Hello lovely readers! Bit of a long chapter so I hope you don't get bored! Lol. I might not write the next chapter until the last two episodes of season 3 have aired. I have two directions I could go in with my story and want to see how it plays out in the show first. So please come back for the next chapter! It will appear eventually, I promise!
"We should probably get back before people start lookin' for us," Daryl murmured as he ran his fingers down her naked back.
Emily nuzzled her face further into his chest where she lay and groaned. "Do we have to?"
"Yeah," he said grudgingly and began to sit up. "We'll be headin' for Woodbury soon."
She frowned as she collected her clothes from where they were scattered around the garage floor. She would feel much better about the whole situation if she could go with them. Staying at the prison, waiting for Daryl to return was going to drive her crazy.
"Are you sure I can't..."
"No," he interrupted, already knowing what she was about to ask. "You're no good to us with a busted shoulder. Believe me, I'd feel happier with you fightin' beside me but I can't watch your back the whole time."
"You'd want me there?" she asked.
"Hell yeah. You're pretty badass!" he chuckled.
Emily found the remains of her tank top. She slipped it on to her arms and managed to tie the ripped sides together around her bust to hide her bra.
"How am I going to explain this?"
"You tell me," he replied, fastening the only remaining button on his shirt. "Walker attack?"
They stepped back out into the Georgia heat, squinting as their eyes adjusted to the brightness. Oscar was by the Hyundai, loading the trunk ready for their trip. He turned around as he heard them approach and smiled knowingly.
"Have an accident?" he teased, pointing at their dishevelled appearance.
"Shut up," Daryl mumbled in embarrassment and headed towards the prison entrance. Emily smiled at Oscar apologetically and followed.
C block was seemingly deserted when they returned so they quickly headed toward their respective backpacks to find a change of clothing. Just as they thought they'd gotten away with it, Carol emerged from her cell with the baby in her arms.
"Daryl! I was wondering where you..." She stopped as her eyes scanned the couple's ripped clothing before looking away. "Rick wants you to leave soon. I'll see you outside." She turned and walked away, a hurt expression on her face. As Emily changed into a new top she tried to ignore the pangs of guilt that were nibbling at her conscience. She believed Daryl when he said that nothing had ever happened with Carol so there was no reason for her to feel guilty.
After pulling her long hair back into a messy ponytail, she wandered back to the prison yard. Daryl was helping Oscar whilst Rick had taken Carl aside for a fatherly talk. Carol was rocking the baby and occasionally glancing at Daryl. He noticed and approached, his words just about audible to Emily who was standing a few meters away.
"Stay safe," he said kindly.
Carol smiled. "Nine lives, remember?" She smiled tenderly as he left but the smile soon disappeared and sorrow filled her eyes when she saw him make his way toward Emily.
"Promise me you'll stay here 'til I get back?" he said gently. She felt his hand subtly envelop hers and looked into his concerned blue eyes.
"Only if I get a goodbye kiss!" she responded cheekily.
Suddenly she could feel her heart pounding in her chest. It was meant as a joke but she knew that if Daryl took it as a serious ultimatum she was in dangerous territory. She risked pushing him away and instantly wished she could take it back.
"Here?" he asked, peering around at the rest of the group.
She nodded nervously, convinced he was about to walk away so was pleasantly surprised when he looked into her green eyes and lowered his lips to hers. She snaked her arms around his neck, too lost in him to care if everyone was watching.
Daryl broke away and rested his forehead against hers for a moment before kissing it tenderly and stepping away.
"If you're not back by breakfast I'm coming after you," Emily warned him.
"I'll be back," he smiled. "I promise."
Carol's eyes followed him as he headed for the Hyundai and climbed in but Emily couldn't care less. She was on cloud nine after that public kiss and hoped it meant the start of something more meaningful upon his return.
Beth opened the prison gates and they all watched as the car drove away. Emily remained watching until it disappeared from sight and then turned to follow the others back inside. The mood was somber and no-one spoke whilst they busied themselves with tasks that seemed meaningless compared to what Rick, Daryl, Oscar and Michonne were attempting. Carol was doing some laundry, Axel and Carl were on watch, Hershel was resting and Beth was feeding the baby, which had been named Judith by Carl. Emily had offered to help Carol, but had been dismissed with a curt "no thank you" and so decided to go hunting. There was a decent supply of canned goods in the prison but they could all use some extra protein.
She grabbed her machete, shotgun and extra shells from her cell and headed for the door.
"Where are you goin'?" Beth asked, a confused look on her face.
"Hunting. I won't be gone long."
Carol had obviously heard their conversation and wandered over. "You shouldn't go alone. Not without back up."
"Well does someone want to come with me?"
Her question was met with blank stares.
"Didn't think so," she said with a friendly smile. "I'll be fine alone, really."
"It's not safe out there," Carol insisted with a look of annoyance on her face.
Emily sighed, exasperated. "Does Daryl always have back up when he goes hunting?"
"No," Carol admitted. "But Daryl's an experienced hunter and can take care of himself."
Her words were like a red rag to a bull for Emily, who had grown sick of people constantly underestimating her because she was a woman. Did Carol really think that a woman's job was to cook and clean and do laundry? Just because she was happy to freeload and take on the role of helpless female, it didn't mean Emily had to follow suit.
"No offence Carol, but you know nothing about me. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I've been doing it for the last nine months and I'm still standing. Plus," she said pointedly, "I want to contribute."
They stared at each other coolly before Carol eventually murmured "fine," and went back to folding laundry.
Emily exhaled slowly to calm herself and spotted Beth watching her nervously.
"You will be careful, won't you?" the girl asked sweetly.
Emily smiled. "Of course. I'll see you later." She strode out into the afternoon sunshine and headed for the fence.
It was dusk when she returned to the prison with a possum and three squirrels. It wasn't much, but the hunt had helped take her mind off of Daryl being gone. She'd dodged most of the walkers she spotted and had only had to take down two, which she managed to do with just her machete so as not to draw attention to her whereabouts.
As she crossed the prison yard her eyes darted around, looking for the Hyundai despite knowing it was far too early to expect them back. It was going to be a long worry-filled night, she thought as she entered C Block.
"Emily!" Beth greeted her with a surprised smile. The rest of the group turned and made their way over to welcome her back and inspect her kill, which she'd dumped in a pile on the floor.
"It's not much," she said apologetically.
Hershel smiled. "Nonsense. You've done well. We're all appreciative." He placed a hand on her shoulder and looked at her with concern. "Did you run into any trouble? Are you hurt at all?"
She squeezed his hand in reassurance. "I'm fine. Not a scratch on me."
"Make sure you drink some water. You were gone a while and I don't want you getting dehydrated."
Emily thanked him and grabbed a bottle of water before retiring to her cell to lie down. Hershel's kind manner reminded her of her father and she was suddenly hit by a wave of guilt as she realised her attempt to get back to him had been sidelined by her desire to be with Daryl. She rubbed her eyes in an attempt to stop the tears that were threatening to spill onto her cheeks but it was useless. She turned over and buried her face in the musty pillow and allowed herself to cry.
"Are you okay?"
She lifted her wet face from the pillow and turned to see Carol standing awkwardly in the doorway.
Emily didn't trust her voice not to waver so just nodded in response and wiped the tears away with the back of her hand.
"Can I come in?" Carol asked timidly.
After pausing for a few seconds in shock, Emily nodded again and sat up to make room for Carol on the bed. The older woman took a seat and after a moment's awkward silence turned to Emily and spoke.
"Are you worried about Daryl?"
"Yes," she answered truthfully. "But I know he'll be okay."
"Then why the tears?" Carol looked at her with compassion.
Emily paused, thrown by the genuine concern she was getting from a woman who had been shooting daggers at her since they first met. "I'm supposed to be making my way to my father in New York," she said eventually, "but now..."
Carol nodded and looked away, understanding that Emily was tempted to stay in Georgia with Daryl. The awkward silence returned for a minute.
"Daryl's a good man," Carol said, turning back to Emily. "One of the few good men left. He deserves to be happy." She smiled sadly and took Emily's hand. "All I ask is that if you decide to go to your father, go soon before you break his heart."
Emily nodded her agreement and the two women looked at each other with a new understanding before Carol stood to leave.
"I should make a start on dinner. Thank you for the meat."
"You're welcome," Emily replied. "Can I help?"
"Sure."
They smiled at each other and made their way back to the group.
"Finally got Judith to sleep," Hershel said as he made his way over to Beth and Carl who were sat on the stairs. Emily was doing crunches on the cool floor next to them, still determined to keep herself occupied until the others got back.
"How are we with formula?" Carl asked.
"We have enough to last us another month."
"I'll take Carol for some more at the end of the week."
"Your dad and the others will be back by then," Hershel reminded him gently.
"We don't know that," the boy said, his matter of fact response causing Emily to stop her workout. This kid had been through so much, no wonder he feared the worst. "Right now Judith is the only family I got."
The sudden sound of screaming in the far distance caused them all to stop suddenly in shock. Emily sat bolt upright, her ears straining to hear more.
"What was that," said Beth nervously.
"That was from inside," Hershel observed.
Emily stood. "Are you sure?"
"Was it Carol?" Carl demanded.
Hershel shook his head. "She's out keeping watch in the guard tower with Axel."
Beth began to panic. "What if they came back in for something? What if they're in trouble?"
"Lets check the tower, see if they're there," Hershel reasoned.
Emily grabbed her machete and gun. "I'll go check the tower."
Hershel nodded and she ran out into the darkness.
Emily rushed back towards C Block, the sound of crickets being the only thing now audible. Carol and Axel were safe in the guard tower and she had managed to persuade them to stay out there while she returned to investigate. They still needed people on watch.
When she ran back inside she was shocked to see four strangers and a body on the floor. Immediately she raised her shotgun, unsure of what was happening. One of the group, a tall black guy, was knelt beside the body with a hammer in his hand, ready to deal the final blow. He looked up, noticing her, and raised his hands when he saw the gun.
"Emily, it's okay," Carl reassured her. "They were being attacked in the tombs. Come through to the cells."
She glanced from the strangers to Carl and back again before slowly edging her way to the doorway, only lowering her gun when they were out of sight.
"What the fuck is going on?" she asked Beth. "Why is that body here? They'd better take care of it right now before I do it myself."
The sound of the door clanging shut startled Emily and she spun round to see Carl locking it, keeping the strangers separated.
"Hey, what are you doing?" the woman asked.
The black guy spoke next. "Kid did you just lock us in here?"
"Open the door," the woman demanded.
"This room is secure. You'll be safe. You have food and water."
Emily had to admire the kid. It took balls to stand up to a group of adults. The woman approached the barred door and glared at Carl.
"Open this door."
"Can't," he replied simply.
She pleaded with him. "Oh come on man, we're not animals. Don't do this!"
When he didn't reply she kicked the door in anger and frustration and Emily felt Beth flinch beside her. She grasped the girl's hand and squeezed it reassuringly.
"Hey you can't just leave us in here! Open this door!"
Carl stared at her impassively.
"OPEN IT NOW!"
"Sasha!" her friend said, approaching her. "Back away from the door and let the man go."
She obeyed his command and retreated back from the door. This guy was obviously their leader.
"Look around you," he reasoned with her. "This is the best we've had in weeks. His house." He gestured to the body. "We've got other things to do."
Having pacified the woman, he turned back to Carl. "We don't want any trouble."
Carl nodded and the couple turned back to the rest of their group.
"Shouldn't we help them?" Beth asked Carl.
"I did," he replied.
Once more this kid astounded Emily with his maturity and she watched him retire to his cell for the night with nothing but admiration. She wandered down to her own cell and decided to try to get some sleep before it was her turn to keep watch with Hershel. She threw herself down on to the bed and closed her eyes, but thoughts of Daryl soon invaded her mind and she realised sleep would not come easily tonight.
After a night of guard duty and more broken sleep, Emily finally woke to see the sun streaming in through the bars. Her heart sank and she felt sick when she realised the others hadn't returned. Daryl would have woken her if he was back. She stood and stretched her legs which were aching from her workout yesterday. She changed into a clean shirt and some jeans and wandered out of her cell to see Carol sitting on the stairs with Judith.
"Morning," Carol said with a small smile.
"They're not back then," Emily said, more of a statement than a question.
"Not yet. They'll be back soon though," Carol reassured her. "Have faith."
Emily tried to return the smile but couldn't quite manage it. She had a horrible feeling that something had gone wrong.
She was too nervous to eat breakfast with the others and barely listened as Hershel and Beth chatted with the newcomers. Her mind was too pre-occupied with thoughts of Daryl and what could have happened to him and the others. She suddenly jumped up and ran to grab her weapons before heading for the door.
"Where are you going?" Hershel asked, stopping her by barricading the door with one of his crutches.
"I told Daryl if he wasn't back by morning I'd go after him. What if they're in trouble? What if..."
"Woah, slow down," he interrupted calmly. "I know you're worried but running off alone won't help matters. You don't even know where this Woodbury place is."
"I need to do something," she pleaded with him. "I can't just sit here waiting."
"Why don't you go down to the gates to join Carol and Carl? Keep watch?"
She considered his proposal and eventually nodded. "But if they're not back by lunchtime I'm going," she warned him.
"Fair enough," he said, accepting her deal.
She enjoyed the feel of the sun on her skin as she walked down to where Carl and Carol were standing by the gates.
"Is it okay if I wait with you?" she asked.
"Sure," Carol replied. "We were just reminiscing about noise pollution!"
Emily laughed, pleased to have something to take her mind off of Daryl.
The sound of a car was heard in the distance and they all stared at the road hopefully.
"Please be them..." Carl murmured.
As the Hyundai drew closer Emily smiled and felt all the tension drain out of her shoulders. They were back.
Carol opened the gates to allow the car in and Rick jumped out immediately to hug Carl. Emily peered through the windows looking for Daryl but it was difficult to see in.
"Drop them off, I'll meet you there," Rick ordered and the car sped off towards the prison leaving Emily disappointed and worried that Daryl was injured. Why else would he have stayed in the car?
"Where's Hershel," Rick asked Carl.
"He's in the cell block."
"Where's Daryl?" Carol asked. She too had been looking in the car and Emily now realised it was for the same reason.
He approached Carol and rested his hand on her shoulder. "It's alright, he's alive. He ran into his brother...they went off."
Carol looked shell-shocked and her reply came in a whisper. "They left?"
Emily saw Rick nod and suddenly the world felt as though it was spinning as dizziness overwhelmed her. She sat down hard on the dusty ground, unable to take in the news. She vaguely heard Carol crying and asking Rick if he was coming back but was too shocked to speak.
Daryl was gone.
To be continued...
