Here's next chapter, hope you like it.
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"Would you come, Daryl?" Carol's voice was more than uncertain; she knows that the group wouldn't care if she leaves with Lucy, but what about Daryl? Would he care? Would he go with them? Maybe she was being just plain stupid, but she cares for Daryl in a whole different level now, he was the one who had saved her from those walkers back on the farm, but that wasn't all, he searched for Sophia and even when he got mad at her he still was the only one who didn't look at her like she was a fucking stupid, crazy woman and for that she was grateful. She wasn't in love with the man, NO, that would be the stupidest thing to do, not because he wasn't good for her but because she was just plain, old Carol, she wasn't good enough for anybody. But she could care for Daryl as a friend or at least she told that to herself.
"This group needs ya, woman. You shouldn't lie to this girl. You're not leaving." Daryl knew this wasn't the best way to talk to Carol right now, been a bossy jerk to her will not help, but he doesn't know what else to do, he cares for her, he realized that much when he had saved her from the walkers, but he was a damn Dixon, he would never be a pussy and act all lovely with her, the woman should know better and stop all the stupid questions and just understand he wouldn't leave her to go way.
"I'm leaving Daryl, Lucy is right, that's not your decision and if I want to I would go. I'm not lying to her, I'm sick of this group and the way everyone looks at me." Except him, she knew very well Daryl would never be like the others, he was different, but she couldn't stay, she was tired of all the drama and all the lies.
"You should know I'm not going to let you go. Stop this bullshit right now, Carol Peletier." Daryl hissed to her, she has to be crazy if she thinks he would let her do whatever she wants. She would not leave the damn group, not while he was there.
"I'm not longer Carol Peletier, Daryl; you should know that better than anyone." Carol almost smiles when she saw the effect her words had on Daryl.
"Whatever, woman, the point here's you're not leaving and that my last damn word. Now go to sleep." Carol wanted to answer Daryl but Lucy, who had enjoy their exchange an now has a big smile on her face, took her hand and stopped her.
"Carol, Daryl is right, you should go to sleep, besides whit you two arguing like a married couple I can't have my so much deserved beauty rest, so please, let's have this talk tomorrow, okay?"
"I… okay. I'm sorry." After Lucy's words both Daryl and Carol have bright red cheeks, they do NOT sound as a married couple for Christ sake! There has to be something wrong with the girl if she thinks they look like that. No way on earth! Both of them thought.
"Good! Now I'm heading to "bed", please wake me up as late as you can, please? Carol, you're staying close to Daryl, right? Because I think that's a great idea. That way he could keep you warm during the night." She winks to Carol before she continues "I'll go to talk to Rick for a second and then I'll go to sleep." She smiled brightly to both of them and then went to where Rick was staying.
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"Hi, Rick!" Lucy wasn't a fan of Rick right now but she was sure the guy was having a lot more than he could handle and she doesn't want to be another problem.
"What do you want?" Rick's eyes never looked to her; they were fixed on Lori and Carl.
"Hey, I know we didn't start well, but I don't want to be a problem, I'm leaving in the morning with Carol, I know you didn't mean what you said to her, but you need to apologize to her. You need this people, big guy, from where I'm standing they really trust you but if you continue acting like a jerk they will walk away."
"What do you know about us? Don't you dare to think you know this group." Rick told the girl and before she could say a word added "And you're not leaving with Carol, Carol is part of this group and I'll make sure to keep this group united. Did you hear me?" Lucy was now very pissed at Rick.
"Look man, I don't know this group or you, but I know a thing, your attitude will get everyone killed, you can't talk to them the way you did, they are not stupid and you should know that better than anyone. You want to keep this group together then act as a real leader, you don't want this people to fear you but respect you." Rick knew the girl was right, but he doesn't know anymore how to be a good leader. He was scared and has too much responsibility on his shoulders.
"And according to you, how should I act?" Lucy smiled at him; the girl was so young but somehow she acts like she was older than anyone else in the group.
"You think everyone is waiting for you to take the tough decisions, but I'm pretty sure they're going to be glad to help you if you just ask them. It's time for you to realize where you're standing. You told me you're worry for the wellbeing of everyone but somehow you always forget that you have a lot of people around you, they are not animals that need you to guide them. You can talk to them, you know? These guys are as scared as you are, but they don't feel the need to hide it, you think you have to be the one on his feet all the time, but you're just a human being, you have no special powers, so stop all this bullshit. This group needs you as much as you need them, when you realize that the things would be better. If you start acting as a real group you're going to be unstoppable."
"You seem to know a lot about groups? Were you part of one?"
"Yes, when all this started, but it didn't last long, we were attacked by dead people, we ran in different directions and we never found each other again, maybe if we had decided to stay together I wouldn't be here. When Lilly and I were on our own we decided to head to Atlanta, my sister wanted to head that way and I thought it was a good idea, then we crossed pads with these guys and they killed Lilly." Rick noticed the sadness in the girl's voice, she was all alone while they were together, he had a family and friends, this girl had lost her sister days ago but she was still on her feet, she decided to keep going and Rick realized then they can do the same.
"I'm really sorry, I'm pretty sure your sister would be proud of you." Rick said, a small smile reaching his lips for the first time.
"Yeah, I hope so, she was my conscience, I wonder why God took her instead of me, but somehow I realized she didn't deserve to live in a shitty world like this, she was an angel to me and now I have to do everything I can to be as good as her so we can be together in the afterlife, if such thing exists." Lucy's eyes were so gentle, Rick thought, he was sure they now have three angels watching their backs, Sophia, Dale and Lucy's sister, Lilly.
"Now you have an angel watching your back." Rick doesn't know what else to say, the girl could be their salvation as Carol had said sooner that day, not just for the things she could give them, but for her strength and ideas.
"Actually I have three, my parents and my sister." Lucy's said almost smiling.
"I'm sorry, I should it know." Rick wants to do what ostriches did.
"Hahaha, there was no way you could know it, its fine. I'm leaving now if you don't mind; I really need to rest even when I doubt I can sleep." She said to Rick, looking around the camp, searching for a place to rest.
"Sure, you should be really tired. I'll make sure to keep an eye on you. By the way, thank you for everything." Rick spoke this time a little bit calmer.
"Sure, it was my placer. Good night, Rick."
"Good night, Lucy."
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The sunrise makes everyone to open their eyes, it had been a weird night for all of them, must of the men had stay awake to keep the others save; the women in the other hand had had a restless night, dreams that were mostly nightmares.
As soon as Carol and Lori were up they started making breakfast for everyone, powdered eggs with vegetables, some coffee which was a blessing and some meat, Daryl's courtesy. Really soon all the camp was full of life and food's smell, everyone was really grateful with the girl that had appeared last night. Right, the girl! Everyone was so busy doing their stuff that they almost forgot the new addition to their group. As soon as they remembered her all of them start looking for her, no one had seen her, how on earth she could go unnoticed? That was impossible, they had been very careful.
"Damn it! I knew it! That stupid bitch ran away as soon as she got what she wanted. Fuck!" Daryl can't believe they didn't notice her. He could find her if he wants, but maybe it was better if she just goes away.
"I thought she would stay…" Carol's voice was so sad it almost breaks everyone's heart; the girl had left Carol behind.
"Stupid bitch!" Now Daryl was very pissed, that girl had promised Carol to take her with her but at the end she decided to disappear. He couldn't decide with whom he was more pissed, with the girl for leaving Carol behind or with Carol, because she really wants to leave the group.
"Glad to see everyone is up." Lucy's soft voice brought relieve to everyone.
"Where the hell did you go? You should stay close to us; you're not going anywhere before you give us what you promised." Daryl reaches for the girl's arm.
"What the hell are you talking about? I just went to my car to grab some things for the morning! I thought you saw me." That last part she said it pointing at T-Dog, the one that had been on the wall when she had headed to the cars.
"I didn't see her, sorry man." T-Dog answered when Daryl looked at him with a glare that could freeze hell.
"I thought you had left me" Carol's voice breaks Lucy's heart.
"I couldn't do that, Carol. I would never do that to you, I promise." Lucy felt very sad when she saw the tears on Carol's cheeks. "I'm really sorry; I didn't mean to worry anyone. I just thought it was a good idea to bring some clothes for the girls. Carol I will never leave you. I really thought the guy on the wall had seen me, I swear."
"It's okay Lucy, maybe now you can give the girls what you brought for them?" Rick's voice was very gentle and Lucy just nods her agreement.
"Sure, I don't know if all this clothes would be useful but maybe some of the girls could have clean clothes for the day." Lucy gives some sweaters and jeans to Maggie, Beth and Lori. "I brought this to you, Carol, Lilly insisted on had this clothes with us when we left our home, these were our mother's favorites." Lucy gives to Carol a very beautiful blue turtle neck sweater, black jeans and a pair of warm blue boots. Carol looked amazed by her choice of clothes but took them anyway. "My mom was really young, she was only thirty five. I'm pretty sure everything would look perfect on you, Carol." Lucy' smile warms Carol's heart. The girl was an angel to all of them, she was sure of that.
"What else do you have on that SUV, lady?" Glenn asked with a smile in his face.
"Well a lot of things, actually. You'll see later." Lucy answered. "Unfortunately I didn't have clothes for you guys."
"That's okay; we're just fine, the ladies on the other hand would be very grateful with you." Rick said, watching the girls with an amazed look, they looked so happy and the only things they have were clean clothes.
"That's true, girl, I can't thank you enough for these clothes, I was freezing with my old ones." Maggie smiled at Lucy and she smiled back.
"It's nothing; I have more where those came from. By the way, what's your name?" Lucy asked Maggie when she realized she doesn't know the names of most of the group.
"I'm Maggie, it's a placer." Maggie said while extending her hand to Lucy. "The blond girl over there with the violet sweater is my little sister, her name is Beth, and the man with the gray hair is our dad, Hershel." Maggie continues introducing her family to Lucy.
"I'm Lori and the little boy is my son, Carl, we're Rick's family." Lori shakes Lucy's hand once she was close enough to do it. "And we're really thankful with you; you really are a blessing to all of us."
"My name's Theodore, but everyone calls me T-Dog." T-Dog that had been on the wall walks close enough to take Lucy's hand.
"Hi, T-Dog, it's a pleaser to meet you all. But I think is time for breakfast after that we can go back to my car and talk about the things you need, don't you think?" Lucy looked around and fount Carol staring at the clothes.
"Is something wrong with those, Carol? If you don't like the clothes, you don't have to wear them, I'm pretty sure I can found something else for you." Lucy was uncertain now, she thought Carol would love the clothes, they were warm and pretty nice; her mother had been a very beautiful woman with an excellent taste on clothes.
"No, it's not that, is just that… I can't use these; they were your mother's." Carol looked the girl right in the eye. "You should miss her so much."
"I do, but that has nothing to do with clothes, it would be an honor if you decide to use them. You are as beautiful as my mother was and I'm pretty sure you would look prettier once you have change on the clean sweater and jeans." Lucy doesn't know what else to do, she wasn't looking for a mother figure, not at all, but she wants to make Carol happy, make her feel safe.
"Okay, if that's okay with you, I'll wear them."
"You mother should be very young when she got pregnant with you." Lori said when Lucy left Carol so she could change on the clothes Lucy had given to her.
"Yep, she was. Do you mind if I help you with breakfast, I want to leave as soon as possible, I want to find a place for Carol and me before the sun goes down." Lucy moves close to the fire where the breakfast had been forgotten.
"Sure, but to be honest with you I don't think Carol would go with you." Lori said looking in Daryl's direction.
"Well that's not your choice, Lori and with all your respect it's none of your business." Lucy said looking in the same direction that Lori.
"It is my business, Carol is my friend and with all your respect you're a damn stranger." Lori thought the girl would be someone easy to handle, but apparently she wasn't.
"I think everyone here wants to decide for Carol, but yesterday everyone step aside when Rick called her useless." Lucy was putting the food on the plates and handing them to Maggie and Beth that were now close to Lori and her.
"I tried to defend her, don't you dare to think that you're the only one here that cares for Carol." Lori took Lucy's hand and forced her to look her in the eyes.
"I'm not saying that, all I'm saying is that if Carol wants to come with me I'll be glad to have her company." Lucy moves Lori aside and heads to where Carol was now sitting.
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"I see the clothes fit you very well, you look beautiful; blue is definitely your color." Lucy smiled to Carol while she takes a sit close to her.
"I love the sweater, it's really warm and the boots, I always had a hard time with shoes but this time they fit me perfectly." Carol returned Lucy's smile.
"And what about the jeans, I know they could be a little too much for you, my mother used to love form fitting clothes, I hate that kind of clothes myself."
"Yep, but actually I love these jeans, you know when I was married my husband never let me use this kind of clothes, but now I can and I feel just fine." Carol said with a big smile on her face.
"Haha, glad to hear that. I wonder what Daryl would think about these clothes." A mischievous grin spread on Lucy's face while Carol's cheeks turn red.
"What you're talking about, Lucy? Daryl wouldn't care less, you're seeing things." Carol said still blushing.
"Lady, let me tell you something, if I'm the one seeing things then Daryl is prince charming in shining armor, and we both know Daryl is as far as possible from that definition." Lucy laughs when she realized the effect her words had on Carol. "Carol, honey, Daryl could be a tough man and all, but he cares deeply for you, I wonder if you could leave this group when he's still here."
"Are you trying to convince me not to go with you? Because if that's the case you just need to tell me you don't want me to go with you." Now Carol felt like a stupid woman.
"No! Carol, for Christ sake, that's not what I'm doing, it's just that I don't want you to feel regret once we leave, Daryl cares for you and you care for him, you can't lie to me, you don't have to. At least you have to be honest with yourself and him; you have to tell him you care before we go." Lucy takes Carol's hands in hers and waits for her response.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Lucy released Carol's hand and then stands up. "I'll be pleased to have you with me, but I know you should tell him how you feel, maybe you wouldn't have another opportunity, life now is shorter and more uncertain than before, you could regret it later and then you wouldn't have a change to come back and tell him. I lost my sister before I could tell her how much I loved her; don't make the same mistakes I did, Carol. I'll go talk with Rick and the others for a while; I believe you have some thinking to do." Lucy went as far away as possible from Carol, the woman needs to think her next move.
Daryl saw the two girls talking and when Lucy left Carol by herself something in him wakes up, if Lucy was heading to talk to Rick that means they had already decided to leave the damn group. A feeling Daryl couldn't name makes him feel uneasy, he wasn't in love with the woman, he was after all a fucking Dixon and Dixons do NOT fell in love, but he cares for her, she was the only one who had looked at him like he was worthy. He can't lose her too, if she was leaving so was he, with the girl or without her, Carol wasn't leaving him. No way on fucking earth!
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"Hope everyone enjoys breakfast." Lucy said as a greeting for all.
"I wasn't a fan of eggs before the world went to shit, but now I think I loved them." Maggie said with a smile on her face. "I think everyone here is very grateful with you."
"You have nothing to be thankful for, we are making an exchange here, remember? By the way, I want to know when you are going to be ready to head to the cars. I need to keep moving." Lucy said even when she wasn't in a hurry, at the end, she was alone in a world where dead people keep moving and most important they want a piece of you. No, definitely she wasn't in a hurry, but she wasn't sure either about being with this group, they were broken, a broken group could be more dangerous than dead people walking.
"We can go now if you want; I didn't know you were in such a hurry." Rick said looking suspiciously at Lucy.
"I'm not in a hurry, but if Carol is coming with me I don't want to spend the night in the outside with her, I can't risk her life." Lucy said, everyone now remembers that Carol was leaving with the new girl.
"I already told ya, girl. You're not taking Carol with ya, she's staying, so stop all this shit." Daryl stand behind Lucy, Carol was now with him and he has a hand protectively around her wrist.
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A/N: First: THANK YOU SO MUCH for all the support, I know my English is not the best but I'll do my best so you can enjoy this.
Second: I have to say a special THANK YOU to SOA loving mom for her support, it really means the world to me and my life will be sad and almost a torture if it wasn't for this amazing woman. Thank you! =)
Third: I know this chapter is kind of BORING, but trust me; the good things are on their way, I'm pretty sure everyone wants to know what the hell happen between Daryl and Carol, right? I'm actually working on the third chapter right now but I have a lot of work to do so you have to wait a little longer, sorry guys.
Fourth: If you be so kind to Read and REVIEW I would be the happiest person on earth, so please R&R!
Hope everyone is having an AMAZING week.
Love, Trix =)