Note: My friend and I decided to collaborate and make a Caryl story. Hope you enjoy! She writes in the POV of Daryl, nothing written as Daryl is mine. It's all hers. :3
Disclaimer; We don't own The Walking Dead, nor do we make money off of this.
Carol's bony, almost delicate hands worked at the meat in front of her. She was currently making dinner, for everyone in the camp. Lori was off, who knew where. It seemed that the women was never around when you needed her. Carol's bright blue hues rolled slightly, then feeling guilty she decided to push the idea of Lori out of her head altogether. Coming up behind her, the woman in question asked her if she needed any help. A sweet smile was her answer, and a nod. "Sure, honey. Can you start chopping the tomatoes? And maybe rustle up some canned beans and crackers for sides. We're having burgers tonight." She smiled at the word burgers. Never again did she think she would have the delicious food again. Thanks to Hershel's farm, and his cattle, they were able to afford this delicacy.
She smiled down at the meat, while she ground it up then started shaping them into patties. The gun shot could be heard all around the farm. A small yelp fell from her lips, and she quickly turned around. A gun shot could literally mean anything nowadays. Either they shot down a walker, Carl could have shot off a gun on accident, or worse... someone could have been shot. She took a deep breath, calming herself. She ruled out walker, because Andrea had told her that they were trying to kill them quietly, and save ammo. Instead of standing there worrying, she looked at Lori whose face mimicked her own. Worry.
She nodded towards Lori, and they both set down what they were working on. Carol wiped her hands on her shirt, and followed Lori towards the door. Before they even made it towards the door, Rick, Shane, and Andrea burst through the door with a worried looking Dale following. The bundle they held between them happened to be Daryl. Carol could see the blood slowly dripping down his temple, and it looked that his side was probably hurt as well. She sucked in a gulp of air, trying to hold back her tears. Staying silent while Lori's voice echoed through her head, "What happened?!" Rick looked at her then at Carol, then behind them. Hershel. They needed Hershel. Carol turned on her heel and rushed towards the other end of the house. Finding him in the study, her hands went to her chest. "They need you. It's Daryl. Hurry!" She squeaked, eyes brimming with tears.
She felt a strong connection with the hunter, anyone could see that. After what he did to help her blessed daughter, Sophia... she was forever grateful to him. He was the only one who didn't give up hope, or even try and stop looking. She knew that the others were getting tired of looking. They gave up hope, and so did she in some way.. but Daryl. He never gave up, his hope never wavered. It was surprising for all of them to see him react so strongly to her little girl, but it warmed Carol's heart nonetheless. She sat outside the room where they took him, and asked Lori if she could please finish dinner. Finding herself going stir crazy waiting for him, she went after Lori. She was the only one who knew what Daryl ate, and didn't eat. While they were stitching him up, she would fix him a meal.
Doing what she did earlier with the meat before Daryl was hurt, she grabbed two patties and grilled them in a small pan. They were decently sized, which she supposed she shouldn't do, but he would need his strength after getting hurt. She nodded at Lori when she tried speaking calming words, but all Carol wanted to focus on was the food. If not, she might break down. She was fishing some beans out of a pot and putting them on a plate when Hershel came up behind her, hand on her shoulder. "Y-yes?" She asked, very hesitantly. "He's going to be just fine. He was only grazed by the bullet, and the wound in his side isn't very deep. The problem is... If we don't get him cleaned up soon, the dirt and grime will cause an infection." Carol's cheeks automatically went red, as she realized their request. She nodded slowly, and followed Hershel back towards the room. There was a sponge, and a pail of warm water sitting beside him. Rick clapped at her back, "We really appreciate this. I wouldn't want to know what he would do if he found out one of us did it," he nodded at himself, then Shane.
Not saying a word, Carol waited for them to leave the room. She took a deep breath, and let her hand itch at the back of her neck. She reminded herself that this was purely medical, and he needed it. That didn't do anything to calm her nerves. She thought of what Rick said, and she wondered if he would react any nicer to finding out that she did it. Taking a seat at the end of the bed, she slowly pulled the blanket down, revealing his chest, and torso. He still had his pants on, thank goodness or her cheeks would probably be on fire at this point. She reached for the sponge, while her other hand slowly rolled him onto his back. He was clearly out at this point. She wondered what medicine they gave him. His sleeping face was about as peaceful as she had ever seen him. She ran the sponge slowly along him, being careful of his wounds. She took note of the gnarly, raised scars all over his skin. She didn't know what they were from, but somehow, they broke her heart.
Her own hand went to her stomach, as she recalled the scars she had been granted during her marriage with Ed. They both had pain, and a tormented past. Once she was done cleaning him up, she slipped the blanket back over him and set the sponge in the now black water. Stepping outside of the room, she dumped the dirty water down the sink. About an hour later, she went back with the tray of food and a glass full of water. Not bothering knocking, she entered. The blanket was half on and half off of him, and her cheeks felt ablaze, once more. She set the tray down on the night stand next to him, "How are you feeling?" She asked, her sweet voice very quiet.
