Redneck Takes a Wife 21 – The Prison

All recognized characters, situations, locations, and dialog belong to AMC, the writers, creators, and actors of The Walking Dead.

I am so very sorry. I never intended or expected this to take so long to continue. Thanks for still reading it!

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They drove the vehicles up to the prison gate then the group moved to one side away from the worst gathering of walkers. Rick sliced through the outer fence and Daryl and Merle pried open a hole big enough for everyone to climb through. Glenn quickly tied the fence back together with strong cord just before the nearest walkers lunged at them. Rick led the way, as they ran through the fenced perimeter, Daryl kept Beth in front of him as he braced the crossbow and bolts to keep them from bouncing. Merle had Carol and Sophia on either side of him as he kept the rifle ready.

"It's perfect," Rick proclaimed as they reached the gate. "We close that inner gate, keep the other walkers from getting into the yard, we can pick off the ones here"

"I'll go for the gate," Glenn offered. "I'm fastest."

"No!" Maggie shook her head violently.

Daryl opened his mouth, just as Merle said, "I'll…"

Rick interrupted them all, "No. Maggie, Glenn, T, Sophia, you go down the fence and draw as many to you as you can. Take them out through the fence. Daryl, Beth, head down to the other tower to cover the yard. Carl go with them. Carol, Merle, Hershel, you take this tower. I'll run for the gate." Rick met Merle's gaze steadily, Merle huffed but nodded. They all moved to follow Rick's commands.

Sophia ran alongside Beth, eyes wide and shaky. "It'll be OK," Daryl said. "Just stay close to Glenn and T-dog. If you can't reach their heads, poke through to their knees. Remember…"

"A walker who can't walk is better than one that can," Sophia recited. "Bring them down then put them down. I got it." Beth patted her back as they continued on to the tower.

"Take your time, find your shot," Daryl said as they climbed the tower. "Remember to aim for the eye, not just the head."

"Beth?"

"Yes, Carl."

"Just don't shoot my dad, OK?"

She managed a smile, "I won't."

Carol's hands were shaking as she loaded the rifle. Merle touched her back, "Settle. You got this. You been shootin' fine all winter. Just take your time then take your shot. Aim for a point on the head, not just the head." She took a breath then stretched up and kissed him firmly. He stroked her cheek as she pulled back. "If you miss, keep calm. Even a shot to center mass will knock them back. Shoot the knees or hips too. A walker that can't walk…"

"Is better than one that can," Carol nodded. "I'm ready."

Merle raised his hand and Daryl replied with a wave. "We're ready when you are, Rick."

Rick blew out a breath and walked to the gate with Lori. Maggie, Glenn, Sophia, and T-dog began shouting and banging on the fence to draw the walkers' attention. Glenn shoved the bar through the fence to take the first one down. Sophia shoved her crowbar through the fence knocking a walker down with a shattering blow to his knee, when it dropped, she shove the bar through its head. Glenn gave her a quick thumbs up. Lori slammed the gate closed after Rick ran into the yard, firing only at the walkers who got too close.

Carol fired a shot that kicked up dirt at Rick's feet. "Sorry!"

Rick reached and closed the far gate, securing it, then accessed the inner tower where a fully loaded rifle waited. As soon as he popped into view, Daryl whistled shrilly, "Light it up!" Gunfire filled the air as the shooters dispatched the remaining walkers in the yard.

*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*

Daryl turned as Carol sat a plate on the side of the overturned van. He walked over and helped her climb the last few feet. "I knew if I didn't bring you something you wouldn't eat."

"Save it for Beth and Sophia. Or Shane Jr. there," he smirked. "He seems to have quite an appetite."

"Be nice," she reprimanded. "And the girls ate plenty, Merle made sure of that. Rick's walking the perimeter again. You should come to the fire. Nothing can get through." Daryl responded with a wordless sound and a shrug. "Or I could send Beth up here, you two haven't had any privacy in weeks." The flush spreading across his cheeks made her smile. "Seriously. After all those months of having sex daily, you've got to be going through some serious withdrawal. Probably wouldn't take you more than a few minutes."

"Stop," Daryl protested.

Carol laughed, "OK. Come on and sit with your wife. You can make her eat some of your dinner."

Daryl climbed down, accepted the plate, then helped Carol descend.

Beth and Sophia leaned against Merle as the group sat around the fire. He looked up as Carol brought Daryl back to the gathering. There was a blush fading from his little brother's face and Carol was grinning, telling him that she'd been teasing him. Merle smirked but held back from taunting him further. Daryl settled in next to Beth and gathered her to his chest. She snuggled against him and kissed his throat. He offered her the plate, but she shook her head. He took a few bites, then fed her a piece. She ate a little for him, then refused the rest. Daryl tried to offer it to Sophia, but she shook her head. Merle glared firmly so Daryl ate the rest himself.

"Bethy, sing Patty Reilly for me," Hershel requested. "I haven't heard it since your mother was alive."

"Not that one Daddy, please," Maggie protested.

"How about the Partin' Glass," Hershel suggested.

"No one wants to hear," Beth argued.

"Of course we do," Merle said. "Perfect end to what turned out to be a good day."

"Please," Daryl said with a kiss to her cheek, "I don't think you've sang that one for me yet."

Beth nodded, took a breath and began to sing for them. Hershel smiled contentedly as Beth's sweet voice drew Rick into the group. Maggie's voice joined in as Rick settled next to Lori and accepted a plate. He held it out to her and wouldn't take it back until she had taken some of the meat.

There was a brief argument when Rick said they were taking the prison in the morning. Daryl was quiet, worriedly looking at Beth. But Merle was nodding. "It's our best option," Merle agreed. "Even back when I was here, it had everythin' we could possibly need. Food, water, supplies, weapons."

"Plus the security," Rick said, "It looks sealed tight. The walkers inside are in prisoner or guard type clothes. Mostly."

"Prison would have civilians workin' inside too," Merle stroked his chin. "Counselor types and secretaries. Shit like that."

"Or maybe guards brought their families in," Daryl added.

"Either way, if the walls are still standing, we'll have the sanctuary we need," Rick said.

"How long ago were you here?" Hershel asked Merle.

"Thirty two years," Merle replied with a glance at Daryl, "I was fifteen last time I was in as a juvenile." Merle grinned. "It's a lot bigger now."

"So're you most likely," T-dog snorted. "I assume you weren't this big at fifteen."

"Not quite, but close. Spent a year in here, hit my tallest just before they let me out," Merle stroked his chin. "Three hots, cot, yard time, does a growin' boy good."

"Why were you in jail?" Sophia asked as she yawned and snuggled closer to him.

Merle stroked her hair, "Bein' stupid mostly. Not havin' enough sense to keep from getting' caught."

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Beth bit her lip as her husband and her brother disappeared into the prison along with Rick, Maggie, Glenn, and T-Dog. They'd moved as a tight unit, back to back, in through the yard. Lori stood on one side of her, Carol on the other as they watched.

"Do you see them?" Lori asked.

"Back there, I think they're going inside," Carol replied.

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The cell block smelled musty and stale. Everything was covered in dust. But it was the best thing any of them had seen since the farm fell. They spread out through the cells. Merle walked into one with a grin and dropped his and Carol's packs inside. He stepped out to see where everyone else was and Carl followed Sophia inside. She dropped her pack and sat down on the bottom bunk, "It's not too bad. Kinda dirty." Carl climbed to look up at the top bunk.

Merle strode back in with a fierce scowl, "What'cha doin' kid?"

"Just lookin' at the bunks."

Merle plucked him off the bunk and carried him out of the cell and dropped him gently to the ground. "Go settle in. Somewhere else."

Carl touched the brim of his hat and went down to the next cell. Merle went back in to where Sophia waited. "What?" he asked when Sophia glowered at him. She huffed and rolled her eyes. "Your Mom's in with Lori for a bit." He lifted up the mattress on the top bunk and quickly crumpled up the photograph he found there before she could see it. He flipped the mattress, sending a shower of dust down the back wall. "Better than nothing." He unpacked the sleeping bag from her pack and spread it out as she stood up to help. Once it was ready he lifted her up to her new bed. "Sit tight, I'll be back."

"Was this where you were? When you were here?"

"Yep," Merle nodded. "This is the old wing. I slept in this very cell back then. Still smells the same."

"It's gross," she wrinkled her nose. "But feels safe too."

"Yep," he patted her knee. "Settle in."

In the next cell, Daryl had flipped the bottom mattress, then stepped back as Beth made up the bed. He was chewing on his thumbnail anxiously. She looked back to him. "We could take a mattress out into the walkway. Or up on the lookout thing."

"It's called a perch, I think," Daryl corrected. "Nah. We'll be OK in here."

Merle silently walked over and pulled a bungee cord from Daryl's pack. He twined it through the cell door, securing it to the bars, then in to hook the cord to the bunk. "Ain't nobody gonna lock you in baby brother." Rick was nearby and nodded his understanding as he slid down to sit against the wall. Merle nodded back then turned back to Daryl, "Settle in and get some sleep."

Daryl nodded. Beth stretched out on the bottom bunk and reached for him. Instead, he went to the sink and twisted it on. With a few sputters, he was rewarded with a stream of water, cold but clean. He stripped off his filthy shirt and scrubbed at his arms to clean off the walker blood and gore. Finally satisfied, he climbed in next to her. Stroking her back and nuzzling her hair, comforted himself as much as her. He followed her into sleep.

Merle went back to where Sophia was already dozing. He flipped the bottom mattress and spread out his blanket before dropping down with a sigh. He was almost asleep when Carol crept in and curled next to him. He smiled at her through half closed eyes as she dropped into sleep almost immediately. When he opened his eyes again it was to find daylight streaming through the barred windows and Sophia peeking at them from the top bunk.

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How could things go so wrong so fast? Then Daryl cursed himself for even thinking that. After everything they'd been through, he should know that it only takes a minute for things to go to shit. He'd kissed Beth in their cell before heading out to search the prison. She'd hugged Merle, cautioning them both to 'Be safe'. He'd glanced back to see Carol with her arms around Beth and Sophia, then Merle had yanked him by the back of his neck and they headed off into the pitch black of the prison interior. They'd been moving along well. Heading for where Merle remembered the cafeteria to be so many years ago. Then suddenly Hershel was on the floor screaming as a walker bit down onto his calf. Now they were racing him back to their cell block with him bleeding out from his amputated leg, and a handful of felons following them.

He was going to have to tell his wife that her father might die.

Merle was helping push the cart along as Daryl followed backwards, keeping a light and his crossbow aimed at the prisoners. Rick was yelling for Carl to unlock the gate. Daryl heard Beth cry out as she realized what was going on. Merle helped move Hershel into the bunk then slipped out. He emerged to the outer area to where Daryl was covering the door.

"Where's Beth?"

"In with her Dad," Merle replied. "Soon as one of the others comes out, you go to her."

The prisoners crept out, angry and scared. Confrontational. Still as soon as T and Rick emerged, Daryl withdrew. Jogging through the gate as Carl started to close it. He dropped the crossbow just inside then went to the cell where everyone was gathered. Beth flew into his arms, letting out the sobs finally. He drew her aside, past Sophia who was bringing more blankets from the other cells, to a quiet corner. "I'm sorry," he whispered. She didn't respond, just clutched at his shirt. He pressed his lips to her hair and held on. They stood together in silence for a long moment, until Maggie's voice reached them.

"All we do is run," Maggie cried.

Beth went from sadness directly to anger, "Why are you so quick to give up on him?"

"Beth," Maggie turned, wiping her eyes, "I didn't see you there."

"It's not giving up on him," Glenn replied. "It's being realistic."

"The reality is we are all stronger than we thought we were," Beth snapped. "We've all come so far, despite everything!"

"Beth, don't get your hopes up," Maggie shook her head.

"Why not?" Daryl asked. "Ain't that what hope's supposed to do? Rise."

"How? How can he survive this? How's he gonna run?"

"The same way them soldiers who lost a leg do," Daryl retorted. "Same way your sister survived. They adapt. Where there's will there's a way and your dad's got more will than most."

Merle walked through, glancing into Hershel's cell as he went by. Carol met his gaze and nodded. Daryl led Beth over, his fingers twined with hers. "We're takin' the prisoners back to the cafeteria to get the food. Sorry, but we need yah little brother."

"Then where they goin'?" Daryl asked.

"Different cell block," Merle replied. "We'll help them clear it out."

Daryl nodded and kissed Beth, "Be back in a little bit."

"Be careful," Beth told both of them. Merle winked at her then led Daryl out of the cell block.

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After the men left the food and went to clear another cell block, and after Hershel seemed to be stabilized, Carol slipped out of the cell. "Sophia, Beth and I need to go do something, stay here and help Lori and Maggie, OK?"

"OK, mom," Sophia nodded.

Beth emerged from her father's cell but Glenn put out an arm to stop her, "Hold up, neither of them specifically said it but I assume Daryl and Merle want her to stay here."

"This is something we need to do," Carol repeated.

"Now?"

"Yes."

Glenn sighed heavily and let Beth pass, "Just hurry back. Like before they get back here. Please."

"It'll be all right, Glenn," Lori assured him as she laid a damp cloth on Hershel's forehead.

"For you maybe, they're not going to kill you when they get back and she's not here," Glenn replied.

Beth smiled and stretched up to kiss his cheek, "I'll be right back." She followed Carol out of the cell block. "Where are we going?"

Carol sighed, "You know that likely Lori will need a C-section to deliver the baby, right?" Beth nodded, "And back on the farm, your dad was teaching Patricia and me what to do to help him." Beth nodded again. "Your dad may not be back on his feet yet so it's probably going to be you and me."

"I've never done anything like that," Beth replied, "I've never even seen one. The Center didn't do them there, the mothers had to go to the hospital."

"I know," Carol cupped her face, "That's why we're going to go practice." She opened the door and Beth followed her to the fence and the gathered walkers. "Ready?" Beth stared for a moment, then nodded. "Good girl. Come on."

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Carol and Beth were about to reenter the prison when the door burst open, startling them. Daryl stepped back, surprised to see them so close. "What the hell were you doin' out here alone?" he snapped. Beth wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his neck. He embraced her and glowered at Carol.

"We had to do a run-through of a C-section," Carol explained. "We need to be able to cut through to the baby without cutting the baby, and sew it back up to save Lori."

Daryl saw the female walker's body laying just inside the fence and nodded his understanding. "You OK?" he asked her.

She nodded, "I think we can do it. If Daddy isn't up to it yet." She pulled back a little and they walked inside. "How did it go? Clearing the cell block?"

"To shit," Daryl replied. "We're all OK but assholes didn't listen. Broke rank and that big guy got bit. That scuzzy one killed him. Then that guy turned on us, almost got us killed so Rick put him down. Had to get rid of the smaller black one too. Just got the other two left. Axel and Oscar. Axel seems a bit twitchy, but Oscar seems stable enough. They're in the other block." They reached their cell block and could hear Maggie sobbing. Beth gasped and stumbled against Daryl who held her tight.

Lori saw them approach and smiled, "Come on. It's OK baby, come see your dad."

Beth walked into the cell, clinging tight to Daryl's hand to see Hershel awake and smiling at Maggie. "Daddy?"

"Hello Doodlebug."

Maggie extended her arm and Beth dropped down to hug her father.

"He stopped breathin' for a minute," Sophia reported. "But Lori did CPR and he came back."

*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*

Things settled quickly. They had the first decent, filling meal they'd had in weeks, and ate it talking about menu options for the coming days. Hershel slept peacefully, loaded up with antibiotics and pain medication. As soon as night began to fall, they returned to their bunks, exhausted again. Maggie took the first watch with her dad and Glenn went with her.

Beth and Daryl curled together on their bunk. Beth was almost asleep but Daryl lay staring at the wall. "What's wrong?" she whispered.

He shrugged and nuzzled her hair, "Why'd your dad call you Doodlebug? Ain't never heard him do that b'fore."

"He used to when I was a kid," she yawned. "He wasn't there when I was born. He was at a ranch with a sick horse and Momma couldn't reach him. When he got to the hospital I was already born and swaddled. He said I looked like a little doodlebug and it stuck."

"Why was you born at the hospital instead of the Birthin' Center? Did your mom have a problem?"

"Nope. Center wasn't built yet. No, easy pregnancy, easy delivery seems to run on my momma's side of the family. Momma had me and Shawn just over a year apart. Drove herself to the hospital with me while Patricia stayed with Maggie and Shawn and Otis went for my dad. Said the doctor didn't have to do anythin' but catch me."

"Good," Daryl whispered.

Merle groaned in the next cell, "Enough chatter. Go to sleep," he demanded. Sophia giggled in her bunk.

"Ugh, I need to see about gettin' my own place," T-dog moaned from further down.

Beth laughed and Daryl quickly kissed her to stifle it. The kiss deepened but then Daryl pulled back and glanced back to the wide open front of the cell. "It was bad enough at the cabin but this is ridiculous."

Beth shrugged, "So we'll find someplace else for privacy." She yawned again and Daryl settled down with her. They were both soon sound asleep.

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Too short I know, but I swear upon all I hold dear that it won't be months until the next update.