The next thing I knew, there were a half-dozen spotlights in my face, and lots of yelling, screaming, and complete chaos! Kayla clutched my arm so hard I was losing feeling in it. Glenn tried to hide behind Daryl and Merle was screaming some kind of hillbilly babble.
"Drop your weapons and put your hands up! Everybody!" I still couldn't see anything.
"God dammit, I said Everybody! NOW!" Just then I caught a glimpse of a woman … wait, scratch that … a very LARGE woman holding a shotgun pointed directly at Daryl. Now, I'm no supermodel myself, but she HAD to be over 6 feet tall and looked like she weighed 400 pounds easily, therefore I thought it best to listen to every word she said. Especially while holding that shotgun.
"Who the hell are you, and what are you doing here?" she demanded.
Without a beat Daryl answered "None of yer business! Who the fuck are you?"
CLICK. She cocked the gun.
"Well …I'm Beth and this here is my campsite." Her voice had grown a tad softer.
"And I don't appreciate people sneakin' around."
Somehow I don't think Daryl's death-glare had much affect on her.
"You got any people in yer party that been bit by walkers?"
I decided maybe she would respond better to another female, so I spoke up, "No ma'am. We got a group of survivors up over by the quarry. The five of us were just out doing some hunting for food."
She slowly lowered her weapon, and signaled for the others to do the same. I had a chance to look around, and I noticed they were all women. Oh boy …
Beth looked us over and waved her hand, "C'mon then … follow me … girls keep an eye on that one" she bellowed, pointing at Daryl. Seems he makes quite a first impression.
I looked at Kayla, and she just shrugged. Daryl announced that he and Glenn was going back to get the rest of our supplies. Two of the women followed him and I half-expected Daryl to come back dragging them by the hair … caveman-style. Merle was already following Beth and I could tell he was sizing up his "pickins" and figuring out which poor woman he was going to hit on first. Kayla and I rolled our eyes and headed off behind Merle.
The "campsite" as Beth had called it was really a small cabin with a dozen tents around it, all enclosed by a simple chain-link fence. We all sat down in the cabin and introductions were made. Turns out there were 9 women taking refuge here and the property belonged to Beth's grandpa. It seemed like they had a pretty good thing going here … that is until WE showed up.
Along with Beth, there were three younger women, maybe in their early twenties: Jamie, Natasha, and Teri. Apparently everyone called Teri "Shorty" since she was over 6 feet tall and skinny as a rail. Next there was Pam, Michelle, Charlotte, Zoey, and Annabelle. Annabelle was a thick woman with dirty blonde hair and a missing front tooth, who looked like she just walked over from Deliverance. YIKES!
Pam and Michelle had scowls on their faces and I had a feeling they weren't so happy that we were here.
Mental note: Be nice to the grimace twins and they won't hurt you … probably.
They invited us to stay for the night, Beth insisting we would be safer here than out in the woods. She was probably right.
"Ya'll can set yer tents up inside the fenceline, on account 'o the men-folk. We'll be sleeping in the cabin, as usual."
Men-folk? Wow … when did we time-warp to 1873?
"It'd be nice if a couple of ya could help out with the night-watch. Consider it payback for the hospitality" Beth said, making it clear that SHE was in charge. Don't get me wrong … I was appreciative for everything, but there was just something weird about the whole situation that I couldn't put my finger on.
Daryl and Glenn re-appeared from the woods with all of the gear and I explained what the "sleeping arrangements" were.
Daryl scoffed, "I wouldn't sleep in that cabin if ya paid me!"
Yeah, right … You're a man aren't you?
Part of me was relieved that Daryl seemed so suspicious, maybe because it confirmed my own feelings.
Eeek! Daryl and I … on the same page? … SCARY
We all proceeded to set up our tents and unpack in slience. I wasn't sure how everyone else felt about the whole situation, but I figured it would only be for one night, so what could possibly go wrong?
Just then, Jamie and Natasha came out to let us know that dinner would be ready in the cabin in about an hour. I saw them exchange a flirty glance with Glenn, and I think he actually blushed.
"Hey Glenn, we could use a hand making the stew. Wanna help?" asked Jamie.
"Yeah … I mean we could use some muscles," Natasha added, giving Glenn's arm a healthy feel.
Glenn beamed with delight. Merle started to open his mouth, and I stepped on his toe before anything came out.
I whispered, "Dammit Merle, let the kid have some fun… those two are far too young to be corrupted by you!"
He just grumbled and continued unpacking.
It seems rabbit stew was on the menu, but the uneasy feeling I had in my stomach told me that maybe food wasn't the answer. Kayla headed to the cabin. Merle wasn't far behind. Lord … the look in that man's eye made me nervous as all hell.
"Daryl, you coming?" I asked.
"pffft … camp run by a bunch 'o women! I'm gonna check out the security first. I don't trust these broads as far as I can throw 'em," he mumbled as he headed around the back.
For Daryl's sake, let's hope they aren't all on the same "cycle" or we could have a brawl at any minute.
As I entered the cabin, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, exchanging their "escape" stories and talking about things they missed the most. I took a seat next to Kayla, after offering to lend a hand to Zoey.
"No that's all right honey, you sit down and relax!" She seemed like a sweet girl.
Glenn and his two lovebirds were busy preparing the meal in between bits of giggling, when he suddenly darted out the back door. A moment later he appeared with his larger-than-life backpack. Natasha and Jamie squeeled and wrapped their arms around him. What the fuck?
Jamie cleared her throat, "Hey everyone! Glenn here has a treat for us! Show 'em Glenn"
My eyes widened as he pulled out 8 bottles of alcohol! Vodka, Captain Morgan, Jaegermeister, and a couple of other bottles I didn't really recognize. No wonder his pack was mysteriously full.
Kayla jumped up, "Shit-on-a-shingle Glenn! Where'd you get that?"
"I found it at the mom and pop store … I thought it might come in handy sometime. Of course I had to hide it from Rick, since I knew he wouldn't approve and all …" He smirk told me he was definitely proud of himself.
For a moment everyone fell silent.
Then, the place erupted in cheers! All the ladies got up thanking Glenn and rummaging for cups, and I swear I felt the estrogen level rise.
I was still in shock as Daryl returned from his perimeter check and sauntered over to me.
"What the hell's all the commotion about?" he asked me.
"Brace yourself Daryl. It looks as if our young "kemosabe" Glenn has initiated another night of intoxication for us all! Do me a favor, would ya? Try not to punch anyone tonight?"
"shit … whatever you say Mrs. Roboto. Just stay outta my way … Hey Merle, pass that that dang bottle, would ya?"