At first Daryl's mind couldn't process what he was looking at. He'd seen a lot of horrific things but it had been a long time since his brain had tried to protect him from fully comprehending what was in his sight.
There was blood and bone everywhere. The violence of the death was obvious and the scent of blood and fresh meat permeated the air.
But somehow he pieced it together. His chest felt tight as he realised it was Carol. His fingers tightened on Beth's arms automatically. It was on the tip of his tongue to ask Beth what had happened but as he looked down at the woman he loved, gasping for breath, with her blank eyes, he knew.
Daryl didn't want to look at Carol again but he did. He owed her his attention. This time he moved past the gore and the horror which had first claimed his concentration. Now he could see there was a bloody red gash in the pale skin of her throat. The knife had cut deep, implying the original attacker had strength. Beth wasn't capable of inflicting that kind of injury even if she would have raised a hand against Carol.
The world was tinged with red as Daryl battled rage that was uncurling in his belly. This was the handiwork of the Governor.
He'd dumped Carol's body in here with Beth and Karen like she was an animal and not a person. Beth had been forced to put Carol down in the most hideous way possible.
"Beth?" Maggie's quiet voice asked from the door. Daryl had almost forgotten they weren't alone in there with Beth and the desecrated corpse of Carol.
Daryl squashed his grief. There would be time to mourn Carol later but now he had to focus on Beth. With extreme displeasure he took in the bruises and scrapes on her body but he didn't see anything that would require urgent medical attention. He noticed her wrists were bound and hastened to cut the ropes with a knife. The skin underneath was rubbed raw and Daryl had to bite his lip to keep from swearing.
Daryl was afraid that what she'd suffered at the hand of the Governor's men wouldn't be visible. That her scars would be on her soul rather than her skin. He shot a questioning look at Karen. Martinez had helped her to her feet gently.
Karen instinctually understood what he was asking and shook her head. Then, almost unbidden, her eyes went to Carol and a little more of the story fell into place. Daryl knew why Carol had been seen as enough of a nuisance to kill. She had come between Beth and the repulsive games the Governor wanted to play with her.
Behind him, Maggie exhaled weakly. He could sense her presence but she didn't come any closer. Daryl knew what it must have cost her to stand back and let Daryl take care of Beth but he appreciated it all the same.
Daryl's anger at the whole situation threatened to overwhelm him. He jerked Beth roughly so she was looking at him. Surprise registered in those big blue eyes and he was glad to see her react, to acknowledge his presence.
"Carol would have wanted you to do it," he said roughly.
Beth was sceptical and her pain was naked in her stare.
"She woulda! She would have thanked ya for stopping her from hurtin' people she loved."
"She saved me." Beth's voice cracked and one tear spilled down her cheek. Daryl wiped it away with his thumb. The loss of Carol had rocked Daryl to his core but Beth needed him and he would not fall apart. He would not let Carol's sacrifice be in vain.
"She was a hero," Karen added quietly. The other woman didn't look quite as beat up as Beth but her eyes were just as haunted. Her and Beth had witnessed something terrible together.
Daryl nodded, he was relieved Karen was alive. They had seen too much death.
As he gazed down at Beth, he tried to convey through his eyes all the love he felt for her. He swiftly pressed his lips to hers and felt her respond. That one little gesture filled him with relief.
When Daryl turned back to the others his expression hardened. He had tried to shield Beth from all his fury and his hate but now it was very evident.
"This ends today!" Daryl was tired of the Governor. Tired of the threat that he was and how he overshadowed all his happiness with his family, with Beth.
"Shit, I got nothin' better to do today," Martinez said with a shrug. Daryl had to fight an animalistic grin at Martinez' nonchalant reaction to killing the Governor. He stepped away from Beth and allowed Maggie to come forward and hug her sister tightly.
They divided some of their weapons between the two women so that both Karen and Beth had a gun and a knife each.
With a heavy heart, Daryl knew they would have to leave Carol.
"We'll come back for her," he promised the others and Carol, if by chance she could hear him. Daryl had never put much stock in heaven but if there was one then Carol deserved to go there. At the very least he hoped she was somewhere safe and happy and that Sophia was there.
At the thought of mother and child reunited, an ache tore through his heart. Daryl wanted to cry for the woman Carol had become but there was no time. Only Beth saw his moment of weakness before he pushed it away. The more Daryl took charge, the more Beth reacted. There was colour in her pale cheeks again and a renewed spark in her. The promise of justice could do that.
...
Beth followed them out into the hallway. She wanted to clutch Daryl's hand like a child seeking comfort but she knew that he would need both his hands if he needed to defend them. When they got out of there, there would be plenty of time to console each other.
Witnessing his heartbreak upon finding Carol dead had torn Beth up even more. He had loved Carol as much as she had, she was his family too. But it hadn't broken him down. Beth admired the deep reserves of strength that Daryl had to call on.
There were two dead guards outside their room. For some reason that outraged Beth. They had been outside listening to them fight for their lives and maybe getting off on it. Their end had been too painless and merciful in Beth's opinion. She was surprised and scared at the intensity of those dark thoughts. She needed to get away from Woodbury. This town was cursed to bring out the worst in people. It would bring them nothing but pain.
Beth was surprised when Martinez halted and, without explanation, began fishing around in his pockets. He pulled out a key and locked the door of what had been their prison.
"Just in case there are any biters around," he said. Beth felt a rush of gratitude at his consideration. Carol's body had suffered more disgrace than anyone should, the least they could do was ensure that there was a body to bury.
When they got out of the building, the cool beginning of night surrounded them. Beth had lost all track of time in their windowless room with fluorescent lighting.
Karen looked up at the sky, drinking in the sight of stars. Beth had to admit the sight hit her hard. It felt like freedom. The night air had a cleansing effect.
Maggie's hand ran up her arm lovingly. She hadn't said much to Beth but her hug had spoken volumes.
The moment was ruined by the sound of growls and shuffling feet.
"Walkers," Daryl snapped, unnecessarily. There was no mistaking those sounds. Martinez and Maggie moved forward to flank Daryl, leaving Karen and Beth behind a protective line.
Beth knew that Daryl's previous injury was holding him back but he still fought with a ferocity that few could match.
The walkers were cut down quickly and efficiently but they could hear more approaching. Beth's heart started to pound. If Woodbury was overrun with walkers then the Governor would have to wait. Now that Daryl was standing there, Beth's first priority was his safety. And not just his safety but the safety of the rest of her family who had risked death to come and save them.
They had only gotten a few streets over when another group caught up with them. There were enough walkers that they engulfed them, forcing Karen and Beth to join the melee this time. Beth was a bit stiff after having the circulation to her hands restricted for so long but Karen channelled all her hate into killing the attacking creatures.
Once Beth's muscles warmed up, she lashed out with equal fervour. It was satisfying to have a place to direct her fury. These walkers were so badly decomposed that they barely resembled humans at all.
Beth spun to face the latest threat but an arrow exploded through the walker's head. Startled Beth saw a big man emerging from the shadows, carrying what looked like Daryl's crossbow. She immediately recognised Bowman. She watched him do a quick calculation and notice that they were down one person but he didn't say anything.
Just behind him was Tyreese, wielding a long blade to kill any troublesome walkers. Beth felt a rush of affection at seeing him there. They didn't get an opportunity to exchange greetings as a fresh wave of walkers crashed into them.
Daryl and Maggie were always nearby just in case Beth looked like she might be overwhelmed. Once Beth would have found this protectiveness overbearing but Beth was in no physical state to argue.
At one point, Daryl roughly pushed her behind him so that he could deal with a particularly vicious walker.
Beth staggered but an arm wrapped around her waist holding her upright. At first she thought it was a walker but then a hand clamped down over her mouth. Beth tried to scream but she couldn't make much noise. While she was still off balance, the person managed to drag her backwards down a side street.
Beth could see that the hand on her stomach was missing a finger. A dirty bandage had been bound around the hand. It was the man that had first approached Beth before Carol had intervened with his knife.
Beth struggled violently, digging her elbow into the man's gut. The air left the man with a woosh as her strike connected.
"Daryl!" Beth managed to yell before he shoved her to the ground. She prayed he had heard her over the scuffle. He would notice soon that she wasn't there.
Her attacker loomed over her. "Stay still, bitch!"
Beth kicked out, aiming for his groin but he shifted at the last second and it glanced off his thigh. Beth was certain it still would have hurt.
The man snarled at her, trying to pin her. Beth rolled away, managing to rise onto her knees. She boxed the man around the ears and he roared with pain.
Beth scrambled to her feet as the man used the wall to push himself upright. Beth backed up. The man must have a high tolerance for pain because he wasn't nearly as disorientated as Beth expected.
He lurched after Beth, trying to hit her. She managed to block the blow though the impact vibrated down her arm. Beth retaliated with her own punch but she aimed lower. She hit him directly in the throat. The man clutched at his throat wheezing for breath frantically.
Beth took advantage of his distraction and kicked him squarely in between the legs. He shouted and fell to his knees.
There was movement from behind the man and then Daryl was bearing down on him. In his hand he had a machete that was dripping with blood. He didn't break stride as he swung the weapon towards the man. Beth's attacker never saw it coming and his expression showed no change before his head was separated from his shoulders.
Daryl's eyes flashed as he stepped over the man. He grabbed Beth around the waist, bringing her body hard against him. This time he kissed her with no regard to their surroundings. The kiss was deep and scorching. Beth knew this was the wrong place and time but Beth kissed him back, hands gliding over the planes of his face.
Daryl pulled away abruptly, leaving Beth breathing hard in his wake. Without a word he was heading back to the fighting, pulling Beth behind him.
The fight was still raging on but Beth could see a noticeable decrease in walkers. There were gunshots from a few streets away. The walkers that weren't immediately preoccupied with trying to eat the people within arm's reach took off towards the sound.
Martinez and Daryl exchange a glance and started to follow the walkers. Tyreese and Karen cut down the last few walkers remaining. They were running now, killing any straggling walkers.
There were shouts. There was another fight going on but this sounded like it was being fought between humans.
Beth drove her knife into the back of a walker's skull who hadn't heard her sneaking up on it. Maggie lunged at a walker that had reached for Bowman, who was too busy aiming the crossbow to defend himself. Her sister drove the creature up against a wall, stabbing it effectively.
There were two more gunshots and Beth's heart fluttered with fear.
The first face she saw was Glenn's. He spotted her and Maggie and for a second a look of intense joy passed over his features but then he turned his attention back to the battle. There were humans and walkers mixed in together.
Rick was fighting whoever got too close. He was putting his body between the fight and Morgan, who was cowering slightly. Even though the man hated direct conflict he was still doing his part. He would kill anything that looked like it might catch Rick by surprise.
Beth's group threw themselves into the fight. Soon there were no walkers and the violence was punctuated by sounds of pain and death.
Over the din, Beth heard Rick shout. "No!"
Morgan was looking down at a knife in his gut. He and Rick had gotten separated as the battle intensified. The man holding the knife had a vicious smile but his triumph was short lived. Bowman sent a well placed arrow into his head.
The man fell, bringing the knife with him. It exited Morgan's body with a wet pop. Tyreese and Martinez forced the last two guards to their knees and relieved them of their weapons. Everyone else was watching Morgan.
Beth couldn't believe their bad luck. How many times would she be forced to watch people she loved die? She had come to really care for Morgan despite all his eccentricities.
Rick made towards the man, reaching out a hand to him. He eased Morgan to the ground.
"You're gonna be fine," Rick was promising urgently. Beth's heart went out to Rick. She cared about Morgan but he had saved Rick's life, making the connection between them all the more poignant.
Beth could tell from the way he was breathing that the knife had probably nicked a lung and there wasn't much they could do. Already there was blood around Morgan's lips as he struggled to breath. He didn't have very much time left but remarkably, he smiled weakly at Rick.
"Look after that boy of yours," Morgan rasped.
Rick nodded and angrily wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.
Morgan looked around at the rest of the group. He seemed satisfied with what he saw. "I think you'll be just fine."
Beth thought that would be the end of Morgan but his hand moved quickly, quicker than Rick could stop. Before Rick could protest, Morgan had the barrel of the gun in his mouth and then he pulled the trigger.
Rick cried out but it was too late. Beth's hands flew to her mouth. Morgan's last act was to ensure that he wouldn't turn into a walker. He had protected Rick from having to put him down.
Rick stayed hunched over Morgan's body and Beth wasn't certain if he was crying or not. Daryl had a gun trained at one of their captive's head but his stare was fixed on Rick.
Now that the danger had more or less passed, Maggie walked to Beth's side, slipping her hand into Beth's. Beth rested her head on Maggie's shoulder, watching Rick closely.
Rick lowered Morgan to the ground and then stood. He kept his back to the group for a moment. When he turned, his eyes were clear but his jaw was tense and determined.
There was no kindness of warmth in Rick as he looked their hostages over.
"Where is the Governor?"
Neither of them answered, they just smirked at Rick.
...
Michonne tilted her head, listening. Sasha was sleeping on her cell bed and Judith was dozing on her chest. Carl was slumped in a chair, cleaning some arrows. Hershel was reading. None of them seemed to hear the sound.
That didn't put Michonne at ease. She rose from her chair slowly.
Carl stopped cleaning the arrows and raised an eyebrow.
Michonne raised one finger to her lips, requesting silence. Carl's expression darkened and he began fitting an arrow to the crossbow.
Hershel had closed the book and was reaching for the gun he had put on the floor.
Michonne had her sword in her hands. The handle in her grip made her feel strong. Wounded or not, she'd make an intruder regret trespassing.
And she was certain there was someone out there. They were trying too hard to be stealthy to be one of her group.
Michonne distinctly heard the cell block gate open. No matter how softly a person moved, they couldn't disguise that noise.
Michonne was glad she had locked the sleeping area as an extra level of protection. She slipped out of the cell they were all in. Carl was leaning over to gently shake Sasha awake.
She wasn't surprised to see the Governor on the other side of the bars. Her face didn't change as she regarded him stoically. Michonne wasn't going to give him the pleasure of a reaction.
Michonne raised her katana but the Governor just raised his gun, levelling it at her chest.
He cocked his head and smiled at her.
"Come with me and I'll let the others live."
Michonne didn't believe him. In fact, she knew he was lying. Once he was done with her, he'd come back for the prison. It might take months before he tired of torturing her but he would eventually get sick of it and just kill her. But what else could she do?
She looked in at the others; all of them were shaking their heads. Sasha had a gun in her hand and she was poised for action. But even if she did manage to get off a shot, the chances were high the Governor would kill at least one of them before the end. Michonne wouldn't let anyone die because of the choices she had made.
Michonne lowered her sword and glared at the one-eyed man, noting her handiwork.
"Sure."
The Governor grinned.
"But you have to come in here and get me." And this time, it was her turn to smile.
AN: Hello everyone, I'm still in a murdering mood so I killed Morgan. Even though I've planned all of these deaths, it still sucks. This chapter kind of sets up the next but I hope it didn't feel like a filler chapter. I agonised over Daryl's reaction to Carol and I hope I got it right. I feel that if it happened before Beth, he would have flown into a rage and done something stupid but Beth needing him held Daryl together. I still didn't want to diminish his grief. I don't normally plug the song I was listening to at the time of writing but I think I owe a huge chunk of the chapter to Florence & the Machine – No Light! No Light! It set fire to my muse and I highly recommend it, especially while reading. Words can't express how wonderful it's been to get everyone's reviews last chapter.