Chapter 36
Rick races to step between Morgan and Merle, whose upper arms are being held back by a frustrated T-Dog. "What the hell is going on here?!" he shouts, planting his feet and stretching his arms to keep distance between the two men.
"He came back without my brother!"
Rick looks at Morgan as Duane rushes to his father's side. The man's eyes are warring between anger and a remorse that fills Rick's gut with a thickening fear. After a quick glance to see his sister sitting in front of her room with Carl, he turns back to his friend as the sun slips further down behind the western hills. "What happened, Morgan?" he asks, dreading the answer. "Where's Daryl?"
"A bunch of guys took him," Morgan replies, sounding physically and emotionally winded. "Michonne too."
Rick shakes his head, trying to comprehend the meaning of 'took' and the magnitude of the situation. "What guys? Where were they taken?"
"Let me go ya filthy dog!" Merle shouts, squirming against T-Dog's stronghold. "I gotta get my brother!"
Rick looks back and lifts a palm to Daryl's angry brother in a gesture to take it easy. "We're gonna get him, but I need you to calm down so I can get the whole story." Compassion laces the authority in his tone while his nerves are muzzled under a heavy coat of desperate hope. "If you want to help your brother then you've got to let me do my job." Taking a deep breath around the anxious knot that has lodged itself squarely inside his throat, he turns to Morgan. "Do you know where they were taken?"
"Yeah," Morgan nods. "Four guys took them to a section of Woodbury that was all blocked off with busses and tires and stuff."
Oh, God, I sent them there! What have I done? Rick swallows the guilt that brings the bile up into the back of his throat. But at least he knows where to find them so he hangs onto that. "Okay. Start at the beginning and tell me everything that happened."
"We were just outside Woodbury, going through a couple of shops before we hit the main street in town. Daryl was checking a sporting goods store for bows and ammo while Michonne and I searched a diner. She went back out while I was just finishing up. When I walked out a minute later I saw her running down the street with her sword, swinging at a bunch of guys that were dragging Daryl into a white Dodge pickup." Morgan pauses and Rick notices a quick uncomfortable glance aimed at Merle before he continues. "He looked unconscious."
"I'll fuckin' kill 'em!" Merle twists in a vicious rage but T-Dog's grip holds strong.
"What happened then?" Rick asks, turning back to Morgan after seeing that Merle is safely detained.
"Michonne cut one of them real bad but the others grabbed her and threw her in with Daryl."
"Why didn't you go after them?!" Merle yells accusingly, leaning toward Morgan with a sneer as his captor prevents him from thrashing out.
"We were outnumbered and I knew I'd be in the same boat if they saw me so I stayed back. Figured I'd see where they were taking them and then come back here for help." Morgan pauses to look at Merle again. "I'm sorry I left your brother. But this was the only way to save him."
"You did the right thing, Morgan." Rick throws a challenging scowl at Merle before looking back to Morgan. "So you followed them to this section of town," he says to keep them on track. "Tell me about this place."
"They've got two blocks barricaded off with paramilitary wanabees standing guard. The northern end has some tree coverage to get close to the buildings and there is less security, but there's no way to get inside without climbing over the bus that the guard is standing on. The southern gate looked like it had a rolling fence between stacks of huge tires, but there were three guards standing on some kind of platform behind the tire wall."
Rick pinches the bridge of his nose, trying to picture the setup that Morgan is describing. "What about the other sides? They've got to have alleys between the buildings. How were they blocked off?"
"Most of the buildings are attached storefronts so there are only a couple of alleys. They have chain-linked fencing and stacks of furniture to keep the walkers from getting in there. There's a bookstore between one alley and a coffee shop right by the front gate, I think that's where they're being held."
"How do you know?" Glenn asks.
"I saw the truck pull into the gate and they got out right on the other side. The gate closed before I could see exactly where they were being taken, but the voices were coming from the right side, saying something about a library. I went around behind the buildings and found a bookstore that had the back door all boarded up. It was the only place I saw that seemed to be trying to keep people in as much as keeping the walkers out."
"That's gotta be their holding tank," Rick says, the wheels of his brain spinning madly with every word that Morgan breathes.
"I'm sure it is but it'll be tough getting into the alley without attracting the attention of the guards," Morgan says. "It's too close to that front gate."
"Could you get an idea of how many people are in this town?" Rick asks, wondering exactly what they are going up against, and praying that it isn't an army.
"A lot. Women and children too, just walking around like any old Sunday afternoon discussing the weather with their neighbors after church. That's the weird part."
"Why?" Erin asks, standing between Dale and Glenn.
"Because," Rick replies, "Why would they go to the trouble of kidnapping people if it was a haven of happiness."
"Exactly," Morgan agrees. "They are definitely hiding something in there."
"What?" Dale asks.
"I don't know," Morgan responds, "But their security guards kept talking about some governor and mentioned prisoners in a library."
"What kind of governor would kidnap people to keep prisoner?" Carol asks, sounding fearful of another human being for the first time since her husband was killed.
"Not a good one," Dale answers. "How do we get them out?"
"Take out the guards and blow the fuckin' door off the bookstore if we have to!" Merle hollers, free from T-Dog's grasp but not too far out of reach as the black man stays close to his side.
"And kill your brother in the process!" Rick rubs a tired hand over his face to stay focused. "We have to be smart about this," he adds after taking a deep, calming breath.
"And not risk a battle that kills women and children in the crossfire," Kelly says after joining the discussion with Amy.
Rick glances back at the motel to make sure that Carl is still out of earshot. He gives his son a quick reassuring smile as the boy sits with Sophia, who is laughing at something she is saying to him. Standing in front of Carl, Nikki looks back at Rick with an anxious expression on his furry face, as if wanting to join the conversation with the grownups but not willing to leave his boy unprotected. He also looks somehow incredibly sad, like he feels Daryl's absence profoundly. I hear ya, pal.
"We need to get somebody inside, Rick," Glenn says, bringing his attention back to the deliberating at hand.
"But the only way in is through the gates," Morgan reminds them.
"So, what if I just walk up to the gate?" Erin says. "I'm sure they'll let me in."
"Like they welcomed Michonne?" T-Dog says sarcastically.
"She was charging at them with a katana," Erin replies defensively. "I can get inside and distract the guards."
"No way, Red. You're not getting near that town." Rick shakes his head adamantly. "Especially alone."
"Then you'll come with me as a wounded friend," Erin says and he can see her own wheels spinning. But he doesn't like the direction they are traveling. "We'll approach slowly, non-threatening so they'll let their guard down," she continues. "Morgan can lead Glenn and T-Dog to the back of that alley while we keep the guards occupied."
"And then what?" Glenn asks sounding somewhat at odds with the idea, for which Rick is extremely grateful.
"Then you guys break into the building from the alley," Erin responds. "There's got to be a side door or a window over there and the walls of the buildings will help cover the sounds."
"Forget it, Erin." Rick shoots her a warning glare that seems to deflect right off of the fire in her eyes.
"It's a good idea and you know it, Rick," she argues.
"We need to get somebody through that gate," T-Dog sighs with a weary look of resignation. "It's the only way we can get close to where they are being held."
"And if they're hurt, she'd be the one to help them," Morgan adds and Rick sees her give him a small smile of gratitude.
Christ! "She's still limping from the damn snake!"
"I'm fine, honey. And you'll be right there with me. We can do this, Rick."
He looks at her and his heart argues with the gut that is telling him it may be the best chance of rescuing their friends. Fuck. The determination in her eyes helps to convince him that she is capable of doing this. But with the danger of an unknown adversary, he wants to keep her as far away as possible.
She moves to stand before him and places her hands upon his cheeks; bringing out the big guns to win the battle. Dammit. She looks up at him with the most compassionate eyes he's ever seen. "Daryl might need medical attention, honey." Direct hit, right to the gut! "You need me there," she says softly but steadfast, crushing him beneath her size nine hiking boot as her pinkies caress his jaw.
Fucking hell. At least he will be at her side. "Fine. But if I'm gonna let you do this, then I've got to see this place for myself first. Morgan, I want you to take Glenn and me back there tonight."
"Alright, let's go," Merle says.
"You're not going anywhere, Dixon." Rick says. "I know it's your brother but you can't -"
"I'll kill 'em all with my fuckin' stump!"
"You've got to trust me here. I'll get him back."
"Ya ain't stoppin' me, sheriff!"
Rick can see that the man is not going to back down. And he doesn't blame him. "Look at me." Rick peers into eyes that are angry, agitated, somewhat sad but definitely sober. "How much did you drink today?"
"Just enough to take the edge off. Didn't want to pass out while holding down the fort here. Now let's stop wasting time." Merle takes a step toward the passenger side of the pickup truck.
"Wait." Rick lifts his arm to block his path."We're not doing anything tonight except getting the lay of the land. I don't need you running in with guns blazing."
"That's my brother!"
"I know. And we're gonna get him in the morning. At first light. I want them to see Erin clearly and I want to be able to see them clearly. Tonight, when it's full dark and most of the people are asleep, we're just gonna check around the perimeter."
The man meets Rick's unwavering gaze with a stubborn scowl that stretches taut between them. The sheriff inhales deeply with a tilt of his head, gearing up for the next round, and then exhales slowly when the redneck finally, reluctantly replies, "Fine."
Turning back to Erin as Merle walks away, Rick leans close to her and quietly says, "But if I see a chance to get in there tonight, I'm taking it. If not, you'll come with us in the morning."
"Okay." She nods her head and he appreciates the absence of a smug reply. She must be scared to death.
He takes both of her hands in his. "And you will follow my orders to the letter. That is the only way I will even consider your idea. Understood?"
"Yes."
He leans his forehead against hers. "God help us."
The scent of candlewax and distant dreams fills the shadowed motel room. After spinning a six, Erin moves her little red plastic car to a PAYDAY space and absently collects her money from Sophia. Carl follows with a two and a groan at having to pay for a family portrait.
"Man, that's an expensive picture," Duane teases as he reaches for the spinner.
"Do you want it?" Carl asks the other boy. "I'll sell it to you for ten thousand dollars."
"No way!" Duane laughs as he moves his car five spaces.
"You can't do that, Carl. Right Mom?" Sophia looks at Carol for validation.
"No, sweetie. And I think Carl was only joking."
"No I wasn't. He can have it!"
Their voices fade away as Erin stares at the small car that marks her place as the frontrunner in the 'Game of Life'. The miniscule minivan is nearly full with her tiny blue stick-version of Rick in the driver's seat and three baby sticks behind them – twin boys and a little girl. If only.
She finds it impossible to concentrate on the game with Rick doing God knows what an hour away in Woodbury. She knows that he will do everything he can to try to rescue their friends tonight in order to keep her from going tomorrow. She wouldn't mind that at all, but if he puts himself in danger by taking stupid risks, she is going to kill him dead. Where the hell are you, sheriff? She angles her head to peek at Carol's watch for the hundredth time in the last three hours. With a sympathetic look, her friend lifts her hand for a better view of the roman numerals circling the small round clock face.
"It won't be long now," Carol says softly.
Erin shakes her head slowly. "This is killing me," she utters under her breath. "What if some-," She breaks off abruptly at the sound of an approaching car. Looking through the opened doorway, she sees a bloom of light spreading across the motel parking lot from the oncoming headlights. She looks back at Carol and sees the same feeling of blessed relief mirrored on her friends face.
"Go. I'll stay here with the kids."
"Thank you." Erin quickly unfolds her legs and scrambles to the door.
"Is that Dad?" Carl asks.
"I think so." Please God. "I'll send him in before you go to bed. Okay, bud?"
"Can you tell my dad too?" Duane asks.
"Sure thing." She races out the door, praying that both men have indeed returned.
Running to the driver's side as three car doors are pushed open, she throws her arms around Rick's neck as soon as he is standing upright. Thank you baby Jesus! She clings to his shoulders as his arms wrap loosely around her back. Several heartbeats thud by before he tightens his hold on her, as if finally deciding it was okay to do so. She leans back to meet his eyes, curious of his strange reaction. "It was worse than you thought?" she asks tightly, as Merle steps around Morgan and Glenn to hear Rick's reply.
"No, it was exactly as I thought," he says, sounding both happy and annoyed with her. "I was just hoping for something better," he adds, his expression an odd conglomerate of joy infused with disappointment. Knowing him so well, she recognizes the joy for their reunion, and the disappointment that he couldn't get their friends without having to involve her.
"What did you see, Rick?" Dale asks from his perch behind a lantern on top of the camper as T-Dog joins the group, with Amy and Kelly also following the beam of his flashlight.
Erin watches Rick meet everyone's eyes individually before speaking, acknowledging their presence to include them all in the discussion. Then looking up at Dale, he says, "There was barbed wire on the fence in the alley, and no side door or window from what we could see. We couldn't pry the wood off the back door without making too much noise and I didn't want to risk it, it's pretty close to the guards up front." He looks back at Erin before continuing. "We need a bigger diversion than just the two of us at the gate."
"There's a feed store at the other end of the block that we're gonna set on fire," Glenn announces, picking up the directive from Rick. "Attract as many guards as we can to it."
"We'll get there early enough to take our positions in the darkness," Rick continues. "Then Erin and I will show up at the gate at daybreak."
"Me and T-Dog will start the fire," Glenn adds, tag-teaming with Rick to explain the plan they evidently came up with. "It'll go up quick and we'll race back around to the alley where Morgan and Merle will be waiting."
"What about the barbed wire on the fence?" Kelly asks.
"They'll throw a thick blanket over it. It won't be a problem," Rick answers. "The guards will take our weapons at the gate and send someone to get their leader, this governor," he says with disdain. "We'll give them a gun from me and a knife that Erin will have at her belt. But we'll hide another knife in her boot."
"Why would you give them a gun?" Amy asks.
"It won't be loaded but we have to give them something without argument to appear trustworthy," Rick replies."I'll cough and stagger in the direction of the bookstore so we'll be close when the fire starts. They have a guard in front of the door and I'll have to take him out if he doesn't run off toward the flames."
Erin blinks away the flash of apprehension in her eyes before Rick can see it. Too late. Damn. "The door will probably be locked. How will we break in?" she asks quickly, ignoring the look of concern aimed at her.
"I'll pick the lock with one of Kelly's bobby pins."
"Okay," Glenn continues, looking at Erin. "So you and Rick will get into the bookstore and get Daryl and Michonne. We'll clear the alley and cover you coming back out. Then we all climb back over the fence and get the hell out of there."
Erin squeezes Rick's hand when he entwines his fingers through hers. "Now go get some sleep," he tells Glenn and T-Dog. When he looks back at her, his eyes are heavy with apprehension and his words are thick and foreboding. "We leave before dawn."
Oh God.