Thanks for all of the support for this week guys! Class was cancelled on Monday so I had this done early. The classes are literally the BEST! I understand 3 chapters of equations and shit within one day! I have large confidence about passing this class! Enjoy!
It had just occurred to her what Angela had attempted to do. What was she thinking? Taking her life like Beth had attempted and Andrea boasted about constantly. That's just it- She wasn't thinking at all. Sitting camp with Glenn and Maggie, who had just handed her a glass of iced tea, her mind felt blank. The silent shaken woman took the glass, sipping it slowly. Maggie had cleaned and wrapped her hand, thankfully wasn't broken with all the damage she had done. It was just scraped, sore and needed healing. Angela almost scoffed, realizing she might have rendered her right hand useless again. Although, using a gun or knife shouldn't be too difficult compared to a near broken wrist.
"You feeling okay?" Glenn asked, not seeing the stupidity in his question. Maggie gave him a look, he then noticed mumbling a 'my bad' to himself.
Maggie rubbed her shoulder in means to comfort her. "No one judges you."
Glenn nodded, "In all seriousness, we don't blame you either. We're really sorry about Kay. I really didn't know about it."
"Neither did I, or most of us. It was a shock." The brunette told, moving to rub her back feeling Angela tremble under her touch.
Angela's sights were set on the barn in the far distance. That's where they had taken Randall for the execution. "Everything's going to be taken care of." Glenn assured.
"Guys?" Angela finally spoke, Maggie looked from the fire to her. "Is it bad I still feel he shouldn't die?"
The two leaned back at her question, their reaction didn't make her feel any better. "...That's not right, is it?" She asked, looking to them for an answer
"No, no." Glenn tried to tell her. "It's just-"
Before he could say more, Rick was seen escorting Carl back to the camp. Members stood, awaiting to see if the deed was done. No shot was heard, possibly another method was made. Angela's head weakly rose up, looking to Rick for the results.
"We're keeping him in custody, for now."
Some were actually relieved it didn't fall through, Andrea seemed the most with a smile on her face. "I'm gonna find Dale." Knowing he'd be ecstatic to hear this.
Maggie sighed and patted Angela's arm. "How about we go inside?" She offered. Angela looked up to her, but shook her head, keeping herself in place.
Understanding, Maggie turned and walked back to the house with Glenn following.
So, she was happy he wasn't dead. That was good, she was still human. But, he was the reason Kaylee was gone now, did that make her too forgiving? Something about this kid didn't scream 'killer' to her. The way he begged, how sorry he was, truly his pleas were genuine. She really did plan to actually put a bullet in him, at first at least. But, once she saw the sad picture that he was, other plans came instead. Why waste a bullet on him, end his life, when Kaylee wasn't coming back? Why not just- End it, and join her family?
With a sniffle and a croaky sigh, Angela hung her head and pressed her face into her hands with shame. That's what Andrea felt like, she bet. It still didn't feel right, how dare she even do that after all that's happened. Would she even join them in heaven or just be sent to hell for taking herself out?
Angela heard Rick and Lori whisper to one another, looking up she caught them hugging one another. He looked stunned, almost disturbed by what he was about to do. Rick met her sight, causing her to look away. She heard the couple whisper more things, then felt someone sit beside her- Rick.
"You doing alright?" His voice was above a whisper.
"Are you?" She asked back, fiddling with a stick in her lap.
Rick was silent for a few moments, she heard him shift in his seat. Peeking up at him, he was tapping his fingers at his knee looking at the fire as if contemplating something. She watched for a few seconds then sighed.
"Did you think I was going to kill him?" He looked up, she felt his eyes on her. "When you heard the screaming."
"At first, until we saw." Rick swallowed and turned to her, his arms resting on his knees as his fingers knotted together. "Angela, I never intended to keep it hidden from you like that. You had every right to know."
"Rick,"
She brought a hand up rubbing her brows. Looking down at the fire for a moment, she glanced up at him spotting the sight of guilt in his eyes. Angela shook her head, letting out an exasperated sigh and slumped back in her seat. Her mind scrambled to try and find something to say, but her emotions found it difficult to allow.
"I want you to help me." With surprise, she looked to him. "Should we still kill him?"
Before Angela could even think of an answer, the sound of male screaming reached everyone's ears. Jumping to their feet, Lori got to ordering Carl to go hide in the house while Rick told everyone to grab weapons. Someone was being attacked, but who?
Angela, feeling her emotions put on hold ripped the baton from her sheath and went after Rick. The screaming was echoing from beyond the property. Rick forced the gate open and everyone followed. Angela heard Andrea yelling Dale's name, causing her heart to beat hard against her chest. No, Dale had to be okay. He just had to be! But, now thinking it sounded like his scream. More screaming came, Angela sprinted more almost out running Rick.
In the distance, a figure was waving his arms- It was Daryl! "Help! Over here!" He yelled to them, indicating someone was attacked or hurt. "Help! Run!" Daryl knelt down, "Hang in there, buddy!"
"Daryl! What happen-" Angela stopped just short of spotting Dale, laying on the ground with his gut ripped opened. Blood covered his torso and just kept pouring out. People ran past her, kneeling and sitting all around in shock of the sight. This wasn't happening, this was a nightmare- it had to be!
Dale's eyes were wide as his body trembled. Only whimpers and groans were heard from him, unable to make any words out to the people around him. Angela covered her mouth, going to his side by Daryl as she felt a sweat break on her.
"Dale, Oh God- Dale!" She pressed her hand gently to his head, his eyes looked up at her in horror.
"Hershel!" Rick barked out behind him. "We need Hershel!"
Many voices of comforting the man, how he'll be alright and how they were there for him came all around him. Angela's breathing was labored at the sight of his guts ripped open, a damn walker had gotten to him.
"What happened!?" Hershel finally arrived, knelt down beside Rick to see the damage.
"What can we do?" Rick asked immediately, "Can we move him?"
Hershel silent stare shuddered Angela. She took his hand, holding it tightly as he grip wasn't as firm. He hadn't shown signs of pain, it was just plain shock. A hand was pressed against her back, no doubt it was Daryl.
"He won't make the trip." Hershel informed.
Rick stood instantly. "We have to do the operation here- Glenn, get back to the house!"
"Rick…" Hershel shook his head, he- he wasn't going to make it.
Tears finally escaped her eyes, as Angela brought his hand up to her cheek. "Dale, you- You can't leave me! Can't leave us!" She begged.
Cries were heard all around as Rick yelled in anger for this. Dale was dying, he was going to die. Wailing suddenly came from Dale, he held her hand in an iron grip, as she caressed his head now seeing the pain setting in. Sounds of the gurgling in this throat indicated if not bleed to death, he'd possibly choke on his own blood.
"He's suffering." Andrea cried, looking up at the men standing around. "Do something!"
Angela held his hand tightly, just as much as he held back the grip. She kept pressing his hand to her cheek, rocking herself back and forth. Rick knew what had to be done. Taking out his Colt Python, he aimed the gun at Dale's head. Angela moved her hand, but kept holding his hand. Rick was hesitate, his grip on the gun shook unable to pull the trigger on someone of their own group.
"I'm sorry!" Angela cried, pressing his hand to her forehead tightly closing her eyes. "I'm not mad, I'm sorry! Please, don't go!"
Daryl couldn't stand to watch any more. He couldn't stand to watch Dale suffer, to watch Rick be forced to end his life, to watch Angela cry her heart out at this. Standing, the hunter maneuvered around her and gently took the gun out of Rick's hand. He gave a look, indicating he'd take the job to do so. Rick nodded, seeing Angela was in a dangerous close proximity to Dale. Daryl nodded for him, he returned it and walked over, wrapping his arms around her waist. She didn't fight it, only to let go of Dale's hand and to let Rick pull her away from the suffering man.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry…" She blubbered in his arms, as he held her tightly.
Daryl knelt down, aiming the gun at Dale's head. His wide eyes pleading to end this, he confirmed to allow to end his life like this. "Sorry, brother." Was the last words he had for him, before pulling the trigger.
A week, right? It felt like a year for Kaylee. The sunburn was peeling, but felt like it wouldn't leave with the sun beaming on her constantly when she sat outside during the day to get some air. Some foods filled her belly, while the drinks sitting in the sun almost made her expel them afterwards. She decided to avoid drinking the juices not wanting to get sick a third time. Kaylee had piled her rations into the car, now with the weather cold she could cool her drinks down to consume again.
Kaylee's leg wasn't healing in a proper way, but she was able to move just a tiny bit better. Deep ugly scabs were there but they opened and bleed when she moved in her sleep or to get in and out of the car. They clearly needed stitches, but that was impossible right now. She had to lean on cars when out searching around. The second the weather started to grow cooler one morning, Kaylee took it upon herself to look for more clothing. She still wore her muk, blood, and sweat covered tank top and shorts, needing to find more appropriate clothing for the cold.
There was still no sign of her sister or anyone to come by and check on her. But thankfully, no other living beings passed by either, only a few walkers she took out along the way. Kay managed to find a tire iron in one of the clunkers and kept it on her at all times.
The cooler weather gave Kay more chances to be outside the car, the once was hot oven of a vehicle was now a freezer. Thankfully, the blankets left behind did her well to warm her at night. The flashlight left behind as well was rarely used, not wanting to risk any unwanted visitors to find her.
Kaylee started to think on how to let the others know she was here, in case she was asleep or they sped right by. Sitting on the hood of the yellow mustang she slept in, her eyes hit the windshield. It was no longer able to keep the sign set up for her and Sophia. It leaked and faded, able to see inside the vehicle now. How would she make it so they knew she was there? Shoe polish or anything writable on the said glass wasn't found. All she had found was a black marker that she used on the magazines to place out words for her own entertainment. Her fingers drummed the hood looking down in thought, Kaylee got an idea.
With a bit of a struggle and a few groans, Kay got off the hood and leaned over it and popped the cap off the marker. She extended her arms out to make the letters huge enough for anyone driving the RV to see. Kay got off, nodding with a smile at her work placing the cap back on.
"Like to see them miss this sign."
ANGELA
I'M HERE
KAYLEE
Last night felt like it wasn't real, just felt like a horrible nightmare. Angela expected to find Dale with his usual smile on top of the RV. She expected everyone to be prepared for the day, possibly go for a search the fatherly like man had offered.
Instead, she found no Dale and everyone was in a sense of mourn today. Angela's eyes hurt as the early morning sun shined in them. Everyone's attention fell on her when she reached the encampment as everyone prepared for Dale's funeral. She ignored them, not wanting to be the completely center of attention today. They would be burying Dale today.
Alongside the graves for Sophia, Hershel's wife and son, Dale's was the fourth to be placed there. Rocks outlined the graves as they gathered around his.
"Dale could-" Rick started, once Hershel had finished his prayers from his bible "Could get under your skin. He sure got under mind, because he wasn't afraid to say exactly what he thought, how he felt. That kind of honesty is rare and brave."
Angela stared down at the grave, no emotion was plastered on her features. Not even a single tear escaped her eye, she felt all her crying was given out through the night. She didn't sleep, squinting and trying to ignore the sun's rays.
"Whenever I'd make a decision, I'd look at Dale. He'd be looking back at me with that look he had." Rick's eyes wandered around, seeing some tears shed from others. "We've all seen it one time or another. I couldn't always read him, but he could read us. He saw people for who they were."
Angela also looked around, seeing tears shed by others such as Carl and Andrea. Green eyes fell to Daryl who once again stood the furthest away from everyone. She was at the other end, feeling she couldn't peel her eyes off of him. He looked just as sad as the others did, though had a way of keeping it locked up.
"He knew things about us- The truth, who we really are. In the end, he was talking about losing our humanity." Rick sniffed and rose his head high at the others. "He said this group is broken. The best way to honor him is to unbreak it. Set aside our differences, and pull together, stop feeling sorry for ourselves and take control of our lives. Our safety, our future."
Daryl's crystal blue met her green ones. She took in a breath, and kept contact knowing Rick's words were reaching them both whole heartedly.
"We're not broken. We're gonna prove him wrong." Everyone looked up at Rick, he gave everyone a solid look. "From now on, we're gonna do it his way. That is how we honor Dale."
The day continued, it was informed when T-Dog, Andrea, Shane, and Daryl got back from taking any walkers near the property after the funeral, Hershel was extending the group to stay in the house. Angela was shocked by this offer, listening in on the conversation as she walked over. Passing Daryl without a look, he paused to watch her lift herself onto the flatbed of the blue Ford truck. He walked by her, eyeing her as she was helping Glenn load it up with their supplies and gear.
"It'll be tight with fourteen people in one house." Rick told, though Hershel shook his head at the doubt.
"Don't worry about that." He told their leader. "With the swamp hardening, the creek drying up." The old man paused, looking out onto his property then back to Maggie.
"With fifty head of cattle on the property, we might as well be ringing the damn dinner bell." She told, standing beside her father.
"She's right." Hershel nodded. "We should've moved you in a while ago."
Glenn passed a crate or two to Angela, as she shoved them against the back of the truck. She bumped her elbow into Shane's back by accident, earning a look from him. Angela didn't notice, as she heard Rick give out orders on where the cars would be kept and focused at her task.
Daryl picked up a cooler of drinks and food, passing it to her. No eye contact was made as she continued moving to make as much room as possible so no second trips would be made. Maggie and Beth helped take down the tents and started moving other equipment inside. Glenn offered to take care of Angela's tent, to which she thanked as she packed up all her belongings letting them sit nearby the truck. More orders were sent about by Rick, Angela stood waiting for more stuff to be loaded.
"Shane'll assign shifts while me and Daryl take Randall offsite and cut him loose." He told, though said man gave Rick a look of indifference.
"Back to that now?" Shane asked, Angela turned to him.
"It was the right plan first time around." Rick told, looking back to his friend. "Poor execution."
"That's a slight understatement." He muttered. Angela glanced at Hershel and Lori on the other side of the truck as they watched.
Rick didn't want to deal with Shane's attitude today, not after last night. He shuffled to him, his voice low. "You don't agree, but this is what's happening. Sallow it-" He told. "Move on."
Shane looked away from Rick for a moment, before looking back at him. "Ya know that Dale's death and the prisoner, that's two seperate things, right?"
Rick shifted his footing, turning a shoulder to Shane. "You wanna take Daryl as yer wingman, may as well take bullethead here with ya." Shane retorted, throwing a thumb behind him at Angela.
Lori and Hershel were shocked to hear him reference her like that. Angela looked down at her boots when Rick sent a glare his way.
"Be my guest." Shane huffed, pushing himself off the car and walking away.
Rick looked across finding Hershel and Lori giving Angela a sympathetic glance. Shane was offended that he was downsized from the second in charge to now some worker of the group. Daryl was someone Rick could trust, with how Shane has been recently. The words that came from his mouth was beyond uncalled for.
Once the truck was loaded, Angela hopped off and grabbed her bag. Andrea shut the back, giving it a slam to indicate it was ready to roll. Angela sighed, watching everyone walk up to the house, ready to start staying there as winter was arriving soon. The sound of an engine roaring made her jump, looking to her right to find Daryl riding his motorcycle up as well. He watched her, revving it up before going on ahead. She wanted to smile at the thought Daryl was no longer going to be out on his own away from everyone. Though, she found it hard to even stretch her lips out as a greeting gesture when he glanced at her.
The rooms would be split by gender, the men too the dining room and the women took the living room. Angela dropped her bag in the corner, sighing as everyone was setting their spaces up. The furniture would have to be moved soon, but that could wait til later. Glenn handed her folded tent up in its zippered bag to her, she mumbled a thanks. He lingered for a moment, before leaving to drop his stuff off in the other room.
With her stuff inside, Angela went out to help get everyone else's' stuff. She spotted Lori staring off while holding a laundry basket of things. She remembered the woman being pregnant and came around, holding her hand out to her.
"Want me to take that?" She asked, breaking Lori's stare.
"Oh, yea, sure. Thanks." Lori let her take the weight off it, "Um, I wanted to say sorry." Angela paused from walking around her, turning to her with a confused look. "About what Shane said. Don't let what anyone say get to you."
Angela nodded, not really saying anything to keep the conversation uphold.
"If you ever want to talk-"
"No thanks." Angela shrugged, stepped back ready to take the stuff inside. "Nothing phases me anymore." Her eyes found Daryl's motorcycle resting there but no Daryl with it.
Lori saw her staring, "He went to cover the holes in the barn Randall's in." Angela turned, blinking at her information. "Why not give him a hand?"
Her eyes casted down at the dirt, shifting her footing at the notion. "He can handle it himself, right?"
Lori smiled, that usual motherly smile she always gave. Walking over, she took the basket from Angela who was about to protest on the matter. "I've seen the way you two look at each other, you need to talk."
With a sigh, Angela folded her arms. "In what way do we look at each other?"
"Like you can't stand the silent treatment. Rick gave me the same look every time we argued early in our marriage." She giggled, nudging her elbow at her. "Go on ahead, we got this."
Almost like a teen encouraged to get involved in afterschool clubs, Angela heaved a heavy dramatic sigh at Lori before trudging off to the barn.
Sounds of wood hitting wood got her attention as Angela approached the shaddy barn. She rounded to the back, finding Daryl tossing planks of wood onto the roof. He seemed to be succeeding as he started climbing the ladder, he paused when he saw her.
"What's up?" He asked.
Angela shrugged, shoving her hands into her pockets. "Just thought you'd want some help."
Daryl waved his hammer at the roof. "Just hammerin' in some wood, doesn't take much."
The dirty blonde nodded, "Right." She turned, finding herself feel stupid to think Lori was right to ask this.
The hunter watched her hunched shoulders, cursing to himself as he heaved a silent sigh. "Climb up," She turned back when he called out. "Just don't drop nothin'."
"Okay." Angela climbed up the ladder after Daryl, being careful where she stood on this old thing. She spotted two small exits that she thought only someone of Carl's size can fit through.
Daryl rolled his sleeves up as he held a plank in place to start closing it off. Would it be to keep the cold out or Randall in was something Angela pondered. "Hold or hammer?" He asked.
Angela shrugged, picking up the pile of nails and placed them in her teeth without a word. She placed one and pointed it downwards, looking to Daryl. "Rea'y?" She asked, teeth keeping the extra nails in place.
Daryl's brows were furrowed at her angle of the nail, "Keep it straight." He told her.
She shook her head, positioning the hammer over the nail. "Kee' it dow'ard." Angela slowly and with short hits to the nail, started embedding it into the wood. "Ha'ing it straigh' woul' a'ow it to 'e easi'y pu'ed off." Once it was halfway, Angela hit it harder and with more spaced between hits. Kneeling down, she took another nail from her teeth and repeated the process below the first nail. "My dad to'd me."
Daryl watched her, not finding it in himself to argue with her. She wasn't wrong, it was just faster to keep the nail straight. Having it on an angle helped keep the wood in place. Angela stood, and shuffled past Daryl, ducking under his arms as he kept the wood in place still. She hammered the other end twice and spat the nails into her hand. They kept the job going, silent with each other, but not in the usual content that they always had before.
"What else did yer dad teach ya?" He asked, not able to handle the sound of the hammer as the only noise between them.
"Oh, 'ots o' tings" She muttered, the nails still held in her teeth. She held her hand up and dropped them into her palm and wiped her lips, feeling her mouth water unable to swallow. "I was the handy woman when my dad or brother weren't home."
They added an extra wood over the first layer to keep it secure. Daryl had hoped she'd continue, bur the job was finished. "Thanks for letting me help."
Angela knelt down to collect any stray nails. Daryl heaved a heavy sigh, wiping the back of his hand on across his forehead. "Ya doin' alright?"
"Yeah." The answer was too quick, and a lie.
Daryl scoffed, shaking his head. "Don't lie, damnit." He told, earning a look from her. "If yer not alright, just tell me."
She watched him for a moment, before standing up and tucking the hammer under her arm. "I'm fine."
"Hey-"
Daryl grabbed her arm, only to cause her to be tugged back and lose her balance. The hammer fell with a heavy 'thunk!' and she felt her weight go down. Daryl caught her around the waist in fear of falling off the roof. Her free hand gripped his sleeve tightly, not daring to move.
"Over here, come here." He muttered, shifting themselves to the ladder to get the hell off this death trap.
Slowly, she got to it, and climbed down carefully. Daryl grabbed the hammer and made his way down as Angela placed the nails the toolbox .Angela's shoulders hunched, it was Dale's toolbox. Daryl tapped the hammer in his palm, watching her. His brain boggled about, trying to find something to get her to talk. He didn't like this, he didn't like Angela being like this.
"Y'know," He cleared his throat, walking over to place the hammer in the toolbox. "We can go on a hunt sometime, before the animals go hibernatin'." Daryl offered, closing the box and picking it up, Angela stood.
"No, thanks." She couldn't really help him, she knew nothing about tracking and had no gun or anything to catch or kill the animals with. They could try making some snares, but it wouldn't be enough.
Daryl chewed his lip, finding this as hard to do as it was the first time he talked with her. That was it- The first time they talked they looked at stars. She loved looking at them. "Hows about we look at some stars tonight, after Rick and I get back? Could get a good view-"
"It might be cloudy tonight." She excused, giving her chin a scratch and turned to leave.
"Hey, Angie." He called her back
She spun around, holding her hands up. "Please, stop calling me that."
"Why not? Never minded before."
"Yeah, well- that was before everyone else started calling me that." She told, folding her arms tightly. It was before Shane started calling her that in a condescending way.
Daryl rubbed his thumb against his chin, walking up to her. She looked down at the dirt, he stood before her with hands on his hips. "I want ya to come with us when we let Randall go. I don't feel okay with ya bein' here alone."
Her eyes shot up, narrowing him at last. "What, you think I'm gonna try that again?" She spat at him, earning a confused look from him. "Rick already took my gun, think I'll beat myself together or cut my arms like Beth did?"
"Hell no, that's not what I meant." He told, furrowing his brows at her attitude.
"That seems to be the message I'm getting, Daryl. Rick keeps watching as if I'm about to wander off and you give me the same damn pity look!"
Daryl threw his arm out in anger, taking a few steps from her. "Like hell I do! I ain't givin' ya any pity!"
Angela stepped back as well, "Than let me be alone!"
Daryl instantly took steps forward again, wanting the distance short between them. "I can't do that!"
"Why not!?"
"I don't want Shane to hurt ya, okay?!"
All the anger had dissipated from her, shocked by his remark to her question. Daryl shifted his stance, turning to pace as he rubbing his brow. "Dale- He told me how scared ya were of him. How ya think he'll kill ya."
She remembered telling him that, she hadn't expected him to go tell Daryl of all people. Rick or Lori, yes, even Glenn. But Daryl?
"How ya felt safe with him. Well, Dale's gone so…" He brought the back of his hand to his mouth, heaving a sigh as it fell to his side. He felt his chest grow tight as he continued, clearing his throat to keep his composure. "Maybe- Maybe I'm just tryin' to do what he'd feel is right. Keep ya safe."
Angela folded her hands behind her, kicking the dirt before her. Daryl had a way of expressing his feelings, she told Dale she felt safe with both him and Daryl. She found it cute and touching how Daryl was expressing his feelings on her safety.
"Did he tell you I feel safe with you too?" She asked, peeking a glance at him.
He only looked away, feeling his face grow warm at the way she looked at him. "Just doin' what he'd think is right."
After a few moments of silence, a giggle was heard. Daryl looked up, seeing her cover her mouth as she softly laughed behind it. With her hand dropping, the smile was finally found on her features. His heart thumped against his chest at the sight of that beam on her face. Her eyes reached his, the smile still there.
"Dale would be proud."
Angela walked over, placing a hand on his shoulder as he almost flinched at the touch. Taking it slow, she assured him with a softer smile that she wasn't going to hurt him. Growing less tense, she tugged him down by the vest, letting him lower his head to earn a kiss on his cheek.
"Thank you." She whispered, stepping past him to get the toolbox.
Daryl was stunned by her actions, Carol had kissed the top of his head before, but this felt different. Carol's care was more motherly, while Angela's… It was different, Daryl knew that for sure. Something he had never experienced in his life, he didn't know what to do exactly. He thought back what Merle would say- Okay, not a good idea actually. The voice of his brother teasing and cracking jokes on his reaction would be his utter hell for the evening. It was just her gratitude to him, a kind gesture for his own.
That's what it was.
Heaving up the toolbox with a grunt, Angela turned to Daryl who stood in place. "Ready?" She asked, walking up next to him.
With a shake of his head, he looked to her as she held a look of confusion. "Yup." Daryl nodded, ready to escort her back to the house.
He looked back at the barn, wanting this Randall shit done with and start preparing for the winter they've have to endure. His eyes fell on Angela, who kept smiling. Maybe that's all she needed, someone to be there for not what he did, but what she felt.
Everything was inside the house, as everyone had gotten their spaces to sleep picked and her personal belongings to show the claim. Rick stood outside with Daryl and Angela. She didn't have to be present, but the hunter wanted to ask Rick a question pertaining to her. A map was laid out on the porch railing as the two men hunched over it. Angela sat on said railing with her back against the piller.
"Take him out to Senoia." Rick told, pointing down and trailing a road. "Hour there, hour back, give or take. We may lose the light, but we'll be halfway home by then."
Daryl nodded, "This little pain in the ass will be a distant memory." he sat down beside Angela, making her tuck her knee up as the other hung off the other end. "Good riddance."
"Carol's putting together some provisions for him, enough to last a few days." Rick told, with a sigh, folding the map up.
A car was spotting pulling up, it was the Hyundai driven by Shane. Angela tensed, Daryl glanced to her but Rick didn't notice.
"That thing you did last night-" Rick started, looked back to him.
"Ain't no reason you should do all the heavy lifting." The hunter told, nodding to him.
Rick was thankful to have Daryl, he had never expected to have this redneck by his side compared to Shane, who had been his friend and partner for years. Shane pulled up in front of the house, without a word, Angela got up and walked into the house. Daryl watched her, despite him there she didn't feel alright with this man approaching.
"About the trip," Rick looked back after watching Angela disappear into the house. "Was thinking of having Angela join us." He inquired, rubbing his chin.
Rick squinted at him in question. "Why?"
Daryl shrugged, looking toward Shane as if that'd give him the hint. "A hunch."
The leader nodded, not wanting to question further if possibly something personal. He assumed it either had to do with Shane or her breakdown yesterday. He didn't argue, maybe it was a good idea to have her with them.
"So, are you good with all this?" He asked, waving the map up to establish the plan. Daryl took it.
"I don't see you and I tradin' haymakers on the side of the road." He told, referencing to the conditions Shane and Rick were in when they got back. Daryl wasn't stupid, it was clear the two got into a huge fight. "Nodoby'd win that fight. Pretty sure Angie wouldn't want that, either way."
Seeing Shane make his way up to them, Daryl tossed the map down. "Gonna take a piss." He excused, taking his leave for the two to talk.
"Hey, man, ya seen Carl lately?" Shane asked, looking up at him.
"He's inside with his mother." Rick told nodding to the house.
Shane shifted his footing. "Look, he came to me. Okay, I wasn't supposed to say anythin', but he was out in the swamps yesterday and he came across a walker stuck in the mud. He got scared, ran off." He explained all at once.
"The same walker that killed Dale?" Rick asked, placing a hand on his hip.
"That's the one." He confirmed, looking down eyeing up the map.
"I'll have Lori talk to him." Rick told, nonchalantly.
"Look, man, I think- I think he wants to talk to his father." Shane told, care in his voice.
"Well, I need this Randall thing done already." He retorted.
The man heaved a sigh, "Man, that needs to wait, okay?"
Rick was losing his patience with Shane. Taking a deep breath to keep calm. "It's my call."
Shane looked at him, deciding to try a different approach. "How about I ride out with Daryl?" He shrugged, hands in his coat pockets. "Good for us to spend a little time together."
"Nah, I need you here." Rick instantly denied, not trusting Shane to be with Daryl. Not to mention Angela was going with, who knows what would happen then.
Knowing exactly why he was refused, Shane kept it going. "Don't think I'll handle it right, huh?"
"Didn't say that."
"What ya say?" Shane reached behind him and placed a handgun down in front of him. "Ya know, yer son-" He scratched the tip of his nose and pointed at the weapon. "He gave me this. Ya should get that back to Daryl, huh?"
Rick picked it up, he had heard Daryl asking around if anyone had his gun. This must be the one he's talking about. Shane wasn't done, as his presence was still heavy in front of Rick.
"Freein' that prisoner," He scoffed, eyeing the slaughter barn which held him. Rick's attention shot back down to him. "More important to ya than Carl."
That was a low blow to him, but Shane didn't care. He sniffed and turned away, feeling gracious by his words to his old friend. Rick glared at his retreated back, was he right for once? Carl of course important to him, but maybe his son was finding this whole situation to be pushing his father away from him. With a sigh, he decided to go find his son and give him a talk.
Angela emerged from the house when he left. She had heard it all, feeling bad for him. Rick needed to talk to Carl, set things straight- Father and son.
The Green family was setting up to boarding the windows from both walkers and the cold for whatever winter was to come. It would be a while before they would head out to take care of Randall. Her green eyes spotted Daryl at his motorcycle, a smile broke out as she grabbed the map and jumped the railing.
"Hey, Daryl!" She called, waving the map in the air.
The man turned, barking at her to be careful with it. She reached him, asking about the road they would be taking. He gave an annoyed look but explained it to her again.
From a distance, Shane glared hard at the cheeky woman. How could she selfishly bounce back after all that's happened? He had expected her to want to leave after discovering her sister was dead, he was content with her nearly blowing her brains out last night. But no, the redneck had to save the day and Rick had to assure her she was part of this group.
He seethed at the sight of this woman daring to be happy. Watching her playfully shove the redneck as she folded the map and knelt down to his bike while he went through his bags. He said something to her, earning a shrug as he gave out a huff.
She needed to be taken care of. Angela needed to die.
Deciding to stop aggravating the hunter with her annoyance, she went off to give the stables a check around. Angela hoped the horses would be alright in the coming winter, she was sure her mom told her horses love snow. It'd be cool to see them play about, but she also prayed the snow fall would be light for them.
Making her way across the property, Angela spotted something amiss. She found Shane making his way to the slaughter barn, Randall was still there. Worried about the boy's life, she bolted across the field and stopped just outside the door. Angela held her breath, peeking between the boards to see Shane was just sitting there, staring at Randall. He muffled through the tape over his mouth, not knowing if he was alone or someone was indeed inside with him. Angela reached for her baton, jumping when Shane smacked himself a few times. He got to his feet and pointed a gun at Randall's head, making Angela whip her steal baton out. She gently pushed the door open, Shane didn't even look at her as she entered. Her baton was held up in case he tried to fire the gun at the boy's head.
"Put. It. Down." She hissed lowly at the built man.
Shane licked his lips, adjusting his grip as if deciding to actually fire or not.
Angela took a step forward, the wood creaking as it caught Randall's attention. Without a second thought, Shane whipped the butt of the gun at Angela's head, hitting her at the temple. She was sent into the table, fell to the floor as her baton clackered next to her. The door shut slowly, letting the dark come back. Shane breathed heavily, not hearing a sound from her limp body. Randall's head spun about, whimpering as he was blind to whatever had just happened.
Shane knelt down, rolling her onto her back to see he had knocked her out. Blood trickled down the side of her head, the bandana soaked some now askew. He got to his feet, looking to Randall. He peeked behind him, seeing the searing red on his wrists as he attempted to get free and escape.
A brilliant plan had formed in the man's head. Shane took the bandana off her head and shoved it into his coat pocket. With some rope hanging on the wall, he sat her up and bound her hands together and set her up beside Randall covering her mouth as well with some duct tape left there. He got to work unchaining Randall in a way to make it look like he did it himself.
Two birds with one stone.
The time had come to finally take Randall off the farm. Daryl had packed the back of the blue Ford truck with the supplies Carol had prepared. He was setting the bottles of water up in the crates, his crossbow resting on top of boxes when T-Dog approached him.
"Only got so many arrows." He told, handing a revolver to him.
"Is that Dale's gun?" He asked, looking over the casing to see it was loaded.
"...Yeah." T-Dog answered, it had to be used instead of sitting about without an owner.
Daryl tucked it into the back of his belt, "Wish I knew where the hell mine is. Thought Angela had it." He grunted, fixing his vest and picking his crossbow up. Daryl had asked her when she was pestering him earlier at his bike, but she assured she hadn't seen it.
"Ready?" Rick asked, walking up to the men as T-Dog slammed the door of the flatbed. He saw Daryl was present, but they were missing one passenger. "Where's Angela?"
T-Dog looked around, as Daryl opened the truck door tossing his crossbow in. "She said she would be in the stables, I'd fetch her when ready."
Rick nodded, tossing a finger at him. "Go 'head and get her, we're just about ready to head out."
Daryl nodded, rounding the truck. "I'll get the package." T-Dog offered, going toward the slaughter barn to fetch Randall.
The hunter trudged all the way to the stables, hearing the horses whinny and snort about in their stalls. "Angie?" He called, peeking in each stall. "Angela, c'mon out." He called, keeping his voice low to not spook the horses.
He checked every stall, but she wasn't t be found. Frowning, he jogged back to Rick who was ready to start the truck at any moment. She wasn't back here, where the hell was she? Rick frowned when he saw Daryl return without her in toe.
"She not coming?" He asked, tilting his head in question.
Daryl shook his head, "She wasn't there, she in the house?"
"Guys!" The two men turned when T-Dog was found running over to them. "Randy's gone!"
Daryl and Rick shared a look. "Shit!" Rick cussed, they ran back to the barn to see as T-Dog followed.
Angela's vision was blurry, she saw the ground in her view and her head felt light. Blinking a few times didn't seem to help, she just closed them to ease her dizziness. The feeling of something sticky down her face caught her attention, but she found her arms bound behind her unable to move to check what it was. What had happened? She scrambled her brain only to cause a headache to form in her right side. Her short hair felt loose, finding the bandana was off her head. Angela knew by the vice grip around her body and her vision of the world upside down proved she was being carried by someone over the shoulder. More leaves crunched with the boots she saw meaning another person was present. She squinted at the pants and back of the dark blue coat. Shane was wearing this- Shane was carrying her!
Now she remembered! Shane was going to shoot Randall when she came in and stopped- or tried to. Last she saw was his gun slamming into her head and she fell into something before colliding with the floor. If she tried to struggle now, it'd be useless. But the whimpering and Shane ordering someone to keep going, gave her the initial alarm that Randall was still alive!
A thud of him falling made her wince at whatever pain he was suffering right now. Shane cussed, rapidly moving to adjust his hold on her. Angela instantly closed her eyes, feigning to still be out as he roughly set her down against a tree. She heard him rush off, cracking an eyelid, she released a sigh and peeked around the tree to see Shane forcing Randall to sit up. He kept shushing him, eyes darting through the forests as if waiting to see if anyone was following him. Shane removed the blindfold and paused at the tape muttering something to him.
Turning back, she found tape on her mouth muffling soft curses under it. Her hands were tied behind her, by some rope no doubt. Angling her hands the best she could trying not to crack her bones in her wrist, she managed to find her knife in her back pocket. Moron, she thought. She strained to hear what Shane was saying to her, but was too focused on unfolding her knife to cut loose. She took a peek, only to sat back instantly when his eyes shot in her direction. Randall's voice was heard, meaning he had taken the tape off him.
Angela winced when she felt the sharp knife hit her fingers by accident as she tried to twist it around. Once she had it against the rope, she got straight to work to cutting them. It hurt to angle her hand in the up and down motion to get the threads to splice, but she had to hurry. Shane was going to kill Randall, then her!
More leaves crunched, she peeked over seeing him get Randall to his feet, ordering him in a direction. Randall said something about him being rough, with his constant shoving. Her hands felt more loose, she grunted and started pulling her wrist apart. Finally they snapped and her hands were free. She ripped the duct tape off, watching Shane shove him deeper behind some trees.
"Shit, shit!" She hissed at herself, now cutting at the ropes at her ankles.
The ropes snapped, she got her her feet, knife in hand as she crouched in her spot. Randall was rambling about his group as Shane kept watching out making it hard for her not to intervene. He had a gun, and if she remembered correctly, Rick still had her's. Once Shane's back was turned, Angela sprinted to one tree, then past another and hid behind it just as he turned around again. Peeking over, she watched him turn back around, shoving the gun in his pants, her eyes went wide as he advanced on Randall.
"Shane, stop!" She screamed, but it was all for not as the sound of a neck snapping echoed out. Randall's body fell to the ground like a doll.
Shane spun around, shocked to see she had gotten free. This wasn't the plan, it was to be him than he'd deal with her. How does she ruin everything all the time!?
Pure red fury blinded her sights, seeing the kid now dead on the ground with a swift snap of his neck. "You bastard!" She screamed, raising the knife and charging at him.
She threw caution to the wind, and noticed he didn't even reach for his gun. Right, if he fired the others not too far from here would hear it. It would alert them that someone was shooting out here, and her without a gun made her innocent of the deed. Though, she still should've expected this brute of a man to slam a fist right into her gut, causing all the wind to be knocked out of her. Wheezing, her knife fell from her hands as she stumbled back wrapping her arms around her stomach.
"You should've… Never been-" Angela coughed, falling to her knees heaving.
Shane couldn't help but snicker at her plight. "What? Ya think yer gonna belong more than I do? They'll see ya tried to kill him, only to have it that he killed ya instead."
Angela got to her feet, spitting at the ground and giving another cough. "They won't believe you."
Shane swung a right fist, but she managed to duck low thanks to her height compared to his. He was used to fist fighting people his height, she was sure. Despite the burning sensation in her gut, she managed to give a swift kick to his knee, making him stumble back as well. He was tough, her punches would be useless but she wanted to use his height and weight against him.
"I ain't one to hit girls." He gasped, curling and uncurling his fists. "But for you, I'll make an exception."
He swung another fist which she dodged, now finding her stepping back at each swing he sent her way. It wasn't until her back met with a tree that she was finally hit with a punch to the right across her face, then he grabbed her shirt slamming her against the tree. He threw her to the ground, she groaned and slowly tried to get out of his reach, tasting blood. He instantly got on top of her, grabbing her shirt and slamming her against the ground repeatedly. Angela cried out in pain as her head hit the ground over and over again. Her vision was going blurry, shooting her hands up to claw at his face the best she could to get him to stop. Finally having enough, she curled her hand into a fist and slammed it right into his throat, making sure to hit his adam's apple.
Shane choked and dropped her as he fell off of her, his hand to his throat. She scrambled backwards, struggling to get to her feet. Angela had to leave now! She was running so much, not even daring to look back. Shane wheezed and coughed, feeling his need to scream at her but couldn't. Reaching down, he ripped the gun from his waist and aimed at her, not caring who heard it at this point. He aimed the gun at the running figure, his grip shaky but knew he would hit her somehow. Pulling the trigger, the shot echoed out for anyone to hear in the woods, and possibly the farm.
He didn't care, Shane smiled with a wheezing chuckle. Angela's body fell once the bullet was fired, he was sure she was good and dead now.
Thank you TheFaceOfAlison, Eyessettokill92, xFallenGhostx, for the follows and favorites!
Bruna Pereira- I pretty much made myself cry to get the right feel of emotion. I am a middle child, and having a little sister I had to put myself in that position of ever finding out my sister died in this world. I personally would beat the fuck out of anyone who did the deed though, I don't think I'd fall that deep to Angela but that's where the difference lies. I always thought the same, maybe Shane prevented it somehow because they checked only once and never again. Possibly because of the lead Daryl had, they believed she was nowhere near going back to the highway. I noticed from my friend reading this, she found the same plot device from my Sherlock story, my OC was thought to be betrayed so it must be a theme I have when writing. Might be something in my filming one day! Thanks so much! Spring classes start the 17th of this month with filming, I can't wait!
Guest- I have a fun fact about this actually! In the comics, Dale lasts much longer, as my friend informed me. So, why did Dale die sooner? Well, the actor actually quit and wanted his character to die sooner than intended because a friend of his was fired from the show. Talk about a bitter end for both of them. A lot of stories I see OCs agree with killing Randall, Angela despite what she's gone through, still feels wrong about killing when she hasn't witness the person do anything to deserve it. I personally thought Randall would've been GREAT to join, he was what the group needed and Rick was blinded by paranoia and Shane's influence. Thankfully, Rick becomes a little more forgiving and trustworthy when others such as Michonne and some of the prisoners at the prison come into the story. Thanks, glad you love it and hope you enjoy more chapters to come!
RedVelvetPanPan- Oh my thank you so much! Slow love is the best for me, and despite they are having a bit of a turn 'bout here, along with her and the others, we all know it'll get better. Enjoy future chapters!