Daryl held her and let her cry, but only for a moment. Carol was thankful that he interrupted her moment of pity though - sitting around crying wasn't going to help their friends. "Come on, we have to do something," Daryl nudged her. So as not to seem apathetic he quickly wiped the tears from her cheeks and held her face while he spoke, looking directly into her eyes. "How many rounds do you have?" Daryl asked.
"Uh... Well, the magazine was full, 30 rounds less the shots yesterday. And I have one more in my back pack, so... Just shy of 60 rounds," Carol replied.
"Perfect, and I have 8 or 9 bolts," he said, encouraging her to stand and help him up. "We make every shot count and that's almost 70 less walkers they have to contend with."
Carol was so glad he was with her. Had she been alone Carol knew it would have taken her a lot more time to realize what Daryl just did. Any little bit they could do to help had to be done. 60 to 70 less walkers pushing on the fence could buy so much precious time for those on the other side.
Carol flipped open the glass window then grabbed her rifle. She got into position with Daryl right beside her. "I'll start working on the ones at the fence, further away. You take out the close ones and maybe I can get some of your bolts back later on," Carol said, her mind focussed on the task at hand.
Daryl didn't argue or even hesitate. Before Carol could even fire a round he had already dropped his first walker. Carol lined up each target carefully in her scope. Make every shot count, she repeated in her head. She soon realized if she picked the right angle there were times she could actually take out a couple walkers with a single shot, being they were so densely packed against the wall. But she also had to be careful to aim at an angle where the bullet wouldn't continue right through the fence. It was a delicate balance but to the best of her knowledge there was only one shot from the first clip that missed.
Before scrambling for the second magazine Carol surveyed the scene. The fence was down in one spot and Walkers were pushing inside, but they were entering slowly, as bodies piled up from her work, Daryl's help and those on the inside. Carol could see a lot of people near the breach and was relieved they all had automatic weapons and were firing rapidly. She knew many of those holding guns had likely never fired a rifle before. There would be a lot of wasted ammo, but she would trade all of it to save just one of her friends.
Carol went through about half the remaining rounds, dropping at least 15 more walkers before she shoved the rifle at Daryl and pulled her knife out of its sheath. "Cover me, I'm gonna get some of your bolts back now." She ignored his protests and flew out the door, knowing he would have no choice but to do as she asked. Daryl couldn't go after her so he would have to settle with protecting her from above.
She had scanned the area and knew where at least 6 bolts were. They were close and the majority of the walkers were farther away near the fence. Carol had her knife ready as she rushed down the steps. She lunged and took down a walker that was in her path to the first bolt, stabbing it in the head and withdrawing her knife as it fell. Carol charged for the bolt, put a foot on the dead carcass and pulled it out. She was able to retrieve 3 more before Daryl had to take his first shot.
Carol counted his shots as she gathered all the bolts she could find. When he was up to 10 she decided it was time to head back to safety. She looked at the steps and saw 4 walkers blocking her path, she needed to draw them away and circle around. "Hey," she yelled. The sound of her voice made them start immediately in her direction. Carol stabbed the first and Daryl got another from above. She struck again, but after burying the knife in the walkers head she lost her grip and couldn't pull it back out.
The walker fell taking her weapon with it. Carol was about to make a run for it when she felt something grab her. Immediately she heard a shot. Daryl's aim was true, but as the walker fell to the ground the heavy body took her down with it. Carol was face first on the ground, the dead carcass pinning her, and the last walker still lumbering towards her, snarling hungrily.
She wondered why Daryl wasn't shooting and realized he couldn't. The angle from the tower wouldn't allow him to hit the target. The only way he could do it was to get to the steps. "Fuck," Carol muttered. It was the last walker between her and safety. There was no way she was going to die like that, so close. With a grunt she heaved the body off her back and flipped herself over, holding the handful of bolts she had collected up, as the walker attacked. Carol lifted her foot, catching the walker in the midsection, keeping the snapping teeth away from her body. It was twisting and struggling, reaching for her. Finally Carol said a silent prayer, braced herself and let the walker fall. She had both hands on the bolts holding them steady as they pierced the disgusting creature in the face.
Carol didn't waste any time shoving it off and getting up. She ripped the bolts from the walker's head and ran for the stairs. Another walker was approaching but Carol heard a shot and it fell. She looked up to see Daryl at the landing of the steps, waiting for her. Carol raced to the top into his arms.
Daryl yanked her inside and slammed the door shut. "That is not fucking happening again," he hissed, pulling her tight and holding her against him desperately.
When Daryl finally released her she held out 7 bolts. "At least I got these," she said smiling. "But remind me to get my damn knife when we get out of here."
There were only a few rounds left in her gun so Carol moved back into position and did what she could, while Daryl quickly fired off the bolts she had just retrieved. They were gone again, far quicker than it took her to get them. But surveying the scene Carol realized they were definitely making headway.
Abraham and several others from the expansion camp had returned and were parked in an army jeep, firing from outside the gates. It wasn't long before the sound of gunfire started to slow and eventually stopped. "Oh my God, I think we did it," Carol said, tears brimming in her eyes again, for a very different reason. She reached her arms around Daryl. "I just hope everyone inside is okay." The situation had looked completely hopeless earlier, but somehow they had survived it and only one major fence was down. It could be repaired quickly and easily. But what had gone on inside? Was everyone okay? Carol needed to know.
"Come on, let's get out of here," she said, handing Daryl his pack and slinging hers over her shoulder with the rifle. She took his arm and they made their way out of the tower slowly. Daryl had hurt himself getting to the stairs alone earlier, but he was trying to pretend he was fine. Carol knew better. She made him wait by the tower while she found all of his bolts and her knife and gathered them.
The walk back to the gates was slow. Carol was getting more and more nervous the closer they got. Glenn… Maggie… Rick… Carl… Judith… Michonne… first and foremost they were the most important to her. These were the people she had been with, almost since the start. They were her true family. Abraham, Eugene, Rosita and Tara…. They were new, but she loved them too and Carol prayed they were all okay.
Glenn met them at the gate. He looked terrible – terrified and exhausted. "Oh God," Carol gasped, immediately knowing something bad had happened. "Maggie?" Glenn shook his head and Carol sighed with relief, moving to hug him.
"Carl," Glenn said softly.
"Oh God no…" Carol sobbed. "Is he… Is he?" She felt Daryl's comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Stray bullet got him in the eye. He's in surgery with Denise, right now," Glenn explained. "We don't know a thing. Maggie has Judith and Michonne is trying to calm Rick down." He paused. "It's a fucking mess… Douglas' wife is dead… He's going insane. Rick is with Carl… we have no leader… people don't know what to do…"
"I got this," Carol said confidently. Glenn looked surprised when she whistled loudly and waved everyone over. She started to bark out orders in a commanding tone that surprised even herself. Carol set a crew to work on the fence first, it was the priority. They needed to make sure if more walkers came they couldn't get in. Next she sent a group to gather all their people who had died in the attack and sent more to start digging graves. Carol asked Father Gabriel to start planning a memorial service for all those they had lost. Those that were left were gathering walker bodies to start burning.
"Wow," Daryl said quietly, when everyone was dispersed and working. "I'm impressed."
Carol finally took a deep breath. "Just doing what needed to be done."
Daryl nodded. "So what do you need me to do?" he asked.
"Go to Rick," she said gently. "Give Michonne a break. He needs you."
Daryl nodded again. "And where are you going?"
Carol smiled at him. "Someone needs to supervise."
By the time darkness fell things were starting to return to normal, even though a sadness hung over them all. Fortunately Carol hadn't lost anyone close to her, but others had. Carl survived the surgery and though he would lose his eye, the bullet had missed his brain. He was unconscious, but Denise seemed positive about him making a full recovery.
Carol knew the next day was going to be rough. They would all be attending the memorial for the 8 people they lost. She was completely exhausted as she climbed the stairs to her room. Technically it was Daryl's room she was headed for, but after everything that had happened, she was pretty sure she would never be sleeping in "her room."
Carol felt absolutely disgusting. She was covered in dirt, sweat and walker blood and needed a shower, badly. Daryl wasn't in their room, so Carol assumed he was still with Rick. Glenn and Maggie were home, likely fast asleep after such a horrible day. Carol grabbed her nightgown and clean panties and headed into the bathroom to wash up.
She turned on the water and stripped off her clothes, then stepped into the spray, pulling the curtain closed behind her. Carol closed her eyes and put her face into the water. She sighed, staying like that for a long time. It felt amazing. "Oh," she gasped in surprise feeling someone's arms wrapping around her. Carol instinctively leaned back against him. She knew just by the feel whose arms were around her.
Carol didn't care that they were both naked in each other's arms for the first time. She wasn't the least bit nervous or self-conscious. Daryl wasn't there to make her uncomfortable. And he certainly wasn't there to fuck her. He needed her just as much as she needed him. Carol knew he simply wanted to be close to her. She knew because it's exactly what she needed too.
