Complete forgot about this story, so thought i may get on to finishing. Next chapter almost done as well, thanks to anyone and all who review. Much obliged. Smoky the sea turtle.
Chapter 9
His Pa looked as if death had given him a good going over, his eyes sunk deep into his head while shaky fingers held a frail cigarette to his lips. Blowing out almost stale smoke into his face a slow cruel smile played across his face, "Been a long time huh Daryl."
All the heaviness that Carol had seemed to unknowingly lift off his already shrunken shoulders was dropped as if from a height, causing a burning pain to spark throughout him.
He hadn't thought he'd see this man again; they'd did everything to finally free themselves of his crushing presence on their lives. Thought he'd be too old and weak to try and track them down after all this time, he didn't look like a threat no more.
He remembered him like a shadow of a monster, one that waited patiently in your room for you every night, one that was never there when people who would eventually try help would ever see, the monster would creep underneath his bed pulling at the darkness until it made your throat constrict and you had to claw yourself out of it. He would taunt you in the darkness like the coward it was, hiding beneath the shelter so he could never be caught.
Just proves everything looks scarier when you're a kid, he was afraid though, not of this old man who looked as if he could barely stand but of what he'd do to him. He had an anger that burned through him for years, for this man that he'd always been afraid of.
"Merle's here ain't he? That prick who took my son. A fucking coward just like his slut of a mother."
He didn't raise his voice but it made his threats seem more harsh and each one more of a blow.
"What you here for?" he barely trusted himself to speak.
He tried to throw his cigarette in a vicious attempt but his weak wrist only managed the cigarette to float to the ground as if stuck through a tiny veil of water.
A cold laugh escaped him "I'm too old to be searching for some brain dead sons of mine but got a call from some little shit called Ed something, like I fucking care. Must've rubbed him the wrong way Daryl, for him to be sicking your mean old Pa on ye."
He hadn't moved since his Pa had started to rant his familiar old threats, he didn't want his old man to think he was the same cowering boy he could push around, so his eyes never once left his.
He practised a cold hard stare his whole life, "Stay the fuck away from me and Merle or I'll fucking kill you."
He turned his back on him quicker that he could respond to throwing his leg over his bike, just before he could drown out the sound of his father's haunting voice, he heard him say.
"Can't an old man come check up on his boys?"
Carol trying to be sneaky about it looked towards the window, to try hide the smile that was playing on her lips but it was just reflecting back at her. Shit. What was she doing?
Things were still up in the air with Ed and everything in her life and here she was thinking about Daryl like her first crush, she needed to get a grip. As much as she didn't want to care, she absolutely didn't want to be considered the town harlot.
"You don't have to hide being happy Carol." Rick said lightly tilting his head to give her an encouraging smile.
She blushed looking away from him, a shy laugh escaped her "I know you aren't exactly a girlfriend to gossip to exactly. I just want to know, I can't talk to Lori about this she hasn't got what you would call an open mind. Sorry. Am I being stupid should I really just hide away until this whole thing has blown over?"
She was babbling a bit and she knew it but for some reason the thought of giving up Daryl even when she hardly knew him, hurt. Rick laughing quietly to her dig about Lori eyed her carefully "I would never pry into your business, I only know what you've told me and the obvious about you and Ed…"
She nodded briskly telling him she wanted him to continue "It sounds as if you've been hiding away for most of your life, I don't think you should have to do it any longer."
She opened her mouth to exclaim in relief that she wasn't just having a breakdown she needed to hear it from someone other than herself, but he held up one hand to stop her.
"That doesn't mean you run off and put yourself in danger, Ed is still out there to cause you harm. But I won't object, not like I have any right to about you spending time with Daryl Dixon I'm sure your in capable hands."
Carol feeling bold smiled and said "I don't know how capable they are yet but they seem pretty darn fine to me."
Rick turned to her sharply a wide, open friendly smile that never graced his face while Lori breathed down his neck "I meant from Ed. Enough girl talk for us it seems."
She laughed resting her now drink induced tired eyes against the back of the seat "Will be there soon Carol."
She nodded sleepily, "Don't worry I won't tell Lori of your helpful advice I'm sure she wouldn't approve."
She could tell Rick was smiling even with her eyes heavily sealed, a flash of Daryl's shy eyes ducking beneath his bangs popped into her head and she sighed happily. Shit.
Daryl threw his stuff down on the other side of the door the minute his feet graced the floor of his shit hole house, Merle was snoring and drugs must've been laying on pretty heavy because he was drooling heavily like a fucking Bulldog. "Merle. Merle."
He shook his shoulder but his head weak on his shoulders shook back and forth having no effect, "Merle." He said more insistently "Merle ye piss of shit. Wake up."
He kicked at his foot that was hanging off the back of the couch, he eyes slowly started to pull themselves away from one another, "Old Merle is sleeping, not now Deryl."
He groaned pushing then rolling Merle off the couch until he face planted into the ground he went from being dreamily sleepy to shaking the house like a goddam earthquake.
He grabbed Daryl roughly by his collar his hands trembling in anger, fucking drama queen Daryl spat to himself "Get your goddam hands off me!"
Merle his eyes almost black turned to snap "What the hell ye…"
He didn't want to listen to this now "Pa is in town. I just saw him."
Merle's mouth for once actually closed, he ran one hand gently along the top of his head probably trying to turn the on switch and the silence was heavy as he tried to react.
"Old man must be almost dead by now, why the hell he here now?"
Daryl wasn't looking forward to the abuse he was about to get hurtled at him "Ed sent him."
Merle gripped his bottom lip viciously in his mouth almost like he was spitting the whole thing out; he swung one heavy looking arm in front of him. "I told you that mouse of a woman was going to cause us trouble, you go trying to live some fairy-tale life with a married fucking woman."
Daryl was seething but he knew Merle just needed to vent, "I ain't never lived in no fairy-tale that's for sure."
Merle laughed coldly "Ain't denying you been hanging on to that woman like some toilet paper stuck to her shoe then,"
Daryl narrowed his eyes at him taking an angry step forward anyone else would've curled up and hid but the Dixon's brothers were only a match for each other.
"I ain't hanging on to her. There ain't nothing going on, I can't fucking talk to people now."
Merle looking sad for a split second dropped his head "Truth is she's some broken up little woman that was fucked senseless by some piece of shit and is eventually going to die at the hands of that piece of shit. So ain't think it worth you finally bothering you're awkward ass for a woman who ain't worth the effort."
Daryl couldn't control the budding anger, he hated hearing his brother with venom in his voice lash out insults about Carol like his Pa did about them, and the familiarity was too much.
He socked him in the mouth causing Merle to hit the deck and look up dazed and surprised at him but there was concern somewhere laced within his brother, he could see something was wrong.
"If she's broken. What the hell must you think of me Merle?"
He stormed across the room, hearing one last snip from him "If the old man saw you with that bird he'll get to her, if Ed fucking did this. The old man can't hurt us no more but that woman of yours is pretty shuck up!"
He raised his voice when he heard Daryl retreat behind the door where he paced insensately, he was right Ed couldn't do anything probably being under watch but he sure did want to hurt Carol.
Only reason to bring an old man like him to town, he couldn't go to jail for killing him either could Merle, he couldn't let him have that.
Carol didn't hear from Daryl for a couple of days and she'd be lying to herself if she said she wasn't disappointed she missed his shy, awkwardness. Sonya sat rolling one piece of hair around her finger with a mug of tea steaming in front of her, she smiled up at her like a Cheshire cat "Carol, don't worry he'll be back couldn't stay away from a beautiful woman like you."
Carol juggling plates on her hip looked sharply at her "I'm not worried." She may have said too quickly "What about your new man, how's that going?"
Sonya dropped closer to the counter as if losing mobility of her limbs and practically growled at her "Just look at my man working. I wanna climb over this counter and show him some high quality deserts." Her voice carried as per usual so it followed by some tut tuts in disapproval causing her to roll her tongue and laugh.
"I'm just going to keep embarrassing you in your place of work if you don't…"
She quickly cut across her "We had a good time that's all you're getting, drink your tea."
Sonya was leaning over the counter whispering thinly veiled what she would call sexual threats to Jason, who looked petrified and excited all at once. He had turn a beetroot red, his handshaking with the silverware "Sonya don't you have work." Wendy noted as she passed by, Sonya had become a familiar face; it was hard to not notice her.
Carol turning to hand in an order just in time for Sonya to whisper to her "Hottie alert."
Her heartbeat accelerated and she cursed it just as the pair she'd missed strolled into the diner, Wally and Daryl perched in their usual spot. She bit down on her bottom lip smiling but she could see from here that something seemed off with Daryl. Normally his shy eyes would "discreetly" latch to hers for a second, a way of their acknowledgment to one another but his eyes seemed to be pulled by a magnetic force on to the table. Jason struggling with a stack of plates heaved out "I'll let you take this one."
She smiled sadly trying to kick back some nerves, her mind was racing maybe she shouldn't have kissed him, she wasn't exactly drama free or a catch but she had thought, he had seemed to want to kiss her. Hadn't he? Stop it Carol. Wally who always seemed to pull an easy smile from her leaned back draping one arm around back of the chair, grinning at her. "Carol how nice to see you. You always about make my day. We got a grumpy one with us today, don't know what I'll do with him."
He kicked Daryl's foot forcing his eyes to look at her and they looked panicked, she fumbled with the pen in her hand and it clattered off the tiles. "Shit."
She leaned the same time Daryl reached for it, like a cliché they both regained composure holding the back of their heads more than necessary but it was something to do.
"Sorry."
He grunted an apology at her and for once she had nothing to say to him, she usually did.
"I don't know Wally you may sort him out." she laughed brokenly but Daryl must've got the implication because stormy eyes snapped up to her.
Wally shifting uncomfortably muttered "The usual thanks Carol."
She worked like a raging bull storming to tables like there wasn't enough time in the world, she could tell she was trying to sound happy too much, this whole thing was strained.
Her usual customers exchanged worrying glances and it softened her heart a little just enough so she could go clear the plates from Wally and Daryl's table. Wally put one comforting hand on her arm "Ye know it's my wife and I's anniversary tonight. Daryl always accompanies me to my usual spot, you could join us. Round nine, enjoy a smiling face like yours."
Daryl's eyes snapped to Flossie's in disapproval he almost looked angry, she couldn't understand what she'd done but something was wrong. She put one hand round his wrist catching his eyes which seemed to soften "You okay?"
He exhaled as if he was going to lift a weight off his chest but he recoiled removing her hand from his and growled "M'fine."
She'd forgotten Wally was sitting there expecting an answer until Wendy leaned over her tapping her on the shoulder, "Carol. You need some help?"
Wendy was trying to pry her away from the table with her gentle voice, "Sorry Wendy was just offering Carol to join us tonight."
Carol shook herself from the pain that seemed to strike her harder than she wanted to admit, "Thanks Wally but I wouldn't want to impose. I hope you enjoy yourself though."
She gathered the plates refusing to look at him, while Wally seemed to be laying on the charm "You're a fine lady Wendy maybe you'd join us?"
She shook her head in surprise but Carol could tell she was flattered "Flossie you are a charmer but an old gal like me out in a pub again seems like a destructive force of nature."
Flossie tried to object but Wendy was already taking off.
The diner had closed but Carol found herself on one of the stools swinging idly to the side in it, her hands clasped around a cup of tea. Wendy plonked down beside her sighing in tiredness "Jason has gone off with your crazy friend Sonya. As eccentric as she is, I think she'll be good for Jason she's got enough confidence for the both of them."
Wendy though pretending to be in awe of her son's new companion but Carol could see the unmovable worry in her eyes. "Sonya's a good girl. She's not as confident as she seems."
"Who is?"
A loud knock followed by Flossie shouting loudly "Carol need to talk with you a sec."
Forcing her tired legs up she let a very snazzy looking Wally in she whistled in appreciation, she noticed Wendy's mouth gaping at him. "Well look at you Flossie." Wendy smiled.
Flossie seemed at a loss for words he coughed his way through it "You can both hear this, no need to run away Wendy. Carol I can't speak for Daryl as much as I may want to but the boy should tell you something though he don't want to. It concerns you and well you know by meeting him once he's socially impaired…."
Carol lowering her eyes from his quieted her voice "Wally we don't even know each other that well. Maybe this whole thing was stupid."
Flossie reached out taking her two hands in his "Please darling just come to the bar as a little gift to me, it concerns you. That boy is like my son, him, me and old Bubba it's all it's been for a long time. He likes ye a man can tell. Just tell Flossie here you'll come, if not for me or Daryl do it for Bubba. He's rooting for you two." He shook her hands jokingly backing away from her.
Bristling tears she laughed "Okay but I won't be dressed up nice, I'll leave from here."
"Bubba appreciates it."
Wendy one eyebrow raised dragged her out of the diner across the street to her place, never feeling the need to explain what she was doing. "I got some jeans my sister left and a nice old top for you. Just tell me who the heck Bubba is?"
"Oh it's Flossie's dog."
"Okay then."
An idea springing to mind Carol nearly shook Wendy her hair falling down from its bun, "Please Wendy come with me. This is an important day for Flossie, would mean a lot to him."
She looked apprehensive, almost nervous as she ran her hand up her arms as if she was freezing "I don't go out Carol. I'm not as young as I once was."
"How could you be? Now shut up, were going to look beautiful."
Daryl's knee bounced uncontrollably a nervous tick that sometimes reappeared, hitting the wooden panels of the bar above him. Flossie was sipping cautiously on his whiskey which was odd to him; he usually didn't feel the need to waste time. He knew the stories of his wife would resurface itself soon, the sad gaze to the door that she would never walk through again.
He couldn't get why he let himself get hit year after year by the same bullet, if it's causing you pain just drop the dam thing pretend like it's not there.
Flossie's eyes lit up, Daryl looked away mumbling curses under his breath but for once Wally seemed to be expecting people "Carol! Wendy! Come we'll sit at a table."
Daryl had the breath knocked out of him he was sure after how cold Carol's stare seemed to be towards him, how it seemed to shake him to the bone that she'd never want to see him again.
He had wanted to tell her about his Pa but he didn't tell no one that stuff, he had to warn her but maybe if she hated him, there was no way they could think hurting either one of them would work.
Now seeing her blue eyes lighting up as she made conversation with Wally her small hand gripping her wrist nervously as if trying to still it, he couldn't pull his eyes away from her.
Shit.
