Chapter Seven
He was trapped.
His wrists were bound tightly to the rails of the hospital bed he occupied, skin coated in cold sweat as he fought the restraints.
"Lemme go!" He cried, terror racing down his spine as he struggled. His captor chuckled darkly and plunged a needle into the crook of his elbow, injecting him with dark red substance.
" I wonder," The man began conversationally, " If vaccines are just viruses given to strengthen the body against future infection, would walker blood work like a vaccine if you inject it directly into the bloodstream?"
Daryl screamed in agony, a burning sensation spreading throughout his body from the injection point. He jerked against his restraints, uncaring of the steel cutting into his wrists and the blood streaming down his arms. His mind was overcome with terror and an agony so blinding he couldn't tell which way was up and which way was down.
He struggled and screamed, thrashing wildly in every which way while his captor watched with a dark smile, one visible eye gleaming.
"So beautiful." The man murmured and Daryl whimpered, tears streaming down his cheeks.
"No more." He pleaded. "Please, no more."
The man smirked and grabbed his face. "Oh darling. We're only just beginning."
Daryl bolted awake with a choked scream, his storm grey eyes with in terror and body trembling with remembered agony. Tears streamed down his cheeks in steady rivulets and he curled in on himself panting harshly.
Sobs wracked his slender frame and he gripped his hair, trying to force them to stop. He'd promised himself he wouldn't cry over this anymore. He'd told himself he was past it all.
So why was it still affecting him so much?
A heavy hand landed on his shoulder and he flinched violently whirling around to face the person it belonged to.
Merle stared back at him with worried grey eyes.
"Daryl? What's wrong? Why're ya cryin'?"
He stared at the man.
He'd cried for him and begged him to save him for weeks during his time in the Governor's care but he'd never shown up. When he had told Rick the man had reminded him that Merle had died only two weeks before his capture and couldn't save him...yet the man was standing right in front of him alive and healthy.
Why didn't he save him?
Wasn't he worth saving?
"Why?"
Merle frowned. "Why what?"
Daryl's gaze darkened taking on a more manic glint. "Why didn' you save me?! I begged an' screamed but ya ne'er showed up! Why?! Why'd ya leave me there?!"
The older man stared at him wide-eyed.
Just what the hell had happened to his brother in that future of theirs? What had happened to break the cool calm the younger man seemed to exude from every pore?
What had broken his baby brother?
"This is the past, Dar, remember? All that stuff in that head o' yers ain't even happened yet?"
The archer shivered and wrapped his arms around himself in a sad mimicry of a hug.
"Then why can I still feel it? Why's it still hurt?"
Merle shook his head and pulled the younger man into a gentle hug, feeling the man relax against him.
"I don' know, lil brother. I don' know."
"You've been withdrawing from me."
Daryl glanced up at from his crossbow at his husband's soft words, watching as the man took a seat beside him.
"Ain' withdrawin'." He denied and the man frowned.
"Yes you are. Why?"
He looked down but didn't speak and Rick's eyes widened when he realized just what was bothering his husband.
"It's Lori isn't it? You're afraid I'll leave you for her."
Daryl didn't respond but the small flash of insecurity that flashed in his gaze told Rick he was correct.
He sighed and cupped his husband's face. "Daryl...Lori an' I are done. I love you. You are mine, not her or anyone else that you think can take your place. My vows say till death do us part and they say for better or worse and I will uphold that with my life."
The archer stared at him, searching his gaze, then smiled that small sweet smile that made Rick's heart race and his cheeks burn.
"Til death do us part." He replied and the former cop kissed him chastely.
"Exactly. Til death do us part."
"Y'all good now?"
The couple glanced behind them to find their son smirking at them, blue eyes dancing with mischief.
"Yeah, we're done, ya lil shit." Daryl replied snarkily, smirking at the boy who grinned.
"Good. It been decided that we'll rest here for a few days then head out towards the prison. Hopefully we'll be able to secure it before the rotten bastard creates Woodbury."
Rick nodded and stood.
"I'll let y'all get to yer huntin' then. Be back before sunset."
Carl smirked, twirling his revolver expertly, while Daryl stood and slung his bow over his shoulder.
"Who do ya think yer talkin' too? We'll back way 'fore then." He replied before nodding to his son. The boy nodded back and with a parting smile the duo disappeared into the trees.
"Where's he going with my son?" Lori growled and Rick ignored her, walking over to a table where Hershel, Beth, Maggie, Judith, and Carol were sitting talking.
"The terrible twosome gone?" The latter asked and he nodded chuckling when Judith pouted.
"I wan'ed to go! How come Carly ge's to go an' I don'?"
The former sheriff shrugged. "It was yer mama's choice not mine."
Her pout deepened and brought her thumb up to her mouth to naw at the skin around the nail, a habit she'd no doubt picked up from Daryl. "Still ain' fair." She grumbled and the group laughed.
"They'll be back soon an' I'm sure Pookie'll let ya sit with him during his shift on watch." Carol soothed.
Rick snorted. "He hates that name an' you know it."
She smirked. "I know."
He shook his head groaning when he spotted Lori walking over to them with a coy smile on her lips.
"What do you want, Lori?" He asked in exasperation and she gave a fake pout. "I just wanted to meet my daughter, Rick." She replied before turning to Judith who scowled at her.
"You ain' my mama."
"Yes I am. No matter what that stupid red-neck slut says you are still my child and I will not let him take you away from me."
Judy's lips curled into a snarl and her eyes hardened into a glare worth of Daryl when he was in his worst mood. She stood and crossed her tiny arms.
"Listen here, bitch. My mama is Daryl Dixon. No' you or any other broad that says otherwise. Stay the hell away fr'm me an' my brother or I'll put a bolt straight through yer damn eyes, livin' or no'." She snarled and Lori jerked back appalled and slightly scared of the gleam in the little girl's eyes. Quickly gathering her bearings she glared at the child.
"Watch your mouth, little girl," She sneered. "Evidently your mama ain't too good of a parent if you're talkin' like that."
Judith's eyes darkened with rage.
No one was allowed to insult her mama. Daryl Dixon had done everything in his power to raise her, he'd given her her first nickname, and he'd been the first person to look at her with love. She was well aware that her daddy hadn't like her when she was born and she was aware that even Carl had been wary of her because her birth had led to their birth mother's death but Daryl wasn't like that.
She could remember his smoky voice as he sang her to sleep, could remember his trying to sooth her when he'd returned to the prison even thought wounds riddled his form. She could remember when he'd given her his pancho, his only source of warmth during the frigid winters at the prison just to make sure she wasn't cold.
Daryl was her mother, her protector...and she was his Lil Asskicker.
No one was allowed to insult him.
She raised her crossbow aiming a bolt directly between Lori's eyes.
"If you ever insult mama again I will end you." She growled lowly and the woman stared at her.
A gentle hand landed on her shoulder. "Put it down, Judy. Calm down, Baby girl." Her daddy coaxed and she slowly lowered the weapon, noticing that the entire camp was staring at them. She gave a scowl eerily reminiscent of her mother's.
"The hell y'all lookin' at?!" She snapped and they all went about the business, sharing a look that she couldn't decipher. Her father kept his hand on her shoulder, glaring at his ex-wife.
"You should go."
Lori protested. "But Rick-"
"Now, Lori."
She huffed then shot Judith a strong glare and stormed off. The girl watched her go with a scowl.
Sooner or later she'd have to set that...woman straight. She smirked darkly. Maybe she'd even get Carl to help.
TBC...