AN: These next two chapters were going to be combined but it was waaaay too long so I split them up (they're still long haha) The next update will either be tomorrow or the day after, don't you worry (;
"Why won't you let me love you?" I whisper. I look up at him but his cold stare does not falter.
He leans forward with hot breath that lingers at the edge of my mouth, "I'm afraid."
He places his rough, dry lips on my own. The kiss is not tender like before. While my shaking hands find the skin above his jeans and the cotton hem of his shirt is being twisted in my fingers, his own copy the movement though they are in my hair and at my back and somehow everywhere all at once.
His good hand skims down the front of my body, his thumb hooking under my shirt before retracing its path and pulling it upward. I am tugging the flannel down his biceps and my palms feel muscle flex beneath them. Our shirts are discarded to the floor. His chest is warm against my own. His fingers leave burning trails along my spine, across my collar bones, down my thighs.
Daryl rolls off of me and I involuntarily whine at the sudden shock of cool air that replaces his body heat. His eyes are closed with a hand lazily strewn across his chest and he breathes heavily. I lay staring at him for several minutes until his eyes open and he stares at the ceiling. Hesitantly I edge my fingertip down his arm. Though I notice his face twitches at the contact and let it fall to the hardwood floor once I reach his wrist.
I don't expect him to pull me close and whisper adorations in my ear, but I would be lying if I said his silence didn't hurt me. I reach across him to grab my clothes from the pile we hastily made undressing each other. I slip on my underwear as he starts to do the same. I tug up my jeans and yank my shirt over my head with a surge of anger at his aloofness. But as I push past him to leave there's a sudden, tight grip on my wrist and I am jerked slightly backwards. Daryl's hand moves up above my elbow and from this angle my head is tilted sharply back so that I can look him in the eye. Daryl's eyes are dark as they roam my face and he grips my chin with his other hand.
My anger flickers while he growls down at me "this ain't some one night stand to me, understand?" I nod and his lets go of my chin.
I stare blankly at him but accept that is the closest admitance of feelings I will get. We leave the small room and head towards the sound of Rick's voice. The group is seated among the pews while Rick perches on the alters top step with his hands clasped together under his chin. We slide into the front row next to Carol who cradles a sleeping Judith. I search the room behind us, Matt, Jenna, and their father are not here.
"So?" Rick looks up at us and I raise an eyebrow over at Daryl. We have clearly missed something important.
"We can't just throw them out," Hershel is shaking his head, "Nor should we pretend we don't know about the captives."
"You want us to go get them?" Maggie looks behind at her father incredulously. Glenn turns back as well, "but they eat people!"
"What exactly we decidin' here?" The growl is low beside me and it silences the others.
"You're not deciding anything." Ricks head snaps towards the hallway as Tom and Matt emerge from it, each pointing a gun at Rick and Daryl. Daryls hands itch to his back instictively and he curses under his breath when he realizes he does not have his bow.
"What're you doing?" Hershel stands shakily and Beth tries to pull him back down to sit.
"Nobody's going anywhere," Tom shifts the barrel towards Hershel, motioning for him to sit before turning it back to Rick. "Not yet."
"Not yet?" Rick rises then takes a small step forward but Tom cocks the weapon.
"Daryl," I hiss and my nails dig into the flesh of his forearm. He snarls at the pressure.
"Jenna." I nod toward her. She is standing just behind Matt, peeking around his legs. But what I notice most is the small black box she clutches to her chest.
"What's the kid got?" Daryl is standing now and Matt aims his gun up at his head.
"Is that a radio?" Carol fidgets next to me.
"Tom, what the hell is going on?" Ricks hand slides across his obliques to where his gun is tucked between the waist of his pants.
"It's too late, Rick," the man shakes his head. "I'm sorry I had to do this. But they have my wife." His words drip with anxiety and remorse. I feel no empathy at the moment. He looks like a wild animal.
"Ya said yer wife was dead," My hand clutches at Daryl's trying to keep him from advancing on Matt.
A rumble comes from outside and lights flood the windows. Carol cries out and Maggie runs to the nearest window. "Oh god." She whispers.
With Matt focused on Maggie, Daryl reaches out and rips the gun from him, swinging it hard against the side of his head. Jenna cries out and Judith soon joins with her own screaming. Carol rocks her fiercely.
Tyreese is suddenly crashing through the front door, hands bound and gagged. A tall, lean man pushes him forward and he slides across the hardwood. Sasha scrambles over to him but cowers under the mans intense stare. Rick takes the opportunity to overpower Tom, now having both guns pointed at the doorway. Behind the tall man are several others, wearing standard issued army clothing or generic cargo pants. Some look actual military, others do not.
"I suggest you lower your weapons gentleman," the mans sophisticated voice drawls out through the room as he steps farther in the doorway. "A fire fight with my men would not be in your best interest. Good to see you again, Tom." He nods in the mans direction though he is unconscious on the floor. I've made my way to Jenna and bring her to me, trying to calm her down. She's crying and shaking with fearful eyes fixed on the man.
Daryl moves closer to us, shielding both Jenna and I from the men. I pick her up and she buries her head in the crook of my neck. Several men stream into the room, each grabbing someone. It takes two men to control Hershel. Maggie and Glenn have to be practically dragged out from the room. Tyreese is being hauled to his feet again but the man doesn't take him outside with the others right away. Daryl and Rick are the only others left in the room, and much to the mans displeasure, they haven't lowered their weapons.
He strides over to Rick and gives a sly grin as he examines him. "I expected Dixon here to be volatile, but not you, Sheriff." The way he says it makes my blood turn. He obviously has no qualms about provoking a very capable man yielding two guns pointed directly at his chest. Two men come in and flank Rick, with high power guns. Reluctantly, Rick drops his own, raising his hands in the air. They strike him firmly over the back of the head.
"Rick!" I cry out but Daryl stops me from advancing with a strong arm. The men begin to drag Rick toward the cars outside. The man turns to us and he raises an interested brow at Daryl.
"I've been waiting a long time to meet you, Daryl."
"Come any closer and i'll blow yer brains out, fucker." He extends the gun farther from his body.
"Damn, little brother, when'd ya grow a pair?"
I turn my head sharply to the door but Daryl refuses to look away from the man in front of us, though I notice his shoulders tense and his fingers curl. A bulky man leans against the door fame. His arms are crossed against his chest and one has steel coating starting at the bottom of his elbow. A large knife is fixed on the end of it.
"Son of a bitch," Daryl huffs out as he finally looks in the doorways direction. "Merle."
They don't bother binding our hands, save for Tyreese, who a scout snuck up on before the rest of the cavalry rolled in. We are split between three vehicles except for Rick and Daryl,who were shoved into a large SUV with the man, who called himself the Governor, and Merle.
I am in the truck behind them with Jenna securely at my side. Her brother and Tom were drug into the last of the trucks, still unconscious from their blows to the head. Carol sits on my other side, rocking Judith and cooing in her ear. Judith is sleeping now so the actions are for Carols own nerves. Tyreese is across from us. There is only one armed man in the front while a smaller man drives. Glenn and Maggie are in the last truck with Jenna's family, and Hershel, Beth, Carl, and Sasha are in the truck directly behind us. I don't know how many armed men are with them.
It's roughly an hour drive, and now I am sure that Tom and Matt did not run into the church on accident. They were breathless when I met them on the road, but not exhausted from that long of a run. The scout who jumped Tyreese must have made the trip to the church sometime before that.
The black SUV's brake lights flicker. Then we swing down a right turn and dust kicks up around the cars as we hit a dirt road. It's only a short cut though, and soon we are back on a paved main road. About a mile down the stretch there are several buildings, a gas station, a diner, mom and pop stores, but before we reach them there is a large, chain link fence that surrounds it. This Matt did not lie about, severed walker heads are placed at the top of the fence, lining the length of it. A guard tower looms above it and a man emerges onto the small catwalk before its glides easily open.
We drive further into the community and soon small residential houses come into view, with blood trails coming from the entrances, just as Matt had described. The SUV rolls to a stop in front of a small inn and Daryl and Rick are being thrown out of the car. Our own vehicle slows to halt.
"Get out," the soldier gruffs and Carol and I obediently take the two girls and climb out the back. The man that was riding in the SUV has his gun trained on both Daryl and Rick, just as our guard has on us. We walk towards the lawn and stand beside them in the freshly cut grass. Glenn and Maggie join us, as do the occupants of the second car. By now Tom and Matt are awake and Jenna streams toward them, connecting solidly to Matts legs.
Tom steps toward the Governor, Merle raises his eyes at the gesture and I know that this will not end well for the man. "Where's my wife? I did what you wanted. Now give her to me!"
The Governor merely stares at him, showing no inclination to answer his question, nor to give him his wife. When he turns to instruct Merle, Tom grabs his shoulder roughly. The man pauses at the contact and places his own hand on top of Tom's before gripping it and twisting his arm back so that he sinks to the ground in pain.
"You do not make demands here, Tom."
He whimpers and the Governor releases him. Turning to us, he regards Rick with a bored expression. "Now, I have a proposal for you."
"I'm listening."
"As you are well aware," he shoots a threatening look down at Tom, "our food supply is beginning to run a little low."
"And?" Rick sounds impatient.
"And," he smiles, "you have a hunter. He also happens to be kin to my right hand man." Daryl growls at the acknowledgment and I shrink behind him as the Governors attention moves in our direction. "I'm offering a trade. Merles brother, the women and children, for your lives."
"You expect me to agree to that?" Ricks head cocks to the side and he steps closer to the man. All reservations clearly gone with the request.
"Well, in all honesty," he opens his hands in a sweeping gesture to his men, "you don't really have a choice."
"No," Rick shakes his head, "Absolutely not."
The Governors grin doesn't stray from his face as he pulls his gun from its holster and shoots Tom directly between the eyes, without so much as a glance. Jenna shrieks and Matt yelps. "You're down to five men leaving with you, want to make it four?" He moves his aim to Glenn who pales almost instantly.
"Who said I'm stayin'?" Daryl spits out at him in an effort to advert the Governors attention.
"Don't mind him, Gov." Merle shoots Daryl a look but Daryl doesn't cower back.
"I ain't stayin.'" He gives a throaty growl.
"Don't be a bitch 'bout this, Bro. I'm tryna save yer sorry ass here!" Merle has Daryl by the arm but he yanks it lose before pushing him back.
"Don't touch me! What the fucks the matter with ya? What're ya bein' this guys bitch for? Followin' him 'round like some fuckin' lap dog!" The Governor watches their exchange with mild amusement.
"At least he didn't leave me chained to the top of a fuckin' buildin' in Atlanta! No, couldn't even spare the time to go get Merle, now could you?" Malice flashes through his eyes, eyes identical to Daryl's.
"I went back for ya," he shoves him again, this time more gentle. "We went back for ya!" His eyes are pleading towards Merle, the first I've ever seen the expression on his face. Merle pauses but he doesn't seem to believe him.
"You don't give a shit 'bout me no more! Got a boyfriend," he points at Rick, "and then yer bitch," now he points at me. I take a step back not wanting him to come near me. "And you know what little brother? She's gunna be the first one we all have a go at. I'll take her-" Daryl tackles him to the ground before wailing on his face. Merle head butts him and rolls them over but Daryl scrambles out from under him, he may be smaller than his brother but he is also quicker.
With the commotion, Matt scooped up Jenna in his arms and took off towards the gates. He was at least two hundred yards from the group when the soldiers realized he was gone, a few took off after him. Rick takes the opportunity to punch one man in the face, while Glenn attacks another. It was like fire was set, we knew it was do or die. I move to help Maggie but Rick grabs me first.
He pulls my neck so that our faces are inches apart, "get my children out of here." I swallow heavily and nod before sprinting past him. Carol and Beth have a man on the ground while Carl has Judith pressed to him on his left side and grabs at the mans pistol. I scoop up the baby and grab Carls arm pulling him behind me, he simultaneously grabs onto Beth. Though we are slower hooked together like this I am afraid if one of them is let go, I will lose them.
Before we can get close enough, a man up in the watch tower has started to close the front gate. He sees us and nudges the soldier next to him, pointing in our direction. I make a quick right and we disappear behind a low building but I can hear his thick boots clamoring down the iron stairs.
"Over there!" Beth starts to drag us towards a large warehouse type of building and we slide in the slightly ajar door. When we are inside I head deep into corner of the building and shove Carl and Beth behind storage crates, ensuring that even if the flood lights are turned on, no one will see them. I hesitate to leave Judith with them.
"Don't move from this spot. Understand?" Beths eyes widen and Carl glares at me.
"You're leaving us?" Beth seems almost hysterical as I shove the hidden knife from my boot at her.
"I want to help!" Carl is pulling out his gun but I shove him back into the corner.
"Carl you need to stay here and protect Beth, okay? I need to go find us a way out and I'll be faster by myself."
"You can't tell me what to do!" He steps toward me defiantly but he still only comes to my nose.
I kneel slightly and grab his neck just as his father had grabbed mine, "Beth needs you, Carl." He chances a look at her shaking form but I pull his focus back to me. "I need you. I need you to stay here, okay?"
"What about Judith?"
I look down at her, her brown eyes lazily looking up at me before her head lulls over and coos at her older brother. He reaches for his baby sister and reluctantly I let her go to him. She has yet to cry but I don't know how long it will last.
"If she crys-" he cuts me off and says that they can handle it and crawls back to where Beth is. With one arm curled around his baby sister the other snakes over Beth's shoulders and pulls her to him.
"If anyone other than our group comes near you, consider them a walker." He nods again.
"I'll be right back, I promise."
"Go," he urges.
I turn from them and head towards the front of the warehouse. I sprint out across the small dirt alley and back around the other side. When I get back to the guard tower the two men are gone. When I make sure there isn't anyone paying attention I sprint up the stairs trying to remain as silent as possible. When I get inside there are a dozen controls. The first lever does nothing while the second and third merely turn off the lights and security cameras. I turn both back on and try another one of the opposite side of the board. This one controls the gate and I hear a soft creak from down below. I peek my head out the window and the gate is sliding slowly open. My instant relief is short lived when I hear rapid gun fire. It's too far away to be an immediate threat to Carl and the two girls. Regardless, I haul back to the warehouse and when I round the corner to where they are hiding, the barrel of a gun is staring me down.
"I almost shot you," he breathes out.
"Good," I give him a strained smile and pick up Judith out of Beth's arms. She seems more relaxed than before and I grab her hand. "The gates open, lets go."
Thankfully none of the soldiers have noticed its no longer shut and I take them straight to it. I slow down and crouch beside Beth and Carl. I hand Judith over to Beth and she clutches her close to her chest.
"I want to go with you. I have to find my dad." Carl looks at me with conviction but I can see fear in his eyes.
"You can't." I shake my head at him. Before he interrupts I continue, "Carl, if no one else makes it out you're going to be the only one left to look after your sister. Take her and Beth and get as far away from here as possible. Don't you dare go back towards the church, understand?"
"How will you find us?" Beth cries out as Carl nods at me and grabs her hand already pulling her away.
I don't have the heart to tell her that we probably won't. When they have disappeared into the woods I run back to where I heard the gun shots. To where I know Daryl will be.
I keep close to the buildings and try to stay in the shadows. The sun may be setting but there isn't enough darkness to go completely unnoticed. My knife is clutched so tightly my knuckles are white but if I loosen my grip I am sure I will drop it from the nervous shaking of my bones. I am about to cross in front of the first house in the line of residences when I hear something from the second story.
"Psst!" I look up and I see a hand waving out through the air. I freeze where I am when I hear more gun fire, this time much closer. I take my chances with whoever is in the building and slip in quickly. I reach the stairs but they creak loudly with each step. I am half way up when there is shuffling at the landing and two shadows pass from the doorway.
"Easton?"
"Maggie?" I hiss back and then Glenn is poking his head out at me. I rush up to them and throw my arms around him in relief.
"Where have you been?" Maggie pulls me back into the bedroom and I see Carol huddled in the corner by the window. She has her gun's barrel resting on the ledge of it and is starring intently outside.
"I got the kids out."
"Like out out?" Glenn's face seems hopeful and Maggie hugs me tightly when I tell her that Beth is with them.
"Where's everyone else?"
Carol turns from the window and bobs her head at the building across the street. "Hershel is over there with Sasha. It's too risky to chance him coming over here. Rick and Daryl took off the opposite way from us. I don't know where Tyreese is."
I move to stand by the window and see Sasha in the one across street, ground level. She too has her gun propped up in the window. "We need to get Hershel and Sasha out of there. Carol?" Glenn says from behind me.
"Yeah?"
"Do you see that car right there?"
There is a military style jeep down below with a camouflage print top cover. Carol nods and already understands. She turns out to Sasha and waves her arms about to get her attention. She points at herself then directly to the jeep. Sasha follows her arms movement and seems to grasp the plan.
"Carol I sent the kids into the woods off to the right of the gate but I don't think theres a road that runs the way they went."
"Daryl will be able to track them once we get out of here." Maggie says it firmly, like there is no other outcome to this situation. I hope she is right.
Carol leaves us and we hear, after a breathless few minutes, the roar of the car engine. Hershel busts through the door though he hobbles slowly to the car. Sasha is directly behind him and the jeep speeds off down the road.
"So what now?" I turn to Glenn and he looks expectantly at Maggie who shrugs her shoulders and winces. I pace past them and wait by the door.
"We need to find Rick."
"I bet if we find Rick we find Daryl and Tyreese." Maggie states.
"We also find the cannibals." I say grimly.
As I turn to head down the stairs, I come face to face with a tan man with bright green eyes. Before I can react the butt of a gun barrels toward me and cracks against my temple. The room goes black.
AN: Btw I'm thinking about starting another twd fic about Carl and I want it to be dark and depressing as hell. It'll follow canon from the TV series and pick up 3 or 4 years after it. I made a quick little summary that i'll most likely use (;
Carl could still hear the Governor's voice in his head, calling him a coward, dragging him further down a road he knew there was no coming back from. He coiled the knife tighter into his palm as he entered the sleeping quarters. He didn't loosen his grip until he slit every last one of their throats.
Let me know if that would be something you're interested in!