Disclaimer: I do not own the Walking Dead, Characters from the show/comics, etc. I just play with them...
A/N: Thank you for the reviews. I am enjoying the challenge this story is posing to me personally. Writing any story set in this type of world is going to be dark, of course that wasn't enough for me. And watching season one and two again made me wonder more about Shane's dark side. His violence and anger to me wouldn't take much to cross over to abuse in my mind. I don't expect everyone to agree with me on that but to the people taking the time to read this, thank you. Any reviews good or bad are welcome. Its nice to hear an opinion.
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They all made it back from the outing, and Secret hated herself a little for being relieved to see Shane coming back. He had a smile in place and a bandage covering his arm. Without even thinking the woman rushed forward to see what happened.
"Are you OK?" She asked quickly running a hand across his face. Wondering to herself then why she bothered. It wasn't as if she wanted to be with him, he just kept her there right?
"It's nothing, got cut on some glass." Shane said with a shrug before reaching into his bag. "I got it getting ya this." He pulled out a copy of Wuthering Heights. Shane knew it was one of her favorite books, always had been. And he thought she would like to have a book to read. In his way it was trying to say sorry, to say things would get better.
But Secret knew they wouldn't. Sure maybe for awhile he would be charming, sweet, but after some imagined sleight that would all change. But she took the book gently into her hands and placed a kiss on his cheek.
"Thank you, but there was no need to risk yourself." She said with a soft smile. No need to anger him, not yet. "But that was sweet."
"I'd do anything for you," He said softly running his hand down her arm. The touch actually gentle and caressing. "You know that love."
A shiver ran down Secret's spine as she stood there studying him. He looked so much like her old Shane that she found herself softening slightly. It was hard to tell herself to be strong. Not now when the world was over, when she had no one else left. This group was it, Shane, Lori, Rick, and Carl especially, they were family.
"Come on let's go get that cleaned out a bit. I think I saw some rubbing alcohol inside." Secret started walking towards the house without him. A quick glance behind showed him following quickly after, the gentle smile still in place.
Neither of them noticed Andrea watching after. The whole trip away Shane had acted like things were before the other woman joined the camp. And for a while there she thought that maybe just maybe she was going to get him back. But watching that little exchange killed all those hopes. She sighed as she tossed her bag to the ground. Nothing was going right for her anymore.
Secret and Shane entered the house and went into the bathroom. Secret made sure the door stayed open, there was a window in there but it was small, so the lighting from the living room helped. It took her a minute to located the rubbing alcohol and Shane studied her the entire time. It still made her uncomfortable, but since he didn't seem angry she tried to suppress the feelings.
When she turned back to him the bandage was already removed and she gasped. It wasn't a deep wound, but the gash was long. A frown crossed her face as she realized this would cause him pain and she didn't want him to strike out at her.
"This...umm...well this will hurt Shane." She whispered a little fearfully. "Are ya sure I'm the right person to do this."
"I know its going to hurt babe," He said with a laugh, "I expected that. Just do it."
Secret opened the bottle of rubbing alcohol and leaned forward inspecting the wound. It wasn't bleeding freely anymore, but she could see where bits of debris had stuck in the drying blood. Not cleaning it properly would not be an option, he would just get sick and be of no use to anyone. She poured a bit of alcohol over the cut and heard him gasp a little. She murmured to him, though inside felt a bit of pleasure at having caused him pain for once. Glancing around she found a clean washcloth and poured alcohol on that before wiping the cut out.
He grasped her wrist, not painfully, but to stop her. Secret's eyes widened as she turned her head slightly to glance at him. He didn't look angry not yet, but he had a warning look in his eyes. She dropped the washcloth and set the bottle aside before standing.
"That should take care of it. We just need to wrap it up." She said wiping her hands on her jeans. There was a package of bandages tossed in the sink and she grabbed a fresh one before tightly binding the arm.
Shane still seated on the toilet placed his hands on her hips pulling her forward. He placed a kiss on her exposed hip before hugging her to him. Like always he reveled in how right her small frame felt under his hands. So delicate, so breakable. He stood up not releasing her from his grasp, enveloping her in his arms. She was so tiny, her head barely reached his chest.
Once that difference had made Secret feel safe. At this moment the woman was unsure how to feel. He had been so nice since coming back, but she had been there before. He squeezed her before pulling away and placing a kiss on top of her head.
"Why don't we go head outside. Rick needs to talk with the group about something." Shane said gesturing for her to leave. But Secret caught the way he sneered out Rick's name. Something was not right between the two of them, and she wanted to know what it was.
"Sure." She said leading the way. It felt odd to walk in front of him, instead of a step behind being dragged along. As they walked outside she saw the group all gathered in a circle around a fire. There was a serious look on everyone's face and she wondered what was going on.
"Good we can start." Rick said as the pair approached the rest of the group. "Now on our way back we ran into Hershel, Beth and Maggie...the farm was taken by a hoard." He said solemnly. It was then that Secret saw the trio huddled together crying. The rest of there family taken in the latest attack.
"What are we going to do?" Lori asked holding Carl against her body. It was obvious the boy was scared because he allowed it.
"Well, Daryl was scouting and found a prison." Rick paused and looked at everyone's reactions. Some looked hopeful, others doubtful. "We think this could work for us. There are some walkers, but if we clear them out, think about it. It can be fortified, safe." His eyes were gleaming as he went on with excitement.
"I checked it out." Daryl said looking around at everyone. "I figure take about five of us to take em out. Then we could start moving in, make it a home. With a baby on the way well."
There was no need for him to continue. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that they needed to find a secure place before that happened. A baby would be a death sentence on the run. They are loud, and need constant care. The walkers would be drawn from everywhere.
"It would be our best hope is all I'm saying." Rick said waiting for opinions from the group.
"Well if we could make it work, lets do it." Shane said as he studied Lori from across the fire. His gaze traveled down to her belly, the baby he knew was his. And Shane knew when she gave birth that would be obvious to everyone. He didn't really know what would happen then. He wanted that baby, it was his damn it, so was Lori. But then there was Secret, his eyes went to her, she was his as well.
"I think it's workable. They would have supplies as well." Hershel said thoughtfully. "Medical, as well as food I would imagine. Plus land, I have seeds, we could grow food when the seasons turn again."
Hope was starting to take root in the minds of the group. A prison might just be the one thing that they were looking for. Secret watched the faces of the others. Not a single person looked discouraged.
"Well who goes then?" Shane asked. "I will go and I think Daryl should as well."
Rick nodded in agreement and wondered who else to send. "Well I can go, maybe T-Dogg as well and Glenn. Hershel you stay here with the women and keep them safe."
"I want to go Dad!" Carl whined. "I can help."
"Carl, you can help more if you wait here. We need at least two guns at camp, so you and Hershel." He glared at Andrea so she wouldn't say a word.
"Fine, I can look after Ma and Aunt Secret." Carl said with a resigned look, so out of place, on his young face.
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The group knew they were without the men for the night. It was terrifying for Secret. Since she had a weapon that she could sort of use she was tasked with standing watch with Hershel after dark fell. Everyone else was huddled in the living room, except Andrea, she watched from upstairs with her gun. One set of eyes above, two sets from the front porch.
It should have meant that everything would be fine. They kept the lighting to a minimum, not wanting to attract the attention of walkers or other humans. They had gone nights with less people watching and seeing nothing. So when Hershel asked if he could step inside for a minute Secret thought nothing of it and allowed him to go. After all there was still Andrea watching from above, but how could she have known Andrea wasn't actually watching at that moment.
Secret didn't hear the approaching walkers until they were right up to the stairs of the porch. She let out and earsplitting scream before waving the blade in front of her. It took a few awkward thrusts and swings before she managed to take out the first walker that had made its way onto the porch. The second one was fresher, moved faster and seemed a bit more coordinated. It crashed into her causing them both to fall. The creature was impaled on the sword and was sliding down it. The rancid smell of rot emanating for the biting mouth. It was a young man, and she could imagine he was handsome once. But that mattered not, now that she thought it was over.
Gun shots rang from above, she heard falling but still this walker was trying to get her. The door opened and one quick shot later and the creature was dead. It took all her strength to push it off but she did and jumped up pulling the blade with her ready to kill any more that approached. She was shaking and covered in rotted blood, but she was resolved, especially when she realized it was Carl that saved her.
"Get back inside!" She shouted as she swiped at another walker. It didn't have enough force and the blade got stuck in the neck. "Damn it!" She pulled back and tried again, this time hacking cleanly through. It was then that she realized she needed better weapons. This just wasn't doing it.
Carl was still standing in the doorway shooting at any approaching from the forest. A battle that took less than twenty minutes seemed to last a life time. When it was over Secret slumped down and let out a shaking breath. Hershel was next to her, she didn't remember him rejoining the fray.
"Were you bit Secret?" He asked resting a hand on her shoulder. "Are you hurt?"
Shaking her head the woman let out a laugh. And once she started laughing it seemed like it wouldn't stop. They had made it, she had made it. A second later there were two airplane bottles of whiskey in front of her. Without even bothering to see what kind they were she opened the first one and drained it. The feeling of fire rushing through her caused her to cough, but the laughing stopped. One bottle down she studied the second one than looked up at Hershel who nodded, she drained it without a second thought.
Secret was a small woman, and not a big drinker to boot. It had probably been at least six months since she had last drank, so before long she felt the effects of the alcohol. It calmed her and she started to feel a bit drowsy. Beth laid a new set of clothing across her lap and Secret slowly made her way inside to change. It felt good to get out of the clothing destroyed in the latest fight for her life.
"Can we not tell Shane what happened?" She asked as she stepped back outside to retake her post with Hershel. The bodies had already been dragged over to the fire and tossed in. With any luck they would be burned away long before the others returned.
"I am not sure he would appreciate something like this being kept from him." Hershel said softly. "Besides you know him and Andrea talk, she will want to brag about taking out some walkers."
"I wonder where she was when they approached." Secret mused quietly. "If it wasn't for Carl, I would be dead or one of them by now." She shivered and looked into the flames observing the burning walkers. She had come awfully close to ending up as one of those burning bodies.
"Who knows with that girl." Though Hershel was wondering that exact same thing. He had seen the looks that the blonde have given to Secret and Shane. It was obvious she wanted the man to herself. Was it possible that she had allowed the attack to happen?
"Well alls well that ends well I suppose." She said with a slight shrug of her shoulders. Secret had brought the ruined tank top with her outside and used to it try and wipe down her sword. "I need to either learn how to use this better or get a better weapon. That was close, almost to close."
Hershel nodded as he watched the young woman. This was the longest conversation he had with her. And right now, despite being shaken up, she seemed the most alive she had been since arriving to the group. His eyes scanned the surroundings hoping that no other groups of walkers would approach tonight. He wasn't sure the younger woman would be able to handle another battle.
From what he had heard about her, her survival had little to do with fighting. More to do with hiding, and she was small enough to hide he mused. But the small woman had held her own today. He felt horrible about going inside, he was gone for about a minute when he heard her scream, then by the time he was on the porch again Carl had shot the walker and the battle was on.
"You did good." He said with a soft smile. "It could have gone a lot differently."
"I know that, really I do." She was starting to retreat back into herself. Knowing the alcohol would probably loosen her tongue, not wanting to say the wrong thing at the wrong time. Shane had been nice today and she really didn't want to ruin that.
"If ya want to head in and rest I can see if Maggie can come out. She's a decent shot." Hershel suggested as the girl went quiet.
"Nah, its alright. I wont be able to sleep tonight anyhow." Secret said with a small smile. "Not after that little skirmish." Her eyes scanned the surrounding area relieved to see they were alone. One battle was enough for tonight she thought as she studied the burning corpses once again. Try as she might she couldn't help but stare at the morbid sight.
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It was after breakfast when the others returned from the prison. They looked exhausted but happy at the same time. Shane went to Secret's side immediately pulling her into his embrace. Secret hugged him back briefly before pulling away to ensure everyone came back safely. The last one she spotted was Daryl, he looked a bit ragged around the edges, but unharmed. She wasn't sure why that relieved her so much. She stiffened when she heard Carl recounting the events of the night to his father.
"You had to fight off walkers?" Shane asked concerned.
"It was no big deal, everyone is fine." She said shrugging her shoulders. "Lets just pack up and head to the prison, we are still going right?"
He nodded the affirmative and she heard Rick give the orders to finish packing up and move out. Secret had already packed the bedroom up, but there were supplies lying about the yard that needed to be gathered so she started with that as Shane loaded up the RV. Everyone was working, except Daryl, he leaned against a tree watching Secret as she moved quickly about the yard. No matter how much he watched he was no closer to figuring the girl out.
His eyes flicked back and forth between her and Shane. Now that was an unexpected couple. He always pictured the cop with a barbie doll type in the long run. But nah, here he was with a small little delicate girl, but one with brains. Daryl guessed that was the biggest shocker of them all.
Everyone started to load up into vehicles, Hershel and Beth joined Carol in the RV, T-Dog driving. Shane took his motorcycle, while Secret, Shane and the Grimes piled into the SUV they had. Maggie and Glenn took the pick up truck with supplies loaded in the back Andrea in the bed weapon at the ready. Every vehicle except Daryl's had supplies, but the pick up had the biggest share.
Secret sat silently beside Shane on the trip to the prison. He kept her hand enclosed in his own, his thumb gently stroking the back of her hand. Her gaze was locked ahead on Daryl riding his motorcycle directly ahead of them. The RV was behind with the pick up taking up the rear. Ideally they would have another bike rider, but that wasn't something they had at this point in time. She wished she was out there riding with him, not trapped beside Shane inside.
When they pulled into the prison Shane and Rick made sure the gates were sealed up behind them. They hadn't finished exploring the entire place, but they had secured a wing of it and that would have to be enough for now. Later they would explore the other sealed wings, but as of right now they heard no signs of anything living or dead scurrying about. Shane led Secret to a cell that had two mattresses shoved together on the floor. He gestured to the bare bunks and she put their belonging on them.
"Kind of weird wanting to be in prison huh?" Secret asked with a small smile in place. He was still being sweet and she didn't want to risk messing that up, so kept the conversation light.
"Yeah, I suppose." He said scratching his head and looking around. "I'd rather a military base, but this was here and we need to stay put for the baby's sake."
The way he spoke of the baby was almost possessive and Secret looked around to make sure Rick was not in earshot. She wanted to avoid anything upsetting Shane right now. It would be the best for her. If he got pissed she knew it would be taken out on her. Glancing at the bars that were in front of the cell she smiled thoughtfully, it would be a lot harder to get privacy with them all sharing a cell block. At the sound of Lori calling, Secret looked to Shane who nodded then rushed off.
As she walked down the cell block she shivered wondering who had lived in these cells before. And she wondered if everyone had died here, died and turned into a creature. Lori was sitting on a bunk in a bed breathing a bit heavier than usual when Secret walked up.
"Everything alright?" Secret asked an eyebrow raised.
"Just a bit winded, I was wondering if you could help Daryl grab all mine and Carl's stuff." She asked with a smile. "Rick needs Shane's help and everyone else ran off."
"No problem." Secret said with a frown. The last thing she needed was to be near Daryl. But still she walked off to join him by the SUV.
"Girlie, do ya know just what fuckin bags I got roped into grabbin?" Daryl asked as he heard her approach. He didn't know what the Sheriffs wife's game was sending him to do her bidding. She seemed to be controlling a lot lately and he didn't like it, not one bit.
"How did you know it was me?" She asked as she stepped closer to him. The back hatch of the SUV was open and bags were everywhere. Eventually it all needed to go inside, but for now Secret tugged out the four bags of crap Lori had accumulated.
"I know your walk is all." Daryl said like it was no big deal. But it was, hers was the only walk he had memorized. He grabbed three of the four bags and left her standing with one. "Lead the way then. I wanna see what the little Missus chose for her quarters." He drawled out sarcastically.
"Same as we all got I imaging." Secret said with a laugh as she made her way back towards the building. "Ya didn't happen to see a library did ya?"
"No, cant say I did. But I'll keep an eye out." Daryl said as he followed, admiring her figure from behind. Didn't hurt to look, even if he wasn't allowed to touch. And it was easy to admit that he liked to look at her. She was gorgeous, even if there was a haunted look to her. He especially loved it when her hair was left undone like it was today. The braid had left it wavy, and when the sunlight caught it there were hints of amber in the brown. He shook his head as she walked inside the building and put a scowl in place.
If Shane did see them Daryl didn't want to deal with any arguments over women. It wasn't worth it, he had more important shit to worry about. Fighting with Mr lawman was not one of them. He saw Andrea setting up a cell beside what looked like Secret and Shane's cell and he chuckled. Blondie just wouldn't let it go. Hershel and Beth were sharing a cell, Carol was on her own across from them. Maggie and Glenn chose a cell a little ways down. Then they came to Rick and Lori's cell, Carl took the one next door.
Daryl tossed the bags down and nodded at the women before walking away. It took all his willpower not to look back at the pair. Since he wasn't paying attention he didn't even notice Shane until he ran right into him walking by.
"Watch it redneck!" Shane spat angrily stopping in his path and glaring at Daryl. He always hated the man, since the very get go. Only reason he kept him around was cause he could hunt.
"Fuck off asshole." Daryl turned back and got in Shane's face, his own turning red. "What the hell is your problem?"
"You are, always have been." Shane shoved him then grabbed him by the front of the shirt pulling him in close. "I see you watching her." He whispered dangerously.
Secret stood watching the exchange shaking. She knew that she was the cause of the altercation and wondered what the end result would be. Not wanting to stay around and see she snuck off quietly. As soon as she turned off the cell block she took of running. There was less light here and she heard her footsteps echoing in the emptiness. Seeing a set of double doors she bolted through them and collapsed on the floor of what looked to be a gym of sorts.
As she closed her eyes and leaned against the doors she never noticed the locker room door open and the eyes staring out from the darkness. Her breathing was heavy, her heartbeat thundering in her ears. Secret never heard the staggering, shuffling steps of the walker as it crept forward from across the room dead eyes trained on the petite woman hiding in the room.