The Ties That Bind

Chapter 11

Daryl paced back and forth in front of Merle's cabin. It was still early and only a few people were awake. It had been a few days since he had told Merle that he was on board with Merle's warped way of living. Jade was still inside the box. There was someone standing guard on that side of the camp at all times, in fact there were four positions around the camp that were constantly guarded. Daryl felt guilty for so much time passing, leaving Jade confined. Merle had been stuck to Daryl pretty much the whole time, showing him around, almost bragging at his "accomplishments" of the campsite. Daryl hadn't done anything to get Jade out of the box and it was killing him. He was still at a loss of what to do.

"Boy are you going to pace out there all day or what?" Merle was standing in the doorway of his cabin, he turned back around and went inside.

Daryl walked up onto the porch and entered the cabin. Merle had sat back on the couch and was sorting boxes of ammunition on his coffee table. His cabin was set up the same as his. Daryl noticed a trunk in the floor that was open. The trunk appeared to be bolted to the floor. There was a large chain wrapped around the trunk with a heavy duty combination padlock, Daryl realized Merle was using this to keep the trunk locked.

"Damn, where'd all this come from?" Daryl started to look at what the different calibers were.

"Oh just ammo I've picked up along the way and from other people's camps." Merle replied.

Daryl looked over into the trunk "Where are the guns to go with it?"

Merle slammed his fist down on the table knocking over most of the cartridges. "Now look at what you made me do, GOD DAMN IT!"

Merle's yelling had startled Daryl. He didn't understand why he suddenly became so angry. Merle shook his head a moment and regained his composure. He began resorting the calibers again.

"Well…..that's where that bitch Jade comes in. I will admit, I underestimated that girl. She really had me fooled. She's a devilish one…that she is! She was one of the first few people we brought back to the camp. Didn't hardly speak a word, kept to herself, worked hard. She certainly was the last person I would've suspected. We had rounded up some weapons and ammo from the city and took what all they had from Jade's old camp. Jackson, one of the men guarding the perimeter, used to work at an armory so I had him checking all the guns in the rec. hall making sure they were all functioning properly and didn't need cleaning. Luckily I still had the ammo locked up in the trunk here or who knows what would've happened. Jade was fixing dinner in the hall that night while he was in there. I'm not sure what all went on but Walter came running up to the cabin here hollerin' like a madman, he had been watching the south side of the camp near the rec. hall. He had a big gash on the side of his head and was bleeding like a stuck pig. I rushed over to the rec. hall and found Jackson out cold on the floor. A duffle bag and all my guns were gone. I wouldn't have believed it was her if Walter hadn't seen her before she clocked him upside the head. She took off in those woods there and hid them somewhere. We caught up with her about five miles down the road empty handed. Honestly, I'm surprised she hadn't made it further. They are here somewhere. I tell you, we've looked everywhere for them. I don't have any idea where she hid them. But I will get it out of her no matter how long I have to torture her for it. And once I'm done, I'm going to enjoy killin' that bitch!"

Merle stayed focused on sorting the cartridges the whole time he was explaining the story to Daryl. Daryl understood now why Merle was so angry with her. Not only did she betray him in his mind but she stole from him and embarrassed him in front of everyone.

"Walter and Jackson got a good beatin' too once we brought her back. Walter wept like a little girl. Had to teach them they can't let no woman make a fool out of them. No excuse, I tell you no excuse. It's like you can't count on nobody to do nothing right. You have to do everything your damn self. That's why I'm glad you've come around little brother, now at least I know someone can get things done at least half as good as me." Merle stated.

Daryl was trying to process everything as quickly as he could and then he had an idea. He knew it was a risky one but he had to at least try. He hadn't come up with anything else so at this point, he didn't have anything to lose.

"I was thinking Merle…about that…..how long have you had Jade tied up like that?"

Merle looked at Daryl for a moment, "Oh I don't know…let's see here…..probably about two months I supposed."

"TWO MONTHS!" Daryl blurted out, he was stunned it had been that long.

"Yeah…..I will admit, I'm a little impressed with her dedication. I'm not completely heartless with her. She gets the garbage scraps from dinner. I mean, I have to keep her strength up somewhat to make sure she doesn't croak before she gives me what I want. But at some point, she will lose." Merle said.

Daryl bit his lip as his mind was racing. "That's a long time for her to be holdin' out. I have an idea about that….." Daryl felt a lump in his throat, he hoped this worked.

"What's that saying Merle, that old lady neighbor Mrs. Brinkman used to say to us when we would fight with the other kids in the neighborhood? Something about catching more flies with honey? Maybe that's what you need here with Jade. Maybe you're going about it the wrong way."

Merle shot Daryl a dirty look but before Merle could speak Daryl continued on. "Maybe she would respond more if she thought she could trust who was asking the questions. You know, let me have a crack at her. Give me some time with her, I mean more than a day or two, get her to let her guard down and maybe then she'll slip up and tell me where she hid the guns. It's worth a try Merle. I know I can do it."

Merle just stared into Daryl's eyes. Daryl could tell he was trying to read him. Daryl had lied to Merle plenty of times when they were younger to keep from getting an ass kicking before he was strong enough to give him a good fight. Daryl knew how to lie to Merle when he had to. He just had to stay focused.

"And why the hell would you think I would do that?" Merle asked, not looking very keen on the idea.

"For one, she doesn't know me, the most she knows of me is from when we were locked in that room together and the fact that we are brothers. I know if you give me a chance, I can convince her to trust me and get it out of her…I just need some time is all." Daryl looked Merle dead in the eyes waiting for his response.

Daryl felt like Merle had been staring at him forever when Merle finally spoke. "….I'll think about it…in the meantime, I need you to take Earl and the two of you head west, see what all and who all you can find. Raid other camps if you find them. See if you can round up any supplies we can use, tools, weapons and the like. Don't come back empty handed."