I own nothing...
Chapter two - Carol
I never liked people much. They're shallow, self centered and judgmental. Never had much use for them any more then they had any use for me.
But, as flawed as they are, they are still people, and I still couldn't stop the horror that waited for me every time I closed my eyes. Before we made it to the safety of the quarry the things I had seen... people ripped limb from limb, still conscious, screaming.
They haunted me, kept me awake at night, made me sick, sad and angry.
I took a breath and bent down to pick up a mushroom and drop it in my bucket.
Ed had been complaining about how hungry he was and how terrible a daughter I was for not looking after his needs.
The timing couldn't have been better for King Shane to mention that wild mushrooms grew in the area and they could use a volunteer.
This way I could have hours away from Ed, away from everyone and make it look like I was just trying to "look after his needs."
I needed some time alone and at the moment Sophie was in "school" with Carl and Head Mistress Lori, so at least I didn't have to worry about her getting caught alone by Ed or geeks.
Did I really just list them in that order?
God I come from a fucked up family.
Suddenly I heard a snapping branch and the telltale moan. Before I could turn around I felt hands around my shoulders. I closed my eyes to brace against the pain.
It never came. There was a whooshing of air and the hands slipped from my shoulders before something thudded against the ground behind me.
Opening my eyes I spun around and saw a geek crumpled at my feet with an arrow in its eye. I screamed and started backing up but bumped into something hard. I spun around again with a battle cry and raised the bucket over my head, prepared to strike, but a hand caught my wrist while it was still over my head.
"Some way to show your gratitude."
It was the man, the man who showed me how to skin squirrels. He had gone on a hunting trip when his brother had volunteered to go into Atlanta.
He released my wrist and I let it drop limply to my side.
He grabbed my chin gently and pushed it from left to right, examining my neck.
I must have been in shock, because I let him.
"You bit?"
My eyes which had drifted to some distant point in a daze shot up to meet his. I shook my head no, the terrifying reality of what just happened, what could have happened hit me.
I shook my head more firmly, "No."
He nodded and brushed passed me, pulling his bolt our of the geek's eye.
"What are you doing out here?" He asked looking at my bucket.
"King Shane asked for volunteers to go looking for wild mushrooms," my eyes bulged and I covered my mouth with my hands. Did I just say King Shane out loud?
The man smirked a little, "more like King Idiot, asking an unarmed girl to go out into the woods alone."
"Your out here alone," I said, not thinking.
"I'm neither unarmed or fool enough to let a moaning, stumbling, lame brained geek sneak up on me," he shot back, looking at me like I was slow.
I deserved that.
With a huff he headed back in the direction he had come. I watched him go, still not totally recovered from the shock of it all.
After a few paces he turned around, "Well come on," he said.
I looked at him surprised.
"What? You think I'm gonna leave an unarmed girl who clearly can't take care of herself alone in the damn woods? I've been tracking a buck all day so we're not headed directly back to camp. I'll be damnmed if I let a whole days work go to waste because of some fool girl."
I hurried over to him, head down and tried to keep pace with him as he stocked off.
"You better be silent as the grave little girl, if you scare off my dear..." He let the threat hang. "And you best believe King Shane and I will be having a chat when I get back to camp."
I stopped dead in my tracks.
"Oh god no, please don't. If my father finds out that I met you in the woods he wont hear anything else. Please don't tell? I'm sorry I got into trouble I won't let it happen again, I'll be more careful, promise, just please don't tell anyone?"
He gave me a long look, "Alright."
"Oh thank you, thank you so much."
He looked at me again and I could see the wheels turning behind his eyes.
"You don't thank me for saving your life, but you thank me twice for not telling your daddy on you?"
Maybe my life ain't worth much... Maybe there are things worse then death.
"What's your name?"
He looked at me a little shocked.
"I owe you my life, I should know who owns that debt," I said.
"Daryl Dixon," he said with furrowed brows.
"Carol Peletier." I said, sticking my hand out.
He took it wearily and I gave it a firm shake.
We started walking again in silence.
"Did you know that the ancient Chinese believed that if you save someone's life you were then responsible for them?"
He gave me a side long glance. "I'm not ancient or a Chinc and you are not my problem."
"I know," I said. "I just read a lot, or I used to, sometimes all the facts in my head come spewing out at people. Sorry."
He didn't answer.
"Hey Daryl?"
"What?"
"Thanks for saving my life."
He stopped walking and looked at me for a moment. Then, as if coming to some decision, he said, "Your welcome."