Disclaimer: I own nothing.
––
Carol woke with a jolt, feeling empty arms, and she shot up and out of bed. She looked around the hotel room, the duffel bag was on the table, the place were Axel was sleeping was empty, and Sophia was nowhere to be seen. She pushed the covers back, trying not to panic, and she opened the bathroom door, but it was empty too. She felt panic coursing through her body, drowning her.
"Sophia!" She threw open the door. "Sophia!" She ran outside, the hot ground stung her feet. She scanned the parking lot, not seeing a single familiar car or sign Sophia had been there. The world seemed to blue, and her breathing escalated as she racked her hands through her hair. "Sophia!"
No, no! That bastard took her! He hired him to take her daughter! She knew he was too nice. She knew he was going to screw them over. Why did she fall for it? She should've been prepared. She should've hit him with that chair and bashed his head open. God, he was too damn nice. No one was that nice, not to her. She was stupid, and she lost her daughter. How could she let this happen? She was so careful. Why did she ever let her guard down?
"Sophia!"
"Mommy!"
She whirled around and saw Sophia's sweet face running over to her. Carol swept her up and held her close. "Are you okay?" She looked her over. "Did he hurt you?"
"Hurt her?" Axel rounded the corner. "I would never hurt her."
"Where the hell did you take her?" she demanded.
"To the store. You were sleeping, so we grabbed some breakfast and new clothes."
"Do you like my jacket, Mommy?" Sophia asked.
"What?" Sophia wore new jeans with a new jean jacket and a blue rainbow shirt. She had lopsided pigtails. "New clothes?" She was confused. Why was he doing this?
"Well, I noticed her pants were ripped, and I figured she'd like new one. We bought some for you too. New jeans too."
They went back into the hotel room, Sophia opened her cookies 'n cream and used a pack of cinnamon Teddy Grahams to scoop it out, Axel handed Carol the new clothes, and he had just sat down to eat his own container of mint chocolate chip when Carol dragged him into the bathroom, pulling the gun from her waistband and threatening him.
"Holy shit!" He jumped back.
"You don't go anywhere with my daughter," she hissed. "Not without me ever!"
"Christ, I'm sorry! She was awake, and you weren't. I didn't want her to wake you, and I was hungry!"
"I'm not mad." She lowered the gun. "I'm pissed! You could've put us at risk! Do you have any idea who's after us? It's not Mr. Rogers, Axel."
"I'm sorry, okay? I didn't know. I was just bein' nice!"
"And I am very, very grateful, but the person after us will stop at nothing to get his hands on her, and she is my everything. Don't ever do that again."
He nodded. "Can you put the gun away?"
She set it on the counter. "Don't worry. Safety's on."
"Well, that doesn't change the fact I need to change my underwear."
She smiled. "I'm sorry. I really am."
"Yeah, me too." He exited the bathroom then paused. "We're going to watch cartoons. Is that okay?"
She almost laughed. "Depends on what."
"Something called...Adventure Time."
"Yeah, she loves that show."
He stepped out, and Carol looked into the bag. She saw a lot more than jeans. She emptied the bag, finding hair dye, and a paint blobbed knapsack with a set of contact lenses, a can of pepper spray, a set of car keys and a two one-way train tickets. She saw a note in the very bottom, and she felt tears in her eyes at who send Axel to her.
Thought you might need this and a friend. Granted, he's my friend, but I can't afford to disappear right now. He'll know I know. Be strong and don't let that angel out of your sight.
-K
Carol held the note close to her heart and calmed herself. She was so emotional lately. She needed to settle down. She looked at the note once more and smiled. "Thank you, Karen." That explained everything. That woman was the best thing that happened to her since she left home five years ago.
And with that said, Carol put her past self behind her and changed into someone even he wouldn't recognize. Her medium length red hair was transformed into a chestnut brown, and her green-blue eyes were now a muddy brown. She was stunned by the woman in the mirror. She was so skinny, her cheeks were sunk in, her skin was washed out, and her clothes were too big, so she looked like an druggy. She'd lost so much weight, and it was sickening. She had no form. Sadly, this weight lose wasn't due their running, not most of it anyway.
She threw the used supplies into the trashcan behind the motel, and she moved her things—second pair of shoes, old clothes, Sophia's clothes and bear—into the knapsack and all the while Sophia kept asking why she changed her everything. She gave Axel a knowing smile, and he nodded back.
"Did you save me any?" Carol asked, moving Sophia onto her lap as she took her seat.
"I saved you a few bears, but you were in the shower, so I ate all the ice cream."
Carol kissed her cheek. "Thank you, sweetheart."
"So, what's the plan?" Axel asked her.
"I don't know." She tucked loose hair behind Sophia's ear. "Keep her safe and well-taken care of. I think I know who can do that, but I'm going to need you."
"You name it, I'll do it—just not murder."
"Nothing like that," Carol smiled.
"But you have somethin' in mind?"
"Yes, I do." She lifted Sophia up and set her back in her seat. "Don't eat all of these, okay?"
"I'll get a tummy ache, I know. I know." She continued coloring the panda in her coloring book.
"C'mere." Carol pulled him to the door out of Sophia's line of sight. "Show me how you do it."
"Do what?"
"My jeans still had that anti-theft thing. How do you do it?"
"You wanna know?"
"It could be useful."
"All right. I'm a pro at this, so don't be disappointed when you can't best me."
"Try me."
Over the course of two days, Axel taught Carol everything knew about professional stealing, and she was getting really good at stealing from him. She hadn't done stolen form a store yet, but she was getting there. She felt horrible about stealing, but she had to be able to keep Sophia fed, no matter how low she had to stoop. She wouldn't let her daughter suffer, and some of the people around here could afford her thieving. She would find a way to make it up to them later—if they made it out of this.
Carol was quite fond of Axel. He was really polite, very respecting of her space, and he seemed to genuinely care if Sophia was all right. She still woke at every movement he made in the night, but she trusted him.
Today was the day Axel tested Carol's skills. They needed to move motels again, and they needed supplies. They only had enough food for breakfast, so it was Carol's turn to get the food. They had a plan, and they hoped it worked.
"I'm nervous." Carol wiped her hands on her jeans.
"It's now or go hungry," Axel replied.
"I can do this." She removed her seat belt and got out of the truck car. She unbuckled Sophia and helped her out, taking her hand. "If all else fails, I can claim I'm a desperate mother."
"It ain't untrue."
She took a deep breathe, and they went inside. Axel went to get the drinks they were actually going to pay for while Carol and Sophia wondered the aisles. Carol could feel her palms sweating, but they were in some cheap little gas station with really old cameras. She had to do this, and she learned from the best. She just had to keep calm and make sure Sophia did her part. She felt horrible about that part, making her daughter a decoy. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Carol kept to the canned goods, taking more cans than anything. She didn't want the wrappers to crinkle in her pockets when she walked. She did take a few packs of ramen noodles, slipping them into the knapsack that Sophia was wearing. She even took a few packs of crackers. She didn't overdo it. It was her first time, and she really didn't want to get caught.
She'd only stolen one thing in her entire life, and she felt so bad about it. She went back and told them, paying them twice the amount and swearing to never, ever go in the store again. Her parents didn't find out. The guy was really nice about it, especially since she was eight and it was just a bracelet that her dad wouldn't buy for her. She didn't think she would be doing it again. It was for survival this time, so did that make it better?
When Carol was done, her jacket felt like it was filled with bricks. She saw Axel talking to the cashier, prepaying for gas, and Carol waited until he left before she told Sophia what to do. Sophia nodded, and Carol gave her reassuring smile before walking to the other end of the aisle.
Sophia walked over to a cardboard stand and picked up a peanut butter cup, looking it over, getting the cashier's attention. Sophia slipped the candy bar into her pocket, very obvious about it, and she turned and started to leave.
"Oh, whoa, whoa." He came out from behind the counter, and Sophia kept walking, and he grabbed her shoulder gently. "Hey, hey, little missy." He turned his back on Carol, bending down to look at her, and Carol handed her jacket to Axel, leaving her in a jean jacket. "I think you forgot something."
Sophia gazed at him.
"See, honey, you have to pay for that." He pointed to her pocket.
"But I don't have any money," Sophia whispered.
"That is a dilemma."
"Am I in trouble?" Sophia asked, tears in her eyes. "I want my mommy."
"Sweetheart, don't cry. It'll be okay."
"Sophia?" Carol stepped out of the aisle. "Sophia, baby, what happened?" She dropped to her knees in front of her, taking her hands.
"She forgot to pay for something."
"Oh? I'm so sorry." Carol looked at Sophia. "I told you to wait, didn't I?"
Sophia nodded. "I'm sorry." She turned to the man. "I'm really sorry, sir."
Carol kissed her forehead and pulled out money to pay for it. "Is this enough?" Carol held it out.
"Yeah." He stood up and took it.
Carol picked her up. "I'm sorry for all this." She left, drying Sophia's eyes. "Shh, it's okay." She knew Sophia was upset about the whole thing. The first time Sophia actually stole—she'd been putting on plastic necklaces with one of her friends and forgot she had one one still when they left—Ed...went insane. He yelled at her and at Carol. It was horrible, and Sophia was scared to do anything. She didn't go into a store for two months, because she was scared he'd assume the worst.
"What happened?" Axel pushed off the truck.
"She's upset." Carol rubbed her back. "She'll be okay."
Axel set a hand on her head. "Cheer up, it's Thursday, and it's almost seven."
Sophia smiled a little, sniffling.
They got in the car, Sophia held Dee Dee close, and they checked into another motel for the night. Axel and Carol emptied the coat filled with pilfered goods onto the bed, and he was impressed by all Carol managed to get. She felt a little pride at that, but she made a promise to never do it unless it was absolutely necessary. Carol looked over at Sophia, who sat in front of the TV cuddling Dee Dee to her chest and the peanut butter cup she'd taken was on the table, untouched.
Axel put the food in the duffel bag, putting the water bottles in the mini fridge, and Carol picked up the candy and plopped down beside her. "Are you gonna eat this?" Carol held it out.
She shook her head.
"Why not?"
"I'm not hungry." She buried her face in the bear's head.
"Not hungry? Hmm, well, I guess I'll eat it." She began to unwrap it. "Smells good." She knew Sophia loved peanut butter and chocolate. It wouldn't take long. "It's fresh too." Carol ate a small bite, Sophia peeked at her, and just when Carol was about to eat it whole, Sophia stopped her. "I knew it." She smiled, tickling Sophia, and Sophia giggled and squirmed away.
"C'mere." Carol pulled her into her lap, Sophia took a bite of the candy, and Carol smoothed her hair down, looking in her eyes. "What we did at the store, we don't do that unless we have to, okay?"
"I know."
"Okay. Your show's back on."
Sophia turned in Carol's lap to watch the show, Carol wrapped her arms around Sophia's stomach, and Axel checked out the window before sitting on his bed. Carol knew he had money, but only enough for motel rooms. She needed to get them to the train station. If she could get Sophia home, she could try and throw Ed's scent off. She didn't want to leave Sophia, but if Ed caught up to them, it would be worse than being separated from Sophia. She might not make it back to her.
After the show was over, Sophia flipped through her coloring book for a blank page, Carol sat on their bed and tried to come up with a way to persuade Axel to take Sophia home, and she heard Sophia sigh.
"What is it?"
"I'm outta stuff to color." She closed the book. "Do you have paper?"
"No." She rose off the bed. "I'll get you a new coloring book tomorrow, yeah?"
"Tomorrow." Sophia sat back in the chair. "Where are we going, Mommy?"
"Somewhere safe."
"Where? I'm sick of motels and hotels and gas station food. I miss my bed and Ramsey."
Carol frowned. "I know, baby, but we can't go back there. This is our adventure."
"Does it have an end?"
"Hopefully."
The door opened and Axel walked in. Sophia muttered a hi, and Carol offered a smile. He smiled back, locking the door behind him, and he reached into the bag he had with him, pulling out a thick coloring book and new crayons, markers and colored pencils.
"Oh, my gosh!" Sophia was grinning. "Are those for me?"
"Yeah." He set it on the table.
"Thank you so much!" She hugged him then flipped through it.
Thank you, Carol mouthed.
"Figured she'd run out. She ain't got nothin' else to do."
She touched his arm and led him over to the beds, sitting him down. "Axel—"
"Got this for you." He pulled out a compass. "So you'll find your way."
She reached out and took the vintage pocket compass. It was beautiful, and she felt it was important to him. She wasn't sure she could take this, and she was scared that this gift and Sophia's meant they were going to part ways. She wasn't ready for that. She had a plan, and she had to follow it. He had to protect Sophia long enough for her family to take her in. She couldn't do this without him.
"Why are you giving me this?"
"Why not?"
"Axel...are you leaving us?" Her voice was soft, scared almost.
"No, but it's time for you to get on that train."
"Axel, I need you. I have an idea, and I need your help to see it through." She leaned closer. "I need you to get her on that train. I'll write directions out, and there are people there who will take her in."
"And if they don't?"
"They will. Please, you're the only person I trust with her."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"'Cause she's your little girl. You need to be with her, not me."
She sighed and tossed the compass at him. "I need some air, please watch her." She needed a drink or a cigarette—something to ease the stress. She didn't have a plan B, and if Axel had his mind made up, she was going home.
––
"The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round, round and round. The wheels on the bus go around and round all through the town." Axel was playing along and pretending to learn the song from Sophia, and Carol couldn't help smiling.
"I think I'm gettin' a hang of this." Axel took a drink of water.
"Now we can practice with our arms," Sophia cheerfully replied.
"There's more? Man, this might be rough." He closed his bottle. "Lemme teach you somethin'."
"Okay!"
"Hold our your hands like this." He lifted his hands, and Sophia did the same. "Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man. Bake me a cake as fast as you can; pat it, roll it and mark it with a "B"." Sophia aped him well, although she was one minute behind in the words, but she got all of them right. "Put it in the oven for baby and me."
"You have to have kids," Carol commented.
"Nieces." He continued to play the game with her. "Patty cake, patty cake, baker's man. Bake me a cake as fast as you can."
"Roll it up, roll it up," Sophia said, doing the same hand motions as him. "And throw it in a pan. Patty cake, patty cake, baker's man."
Carol smiled and clapped when they finished, Sophia felt accomplished, and Carol realized just how much made her smile. She hadn't seen her smile this much since last year. "That was so good." Carol kissed her forehead. "But it's late, and we gotta go."
"I'll get my coat. C'mon, Dee Dee." Sophia grabbed her coat from the chair.
"It's been three days," Carol told him. "We should really leave now."
"Yeah, you should." He handed her her knapsack. "But I ain't coming."
"But we discussed this," Carol protested.
"That little girl needs you, not me. I'm not changing my mind."
"She loves you! You know how four-year-olds are. She adores you, and I trust you. Karen trusts you, so please, Axel don't waffle on me."
"I never—"
A loud banging interrupted Axel, Carol jumped, and Sophia yelped. It was six in the evening, and there was a Do Not Disturb sign on the doorknob. Whoever was knocking was really trying to break the door down, because it was shaking, and that made Carol's heart stop. She knew it was him. She knew they'd stayed too long. Damn it!
"Go," Axel said softly. "The bathroom window. Go!"
Carol grabbed Sophia, the knapsack and her bear, rushing into the bathroom. She pried the window open while Axel called to the man banging on the door, and Sophia was shaking.
"Who's banging on the door?" Sophia whimpered.
"I don't know, baby." She got the window open and climbed through since Sophia was latched onto her. She ran as fast as she could away from the hotel room, hearing a gunshot, and she kept running. Sophia was gripping her tightly, and Carol needed to soothe her. She also needed a plan. She had one. Axel was her plan, and he was probably dead because of her.
She ran out to the street, moving through the crowd of people and she saw a miracle: a bus. She hurried up the stairs, a woman boarded behind her, and the doors shut behind that woman. Carol found a seat in the back, keeping Sophia close, and her eyes went from face to face in the people below. She saw him clear as day, looking for her, and she ducked her head when the bus passed by him.
Carol pulled Sophia back and looked at her. "You okay?"
She had tears in her eyes. "I—I am." Her voice was so soft, and it broke Carol's heart. "Where's Axel?"
"He's...gone, but I'm sure he'll be okay. We'll see him again."
"Where are we going?"
"Home, baby." Carol pulled her into her arms. "We're going home."
– – –
She drank the orange juice on the way to her room then took a long shower and got dressed. She couldn't find her shoes anywhere, though. "Hey, Shawn?" She padded down the stairs. "Shawn?"
"Look who's finally legal." He held a basket of peaches. "Happy birthday, kid."
"Thanks. Have you seen any of my shoes?"
"Yes."
"Where?"
"I can't tell you. Beth had something to do with it, though." He shrugged. "You can't help Dad without boots, you know that. Besides, I bet you and Daryl have some talking to do."
"Yeah, we do." She folded her arms over her chest. "I'll see you later."
Shawn and Carol went different ways, and Carol went to look for her shoes. She would talk to Daryl later. Right now, she needed two shoes, and she didn't care if they matched. She looked all through Beth's and Maggie's room, but came up empty-handed. She wouldn't go into Shawn's room if you paid her, and she knew they wouldn't be in her parents' room. Beth wouldn't hide them in there. But if Beth was the one who took her shoes, she would just have to take Beth's shoes.
She stole a pair and padded down the stairs to deal with one of her problems that wasn't going to end or start with a fight. She needed to hand in the scholarship papers anyway, so what better time than the now. And she also needed to get her homework. She wasn't going to fall behind. Her math teacher could be a bitch. That was believable enough. Her parents won't suspect a thing. God willing.
"Shawn, I need a favor."
"No. Go help Patricia and Mom cook or whatever they're doing."
"I have to speak to Mr. Perri in the guidance office, so tell Mom and Dad that's where I am."
Shawn snickered as she fit her feet into shoes that weren't hers. "Aren't those Beth's?"
"Well, yours are being used to take care of our rat problem," she shot back.
"You know what? I'll take care of that for you." He came at her. "The duck pond is just calling you."
"Shawn, no!" Carol threw a shoe at him and took off running. "Stop!"
They ran out into the field, Patricia laughed, Hershel shook his head, and Annette heard Carol squeal from the chicken coop. She poked her head out, "Shawn? Carol?"
"We're too old for this!" Carol tried to find a way around without going through the crops, because running through would make Daddy angry, so she had to just outrun him. It was easier said than done. Shawn was spry, and he was on the track team. He took their team through four years of winning with his long legs. Carol had their mother's legs and height. She was going swimming.
"So? You're still twelve to me!"
"Yeah, well, you're a jerk to me!"
He caught up to her, grabbing her by the waist and carried her into the duck pond, Carol yelped and tried to get free, but he was strong, and he dumped her into the cold water. He howled a laugh when she came up for air, and she glared.
Annette and Hershel found them in the duck pond as always on Carol's birthday—it was a tradition since Carol could walk—and they were fighting. Carol slid and dragged Shawn down with her. When they came up, they were almost completely covered in mud. They were coughing out dirty water and then, at the sight of each other, busted out laughing so loud they scared the ducks.
"What the heck is goin' on?" Hershel asked them.
"Shawn forgot to take maturity to heart again." Carol removed the other shoe and dumped the water out of it, and Shawn busted out laughing.
"How old are you?" Annette scolded Shawn, teasing.
"Just because I'm an adult don't mean I can't have fun." He climbed out and helped Carol out.
"You're a jerk." Carol pushed him back into the pond and bolted when he surfaced.
"Don't go in the house!" Annette called after them. "Wash off by the barn!"
Hershel chuckled when Shawn grabbed the hose and went after Carol, calling "Lemme give you a hand!", and Annette wondered when they would actually grow up. If Maggie were here, she'd probably start slinging mud at them, and Beth would yelp and duck for cover. Lord, her children would always be handfuls. But she was glad to see Carol smiling and laughing. Shawn always had a way of doing that. They should've been twins, they were so close.
– – –
Carol and Sophia boarded the train, Sophia was sporting the new hat Carol had "acquired" at a gas station, and Carol felt a little nervous. She hadn't seen her family in such a long time. She wasn't sure how they would react. They'd be pissed for sure, and Carol hoped they let her explain it all. She didn't mean to do what she did, but she had to for his sake and for her's. She couldn't let Daryl suffer, because of a mistake she made. She just couldn't, no matter how much she loved him.
––
Once she'd gotten to Daryl's, she decided to change out of her nightclothes. She changed in her car, not wanting him to see drool stain. She managed to tug the top down under her nightshirt, wiggling one top down and one up. She ran her fingers through her hair and knocked on his window—he didn't like her to knock on the front door for some reason.
His head popped up after five minutes, and she smiled a good morning. He held up a hand, and she went back to her car and waited, sipping her cappuccino. She wanted to eat, but she didn't want to be stuffing her face when he came over. She was the one driving after all, and she was a slow eater. Daryl was too impatient for that.
About ten minutes later, he jumped out of his window in worn jeans and a sleeveless shirt. He got into the passenger seat, and she drove to their sport. It was out of city, but it had a great view and was worth it. She also wanted to talk, and this was the perfect place to talk.
They sat on a bit rock just above the view of the quarry, Daryl munched on a chocolate muffin, and she enjoyed the view, feeling very peaceful and calm and tired. Very, very tired. It was so silent here. It'd be a great place to study for her final exams.
They sat in silence after eating, Daryl was lying on his side now,, his shoes beside him, and Carol was about to fall asleep, only her nerves kept her awake. She had to just tell him, just like ripping off a band-aid: fast and painless, if you're lying to yourself.
"We need to talk." She crossed her legs and tossed rock down to the water below, and he met her eyes. "I got the acceptance letter."
"That's good news."
"It really is." She smiled a little. "It made Beth cry."
"No shit." He laughed.
"Yeah. She does love me. I was stunned, but I get the feeling she'll do something to erase that moment tonight." She shook her head. "Since I am going to college and it's out-of-state, I—"
"Dare you to jump," he interrupted her, standing up.
"Jump?" She frowned then followed his goading gaze. "J—Down there?! From here?!"
"Yeah." He began to unbuckle his belt.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Daryl, stop!" She was on her feet now and panicking, because his zipper was now undone. "This is insane."
"It ain't that high."
"But we were talking."
"Well, now we're swimmin'." He tossed his jeans onto the hood of her car and jumped.
She covered her eyes with her hands until she heard the splash. She peered over slowly, praying to not see bloody chucks, and he was perfectly fine. She exhaled, relieved, but he was waiting for her. She didn't know the way around, so she had to...jump in after him. If she wanted to talk, she had to jump.
"Why did I bother to change?" she muttered, removing her shoes and tugging off her socks. She shimmed out of her jeans and put her things and Daryl's in her car, debating about wearing her shirt. She and Daryl had made out a number of times, and he'd seen her in a bathing suit a lot, but they'd never actually... And just her bra and panties felt strange, but it wasn't her shirt, and Maggie liked this shirt. So, she tossed it in with the others and took a deep breath.
Counting to three gave her too much time to think, so she took a running start and jumped. It was really invigorating and not as long of a fall as she thought. It was colder than she thought.
"Shit! It's cold!" She pushed hair out of her face.
"Impressive. I didn't think you'd do it."
"Thanks, I guess." She shuddered and hoped her body adjusted soon. "Look, Daryl, we still need to talk."
"When was the last time you didn't plan somethin'?" Daryl asked.
"What do you mean?" She met his eyes.
"You always seem to got a schedule."
"Yeah, so?"
"Screw the damn schedule and the talk. We don't gotta talk."
She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm glad you said that, because I really don't want to talk."
He leaned in like he was going to kiss her, but he dunked her instead. She was used to it from Shawn, so she got him back, and it felt like they were kids again. Daryl wasn't the most open of kids in her class, but she wanted to get to know everyone in her class. By the end of the year, she'd only learned his name, he liked to hunt and he wore sleeveless plaid shirts a lot. She had always seem to be chasing after him, but it was worth it. They become good friends after two years, and somehow they just started dating. No one expected it, but her friends were supportive and the kids at school who try and trash them are just assholes. They'd followed them to high school, so it was nice to go back to when it was easy.
"Gotcha." He pinned her again a rock. "You're bad at this."
"Am I? I could be luring you to your death. I'm very crafty."
He smirked. "Likely."
She grabbed him by his shirt and kissed him, trying to distract him enough to get free, but her hormones had another plan. His lips were wet from the water, but they were soft, and she pulled him closer, slipping her fingers into his slick hair.
They broke apart long enough to get out of the water, the ground became muddy underneath Carol as Daryl lowered her onto her back slowly. Her gray-blue eyes sparkled in the sunlight, her cheeks were pink from the sun, and she was breathing heavily. Her hair was wavy, and he grasped a handful in both hands when he kissed her. He could smell the lotion she used, and he slid his hand down her bare leg, bringing it up to his hip.
Carol felt her heart racing in the pit of her stomach, because not only was Daryl not stopping, he was the one initiating it. Her mouth moved with his, and she opened her mouth to his, tasting his breath and faintly chocolate. She kept her hands on his neck, though wanted to feel out his body, but even now, she wasn't sure that was okay. Daryl was never one for roaming hands, but she wasn't sure she could keep her hands there forever. She needed to feel his skin against her, though she was feeling quite a lot of one certain part of him.
She slowly moved one of her hands down his shoulder, and she dug her nails into his skin when he began kissing her neck, and she moaned. She closed her eyes as his mouth went lower, and she whimpered softly when he slid the straps to her bra down. Physical desire was starting to overwhelm logic.
"Daryl," it was breathy and sounded more like a moan than someone trying to take his attention off their body. She kept trying to focus on speaking, but they had never been this close, touched this much, and God, she wanted more. She wanted so much more, but there were problems. Her conscious was yelling that word at her—problems, problems, problems, PROBLEMS—and she pushed back on Daryl's shoulders.
He stopped instantly, and she caught her breathe. "What?" His voice almost nonexistent.
"I—This is wrong," she managed. She saw the look in his eyes, he sat back, and she sat up, setting a hand on his forearm. "I want to," she said softly, "but we don't have anything, and I'm not on the pill."
He chewed his bottom lip and nodded. "Yeah, just...gimme a second."
"Right." She pushed her bra straps up, and she wiped the mud off her. She was dry now, but her hair was a mess. She didn't want to see what she looked like. She suspected it was mixture of white paint and wet lace. Man, she needed her clothes. "Do you know a way up?" She then blushed. "To the car! Back to the car!"
He smirked and hauled her up. "No."
"What?" She spun around as he walked away. "Daryl, be joking. I'm practically naked. If anyone sees me, I'm dead. Everyone knows my father, and he will kill me then you and probably pray before killing you again."
"I'm kiddin'." He was amused by her panic. "This way."
They climbed through rocks up a hill, and Carol was sure her left foot had a cut, because it hurt. She wished she'd jumped in her shoes. Daryl offered her piggyback ride, but she declined, because he was teasing. She knew he was. He was probably tired of her "ow". She always managed to step on a sharp-as-a-knife rocks.
When they got back to the car, they lied down on the ground and let the sun dry them, and Carol was starting to fall asleep. Daryl noticed her roll away from him, draw in her legs and use her arm was a pillow. She insisted she was just "getting comfortable", but soon Daryl heard her even breathing. He got dressed, and he heard Carol's phone ring from inside the car.
He dug it out, seeing the caller was Beth, and he glanced over at her before answering. "Yeah?"
"Uhhh...Daryl?"
"No, it's Harry Potter." He found an apple in Carol's purse and bit into it.
"Ha ha. Is Carol around?"
"Yeah."
"Can I talk to her? It's kinda important."
"No."
"What? Why not? She's right there."
"She's sleepin'."
"Sleepin'? It's nearly one. What did you do... Uh, never mind. I don't need details. Just have her call me back."
"Uh-huh."
"It's good you're still together."
Daryl leaned against the car. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Just Carol's goin' to college in a few months. It's good that she's spendin' time with you, but don't you think breakin' up would be better? You'd have time to get over it, and maybe she'd find someone at college."
He hung up as Carol began to wake. "Rise and shine, Sleeping Beauty."
"Mmm, it's morning?" she teased. "Well, I like waking up to you."
He looked down at his boots and took anther bite from the apple, Carol stretched and opened her eyes, groaning at the sunlight, and he began to kick at the small rocks. He didn't want to watch her dress. She was very self-conscious. No one knew, but him, Maggie, Lori and Andrea. She showed the world an intelligent, confident woman, but in reality, she just wasn't that woman. Not all of the time anyway. He didn't understand that. She was beautiful, inside and out, and nothing could change that.
"Sure, eat my apple and yes, you can go through my purse." She tugged her top down. "Wanna go through my phone too?"
"Already did."
She shook her head and smiled. "Did you see the pictures of my lover? I may have to kill you if you did." She tied her shoes, and Daryl pursed his lips. "What?"
"Nothin'."
She frowned. "I was only teasing. And if I had a lover, the whole world would know. Beth can't keep her nose outta my stuff. Granted I do go through hers, but only to get back at her." She shrugged. "Not my point. My point is I'm a one-guy-at-a-time kind of gal."
He chewed silently on his bottom lip.
"So, do you wanna head back?" She slipped her hands into her back pockets. "Or do you wanna—"
"I gotta work," he interrupted her. "Needa get home and shower."
"Oh, right. Let's go then. I don't want to be keep T-dog waiting." She smiled awkwardly then opened her car door, feeling him away behind her to get to the passenger seat. She sighed and sat down, taking the keys from her purse and tucking hair behind her ear.
He looked at her when she didn't start the car.
"No, I'll keep T waiting." She met his eyes. "What happened? I was jokin'. You know that. Why are you mad?"
"It ain't what you said," he assured. "It's 'bout what Beth said."
"Beth? When did you talk to Beth?"
"She called few minutes ago."
She scoffed. "And you're taking it out on me? Beth's a jerk when it comes to you."
He slouched in the seat, squinting at the sunlight in his eyes. "I ain't workin' today," he admitted. "I needa do some things."
"What things?"
"It's personal."
"Okay, personal I get. Beth...I don't. What did she say?"
"Carol, it's nothin'. Forget about it. Jesus Christ." He averted his eyes to the window.
"We're not going anything until you stop being a jackass." She stuffed her keys into her pocket and crossed her arms. "I've got all the time in the world."
They sat in pure silence, Daryl folded his arms over his chest, and they didn't look at each other. They were both stubborn as hell, and they wanted the other to submit. They kept the silence up for half an hour, listening to the bugs and the wind. They were both upset about different things, but it led back to the same thing. Carol just wanted him to talk more, and Daryl didn't want to talk at all. He didn't want to tell her what was going on, because he knew she could freak the hell out, and he wasn't going to put her at risk. He kept thinking she'd forgot about it one of these days or let it go. Apparently, he was wrong. So very, very wrong.
An hour in, they were both dying of thirst and sweating, but they didn't crack. Carol could feel her lips drying out, and it was disturbing. She didn't have any saliva on her tongue to wet them, and her lip balm was at home. She wasn't giving up. She'd been waiting a long time for him to open up and tell her what the hell was going on.
Her cell was ringing loudly from Daryl's pocket, but he didn't give it to her, and Carol knew it was Beth by the ring tone. She kept calling, so it was either important or they were really worried. She didn't want her parents to freak out and think she was dead, so she reached over and grabbed the phone. Daryl didn't fight her, and she cleared her throat, trying to make sure her voice wasn't dry.
"Hello?" Her voice was almost a croak.
"What the hell happened to you?" Maggie exclaimed. "You sound like death."
"It's nothing. What did you want?"
"We're goin' shoppin', and we need you...home."
"Shopping?" Carol frowned. "And you want me home? Why?"
"Just 'cause Mom wants you home."
She sighed. "All right. Fine. I'm going."
"I'll see you soon."
"Yeah, bye." She hung up and tossed her phone into her purse. "Put your seat belt on."
He glanced at her, but he put his seat belt on. She was annoyed with her parents and his silence, so she just drove him home. She didn't even bother saying goodbye when she dropped him off. She just pulled out and headed home. She wanted a cup of tea and box of cookies and music. She hated the world right now.
She prepared the tea, grabbed a box of something chocolate and went upstairs. She found her window open, and she set the cup down and closed it. It was going to rain soon. She could tell by the sky. She hoped it did. She slept easy to the sound of the rain.
"No apple juice?"
She groaned, and she heard laughter. "Why does God hate me today?" She faced her older brother. "Why are you in here?"
"Just came to check in on you." He plopped onto her bed and helped himself to the cookies. "Daryl problems?"
"No. Well, yes." She crossed her arms. "When did you decide it was time to break up with Janine?"
"When she was moving to New York."
"Did you love her? I mean, really love her? With, like, everything inside you?"
"No. We just looked good til prom was over."
"Should I stay?" Her eyes were filling. "The thought of leaving him with his father and brother makes me physically ill, and the thought of not seeing him every day...it's worse than when I broke my arm."
"It's puppy love," Shawn reasoned.
"Not this." She shook her head. "It's real, and I'm not being some stupid, hormonal teenager who wants to give him everything. I'm Carol, and he's Daryl, and we were best friends then in a relationship, but now..." She sighed as a tear rolled down her cheek. "He is hiding something from me. It has to do with Merle and his father, but I don't know what. Drugs? Are they trying to get him into drugs? Drinking? I—I don't freaking know, but he won't tell me. That says he doesn't trust me, and if he doesn't trust me, how can we—"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," he said softly, taking her in his arms for a comforting hug. "Calm the hell down, Carol." She cried into his chest. "Don't be so dramatic. I'm sure it's nothing so simple."
"God, I feel lousy." She pulled away from him. "The next time I see him, I swear to God, I am going to demand answers, even if it kills me." She loved him too much to let his father and brother ruin his future.