Chapter 11
"Ya give me some clothes at leas' ? Keep'n my ass prisoner in 'ere" Daryl mumbled out. I got up and gave him some of the clothes that had been brought in and handed them to him. I just hope the blood loss made him too tired to go against Hershel's wishes; I knew he was itching to have it out with Shane and I hoped to put off that confrontation as long as possible.
RPOV
Daryl had only stayed put for the one night and early the next morning made his escape back to his tent. The girl still hadn't woken up; Hershel said if she didn't wake by later this afternoon he's going to have to run some fluids to her to prevent dehydration. I'd been hoping for her to have woken and question her some more about the quarry and Atlanta; I was surprised Daryl had let the subject die after he found out about Merle. Deciding to check on her once again, I found Hershel in the room already, setting up an IV. He went to clean her arm when her hand grabbed his wrist.
BPOV
My head was killing me. I could hear people in the room with me, but I continued to lie still, trying to get my bearings. I had to pee terribly bad; last thing I remember was Shane, aw yes there it is. I remembered taking that hit with the pick axe but with good reason. It wasn't just to expose him for the asshole he was in front of everyone, but also gave me an in to the very core of the group for at least a day or two. I needed to find out who was who and how to relay this shit storm Alice bestowed upon me. Something wet touched my arm, I wasn't about to allow someone to stick me with anything at the moment. I grabbed their arm and tried to open my eyes but fuck, someone could've at least closed the blinds or something. The man in front of me was older with white hair so I went ahead and messed with him a little, "Are you God?" I coaked out, severely parched. I figured it would at least get me a name so I could know who I was dealing with here and I was right. He smiled a little as I released his arm and said "No, sorry to disappoint, I am Hershel Greene, and you're here in my house after your altercation out in the pasture. I was just going to set up an IV as you've been unconscious for well over 24 hours." "No offence Doc, are you a Doctor?..." He nodded, so I continued "but I am not fond of needles and now that I'm awake I can…." I trailed off as an idea came to me. I spotted the bible on the night stand and thought that this would probably be the best way to give Hershel the information he needed to know; it might seem a little cruel to pretend to be some sort of prophet or something and I'll probably go to hell for it but it was worth a shot. I reached out and grabbed him again, making Mr. Python in the corner a little jumpy. I stared Hershel straight in his eyes and lowered my voice slightly saying "Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by discomforts. The farm will fall, it's time to move on from the barn; there is no cure, put them to rest. This group will keep the Greene family safe; follow the map" I then let him go and shook my head a little for effect as if I just came out of a trance or something and continued on with what I was saying earlier, " drink all the fluids you want, but first, I am about to leak fluid all over the place if someone doesn't point me in the direction of a bathroom or some bushes." He was a little shook up as he pointed to a door off to the left saying there were towels in there if I wanted to shower in a monotone voice. Sweet! Running water?! I wonder if it's hot… After using the bathroom and washing my hands I discovered it was in fact hot!
I needed my pack with some extra clothes; I was definitely taking advantage of hot running water. I was wearing something that didn't belong to me and my face flushed at the thought of someone seeing me naked. Who the fuck changed my clothes?! I walked out to see Mr. Python deep in thought, but he looked up as I came in. "Uh.. Do you know where my pack is? I need some of my own clothes…." I trailed off, slightly staring at him in an accusing manner. Hey, they keep assuming shit about me; how the hell am I supposed to know if he changed me or not. He was quick to hold his hands up and said "Hershel had his daughter, Maggie, help get you changed. No one else was in the room beside them. I think Sofia has been keeping your bag for you, I'll see if I can get her to bring it to you. Ok?" I nodded; well, Hershel had seen my wings too, that probably really freaked him out. Oh well, nothing to be done about it now, he needed to know and believe what I had to say. "When you get done cleaning up, do you mind sitting down with me? I think we have a few things to discuss, Bella is it?" I once again nodded, "And you are?" I asked wondering if another opportunity was going to present itself. "I'm Rick, Rick Grimes" he answered. Wow, two in the same day. At this rate, I could hopefully convince these people to get a move on it quickly. "Bella, Bella Swan" I answered the same way he did, like I was James Bond or something. I saw his lip twitch slightly; ah, so this one does have a since of humor. He set off to go find Sofia as I took a look at the damage.
To say I looked a little fucked up was a huge mistake. I looked really, really, really fucked up. Both my eyes were swollen and black; even my nose, which wasn't broken thank goodness for small favors, was slightly blue and swollen. The real kicker was the 4 or so stiches on my brow. They were done really well so the scaring would be minimal I thought as I placed the bandage back over it. I could hear little feet run up the steps and prepared myself for Sofia. Like I thought, she came running up to me but was surprisingly gentle, for which I was thankful. I was still really sore and from what I saw in the bathroom, my eyes aren't the only thing that's black and blue. Lying in bed for a day didn't do anything to help relieve the pain from the bruising. Sofia was tearing up while looking at my face and asked "Are you ok? We were scared you weren't going to wake up… This is my momma, momma this is Bella, she saved me." She spewed out all in one breath. I held out my hand to a woman with short grayish hair as she did the same saying "I'm Carol. I don't know how to ever repay you. I am so thankful to have Sofia back. Thank you, really Thank you." I was getting uncomfortable with all the praise and tried to lead the conversation off the subject "It really wasn't any issue; Sofia is really smart and picked up a lot of what It takes to survive out there. Um, Rick said you've been keeping my pack for me?" I asked looking to Sofia. She nodded, handing me my bag and bow but the quiver was empty, and said "Mr. Shane wanted to go through it but I wouldn't let him and Mr. Glenn and Mr. Dale made sure he couldn't take it from me. I wouldn't want anyone going through my bag. I love my bag. He probably would've messed up your pictures and all your stuff just because you made him angry. Momma, she has the prettiest friends and her dad is a police man like Mr. Rick." That girl could really talk when she got excited. So Rick, Mr. Python, was a policeman…I remembered Sofia saying something along the lines but was too focused on the Shane bit to put it together. Oh man, I bet he was Clint Eastwood in Atlanta now that I'd gotten a look at him. Telling Sofia and Carol I was going to take a shower while it was available, they left, but not before Sofia made me promise to come see her later.
I enjoyed every second of my scalding hot shower, trying to loosen some of my sore muscles. Coming back into the room still drying my hair, I noticed the clothes I had been wearing, the ones that were caked in mud, had been washed, folded and placed on the edge of the bed. A woman with brown hair was near the door holding something in her hand. "Hi, I'm Maggie Greene, Hershel's daughter. I washed your clothes and brought you this." She said handing me a tube, "I don't know how your back got all bruised up like that but that should help. It's for horses but it's all we got 'round here." It was a tube of horse liniment half used up already, but I was thankful none the less. "Thank you, I really appreciate this. I'm Bella Swan." I said holding out my hand. She shook it and said something about finishing her chores and left. I had just redone my bandage when Rick walked back in, holding the arrows from my quiver. "Now I don't know why what you said got Hershel all wound up, but he's walking around like he's seen a ghost. But what I do know are these arrows. I've already talked with Daryl and know you were in Atlanta. I want to know why and how you just happened to have a key for handcuffs on you." He said, turning his chair around and straddling it. OOO full on interrogation mode, two could play at this game. I copied his movement and straddled another chair, which was a bitch to do with a straight face because my left hip was really protesting that move, sending shooting pains up my back and down my leg. "Cut the shit Rick, My dad's chief of police and I've been in the hot seat more than once; I know all the little tricks. As to why I had the key for the handcuffs, like I just said, my dad's chief of police." He seemed to be slightly stunned at my remark but he did well keeping his face from showing it, but you can't hide the eyes. "I also know you know I was at the quarry. I just knew where to be and when. I also know some things you need to know, about this farm and about your group. And about your wife" His eyes tightened as I said that and his fingers twitched as if he was thinking of reaching for his gun. "And just what do you think you know about my wife?" he asked with a hard glare.
"Well, I know she's pregnant." I stated, just getting started, when he interrupted "You could've just heard someone talking about that, stop trying to pull the same stuff you did with Hershel and tell the truth. I can tell you holding something back" He whispered angrily. So I went on, "Well did you know your baby is going to be a little girl? I know you were shot on the job, and that you were in coma before the world went to shit. I also know your birthday is September 14, 1973." I whispered back, I don't know why we started whispering but I didn't want to break the tense atmosphere we had set. He looked like he still wanted to make an excuse, so embarrassing him was going to be the only way. "I also know that you can't listen to that song 'Love Shack' by B-52's without blushing. All because of that embarrassing time on your 16th birthday..." I drew out the last part as he quickly came to his feet and looked around like someone was here to witness his embarrassing story. He opened his mouth and shut it a few times while I just stared at him with my arms crossed, waiting. And waiting some more… So I went ahead and let him off the hook and began the conversation again, "So do you want to hear what I have to say or not? It could make your life a lot easier than the path you'll end up going down if you don't." I said, letting him decide the fate of his people. He finally nodded and I went on to explain about the prison and the dead in the barn. We got to how and when the farm would fall before he stopped me "How do you know this stuff?" he asked seemingly on the fence still. "I just do, it's up to you use the information wisely or not. I'm handing you a key of life changing events for the next couple of weeks and trying to help people stay alive. I don't know everything Rick. I only know what I have to know to get you to believe me. Here's the map with the prison location. Scout it if you don't believe me." I told him handing him the map. I had traced the invisible ink over with a regular pen so he could see. "All the equipment required for your wife to give birth will be there. Having sturdy walls is going to be important with a screaming newborn Rick. Think it over. Can I have my arrows back or are you planning on confiscating them?" He hesitated for a moment, then decided to hand them over along with some advice "Hershel wants to be the one to deal with the walkers, so don't put any down unless you really have to. Are you going to stay here on the farm, or go back to where you and Sofia were staying?" He asked. I wasn't really sure but decided to tell him "I'll be here for a bit to see how it goes. Let me know what you decide Rick so I can help or move on elsewhere. I have a car back at the other place that I need to get along with some other supplies." If anything I could camp out in the woods to get away from these people but I would have to play it by ear. I knew he would decide on the prison; I just had to figure out what to do for the next couple of days. He slightly nodded and went to walk out when I stopped him once more "O and Rick, keep Shane away from me, or the outcome won't be good. Next time I won't let him hit me" I said, letting him catch the phrasing I used; that's right I LET HIM hit me. He once again nodded and took off, probably to go ask his wife if she's been blabbing about his 16th birthday to anyone.
DPOV
I left as soon as possible this mornin' to come back to my tent, couldn't stand being in that house getting fussed over. Not to mention the girl that was my bedmate unknowingly. She'd prolly wake up and be scared shitless see'n my face so close ta her. I had been trying to read some book Andrea brought out here, try'n ta apologize for almost shoot'n me. I was still tired and feel'n like shit from loosen to much blood; so decided to take it easy for a day, lettin' my wounds heal. I felt guilty for being so rough with that girl. I'd woken up early and saw her lay'n in the same spot they first put her in. Her face was all swolled up from Shane, but the res', that was on me. Her shirt had come up a 'lil bit, prolly from me movin round in my sleep, but what I could see was black and blue. I got out of there as fast as I could. I had never been so rough with a girl before, not even the ones that wouldn't take no for a' answer at the bar. I felt like I was turnin' into my piece of shit ole' man, even though I wasn't try'n ta hurt her. I still held her down in tha mud an' pushed her up against a tree.. I did'n blame 'er for running from some man she didn't know after she set 'em free, not that Merle would do what she was thinkin but she did'n know that. That's why I let her go so fast an' didn't question her anymore, ashamed of myself for what I was doin'.I was still wonder'n bout the quarry, but I'd wait; girl been through tha ringer. Then there was that fucker Shane that needed to be delt with...
So, what do you think?