Okay, I'm very sorry for the wait. This chapter, at the start, you might feel a little disappointed, however the drama is far from over, don't worry!

Chapter 7

Paul froze; he felt his heart jump so suddenly that it was almost painful as he turned and flung around to the sound of that smug son as a bitch that he thought had been killed. Trying to appear cocky and collected, the man kept a neutral expression as he inwardly cursed for not having put a bullet through that bastard's brain. "

"Daryl…"

"What the fuck do you think you're doing? " Daryl hissed with such anger that Paul surely hadn't felt so threatened in his life.

"This doesn't concern you Daryl" he replied, with some forcefulness. He was armed after all and clearly occupied the high ground.

"THE HELL IT DOESN'T! What did you do to him?"

"Back Off" Paul replied, glad that the shakiness had could not be heard.

"I'll Fucking kill you" the Redneck snarled intensely.

Paul snorted humourlessly "When I have a gun and you don't?" he went to draw his weapon. "I'd love to see you try"

Daryl froze, having acted a little impulsively, he had left out the tiny little detail in his plan being that he did not in fact have a weapon, while Paul started to regain confidence knowing that Daryl was sure to loose, unless…

"See, you can't win this time, I'm afraid me and Carl have to be somewhere, but it was nice kno-"

The sentence went unfinished as only an oozing red liquid began to run from his mouth. The man coughed and spluttered, and due to the close proximity, specks of blood splattered lightly onto Daryl's cheeks, as he stared on, unfazed

Paul's body slowly began to weaken as he attempted to splutter his last words. The redneck watched on as the kidnapper collapsed in a heap, wallowing in his own agony. From there Carl became visible, standing just as he had when cutting tinto his abusers back, his skin sprinkled with the man's blood.

"Of course" Daryl thought when he saw the teenager holding the stained red blade. Like that jackass would know that Carl had always kept that particular weapon in his boot.

But the kid looked unwell, not just physically, but it was more than obvious that something incredibly traumatic had just happened. Daryl was unsure of what to do in the moment, should he approach Carl, or would that just frighten the child.

"Carl?" he questioned

The kid only glanced up in replied, either unable or choosing not to speak. Daryl reluctantly approached him, much in the way you would a frightened animal.

"Carl, Carl talks to me, what happened?" The redneck asked very seriously, his voice much like it always was, but with desperation laced inside.

"I um, I don't know" he whispered tearfully in reply

"What do you mean to don't know?" Daryl snapped, frustrated at what little information he was given, and the kids reluctance to share an explanation. But very quickly realised that his tempered approach would not do well, he changed his attitude, putting of a soft face, well- what he considered to be one anyway.

"Did he make you do anything you didn't want to just then?"

"Yeah" Carl admitted, seemingly shameful of what he had just revealed. Keeping his head down, Daryl noticed the transparent beads of liquid that every so often would drip from the kid's nose, followed by a discreet sniffle.

"Alright, I think I get it. Should be gettin you back to your dad, c'mon"

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It was slow, that was for sure, and rather torturous as the thick roots that protruded from the forest floor made to very easy for the occasional stumble, and in Carl's condition, he really was in much need of rest, plenty of it.

Daryl led the way, looking over his shoulder often, especially when another pained cough could be heard. It was obvious that the kid was in a deep amount of pain, and the spluttering that was happening was surely doing a number on his ribs

Carl let out an audible sigh of relief when the road was visible. Still following Daryl, he lent against a tree whilst Daryl searched a nearby cluster of three cars, and hastily managed to get one started, wasting no time at all. He wrapped his arm around the teenager after noticing his struggled attempt to make it over to the vehicle. He really needed support as the pain had become more intense

"Easy kid" Daryl encouraged as he helped Carl into the passenger seat.

"Ughh" was the only reply, as the teenager tried to swallow the agonised groan.

"Alright, let's get outta here" Daryl said with exhaustion, very much willing to get back to the prison.

Carl's eyes closed as soon as his head was rested against the cold and dusty window of the car. Something dawned on Carl, there was something important, he must tell Daryl, however he could not muster the energy to speak now that he was finally able to rest. He was quite sure that he could hear his saviour's voice, however his mind pulled him into unconsciousness, and he could do nothing to resist it.

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Arriving at the prison, Daryl noticed that a group had gathered by the gates. It appeared to be Michonne, Glenn, Maggie, Tyrese, Bob and Rick. The man must have discovered the absence of his son, and was sure to have been in absolute hysterics. He was positioned further from the group, but quickly closing in as he ran to the vehicle which was slowly entering the gates and coming to a halt.

Daryl pulled up as soon as he was within the fences and jogged to the passenger door, knowing that Rick would want to be seeing his son as soon as possible.

Carl was awake, but still as tired as ever when the redneck helped him out from the car. Rick walked at a fast pace, determination evident in each step.

"Carl!" the worried father yelled in relief that his only son was still alive

"c'mere" he said softly upon realising that Carl as finding it very difficult to stand, he allowed for the child to leave heavily against him as he would feel the comfort of knowing that his father was present.

"You're okay, that's m boy" he whispered softy and he kept his arms firmly around his son, helping him to the prison. Rick knew that Carl would need urgent medical attention, but was sure to appear calm so that his son would not worry, he's already been through enough. He allowed for his son to lean tiredly into his side as he helped to his cell, without saying a word to anybody, he'd thank Daryl later, but for now, he had one priority.

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Hershel was tending to Carls injuries as Rick stood very close to the cell, like he was going to leave his sons side after what happened, the thought making his blood boil. Daryl had explained that it was indeed Paul who had taken his child away from him, even for only hours, Rick would tear the guy's throat out, had he not been assured that he was dead as a doornail.

"What would that sick fuck want with my son?"

Darly stopped for a minute. Why had he not considered what he would tell the boy's father? I mean obviously the truth, however how could he explain the disgusting things that the sick twisted fuck had done.

"Rick, Paul… he did things to Carl before I could find him"

"What do you mean" Rick asked rather dangerously, looking as though he knew very well already.

Daryl didn't say anything, he didn't doubt that Rick had his suspicions already, so he just gave him a 'what do you think' look, before his friend apprehended the message that he tried to convey. The redneck wasn't sure what was going through Ricks head, but he could practically feel the heat of his rage as he watched the man's expression of anger, and sweltering red face. He could not manage a sentence as it was all mad spluttering.

"That sick bastard!" he screamed

"Rick"

"I swear to fucken god…"

"Shut up, aright, calm down, Jesus"

Rick gave Daryl a sharp glare "You expect me to calm down after my son has been raped by some psychopath! Are you kidding?"

"Your boy is in there, what if he heard all you're screaming, huh? Do this later"

There as a long silence, Rick knowing that what his friend had said was very well true. Nobody spoke until Hershel emerged from the cell

"Your boy's awake, he seems distressed, says there's something important he needs to tell you…"

Okay so firstly, I am incredibly sorry for the amount of time that it has taken to update, term one at school is ending next week and I have a lot of upcoming tests and assignment that need to be in by next Thursday. But thankyou so much to everybody that has stayed tuned, there will be more to come, I'm sorry to end the chapter there, but I thought that what I have decided to write next will be best suited if it were a whole new chapter, and don't worry, the drama is far from over! Please review! I love reading them and thankyou to everybody who has, and to the guest who said I "am such a good writer" well I hardly agree, but thankyou so much, that was such a nice compliment!