The next chapter gets a little violent so if you're squeamish, may wanna just skim over that part. Otherwise, I hope you enjoy.
When I wake up, the spot next to me is empty. I sit up too quickly, leaving me light headed and queazy. I swear to myself to talk to Hershel if I don't feel better by mid-week. I get up and dress before heading down the stairs. Hershel is making oatmeal when I walk out to the main room. He hands me a bowl and I sat down to eat. It's warm and takes away the nausea. I thought I was going to hate oatmeal for the rest of my life after this winter but I find myself thankful for it today.
One by one, everyone files in quietly. Daryl sits across from my table on a set of stairs next to Eli. He leans back and smiles at me briefly through a mouthful but watches Carl with a concerned expression. Beth is feeding the baby again. She's done such a wonderful job.
"Everyone ok?" Rick's voice through the bars startles me. Carl murmurs a yes and we all stare at him as he walks in. He's completely cleaned up with fresh clothing. He looks calm but distant. He steps in slowly, his hands in his pockets.
"What bout you?" Hershel asks him.
"I cleared out the boiler block." He doesn't look at the baby but focuses his eyes on Carl.
"How many were there?" Daryl asks, watching his friend.
"I don't know, a dozen, maybe two. I have to get back. I just wanted to check on Carl." He pats his son on the shoulder, still unable to look at the baby.
"You don't have to clear out those bodies alone, we can help." Glenn tries to stop him.
"No, I do. I do." His voice is strained and painful. He marches toward Daryl.
"Everyone have a gun and knife?" he asks.
"Yeah. We're running low on ammo though." Daryl answers quickly.
"Maggie and I are gonna take a run today, look for bullets and formula." I chime in. Daryl looks at me and I shake my head at him.
"We cleared the boiler room; Axel's fixin the generator in case of emergencies. We're gonna clear out the lower levels today." Daryl tells him, not taking his eyes off of me. Rick agrees and marches out of the room without another word. Hershel's worried calls fall deaf on him.
Daryl crosses over to me, Mason right behind him.
"I need to get out of here and stretch my legs. I'm feeling fine. Maggie and I will be ok." I tell them, calmly.
They both open their mouths to protest but I walk away. Glenn and Maggie are having a similar conversation and I see her reassure him. We had talked about this before the guys had joined us for breakfast. We needed to be away from everyone's "are you okay?" stares. The concern was nice but Maggie didn't want to talk about what happened with Lori anymore than I wanted everyone to keep telling me to rest or feel better. I stuff supplies into a bag and sling it over my back. Hershel hobbles away after Rick; I don't try to stop him. I'm worried about our sheriff too. Daryl and the boys climb the stairs as I finish getting ready.
"We're going with Daryl today." Eli tells me proudly.
"Be safe and stay with him. Listen to what he tells you. Ok?" I tell the boys.
"You be safe too. If it looks scary don't be a superhero. Leave that shit to me and just come back in one piece. Yer my sanity." He says.
"I'm ok baby. Nothings gonna keep me away. I told you that." I lean in and give him a kiss.
"You better come back or I'll come find yer ass." He tries to make it threatening but I couldn't help but smile.
"Did I tell you how absolutely sexy you were last night playing with the baby? I think I fell in love with you all over again." I tell him.
"Distraction hu?" He wraps me up in a hug and I don't fight him. His scent is amazing and I feel the familiar urges start to form. I pull away before I end up forgetting the trip and spending the day in bed with him.
Maggie stands at the bottom of the stairs, waiting patiently. I wish him luck before I follow her out. We make it out to the car with no more resistance. I let Maggie drive and I spread the map across the dash. She points out where we needed to head. The car ride there provides us with enough time to catch up a little. I don't ask about Lori, knowing it is too much right now.
The sun bakes the inside of the car. My stomach gurgles and I ask Maggie to pull over. When the car comes to a stop, I leap out to throw up. Maggie jumps out after me, rubbing my back.
"This has got to stop." I tell her, putting my head up again.
"I hope you're not getting sick. We haven't had anyone get sick since Lori but that was. . ." Her words trail off and she stares at me, eyes wide with panic. I look at her for a moment, trying to figure out what she was going to say. "Oh my God! No, no way." She mumbles.
I finally catch on and I feel the heat drain from my face. My hands fly to my stomach.
"Oh no, no, no. Fuck!" I stutter nervously. The nausea rolls up inside of me again and I heave harder this time, fear taking over.
"Hey calm down, whoa. Let's make sure first. We'll get a test." She tries to calm me down, seeing the hysteria in my face. We rush back to the car, jump in and take off again. I open the window a bit to soothe my nerves. It works for my stomach but not the shaking in my hands. The car ride is quiet and tense.
We pull quickly into a parking spot in front of a strip mall. We cautiously get out and head inside the store. Maggie runs off in search of ammo while I make a beeline for the baby goods. I grab all the formula I can find and turn the corner to feminine hygiene. There are a couple of tests sitting on the shelf and I grab them, just to be sure.
I meet up with Maggie again as she's filling her bag with a bunch of ammo. She looks at the box in my shaking hand and then up at me.
"Want me to stand watch?" she asks wrapping her hand around mine to steady it. I nod, heading for the sign marked restrooms. They are fairly clean so I do my business and step out of the stall. I tap my toe and count, slowly in my head to pass the time. When I finally reach my mark, I flip the test over and stare; horrified.
I open the door to the bathroom and Maggie looks at my face, her expression mimicking the panic I'm feeling.
"What am I going to do Maggie?" I ask her terror rising in my throat.
"Were gonna go back and talk to Daddy. Get your stuff. We're leaving." She urges me and I follow limply, in a daze. We make it back outside and head for the truck.
"Where you good people from?" A loud voice calls behind me. Maggie and I both draw our guns. A tall man with light hair steps out of the shadow of the building. My eyes flicker to his arm which is covered by a metal contraption, a giant blade sticking out of it. I instantly know he's trouble and refuse to lower my weapon.
"What makes you think we're from anywhere?" I ask him.
"Ho ho, a little smart ass here hu? That's ok darlin' just wanted to make sure yer safe. Look puttin my gun down." I keep my weapon up, watching his bladed hand. He catches me staring. Everything about the look on his face makes my hair stand on end.
"Oh this? I lost my hand awhile back. I picked this baby up at a medical supply warehouse. You from around here? Got food or somethin to drink? I could use some help here." He calls out in his thick accent. Maggie and I back toward the car, kicking our dropped supplies along with us.
"Listen, we'll run back and grab some of our guys. They can come back; meet you here." I tell him. He's still slowly walking toward us.
"Don't you trust me?" He asks; mock offense on his face. I shake my head. His smile fades a little, he eyes us both.
He pulls another gun out of his belt and pulls the trigger, shooting into the air. Maggie and I both run for the car, leaving the supplies on the ground. My heart drops when I hear Maggie cry out. I run to her side of the car. The man is sitting on the ground, Maggie pulled up to him with his gun against her temple. His blade is across her chest, holding her down.
"Whoa, hey now girlie. Hold up." He says, tightening his arm around Maggie's neck. She struggles in his grip.
"Let her go!" I tell him.
"Get in the car bitch! Yer driving." He yells. I hesitate as he stands up with Maggie, his gun and blade still fixed on her. "Ya fuckin deaf? Get in there or I'll kill her." I jump in the car and start it. He pulls Maggie in with him and directs me where to go.
Panic builds inside me during the trip. My mind plays through all the possible escape plans. A few miles out of town, he tells me to pull over. He pulls me out of the front seat and tosses me like a rag doll into the back. Something drops over my eyes and my hands are roughly tied behind me. I hear Maggie groan as she falls on the seat next to me. He pulls himself into the driver seat and takes off again. I hear him yell out the window as we come to a brief stop. We slowly drive on but park the vehicle a moment later.
Rough hands pull me out of the car, spinning me around and gripping my wrists. Something is tied tight over my mouth. I am led for quite some time before I'm pushed to sit down. The whoosh of cool air and a blinding light greet me when the blindfold is removed. The man's voice is somewhere above me and I struggle against the chair I'm tied to.
"Yer friend mentioned a man named Glenn. This some Chinamen?" He asks. My surprise confirms it. "My brother Daryl still with him?" he asks and my eyes fly open wide. I stare at this man; knowing it must be Merle. I try to talk to him around my gag. He crosses over and removes it slightly.
"Merle?" I ask him, he eyes me cautiously before nodding. "I'm Daryl's girlfriend, for lack of a better word I guess. I love him. Let us go and get him, I'm sure he'd come here and see you. I can't take you there. There are kids. I'll get him I swear to you." I plead with him. Tears form in my eyes.
"Girlie ya don't know shit about my brother. Girlfriend. He don't fall in love. No woman can hold him down. He's a Dixon; wild and free." He chuckles at his own joke.
"You're wrong." I whisper. "Please just let Maggie go get him. She'll bring him back. I'll stay here as collateral. He'll come here. I know he will." I tell him. Maggie's cries echo from the next room and I panic a little. "Please. Just let her go. Please."
He shakes his head, leaving me alone again. A second man enters. His dark eyes gleam watching me. He stands in front of me, leering. I plead with him silently, begging him for a chance. I don't expect it when his fist collides with my cheekbone, causing my jaw to shudder. I tip over in the chair, pinning my elbow at an awkward angle under it. The pain shoots up my arm and I bite back a scream. I refuse to cry out.
"Where you from sweetheart?" He asks, his voice gritty as he leans over me, spitting on me. "Round here, women respect their men. Answer them when asked a question." His voice was full of spite.
He places his heavy boot to the cheek he just damaged, pressing down on the painful spot. It increases the pressure on my arm. A small whimper escapes my lips but I refuse to give in. Bryan's face flashes in my mind and I let myself go to that numb place. The place I found solitude in every time he laid his hands on me. My breathing slowed and I struggled to concentrate. Maggie's screams from the next room only grow. She can hear my grunts and cries through the wall. I tune out, staring straight ahead and gritting my teeth.
"Answer me." He repeats, pulling me to sit up again. He crosses in front of me and I look straight ahead and shake my head.
"WRONG!" This time his fist slams into my temple. My eyes go out of focus as I plant my feet so that I don't fall again. I feel queasy. When I don't say a word, he takes two more swing connecting with my face. I can feel my eye start to swell. He lands another blow to my rib cage and I worry he may hurt the baby.
"I'll tell Merle." I say; my voice emotionless. I focus on a spot on the opposite wall, not looking at the man. The man turns and walks back out without another word. Pain throbs throughout my body. I hear Maggie sobbing from next door.