Warning: Character Death and possible season three spoilers. Proceed with caution.
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Snuff - Chapter Seven - Take The Blame
Time went on as slow as usual, with no one daring to mention the obvious fact they weren't getting anywhere. It seemed as if they'd all accepted their fate and chosen the prison as their final resting place. Food was getting easier to come by since Rick had finally listened to sense and allowed Daryl and one other to go out on hunts. Usually that other was Kira, even without her training, Rick would demand Daryl take her along. It was almost as if he'd hoped Daryl would return alone. While Kira made no issues with the people around her, and basically clung to Daryl's side, Rick still couldn't accept her. The others had quite well, and Kira had even grown to trust Carol almost as much as she did Daryl. But then Carol just had that way about her. Lori kept to herself when it came to Kira, not wanting to bother Rick anymore than she already had in the choosing game. Plus in her condition she wasn't in any mood for more stress. Which in itself added stress. Everyone knew any day now she would deliver, just that no one quite knew how it would go. Hershel had been training Carol and a few others who would stick around to watch. Kira had tried, but it seemed if she even got close to Lori, Rick would stare her away. So back to Daryl she would go, and hide the sadness and confusion it brought her. Daryl had tried to reason once more with Rick on many occasions, but it always ended in a screaming match that neither man would back down from. So back outside Daryl would go, to kill something or skin it to ease his mind. While Kira, ever so loyally would sit in the background till needed.
"Why doesn't he like me?" She had the nerve to ask Carol one day, while the two were wringing out the dirty water from the clothes they had tried to clean. She felt more comfortable asking Carol these kinds of questions, as Daryl would always just end up getting worked up and causing a scene.
Carol shrugged a bit and sighed, throwing a damp shirt across the unsteady, rigged up clothes line they'd made. "He's getting' to where he doesn't like anyone. Don't take it so hard, we got worse things to worry about then Rick's feelings." Seemed to always be her reply, with of course a comforting smile.
Kira shook her head a bit, she just couldn't understand why in a world falling down around them how anyone could have hate towards another. There were worse things to hate, yet she could almost swear Rick hated her worse than the dead walking around them. "Maybe... I mean, what if we just left? You don't wanna be here anyway right? Daryl wants to go too.." Kira added, now just trying to make small talk, but secretly wishing.
"And go where?" Carol asked a bit sternly dropping a shirt back into the water. "Daryl's not too right in his mind, he'd love it out there but I'd expect more sense from you." She took a second, shutting her eyes before going back to the wash. "Surly Rick's attitude isn't enough to make you choose death, which is what's waiting for you out there. We got it good here, for now... When the times comes, sure we'll move on, but why chance it? Anyway, Lori needs us."
Kira scoffed a little but returned to her work, leaving the conversation to die. She didn't really want to run around out there. While she had gotten some good training in during her hunts with Daryl she knew she still wouldn't last long. Still, the temptation lingered, especially around Rick.
"Ya' ain't gonna learn to survive out there with ya' hands soakin'" Daryl teased coming up behind them as quiet as ever. Carol didn't flinch but Kira quickly turned, a bit caught off guard on how he could move so quietly, being the way he was.
Kira smiled at the comment, but kept up in her work. "Someone's gotta do this, I don't see you folding clothes."
Daryl made a face, before sending off a sarcastic smile. "C'mon, we're short on supplies" he nodded his head towards the gate.
"Let me guess, Rick suggested I get more training in?" Kira replied sarcastically. Daryl just smirked and started ahead.
Kira looked towards Carol who had already started on on Kira's half of the laundry. "Go on, I got this" She said in her motherly tone.
"Aww, come on Carol... Take a stroll in the woods with us. It'll be fun. This laundry isn't going anywhere" Kira said playfully. Carol eyed Daryl who nodded, agreeing with the young woman. Carol couldn't deny the tempting feeling of new scenery, and followed the two out.
They walked their usual path, searching for any game left after the dead had made their way through. Sooner than later they'd have to find or make a new path where hopefully more awaited them. But for now, they stuck to this one to be safe. They'd been searching for about an hour before Daryl finally spoke up. "I'm thinkin' you learn to use this" Daryl said taking his bow off his back and tossing it towards Kira, who nearly lost an arm trying to catch it. She looked up at him, a bit shocked. "Well I can't have ya' wastin' all tha damn bullets kid!" He replied not in the mood for her sappy moments. Carol eyed Kira, almost looking as shocked as she felt. Neither of the two had seen Daryl part with his bow, let alone allow someone else to hold or even use it.
Kira tried to hold it as she had seen him do, but she knew it looked sloppy. They continued along, not finding much of anything for a while till finally a young deer made it's presence known. "Shh" Daryl put out an arm to stop her, but Kira had already long stopped. He smiled a bit, feeling a small swell of pride, but of course didn't let it show. He quietly got beside her and helped her position the bow just right. "Ya got this" he said placing her hand on the trigger "don't be a pussy."
Kira ignored the last comment and aimed as well as she could. She was shaking a bit, mostly from fear she'd disappoint him. But after a low, deep breath she pulled the trigger and fell back a bit. Daryl was there to catch her, a bright smile on his face. She looked forward to see the deer laid out. She hadn't killed it, but she'd wounded it enough they could finish the job by hand.
Daryl mercilessly slit it's throat, before standing back to look at Kira. "Well?"
"Well what?" She asked, still gleaming from pride.
"Ya can't just leave ya arrow in it!" He replied cleaning off his knife and taking the bow from her. She gulped a bit before attempting to rip the arrow out. "C'mon, ya ain't gonna hurt it!" She pulled harder before stumbling back, bloody arrow in hand. Daryl smirked once more, before taking it from her. "Not bad. C'mon, it's getting' late. This'll shut 'em up for now."
He started off back towards the prison, deer in tow. The two ladies followed happily, feeling more optimistic than before. The walk back was quiet, but nothing really needed to be said. She'd done good today, and Rick was going to hear about it, as Daryl always made sure to praise her in front of him. It never worked, but she knew one day it would. Spirits were high, despite everything that had gone on and Kira felt as if nothing, not even the end of the would could bring her down.
Nearing the end of the walk though, things started to feel gloomy. Once they could see the prison, all fear set in and optimism ran out the door. Everyone was outside, from the looks of it, minus a couple of people. "No... Oh no.." Carol stuttered before rushing ahead.
Daryl had stopped to make sure we'd caught up. "Follow 'er" He ordered Kira who rushed along side Carol.
No one really had a clue what was going on, but Carol seemed to have a feeling as tears had already begun to fall before they even reached the others. Rick was pacing back and forth, sobbing uncontrollably, which Carl stood like a rock, eyes fixed to the ground. Kira stopped short behind Carol, her heart stopping when she looked to Maggie who had a small bundle wrapped in her arms. Kira took a step back when she heard Carol's cry. Rick's eyes met Kira's and he marched forward, anger in his eyes she had never seen before.
"This is all your fault!" He said in a tone that made her skin crawl. The closer he got the more immobilized she felt. Until a strong, and familiar figure almost magically appeared in front of her. A protective arm placed back to block her from Rick's path. "MOVE DIXON!" Rick yelled, not taking his eyes off Kira.
"Hell naw! You back the fuck up!" Daryl replied with a growl, matching Rick's fury.
"That little stray killed Lori!" Rick tried to sound strong, but it came out weak and broken. "I told you go alone! I said take her and go! Why the hell did you need Carol!? WE NEEDED HER!" His voice came back strong now, once again filling the air with fear.
Daryl didn't move, instead he got closer to Rick to insure he kept away from Kira. He seemed lost for words, as he looked around and noticed a baby, but no Lori. He couldn't deny the pinch of sadness, but ignored it as only he could. "Look, it.. It wasn't anyone's fault. We knew her chances weren't good anyway... It was a mistake, not even Kira's fault!" Daryl tried reasoning with Rick, he really didn't want to have to fight a man who'd just lost his wife.
"Why was Carol out there?" Rick demanded.
By this time, Carol had rushed towards the three, begging forgiveness and understanding. "Rick I went on my own.. I wasn't thinking, I'm so sorry.. This is my fault, not hers!" Carol begged, sounding stronger now than before.
Rick just shook his head a moment, laughing. It wasn't an ordinary laugh those. This one was empty, and sick. It was enough to make even Daryl shiver a moment. "This ain't your fault Carol." Rick replied to her calmly and sweetly. "If anything it's Daryl's fault for bringin' that stray in! I told you she was bad!" Rick yelled retuning his attention to Kira. "Move now Daryl."
"Whatchu gonna do huh?" Daryl asked, once again sounding like a vicious wolf protecting it's last source of food.
Rick reached down and pulled out his pistol, aiming it towards Kira, who in turn gasped. Letting out the smallest whimper of fear. But as quickly as the pistol was drawn, so was Daryl's bow. Daryl growled, a low, frightening growl. "You're gonna regret that."
"STOP! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, STOP!" Carol screamed, sobbing once more as she did.
Rick seemed to snap back, looked towards the crowd who seemed too shocked to move. Then to Daryl who stood firm, his bow still aimed at Rick. Finally, Rick let the gun drop, putting it away. The sadness was rewritten on his face as he returned to what was left of his family. Carol turned away to follow, leaving Daryl and Kira alone.
Eventually, Daryl placed his bow back over his shoulder. He looked back at Kira who stared at the ground, trying to hide the tears that fell. "Wasn't your fault kid.." Daryl told her, placing a hand on her shoulder. This did nothing more than ignite the flood of tears Kira had been holding in for what seemed like years. She flung herself on Daryl, burying her face in his chest. Normally this kind of action would bother the man enough he'd have thrown the person to the ground. But in this case, he simply held her close, admitting only to himself, that this time it was actually needed for both parties.
