a sad smile…"Yes, Sophia, that's who I am…"He whispered. Sophia stepped a closer to him and searched his eyes… for a long moment, she smiled back at him.
"Thank you, Daryl." She gave him a sad nod, and she wasn't scared of him at all. Daryl pushed to his feet and addressed Carol.
"Hi, Daryl?" She asked her eyes were bright blue pools, and she was wringing her hands and wincing. Daryl schooled his features and nodded at her.
"Hello Carol, it's nice to meet you, yes I'm Daryl…are you ok?" He nodded at her hand, and she shook her head no.
"Did he?" He whispered, and tears filled her eyes, and spilled down her cheeks, he looked at Sophia then too, as she was rubbing her cheek. Daryl's eyes burned, and he frowned. "I'm glad that you contacted me then…" He blew out a breath. "Come on; I'll help ya get your stuff in my truck." So Carol handed him the keys, he hesitantly took them; he wasn't expecting that. Then a second later she threw her arms around his neck.
"I can't thank you enough…Daryl" She sniffed, and started to cry, Daryl hesitated a moment, but then put one hand to her back, pulling her as close as he dared.
"You're a'right sweetheart; this is your first step…your strong enough to get away from that asshole, hold ya head high…and know that, he's not gonna get to you again." He whispered soothingly. Carol nodded against his shoulder, then quickly stepped away, blushing furiously. He grinned back; it wasn't the first time that he'd been hugged, but, it had been unexpected, usually…it takes awhile. But she was different; something was affecting him about her…
Both Joel and himself helped her unload her car and, put her stuff in Daryl's pickup. He hooked up the car seat in the back and helped her get Sophia into the truck, as his truck was a little higher than her car.
"How many times have you done this?" Carol asked him after they had been driving for a little while.
"…Too many to count, since it's a program that I developed with Holly's help." He murmured quietly, turning to give her a quick look, then brought his eyes back to the road.
"But why?" She whispered she was playing with her hands again, wringing them.
Daryl frowned and swallowed thickly. "It's something that's important to me…hits close to home I reckon, growing up I didn't have that great of a home life neither, his eyes caught Sophia's in the rearview mirror.
"Was your daddy a monster too?" Sophia asked, and Daryl's eyes caught first Carol's and then Sophia's.
"My momma had an Ed too; his name was William…yeah he's a monster too," Daryl whispered, then blinked. "…We see a lot of sh-stuff on the force, it ain't pretty, and I kept wanting to help…I do what I can." He nodded at Carol.
"The world needs more of you Daryl…you are a good man, thank you for this." She whispered, "When I was searching on where to go, I just prayed…that I'd get a sign, anything…I knew I needed to get away from him…if it weren't for you doing this program…I'd be so lost." She sniffed, and Daryl's eyes burned a bit.
"…that's why I do it." He turned sad eyes on her as he pulled up to a red light… Then let out a heavy breath. It was another twenty-minute drive to Holly's place, she lived in a secure building in downtown Atlanta, Carol and Sophia would be safe there, of that Daryl was certain. Holly met them outside when Daryl texted her after parking his truck in the underground parking garage. "The building is very secure… they got round the clock security here…so you both will be safe."
Daryl helped Carol with Sophia; he was gonna set the little girl down, but she clung to him, her small arms around his neck. "Will we still get to see you?" Sophia asked him, her blue eyes staring right at his soul it felt like.
He glanced at Carol, and then he nodded yes. "Yes darlin' I'll be around to check on ya both, this isn't the last Y'all will see me." He whispered.
Sophia nodded happily, and then he set her down. By the time he straightened Holly was there.
Holly was a few years younger than he was, had dark-brown hair, and very blue eyes, and a tan complexion, she was a tall woman, almost as tall as he was, and she was strong…she'd Become that way through the program that hopefully they could get Carol and Sophia into. He was gonna oversee it; that was for sure…he'd only been with Carol and Sophia for a little more than the hour it took to get her here, and he already felt like he needed to protect them. They needed it; he normally didn't get that attached, but this time he was…he was determined to get them away from Ed…where the bastard would never find them again. Call it instinct he wasn't sure, but he was glad that they contacted him when they did. It scared him…something awful, what might have become of these two ladies if she hadn't contacted him today.
Now for the first time in a long time, he was praying that everything went smoothly. That they would be okay, and be able to get into the program. He had no doubt it would work; he just wanted to dig something up on Ed…and get him put away for a long time – call it a personal goal of sorts…he did not know.
"A'right ladies…it's been a pleasure meeting ya…if Y'all need anythin' ya give me a call."
"Oh…I-I, well I broke my phone," Carol whispered wringing her hands again.
"Broke your phone?" Daryl raised an eyebrow.
Carol blushed, and looked down at her feet. "Well I…I, thought it – that he could track us…I left it on the kitchen table after hitting it with a hammer." She whispered.
Daryl grinned, "Ahhh…well, that's awesome!" He laughed slightly, and gave her a high-five, "We got burners that ya can use, or Holly isn't opposed to letting you use her phone."
"No…not at all, feel free to use my phone too, but I'll pick you up a burner as well." She said.
"Thank you so much, Holly, and thank you, Daryl…I don't know how I can ever repay you for this." She whispered.
"No repayment is necessary…and no thanks…this is what I do." He whispered, stepping closer. Carol hugged him again, and leaned up on her tippy toes, and kissed his cheek.
He nodded at them both, and then stepped away, to speak with Holly. Carol, walked with Sophia to the living room and sat with her. They had already been shown to the guest room…it was a very spacious apartment…larger than her home, it was two story. Beautifully decorated, and just very welcoming. Both her and Sophia settled into the sofa in the room; Carol wrapped her arms around her baby girl. "Are you okay with this sweetheart?" She asked her.
"Yes Momma, I like Daryl." She told her.
"He's a nice man…I do too sweetie." She kissed her.
A/N2
Thank you for reading, this again was getting so long that I had to cut it a little short to where I wanted it…but with 11k words, it's still a very long chapter….and we got to meet Carol and Sophia yay! And they got away from Ed… Daryl will be clearly in their lives, he's attached to them and doesn't know why. That will become clear as we move forward. Remember Daryl being a cop has seen a lot, he knows her from somewhere…just as he's remembering Ed from that Bar. Had Daryl and Carol met before this…well we'll just have to find out together, this chapter kinda went a totally different direction than I was taking it. Especially with Carol, I wasn't expecting her to just want to get away from Ed like that. But something in what I kept seeing as I was writing this, was her escaping with Sophia, and trying to get her away from that monster. And I had to get Daryl involved in it somehow. In the next chapters ahead, I might do a background on what he did for Holly. Just so no one's nervous…no Holly and Daryl are just friends…that's it. But we all know that Daryl feels strongly about abuse. I just felt that it was something that he'd want to do for women and children…all things considered, since what happened to his mama, and how awful of a man his father was. I will be catching up with Merle next chapter, and that all important phone call with him and his brother. Merle will also be coming home soon… Thank you for reading! I appreciate all your reviews, fave's and alerts! Thanks much and have a good week!
