Honorable Intentions

Trigger warning: A child kills in this chapter...

Chapter 7: The Circle Closes

It is always important to know when something has reached its end. Closing circles, shutting doors, finishing chapters, it doesn't matter what we call it; what matters is to leave in the past those moments in life that are over."― Paulo Coelho

The Georgia dawn was a picture that no artist could have done justice to. The trees were black forms against a pearlescent sky banded with pink tinged lavender clouds. The sun rose behind them, honey hued light spilling out in an ever-widening swath. A lone hunter stood looking out at the sunrise, one of a thousand he'd seen before, but that didn't lessen his appreciation for them. Each had its own special beauty. He had always admired those things which were unique, rare, and the only one of its kind.

He heard her coming even though her steps were muffled by the dew rimed grass. He knew who it was even though he didn't turn and she never spoke as she took up a place beside him, her face tilted to the cool morning air. It kissed her cheeks rosy and brightened her blue eyes to the exact shade of the sky above them. He watched from the corner of his eye as a smile wormed its way on her face.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" She spoke softly, reverently into the silence. "I've always loved this time of day more than any other. It's so peaceful."

Daryl gave a noncommittal grunt by way of reply, his gaze straying from her to the slowly brightening horizon. The sun tipped over the trees surrounding her in radiance. Despite dark smudges under her eyes, her hair in whorls and tufts all over her head, and a quickly stifled yawn, she seemed to glow. He toyed with the strap on his bow just to have something to do with his hands, and then started abruptly toward the treeline. "Gonna go hunt," he mumbled over his shoulder, his long strides putting some much-needed distance between them. "Stick close to camp. Tell your girl not to go wandering around. Can't never tell what might be out there."

"Okay," she called after him. "You stay safe." She quickly wiped the small smile off her face as he turned to look at her. Her eyes fell before his, a rush of color reddening her already pink cheeks. "I'm…uh…I'm…that is…I'm sorry," she stammered. "I don't mean to…"

Daryl shifted from foot to foot, still playing with the strap on his bow. "Got nothin' to say sorry for," he returned quietly. "Least ways not to me. I'll be back."

She let him take a few more steps before working up the nerve to call after to him again. "Daryl." She shrank back from his annoyed look and the displeased huff that escaped him. Despite the butterflies turning somersaults in her stomach, she unleashed a small smile. "I meant what I said. Please stay safe."

Oddly, a half-smile tugged at the corner of his mouth but he only gave a short nod before moving from sight. That smile stayed with her long after he'd disappeared from view.

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Sophia stayed close to the RV, first reading and then helping to fold the camp's laundry. She eyed the trees impatiently, darting a glance to where her mother stood speaking quietly with Mrs. Grimes. She couldn't help but feel slighted at being left. How was she supposed to learn anything being stuck in camp like a baby especially after bragging to Carl that she was going hunting with Daryl? She'd foolishly boasted that she would bring back a deer. Mortification burned in her gut like acid. She'd never be able to face him if she didn't do what she said.

"What are you doing?" His annoying voice chirped from behind her. Carl gave a scornful snort of laughter. "Knew Daryl wouldn't let a girl go with him for long. You just slow him down. Girls can't hunt. They're better at cooking and cleaning and stuff."

Sophia drew herself up, "At least I've been out," she said scornfully. "Your mom won't let you out of her sight. Poor wittle Carl might get a bruise and start crying." His eyes narrowed challengingly but Sophia cut him off before he could speak. "Anyway, just goes to show what you know. I'm about to go now. Daryl said it was okay so long as I didn't go too far out."

Carl's eyes grew wide in wonder. "You can't go by yourself," he blurted out. He took a quick look around the camp, taking inventory of who was about before he announced, "I'll go with you just in case. I can keep watch."

"You can't," Sophia bit out. "You don't have a knife or anything."

His eyes shifted away guiltily, his hand straying to the waistband of his pants hidden by the untucked tail of his shirt. "What I've got is better than a knife, better than even that slingshot of yours." He palmed the grip and withdrew a blocky pistol, keeping the muzzle pointed down as he held it out with a flourish. "See," he said proudly. "Nothing can bother me as long as I've got this."

She shook her head and backed away as he proffered it. "Do you even know how to use that thing?" She questioned. "Daryl said you shouldn't have a gun unless you know what you're doing."

The boy puffed out his chest, giving her a lofty look. "My dad let me shoot his. I know what I'm doing."

He seemed so sure of himself. Enough that Sophia couldn't think of a good reason he shouldn't have it if he knew what he was about. "Fine then," she allowed as she watched him tuck it into his pants. "I'll go get my stuff and then we'll meet at the RV. Don't let your mom or mine see you or we'll never get away."

It seemed like she'd waited a lifetime before she saw Carl race across the green in her direction. He moved like the wind, scurrying from one shadow to another until he stood before her wearing a panting grin. "Let's go," he burst out excitedly. "We'll show them when we bring back supper. They won't be able to keep us here when they see that we're okay on our own."

As the two took off toward the woods, Sophia laughed suddenly. "What if we bring back more than Daryl? Wouldn't that be awesome?" Their shared laughter lingered behind long after the two departed.

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He could tell something wasn't right as soon as he neared camp and heard the raised voices, Carol's among them. He paused long enough to hang up the rabbits caught by the snare lines before breaking from the woods and angling swiftly for the cleared area in front of the RV. Every eye cut toward him as soon as he came into view, Carol covering her mouth to hold back a sob. Even Merle wore as grim an expression as Daryl had ever seen.

"What the fuck?" He directed the question to Glenn, who was the only one of the group still looking his way. "What's wrong? Somebody spot a walker or something?"

The younger man shared an uncomfortable look with Merle of all people before he stepped up, his nervous fingers crushing the brim of his baseball cap. "The kids are gone," he confided. "Sophia and Carl. Lori noticed that Carl had wandered off but then we couldn't find Sophia either. We thought they might be down by the water so Shane went to check. Nobody saw them leave. Carol thought there might be a chance you'd come across them in the woods."

"Son-of-a-bitch," Daryl thundered. His angry gaze found Carol's anguished one as fear for what might be raced through him. He saw red, a crimson haze that covered the world and shut out everything but her. "I told you not to let her out of your sight. Who the fuck knows who or what she could run into out there? Dammit, all you had to do was keep an eye on her!" He was brought up short by his brother's rough hand splayed out on his chest, shoving him back from the woman looking at him with wounded eyes. His breath caught as he realized what he'd said...the words, the hateful venomous words that he couldn't take back.

"Hold on, little brother," Merle grunted. "Ain't no need for that. It ain't the mouse's fault that Little Bit took off. I told her I'd keep an eye on her while she was helping out Officer Friendly."

"Then why the hell didn't you," Daryl spat as he batted his brother's hands away. "She's gotta take this serious or she's gonna be in a world of shit and won't be able to get out of it. Son-of-bitch," he dropped his head and pressed the heels of his hands against his closed eyes. "I'll go after them. They can't have gone too far. I told her not to get out of earshot of the camp." He headed back the way he'd come but something stopped him. He looked over his shoulder and caught her eye, his stomach writhing at the look of guilty defeat she wore.

"You go easy," Merle warned him. "You've said your peace and that's it. Don't go doing something you're gonna regret, little brother. I told you to leave em be but you wouldn't have it. Go find the gal. I'll watch out for the mouse."

"Make sure watching is all you do," he snarled more harshly than he meant to. Merle's words found their mark, hurting far more than Daryl would admit. He started to move off again but instead spun around and walked determinedly toward Carol. "Listen," he whispered desperately as he pulled her away from the others. "I'm sorry, a'right. I shouldn't have said that. Just worried is all. Damned girl is gonna get an earful when I find her." His thumb moved over the soft skin of her wrist and lingered on spot where her pulse fluttered just under the surface. "Would never hurt you." His downcast eyes shifted away from her searching ones. "Didn't mean what I said. Fuck, Carol. I don't…."

"I know you don't," she whispered. "You're worried and you're scared. So am I. Just bring her back. Please."

He gave her fingers a reassuring squeeze before heading out. The two brothers shared a look, both well aware of the possibilities but neither gave voice to them. Daryl fixed his attention on the ground, looking for some sign of which way the wayward duo had gone when he heard rapid steps coming up behind him. He looked up into the thin, pale face and worried blue eyes of Rick Grimes, the cop Merle had referred to as Officer Friendly since they got back from Atlanta. Daryl hadn't asked what went down between them but knowing his brother, he was willing to bet it wasn't pretty.

"You're gonna need somebody to watch your back," Grimes offered, his hand resting on the butt of the big Python on his hip. "I won't slow you down and I won't get in your way. My son's out there too."

"You ever hunted or tracked before," Daryl asked doubtfully. "I can't wait for ya so if you're coming then you can't slow me down."

Rick's jaw firmed as he nodded. "Went with my father when I wasn't much bigger than Carl. I don't do it so much anymore but I can keep up."

"Alright then," Daryl's attention dropped back to the matted grass. "Looks like somebody went this way not to long ago. I didn't come this way so it's a good place to start." He bent suddenly and swept his hand through the dirt and leaves, seemingly following a pattern even though Rick couldn't see anything different from the surrounding area. "Yeah, she went this way. She's the only one with that zig zag on her shoes." Daryl moved swiftly along, not even noticing if Rick was behind him. His full attention was fixed on the trail. He grunted an oath as the path abruptly veered deeper into the woods. "They took off this way all of a sudden," he tossed back over his shoulder. "Can't tell why. Ain't no tracks here but theirs."

"Maybe they heard something," Rick offered, his gaze darting back and forth. "It could have startled them. There's a good chance that walkers are in these woods. They're running out of food in the city and will be looking for more."

The two men stopped to get their bearings, walking a slow circle around the small clearing. "Ain't seen no sign of them but that don't mean they aren't out there," Daryl conceded. "Could be just about anything in these woods." He gestured to a gap in the trees. "They went through there. They're not exactly in a hurry so we should catch sight of them before long. You ready?" At the other man's nod, the two strided deeper into the woods, eyes scanning the surrounding trees.

About an hour passed before they spoke again. Rick watched the odd man he'd spent most of the afternoon following. He was nothing like his brother, quiet and withdrawn where the other had a mouth that matched his in your face attitude. The elder Dixon and Rick crossed swords in Atlanta when he interrupted the man's impromptu shooting spree. It took a gun in his face and being handcuffed to a pipe before the man would shut up long enough for Rick to make it clear they would leave him there if he wouldn't play nice. It was a good thing Merle had believed the lie instead of calling his bluff otherwise things could have gotten ugly real quick.

This Dixon was something of a surprise. Rick didn't know what had led to the man taking the little girl and her mother under his wing. The fleeting glimpse he'd gotten of ropy white scars peeking out from underneath his sleeveless shirt probably had something to do with it. The story of how Ed Peletier came to be kicked out of the camp was even more revealing. It didn't tell the story but it allowed Rick to make certain assumptions. He'd just opened his mouth to confirm his suspicions when the shot rang out followed by screaming. Rick bolted through the trees, hot on Daryl's heels shouting for his son at the top of his lungs. He didn't notice that Daryl was screaming for the girl just as loudly.

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Sophia couldn't hold back the proud smile as she tucked her fourth squirrel into the bag on her hip. She'd missed more than a few but those four had been hit squarely and dropped almost at her feet. She'd seen Carl look longingly at her slingshot more than once. She bit back the urge to let him have a go at it. He could keep his stupid gun, she decided. Her slingshot and pebbles were better since they didn't make noise that would scare off other game. She lost herself in pleasant thoughts of the shocked expressions her mother and the others would have when they saw what Sophia had done all on her own.

Rough hands grabbed her from behind and a remembered voice made her cry out as her father pulled her closer, his breath unpleasantly warm in her ear. "You glad to see your daddy, girl?" Ed Peletier laughed as her eyes widened at the sight of him. "You weren't stupid enough to think I'd go anywhere without you and your momma, were you? Your friend here is gonna go back and tell the bitch that if she don't come to the highway alone, then she'll never see your sweet face again." He looked from his daughter to the wide, worried eyes of the boy watching them and laughed again. "You hear me, boy. Take your bony ass back to camp and tell Sophia's mother what I just said. If you don't, I'll find you and the walkers can have what's left. You understand?"

Carl scampered backwards, his father's hat falling into his eyes as he nodded furiously. "I...do...I mean….yes, sir….I...understand…." He tripped and went to his knees among the dead leaves, drawing another round of laughter from the man.

Sophia felt like everything stopped and sped up all at the same time. She saw Carl fall, his arms windmilling as he fought for balance, and then her father's jeering voice taunting the boy. Can't do this, her own voice echoed in her head. Can't let him hurt us again. Her hand slipped into her pocket and grasped the knife there. She eased it out and flipped it open with a flick of her wrist just the way Daryl showed her. She then wrapped her fingers tightly around the hilt and stabbed the beefy arm holding her just as hard as she could. The resulting howl of pain and the feel of her breath leaving her in a rush as Ed dropped her let her know she'd aimed true. She held on to the knife as she scrambled away. She looked back just as Carl yanked the pistol free and took wavering aim. His eyes met hers right before he pulled the trigger.

Wood exploded into splinters as the bullet tore through a nearby trunk. Sophia looked on in horror as Ed lurched for her friend, blood caked hands grappling for the pistol. He would kill him, of that she had no doubt. His face was almost purple with rage. She had to do something before it got worse. More than that, it would be her fault if Carl died trying to protect her. She moved blindly, the knife clutched tightly in her outstretched hand. The blade shimmied sideways as it skidded along his collarbone before biting deep. Hot blood bubbled out, coating her fingers like a glove. She screamed as his head turned toward her, eyes alight with fury and she stabbed again, kept stabbing until he toppled over and pulled her down with him.

The sounds he made...wet, heaving, gasping breaths...were echoed by her broken sobs. She scooted away from him, her fingers tearing furrows in the dirt as she tried frantically to put some distance between her and the dying man. She distantly heard someone shouting her name but couldn't take her eyes off her father as he twitched and bled out his last few minutes. Running footsteps sounded like thunder but she didn't look, couldn't look away. His mouth opened, blood pouring down his chin as he mouthed her name. She kicked up small tufts of dirt and leaves as she tottered away from his outstretched hand.

"It's okay," a choked, gravelly voice muttered as an arm caught her around her middle and pulled her back. "I got ya. Don't look. Don't look." A piercing scream rang out, making her wonder who could be making such a sound. She watched as hands covered in a muck of dirt and blood clawed at the forearm wrapped around her. "Easy," the voice came again. "You're okay. I got you." Gentle fingers caught her chin and turned her away from the grisly form choking out its last. "Look at me. Come on, girl. Look at me."

It clicked. Suddenly, everything slid into place, the world coming alive around her. "Daryl," her voice broke as she gulped in a deep breath. The dam broke, her small form quaking as fear and adrenalin ran themselves out leaving a blank nothingness behind.

Daryl looked on helplessly as she collapsed into sobs. He did the only thing he could think of, pulled her in tight and wrapped her up as her tears soaked his shirt. His eyes met Rick's as the man paused in making sure his own son was still in one piece. The deputy shook his head, expression solemn as he glanced from the weeping girl to the still form on the ground.

"Let's get them back to camp," he ordered. "We'll sort this out once we make sure they're alright."

Daryl nodded shortly and then climbed to his feet, cradling the girl against his chest. He pulled the crossbow around, checked the bolt, and shot Ed Peletier though the head. He then shouldered the weapon and walked toward camp without a backward glance.

End part 7…...