Chapter 17

Rick sat back and oversaw the work going on in the yard. They were gaining in numbers. That was why it was so important to expand their garden, and expand the area of the runs. More people always meant needing more food and supplies.

Rick couldn't shake the bad feeling he'd had about the run Daryl and Carol had went on earlier. Usually, Daryl just went with whatever groups and runs were organized. However, it seemed his protectiveness over Carol, had made him voice his concerns to Rick. Rick was glad that Daryl was stepping forward.

Either way, Rick was feeling uneasy. He couldn't shake it. An hour after Daryl and Carol left for the run, he grabbed Michonne, Glenn and HIM to head out to check on them.

...

Carol watched as the second man shoved Daryl roughly to the floor. Daryl was pushed hard, but didn't land like the guy had wanted him to. Daryl had caught his body before it could impact and rolled to the side. That was part of his stealth and skill he'd acquired due to his hunting. The man pointed the gun at him.

"Time to tie him up Earl." The man in the aisle told him. Earl didn't look too sure about Daryl. He could tell the man was deadly. He's just seen evidence of it, when he'd tried to put him on the ground. Not to mention his eyes. His eyes promised pain, and lots of him. Earl didn't say anything, but he wished that they would just leave this group and get out of there.

When Earl was done tying Daryl up, the man in the aisle told him to tie up Jason and Austin. When Jason started to fight back, Earl hit Jason upside the head. Then Earl told him and Austin to get down on the floor...face down.

"Now...now...now...you don't want me to accidentally pull the trigger trying to defend myself from you now do you?" The man told them. Daryl was shaking and sweat was pouring off his body. He looked like he was about to explode from the tension and energy he was suppressing in an effort NOT to attack the man with the gun to Carol's head.

Carol felt the grip tighten around her arm, and the cold metal of the gun to press harder into her head. She felt panic rise, but knew she had to keep it together. She instinctively knew that if she freaked out then Daryl would lose it, and that could get one or all of them killed.

"So, what we got us here is a little problem or opportunity. Depends on what side your thinking from..." he told them. Carol saw Daryl watching the man holding her without blinking and with total focus.

"Is this your woman?" he asked Daryl. Daryl looked Carol in the eyes. The answer could create a lot of different problems. If she wasn't his, then that meant she was available. However, if Carol WAS his, then there was a possibility these guys got off tormenting women in front of their men. He decided to go with the second one. Though, it was just as repulsive as the first one. He was just hoping it would buy them some time. Time for what, he wasn't sure...

"She's MINE!" Daryl growled at the guy.

"Hmmm...that presents a problem. See, here we have one hell of an attractive woman, and yet she's yours you say..." he told them. "Believe it or not we got a few morales left." He told Daryl, pulling Carol's body up against his. Daryl struggled forward again.

"So, here's the dilemma. Or choice." He told Daryl.

"We want the woman, but we aren't going to just take her." He continued. "At least not if she ain't willing. No fun if they're not willing."

Carol couldn't believe this was happening. Anger began to rise in her. She so fucking tired of being a victim. No matter what happened, she refused to allow herself to be a victim again.

"So, you two guys get to decide...you can come willingly to me, then we won't have to shoot yer man here in front of you. If you don't well...then he dies now and you go free." He told Carol putting his mouth right up against her ear. Carol closed her eyes in disgust.

Daryl struggled against the man holding him to the ground. Nobody noticed but he was slowly working himself free from the rope.

"Now, if you keep that up, then we'll be forced to kill her in front of you. Won't take her like we want, but we'll kill her." he told Daryl.

"You sick motherfuckers! I will kill all of you with my bare fuckin' hands..." Daryl didn't understand these types of people. Playing games with people, enjoying their pain and using whoever, when and however they pleased. It was sick and twisted. What he did know...was that these men were going to die...die a slow and painful death.

...

Carol was afraid...afraid for herself and afraid of being raped, but what she feared the most was watching Daryl die.

"Okay." She said quietly, "but don't hurt him. Don't kill him." Carol told him, as calmly as she could. "I'll do whatever you want...but don't hurt him."

"CAROL." Daryl yelled. He'd rather die than have someone hurt or touch her. Then he felt duck tape go around his mouth, and Earl punched him in the gut. Jason and Austin just stood there. Not making a move and not speaking. Daryl knew they'd be of no use.

"Daryl, stop..." Carol told him.

"Seems the lady has made her choice." He told Daryl.

Carol looked at Daryl.

"How do I know you aren't going to kill him." Carol asked him.

"Guess you'll have to take my word on it." he told her.

"I think we need to go somewhere a little more private." he told her.

"What's your name?" Carol asked him.

"Ben." He told her.

Pushing her forward. He forced her up the stairs to the office that oversaw the store. The man who stood at the top got out of their way.

"Go down and watch the three of them. Shoot them if they move. Especially, her man over there." Ben told him.

With that he opened the door, and shoved Carol into the office. He licked his lips in anticipation. Ben knew he'd won. This woman wasn't going to do anything to risk her man. He'd never been a fan of women. Fuckin' them...yeah, but that was about it. They were weak and so easily manipulated. Lowering his gun to his side, Ben took in the beautiful woman in front of him. He's was going to really enjoy this...Ben smiled a crooked grotesque smile of anticipation. Ben saw the woman shiver and turn her head away from him.

As he took a second to reach over to shut the door...that split second gave Carol a chance, and he never saw her pull out the small knife, that had been hidden away under her shirt and in the back of her pants.

Carol sliced his neck from jaw line to jaw line. She let his body drop silently to the floor watching the blood slowly darken the carpet around him. She watched as the light in his eyes began to fade.

His last thought was that maybe he'd been wrong. Not all women were weak. Maybe he'd underestimated her.

To be continued...