And Chapter 3 ladies and gentleman. This one did not want to be written because Murphy didn't behave. He's still in the closet I locked him in to get some peace to get this out (God I wish). A friendly reminder: I don't own The Walking Dead or The Boondock Saints. I can't say I'd share them if I did!
Chapter 3: Roastin' F**kin' Marshmellos?
~TBS~TWD~TBS~TWD~TBS~TWD~TBS~TWD~TBS~TWD~TBS~TWD~TBS~TWD~TBS~TWD~TBS~TWD
Connor reached for my hand and like it was some cosmic cue for something to happen, a body burst through the trees on the far end of the camp. My first thought was walker until it started cussing an impressive blue streak in a very, now familiar, Irish brogue as he struggled against a tangle of vines that wouldn't let him go. Figuring the chances it was the brother, Murphy, come back from walker hunting were pretty high I decided to just sit back and watch as all of his struggling only got him more entwined in the pesky plant. Connor had already let go of my hand and was moving to sit next to me, watching the new addition like it was the funniest thing in the world.
Murphy must have had enough of fighting with the irritating vine and drew a blade from I don't know where. It was effective though and he was free of his momentary enemy in seconds. Finally turning to face us my breath caught in my throat. That's it! I have to have brain damage! There was Daryl in front of me! Even more unrealistically? He was almost what I would call clean!
But from one moment to the next, just like the similarities, all the differences between the man in front of me and the one I had breathless seconds of hope that it was jumped up and started mocking me. Murphy was clearly several years younger then the hunter I'd come to love since the End of the World. His hair, while shaggy like his brothers and in need of a wash, was also much shorter then Daryl's and the facial hair looked like it had seen a razor in the last month or so. His jeans, again so much like his brothers, were ripped, faded and dirty, and stained with blood here and there, but nothing like I'd seen Daryl put up with before finally deciding to take a new pair for himself. No my tracker hadn't done the impossible and found me but damned if I didn't find his freaking body double.
"Fuckin' hell Con! Even tha fuckin' plants attack ye down here!" I knew, while his indignant statement was funny, the hysterical giggle that I couldn't hold back seemed a little inappropriate. Piercing eyes, identical to Connors, locked on the two of us and the irritation seemed to vanish like it was never there, replaced by a satisfied smirk also reminiscent of his brother. "Yer awake! And Connor didn't run ye off! Duffy an' Romero na back yet?" The question had to be aimed at Connor but his comment about me running off was putting me back on edge. Was there a reason I should be running? I'd just agreed to stick around and now seconds later was wondering if it was the right decision.
I'm not sure what I did but Connor seemed to pick up on my returned tension almost immediately. "Murphy ye fuckin' idiot! I just convinced 'er she should stick around an' ye show up talkin' about runnin'! Shut yer damn mouth 'for ye run 'er off!" at the last he chucked a broken piece of wood at his brothers head.
The wood bounced harmlessly off his chest but it was enough it seemed to ignite an all to familiar spark in the darker brothers eyes. I knew that look. Maggie got it every time we were about to get into some stupid argument over nothing because she was bored and feeling playful. It was relieving to see and the little tension that had gathered left as swiftly as it came. If he wanted a fight with his brother the comment about running me off was probably for his benefit as well. If my brain didn't make its mind up for good soon I was going to get mental whiplash with how quickly I kept changing my mind. My body was already exhausted thanks to blood loss and pain, the added fun of muscle tension coming and going wasn't helping much.
It didn't take Murphy long to prove my instincts right. "Fuck ye! I've bin out there sweatin' my ass off makin' sure were safe an' yer here chattin' up tha girl like it's Saint Patty's at McGinty's! Wouln' blame 'er if she ran from ye!" I definitely had brain damage if the second giggle was any sign to go by. I just couldn't help it. He looked so much like Daryl that the whole scene just felt absurd.
"Your Murphy right?" At his nod I continued. "Thank you. Connor told me you were the one to shoot-" I was at a loss for words again, "the...guy. So thank you. And I don't want to run,not that I could anyway." I said gesturing to my midsection. I hoped the other two would be back soon, the coat was getting almost hotter than I could stand."Ya'll saved my life and I'm really grateful, haven't even thought of running for a few minutes now."
Murphy practically deflated before my eyes. "Aye, well wasn' just gonna let 'im do it now was I. Asshole got what 'e deserved."
I couldn't help it, really I tried. "He was Douchebag. The other two were assholes." It was like coming full circle. I was back to the beginning of meeting Connor. "Ye warned 'er about Duffy and Romeo righ'?" Ok I want out of the Twilight Zone now! Walking dead peoples my limit for freaky things! If the other two come back and repeat this whole conversation again I'm pretty sure I'll slap them.
"Course I fuckin' told 'er! What did ye think we were doin' roastin' fuckin' marshmellos?"
Their bickering reminded me again of Maggie and I worried as the pain was less than even just a few days ago. I didn't want the pain to fade, like if it did that meant I accepted never finding her again. Tuning the pointless argument out I tied to discretely blink away the few tears that had gathered. The movement brought my swollen face back to my attention. It was amazing what you could forget, if even for a short time, in this new world. I could hardly open my right eye and if it weren't for the fact I knew it would hurt I'd have cringed. I may have come out of my little "adventure" alive but I certainly wasn't going to forget about it any time soon.
By this point the boys were wrestling with each other on the ground. To me it looked like a pretty even fight; I didn't see either winning anytime soon. It would have been funny if it weren't for the circumstances I met them. If this is how they act I wonder what the other two are like? Hopefully not quite as unrestrained. They were obviously a strong group if they made the trip all the way from Boston, but I couldn't help but wonder how if this is how they acted all the time.
More rustling from the direction Murphy had come into the camp from seemed to grab both their attention though. I watched impressed as the both rose at the same time, both seamlessly drawing their weapons, a gun and hunting knife each, all signs of their earlier fooling around gone. If I hadn't witnessed it for myself I'd have questioned if they were just rolling around on the ground like a couple of 5 year olds. Even from a few feet away I could practically feel the tension they all but vibrated with, their entire attention focused on the possible threat.
It didn't last long however. A clearly Boston accented voice called out, letting the boys know it was the rest of their group returning. I was having trouble deciding if the butterflies in my stomach were from hunger or nerves. Connor and Murphy seemed so genuinely disgusted by how they found me that I wasn't overly concerned they wanted to hurt me, how could I be sure about these other two?
Two men all but burst through the underbrush in almost the exact spot Murphy had only a few minutes earlier. Both turned and glanced in the direction I had first woken up in.
The smaller Hispanic man didn't bother to look around more before exclaiming "She's gone yo!" to which the other man just shook his head like he was used to the man making pointless comments. He turned to face the boys, and me, and it felt like I was meeting Rick all over again back on the farm. A little on the older side, tired eyes that had seen too much and still believed in hope, and a group of people I'm guessing he felt like he babysat more than anything else. The Mexican and the Detective. I almost felt a little silly for the thoughts I'd been having. "She's right there Romeo. And keep it down we don't want any of those things to hear us."
The smaller man spun around so fast I was sure he'd just wind up facing the same direction. His wild black hair giving him an equally wild look. He managed to stop his spin in time to face me and the unrestrained happy smile that dominated his face made me feel as though we were long lost friends reuniting. I didn't have the heart to distrust such an open face. "We went on into the closest town to get you some clothes. Don't know how great they'll fit but bettern nuthin' right?" and proceeded to chuck a pillowcase to my feet. I leaned forward slowly, trying not to pull the stitches again.
Inside were a pair of jeans that looked about my size a couple of simple cotton button up shirts that were only slightly wrinkled but otherwise looked newish. In the bottom there was also a toothbrush, a few rolled up pairs of socks and an unopened pack of Hane's women's underwear. Feeling the heat in my face like fire I gave them both a, what I hope was grateful, smile and a quick thanks. Even if everything was 10 sizes to big I was going to feel a lot more comfortable with my new travel buddies with pants on.
Eager to be dressed I braced against the fallen tree and got all the way to my knees before hands were gripping my elbow stopping me. Looking into Connors face it became clear how they had survived their travels. The intensity he was looking at me with, the sheer frustration in his face as he looked down on me, I didn't even want to think of that look if he were truly angry. "What in tha hell do ye think yer doin'?! Standin' wasn't smart ten minutes ago what makes ye think it's smart now? Ye can' just sit still for a minute would ye?" his grip didn't hurt but there was no way I was going anywhere unless he let me. I guess I should feel cared for or flattered but I just really wanted to get some clothes on without an audience.
"You don't know me to well so I'll let this slide. I want to get dressed and I don't think that's too much to ask for. I'm not gonna do anything stupid thanks. But I'm not hangin' out in the woods with a buncha guy's I barely know in nothin' but a coat!" and with that I pegged him with my best impression of Daryl's "stare down". I'd seen the man settle unruly men twice his size just glaring them down. Mine was nowhere close but after spending weeks alone with him I felt it was well on its way.
Connor however did not look impressed. Some of the frustration did seem to ease but his grip was just as firm. "I get ye want ta get dressed, but ye can' be movin' on yer own. Ye pull them stitches we don' have any more ta replace 'em. We'll turn around or somethin' fer cryin' out loud." Figuring that was the best I was going to get right then I nodded my head and stared pointedly until each of them turned. Connor let go of my arm, after giving me a look I'm pretty sure was meant to tell me to behave, walked a few steps away and turned his back as well.
Quickly stripping out of my boots, the only thing to make it through Douchebags attack it seemed, and ripped into the underwear packaging. I spared a quick second for vanity and was grateful they weren't granny panties. Apocalypse or not a girl was allowed to be a little bit shallow sometimes. Slipping them on quickly and replacing my soiled and bloody socks I quickly realized I'd have to stand no matter what to be able to get the pants past my hips.
Chancing a quick glance at each of them men I used the tree again and managed to get all the way to my feet, remembering at the last second not to put weight on my sprained ankle. The pants were a little difficult to put on, only being able to bend in certain ways, and I practically collapsed on my support tree after getting them zipped. They were about 2 sizes to large but that was an easy fix with a belt, and for the moment they weren't tight enough to aggravate the stitches that ran below the waist line. Feeling like I was running out of time before someone turned to check on me I shrugged out of the heavy coat and had my new button up on in seconds. It too was a size or too to big so instead of buttoning it all the way I took the tail ends and tied them so knot came to just above my belly button. One less thing to catch on my bandage and it would make checking on it easier in the long run. I started rolling the long cuffs up my arm before telling everyone they could look again.
Connor was glaring, clearly unhappy about my new position on top of the log but didn't comment. Murphy flashed me a quick smile that had my heart stuttering as he casually walked over and donned his coat. He just looked so much like Daryl I couldn't help it. If the hunter had ever smiled like that at the prison I think we would have had a riot. The feeling didn't last long before Romeo plopped down next to me and started chatting away, his face animated and his hands moving a mile a minute with his words. I missed most of what he was going on about, but did catch him asking what to call me.
Interrupting the hyper man, because I'm pretty sure it was going to be the only way I'd get a word in edge wise "My name's Beth. You must be Romeo and Duffy. Thank you for the clothes. I don't know how the two of them aren't sweating to death in those coats." I said with a finger wiggle at the brothers, who simply shrugged and took the coats off.
"Aye they're hottern' hell down here. They make it harder ta see us in tha brush though." Was Murphy's over simplified explanation. "So were ye alone before them piles 'o shit got ye? Do ye have a group nearby?" and just like that the sadness I'd been beating down every day since running from the prison swelled back up. A sharp smacking noise had my eyes back on Murphy as he pushed his brothers shoulder. "What in tha fuck was tha fer ye ass?"
Connor didn't reply, verbally at least. They just stood there staring at each other, like I'd seen Rick and Daryl do countless times out on the road. While I was content with the silent communication Romeo didn't share my patience. "Hey! Knock it off with the Jedi Twin Mind Trick crap. Some of us need to hear shit to get the picture!"
The question was out of my mouth before I realized I'd even thought it. "Twin?"
Duffy, still standing a respectable distance away, nodded his head but otherwise remained quiet. I wondered how he stayed with this group for so long. The other three obviously didn't have a problem voicing pretty much any thought that popped into their heads from what I'd seen so far, and the quiet older man didn't seem to fit into the picture. Then again Daryl put up with us for all this time, maybe it's the same thing. Family didn't have anything to do with blood anymore, and if they'd been together since the beginning, maybe longer, then they probably didn't even question it. Connor said the FBI Agent and Detective in Atlanta were good friends. Maybe they all knew each other before. An unlikely group but weirder things happened, like the dead walking around eating people.
Connor and Murphy were now busy laughing at Romeo who was pouting. "My group, what may or may not be left of them, are well over a hundred miles from here. Can't say for sure why he hit you though sorry?" I gave a half- hearted shrug in the boys direction and tried to catch Connors eye. "I'm fine about it. Really. It happened weeks ago and I was with only one of my group before they grabbed me two days ago-" stopping suddenly a new question was flashing in my head like an alarm. "On second thought… How long was I asleep?"
The brothers both looked a bit uncomfortable with the question but Romeo didn't even blink at the question. "Man you been asleep for a day and a half! That fucker cut you deep girl and Duff wasn't sure we had enough to sew you up! Whaddoya mean may or may not though? Since the two of them would rather just eye fuck each other then tell the rest of us shit!" Just watching the man talk was making me tired. It was like he used his whole body to communicate. Connor and Murphy didn't look like they appreciated the last part though and while I was laughing on the inside both of them kicked dirt clumps in Romeo's direction with simultaneous "Fuck ye!"'s.
Connor looked to me though, the question in his eyes clear. I hadn't really told him what happened, just the quick notes version. Beyond knowing I was largely separated from my family he didn't know the how, why, or when. "Yer choice girl. Ye don' have to tell us." The fact he was giving me an out made me want to give him a hug. Near stranger or not he was willing to let me have this secret. I knew it wasn't right to keep it from these people who had saved me but it was nice having the option.
"Like I said I'm ok. I can talk about it, it happened and it's not like talking about it can make it any worse then it already is." Eyeing the three still standing men I waved to the log Romeo and I were on. "It's not exactly a short story, ya may wanna take a seat."
Duffy took Connors abandoned stump, removing a machete from behind him that I hadn't even seen. Connor and Murphy, giving each other one last meaningful (though what meaning I have no idea) look plopped down on the ground in front of me almost close enough they were touching my outstretched legs.
I didn't realize trying to decide where the whole thing really started was going to be so hard. "I guess it really started when our group had to run from my farm…"
~TBS~TWD~TBS~TWD~TBS~TWD~TBS~TWD~TBS~TWD~TBS~TWD~TBS~TWD~TBS~TWD~TBS~TWD
Ok so now we have Murphy, Romeo and Duffy back and looking for answers. Beth's explanation will be fun to write from her POV.
Things to look forward to in Chapter 4: The guys hearing about Team Prison, Romeo crying, the twins making fun of him for it, and a personal moment with Duffy.
I hope this lived up to expectations. Let me know how I'm doing! Love it? Hate it? Want to see something or have a problem? Review! To all those who already have: Beckarie, Anon, Belladcmum, and my lovely beta veszpremimaria7 for putting up with my rambling.