Ch.41

"The whole point in coming up here is to get away from you people." Daryl says walking off in the other direction. "Gonna take more than that." Dale stops in front of me.

"What can we do you for, Dale?" I ask crossing my arms. "We're concerned about you and your new role." Dale turns toward Daryl. He shrugs his shoulders and begins to fiddle with his arrows.

I listen to Daryl and Dale banter at each other for a while. They throw me off when they mention me in their argument. I watch Daryl throw on his vest out of habit.

"So lie or die, you don't care what happens to Randall?" Dale asks Daryl for his opinion, then looks to me. "What about you, Mae? Don't tell me you don't care." Dale throws his hand up at me.

"I don't care. The little prick will get what he deserves. He just watched and let his people rape those poor girls. It is as much his fault as it is theirs." I spit at the mention of Dale wanting to save Randall.

"Well, you have a point, but he's just a kid." Dale pleads with us. "Your opinion makes a difference." he states looking at both of us. I can see how Daryl's opinion can make a difference - he's Rick right hand man. Me on the other hand, don't matter.

"Man, ain't nobody looking at me for nothing." Daryl says walking away. I turn around at his snarky comment. "Hey!" I yell crossing my arms and tapping my foot. Daryl apologizes for leaving me out.

Daryl stares at Dale to continue. "Carol is, Mae definitely looks to you, and I do." Dale gestures pointing at both me and himself. "And you obviously have Rick's ear." Dale walks after him. "Rick just looks to Shane. Let him. Come on, Maezy." Daryl says turning back around.

"You both cared what happened to Sophia. Cared what it meant to the group." Dale mentions the little girl causing us to turn around. "Torturing people? That isn't you - neither of you." he continues getting our attention.

"What happened to the young woman that went out of her way to help everyone? What happened to her?" Dale pleads with me for an explanation. I turn my face away as to not let him see my sad face.

"You're decent people. So is Rick. Shane is a different story." Dale says settling his case. "You think he killed Otis, too, don't you?" I ask him seriously. "Yeah. I believe so." he answers truthfully.

"Rick ain't stupid. If he didn't figure that out, it's cause he didn't wanna." Daryl gets up in Dale's face. "It's like I said - group's broken." Daryl says turning around to grab my waist. I glance back at the man we left speechless.

At the end of the day, we gather for a group meeting in the living area. We discuss what we think we should do about Randall. Dale pleads his case again to save the boy's life.

I look at Dale's teary-eyed face as he pleads one last time. My chest swells at the sadness in his voice. Then he walks over to me and Daryl to tell him he was right - this group is broken.

"Daryl, Rick, and Shane deal with the Randall situation that night. I'm waiting with the rest of the group by a fire to await the men. When I look up from the flames I see Carl walking back with his dad.

I squint my eyes at them as I get Lori's attention. "Carl? Why did you have Carl with you? We told him specifically not to go near the barn." I say looking toward Rick for an explanation.

"We're keeping him in custody for now." Rick finally speaks up. My eyes go wide at his decision but I also feel a sense of relief. Dale's words has really been setting on me. I don't think I could have lived with myself if I let a young boy die because of someone elses mistake.

"Carl, why don't you go on inside the house." Lori tells her son. "I'll take him." I say urging Carl forward. They thank me and I nod at them. "Come on, Carl. We'll wait for them inside." I lightly push him forward.

In the middle of the night we hear someone screaming in the field across the house. "What was that? Where's Dale?" I begin to panic. Everyone grabs a flashlight and starts looking for the old timer.

Daryl reaches the old man first. As I run up to Dale, I instantly freeze. My tears begin to fall, and I kneel down beside Daryl. "Dale." I quietly call out his name as I try not to look at his torn abdomen.

I lean my head down on top of Dale facing him. He continues to moan in pain in front of me. I can't believe this happened. He was such a nice and caring guy. I sob over him trying not to gag myself. There's no use in saving him - his wound is too severe.

I sit back up to look at Daryl with my teary eyes. "We can't leave him like this. Something needs to be done." I sob staring at him. I can't watch Dale suffer anymore.

Daryl ends up doing the humane thing by shooting Dale. I begin to sob louder as I hear the gun cock. "Sorry, brother." I hear Daryl say sadly, and then it was over. Dale was gone and not suffering anymore.

Daryl walks over to me and engulfs me in his embrace. I cry louder at the comforting contact. "It's okay, babe." he consoles me before we head back to the house to sit in misery.

The next day, we bury Dale with the other loved ones and have a funeral for him. I quietly sob into Daryl's chest. Dale was so good to me. He was good to everyone and he spoke his mind. I'm gonna really miss him.