A/N: It is great to see that more and more people begin to enjoy this story.
Thanks again to uoduck for the great help :)
Now, without further delay, I hope you enjoy the chapter :)
Chapter 8
That night at the camp, no one could get a true rest. Michonne and Draco hovered over their sons, not able to part with them, after hearing how close they had come to lose them again. Draco, Michonne and even Hershel, had hugged and thanked Hermione and Daryl for protecting their kids. Hershel had gotten the information from Beth and Teddy and later a more detailed version from Rick.
The morning after had been filled with a mix of tension and relief. Draco and Michonne hadn't let go of their kids the whole time. Who could blame them?
Rick wanted to move on and head to Terminus, since there was the possibility to find the others from their group. Hershel and Beth agreed with them, but Hermione had put her foot down, telling Rick right-away that it was a dump plan and that it would only risk the lives of all of them.
Maybe it was due to the dangerous moments, Hermione had experienced in the last days, or it had been just the way she had handled such situations in the past, but when she came up with a plan, a fool-proof, solid plan, Daryl couldn't have been prouder of her. In the end, it had saved all of their lives.
Daryl stood a little behind as he watched everyone get ready and saying their goodbyes, even to the newly arrived group. Hermione joined him first, after she hugged the children. Her hand gently grasped his and made Daryl turn towards her. Hermione smiled at him gently, silently telling him that everything would be ok.
He was nervous. The entire plan made him nervous, but he knew that it was for the best and that they had to do it this way.
Daryl turned back to the growing group in front of him and watched Rick standing close to Harry, while holding the little ass-kicker in his arms. He was glad that Hermione insisted on waiting for Harry, before they began to get on with the plan.
After she had sent her Patronus in the morning, the response had been much quicker than the last time, which meant that the wizard wasn't too far away. Upon hearing this, everyone agreed to wait for them and luckily, just a few hours later, Harry showed up with Judith, Tyreese, Sophia and Carol.
It was a relief to see them all again and it gave him more hope that they could make it.
After noon, everyone was going through with Hermione's plan, which the new rejoined group fully supported as well. They had found a small deserted hut on their way to Terminus. Harry had seen the place, when he went up to climb the tree to check out the area and that's how they had found the hut as well.
It was a good hiding spot for the kids, Hershel and Tyreese, until everyone else swept around Terminus to see with what they are dealing with. Carl and Teddy weren't happy about it, but Harry and Rick quickly made it clear that it was important for them to stay here. Hermione and Draco had set up the tent inside the hut, before those two together with Harry began to set up some strong wards around the area, until it became invisible to the eye. Hermione marked a tree with a symbol, tabbed it with her wand and explained to the others, that it would help her to find them later on.
"All right," Harry spoke up, sported a similar beard as Rick. "Everyone knows what to do. If we see that the place is safe, Hermione, Draco and I will make an appearance at the front gate and if not, we will give you the signal and will get you out of there."
Everyone agreed and began to walk towards Terminus. As soon as it was in their sight, they stopped and Hermione quickly threw herself into Daryl's arms and hugged him tightly, which he returned immediately.
"Be careful, y'hear," Daryl said gruffly close to her ear. He didn't like getting her out of his sight, but knew that it was the only way to make sure with whom they were dealing with.
"I will," she quickly agreed and pulled away to look him in the eyes. He could see her own worry reflecting his. "Stay safe," she added before she leaned closer and kissed him. Daryl tried to savor the moment with her, as he moved his lips along hers, while trying to push the growing fear for her away.
All too soon, the kiss ended and she left with Harry and Draco. He watched as the three became invisible and disappeared with a telltale sound of apparation, leaving him behind with Rick, Michonne and Carol.
"Let's go," Rick took over and moved them through the woods that led to the backside of Terminus. By now, Hermione, Harry and Draco must have been at the roof one of Terminus's building, where they would sweep through the whole facility. After all the things they had gone through since the attack on the prison, they wouldn't take the chance to risk their safety again. Especially, not since they had so many people, who relied on them and needed their protection. Their group had become to Daryl something he never had, a family and he would make damn sure that they're all protected.
Rick and Daryl jumped over the small wall and quickly entered the building with their raised weapons. Soon enough, they heard a woman talking over a radio, instructing on how to find Terminus and promising that all was safe, could give shelter and that they had food. No one noticed their entering and Daryl couldn't hide the surprise for their lack of security.
Rick moved forward and greeted them and a man quickly took over, looking in his late twenties. He began asking if they planned to rob them and yet, he was still too relaxed about the whole situation. Something wasn't right. He could feel it in his bones. Not one of them wore weapons, or was worried about their own safety. Instead they kept on speaking over some radio, painting on some self-made signs and smiled as if it was just a freaking normal day.
Daryl watched Rick talking to them and saying, "We wanted to see you before you saw us."
"Makes sense," said the same guy, before he walked closer and continued. "Usually we do this where the tracks meet." He clears his throat and announces, "Welcome to Terminus. I'm Gareth."
No one said anything, as Gareth looked at each one of them.
"Looks like you've been on the road for a good bit," Gareth stated.
"We have," admitted Rick and added by pointing to himself then the others, "Rick. That's Carol, Daryl, Michonne."
Gareth waved and said after a moment, "You're nervous. I get it. We were all the same way. We came here for sanctuary… That what you're here for?"
"Yes," answered Rick simply.
Daryl still didn't know what to think of this group. He watched the others in the room closely. They looked clean, well fed and acted all normal. These people wanted their group to trust them, that's for sure.
Gareth called upon a guy called Alex, while Gareth kept talking about some welcoming greeting in the front and other useless things, before he explains that Alex would be their personal tour guide for them and answer the questions they had. Daryl doubted that they would truly give them the answer they were looking for.
"Uh, but first," Gareth said while Alex kept smiling at them. "We need to see everyone's weapons. If you could just lay them down in front of you."
Daryl's hands instinctively tightened on his crossbow and he could see from the corner of his eyes that Michonne did the same. Rick looked back at him and the others and a moment later, he moved first and put his gun on the ground. Everyone else in their group followed shortly after.
"I'm sure you understand," Gareth said.
Rick just stated that he did, before he began to frisk him. Alex moved to Daryl first and began to sweep him for any other guns, while he held his hands up. He tried to make some small talk, but Daryl only stared at him and he could see he unnerved the guy. Daryl's thoughts drifted to Hermione and he hoped all was going good. He wondered how long it would take until they showed up.
Gareth began to talk again, saying that they aren't stupid or idiots, but Daryl wasn't so sure about that.
"And you shouldn't be stupid enough to try anything stupid," Gareth said and smiled at everyone and Daryl could see that Carol gave one of her You-Can-Trust-Me smiles back at him, while he added, "As long as everyone's clear on that, we shouldn't have any problems. Just solutions. Okay."
Alex moved forward to give them their weapons back, but Daryl quickly grabbed his own, before the man could touch it. He didn't like it when anyone, beside himself touched his weapon. Especially, not after Hermione had modified it with a spell a few months ago, back at the prison that made it possible to shoot off arrows attached to the crossbow, without having to reload them.
Alex smiled at Rick, as if the world had never been turned to shit and said, "Follow me."
Rick was right behind him, with Carol right at his back, Michonne and then himself. Daryl looked around and paid more attention to his surroundings and noted that the place looked more like a warehouse or an old fabric.
Daryl glanced at Alex and asked, "So, how long's this place been here?"
"Since almost the start," Alex answered as he led them through the area and then babbled on about how they had come to be here. They walked towards the backyard, where a woman was making a BBQ, with several people sitting on some tables that had freaking sunshades to it. Daryl immediately noted that the grilled meat smelled off and he couldn't seem to place the scent to any animal.
A woman greeted them and began to talk again, along with Alex. Afterwards they offered a huge piece of meat to them on a plate and before another plate could be given to him, Rick crossed the small distance, grabbed Alex, turned him around and put him into a headlock, after he fished something from his pant pocket. It was a pocket watch he had seen a few before. It was Glenn's pocket watch.
By then, Daryl, Carol and Michonne raised their weapons at the group. Rick held a gun at the man and asked, "Where the hell did you get this watch?"
People around the area stood up and pulled out their own weapons. Looking around he noticed, Glenn's backpack and another guy wearing a riot gear and a girl wearing a poncho.
But before the guy could answer Rick, a sudden explosion came from the backside of Terminus, making some of the people take cover or sent them screaming. Daryl's heart almost leaped from his chest, before he took cover with Carol, Rick and Michonne.
Harry suddenly apparated a little further from them and even from the distance everyone could see that the wizard was seething with rage. It shocked Daryl and the others from their group, to see Harry display his magic so openly.
"Kill them. None of these people leave this place alive. Don't hesitate," Harry hissed furiously, as he sent a series of deadly spells at the people and all hell broke loose. Daryl shot his arrows at anyone was close by as did the others. Carol quickly killed the woman behind the grill, while Michonne backed her up. Harry unleashed his own powers, creating shields to protect them before he sent spells that took the others down. Rick killed the guy who he was holding and took Glenn's pocket watch.
When no one was standing, Harry led them in the direction they had come from. A sniper on the roof shoot at them, hitting the ground instead of them and Harry quickly raised his wand and blasted him off, which was followed by a loud scream. They continued to run, leaving the courtyard. That's when Daryl noted the flash lights coming from the roof top, before a few more people screamed and went flying from the building, landing with a sickening snap and splash of blood on the ground.
Harry led them to another area, when a second explosion occurred, setting up flames in the area.
"Who are they?" Rick asked Harry. "Did you find the others?"
Harry sent another spell to a man, who tried to kill them, before he answered, "They are cannibals. Luring people here, killing and eating them. We found their butcher place… body parts hanging from meat hooks… From bloody meat hooks! We found a room filled with the belongs of their victims like trophies…. There were hundreds of them… Even toys."
Daryl couldn't remember the last time he had seen the wizard this angry and he couldn't blame him. The thought of what Harry had just told him made him sick. Now everything made sense around this place. The radio broadcasting, the friendly attitude, hell, even the smell of the meat made sense.
Daryl shook his head and pushed those thoughts away. He looked back at Harry and asked urgently, "Where's Hermione?"
"And Draco?" Michonne added worriedly.
Harry halted, pushed them against the wall, and sent a silent spell at a direction in front of them. Five lights came up, which meant that there were at least five people behind that door. With a nod to their group, Harry swiftly opened the door with a flick of his wand and everyone began to shoot. Harry swiftly slashed his wand in the air and an orange, fire like light came out of his wand, blasting their enemies away from them, killing many of them instantly within moments and anyone who was still somehow alive was quickly taken down. Without a second glance at the lying dead bodies on the ground, Harry led them further away from the area.
"Draco is on the roof," Harry finally answered. "Making sure that there aren't any surprises waiting for us. Hermione is securing the people… that were kept in the containers, like animals. She's looking for Glenn and the others, after we found Maggie's backpack among the trophies. Right now, we need to make sure that none of these crazy bastards get away with it. Not one of them will leave this place alive," Harry vowed fiercely.
Everyone nodded at Harry's word and followed him. He and Rick were leading them around Terminus, killing anyone in their way. They rounded yet another corner, when they came across Gareth and his group of armed people that clearly outnumbered and surrounded by them
Harry quickly raised his shield again, protecting them from a blaze of gunfire, before he made some complicated hand motion with his free hand and his wand and sent the shield hurling back at the Gareth's group. The shield collided with them and blasted them a few feet away. It gave them all enough time to kill them on the ground, before they had a chance to shoot at them again.
Daryl noticed that walkers were on the grounds as well, probably lured by the loud noises from the fight and spells. They were coming from the damaged fences and unprotected gates. But no one really paid much attention to them. Either swiftly killing them on their way, or rushing passed them.
Just as they took off in another direction, they stumbled upon a group of five people. Everyone raised their weapons but they instantly noted the scared looks and that they were without any weapons. A man held up his hands and said, "Please, don't shoot! A woman freed us, she said we should tell you, 'A stag, a ferret and an otter.' You would know what it meant."
Harry lowered his wand, upon hearing the three symbols of each of their Patronuses. Daryl noted the confused looks on the small groups face upon seeing the wand in Harry's hand. They had probably not seen the display of magic from the fight yet. Harry, Michonne and Carol quickly helped them through the damaged fences, told them to take the weapons from the dead people and run. They thanked them rapidly and disappeared into the woods.
Another explosion rocked the place and Daryl's worry for Hermione grew tenfold. He could see the same worry on the others faces and Harry took the lead and guided them through the place. The wizard sent a quick spell, which went like a wave through the area they hadn't covered yet, which came out empty. They did the same thing several times; Harry casting the spell to spot any living human, securing the area, until they heard gunfire coming from a closer distance. They took off running, and as soon as they rounded the corner, Daryl felt his heart stop in his chest at the sight.
Hermione stood before a group of people, holding her wand up high and creating a dome like shield around them, protecting them from the hail of bullets that were raining down on them. Even from the distance, Daryl could see that she was quickly loosing strength, as she fell on one knee, while trying to hold up her arm. Daryl barely registered that Hermione was protecting Maggie, Glenn, Sasha, Bob and four other people, who hadn't any weapons on them.
Daryl, Harry and the others from their group, swiftly raised their weapons at the attackers and killed them as fast as possible, until all of them lay dead on the ground. As soon as it was safe, Hermione collapsed on the ground to her side, holding herself upright with her hands. Daryl took off after her, without a word to the others.
As soon as he reached her he pulled her into his arms and crushed her against his chest. Just then, Daryl noticed that his whole body was shaking from the fear and adrenaline. "Are y'okay? Were y'hurt?" he asked shakily.
Hermione wrapped his arms around Daryl and nodded into his chest, "I'm all right. We need to go."
Daryl looked back at her face and kissed her quickly, before he helped her up. Harry followed suit and pulled Hermione into a hug, before he said, "We need to finish this and get Draco. Can you still fight?"
"Yes, I'm fine. I hadn't the time to give them the weapons in my handbag before they attacked us," Hermione explained and pulled out her beaded handbag, which Harry took.
"There was another group. I didn't have the time to give them weapons, did they-"
"They're good. Got some weapons before they left," Michonne explained quickly.
Harry quickly pulled out the weapons from Hermione's beaded handbag and gave it to the others. Ignoring the confused looks from the new people. Maggie and Glenn quickly explained to everyone that the other new four people helped and saved them, while they were on the road. Assuring them that they were friends and good people. Daryl trusted Glenn's and Maggie's judgment and was all right with it, as long as they don't pull some shit on them. He vaguely heard Carol's promise of explaining everything to them later. He immediately noted the sweet persona she pulled up for the newcomers and saw how their tense shoulders began to relax at Carol's display, even if they still looked wary.
"Are there anymore containers to check?" Harry asked, getting the attention of everyone.
"Block D is the last one. I don't think there are more imprisoned," Hermione answered.
Harry nodded and looked around, "Let's get you with the others out of here. I'm going to get Draco afterwards."
"I'm coming with you," Rick said, followed by Michonne's, "Me too."
The group took off and left through a damaged fence, killing walkers who came close to them. Daryl stayed close to Hermione, not wanting her out of his sight. She turned to Harry, before she could leave and said, "Make it quick, Harry. We'll meet you from where we had apparated."
Harry nodded and took off with the other two.
Together with Hermione and Carol, Daryl lead them through the forest and a little further away from the hut.
"We will stop shortly, before we reach the place. We need to know if they are a risk for us or not," Hermione spoke quietly, explaining to Daryl and Carol the reason why she wanted them not to get to the hut immediately. Both of them nodded at her words and walked swiftly through the woods, until they reached the place. Hermione quickly placed some wards around them, explaining that it would warn them from any danger and keep their sounds to a minimum.
As soon as Hermione finished the wards, the red haired guy, who calls himself Sergeant Ford took a few steps closer to Hermione and asked rather harshly, "I want to know what the hell you just did back there and what the fuck you and your friend are?"
"Hey!" Daryl shouted angrily, getting the man's attention and stood protectively in front of Hermione. "Back the hell off!"
"We will tell you when the others come back," spoke Carol calmly, but Ford wouldn't have it.
"I won't risk my mission because of this freak show. I need to know what's going on."
"I said, back the hell off, man!" Daryl growled furiously.
"Mission?" Carol asked, trying to defuse the tension.
"Eugene here has the cure to stop this disease and the walkers. Sergeant Ford and Rosita want to get him to DC, where he can create the vaccine," explained Maggie getting Ford's attention, who turned around and faced her.
"I didn't give you permission to tell them," Ford said angrily and this time Glenn glared at the red head, and said, "They just saved our lives! Do you really think they would harm us after everything they did."
This was enough to calm Ford down a little. He narrowed his eyes at Hermione, who moved to stand next to Daryl and said, "I still want to know what and how the fuck you did things back there."
"You will have to wait for the others, before I explain anything to you," stated Hermione sternly, while glaring at the man. Daryl couldn't help the swell of pride surgeon through him.
Afterwards, Hermione walked towards Maggie and both women hugged each other tightly, before they moved to the other member of their group, as well as meeting the two new women, while Daryl kept a close eye on her and this sergeant guy.
They didn't have to wait long, before they heard a familiar pop sound in the close distant. Several people, especially the new ones, quickly raised their weapons and aimed it in the direction, until they saw Harry, Rick, Michonne and Draco coming from the woods.
Before they could greet each other, Ford began to get pissy again, wanting to know what's going on. Harry, who was still fueled by his own rage, came toe-to-toe with the man and glared at him, which Ford returned. Daryl had to admin that the wizard had balls. Rick stood close, backing Harry up, with a hand on his gun.
"I'd suggest you keep that attitude down, sergeant," Rick spoke tightly.
"Abraham, calm down," Rosita spoke gently next to Ford and grabbed his arm. "I know the mission is important, but they just did save our lives. Maybe they can help us get to Washington?"
Harry looked confused and asked her what she meant, but Ford cut him off, telling him again that he wanted to know what they were.
"Then we should get going," Rick stated and gently pushed Harry away and lead him back to the where the hut would be.
Even though, Ford was clearly a dickhead, Rick still offered Ford's group to stay with them, however long they wanted, as long as they didn't pose a threat to them. Daryl knew that the only reason Rick allowed Ford, Eugene, Rosita and Tara, who had been quiet most of the time, to stay, because of Glenn, Maggie, Sasha and Bob, who trusted them. They quickly walked the last distance to where their group was, lead by Hermione, Draco and Harry. A few walkers came across them, which they made quick work of them.
A few minutes later, Hermione halted before a tree, which she had previously marked and raised her wand in a certain direction, followed by Harry and Draco. Ford asked with an irritated voice why they had stopped, but no one paid him attention at this point. Soon enough, the small hut became visible.
"Holly shit!" exclaimed Ford in shock.
The door burst open from the hut and Teddy, Carl, Beth came rushing out, hugging their remaining family members. Beth was nearly hysterical, when she saw her sister, believing that she had died. Up until now, Maggie hadn't known that Beth was still alive and not only her father. Seeing him, standing at the door of the hut, Maggie rushed towards him and hugged him tightly. Sasha ran inside the hut after Harry told him that Tyreese was probably back in the hut with the kids.
Daryl pulled Hermione close to him, as he watched the reunion of their family. Today was a good day, despite of what they had gone through.
"Either I'm going fucking crazy, smoked some shit without knowing or I'm finally cracking," Ford exclaimed in a stunt voice. "Could someone explain to me what the fucking hell is going on here?"
Hermione sighed in his arms and glanced up at Daryl, before she turned, looked back at Ford and his group and began to explain the basics about existence of magic to them. Soon enough, a few others joined them, including Harry, Draco and Teddy and answered some of the questions as much as they could. Seeing the open mouthed and shocked face of Ford and his group, had been almost worth the hassle. It was definitely something he wouldn't forget so easily.
Daryl pulled Hermione closer into his body and leaned closer to place a kiss on her cheek. He ignored the snickers and eyes on him. He was just relieved that Hermione was all right, that they had finally found the others from their group and all of them had made it out unscathed from that hell hole they had just escaped.
A/N: That's how you kick the crazy Terminus people in the ass! LOL, sorry. So, what did you think of the chapter and turn of events?
There are only 2 more chapters left and I was thinking of writing a bonus chapter if you like. Would you like one?
Also, here is my Playlist for this chapter:
Rubicon by Audiomachine
Nemesis by Audiomachine
