Carl couldn't stop thinking about what he had said to Naomi. He had fucked up majorly. How would he ever fix what he had done now? Oh, and on top of everything, Merle had gotten bit by a walker. But Daryl managed to chop his hand off before the virus could spread. How would he explain that to his dad? He was the reason this happened to Merle. He was also the reason Daryl and Naomi had gotten back safely. Carl was sitting up front with Daryl and Merle was whining in the back seat with Naomi.
"This hurts like hell!" Merle exclaimed, pounding his door with his only hand.
"Better than you being dead." Daryl shot back.
They were getting closer to camp, and Carl was happy for it.
"Would ya be the one to kill me, baby brother? I don't think you'd have the balls to do it."
Daryl gripped the steering wheel harder, and kept his mouth shut.
"I'd do it." Naomi said outloud, saying her first words since getting in the car.
"What'd you say, you little bitch? You think just cuz yer fucking my brother that means you can speak to me however ya please?" Carl could feel Merle's gaze on the back of his head. "Told ya they were fucking, kid."
Daryl went to say something but Carl spoke up first, "Pull in right here at this motel." Carl said quickly to Daryl.
Once they stopped, Carl was the first one out of the car. He didn't want to face his father, or Shane. He didn't want to see Daryl or Naomi's faces. He didn't want to hear Merle's voice.
This whole rescue mission turned out to be total shit.
Carl didn't realize he'd stopped outside the door until he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up and saw Daryl looking at him with curiosity.
"Thanks for coming back, I told her someone would come back for us.. I'll talk to your old man and try to make him less pissed off than he probably already is."
Carl nodded his head and walked away from Daryl and into the motel. He was about to hear it.
Naomi's cheeks burned. The fact that Merle had suggested her and Daryl were intimate was embarrassing to say the least.. But to say it in front of Carl...
"You gonna help me out of the car or what?" Merle moaned as she was climbing out.
Naomi rolled her eyes. "I think you can do just fine on your own."
"I shoulda told that kid to fuck off when he asked to go back for you, I only went back for my brother, was gonna go either way to get him.. We shoulda just left you to the biters. The kid woulda got over you, hell, he probably already is over you." Merle spat at Naomi.
She went to say something back to him but was startled when Daryl came over and pushed her out of the way.
He helped Merle get out of the van and grabbed his crossbow from the back.
"Thanks, little brother. At least one of ya know how to help the crippled." Merle sneered, glaring at Naomi.
Merle walked away to go inside but Daryl stayed behind, his back facing her.
"I know he's an asshole, but he's still my brother." Daryl said, his voice low and threatening.
"You can't act like his little bitch forever, Daryl."
The words came out before she could stop them, and she immediately regretted saying it.
Daryl whipped around and got up in her face.
"What did you just say to me?! Huh? You're a real piece of work lady! I could have left you for dead! Coulda tracked them all myself and just left you there!"
Naomi stood unmoving, nervous to say or do anything. Afraid of what Daryl might do.. He wouldn't hurt her.. He wouldn't physically hurt her.
"Now how bout you go thank your boyfriend for all the shit he just went through to get your ass back home!" Daryl yelled at her once more and stalked off after his brother.
Today was not her day.
Carl sat in the room his dad and him were sharing. Rick was with Daryl, doing perimeter checks.
He was scolded for doing what he did, but in the end Rick said he was glad he did it, but he shouldn't have gone alone with Merle. Carl hadn't seen Naomi since the car ride back. He was happy for it.
Rick finally came in as Carl was almost asleep.
"I went and saw Naomi, I got her settled in. She seemed upset but claimed she was just tired.. She reminds me of you at times."
Carl released a breath he'd been holding.
"She had a long day."
Rick sighed and sat on his bed.
"Tomorrow were going to scout the area, look for food and supplies, maybe even another place to hold up.. A better place."
Carl closed his eyes and thought back to a time where his mom and dad and him would sit and eat awful pancakes every Sunday morning. He wished his mom was still here but was happy she wouldn't have to see everything that had happened.. Everyone that they lost.
Carl drifted off to sleep and hoped that tomorrow would be a better day.