There is a small time jump around 4 weeks. Carol and Daryl go on a run only it doesn't go exactly her way. There's no sex in this part – give me time that is coming – I need to work out their issues so bear with me. Please review.
"Fuck."
"Not now, kind of busy."
Walker growls are deafening, the sound surrounded them and they were outnumbered. They always growled. It was a sound that could drive a single person mad.
Blacken hands reached out and scratched at the air as they stumbled across them. Backs to each other they walked in circle formation; her arm swung out hard and Carol's machete came down on a walker, cracked the skull and thick black blood oozed out as it splattered across her face when the blade made contact with the decaying brain matter. At the same time, she pulled the blade back and the massive walker fell to the ground with a sick thud.
She will never get used to the smell of putrid flesh. Being pregnant heightened her senses of smell and just made it worse when she caught a quick whiff of the putrid scent as it coursed through her nostrils. Only it was too late as she felt the bile rise in her throat. Shit. Stay down. It triggered her gag reflex something fierce.
With his foot, Daryl kicked a walker back, it knocked into the one behind it creating a dominos effect and curb stomped the head of the first one. Only he heard gunshots: three head shots, Carol took them clean out.
"Fuck, Ya wanna have more show up?" He snarled through his gritted teeth.
"It worked didn't it?" She said through a coughing fit. "Goddamn it."
"Stay in formation."
She forced the bile down and gulped small bits of air before she could move on. Her arms ached for the constant movement, she swung the machete again as it sliced into the chest of another rotting corpse. She lost her grip on the hilt of the machete and it slipped from her hands, with it stuck in walker it's guts splattered to the ground.
Daryl turned to the sounds her being sick, "Shit."
Carol vomited all over the ground herself and the walker's guts. Daryl didn't hesitate and sent a bolt into the head of the walker.
She pulled and spun away from him and the carnage of undead that littered the ground. Carol heaved again and again until there wasn't anything left to come up. She stood there shakily as her fingers trembled as she found the strength to wipe her mouth clean of spit and vomit.
They took a break. It was a good time to rest and refuel. He offered her the water flask and she took it in a jerky motion like she didn't want to discuss what just happened. More likely, she was mortified she had lost her breakfast all over herself.
Her throat was raw and stinging like a bitch! Carol took a long sip and swished it around and rinsing the acrid taste from her mouth the best she could. He watched her as she greedily drank half its contents before Carol thrusted it into his chest.
It hit her hard that this was to be expected. Pregnancy was hard on any woman. She was not a spring chick, not even close. Although, she was strong and healthy for her age just maybe it wouldn't be a walk in the park. She picked up her belongings, threw her pack on her back and set the pace. She was determined to complete their journey before sundown.
Daryl followed in behind her. He always did. They walked tersely in awkward silence. Perhaps, for now, it was the best Carol didn't hear his vitriolic string of obscenities and kept them to himself, so he gladly walked behind her because he needed her safe.
Two weeks ago they fought about this very trip.
They weren't like any other couple – they were more than that. For Carol, she considered them soul mates. When Tara found out the news spread among the family members. She, fist pumped the air the night she spied them kissing on the stairs back home.
They were in a heated argument in the middle of her kitchen.
It was a force of habit to pull her sleeves up and crossed her arms protectively over her chest. They mirrored each other movements. Carol saw a flash of heated anger behind his eyes.
"Y'ain't going." Daryl groused.
"What? You can't stop me?" she retorted in the same tone
"Not in that state—"
"Being pregnant isn't a state it's a natural part of life." Carol said flippantly and added, "You don't know what books I need. I do."
"Goddamn it, Carol, it ain't about them damn books –" he retorted coolly.
She took a step back to read him; to understand what he wanted to say and couldn't say. Suddenly it hits her. His insecurities were still there, at best he masked them. She couldn't promise him that she won't die, but she could promise she won't leave him.
Daryl's back stiffened as he remained still as she hadn't spoken in a few minutes.
"Daryl, I won't leave you." Carol's voice softened.
"How do I know that?" Daryl's voice cracked. She had to look away because all that hurt returned to his eyes.
"Hey, hey, Carol?" he waved to catch her attention.
He caught her eyes with his and he could see the remorse behind them. "You need to trust me, Daryl."
"I do. I need you to stay home." Daryl's voice softened.
"No. I want to go… with you….together. Please?" She stood in his peripheral vision and their eyes locked blue on blue.
His face was a mask of worry but she was right, there was no other way. He sighed, "Alright, we need a plan, give me two weeks."
Carol came back to present time. They had arrived at the small community just past noon. The sun was hot and it would only get hotter. It seemed deserted except for some abandoned cars.
"The library is just this way."
Carol and Daryl were locked and fully loaded. They only took out the walkers if they were nearby. The fewer noises they made the better. They didn't care for another herd attack as the last batch weakened Carol physically. They moved in unison and swiftly without being seen or heard. They made it to the boarded up building. The wooden sign hung overtop, cracked and bleached from the sun. It creaked in the slight breeze. Walkers took no indication of its noise or slight movement. Which was good for them.
"Was it like this the last time you were here?" He squinted to see as he peaked at a hole in the boarded up windows. It was too dark to see inside he couldn't make out anything or anyone.
She nodded. "I was out a lot…remembered little…Morgan found me, patched me up…then I was taken to The Kingdom."
Daryl banged on the window to see if anything moved inside. He waited again and repeated the banging.
Nothing!
Carol kept alert and surveyed the area for walkers. "Daryl." She motioned.
He aimed his crossbow and sent a bolt flying through the air. With a soft thud, the walker fell. Carol led the way to the back entrance and the place was deserted. She tried the back door it was locked could easily budge open. She sheaths her machete. Removed her pack and found the crowbar and like a pro she had the back door jimmied it opened with ease. A little too easy.
Daryl shared a small smirk of approval. "First we sweep."
The smell of old books dust and mold hit them both equally. Carol gave Daryl that look, we get in and out. He nodded in agreement. He counts 1…2…3 and they went in slowly. The dim light made it hard to see clearly Carol turned the flashlight on and they went in single file, she cast the light in a sweeping motion to avoid fallen bookcases that littered the ground and surrounding area.
They came across a bed roll with a sleeping bag and blankets. Clearly, someone lived there. Daryl's nose scrunched up from the smell of half eaten cans of food. He lifted one to inspect it: beans, it wasn't long ago that person ate. He placed it back.
He pointed to the front and Carol cast the light in all directions armed and ready they entered it cautiously and when it was deemed free of surprises or unexpected visitors they lowered their weapons.
"We get what you need and get the fuck out of here," Daryl said sharply.