CHAPTER TEN
I don't own Harry Potter or The Walking Dead Don't Sue Me This will be slash eventually. Don't like don't read it's simple. I have no beta their might be grammar mistakes deal with it.
True to his word it only took Harry a few minutes to fully dress and settle his weapons before following the path up to camp. He tried to figure out how he had missed it, another abuse victim. He was pretty sure Carol had been in an abusive relationship but had no proof and Ed was dead now anyway. But Daryl? No he had missed every sign.
He watched the Dixons as he strode back into camp. Now that he knew he could see the signs, Merle was showing them too. It made sense Daryl didn't out right say it but Merle had most likely protected him from his father. The hunting, the way they moved so silently even though they were large men, the dislike of being touched, and the difficulty they had socializing, it all pointed towards abuse.
He sighed. The world was a shitty place before it ended; just now it's all in the open, he thought before moving to help Carol pack up her stuff. She was all alone now with just Sophia and although he disliked Ed he didn't know how to feel about it.
"Thank-you Harry," Carol said quietly when everything was packed into three small duffle bags.
"What vehicle is yours Carol," he asked politely smiling at her softly. She was always so quiet, like a mouse. She pointed at a small car.
"That one, it was Ed's car," she answered lips trembling a little.
"How much gas do you have left?" He asked.
"Maybe a quarter of a tank, enough to get us to the CDC at least," she answered. Harry pursed his lips.
"You're riding with me," he stated and she whipped around.
"Why," she exclaimed, surprised.
"Because if the CDC is a bust you'll end up stranded, I'll siphon the gas into my van and whatever extra into the canisters I have in my vehicle. Two of them are empty that should be enough considering I am almost full. Plus I have more space and Sophia can lie down and play or sleep in the back when we have to make stops," answered Harry.
Carol didn't say anything for a minute. Then she turned to the man beside her and quietly whispered,
"You're a good man Harry." He smiled in reply before asking,
"Is this it?" while gesturing at the three duffels.
"No, I've got some dirty clothes I've got to clean but I have another bag to put them in," she answered.
"Okay, well I'll put this all away and deal with the gas before I come back and help," said Harry as he hoisted the bags up. They weren't heavy, mostly just clothes and a few toys and children's books for Sophia.
Once they were packed he moved his vehicle closer to Carol's car and got out. He didn't have a hose, he cursed himself. He had left it on the stairs back at the warehouse. Perhaps one of the Dixons would have something he could borrow.
Merle was outside their shared tent when he walked up, his brother most likely inside or back out in the trees where he seemed most comfortable.
"What can ol' Merle do for ya today, Shortstack?" he asked once Harry got close.
"Was wondering if you had a hose I could borrow or trade you for," answered Harry.
"Probably got a couple in the truck somewhere whatcha need it fer?" said Merle rising from his camp chair.
"Got Carol riding with me, my vans almost full but I got a few empty canisters and I don't wanna waste gas," answered Harry.
"Me an' Daryl got a half tank throw in a couple liters of fuel for us and the hose is yours," Merle said leading the way back to the vehicles. They walked in silence to the Dixon's truck and Merle started rummaging through the backseat of the truck. Finally he came out with a clearish hose a couple feet long.
" 'ere ya go pretty boy, remember our gas," said Merle.
"Thanks and I won't forget," said Harry.
"You know Shortstack, I think I like you, ya say thanks even though I ain't givin' ya no gift we'rse just tradin'. It's more than me and my brother gets from the rest," said Merle. Harry raised an eyebrow. He had only been here for a day and a half but he was already a little worried about what he was getting into. He was glad he hadn't spoken to anyone about magic because if people already expected their hunters to get them meat without thanks what would they expect from him? Shane was already a worry and quite possibly unhinged.
"Give a little, get a little ain't that how the world works?" asked Harry.
"Ya know Shortstack if I was philosophical I'd say the world hasn't worked in a long time," answered Merle.
"Oh dropping the big words now are we," teased Harry.
"Oh fuck off pretty boy," snarked Merle right back.
"I'll get right on that," Harry answered sardonically as he walked away, towards where he and Carol were parked.
Gasoline tastes nasty as fuck, thought Harry as he spit and gagged before putting the other end of the hose into his fuel tank.
"You ain't spose'd ta drink it ya know," drawled Daryl as he walked up to where Harry was now leaning against his vehicle, ever present crossbow in one hand.
"Funnily enough I think I figured that one out for myself thanks," Harry answered sarcastically. Daryl snorted.
"You mind grabbing the two empty canisters from the back and opening them up, the door should be open," asked Harry. Daryl did so, setting his crossbow down in the back so he could carry both. Once they were open Harry transferred the hose into one of the canisters filling it up before transferring again, only filling it up half this time before the gas ran out.
"Thanks, the full ones yours by the way, I traded it with your brother for the hose," said Harry screwing on the caps to the gas canisters and his own tank before wiping his hands down on his pants. He rolled the hose and picked up the half full canister settling them in the back of his vehicle, before picking up the crossbow handing it to Daryl who had come up close behind him. Daryl took it and nodded once before leaving, Harry assumed that was the most thanks he was going to get from a Dixon.