Chapter 36
Carol came to Beth and touched her shoulder lightly.
"Shh, it's ok, it's not your fault. That Consultant is obviously a horrible man", she whispered in a friendly tone. This well timed sympathy was just what Beth needed now.
"Oh my God, he is. What now? What do I do?" Beth sobbed. She looked at her son. Dylan was so little, so innocent and adorable. Mere thought of any harm to him was unbearable.
"Now there's a problem", Carol admitted softly.
"Just think about the others… Dylan… Daryl… Maggie… and her unborn baby. Renee and that cute little Aimee. Not to mention general Cox and Rick. They have done so much for this little community. It's awful to think that we will lose this place soon", Carol said quietly.
Beth couldn't stop crying.
"But maybe… you could try something. It's hard and dangerous though. And no one could really ask it from you", the older woman said hesitantly.
"What is it, Carol?" Beth asked.
"No, I won't suggest it… I just can't", Carol said and looked away.
"Just spit it out, Carol! All ideas are welcome now", Beth encouraged her.
"Ok. I think you could solve this, Beth. But the price is high", Carol whispered.
"How?" Beth asked and frowned.
"Just… go to him voluntarily, Beth. The Consultant I mean. You are the one he wants. That's the way to save the camp and the others. Especially men, including Daryl. The only way I think. Otherwise they will fight for you. And die for you, Beth", Carol explained slowly.
Beth stared at her without a word.
"I know. As I said - the price is high", Carol whispered hoarsely.
Beth felt numb.
"What about… Dylan?" she asked, tears running down her cheeks.
"He will grow up here. Free and happy. Among the people who love him. Daryl, Maggie, Renee… me. I'll take care of him as my own, I promise you that, Beth. You saw me with little Judith a long ago, you know I can do it", Carol explained.
"And when the time comes, we will tell him that his mother sacrificed herself for the others."
Beth closed her eyes and inhaled.
"Daryl will never let me go", she whispered.
"That's why we must do this now. He may not know", Carol replied.
Beth Greene thought back her life. She remembered her happy childhood and her parents. And the farm, her home long gone. Then she thought of Daryl Dixon - the only man she had ever loved. The man who had given her this child she was holding now.
She had already lived a full life.
She opened her eyes and looked at Carol.
"Daryl will come after me and gets himself killed", Beth whispered.
"I thought about it. I must tell him that … you wanted to go. That you're secretly in love with the Consultant. Daryl will be hurt and sad - but alive and well, and with Dylan", Carol said smoothly.
"Oh my God", Beth said and started to cry again.
"I know, I know", Carol whispered and patted her shoulder.
Beth wiped her tears and stood up. Then she looked at Carol.
"Time is running out. Daryl will be back soon. We must do this now. Let's go."
xxx
Glenn was guarding the side gate of the camp.
Suddenly he saw Carol come running to him. She seemed deeply worried.
"What is it, Carol?" Glenn asked.
Carol stopped in front of him. She was short of breath.
"It's Maggie! She is in the field hospital with Dr. Greene. I think she is getting a miscarriage. She is in pain, and she is asking for you, Glenn. Hurry! Give me your gun and the keys, I will guard the gate for you", Carol explained.
"Oh my God. Maggie!" Glenn shouted, gave his gun and his keys to Carol and left immediately.
When he was out of sight Carol turned around.
"Come, quickly!" she exclaimed.
Beth came slowly around the corner. She was pale and quiet, but very determined now.
She had to do this. For others.
She kissed her son one last time. The scent of the baby truly was divine, she thought and handed the baby to Carol.
"Take care of him for me, will you, Carol?" she asked hoarsely, tears in her eyes.
"Absolutely", Carol replied and took little Dylan gently.
Then she opened the gate for Beth. She stepped outside alone.
Carol closed the gate and locked it. Beth looked at them through the bars of the gate.
"Tell Daryl that…" she started weakly.
"I wouldn't worry about him too much if I were you", Carol noted lightly.
Beth frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"I will take care of him. In every possible way. You see, we have been friends with benefits for years now. I'm surprised that he never told you that. He truly needs women, he's such a sensual man, as you know. He really needs to … satisfy his desires quite often", Carol said with a smile.
"I really didn't know about … you two", Beth said numbly. Suddenly it was hard to breath.
"He is so good in bed, don't you think? He really knows how to please a woman. My favourite part of his body is that small birthmark on his belly... just two inches below his navel - right about here", Carol said and touched her own abdomen lightly.
Beth felt dizzy. It was hard to focus.
She could see Daryl's birthmark in her mind all too well. How many times she had kissed it playfully? She had lost count a long time ago.
"So, I guess it's time to say goodbye, Beth Greene. You're a very brave girl", Carol continued in a friendly tone.
"I guess so. Goodbye", Beth whispered.
She turned around slowly and walked away without a word. She headed towards the Consultant's camp.
Carol followed her with her gaze as long as she could.
Checkmate, she thought with a little smile when Beth disappeared in the dark.
Then she kissed Dylan's downy little head.
"Say bye bye to mommy, little one", Carol whispered to the baby.
xxx
Night had fallen.
They could see the campfires of Consultant's men in the dark.
General Cox looked at the others with satisfaction.
"So it's decided. We don't give our people away voluntarily. No man, no woman nor child. We will defend the camp as long as we can. You voted right I think."
Some seemed skeptical about the decision, but most of the people were clearly contented. General noticed that people from Beth's original group were obviously happy about the decision. They are good, strong people, general thought.
Then he began to give orders.
"We double the guarding for the night. Three hour shifts. Who is guarding the side gate at the moment?" he asked.
"I think Glenn is there", someone said.
"Ok. Listen to me, all of you. We need a plan for tomorrow…", the general started.
It was at that moment when Glenn arrived to them.
"Maggie! Where is she?" he gasped.
"She is right there, next to the kitchen. Why?" Michonne asked surprised.
Before Glenn could answer Tyreese exclaimed in surprise.
"Hey, look at their camp now! They are putting the camp fires out… and getting into cars. I think they are leaving!"
They all turned to look at the Consultant's camp. Tyreese was right. They could see the fires disappearing one by one. They could also hear the cars running in the dark.
Daryl frowned. He didn't like this, not at all. This was way too easy.
Something is wrong, he concluded. Then he glanced around quickly realizing that he hadn't seen Beth and Dylan during the vote. Oh sweet Jesus, he thought.
Beth!
xxx
AN:
This chapter wasn't easy for me to write. :-(
It will get better for Beth & Daryl eventually, I promise. Hang on.