Chapter Twenty-Six
Daryl had been right about the fact that it would probably take longer than an hour to reach the nearest town. There had been a lot of abandoned cars on the road and sometimes the group actually had to stop to push some vehicles from the road in order to have a clear passage. However, doing that had unfortunately drawn some unwanted attention from the walkers that were roaming in the woods so they had to take down several of them as well. Luckily for the group, they hadn't come across any herds, just a few walkers here and there that suddenly drifted out of the woods as they'd probably heard the noise the cars were making since many vehicles were rusty and nearly falling apart. Daryl actually managed to have a whole car door in his hand one time when he tried to open a car, making the rest of the group laugh in amusement as they saw the surprised look on his face, before they stopped when he gave them his infamous glare.
It all took them about three hours to actually reach their destination. Hopefully, they were able to find what they were looking for at this town, and could easily make it back within an hour because they'd already done all the clearing out of the roads on the way over here.
''Looks totally deserted.'' Riley said as she looked out of the window while Daryl was driving into the town, where various grey buildings were standing. Open doors, buildings that were bolted shut, cars with their doors wide open and broken windows was the eerie site that greeted them. There were even broken tables and chairs on the street.
''Still, gotta be careful around here, ain't just walkers that we can come across.'' Daryl told them as he parked their car behind a jeep that had its doors wide open.
''There is a drugstore, should we check that out first?'' Glenn asked as he pointed at the drugstore at the far end of the street.
''Yeah, we start there and make our way back over to the car.'' Daryl replied.
They all got out of the car and quickly walked over to the trunk to get their bags. ''Might be best if we just leave everythin' here, we need empty bags to dump in the stuff we find.'' Daryl suggested and the others nodded in agreement. They quickly took out all of the canned fruit and water bottles from their bags and placed them back in the trunk of the car.
''If Carol was here, she would've hit us with a frying pan if she saw us doing this.'' Riley said, making Maggie and Glenn chuckle while Daryl shook his head at her comment.
''Alrigh' everyone got their gun?'' Daryl asked and the others nodded, their guns safely tugged in the back of their jeans. ''Just as a last resort, okay? Don't wanna be drawin' any unwanted attention.''
''Yup, got it.'' Glenn replied as he pulled out the baseball bat that T-Dog had placed in the trunk of the car that morning. Maggie got out a crowbar while Daryl and Riley got their crossbows.
''Alrigh', everyone watch each other's backs.'' Daryl instructed and they followed him to the drugstore. Riley and Maggie were walking next to each other as they were looking around. Riley recoiled at the few decaying bodies that she saw sitting in the cars they passed.
''So creepy that everyone is gone. Can you imagine this place full with people and everyone just going about their normal day? It seems like forever ago that I've seen that.'' Riley told Maggie.
''I know, it does make me wonder where everyone is. I mean, there have to be more survivors out here. As in you know, normal, sane survivors like us.'' Maggie replied, making Riley sigh.
Will we ever get back what we once had?
They reached the drugstore and Daryl entered first with his crossbow raised in front of him before the others went in as well. They checked around the whole drugstore, thankfully finding no walkers, only two decaying bodies lying behind the counter.
''They were probably some employees here or something, they're still wearing their work clothes.'' Glenn said as he frowned while he looked at the bodies.
When Daryl felt that it was safe enough to spread out and check the drugstore, he gave his instructions. ''Okay, you two check the shelves over there while Glenn and I will check the meds back here.'' He said to Riley and Maggie who both nodded.
''There isn't a lot left here.'' Maggie said as they looked at the nearly empty shelves in front of them.
''Oh, there is a first aid kit!'' Riley said as she saw a lonely box sitting in the corner at the bottom of one of the shelves. She quickly crouched down to get the box from the shelf before shoving it into her bag. ''Oh! Here are some bandages as well.'' She said as she noticed a few rolls of bandages sitting at the far end of the shelves.
''Tampons here,'' Maggie said and quickly grabbed a few boxes. ''I'll need them next week.'' She grumbled, making Riley chuckle.
''Uw, jackpot!'' Maggie suddenly said and Riley frowned before she made her way over to her friend, seeing that she was checking out the various condom brands in front of them on the shelf.
''Wow, there is still a lot left.'' Maggie told her friend as they eyed the amount of different boxes and packages.
''Well, I guess nobody is in real need of sex these days.'' Riley mentioned.
''Well we sure are,'' Maggie said in a knowing voice and Riley laughed. Maggie scanned the various packages and all of a sudden chuckled. ''Check this one out, 'Ruff n Tuff', I've never heard of that one before.''
''Oh my God, is it really named that way?'' Riley asked and Maggie gave her the box. ''Even has some sort of different texture on it.'' Riley said as she inspected the label. ''To enhance pleasure.'' She read out loud.
''Totally something for you Riles, since your man has both characteristics of that brand name.'' Maggie told her and Riley blushed bright red. ''He can now roughly enhance your pleasure.'' Maggie added in a knowing voice and Riley lightly slapped her friend on her shoulder.
''Will you stop it?!'' She scolded as Maggie laughed. ''Daryl and I don't need a different texture of condom for him to enhance my pleasure, he already does that all by himself.'' Riley said and Maggie placed her hand in front of her mouth to stop herself from laughing out loud since Riley actually said it with a straight face.
''Riles, I really don't want to know that about Daryl,'' Maggie said and Riley winked at her friend.
''But I've never really experimented with these things before, might as well start.'' Riley said and Maggie chuckled as she nodded.
''Why not? Everything is for free now.''
''Yeah, apparently this outbreak did bring something good, free condoms.'' Riley said as she stared at the 'Ruff n Tuff' condom box in her hand for a few more moments before stuffing it into her bag. She suddenly heard Maggie laugh beside her and she looked at her in question.
''You naughty girl,'' Maggie said and Riley laughed, smacking her friend lightly on her shoulder, again.
''Stop it will you!'' She said and Maggie stuck out her tongue.
''Only if you stop hitting me! God what's up with you and hitting people all the time.. woman!'' Maggie said, copying Daryl's nickname for Riley, making her friend actually glare at her now. Maggie chuckled before flicking her fingers against Riley's forearm.
''Maggs, for real, I will hit you with that box of condoms if you don't stop it!'' Riley threatened and Maggie held up her hands in surrender.
''Okay, okay!'' She said as she grinned at her friend who shook her head in amusement.
Riley looked back at the various boxes in front of her before she chuckled and grabbed another box. ''Here, this one is good for you and Glenn.'' Riley said, handing Maggie the box of condoms.
''Glow in the dark condoms? Riley what the hell!'' Maggie said and Riley laughed. ''That would be kind of hilarious actually; maybe I should just get one for fun.'' Maggie said and dumped the box in her bag and Riley grinned.
''I don't think Daryl would ever wear one of those. I wouldn't even dare suggesting it to him.'' Riley said as she made sure to grab a good amount of Trojans from the shelf as well, hearing Maggie lightly chuckle beside her.
''Yeah, imagine him walking around with a glow in the dark yellow di-'' Maggie started to say but stopped because she saw that Riley narrowed her eyes at her, daring her to finish that sentence. Maggie just winked at her friend who shook her head before having to chuckle as well.
''Feels a bit strange that we're doing this. I feel like I'm just shopping with my friend on a day off.'' Riley said to Maggie who frowned.
''I know, I wish we would have met before all of this. Would have been a lot of different things we could've done together. Go to the movies, having nice family barbeque parties in the garden.. all those sort of things.''
''Well, we're friends now Maggs and we still have a whole lot of time left to be doing all sorts of things together, like now, shopping for rubbers, that's fun!'' Riley said as she looped her arm with Maggie who chuckled.
A few moments later, the two young women were walking into the next aisle. ''I hope the others won't see our bags. We were here to collect food and meds, and we just brought a ton of condoms.'' Maggie said as they walked along the aisle, making Riley chuckle at her comment.
''The others will probably think we're sex addicts.'' Riley said and Maggie grinned.
''Hey, ya'll comin'?'' Daryl suddenly said behind them and Maggie and Riley turned around, seeing Daryl and Glenn walk up to them.
''Well now that you're here, she sure is,'' Maggie said as she pointed at Riley who looked at her with widened eyes as a clear blush formed on her cheeks. Daryl just frowned in confusion while Glenn chuckled beside him, knowing what Maggie had implied.
''Anywayyss,'' Riley said, steering the attention away from Maggie's oh so fun discussion topic. ''There wasn't really a lot left. We found some bandages and a first aid kit.''
Maggie was grinning beside her since Riley clearly left out the condom part.
''Yeah, we only found some painkillers. We gotta find a pharmacy for heavier meds.'' Daryl mentioned.
''There's one across the street.'' Glenn commented and Daryl nodded.
''Alrigh' let's get outta here.''
''Glenn, check out what I got for us.'' Maggie said as she showed him the box of condoms while they were walking out of the store.
''Glow in the dark? Maggie what?!'' Glenn said in shock and Maggie grinned at him. Riley and Daryl were walking in front of them and Riley was chuckling to herself as she heard the conversation going on behind her.
''What's that all 'bout?'' Daryl asked and she smiled at him.
''Maggie and I just brought some things along with us,'' she replied and Daryl frowned at her in confusion. ''You'll see it tonight tough guy,'' she whispered suggestively to him, making him go red in his face just by hearing that tone in her voice. Did he even want to know what she meant by that?
As they reached the pharmacy across the street, they noticed that the doors were locked and there weren't any windows that they could break because it was all boarded up. ''Ah shit, how in the world are we going to get in there?'' Glenn said with a frown on his face.
''Gotta check the back, might be some window or somethin'.'' Daryl told him and Glenn frowned at Maggie who shrugged her shoulders.
Daryl opened the metal gate that led to the back of the building and the rest followed him, staying close against the wall as they had to avoid the dumpster that was standing wide open in the small path that they were walking on.
''Oh damn, that stinks so badly,'' Glenn complained as he passed the dumpster.
''Oh my God, there is a head in there.'' Maggie said as she clearly saw a walker's head staring at them with its mouth still moving.
''That is disgusting.'' Riley said in repulsion at the sight.
''How the hell did it even get in there in the first place?'' Glenn wondered as he successfully passed the dumpster without throwing up.
''Maybe someone threw it in there while they were fighting it.'' Maggie replied.
''Who would throw in a hea-'' Riley started but was suddenly cut off by Daryl.
''Be quiet! If ya'll keep yappin' on like that, we're gonna attract them walkers!'' The hunter snapped at the three of them, and they instantly stopped talking to each other. Daryl knew that Riley could talk a lot, Glenn was also a talker when he was nervous and even Maggie could talk a lot when she was together with Riley. Put the three of them together and you had a freaking tea party going on.
''Yes mister Dixon.'' Riley grumbled under her breath and Maggie bit her lip to hold back a chuckle as she had heard Riley's comment. They finally reached the backdoor that was locked from the inside, but right above it was indeed a window.
''Such a smart man you have, Riles. A bit snappy, but still smart,'' Maggie whispered to her friend who chuckled.
''Thing is too high to reach and too small to get in.'' Daryl grumbled as he looked at the small window that was right above him.
''I can get in, if you give me a boost up?'' Riley suddenly suggested, making everyone look at her.
''I don't think that it will fit Riley, might be better if I go,'' Maggie said and Riley looked back at her friend with widened eyes.
''I can fit in there! I'm not fat..'' she trailed off with a frown on her face, actually feeling a bit insulted and Maggie chuckled.
''I'm not calling you fat!'' Maggie said as she lightly elbowed her friend in her side. ''But your boobs are bigger than mine so it will be very uncomfortable for you to try and squeeze through there.'' She said with a straight face and Riley gaped at her friend. Glenn had to chuckle at Maggie's comment and Daryl elbowed him not so gently in the ribs to make him stop.
''Ouch man!'' Glenn said as he rubbed his side.
''Not funny,'' Daryl grumbled to him and Glenn rolled his eyes when the hunter looked away.
Yes, one word about Riley's body or even giving an indication that you are thinking about her body and that man blows a fit, talk about being possessive, Glenn thought to himself.
Even though Daryl wasn't that open about his relationship with Riley, he surely had an invisible sticker plastered on his forehead that clearly said don't even look at her funny or I will stomp you in the nuts. T-Dog and Glenn had often joked about it together behind Daryl's back. The man had an unconscious habit of following Riley with his eyes when she was near, it was actually quite funny to see if you were talking to him and she walked into the room. It was like the whole world around him seemed to disappear and there was only her.
Talking to Daryl was already difficult enough, since you would only receive back one or two syllables, but when Riley was near, he just stopped talking at all. The minute Glenn would wave his hand in front of Daryl's face, the man would get angry and tell him to knock it off or he would give him a punch in his gut.
Oh the joy of hanging around with Daryl Dixon, Glenn thought while he smirked, knowing that Daryl had fallen head over heels for his friend.
''Alrigh', get inside and open the backdoor with your crowbar.'' Daryl said to Maggie who nodded, temporarily giving Riley her crowbar since she wasn't able to climb properly with that heavy tool in her hand. Daryl took his place underneath the window, quickly placing his crossbow against the wall beside him before leaning against the backdoor. He intertwined his hands together before bending through his knees a little, giving Maggie the signal that he was ready.
''Be careful in there Maggie,'' Glenn said in concern to his girlfriend.
''I'll be fine,'' she told him and walked over to Daryl before she stood in front of him. Shen then grabbed onto his shoulders for balance before she placed her right foot in his hands. ''Can I go?'' She asked Daryl who gave her a quick nod in reply. Maggie then pushed herself off the ground and placed her weight on Daryl's hands, reaching towards the ledge of the window before fully letting go of Daryl's shoulders.
''Okay, a little higher.'' She said when she had a good hold of the ledge and Daryl pushed her up a little more. ''Okay, Riley hand me the crowbar.'' Maggie told her friend, who quickly gave her the tool. ''Mind your head Daryl.''
''Okay, do it.'' Daryl said as he looked downwards to the ground and Maggie quickly smashed the glass of the window with the crowbar, making some pieces of glass fall on the ground beneath her.
Glenn stood there just frowning at the whole scene as he saw how easy it was for Daryl to lift up Maggie like it was nothing. He could lift up Maggie too, but not for that long. Daryl made it seem as if his girlfriend was as light as a feather though. Hm, think I have to work out a little more, he thought to himself.
''Okay, got it, push me up.'' Maggie said to Daryl and he gave her another boost. Maggie squeezed herself through the now open window, disappearing from everyone's sight.
''Ouch!'' They heard her yell after a few seconds.
''Shit! Maggie are you okay!?'' Glenn said in concern as he stared at the broken window.
''Yes! Just hit my knee against this stupid cabinet.'' She replied.
''Open the door.'' Daryl instructed, feeling uneasy that Maggie was inside the building by herself.
''Yes mister Dixon!'' She called out. ''So bossy, how does she put up with him,'' they all heard her grumble to herself, making both Glenn and Riley chuckle while Daryl rolled his eyes.
''You kind of are babe,'' Riley said, plucking away a few pieces of glass between his hair that had fallen on his head when Maggie had smashed the glass of the window.
''Yeah, yeah whatever.'' Daryl mumbled and Riley smiled before giving him a quick kiss on his lips, making his face turn red since Glenn was close by. Thankfully for him, Glenn was merely focused on the window above them, not paying any attention to Riley and her constant flirting.
They heard Maggie rummaging in the building while the rest of them were standing in front of the backdoor, waiting until she would open it. After a moment they heard something break and the door finally opened.
''My God, they really need to clean up this mess around here!'' Maggie said before she let everyone in and closed the door behind them.
Since the building had been boarded shut, there were thankfully no walkers inside. They checked the pharmacy, luckily finding more antibiotics, morphine and some medical equipment since there hadn't been anyone else in the building yet to plunder everything. When they were done, they just needed to find more food and they could head back.
''We check that small store over there across the street and that big supermarket and then we're done. It's been too quiet around here and I ain't likin' it one bit.'' Daryl said since they hadn't really come across any walkers which actually got him on edge.
''Should we just split up? Check them at the same time so we're faster?'' Glenn suggested.
Daryl frowned, thinking about it. ''What'chu guys think?'' He asked the two women.
''Guess it's okay, we can get out of here faster then.'' Maggie said and Riley nodded in agreement.
''Alrigh', let's split up then.'' Daryl said.
Maggie and Glenn quickly made their way over to the small store across the street while Riley and Daryl went into the supermarket.
It felt like Daryl's thoughts about not seeing any walkers around were wrong, because the minute Riley and he stepped into the supermarket, there were already two walkers making their way over to them.
''Fuck, incomin'.'' Daryl said to Riley quickly got her crossbow from her back. She shot down the second walker while Daryl was already pulling out the bolt from the first walker's head he'd impaled. ''Alrigh', get yer bolt and let's go. Gotta check out the food aisle.'' He told her and she nodded, quickly pulling out the bolt from the walker's head before following him.
''Shit, there ain't much left here.'' The hunter grumbled as he saw the empty shelves when they entered the food aisle. Riley looked around before seeing several cans sitting on one of the lowest shelves.
''Now now, don't be so pessimistic, there's still some left.'' She said before she bumped her hip against his, startling him in surprise. She winked at him and got down on her knees, laying her crossbow against the bottom shelf. ''Always check the bottom shelves,'' she told him before she reached in her arm to grab the canned corned beef that was at the far back of the shelf. ''I still see six cans of corned beef! We hit the jackpot over here!'' She said as she reached in a bit deeper to get the can at the far left.
Daryl crouched down opposite of Riley and looked at the bottom shelf, actually seeing some cans of sausages. ''Fuck, you're right.'' He said to her as he grabbed the four cans of sausages before stuffing them in his bag.
''Told you!'' She said with a smile on her face, and grabbed a lonely can of green beans. She saw two cans of carrots sitting on the middle shelf and quickly grabbed them as well. By doing so, she accidently bumped against a can of corn with her elbow, making it fall on the floor before it rolled away.
''Ah shit, I'll get it. I like corn!'' Riley said, leaving her heavy bag with Daryl before she quickly ran after the can of corn that rolled over the floor, all the way down the end of the aisle. The can hit the wall and she crouched down to get it before she looked at the shelf that she saw around the corner, seeing a few packets of crackers.
Another jackpot! She smiled and quickly walked over to grab the crackers from the bottom shelf. Everyone is going to love these, they even come in different flavors, she thought to herself as she grabbed as many boxes as she could possibly find.
She suddenly heard a noise behind her and quickly looked back to see a man standing there with a smirk on his face. He looked in his fifties, with grey hair sticking to the sides of his face, a beer belly and he was wearing greasy looking overalls.
Where in the hell did he come from? She thought in surprise.
''Hey there little lady, what'cha doin'?'' He suddenly drawled out in a strong southern accent, a hint of amusement in his voice, but also with something that made Riley's skin crawl, quickly snapping her out of her thoughts.
''Just getting these crackers.'' She replied, quickly standing straight again.
''Alrigh', what'chu doin' here all by yourself girly?'' He asked as his eyes ran over her body.
''I'm not, I'm with a group.'' She said, trying to make him back the hell off. She placed the crackers behind her in the shelf again before carefully reaching for the gun she had tugged in the back of her jeans.
''I ain't seein' no one.'' He told her as he took a step towards her, making Riley take a step back, gripping her gun tightly in her hand, ready to shoot. ''Why ya walkin' away from me suga? Just wanna have some fun!'' The man said and before she knew it he grabbed her, pulling her against his chest.
''Hey! Let me go!'' Riley called out in panic, the gun in her hand falling on the floor.
''Hey! Get the fuck away from her!'' Daryl suddenly called out and Riley felt relief coursing through her body at the sound of his voice. Daryl ran up to them with his crossbow raised, quickly noticing Riley's gun in front of them on the floor. ''Let her the fuck go!''
''Hey now man, I haven't seen a woman this pretty in ages. We can share.'' The man drawled out with a smirk on his face and Daryl was seeing red in front of his eyes.
''I said.. let her the FUCK go!'' Daryl nearly roared as he really was on the verge to shoot off a bolt, but Riley was standing in the way.
''Awe, does this sweet cheeks belong to ya man?'' The man smirked as he brushed the back of his hand against Riley's cheek who quickly turned her head away to avoid the man's touch.
''Don't ya fuckin' touch her, I will fuckin' kill you!'' Daryl shouted but the man merely smirked.
''Now now, ain't gotta be so possessive man, just lemme borrow her for a few minutes.'' The man replied while he held on tightly to a struggling Riley.
''Let me go you stupid dick!'' Riley snapped as she tried to get loose, pulling at his arms with her hands, digging her nails into his skin in the process.
''Ooooh this is a wild girl, I love me some wild girls!'' The man said as he held her tighter in his arms and Riley felt the air nearly being pushed out of her lungs, he really had a firm grip on her.
''If ya don't let her go now, I'll fuckin' shoot ya in yer fuckin' face!'' Daryl threatened as he stepped closer but the man had seen the movement and suddenly pulled out his gun from the back of his jeans, pressing it against Riley's temple. Riley instantly stopped struggling while Daryl froze.
''Now, now.. not so easy with yer demands now huh, are ya?'' The man laughed at Daryl as he was staring wide-eyed in panic. ''I'm in charge here. Now, me and this little missy are gonna walk outta here, and I'm gonna meet up with my buddies and we'll have a mighty-fine time with this little looker.'' The man said before he pressed his lips against Riley's cheek and she shuddered as she tried to recoil from the man's mouth.
''Don't ya touch her ya fuckin' bastard!'' Daryl growled in anger while he was panicking on the inside. The man had a gun pressed against Riley's head so Daryl knew he was powerless, his hands shaking in anger as he saw Riley struggling in the man's grip, but he was too strong. She was looking at him with fear in her eyes, making the hunter panic even more.
The man slowly walked backwards out of the supermarket with Riley in his arms, and Daryl followed them, his crossbow raised, trying to come up with some sort of plan to get Riley the hell away from that man. They went outside and the man was slowly dragging Riley along to his truck.
''Now, if yer a good girl, I might even bring ya back to yer man. How 'bout that suga?'' The man whispered in Riley's ear and she shuddered while she was helplessly looking at Daryl.
''Oowiee Mac! What'chu got there uh?'' They suddenly heard a voice say and Daryl's eyes widened as he saw another man stepping out of the truck.
''Got us some fresh meat is what I got here, Deck!'' Mac called out with a sick grin on his face while he pressed his gun a bit deeper into Riley's temple, making her whimper in pain.
''Ooh, ya got a nice one! Them boys are gonna like her! Fine lookin' tan goin' on, ooweeh, got us some foreign blood is what I'm talkin' 'bout! And check out them nice tits! Can't wait to get my hands on those.'' Deck whistled and licked his lips as he looked at a frightened Riley. It really turned him on when girls would look at him with fear in their eyes, he loved it.
''Shut the fuck up! Let her the fuck go NOW!'' Daryl shouted in anger. These fucking bastards were talking about Riley like she was piece of meat.
Deck looked at Daryl and grinned. ''Oh, so we got ourselves the alpha male over here huh?'' Deck said and Mac chuckled as he held on to Riley, who was still trying to get loose but the man really had a firm grip on her. ''We gon' do all sort of freaky-ass shit to yer girly man, ya ain't even gonna want her back when we're through with this little wildcat.'' Deck said before he spat on the ground in front of him.
''Hey! Let her go!'' They all of a sudden heard Glenn call out and the two men looked to the side, seeing Maggie and Glenn with their guns raised. Riley saw her chance and bit down on Mac's arm and he cried out in pain. She stepped on his toes, putting all of her strength into it, and his arms loosened around her.
''Ouch you fuckin' cunt!'' Mac cursed in pain but Riley pushed away his arms before she was finally loose and began to run over towards Daryl.
Daryl shot off his bolt, impaling Mac in his right shoulder when he saw that Mac was already aiming his gun at Riley. Mac cried out in pain as he dropped his gun to the ground. Deck pulled him behind the truck, trying to avoid Maggie and Glenn who were now directly shooting at the both of them since Riley had gotten loose.
''Fuckin' Robin Hood impaled me with a freakin' arrow!'' Mac yelled in frustration as he was staring wide-eyed at the bolt sticking out of his shoulder.
''Shut the fuck up man, we got bigger problems here!'' Deck replied as he lowered his head as there was a shower of bullets hitting their truck. He saw Riley running towards Daryl and he smiled with a sick grin on his face, reaching behind his jeans to get his precious weapon out.
Riley was almost within arm's reach but before she could reach Daryl, a loud gunshot was heard through the air. Everything that happened in front of Daryl seemed to be occurring in slow motion as he saw Riley suddenly freeze mid-step before falling on the ground.
''Damn! I hit that bitch right in the shoulder!'' Deck called out in cheers as he saw the young brunette go down.
''Shut the fuck up man and get this giant arrow out of me!'' Mac grumbled in pain and Deck scoffed as he rolled his eyes.
''Riley!'' Daryl called out in alarm as he ran over to her, getting down on his knees when he'd reached her. ''Riley?! Shit!'' He said in panic as he saw a pool of blood forming on the ground beside her left shoulder and she looked at him in clear shock at what just happened. He heard a lot of shooting and commotion around him and he carefully picked Riley up into his arms, running over to a burned out truck to hide behind. He quickly sat down on the ground, carefully placing Riley on his lap before he pulled her back from his chest, seeing her looking at him wide-eyed as she was feeling a sharp pain in the back of her shoulder.
''D-Daryl?'' She said in panic.
''Shit, baby.'' He said, noticing that his hand that was pressed against her back was covered in blood. He checked behind her, noticing the big stain of blood on of her cardigan and he quickly pressed his hand against her wound to stop the blood from pouring out.
Riley was taking quick breaths in panic as she felt a burning pain in her left shoulder while she was beginning to feel cold.
''Just calm down baby, breathe, we'll get ya out of here.'' Daryl said to her as he pulled her closer, hearing her trying to take deep breaths. He looked through the broken windows of the truck, seeing that Maggie and Glenn were still in a fight with Deck, while Mac was already lying dead on the ground as he got shot in the head by Maggie.
Daryl quickly looked back at Riley in his arms, seeing her eyes full of tears due to the pain she felt as she was beginning to look as white as a sheet. ''Daryl it-it hurts...'' Riley weakly told him as she looked at him in panic. He felt the tears pricking in his eyes as he looked at her, it killed him to see her in pain and he wasn't able to help her.
''I know baby, just breathe. You'll be alrigh'..'' Daryl murmured in a small voice, not believing his own words as they flowed from his lips. He tried to blink away his own tears since he knew he needed to stay strong for her. Riley tried to focus on his face but it was so hard due to the burning pain she felt going through her shoulder.
All of a sudden Daryl noticed something moving in the corner of his eye, seeing a thin looking male walker stumbling towards them. He looked beside him for his crossbow, seeing that his weapon wasn't there.
''Fuck!'' He cursed since he now remembered he had left his crossbow on the ground where Riley had initially fallen. He quickly reached behind him, getting out the gun that was tugged in the back of his jeans before he took his aim, quickly shooting the nearing walker right in its head and it instantly fell down on the ground.
There was still a lot of shooting heard in the air, since Glenn and Maggie both had difficulties to take Deck down as he was cleverly hiding behind his truck. The noise of the gunshots was actually attracting all the nearby walkers from the woods andDaryl pressed Riley closely to his chest as he shot down another walker that rounded the corner of the pharmacy.
''Fuck! We need to get out of here!'' He cursed as he knew they were sitting ducks if they stayed in this town. He suddenly heard rapid footsteps nearing and he quickly aimed his gun to the right, ready to shoot at anything that would harm them. Suddenly he noticed that it was Maggie who rounded the truck and he instantly lowered his gun.
''Both men are dead.'' She said as she got down on her knees in front of them, pulling her heavy bag from her shoulder while Glenn quickly appeared behind her as well with Daryl's crossbow he had picked off the ground. He froze in his steps as he saw a wounded Riley sitting in Daryl's arms.
''How is she?'' Maggie said in concern as she looked at Riley, who was trying to keep her eyes open while her head was leaning against Daryl's chest as the hunter held her closely in his arms.
''I don't know, she's.. bleedin'… all over..'' Daryl barely got out while his hand was shaking as it was pressed against Riley's wound. Fuck he couldn't lose her, not her, never her.
''Let me see,'' Maggie said before carefully pulling away Daryl's hand from Riley's shoulder, making Riley gasp in pain again. Maggie cautiously pulled Riley's cardigan a bit lower and winced as she saw the nasty gunshot wound.
''Okay, we don't know if the bullet might be shattered in there, we need to check if there is an exit wound.'' Maggie told Daryl while he was still looking at Riley's wound in shock. ''Daryl!'' Maggie nearly yelled at him to get him out of his trance before he looked at her.
''Check the front of her shoulder to see if the bullet exited her body.'' She instructed him and he carefully pulled Riley a bit forward. Maggie let Riley lean against her chest as Daryl pulled down Riley's top a little to see if the bullet had exited her body. His jaw tensed as he saw nothing which meant that the bullet was still inside of her.
''Shit, it's still in there.'' Daryl told Maggie who frowned. She only knew a little from what she had seen from her dad and having that bullet still in there surely wasn't good.
''Okay, we need to get her back to the house, fast. My dad will be able to help her.'' Maggie assured Daryl in a calm voice, seeing that he was panicking. She was panicking herself as well, but she knew she needed to be the strong one now, since Daryl obviously wasn't able to do that in this current situation.
''Glenn, you're driving.'' She instructed Glenn who was still staring at Riley in clear shock. ''Glenn!'' Maggie said in a loud voice, snapping him from his trance.
''Right! On it!'' Glenn quickly replied and he pulled Maggie's bag over his shoulder as it was sitting beside her on the ground before he ran towards the car, dumping everything he was carrying in the trunk.
Maggie stood up but her eyes widened as realization hit her. Riley was the one who had the bag full of bandages and the first aid kit, which was probably still sitting in the supermarket.
''Fuck! I need to get her bag, it has all the bandages in it, we will need that at the house!'' She said to Daryl.
''Food aisle.'' He merely replied while he was gently brushing his thumb over Riley's cheek to wipe away her tears as she was looking at him with a face full of pain. Maggie nodded before she quickly made her way over to the supermarket.
Maggie ran to the door but stopped dead in her tracks when she saw a female walker rounding the corner. She made her way over to the walker, shoving her crowbar between its eyes, before pushing the walker backwards with her foot. She ran into the supermarket, quickly trying to find the food aisle. She saw the sign and quickly ran into the correct aisle, seeing two bags with Riley's crossbow sitting on the ground.
She swiftly hoisted the heavy bags over each shoulder and picked up Riley's crossbow, knowing how important that weapon was to her friend. She also noticed Riley's gun on the floor as she was making her way out of the supermarket, quickly tugging it in the back of her jeans. She knew they needed all the weapons they could find, so losing one surely was a big loss for the entire group.
Meanwhile, Daryl gently lifted Riley up into his arms before he stood up, hearing her gasp in pain. ''I'mma get ya outta here Riles, don't ya worry.'' He assured her and quickly walked over to the car where Glenn opened the backseat door. The hunter carefully stepped into the car, holding Riley closely in his arms before he cautiously lay down on the backseat, his feet planted against the car door with Riley fully on top of him. Glenn carefully closed the other car door behind Daryl who leaned back against it, his chest supporting Riley's.
Glenn suddenly heard a groaning sound coming from behind him, seeing two walkers making their way over towards the car. He quickly ran over to them, bashing one of the walkers in its head, before swinging his weapon again at the second, actually decapitating the walker with the force he used. He saw the head flying on the ground and looked at it in disgust as the head had its eyes open and was still moving its mouth. He quickly kicked the walker's head away with his baseball bat before turning around again to see if there were any walkers nearing the car.
He saw in the corner of his eye that Maggie was running out of the supermarket. ''The gun shots attracted the walkers from the woods!'' She said to him in panic before she quickly dumped the bags in the trunk of the car along with Riley's crossbow.
''Shit Maggie! Hurry, there's a herd coming!'' Glenn suddenly warned her and Maggie looked behind them, seeing at least ten walkers coming towards them.
''Fuck!'' Maggie cursed as she looked at the amount of walkers.
''C'mon get in the car!'' Glenn told her and she quickly closed the trunk of the car before she made way over to the passenger's seat. Glenn bashed in another walker's head that was near the front of the car before getting into the driver's seat.
''Hurry!'' Maggie called out as she saw a few walkers now round the building in front of them. Glenn quickly started the car before driving off.
''You'll be okay baby, you'll be okay.'' Daryl whispered into Riley's ear as he was stroking her cheek with the back of his hand while she was taking small breaths. Riley whimpered in pain as the car was going over some bumps on the road.
Maggie quickly shrugged off her cardigan before handing it over to Daryl, since she had no time to get some bandages out of the trunk of the car.
''Press this against the wound,'' she said to the hunter and he gently placed it against Riley's shoulder, hearing her groan out in pain.
''It's alrigh', we're takin' ya home.'' He reassured her while panic was still surging through him. He knew he needed to stay calm in order not to get Riley even more anxious, but he was really on the verge of breaking down.
''Daryl, I'm cold..'' Riley told him and he placed his free arm around her to press her deeper against his body. Glenn had heard her comment and quickly took off his cardigan as well while he was driving the car.
''Here give her mine, it's warm.'' Glenn said to Maggie, handing over his cardigan. Maggie placed Glenn's cardigan over Riley's back, seeing that her friend was going awfully pale, losing a lot of blood. She knew that they needed to make it back to the house fast or else Riley wasn't going to make it.
Maggie noticed that Daryl's eyes were glazing over, knowing that he was in a pretty awful state right now as he was looking at Riley, and gently stroking her cheek. She had never seen him like this before and it made her heart break, knowing how much Riley meant to him. She quickly looked back in front of her, giving the two of them some privacy.
''Ya will be alrigh' woman, we get ya home and Hershel's gonna fix ya up. You'll be better in no time sweetheart.'' Daryl reassured Riley as her forehead was leaning against the side of his neck while her cheek was resting on his warm skin just above his shirt.
Glenn made sure to step on the gas, knowing that the road was clear now and he didn't need to worry about hitting a car. He knew that if he drove like this they would be back to the house within less than an hour. Fuck it if there is a walker on the road, I will drive right over it, he thought in anger as he heard Riley's sounds of pain behind him, making him grip the steering wheel a little tighter.
Riley was fisting the front of Daryl's shirt to have something to hold onto while she felt the burning pain in her left shoulder. It hurt so bad. She was shaking since she was feeling so cold due to her loss of blood and Daryl placed his right hand underneath her shirt, letting it rest on the small of her back.
''Keep talking to her Daryl, she needs to stay alert.'' Maggie told the man while she kept on looking at the road in front of her and the hunter blinked a few times to get himself out of his daze.
''Ya heard her Riles, I need to keep talkin', it's what I do best right?'' He whispered in her ear and she smiled.
''Don't-don't make me laugh.'' She replied, weakly hitting him against his shoulder.
''And stop hittin' me, that ain't nice.'' He told her with a small smile on his face, feeling a bit of relief surge through him since he was still able to make her smile a little even though she was in pain.
''Fuck… you..'' she replied as her eyes started to droop but she tried to remain focused.
''Nah, no rollin' around in the sack before we get ya fixed up, ya dirty woman.'' He whispered in her ear and she weakly smiled again, listening to his voice. ''When ya get better, we gon' go out in the park and catch us some rabbits, since ya suck at killin' squirrels.'' He murmured in her ear, trying to keep her awake. ''And when ya get at least five, ya will have earned yourself a nice massage woman, how 'bout that?''
Riley was trying to keep her eyes open, listening to Daryl's voice murmur soothingly in her ear but she felt so drowsy and weak. ''That.. would be ni-'' she trailed off before blacking out.
''Woman?'' Daryl said when he heard that she had stopped midsentence and he pulled her head back a little, seeing her eyes were closed. ''Riley!?'' He suddenly called out loud, making Maggie look behind her.
''Riley, shit wake up!'' The hunter panicked as he sat up straighter to look at her more clearly.
''Shit let me look!'' Maggie said, quickly reaching behind her to check up on her friend.
''She ain't wakin' up! Maggie she ain't wakin' up!'' Daryl nearly shouted at Maggie in alarm as he had no idea on what to do, feeling so helpless in this entire horrible situation they were in.
There was a sudden panic inside the car where Daryl was shouting in terror, Maggie telling him to stay calm and Glenn looking all wide-eyed in fright as he stepped even harder on the gas.
All the commotion inside the car made them unaware of their surroundings, having no idea that they were actually being followed..
~ TWD ~
A/N: Panic, panic, panic, was anyone expecting this to happen on their 'road trip'? How do you think they all handled this frightening situation? What do you think is going to happen to Riley? And who is following them..?
I have to admit that I was kind of in a funk because I was losing some followers and reviewers.. But the encouragement of the people that did review, the followers that stuck with me and some support from other writers gave me a positive boost to write this chapter, so THANK YOU! I really do appreciate the fact that you take the time to share your opinions & thoughts with me; it really does help speed up my writing. I hope you all received my pm's. Also thanks for all the follows & favorites!
Special thanks to FriendsWithTheMonster. Just so you know, you've got co-ownership on the invention of that brand name too lol. Thanks for the help!
To the reviewers I couldn't pm:
* Guest: Thank you! I hope you liked this chapter as well.
* AndreaHarding: Yes lol 'Stuff & Things', I did do that on purpose, wondering if people would notice and you did! Thanks for your review. :)