Merle looked over at his brother, who held a seldom look on his face. He looked back at the prison and rolled his shoulders feeling the joints crack and the gun bounced once.
"So ya gonna tell me?"
Daryl side glance his brother giving him a bit of a baleful glare. He held his crossbow firmly while feeling his knife softly bump against his leg every time he walked.
"What did the good ol' doc tell ya?" pressured Merle.
The youngest Dixon looked over and told Merle a few things that Milton had told him. Merle nodded once in a while showing that he was paying attention.
"So the guy met the Governor before Woodbury was set up," Merle repeated, "doesn't exactly explain how he became a fuck up."
"Yer worked for that fuck up," Daryl reminded.
Merle shrugged, "within reasonable boundaries."
"Beating the shit out of Glenn one of them?"
The oldest Dixon scowled but didn't reply. The two continued to walk around the perimeter of the prisons' inside fence feeling a little relaxed since there were no Walkers but a little apprehension lingered in the air. The group had never gone deeper into the prison clearing it completely so there was a good possibility of a Walker crashing through a window.
"I don't suppose that you'd be able to convince me to stay here for long," Merle quipped as he half-heartily picked the crusted blood on his blade.
"We ain't staying here for long," Daryl replied honestly.
"Oh?"
"Andrea and Carl are still stuck in Woodbury we're going to go get them."
Merle snorted and turned to face his brother. "Ya still think that they're alive don't you? But yer don't get it baby brother, there is no way in hell the Governor will let the two of 'em live. What we should do is pack up and get the fuck out of here."
"We will," Daryl reassured, "Morgan's gonna take us to an abandoned house near the lake, he came across it when he was coming over to find Rick and the others. From there we will figure out what we will do."
Merle nodded liking that part of the plan however he had another problem bugging his mind.
"What are we gonna do about Milton?"
Daryl leaned up against the fence rubbing mindlessly at a healed over wound on his hand, he knew what Merle was thinking and he wasn't a big fan of it. He could feel his brother's eyes on him making him uncomfortable but he knew that Merle would never let it go until he was satisfied with an answer.
"He gives up information and we just send him to the dogs?" Daryl said through gritted teeth. "Is that what we're going to do now?"
Merle rolled his shoulders again. "He's gonna come for him anyway."
"Doesn't mean that we're just gonna give him up Merle."
The brother nodded. "Then I suggest we get packing."
XXXXXX
Beth wiped her dirty hands on her jeans leaving an ugly dark red streak. She bit her lip feeling a piece of wood bit deeper into her skin and Beth opened her hand to see a good size sliver in the centre of her palm. The young Greene looked at the five crosses bound tightly by wire. The task was grim but it had to be done, they had done it for Lori, and T-dog so it had to be done for the others.
Picking out what she could of the sliver, Beth turned the crosses and gathered them up in one arm and the shovel in the other, she walked over to the fence and could see the Walkers still walk aimlessly around. Over in the corner of the yard was where the crosses were planted. If they were able to just clear out the Walkers then they would be able to set up the crosses. She set the crosses down and looked around to see a metal pipe leaned up against the table. It was around thirty-seven inches long and a near inch in width.
Beth walked over and picked it up surprised at its weight at first but adjusted. She swung it a few times testing her control over the weapon. Quickly undoing a couple knots Beth opened it up just enough for her to slip through and into the fields.
XXXXXX
Merle and Daryl continued to walk along the perimeter of the prison until they came to where the fence caved in as a mass part of the prison laid in rubble.
"If the Governor finds that he'll use it to his advantage," Merle pointed out nodding to the mess.
Daryl sighed. "I told you that we were going to leave soon."
"That's not what I'm trying to get at brother."
Merle walked over to the bent fence and climbed up the mountain of fallen wall.
"Yer said that another group found their way into the prison rather than using the front door correct? I suggest we set up a nice little 'fuck off' gesture to the good leader of Woodbury."
Daryl climbed up to where Merle was.
"Take up a lot of materials," Daryl quipped. "Plus I don't want to waste time."
"Ain't gonna take long."
Then Daryl realized where Merle was getting at.
"Why?"
Merle smirked. "Do you honestly need to ask? He was more than willing to kill you on two separate occasions it's the reason why I'm going to make that fucker pay."
Daryl sighed inwardly knowing that nothing will faze his brother from his goal of making the Governor's life worse.
"How long will it take?" Daryl asked.
"Not too long," Merle answered, "that should give you enough time to keep training Girly."
The brothers headed back to the way they came.
"What if you don't get the Governor?"
"Then at least his 'army' will be decreased in numbers," Merle replied simply, "but don't worry 'bout it brother."
Daryl looked at his brother with an uncertain expression on his face. "That's the thing, what should I be worried about?"
"Judith, crying her head off, Carol keeling over, Milton fleeing for his life, Beth shooting in the wrong direction, Morgan going black Rambo on us, and me losing another appendage."
"What about me?"
Merle thought. "Hmm…you, leading us to our impending doom."
Daryl rolled his eyes and continued to walk forward hearing his brother chuckle behind him. They continued to walk joshing around feeling like they were transported back into the past when it was just the two. They turned the corner and gapped.
There were more Walkers than before each lined up against the fence, their fingers laced around the links and low mewling echoed in the crowd.
"What the fuck…?" Merle gapped at the crowd.
"How the-."
"Oh sweet Jesus!"
Daryl looked over to where Merle was staring at and his jaw dropped.
In the middle of the field was Beth wielding what looked like a metal rod. She was splattered head to toe in blood and sinew but she still whirled the rod left and right breaking bones and breaking heads. The Walkers were slowly coming towards her and soon she would be overrun.
"Merle!"
The oldest brother nodded and started to take out the line of Walkers while Daryl loaded his crossbow.
XXXXXX
Beth's hands slipped on the bar, what was left of the sliver she had picked out of her hand earlier dug deeper making her bit her lip to stifle her cry. She forced herself to keep her grip because she knew what would happen if she ever lost grip of the metal bar. Beth swung the blade catching a Walker underneath his chin sending him flying a couple inches in the air before crashing back down to Earth. Her feet staggered as her muscles became to burn with an uncomfortable pain as exhaustion took over. Beth pushed a Walker away with the bar and managed to get out of a disadvantaged position. Her breath came out in short ragged bursts as her energy was nearly spent. She backed up as far as possible before doubling over in pain. She could hear the Walkers come towards her, their familiar moans getting louder. Beth tried to get up but a pain gripped her side and her muscles didn't comply to her commands instead making her collapse to the ground. Something slammed against the back of her head making her bit her tongue by accident. Blackness flashed in her vision and a small gasp caught in her throat.
"Beth. BETH!"
The young woman rolled over, stamping the rod into the ground using it as support as she rose to her feet. Immediately regretting it as the world started to spin and bile rose in her throat. Blood darkened her blonde hair and trailed in small rivulets down the nap of her neck. Something whistled past her and implanted in the Walker's skull. Beth tried to get out of the way but she was taken down as it crash into her. Beth looked over to see two figures enter the yard but one staying close to the fence while the other ran towards her, something slung around their neck. She listened as another bolt whistled over her and pierced through a Walker's skull. Beth pushed the body off of her and felt hands grab her under each arm before pulling her to her feet.
"It's okay," the voice had a familiar roughness, "I got you."
Beth was still slightly dazed and unsteady on her feet so she allowed Morgan to lead her over to the fence. He unslung the rifle from his neck and shot down a small cluster of Walkers that were coming towards the two.
"Is she alright?" asked Carol.
"I think so."
Morgan led her through the fence and the older woman quickly closed it just as a few Walkers who had followed the two came nearer. Daryl and Merle ran up to the others, Merle slightly amused while Daryl was fuming with anger.
"What the hell were you thinking?" he bellowed, the question was directed to Beth who was still slumped against Morgan. His voice distant reverberated inside Beth's head. She felt someone gasp and a hand touched the back of her head, Beth gasped as the wound burst with pain like a thousand fire ants biting her all at once.
"Let her be," another voice joined, "she needs rest."
Beth was glad to whoever said that and saw Daryl didn't look too please but he refrained from speaking as she was led back into the prison.
XXXXXX
The Governor was out back watching enforcers getting a jeep ready for a trip back to the prison. His lead enforcers were still bedridden, their feet wrapped heavily in gauze and unable to walk without help from others. The leader gripped the gun on his side tighter as he thought about it more unable to believe that his old friend did something like that. No matter, the Governor thought. He would deal with Milton when the time comes but at the moment he was worried about what Milton would tell Daryl and the others.
"Sir?"
He turned to see Jody and a few other enforcers standing there waiting for their orders. The Governor nodded showing them his acknowledgement however he saw something bothering in Jody's expression.
"What is it?" the Governor asked, a hint of impatience tinted his voice.
Jody shifted his weight from foot to foot showing his discomfort but he took in a breath and asked, "What if they're not there?"
The Governor turned completely facing the young enforcer.
"It is possible that they are gone knowing that y- we'd go back and leave."
The Governor nodded seeing the teens' thinking.
"A couple of their people are injured and disoriented without a leader, I doubt that they'd be going anywhere and even if they did I think they'd make a few mistakes."
"Even so I think they would take their chances."
The Governor showed a bit of his impatience and Jody immediately regretted bringing it up.
"They'll be there even if they did leave they'll be convinced to go back because of Beth and that sniper. So that's why we're going now while they are still there."
Jody didn't quite understand but he took it still feeling a bit silly that he spoke out against his leader. With that settled, the Governor turned to the mechanic.
"Is it ready?"
"Eh? Oh yeah, it's all set," the mechanic grumbled standing wiping his hands on his grease rag. He tossed the keys over to the leader and headed off. The Governor nodded for the four young enforcers to get in before getting into the driver's seat himself and heading out.
XXXXXX
"How's she doing?
Milton taped the gauze down before answering. "No scratches from Walkers. I'd say a couple hours of rest and she should be up again."
"What happened?" Carol asked.
"Passed out from heat exhaustion," answered Milton as he put the medical equipment back into the case. "Lack of food and water also had contribution to her state."
Morgan gave the smallest of nods and headed out of the cell.
"Wait…wh-where are you going?" stammered Milton as he watched the black man sling his rifle over his shoulder.
"Hunting," bluntly replied Morgan.
"Now? But we should wait for-."
"Tell them I'll be back."
Carol wanted to say something but she was unsure of what to say. She looked at Milton who looked equally helpless and she let out a small sigh of discouragement.
A couple hours later Beth came around, Carol was tending the small fire burning in the room heating up some food while Milton used a penknife to pick out what remained of the sliver. Beth shifted slightly letting out a small moan making Milton jump. The knife clattered to the ground and Carol looked up, and she walked over. Beth's eyes slowly opened and scanned the two figures.
"Take it easy," Milton said, "don't overdo it."
Beth nodded a pulsing migraine made Beth grit her teeth in pain as well as the freshly plucked splinter remains Milton shuffled through the medi-kit and found aspirins. He popped two into Beth's hand.
"Take them."
Carol quickly ran out to get some water while Milton checked over the young woman asking her some questions.
"I took out the rest of the splinter," Milton explained in his usual lecture tone, "you have a concussion other than that no other physical injuries. You passed out due to lack of food and water, the Walker didn't actually scratch," – Beth went ramrod when she heard the word 'Walker' and 'scratch' used in the same sentence - , "but you don't have to worry it only tore through your hoodie."
Beth let out a small sigh of relief she gingerly touched the back of her head that was thickly wrapped with gauze. She found the wound as she bit her lip.
"Here." Beth looked up to see Carol holding out a glass of water for her. The young woman took it with a small nod of thanks before swallowing the two aspirins and water. The door opened and Daryl entered clearly angry, Carol and Milton stepped out of the crammed cell.
"Let her be," Carol said trying to calm Daryl but he wouldn't hear of it.
"What the hell were you thinking?"
Beth winced as she shifted in the bed but she couldn't find words, apparently she didn't have to as Daryl continued to rant.
"Running around like that in the fucking fields! Yer honestly have to be the most dead brained bitch I've ever known!"
"DARYL!"
The hunter turned to see Carol glaring daggers at him originally he would've waved the outburst off but he found a pang of guilt heavy his heart. He tried to say something but instead huffed and his arms rose and fell at his side showing his anger before stalking out. Carol looked down at Beth who allowed silent tears to trail down her face, Milton shifted slightly from foot to foot unsure of what to do in the situation so he took his leave. Carol looked down at Beth who was definitely shaken, the young woman knew that Daryl would be angry and she knew what she did was stupid but Beth didn't know what came over her; what compelled her to take the rod and enter the yard. Carol helped Beth lie down telling her to rest, the Greene asked about Daryl.
"I'll deal with him," Carol promised rising to her feet. At the doorway she turned around, "he didn't mean it you know."
Beth looked at Carol.
"Daryl's under a lot of stress lately, I'll talk to him."
The young woman nodded and watched Carol leave. Beth flexed her bandaged hand feeling pain bit at her, the cut on her tongue where she had accidentally bitten herself felt as if it was going to open at any moment. Beth closed her eyes trying to relax but then rapid gunfire snapped in the air.