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"Just head up that ridge an' hang a left. You'll see a stand I built a while back. Stay there for now." Daryl motioned towards the direction he was talking about. "I'm gonna walk around and try to jump somethin your way. Be ready once ya get up there."
He watched as the woman nodded and quietly stepped through the leaves towards the direction he'd given her. Daryl gave her a while to get to the stand and started making his way down the hill to work his way up. Clara had really impressed him with her bow. Hell he'd figured she'd be a lil hellian with it, but he'd had no idea how it was practically second nature for her.
She could have went professional. Gotten her a sponsor, traveled…but he reckoned her music took her where she'd wanted to go. The man had made sure not to give her a big head, but everyone had done it. Clara always drew a crowd. He was starting to think there wasn't much she couldn't do.
Daryl snapped back into the present when a fat gray squirrel tried getting away from him. With out a hitch he had it shot and put into is pouch without missing a step. More than likely he wouldn't jump anything but a walker or two, but he hoped to chase something her way.
And that's how the morning went. He circled and drove anything he could towards her direction. Around 10 am he was 4 squirrels heavier with a fat possum. Relatively satisfied he stood up a little straighter as the stand came into view. Then his stomach dropped, where was Clara?
"Clara?" He yelled out, slinging his crossbow around his back so he could climb the ladder and check the deer stand. Nothing. Daryl gritted his teeth as he hopped down and began searching the ground for any clues. She'd walked off, nothing indicating stress or injury. The prints led into a thicket and without hesitation he went in after her.
He wouldn't let fear seize him up so he pushed forward. "CLARA!" He yelled, pushing branches and thorns aside. After a few minuets he called for her again until her head popped up from behind a large pine tree. She looked frustrated.
"Shh!" She hissed at him. Daryl eyed her and wanted to ring her damn neck…and…he felt so grateful to find her alive. His chest squeezed and he took in a shuddered breath.
"Bitch! Are you crazy? You had me worried tha youd already went an got yourself eaten or somethin!" His insult made her shake her head until she smiled and pointed at her pouch. Least 6 squirrel.
"Got a few squirrels then I heard this fat bastard strutting around." Clara smiled proudly as she moved out of the way and his eyes landed on the big jake turkey laying on the ground. Her hazel eyes were bright and big, unable to allow him to be pissed at her. Mad, hell yes…but not furious.
Daryl caved as the tension drifted away and he bent down to examine it. "Good size. We can re use the feathers." His voice was softer than moments before. "But from now on you be where I tell ya ta be. Too old to be trackin' you limpy ass through these damn woods."
Clara rolled her eyes but nodded and shoulder bumped him. Something he'd noticed she would do when she'd upset him or look for his approval. "Sorry." It was simple and he knew she meant it. Without another word he bent down and grabbed the turkey by its feet and slung it over shoulder.
The walk was quiet and Clara managed to take down a few walkers that had smelt the dead animals and stumbled into their path. When they snuck back into the fence they took the critters behind the pig pen. He strung the bird up and began gutting and plucking.
Clara got busy on the squirrels. He watched her with fascination as she took the squirrel by the middle and cut a small hole across the middle of the back. With bare hands she dug both index fingers in and pulled until she had a firm grip on both sides. With little effort ashe pulled the skin back and revealed the muscular structure of the tiny animal.
Her small hands then snapped the four thin legs into, cutting them in such a way that the feet came away with the hide. A normal person would find the actions heartless and cold, especially how lightly Clara did these things. But not Daryl. The past week has been hell on him
Hearing her speak, seeing her practice, seeing her fight and now…the sight of her processing the squirrel just made him ravenously crazy. She was a walking oxymoron. Contradiction. Beautiful and just dangerous. Her age even turned him on he'd realized a few days ago. But he did nothing on these notions.
Daryl found out in the past while it's okay to care for people. To make them family, especially since Merle died…but to love someone romantically? That was suicide. Rick and Lori were prime examples. Shane. Andrea. One of two end up dead leaving the other to lose their damn mind.
"What's up?"
Clara's smooth voice pulled him back and he shrugged, almost grunting in frustration realizing he'd stopped plucking.
"Nothin'. Just thinkin's all." He cast his eyes towards the bird and was happy when she didn't pry. With all the time they have been spending together, she knew how to read him a little better…and vice versa.
After every animal was skinned, cleaned and ready to be dealt with the young woman yawned. He forgot she'd volunteered her services to Beth in the evenings. Teaching the girl guitar and singing stuff. Mornings were their time.
"We'll get this ta Carol an the others then ya can get to Beth. I'll clean up our stuff and make sure to get your bow to your room." His offer left her with a smile as she nodded and bumped him, walking ahead to get to her other commitments.
The man watched her drop the meat off to a pleased Carol and scurry off. When he got to his friend she huffed up and patted him on the back.
"Nice bird. Make for some fine food." She carefully took the naked bird and set it down in a empty pot, then filling it with water. Daryl sighed and plopped down on the stool across from the food prep area.
"Yeah, Clara got it. Shot it right through the neck." The slight wonder in his voice made Carol shoot him a serious look as she did the same with the squirrel quarters, adding generous amounts of salt.
"Seems like y'all got a good thing going on." She gave him a short smile and focused on the two pots, trying to decide what to do with the bounty of meat.
"It's a smart move. She's a natural. Damn shame not ta let her help out…" Something told him this feeling he had wasn't because Carol was happy he'd found a hunting buddy. She was being oddly distant, again. Which meant only one thing…she was dealing with emotional stuff. That was foreign territory for the man.
But because he did care about Carol, he came out with it. "Somethin ya wanna say, Carol?" His voice was a little harsher than what he'd intended but oh well.
"Nope. Just don't think she's ya know…" She glanced back at him then went back to the way she was. "Clara's great. I like her a lot, but I think you're heading in the wrong direction with her."
Daryl tensed as he comprehended each word. He knew how Carol felt. They were supposed to be past this. It didn't make him angry, just kind of sad and regretful he couldn't return her sentiment. Without much to say in response he just stood and was prepared to walk away. She touched his arm.
"I'm sorry. But I feel like she's a child. You're a grown man and…" He cut her off there.
"You'd be better suited for tha job?" The expression on his face said the rest. His mouth was taught and his eyes were hard. Silently telling her she was on dangerous ground with him. "I ain't stupid Carol, there isn't anythin' goin on between me an' Clara. She's a good hunter. It's alotta work doin all of it by myself."
He paused and put a little more distance between himself and her. "Yeah, I like her…so what? I've seen what that does to people these days and I ain't interested. Plus, Clara's more of a grown woman than half the women here."
Carol met his eyes as her jaw set in frustration. Daryl sighed and hugged her. Out of his character but he also knew there was no good coming out pf them staying mad at one another.
"I'm sorry I can't feel the same way." His voice was tender and he felt her nod against his chest. She squeezed him and he carefully pulled away.
"I'm sorry too." Carol patted his shoulder again before returning to her task of soaking the meat down. He didn't hesitate to move on and get back to what he'd told Clara he'd do. Daryl thought over what Carol had said. He wasn't really mad at her now, but she couldn't dictate his actions.
He and the blonde was a team. They worked well together. She didn't tolerate his shit and vice versa. Clara was good for this group…and in weaker moments he would like to think she was good for him too.