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Some people they call my crazy

For fallin' in love with you

They can take me and lock me away baby

"Cause there's nothing those walls can do

I'll be the rising moon after the setting sun

Just to let you know you'll always have someone

I'll be the clearest day when the rain is done

So you'll always know

Through the shake of an earthquake

I will never fall

That's how strong my love is

Like a ship through the storm

We can risk it all

That's how strong my love is

I used to feel kinda lonely

Cause the world can be so fake

All it matters I'm tellin' you

It's you and me only

And the fortress from love we make

I'll be the water you need

In the desert land

Just to let you know you'll always have my hand

I'll be the woman you need to be a better man

So you'll always know

….That's how strong my love is (Alicia keys)

Chapter 14

Randall had awoke hours ago. The pain in his leg was so intense it had taken him awhile to look down and make sure it was still attached to him. He called out for water, or by some slim chance, a pain killer. His demands were met by silence. He lay back and stared up at the boards of the ceiling. Finally, he heard the sound of footsteps outside the door.

"Bout time! Ya can't expect me to lie in here all night with nothin' to drink. I'm in pain man!"

No one answered back. There was a hollow rattle of chains against the door as if someone was trying to open it. Randall felt his heart racing. Did all his noise attract a walker?

The heavy wooden door moaned open and the shadowed frame of a man stood in the doorway. The night was chilly and he could see his breath coming out in short steady bursts. He stepped into the shed. His heavy boot forcing a moan from the old wood floor. The man silently removed his jacket and tossed it over one of the shovels hanging on the wall. He kept his back to Randall moving his head back and forth and shaking out his muscular arms like a athlete warming up. He didn't remember this man from town. Randall licked his lips and gave his best fake smile.

"Hey. Hey, man. I'm in a whole lotta pain over here. Sure would appreciate anything ya could get for me. Morphine or maybe vicadin?"

Silence.

"I know it's a lot to ask but this pain in my leg is killin' me something awful."

Again nothing. Randall readjusted himself on the table. He was starting to get irritated and tried to steady his voice to keep from letting it show.

"Hell man, I'll even take some Tylenol with a bottle of whiskey."

He watched the man reach down to his belt holster and pull a large knife from it's sheath.

Randall swallowed hard and looked him up and down.

"Can't do that" finally came a gruff voice.

"Aw why not man. I just need somethin' to take the pain away."

He watched the stranger turn around quickly, knife raised at his side. He got close enough to Randall to make the boy pull back instinctively.

"Cause" Daryl waved the knife in front of Randall's face "I got questions that need some answerin' and I need you to feel everything."

A loud agonizing scream shot through the fields of Hershel's farm. Rick sat on the porch staring at the shed before heading back into the house to talk to Shane.

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Ra's eyes fluttered open slowly to the sound of a recognizable tune being whistled. The high pitched noise was like fingernails on a chalkboard. Her vision went in and out of focus as she tried to lift her head off the cold concrete under her cheek. At what point she had been moved she was unsure. The whistle was growing louder and was now accompanied by the sound of approaching footsteps. She took a deep breath and pulled her upper body from the ground. She sat up and quickly caught her head in her hands as the room spun uncontrollably. Ra felt something cold and wet hit her fingertips and when she pulled her hands away, noticed droplets of blood. A head wound that bad had probably given her a concussion which would explain her lethargic and hazy condition.

One, little two, little three, little Indians, four, little five, little six little Indians.

The whistlers song had changed to a very patronizing tune that was very apparently meant for Ra. She looked around quickly in an attempt to find an escape. She was in a gated prison, reminiscent of something you built to keep a dog in. The area outside the cage looked like it was someone's basement. Boxes, clothes, random trinkets unused items covered in layers of dust and cobwebs. The sound of the footsteps were directly above her moving towards the distant staircase she was barley able to make out. Ra tried to stand but quickly felt her knees weaken before she even had a chance to straighten upright. She wondered how much blood she had lost. The high pitched squeal of rusty door hinges bounced off the silence of the cold damp room, followed by the sound of someone walking down the steps. A figure stopped at the bottom of the stairway and turned towards her. A low throaty laugh escaping their lips.

"Seven, little eight, little nine, little Indians"

The whistling changed to a very deep singing voice as the dark figure approached the cage. Merle squatted down in front of her. A tight smile that reached up to his eyes plastered on his face.

"Ten little Indian girls." he paused for her reaction "Fuck. Ten of ya? I can't fuckin stand one of ya!" He laughed hysterically almost sadistically while he poked a large finger provokingly through the small holes in the gate. Merle leered at her for a few moments. His eyes were bloodshot and his pupils dilated. She had seen that look so many times before when he used to come in to the bar and she knew it wasn't alcohol induced.

"Where are we Merle. What have you done?"

"Where are we Merle. What have you done?" He mocked back in a whining voice "You're alive ain't ya?" He stood up tall, looking down at her "Yeah you're alive. Shouldn't be. But somehow here ya are. For now."

Ra tried to focus on his voice to shake off the lightheadedness that was nearly overpowering her. Her limbs tingled and her mouth was dry. Merle could tell she was weak from her wounds and it gave him some sick satisfaction. He circled around her slowly.

"Imagine my surprise to find my brother stalkin' round those woods like some kinda big bad hunter. Was barely able to keep quiet when I saw him take that plunge off that horse, down the hill and into the water" He waved his arms around dramatically. Giving his best impression of his little brother "Aw, hell then to see that fuckin' arrow stickin' out his side." He laughed loudly, clutching at his sides "Boy was so out of it he walked all the way back to that farm without seeing me tailin' him."

The lines in Ra's face deepened. She had no idea what he was talking about. Was this some drug induced hallucination? Merle composed himself and leaned back against a wall. The smile slid off his face and his eyes turned to slits.

"Led me all the way back to that fuckin' farm where the same people that had left Ol'Merle on that rooftop were waitin' for him. Traitor" He spat "Someone shot him. Thought he was dead. Then saw him couple days later walkin' round that camp again. Guess he's like his brother. Hard to fuckin' kill."

In a single moment of clarity, Ra realized he was talking about the accident Daryl had before she arrived at camp that Carol had told her about. Had he been spying on the camp for awhile? Merle's back slid down the wall till he hit the floor. He rested his forearms on his knees and lowered his eyes to the floor.

"Wanted to strangle him for joinin' up with those fucks. But he's still my brother. Just had to think of a way to get him 'way from'em. He ain't shit without his bro. He'd be dead if it weren't fer all the shit I taught'um. He'll be dead if I don't get him back wit' me. Remind'em whose boss." He looked up at her, pure hatred burning in his eyes "Then his little woman had to turn up outta fuckin' nowhere. How the fuck did someone like you make it all the way out here by yourself anyhow? Of all the fuckin' people ya had to be the one that not only made it outta town but still, STILL, managed to dig them claws back into my brother. Tell me that?"

It wasn't a question that was meant to be answered. At this point, Ra thought Merle was talking to himself and forgot she was in the room with him. He looked down at the stump at the end of his arm and for a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of sadness in his eyes.

"Ya know I wasn't totally lyin' to ya'll when I said that up on that rooftop I talked to God. I did. Begged him to help me. Begged him ta get me off that roof alive. And ya know what he tol' me? Nothin'. I got me off that roof. I got me as far as I did. I ain't lettin' some bar whore take everything I've worked for away. You ain't nothin' but a piece of pussy that manipulated yourself into his life. He'll see that when he comes to get ya. Sure he'll be upset when I have to tell'em a walker got ya. But he'll get over it. He'll get over it when I tell'em he has to"

Ra pushed herself back against the gate and brought her knees to her chest. He really had lost it this time. The drugs were just making him more vocal about it. She had been sure that Daryl would come for her. But would it be to late. "What are you gonna do with me Merle?"

Merle's attention snapped back to her as he pulled himself from the floor. He chuckled to himself while he stumbled towards the staircase.

"That, baby bird, is for me to know and you to find out. Hell, technically you're still my sister-in-law so I can't kill ya right away. Daryl ain't smart enough to figure out where ya are right away and I think it would be good to get some quality family time in. Sides' I think Scott's really taken a likin' to ya." He winked and smiled widely "For now though, I think ya should be get'n some rest. Those wounds are lookin' nasty. Sorry for the ribs. Ellie kicked ya when ya were down and she might have cracked some. Boy, I'll tell ya what, she does not like ya at all. Sleep tight baby bird."

And with that Merle ascended the stairs and was gone. Leaving Ra alone and in pain.

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The sun had just begun to creep over the horizon of the Green's farm. Hershel, Rick, Lori, and Carol were all at the kitchen table with cups of coffee. None of them had a said a word in over an hour. Randall's screams had subsided only a few hours ago and they didn't know if Daryl had gotten the information he needed or if he had done what no longer needed to be discussed and killed the kid. Just then, the screen door opened with a loud whine and everyone jumped up. Daryl stood in the living room. Sweat beaded down his forehead and mixed with the dirt on his face. His coat was tossed over his shoulder, and Carol shuddered at the sight of blood on his blue flannel and torn jeans.

"What did you find out?" Rick asked

Daryl said nothing but moved into the kitchen and threw some water on his face. He filled his hands with small amounts and drank quickly, running the remaining moisture threw his hair.

"Merle's been casin' this place for awhile. He saw that spill I took off the horse that day I was looking for Sophia. He was on me the whole way back and I didn't know. Didn't hear'em. Thought I was hallucinatin'." Daryl didn't turn around to look at them "He knew we were all here. They're holding up in some town 'bout 20 miles from here. He doesn't know if they're still there or not. Said they move place to place."

Daryl felt guilt rising up at the admission. Had he of been paying attention he would have known he was being followed. He screwed up and failed them. He failed Ra. Rick walked over and put a hand gently but cautiously on Daryl's shoulder.

"You were lucky to get out of those woods alive. It wasn't your fault Daryl."

"What do we do now?" Lori questioned.

"First things first" Rick checked the chambers of his gun "We let Daryl get some rest and then we.."

"No." Daryl said tightly "We go now. 'Fore they got a chance to get outta town again."

"But Daryl you haven't slept all night" Carol chimed in "You're gonna need your rest if.."

Daryl turned to the older woman and scoffed loudly, his irritation coming to it's boiling point.

"Didn't hear ya showin' concern' when I was barely sleepin' and lookin' for what's yours!"

The minute the words came out of his mouth and the look shock and sadness spread across Carol's face, he wished he could take them back. Turning on his heel he quickly exited the house, Carol surprisingly following after him.

Daryl stopped just before the porch steps and leaned against the post. Carol walked out slowly, wrapping her sweater around herself tighter to shield against the chill in the morning air. She stood silently, patiently waiting for him to react or not react, either way he would know she was there.

"M'sorry." He said softly.

"It's okay" she sighed "You do what you feel you need to to get her back. I would."

There was a heavy silence between them, interrupted only by the sound of birds and crows off in the distance.

"Never thought I'd find someone like her ya know? Least not someone that would wanna be with someone like me. I ain't much" Daryl shifted uncomfortably at his sudden vocalization of emotions. But with Carol it seemed to come naturally. He bit his bottom lip and squinted at the glare of the sun "I ain't gonna lose her again."

"You won't. You deserve happiness too." Carol squeezed his hand before turning to walk back into the house "Remember what I told you Daryl." She looked back over her shoulder "You're every bit as good as them. Every bit."

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Rick and Daryl went over the map one last time. They would siphon as much gas from the cars on the highway as they could. That along with the gas they already had should be enough to get them back and forth. Carol and Lori were in the kitchen getting a few provisions together for the trip. Shane walked into the house and looked around uncomfortably. As usual everyone turned to look at him before returning to their assigned tasks. He hated that. Hated that Rick was the only that commanded everyone's attention without question. He walked over and handed Rick a box of ammunition.

"Ain't a lot but it'll get ya by."

Shane looked over to see Lori watching from the kitchen. She was pissed Rick was leaving again. He could just tell by the look on her face. That was fine. It would give him more time to spend with her with Rick not here.

"How 'bout you? You got all your stuff ready?"

Rick didn't even look at Shane whose jaw went slack. Even Daryl stopped what he was doing to spare him a confused look.

"What?" Daryl asked.

"Yeah. What are ya talkin 'bout man? I ain't comin' with ya'll. Someone's gotta be here to protect the farm." Shane said uneasily.

"Yeah" Daryl interjected "Plus for all we know he could have let Merle and those other three walk off this farm with Ra."

"We still singin' that tune? Man, I told ya what happened."

Sensing the what could only be the beginning of a string of verbal and probably physical lashings from Daryl and Shane, Rick held up his hand.

"T-Dog, Glenn, Hershel, Dale and Andrea will all be here. I think that's enough people that know how to use a weapon. Besides we're taking Randall with us. Maybe we can make an exchange. If not then we take him out and drop him off away from the farm."

"You actually think that's a good idea Rick? Shane ran a hand over his head, a sign of his growing frustration.

"Yes I do."

"Alright then." Shane shrugged and put his hat back on "I'll go blindfold the kid and toss him in the trunk. We all going in one car?"

"Nope" Daryl said, pulling the crossbow from the table and tossing it onto his back "I'll be taking my bike."

"If we're gonna go into a residential area you think that ain't gonna attract walkers?" Shane scoffed.

"I can draw them away while you and Rick check houses." Daryl paused just before opening the screen door "Besides, I want Merle to hear me comin'"

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Ra lay curled up in a tight ball on the ground. Her injuries had caused a fever that was making her whole body shake uncontrollably. Merle wouldn't need a walker to do his bidding if this kept up. Her bones felt like glass waiting to shatter with every movement. She drew herself into Daryl's oversized flannel he had given her the morning before. With every deep breath, she inhaled his scent deeply. It had been her only comfort at this point. There was a loud bang above her head. The sound of a heavy door being slammed. She could hear Merle and Scott yelling and laughing. The thumps and thuds on the floor with deafening. Were the two men fighting? The door to the basement swung open and banging against the wall behind it. Merle all but raced down the steps, still chuckling and sweating from whatever was going on upstairs.

"Alright baby bird." Merle held up his hand to her "I don't want there to be any hard feelin's between us and I want ya to know I feel bad for leavin' ya down here by your lonesome."

"DAMNIT MERLE GET YOUR ASS UP HERE AND HELP ME WITH THIS THING!" Scott yelled from the top of the stairs.

Merle laughed and moved to the bottom of the steps as Ra watched two more men moving slowly down the steps. The stranger between them looked to be lunging towards Merle. Then it hit her. The smell of rot. The sound of spoiled tissue fighting against the rigor mortis that threatened to set in if the bones would stop moving. Ra was barely able bite back the nausea. She watched Merle taunt and growl at the corpse wrapped in chains before Scott tied him to a post at the opposite end of the basement. Merle slid a flashlight across the floor to Ra while Scott slid a box over to the walker they had tied up.

"Ain't no friends like ol'friends I always say." Merle laughed.

He slapped Scott on the back as they both walked up the steps and shut the door behind them.

Ra slid a hand under the cage and grabbed for the flashlight, recoiling for a moment when she heard a loud squeak following by what sounded like a tearing noise. Her hands shook uncontrollably as she fumbled to find the "ON" switch. Her thumb run across a rubber circle and she took a deep breath before pushing it down. There was a loud click and then a stream of light shot from the clear lens of the silver beacon. Ra slowly traced the frame of the entire room, purposely waiting to land on the creature that was across from her. She closed her eyes tightly and whispered a few brave words under her breath. When the searchlight hit it's target, Ra fell back against the gates, sending the flashlight spinning on the floor. The walker had it's back to her and with the flashlights sudden interruption, turned towards her, a rat dangling from it's blackened teeth. It hissed and snarled at her. Ra reached back down and grabbed the flashlight and held it up again. The walker dropped it's meal from it's mouth and tried desperately to pull itself from it's chains and head for her. A human body clearly a better meal then the rodent given to him. It was when his food was castoff, Ra was able to see his face. She blinked a couple times before her mouth fell open.

"Tommy?"

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