Chapter 11.
A van disappeared in a cloud of dust.
Carol and Daryl were left alone on the road. Governor's men have freed their hands and feet and removed hoods from their faces.
Just before they left Martinez had given back Daryl's crossbow.
"Take this, man. You'll need it soon enough. Please don't put arrow on my back while we are leaving. I had nothing to do with this shitty plan of his."
"Trust me, a lot worse could've happened. You both are alive and in one piece, aren't you? He has had his fun with you two now."
Daryl didn't answer him. He just took his bow and watched them driving away. Then he turned his back to Carol and started walking towards the prison nearby.
She stepped to him rapidly and touched his arm.
"Wait! Please, Daryl, we have to talk about this. We should be happy, shouldn't we? He really let us go."
The hunter freeze. Very slowly he turned to Carol. His face was grave.
"Don't you get it? He let us go just to humiliate me even more. He wants me to go on living knowing what happened. Knowing what he witnessed. Knowing what he did to you."
"Who cares? We are still alive, aren't we? Please don't let him get into your head."
The hunter looked at her head to toe.
"I don't see any bruises or contusions on you. Just love bites. Didn't you fight back even just a little?"
"Don't say that! He said he would feed you to the walkers if I didn't play along. I did it because of you. Because I love you."
"You really don't get it, do you? That only makes it worse", Daryl said bitterly, turned his back and started pacing forward.
Carol fell on her knees on the road sobbing.
…
"What's wrong with Daryl?" Rick asked from Carol with serious face.
"Go on, tell me. I have to know these things. He is danger to himself now and I really need to know why."
It had been two weeks since they returned to the prison. It was now obvious to everyone in the group that relationship between Carol and Daryl had changed. And not in a good way. The hunter kept avoiding her. He took double shifts up in the watchtowers. He volunteered for the most dangerous runs. He disappeared in the woods in order to hunt but came back empty handed. There was new rage in him just beneath the surface. It was like a black cloud over his head. Carol had tried to talk to him, but every time he had turned her away angrily.
Carol's hickeys had faded. She was more quiet now than ever before and spent most of her time with the children. Somehow they gave her comfort.
Hershel had taken care of her external wounds. Carol didn't explain anything to him, but she knew that the old man could read her like an open book. He was also wise enough not to say much.
He just touched one of the bite marks lightly.
"This is so deep that it will never fully heal. You'll carry a scar. I'm sorry."
Carol just nodded and looked away.
Just after their return Carol and Daryl had given Rick and the council a short version about what had happened. The Governor had returned. He had snatched them and kept them in custody in unknown location for two days. And then he had let them go. Everybody should be even more careful in the woods from now on. End of story.
But Rick was no fool. He kept on watching them worried. And finally today he had asked Carol to join him in this private meeting in the library of the prison.
And now he wanted answers.
Carol inhaled and looked at her own hands on the table. Then she finally let go. She started slow, voice trembling. She described the circumstances and the situations.
She left nothing out. Not even the heat and the tenderness of their hurried lovemaking.
God, how far it seemed now.
Rick didn't interrupt her not once. He just listened. Carol realized how much she appreciated this man. He also had lost a lot, and yet he kept carrying them all.
As she spoke expression on Rick's face turned from worried to horrified.
When she finally finished, he evaded the table, bowed and hugged her tight. He had only one thing to say.
"I have to talk to Daryl."