A/N: Thanks for sticking around and for all your great reviews! I actually thought I might just scrap this story all together, but I have to see its end. My guess is probably another few chapters.
Beth sucked in her breath. Her teeth clenched together as her eyes darted around, looking for some inspiration that could guide her to what she was supposed to do. She could hear the grunts and punches, and unknowingly flinched at each sound.
A dirty couch. A beer bottle so full of cigarette butts it had started overflowing. An old tube TV. A few smashed beer cans on the floor. There was a hallway that led to other parts of the trailer, but her feet wouldn't move. There was a kitchenette, and on the counter was-
A crossbow, right? I've seen one of those before.
She took a few steps to the counter and picked it up, leaving Maggie's phone in its place. It was heavier than she thought. There were a few bolts in the quiver, so she pulled one out and then stared at the device thinking at what she should do next.
She loaded it, but there was a step missing. She pointed it to the floor, and tried to draw the rope up with her arms, but it wouldn't budge.
Fucking shit.
She could feel the desperation and helplessness wash over her. Although the kitchenette windows faced the front, it didn't occur to her to peek out its ratty curtains. Instead, she steeled herself, crossbow in hands. She told herself that she could do this.
I am strong.
If she had given herself a moment to analyze her actions, Beth probably wouldn't come up with anything rational. There was no reason she should help him again, if this is what this was. It didn't matter what kind of business Daryl got himself into that warranted this scenario. Three people against one wasn't fair in any sense and she liked him, despite his blustering and bravado.
Without any further scrutiny, her booted feet brought her to the front door. She held the bow in her right hand as she flung the door open with her left. As soon as she stepped out onto the tiny porch she hefted the weapon with both of her hands, aiming it at the scene in front of her.
Daryl had Allen on the ground, pinned under his weight. But, a man who wore a military cap perched on his head had Daryl in a chokehold, attempting to pull him off his friend. The Main Guy, as Beth called him in her head, simply watched from the sidelines.
"Stop it." Beth tried to use the most commanding voice she had in her, and she hoped it was enough.
The men stilled at her words. They turned at her voice, Daryl included, but she couldn't gauge what their reactions were going to be. The crossbow was wavering under her grasp, but she hoped they wouldn't notice. She kept what she thought was the sight trained on the capped guy. She kept him in her sights as she stepped sideways down the few steps of the porch.
"Let him go." Simple words from a simple girl, she thought.
The capped man released his hands and lifted them up in a sign of surrender. The Main Guy chuckled, "Daryl's girl is tougher than she looks." He smiled at her, and raised his hands in mock surrender.
"Just leave. Right now." Her heart was pounding so hard; it was a wonder that it didn't ripple into her voice.
Daryl's eyes never left her as he pushed himself off Allen. Allen wiped the back of his hand on his nose to examine it, checking if there was any blood. The red streak left on his forearm made him bolt up. He looked at Daryl before squinting at Beth. Sniffing, he made his way over to the bike he arrived on.
"Alright, pretty girl. We're leaving," the Main Guy nodded at her, and they all mounted their bikes. Without any further words, they spun around and left.
Daryl and Beth stared at the men until they left their sights, and even then their gazes didn't leave the drive until the sounds of their engines couldn't be heard. Once she was confident they were far enough away, she dropped the bow and ran to Daryl.
"Oh my God, are you okay?" She ran to him as fast as she could, taking his shoulder and spinning him around. She saw the immediate signs of a fight, but-
"I'm fine." He waved her away and turned to make for the bow she had carelessly dropped to the ground. Picking it up, he turned to her, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Next time, draw it. It aint gonna work if you don't."
She smiled, Daryl saw. A real smile. Instead of walking to her car, she followed him inside.
