Sprouting
Chapter 2: Catch
Daryl, Glenn, and Tyreese arrived in time for supper. They'd been gone for four hours and had been beyond successful. The back of the pick-up was completely packed with supplies. Rick was relieved to see everything that was collected. The shelves in the make-shift pantry were now filled back up. He was also quite relieved when Daryl brought all the formula. They'd still needed to go and track down some more but these 4 cases was like finding a gold mine.
Along with food they'd brought some miscellaneous items. There were fresh clothes to help replace the old and worn. They brought a couple of balls, a Johnnie Jumper, three board games, and a set of playing cards. There were hand soaps, toothbrushes, body washes, and other toiletries. It felt like Christmas handing out the items to everyone.
After the excitement had worn down a bit, Carol found Daryl leaning against the wall soaking in the atmosphere. "Hey there. You came back," She smiled and shoulder bumped him. She leaned up against the wall next to them. Their shoulders remained touching.
"I promised you I would," he shoulder bumped her back. They stood shoulder to shoulder for several minutes. "Oh, I got you a couple of things. Be right back." He didn't wait for her response; he left her to grab his saddlebags.
When he returned, she hadn't moved. Carol was anxious. It had been a long time since she'd gotten any gifts from a man. Her husband never gave her anything except bruises. When she saw him return to the room, she tried hard to not have her nervousness show. He'd tossed his saddlebags over his shoulder. She watched him walk over to her. If this was a different time and a different place, he could've been a heartbreaker or someone she'd avoid all together, depending on the time and place. But today, she admired him. He reclaimed his place next to her and handed her a small pink box. She stared at it. A jewelry box?
"Take it. I'm not proposin'," Daryl held the box out.
She laughed, "Oh darn. I really wanted a ring." She took the box and very slowly opened it. As soon as she saw the contents her hand covered her mouth and her eyes watered immediately. She couldn't stop the tears they poured down her face.
"You don't like it? If it's upsetting, I'll get rid of it." Daryl couldn't decide if she liked it or not. He'd not wanted to upset her.
"Oh, Daryl! It's perfect. Thank-you!" She closed the lid and hugged him. His shoulder became damp from her tears.
"You're' welcome. Here I got you something else too." She released him and he handed her a red cotton dress. "It's not much, but I thought you might like it, for the wedding or somethin'."
She let the dress unfold in front of her. It was the most beautiful simple, red cotton dress she'd ever seen. Holding it up she was pretty certain it would fit. "Thanks. So very much."
Daryl continued to look forward, "It was nothin'. I know your husband never let you wear pretty things. And well, everyone was getting new clothes." He pushed off the wall. "See ya' 'round."
Carol watched him leave. He was one complicated man and she adored him. She was certain he did her too even if he wasn't admitting it yet. She went back to admiring the dress.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The next day, Michonne sat outside in the grass soaking in the sunlight. It was a beautiful spring day. It had become common for her to slip away for some peace and quiet. Sitting outside reminded her of the pre-zombie world. The grass was already quite tall from lack of care much like the creek bed of her childhood. Her eyes scanned the fence line for any signs of trouble. There were none. Just Maggie and Glenn walking the parameter and Daryl was in the guard tower. Everyone else was inside the prison organizing the supplies.
As she sat watching, she couldn't get the picnic out of her head. Carl looked happy and like a normal child running outside. If not for the moaning zombies in the background, the picnic could've been any day prior to the world going to Hell. Carl thought he was an adult; he even acted like an adult. He filled in for roles that no kid should ever have to do. In many ways he wasn't a kid anymore. After watching him yesterday, she knew he needed to still be a kid in some sense. He needed time to socialize with other kids, to run, to play, to be somewhat carefree.
She didn't question Rick's way of raising the kid. She understood that it was logical to teach him to shoot and protect himself. Heck, the kid had stepped up to help with the birth of his sister. He'd proven himself helpful on more than one occasion. But it didn't change the fact that he was a kid. He was impulsive and immature in his decision making. Now that they had some safety and other kids, Michonne wanted to let him be a kid.
Carol approached Michonne in the grass. "Hey there."
"Hi." Michonne ran a few blades of grass through her fingers.
Carol sat down cross legged next to her. "I and Beth were talking and we have quite of few extra people here from Woodbury. And the guys will go back to gather some more supplies in a few days. But, we were thinking that it might be a good idea to plant a garden." She paused and waited for a response from Michonne.
"Ok?" Michonne was a bit confused why she was talking with her about it.
"I was wondering if you'd come with me to town and get the seeds and supplies. It should be an easy run. The men are so busy trying to ensure safety; I figured we could do it."
"Yeah. I think that's a good idea. We should become as self-sufficient as possible. Should we go later today or tomorrow?"
Carol was relieved that Michonne agreed to go. They made plans to go first thing in the morning since Michonne had guard duty later in the day.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Michonne relieved Maggie from guard duty. She'd been looking forward to guard duty most of the day. She still wasn't use to being around so many people and people irked her a bit. She really didn't trust them. Well not them, she just didn't trust in general. Up here, it was quiet. Just her, the breeze, and a few zombies to watch after. She'd pulled supper time guard duty. The sun was staying up past 7 o'clock now so she'd be able to see well her entire time. This was reassuring since the governor was still out there somewhere wanting her head on a stick.
She was watching the tree line when she thought she saw something move. She put on the binoculars and looked closer. Squinting she looked around, she swore she saw something. Whatever she saw is now gone. The door behind her clanged as it shut, she jumped.
"Sorry, just delivering some food." Hershel held out the plate of rations. "What were you looking at so intently?"
She took the food and began eating. Apparently she was hungrier then she thought. "Over there along the tree line. I thought I saw a flash of white. But I can't see anything now."
Hershel took the binoculars while Michonne quickly shoved the remaining food into her mouth. He squinted and looked twice. "Well, unless my eyes deceive me, I believe there is someone out there. Look, up in the tree." He nodded in the direction and handed her the binoculars again.
Now when she looked, she could see a woman and a small child perched in the tree. The walkers hadn't noticed them yet. "We've gotta go get them." She felt a sense of urgency as the walkers roamed freely along the tree line.
"You go and get Rick. I'll stay here and keep watch. Be careful, this may be some sort of sick trick." Hershel went back to staring through the binoculars and said a prayer for the two stuck in a tree.
Michonne put her legs to the test as she ran through the prison into the cell block. She first ran into Daryl who without any prompting immediately followed, as did Carol who had been sitting with him. They found Rick by the entrance and once the situation was explained, they set out to save the woman and girl.
Carl attracted attention at the far end of the fence; Carol manned the gate while the others left in vehicles. Daryl drove the red car with the radio blaring to attract attention toward him while Glen drove the pick-up with Rick and Michonne in the back. They laid down flat in the bed to avoid any unneeded attention until they arrived at the tree. The two stood up and reached up to grab the stranded.
"Please, help my baby!" the mother cried out as she handed down the dirty child.
Michonne grabbed the girl and pulled her into the pick-up. "Lie down and be very still." The little blue eyes looked up at her. "Do you understand?" The little girl nodded and followed the instructions.
Rick reached for the woman. She reached down a bit too far and began to fall. Michonne's fast reflexes grabbed her leg as Rick snared her arm. They swiftly pulled her into the truck bed forcing all three to fall down. Unfortunately this commotion attracted a few walkers and Glenn floored it causing those in the back to roll around. Glenn easily outran the few walkers and pulled around toward the prison gate. Daryl followed behind, his radio now silent the caravan pulled through the gate and it slammed shut. Carol locked it securely and jumped in with Daryl as they drove up to the prison.
Once the vehicles stopped, Rick introduced himself to the two new arrivals. He told them they would be safe here and that they were welcomed to stay as long as they wanted. The woman who introduced herself as Rachel seemed to be in shock. The little girl didn't speak.
Carol wrapped her arm around the woman's shoulder, "Let's get you inside where you can get cleaned up and something to eat." Her soft voice was soothing to the woman.
"Is this Woodbury?" the woman asked. It sure didn't look like what they were expecting.
Guiding the woman and child into the prison Carol softly replied, "No, it's not."
The rescue team gave out congratulatory high fives and hugs. When Rick got to Michonne, there was a bit of an awkward pause, and then they hugged. "I'm so glad you were there and could grab her. You've got some fast reflexes!" He said once the quick, awkward hug was done.
Daryl noticed the uncomfortable air, he slapped her on the back, "Yeah, you're a regular spider woman".
Everyone made their way back into the prison leaving Michonne and Rick in the yard. They stood looking at each other for several moments. "So, spidey skills, it is," Rick awkwardly said.
"I guess so. You were pretty impressive yourself. Grabbing her arm." She then told him of the planned supply run the next day. Rick agreed becoming more self-sufficient the better they'd be in the long run.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The next morning Michonne and Carol packed a car for their supply run. They didn't take much with them. Michonne had a handgun and her sword and Carol had a shotgun and handgun. They had a duffle bag to help carry their items out to the car. Daryl and Rick came out to see them off.
"Well, now, we got us a farewell party," She looked right a Daryl.
"You sure you don't want me to come along?" Daryl couldn't hide he didn't like this idea. He knew Michonne was an effective walker killer and Carol was a good shot, but he still didn't like the idea of no man going along.
"We'll be fine. It's just a quick run for some seeds," Carol reassured him. Being honest with herself, she liked that he worried about her.
Michonne stood in the open door of the car, Rick positioned himself in front of her. If she wanted to move, she was unable to. "You take care of yourselves. OK? If there looks like trouble, get out. No seeds are worth losing anyone." Rick wasn't sure why he was so concerned about her safety. He worried about everyone's, but for some reason Michonne's weighed heavier on his mind. "If you're not back in 3 hours, we're sending out a search party."
Author Note: Any thoughts? I found myself coming back to Daryl and Carol this chapter, mostly because they're so easy to write together and I want the Rick and Michonne relationship to develop slowly and not seemed forced. Thanks for reading :)
