Chapter 37.
Daryl ran all the way to the cabin.
He stopped at the door. He was relieved when he heard Dylan crying inside. Thanks God, he thought and opened the door.
A little room was shared by the blanket hanging down from the ceiling. Maggie and Glenn slept on the other side, Daryl and Beth had the other half of the room.
There was a woman sitting on their bed, holding the crying baby.
Carol.
She hummed a lullaby for the baby absently.
"What the hell are you doing here? Where is Beth?" Daryl snapped.
"How nice to see you too, Daryl", Carol replied with the little smile.
There was something in that smile that Daryl didn't like. Not at all.
"Where - is - Beth?" he repeated angrily.
Carol turned around and looked at him in the eyes.
"Gone now. Gone with the Consultant. And she's not coming back", Carol answered calmly.
Daryl felt as if someone had hit him in the stomach. It was hard to breath.
"No… no… it's not true! It can't be!" he managed to say.
"Oh yes. She left voluntarily and asked me to take care of the baby. I wonder if there is something going on between her and the Consultant... What do you know about their relationship - I mean really?" Carol said thoughtfully.
"I know enough. There is nothing between them. Absolutely not. Don't say that ever again", Daryl said in a low tone.
Then he stared at Carol and spoke again, emphasizing each word.
"You had something to do with this, I know it. Rick was right to banish you once. You're a danger to others. Give me the baby", he said and took his son. Dylan was still crying.
Then Daryl stepped to the door.
"Where are you going, Daryl?" Carol asked surprised.
"To get her", he said simply.
"They will kill you", Carol noted.
"I'll get her back or die trying it. Goodbye, Carol", Daryl said stiffly and looked away.
All of a sudden Carol broke.
"No! Don't go - I love you! I did it because of you. This will cost you your life, I know it", Carol shouted panicky.
Daryl turned to look at her.
"You still don't get it? My life is worthless without Beth."
And he stepped outside without a word.
Carol threw herself on the bed to cry.
xxx
Renee heard a knock at the door.
She opened the door and stared at Daryl surprised.
"Oh my God, Daryl, you look terrible. Is everything alright?" she asked.
Candyman was in their cabin too. He took a step closer. He was holding Aimee. Little girl was asleep on his massive arm. It was an endearing sight - huge man and that tiny little baby.
"No. Beth is gone with the Consultant. I'll take the camper and go after them", Daryl said tiredly.
"Oh Jesus, really? How did that happen?" Renee asked stunned.
"She went to him voluntarily … in order to save us all, I guess. And now I have to ask you a huge favor, Renee", Daryl said.
He had Dylan on his arm. The baby was crying. He obviously missed his mother. And now he was hungry too.
"Of course, Daryl, anything", Renee said with tears in her eyes.
"I went to the field hospital. Only milk formula that Doctor Green has left is outdated and looks disgusting. You're the only breastfeeding woman here in the camp now. I don't know… how long it takes before I can bring Beth back. Dylan will get sick or die without your milk, Renee. I know it's a lot to ask, but I don't have a choice here", the hunter explained quietly.
Renee inhaled and looked at him. She didn't hesitate.
"I'll do anything to help you two. And I know that Beth would do the same for Aimee. I have plenty of milk for both. Give him to me, Daryl", she whispered.
Daryl kissed his son one last time and handed him to Renee.
"One last thing. Carol had something to do with Beth's disappearance. Don't let her come near Dylan, ever", he said firmly.
Renee looked at him horrified.
"Oh my God, Daryl", she whispered hoarsely.
Daryl just nodded and looked at the Candyman.
"Goodbye, brother. Take care of them, will ya?" he asked.
"Sure, man. But… you can't go alone. That bastard has lots of men, you need me by your side like once before, remember?" Candyman noted.
"No, man, not this time. I must go alone - this is a suicide mission. You're more needed here", Daryl said firmly.
"I guess you're right. But my old comrades, Cliff and Dee, are still alive and with the Consultant. I saw them earlier today. They are quite alright, and tired of the Consultant, I know it. Maybe they will help you", Candyman said hopefully.
"Maybe", Daryl said quietly.
"Goodbye", he whispered, turned around and disappeared in the darkness.
xxx
"I don't get it, C. They had plenty of women. Why did we take just one? And why do we stay here, so close to them? They can find us easily now I think", Tom asked and frowned.
They were building a new camp for the night just few miles from the safety zone.
The Consultant sighed impatiently.
"You idiot!" he snapped and rolled his eyes.
"Sometimes I still miss good old Buck Stanton and his wicked mind", he muttered to himself. These others weren't nearly as evil or as clever.
Then the Consultant decided to show some leadership and turned to look at Tom.
"I have a question for you, Tom. What is the best way to catch a wolf?" he asked.
Tom shrugged.
"Well, boss. I don't know… Shooting it?" he said confused.
"No, you moron. The old way is the best one. You take a little lamb and you bind it on the tree. It starts to bleat. Soon the wolf hears it and comes to the bait. After that… it's easy", the Consultant said with a cruel smile.
"The wolf? So - are we hunting now?" Tom wondered.
"Oh yes we are. But it's a metaphor. I'm not talking about a real wolf. I'm talking about a man with a crossbow. He will come for that little blonde, I know it. She is our lamb, our bait. You see - I really want him to come and find us. He owes me", the Consultant hissed subtly.
"Sorry, boss… I still do not get it", Tom said and scratched his head.
"You're hopeless, Tom. Thanks God I'm here and I'm thinking", the Consultant noted.
Then he smiled again.
"And what comes to the other women of the camp… What stops us from going back after a month or so? Nothing!", he shouted merrily.
"Next time I'll ask for Renee!"
xxx
Beth was lying on the floor of the tent tightly bound.
She was crying silently. She missed her family so much - her son and her lover.
Her shirt was wet because of seeping milk. Her body missed the baby too.
No one hadn't done anything to her yet. But she knew it was only a matter of time.
I chose this, she reminded herself. This was my choice. Horrible - yes - but my own. And it worked. They really left the Zone, she told to herself.
Daryl must know already, she figured. He knows now that I'm gone… and he thinks that I'm in love with the Consultant, Beth concluded. The thought hurt. A lot.
She shivered remembering how the Consultant looked at her from head to toe when she came to the first camp three hours earlier.
"I knew you would come, sweet Bethie. Of all my pets… I liked you the most", he greeted her.
His laughter echoed in her mind still.
xxx
AN:
Sorry folks - I'll take a break from writing now. Don't expect updates in a week or so. I will go on vacation and I'm not taking my Macbook with me. ;-) But story continues after that, I promise.
Meanwhile feel free to enjoy my other stories - they are quite plot-driven and thrilling in my opinion. So try them for a change if Daryl/Carol or Rick/Michonne is ok with you. As always, note my rating (M).