A/N: Readers - finally updating seems like ages, however only a few more exams to go then I will be able to update more regularly. Thanks for your support much appreciated. Spitfire47
Two days later…one day till exchange
The last shot rang out. Smoke billowed out of the guns that were held by the line of survivors. The body count was about twenty or so, everyone was positive that they were all dead.
Rick didn't know whether to go and apologize to Hershel or strangle Shane. He clenched and unclenched his fists, he looked around to see the Greenes in tears having witnessed their friends and family slaughtered by his group. They were Walkers, and they were dangerous but in their impressionable minds – they were still 'alive' somehow. Rick never thought of them like that, not the way he saw them at first and not what he had heard from Jenner at the CDC. Perhaps if he had told Hershel what he had learned from the doctor, explained the process of the being turned maybe Hershel would then give them permission however the way Shane did it made Rick hate himself even more. He felt someone rush past him and Rick tried to stop Beth from going any further but the youngest pulled herself out of his hold. The others prepared to go forward to stop her but Rick shook his head. He looked back at Hershel who was being comforted by his oldest daughter. There was a sudden scream and Rick whipped around and saw half of his group already near Beth who was struggling to free from the grasp of her still alive Walker mother.
Glenn delivered kicks to her head, while the others tried to pry Beth out of her Walker mother's grasp. Andrea grabbed the scythe and swung upward impaling the blade clean through the skull and outward. Everyone fell silent with horror then the Walker collapsed finally dead on the ground. Beth was freed and led back to the house supported between Maggie and Jimmy.
Rick felt a pit of guilt growing ever so bigger and he felt himself become suddenly tired as the events took hold of him not only mentally but physically too. He looked up to see Shane ready to follow the Greenes but Rick immediately rushed over and pushed his friend back a few steps stopping him.
"Enough," hissed Rick, all of his emotions placed into a single word.
Shane visibly bristled. "What did you want me to do? Let Carl come back to this?!"
Rick straightened matching Shane's height. "It could've been done another way, not like this! "
"How?" challenged Shane.
Rick tried to think of something but nothing logically accurate came to mind – release them into the wild? They would attack other survivors or come back. As much as Rick hated to admit it to himself, the best way was to kill them put it they were able to do it more humanely rather than slaughterhouse style. Rick looked over to see his group still slightly in shock and shaken. He ran a hand through his hair and looked back at Shane who was waiting for an answer.
"We could've done it better," Rick said however this time he wasn't as confident.
Shane shook his head. "Like what? One at a time?"
Rick clenched his fists. "You could've waited, just one more day Shane and we would've had Carl back."
"And have him come back to this?"
"At least we would have everyone together if Hershel kicked us off his land."
Rick stalked off not wanting to hear any more of what Shane had to say.
XXXXXX
Carl sat on the second floor of the motel he was facing the front door keeping watch while Merle was asleep in the room. His legs were drawn up to his chest and his arms wrapped around his knees. Even though his head was resting on his knees Carl's eyes moved slowly back and forth and occasionally looking over at the room where Merle was laid up in.
Two days ago they had left Morgan's personal hideout as well as the fate of his undead son Duane. Carl had hid the Gameboy at the bottom of the bag and took it out once but never once turned it on. He was a bit scared if he had to be honest – the Gameboy would be a distraction; a very tempting distraction at that – something that Carl couldn't have especially having to be on watch all the time. At first Carl thought that Morgan gave him the Gameboy just because he didn't have any need for it himself but as Carl held it in his hand he realized that it was for a different reason.
Over the months of living in a world consumed by the Walkers Carl learned that he had to be on his toes, that he had to be careful and always be on guard. This made him grow further than he ever had and the fact that he now had a gun made it seem even more seldom.
Morgan didn't want Carl to lose his childhood. When the boy realized it, he felt himself blush slightly from a bit of embarrassment, sure it was a kind gesture with such a rare item but in this environment Carl wasn't sure what to do with it.
He looked back as he heard coughing come from the door. Carl felt a little sorry for Merle, it seemed that he needed more medication but the antibiotics were gone from the pharmacy leaving them only with ibuprofen to at least keep the pain at bay but didn't exactly help the infection. This was beyond Carl's knowledge of medical care, in Health class if they were ever encounter someone with an infection the teacher told them to grab the nearest adult or call 9-1-1 if anything got too serious. However the only adult was the one who was seriously infected and call to 9-1-1 was turned into a fantasy.
Carl stretched out his ached limbs and looked back at the room. He heard nothing coming from Merle's room so he assumed that the man was asleep. Quickly dashing down the stairs, Carl opened the door and headed out.
The strangest thing he found about the town was that it was mainly cleared of Walkers minus the odd few who would saunter in from the woods or other neighbouring areas. Other than that it was pretty clear which Carl found to be quite relaxing. He holstered his gun and looked up – the sky was open and the sun was beating down on town making Carl immediately sweat as soon as he stepped out of the motel. A small growl came from Carl's stomach, the noise surprised him a bit but Carl looked over at the bar remembering the canned food that was in the pantry. Carl walked over to the front door when he heard something rustle around inside. Carl frowned. He hadn't seen anyone in the past two days that they have been here, the boy walked around the back to see a vehicle parked close to the building next to the back door. Carl didn't want to use the front door because he didn't want to bring any attention to himself, since the survivor or survivors were in the front, Carl slipped through the back door and inside.
Inside Carl could hear a single set of footsteps thump loudly against the aged floor boards it struck Carl as odd that only one person would be in the building but perhaps other members were around town. This made Carl's eyes widen, if that was the case then he would have to be quick to get back to Merle at once before he is discovered. He briskly walked to the pantry and picked up a couple cans of soup, a box of plastic utensils and threw them into a dusty pot before heading back out.
Back outside Carl quickly crossed the street and ran to the motel but keeping his eyes peeled for other vehicles that he hadn't seen before but so far the only one was the one at the back of the bar. Carl walked around back of the motel and started to make a small fire out of kindle. Quickly running his hand through the inside of the pot, Carl used his knife to cruelly cut the top off. Since he didn't have any water the soup was going to be a little thick but Carl didn't mind, it would make it more filling as well. He set the pot next to the fire and leaned back listening as his stomach gave another growl except this one seemed to be filled with a bit of approval. Carl sighed, he hadn't eaten since yesterday tricking his body by drinking tons of water but that didn't do too much. Keeping the heat under control Carl watched as the soup bubbled and simmered around the edges before dipping the empty can into pot and grabbed a plastic fork.
The soup was delicious. Despite its little burnt aftertaste it was a lot better than what they have been living off of previously. Within seconds it was gone and Carl took a little more before his stomach swelled to his fill. He dipped the can in then went inside, carefully adjusting the rag around the can so he wouldn't burn his fingers and headed inside
There was a stray Walker in the front foyer bumping into the wall on occasion because of its damaged eye, Carl took out his blade and then stabbed it in the back making it fall before swiftly moving up and stabbing it in the head dodging a weakly swipe by the Walker's hand. Carl looked up and down the hallway wondering how the Walker here made Carl curious as well as worried, was it hidden away in a room? But it would've come out a couple of days ago catching the scent of Carl and Merle. So where did it come from?
A horrible thought entered Carl's mind and he made a mad dash up the stairs and over to Merle's room. But before he entered Carl took out his knife just in case. He looked over the edge to see Merle still lying on the bed. Carl walked inside and set down the can. Gripping his blade, Carl walked over to the bed seeing Merle's gauzed stump out in the open for all to see blood and puss crusted the gauze making Carl a little woozy.
"Merle?"
Nothing.
Carl slowly inched forward again saying the rednecks name but got no reply. He came right to the side of the bed and whispered, "Are…are you alive?"
Merle let out a slow moan of pain, his eyes slowly opened.
XXXXXX
Merle heard the front door close he let out a sigh of relief, the boy had been on those steps since they arrived and hadn't moved except to get something to eat or go to the bathroom. Occasionally he would visit Merle to see how he was doing but Merle would pretend to be asleep not having the energy to talk to anyone. Leaning deep into the lumpy pillow, Merle fell asleep.
"So ya gonna tell me baby brother?"
Twenty year old Daryl looked down at the ground feeling a hint of embarrassment blush his cheeks but immediately he stood his ground shooting a glare of defiance at his brother.
"What're yer gonna do?" Daryl demanded throwing down his bag ready for a fight but Merle gave a small chuckle.
"Ain't here to fight ya Daryl," Merle said still chuckling, "just curious why you would be here of all places?"
He watched as Daryl blushed again and Merle shook his head.
It was completely by chance. Daryl coming from one way and Merle coming from another and after not seeing each other for five months it was a shock to both for sure. The strip club's lights danced bright warm colours around the two making their shadows distort along with the flashes.
"Have you even decided on how you're going to get in?" Merle inquired.
Daryl took out a small card but it was poorly done easily standing out as a fake id.
"Ya gotta be shittin' me Daryl," Merle said and literally tossed the card into the trash.
"Hey!" Daryl protested rage written all over his face.
"So how much did that piece of crap cost ya?" Merle asked raising an eyebrow ignoring his brother, "hundred or so?"
Daryl opened and closed his mouth but nothing came out and Merle knew that he had hit the target. Merle took out a couple small bills before stuffing them back into his pocket.
"Tell ya what Daryl, let's ditch this whorehouse and I'll buy you a couple drinks – hell even get you so drunk that you won't know where the sky was by the time you're done."
Daryl's eyes widened as he saw that Merle was serious. He looked at the strip club's blinding lights and then back at his brother.
"You aren't really giving me a choice," Daryl murmured remembering Merle tossing his hard earned fake id into the trash.
Merle swung an arm around his brother's shoulders and steered him around down the street.
Merle's eyes slowly opened, they were filled with grit making him groan in discomfort however his stump made the pain feel like a pinprick. His vision was distorted so instead of seeing Carl he saw a darkened figure who's one arm was outstretched. Suddenly the man's eyes flashed open and he backed up quickly whipping out the gun he had hidden underneath the covers close to his remaining hand. The figure suddenly vanished and Merle waved the gun this way and that until he heard a small petrified voice.
"Merle…!" it exclaimed, "don't shoot!"
The clouds dispersed from Merle's vision and he saw Carl cower behind the dresser peeking out once in a while to make sure that Merle wasn't going trigger finger on him. Merle let out a heavy sigh rubbing the grit from his eyes watching as his vision cleared up. He placed the safety on his gun and set it down making Carl feel slightly better that he wasn't going to get shot.
"What've you been up to?" Merle asked.
Carl picked up the soup can and walked over to Merle with it.
"Found something to eat over at the bar's pantry," Carl said handing Merle the rag wrapped can. Cautiously Merle rose from the bed, straightening the best he could before taking the can in his hand feeling the warm heat of the liquid. Carl looked over at the ibuprofen bottle on the dresser.
"How many are left?" Merle asked his voice was hoarse.
Carl gave the bottle a little shake and then pulled off the cap. "Five."
Merle exhaled slowly, Carl put the bottle down and walked over, he was going to walk over and ask 'how is it' but decided to keep his mouth shut.
"Do you want me to go and see if I can find more?" Carl asked.
Merle sighed, as much as he wanted to say yes he declined for in all honesty he couldn't feel it at all. It had gone numb as the infection spread through his arm. He gulped down a few mouthfuls of the soup before using his knees to hold the can in place while he used the spoon to scrap what was left. Carl took the empty can and promised to bring some more up soon. Merle only nodded before drifting off again. Carl shifted from foot to foot but left.
He was beginning to worry rushing out of the room he walked out back and stamped out the fire. Making sure that his knife and gun were holstered securely and within easy access Carl headed over to the pharmacy to see what he could find. Carl took out one Walker on the way with his knife before quickly ducking into the store and heading to the back. He saw a dead Walker, its head was partially decapitated and it's face with numerous slashes to it. Carl looked up from to the counters stacked with medication but most he didn't know what they did. Carl looked around hoping to find an antibiotic but all he was able to find was labels that he couldn't even pronounce let alone know what they did. Carl let out a hiss of frustration and walked around to see a back room but it was locked. Having no choice, Carl took out his gun and shot the lock. Holding his breath for a few moments Carl listened but heard nothing and he released a sigh of relief before pushing the door open.
Inside the back room was near empty shelves except with a few bottles but they were opened. Carl stepped inside and looked around until he saw what he was looking for. It had a green cross with bold black letters: Antibiotics. Feeling a sense of relief Carl stuffed the bottle into his pocket and was about to head out when a sudden bright light stopped him in his tracks.
