A/N: So this chapter jumps between Riley/Rick/Carl and Beth/Daryl so I hope I didn't make it too confusing. Let me know what you think I switched some things around and left a few things out; hope you all don't mind. Also thanks for all the support with Love Affair I'm happy to see you all enjoy the relationship of Riley and Beth. Check it out if you haven't already and feel free to leave ideas and thoughts on what you would like to see. As always reviews are awesome! Thanks for be so lovely; you guys all rock!
Chapter 23: Memories
Beth and Daryl had been walking only a short while before they stumbled upon some footprints. Daryl kneeled down and pushed some of the dead and dried leaves aside. Beth watched as he clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes
"what" she questioned coming a few paces forward
Daryl placed a hand on his knee and pushed himself to his feet "there's blood here….it's Walker blood" he added seeing Beth's eyes widen in fear
"so they fought them off" she spoke side stepping the hunter. She continued forward coming up to a blackberry bush, she stopped and let a small smile fall onto her lips
Daryl watched as she shoved her knife back into the hostler before gently picking some of the fruit from the leaves. Beth glanced back and looked at the man "they'll be hungry when we find them"
Daryl only huffed in responds
"why can't you have a little faith…you never know" Beth quietly spoke her hands filling up quickly
Daryl shook his head "a lot of good faith ever did anybody…just look at your dad"
Daryl saw Beth freeze and knew that he crossed a line, he rubbed the back of his neck before pulling out a black bandana from his pocket. He held it out for Beth it softly grazing her elbow. She turned and stared into Daryl's eyes before taking the rag and wrapping the fruit inside.
After a few more minutes Beth turned and walked pass Daryl only to stop a few moments later. There on the side of the railroad tracks were two Walkers eating a dead and decaying body. Daryl raised his crossbow and quickly took care of both Walkers. As he walked by he ripped the arrows from their skulls. He stopped and looked out down the long stretch of tracks he was beginning to lose hope that he would ever find his sister let alone any other member of his family; he was shaken from his thoughts when the sounds of sobs filled the air. Looking back he saw Beth crying; he turned away unsure of how to react. He knew that Beth was mourning the loss of not only her father but of Riley as well. He didn't know how to comfort her when he too needed the same reassurance
Riley had made it pretty far since she left the house last night. She knew she was heading back towards the prison and while she wanted to stay as far away from there as possible she knew that heading back that way would help her in her search for Beth and maybe even Daryl
Riley froze when a sound coming from the thick blanket of trees caught her attention; she stopped and raised her crossbow waiting. It wasn't until a dreadlocked head came into vision did she lower the bow slightly.
Michonne knew that she had to find Rick, Riley and Carl. She had seen their footprints the day before but wasn't ready or willing to try and reconnect in that moment. She had just lost everything and almost everyone that meant anything to her and she didn't know if she could handle the thought of losing them again. After a day and a very enlightening event Michonne was done being caught in her old ways and turned around heading back towards where she saw the prints and would work on tracking down some of her remaining family.
As the black woman walked out of the trees, there standing on the muddy path was Riley. Michonne stopped walking and watched the girl for a moment, both looking at one another. Michonne noted that Riley's blue eyes looked dead, tired and broken. She slowly approached the girl and watched as she fully lowered her crossbow
"Riley…what are you doing…where are Carl and your dad?"
Riley looked at Michonne before her eyes turned in the direction she had just came.
"at the house…it's not that much further, you'll find it"
With that said Riley continued down the path
"WAIT" Michonne yelled before quickly looking around
Riley stopped and turned. Michonne walked towards the girl, worry in her eyes. She walked in front of the Dixon blocking her path
"where are you going…"
Michonne watched as Riley adverted her eyes and looked out into the forest surrounding them. Michonne waited watching the girl as she fought an internal battle
"I have to find her Michonne" Riley whispered
Michonne watched as Riley turned to look at her, her blue eyes holding unshed tears that Michonne knew Riley would never let fall
"I promised Herschel" Riley spoke taking a step back. She watched as Riley threw her crossbow over her shoulder and looked back out into the thick Georgia woods
"I can't…..I won't let him down" Riley hissed her eyes flashing back to the woman in front of her "it should have been me…we all know that"
Michonne stepped forward "Riles…"
Riley backed up another step "NO…I need to find her Michonne…I need to" she finished softer then she started "I love her and…and…I love her" Riley whispered rubbing her eyes and pushing her way pass the older woman
"Riley…wait" Michonne ran grabbing the blonde girls arm "we will find her, but we have to do it the smart way…we need to go back to your dad and Carl….you need to rest and then we can figure out a plan….we need to be smart and focused though"
Riley looked into the dark eyes of Michonne and placed her hand into her back pocket fingering the photo that was shoved inside; slowly she nodded her head "we'll find her"
Michonne wasn't sure if she was repeating what needed to be said or was stating a question, either way the woman nodded her head and held Riley's face in her hands "we will find her"
Daryl and Beth had stopped for the afternoon they both needed to eat and figure out a course of action. Daryl watched as Beth wrote into the little green notebook, as she turned a page he saw what looked like something stuffed into the back of the book
"what's that…" he questioned gesturing down at the book
Beth looked up and then back down, she flipped to the back of the book and saw that the last seven or so pages had been hollowed out. Inside was a little black box.
'Riley walked down the steps and quickly disappeared into Beth's cell. She watched for a minute to make sure Beth would be distracted with dinner preparations before she started to work. Once she knew Beth would not return to her cell for some time she walked over and picked up the green notebook she had just given to the girl. Sitting down on the bunk Riley pulled out her knife and flipped to the last few pages in the notebook; Riley was happy to see that it was a sturdy book that would allow her to do what she had planned. Using her knife she craved out a small square in the pages of the notebook, it was big enough to fit the box but also small enough that it wouldn't fall out. Once she had removed the paper, she pulled the box from her pocket and placed into the cut out square. It fit snug and Riley knew it would stay safe until it was found. She silently thanked Merle for showing her how to hide different items in a lot of different places. Once she had finished and cleaned everything up she placed the book back where it was and left the cell; smirking as she walked back up the stairs.'
Beth looked at the box and shook her head "no idea" she replied as she pulled the small box from out of its hiding place. She closed the book placing it back into her pocket before turning the box over in her hands; she clicked it open and her face paled. She read the small note that was taped to the inside of the lid before biting down on her lip
Daryl watched as Beth's hands began to shake her eyes filling with tears. She snapped the box closed a moment later and pushed it into her pocket. She looked at Daryl and stood
"I need a drink"
Daryl totally confused at the change in demeanor threw the bottle of water over at her. Beth looked down and shook her head
"no a real drink….as in alcohol"
Riley led Michonne back to the house on the way they passed a large tub of empty chocolate pudding. Riley shrugged her shoulders and shook her head before walking down a few more houses.
Michonne walked up the porch steps first looking back at the barely held together Dixon. Looking into one of the windows she broke down. Riley watched as Michonne became overcome with emotion at simply seeing the two people inside. Riley wondered why it was so hard for her to show any sort of feeling. She was angry, sad, broken and overcome with guilt why couldn't she express any of it.
Michonne looked back at the girl unsure of what her eyes held, but knew she would have to talk to Rick about it, turning back around she knocked on the door. The two women heard moving and hushed voices before the door clicked open.
Riley sat in the dining room; Carl to her left, Michonne and her dad standing in front of her. Riley raised her eyes and looked over at Carl, his blue eyes held more sadness then anger. Turning her attention to her dad his eyes holding much of the same.
Riley took a deep breath "I'm sorry" she started "it was stupid to leave I just…"
'I promise I won't let anything happen to her'
Rick watched as Riley's eyes were no longer focused on him but lost in some long ago memory
Quickly glancing at Michonne the woman gave a curt nod
"I know" he spoke out bringing Riley back to the present
Riley shook her head and stood "no you don't" she hissed out
Carl, Rick and Michonne watched as Riley stated to pace up and down the small area of the dining room she ran her fingers through her hair, before pulling out the photo from her pocket holding it tightly in her hand
"no you don't" she whispered stilling her movements. She then turned looking only at Michonne "when do we leave"
Michonne slowly walked forward and grabbed Riley's hands "we'll find her" the woman softly told her "…after you sleep"
Michonne watched as Riley pulled her hands away and quickly looked at the picture of someone she couldn't see, she only assumed it was of Beth, before she shoved it back into her pocket. It was agreed that Riley would stay behind with Rick both resting one more day while Michonne and Carl went back out to gather more supplies; tomorrow they would head out and search for the rest of their family.
Daryl had no choice but to let Beth try to find herself some sort of liquor; he however would have no part of it. She wanted it she would find it
Beth walked ahead of the Dixon and it may have seemed like she was keeping her eyes focused and alert for any Walker that may approach or any sign of a building, store or home but she was truly lost in the memories of the past.
Daryl watched as Beth stopped and looked around. Her blue eyes flashing through multiple emotions all at once.
"...what was in the box..."
Beth was stirred from her fog and looked back at the blue-eyed hunter. She quickly looked away as his eyes reminder her to much of another Dixon who she was terrified she would never see again.
"…it doesn't matter…" Beth spoke softly looking out into the trees
Daryl noticed her eyes shined with fresh tears
"we'll find her" he whispered not looking at the girl
Beth's head snapped back to Daryl and she bit her lip, nodding her head
"…I love her Daryl…"
Michonne stood in the open doorway with Carl by her side
"so the two of you stay here, rest and we'll be back later with more supplies" Michonne spoke looking between Riley and Rick; she then turned her complete attention to Riley
"then we'll figure out a plan and find Daryl and Beth"
Riley looked back at Michonne and saw the honesty in her eyes. She nodded her head giving a forced smile
"how long will you be gone"
Rick looked down at his watch "it's nine now"
Michonne looked out the door and at the dozen or so house that lined the street as well as the next couple of street
"I say we'll be back around noon"
Riley nodded her head and looked over at her dad; he looked unsure for a moment before nodding his head as well
"three hours" he mumbled "be safe…" then turning to look at Carl "you listen to her…what she says go…you understand me"
Carl slowly nodded his head and then glanced to Riley. Riley stepped forward and pulled Carl into a hug "stay close…can't lose you too" she mumbled into his hair. Carl pulled away and gave her a sad smile
"love you Riles" he whispered pulling his sheriffs hat back upon his head. "later dad" he smirked, walking down the porch steps
Michonne looked over at Rick "we got it" she told him and then followed Carl down the walkway and turned right heading down the once all American neighborhood.
Rick closed the door and looked at Riley. He walked over and pulled her into a hug kissing the top of her head "we'll find them…or they'll find us….besides you Daryl's the best tracker I know; it will be fine"
Riley pulled away and looked up at her father; giving a small smirk she mumbled "Daryl ain't got nothing on me"
Rick smiled happy to see Riley back to her old self if even for a moment
"you can take the bed upstairs…" Rick stated "I'll stay down here"
Riley nodded and gave her dad one last hug before climbing the stairs
"and Riles…" Rick began "sleep"
Riley let a chuckle escape her lips before she turned and continued upstairs.
Daryl and Beth had walked through the woods for hours. Daryl had taken point as Beth was still too lost in thought to focus on where they were actually going
'told you I keep my eyes open'
Beth squeezed her eyes shut and suppressed the tears that threaten to fall
Luckily for her Daryl stopped as they entered a clearing that turned out to be a huge golf course. Beth looked around and spotted the country club up ahead
"golfers drink…right?" she questioned as she moved forward
Daryl shrugged his shoulder; how the hell would he know no Dixon ever stepped foot inside a country club before, they were what the people in these clubs called 'white trash' or 'red necks'.
He followed after Beth and once at the entrance worked on finding a way to get inside.
Riley walked into the master bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed. She pulled the photo of Beth from her pocket and rubbed her finger over it smoothing out any creases. She then brought to her lips "I'll find you…I promise" she whispered before placing it on the nightstand. She then swung her body onto the bed and laid down.
It couldn't have been more than an hour until Riley was awoken by the loud sounds of talking and footsteps below. She jumped off the bed and made for the door; the footsteps grew louder however so she turned and did the only thing she could in that moment; rushed under the bed. Once underneath she remembered not only the photo but her crossbow where still above her. Moving quickly she rolled out grabbing both the bow and photo; rolling back underneath just as a man entered the room.
Beth and Daryl had entered the country club and were now walking around searching for not only Beth's drink but any supplies that could be used later on. As Beth walked from room to room she came across a row of shirts and sweaters. She ran her hands over the clean and cool fabric before picking up a yellow polo shirt and a white sweater she held it up against her body and a small smile graced her face before it was quickly replaced with a frown
'Beth was standing in her cell folding the only few clothes she had to her name. It was late and most everyone was sleeping or on watch. Riley sat on the bunk pushed back so that she could lean against the wall. Beth felt the girls eyes on her and looked over grinning "what" Beth asked her voice holding a chuckle. Riley shook her head and a smile grew on her face "nothing" the Dixon laughed "it's just…I can see you being one of those preppy girls, who like sweaters, and skirts and flowers…" Riley trailed off "…you would never go for me if the world wasn't the way it was" Beth dropped the shirt she was folding and sat on the bunk pushing herself back so that she could sit beside Riley. "well we'll never know now will we" Beth spoke trying to think of some way to end the somber mood the room had taken on. Riley looked over and grinned "I guess not" she then moved her body and stood leaving the bunk "got to go relive Glenn" Riley replied to Beth's questioning stare. She leaned back into the bunk and kissed Beth softly, as she moved towards the door she turned back hand resting on the curtain "next time I'm out though I'm gonna find ya something girly….get you looking the part"
Beth looked into the dirt covered mirror and shook her head "think you would have liked this one" she mumbled before turning and heading somewhere to change.
Daryl was busy with a Walker that had popped out of a corner room, he was now beating the head in with a nine iron and was totally lost in the action. He was letting out all his frustration and fears that he couldn't show because he had to be strong for Beth
Just as Daryl was swinging the club down for the last time; Beth walked into the room; he hit the head a little too hard and sent blood spraying all over the girl and the new white sweater she had just put on. Looking down at it, she shook her head and then stared back at the hunter as he threw the club to the side of the room and stared back. Beth got to work unbuttoning the now stained red sweater and walked from the room heading towards what looked like a function hall
Riley couldn't move she was trapped under the bed; as the man who had entered took the opportunity to have himself a little cat nap. Riley gripped the photo in her hand and tightened the other on her bow she then slowly started to try and slide her way out from underneath the bed; she was beginning to worry about her dad, she didn't hear any screams, fights or threats….maybe he had gotten out. She hoped that if he did he was searching for Carl and Michonne to warn them; she could track them down... as long as they were safe that was all that mattered
Riley had her head and half of her torso out before the sounds of heavy footsteps were heard coming up the stairs. Quickly she crawled back under the bed and waited….slowly a second pair of boots entered the room
"hey raise and shine" a booming voice shouted out dropping something onto the bed. This caused the first man to jolt awake
"what you say to me" came the tired voice from the man on the bed
Riley watched as a pair of bloody boots came into her vision as the man on the bed swung his legs over the side
"you heard me…I want the bed"
The legs straightened out as the man stood "there's like four other rooms in this house go to one of them"
The first pair of boots approached the second man who stumbled obviously being pushed back
"those are all kid beds…I want the big one"
Riley wasn't sure what had happened, but watched as one of the men fell to the floor, locking his brown eyes onto her blue ones. Riley stopped breathing as she prayed that something would happen to allow her to get out of this. Slowly the mans eyes closed and Riley watched as his body went completely limp she then turned to the left and watched as the bloody pair of boots made their way around the bed; the bed then slumped as he laid back down on it; one of their leg hanging off the side.
"show him…trying to tell me what to do" were the muffled words spoken as the person on the bed started to fall asleep
Beth walked into the function hall throwing the now destroyed white sweater off into the corner. She then made her way towards the bar, stepping over bottles, glasses and fallen chairs. Once behind the bar she knelt looking for anything that she could drink.
Daryl watched before walking over to what was once probably the game section of the room. A pool table sat in the middle a thick layer of dust coating the top. Daryl walked passed it and over to the dart board. He pulled off all the darts and then noticed the photos on the wall, the pictures contain men all old, fat and with graying hair who must have been members or owners of the club. Daryl lined up a dart and hit the first photo of a man with a slight comb over right in the middle of the forehead
Beth stood up straight after grabbing a bottle of clear liquid; she walked around to the front of the bar and sat down on one of the stools
"peach schnapps" she spoke looking over at Daryl "is it any good"
Daryl laughed "wouldn't know…Dixons don't do half ass liquor"
Beth looked back down at the bottle "it's all that was left…did Rile…" she stopped talking and Daryl watched as her eyes dropped and her hand subconsciously went to her back pocket for a moment. He wondered what she was thinking and what was inside that black box. He turned his eyes back to the pictures as he saw her reaching over for a glass.
Beth raised her eyes looking around the bar and reached over for a cup that lay on its side. Picking it up she used the bottom half of her shirt and attempted to remove the dust. Seeing it was a pointless task she placed the glass back down
"who needs a cup anyway"
She then placed her hands on the bottle gripped the top for a moment before stopping; tears filled her eyes and she crack. Daryl was about to throw the last dart in his hands when the sound of Beth crying filled the otherwise quiet room. He looked back at the photos and threw the last dart hitting the last fat man in the eye. He leaned down and picked up their backpack and his crossbow
"come on" he called out getting Beth's attention
The girl quickly wiped her face and looked at the hunter as he walked towards the back door
"ain't gonna let your first drink be no peach schnapps…."
Riley waited until the breathing of the man above her even out, she then slowly made her way out from under the bed. Once she was clear she stood making sure the man was still asleep, she quickly swung her crossbow over her back, shoving the photo into her back pocket as well. She quietly exited the room, making her way towards the stairs she stopped when a green flash hit the wall leading up to the second floor. Riley backed up walking into the teenage boys room. She walked into what could probably be used as a second bedroom she quickly checked the windows that wouldn't open either from lack of use or because they were built that way, as the footsteps got louder Riley pushed herself up against the wall and remained still
All of a sudden an arm appeared and threw what Riley could now tell was a tennis ball against the wall opposite her. The man threw it three or four times before turning around and walking from the room continuing to bounce the ball on the hardwood floor
"hey there was a woman here" a voice shouted from downstairs. Riley peeked around the corner and saw that both the man with the tennis ball and the man from the bed had heard what was shouted and returned downstairs.
Knowing she had to move fast Riley quickly walked from the room only to have to jump back and take shelter in the bathroom as one of the men returned upstairs. Riley watched from a crack in the door as he grabbed something from the bed and then ran back down the stairs. Riley shut the door all the way and turned looking for a way out only to come face to face with another man sitting on the closed toilet seat
Daryl and Beth were back in the forest, Daryl keeping his eyes focused on not only what he was looking for but also incase any Walkers appeared.
"Riley never drank" Daryl softly spoke
Beth looked up at the mention of the girl's name. Daryl looked back quickly before turning his eyes back to the path ahead of him
"she only told me a few stories" Beth replied knowing why he was saying what he did and knowing the reason behind why Riley never touched the stuff
Daryl nodded his head "Riles had it real bad…" he trailed off
Beth knew better than to push this conversation plus hearing her name so many times was making her heart hurt. 'you better be alive Dixon' Beth thought biting her lip and fingering the necklace.
Riley did what she had too. Using the strap of her crossbow she wrapped it around the man's throat strangling him; she then slowly lowered him to the floor. She stood back and collected herself totally unsure of how she manged to do what she just did. She looked down at the now dead man on the cold bathroom floor before shaking her head she quickly grabbing the mans gun and his coat, before cracking the door and moving to the open window. With one last look at the man she climbed out and onto the roof, she threw the gun over her shoulders and then draped the coat on, it was way to big but would fit her dad nicely. Swinging her legs over the side she slowly lowered herself until she had no choice but to drop. Landing on the deck she ran leaning against the wall waiting gun raised incase the sound alerted the men inside
After a couple of minutes she ran down the deck steps and over to the front wall of the house. She saw a blur of white and looked at the giant oak tree that was located just off of the property. There was her dad squatted behind the oversized trunk. He looked at her and mouthed 'are you okay'. Riley nodded her head but before she could move any closer the sound of the tennis ball being bounced filled the air. Riley pushed her body as far into the brick foundation as she could, she pulled the gun out from the under the coat and just as she was about to pull herself up and onto the porch screams and yells erupted inside, making the man rush back.
Riley took this opening and rushed to her dad both taking off down the street just as Carl and Michonne turned onto the street
"GO GO GO" Rick hissed, everyone turned and rushed off down the street; Riley turned her head back and saw a group of men appear on the porch by that time they were too far away to be seen.
Beth followed Daryl a little further until a house came into view. It was run down and had a broken down shed attached to the right side
"what is this place" Beth questioned
Daryl walked towards the small shed and opened the rusted door
"this is where you get a real drink"
So next chapter: Daryl and Beth with the moonshine. Daryl will actually open up and talk about Riley, Merle and their home life he will also have his breakdown; (that was great acting on Norman's part). Beth will tell Daryl about the first time she knew she loved Riley, what Riley has told her, and what is inside the little black box. Rick and Riley have some father daughter time, she'll deal with killing that man and her feelings about losing Beth… and depending if you want it we can check in on the other members. I'm going to slow down a bit so the next few chapters I'm thinking will be filler and maybe some flashbacks thrown in…what do you think. Hoped you like it!
