To say it was a long night was beyond over simplifying it. Daryl wasn't a talkative man. He responded in grunts most of the time. Not that she blamed him. He didn't know her and they were trying to be quiet. But still she was determined to at least thank him for helping her into the ceiling.
"Daryl." Carol whispered.
He cocked a perfect brow and looked at her. His eyes piercing the dark. It was almost spooky.
He made a noise in his throat and angled his head. "What?"
"Thank you."
He stared and nodded. They'd managed to get into the ceiling which turned out to be a drop down so they could go even higher. Which in the end they did. They were on a secure base.
Daryl finally looked over at her after a few hours passed and sighed.
"Why did you come today?"
"Why did you?" Carol shot back.
"Because this is what I do. I hunt resources."
"You all found me." Carol stated. "Am I a resource?"
Daryl glared for a second and shot back at her. "No, you're a pain in my ass."
Carol snorted at him and he smiled slightly. It wouldn't be funny but she was sure he probably did pull something heaving her into the cieling and them himself. He was very quiet. Almost like water that's still on top but the currents underneath.
"Is Appalachia as good as it seems?" Her voice barely above a whisper.
Daryl was quiet for a while. She watched him chew his lip and shoot her looks now and then. Finally he sighed and rolled onto his side facing her.
"The people are annoying." He curled his lip in distaste. "But you get use to it. You get busy so they can't find a reason to ask for you or talk to you."
Carol laughed again and realized something. He was not a people person at all. Probably even before the world went down the drain.
"Anyone specifically?"
"The women are the worst." He sighed. "Always asking for help with this or that like i'm the town handyman."
Carol stared at him hard. Daryl didn't see himself apparently. She wasn't blind to his good looks. No great looks. He was beautiful and his wild hair and adorable son only served to make him more appealing. He kept his son alive through this. He was a survivor. He was a hunter and he was smart.
"You get why right?" Carol asked.
He stared at her and shrugged slightly. "Because they're needy."
Carol fought laughing out loud and grinned. "They want more than a handyman. It's almost like a bad porn."
"Ah hell. You've been gossiping with Merle." Daryl sneered.
"Merle is on to something." Carol kept grinning.
Daryl ignored her after that. Occasionally shooting her questioning looks.
By the time morning came around they'd both napped on and off. Carol was sure Daryl barely slept but that just meant that she'd need to make sure he stayed awake on the drive back. The store below them was clear but she wasn't sure about the parking lot. What if this was the end for them?
Daryl hopped down before her and she watched him scan the area before looking up at her. He reached up for her and she dangled down like a fool. HIs hands wrapped around her hips and she felt warm all over. He set her on her feet and her face was blood red. He didn't seem to notice, good.
When they looked outside there was enough room between the few stragglers and the bike that they could make it. She wasn't so worried anymore but she hoped the road would be clear.
"We're gonna run. No stopping." Daryl warned.
He gave her a last look before he bolted for the bike. He was fast and Carol panted to keep up. Her heart pounding in her chest as he threw a leg over the bike. He looked back at her and his eyes stayed trained there while he kicked the bike to life. Her heart raced he was going to leave her. She wasn't that far away!
He spun the bike on its wheel and whipped around towards her. He skidded to a stop and gripped her arm and drug her up on the bike.
"Hold on."
He was wide awake now. Her thighs gripped his hips and thighs and he grunted. Her arms wrapped around him like a vice as he gunned it away from the dead that were closing in. Her nails bit into his chest where his shirt had shifted and she knew she was hurting him but she was terrified. He was flying but they were whipping the dead like it was a game or a race. They were everywhere down through here.
A loud honk grabbed her attention and a truck was barreling towards them with what looked like a plow on the front. Daryl got over and the truck stopped only long enough to turn. When they passed it she realized it was Merle turning the truck and he was raking the dead that blocked the road down like they were roadkill. He eyed them and nodded before taking off again and Daryl followed. Merle leading them safely home. She wasn't a bit surprised that Merle came back for them, for Daryl. Only surprised that Logan wasn't with him.