"Daryl..." Beth fake whined, causing him to chuckle.
"What?" He asked, elbowing her in the arm playfully. "She loves it."
Beth rolled her eyes and bent down, calling Molly over to adjust the jean vest Daryl managed to wrangle her in to. She couldn't deny it was kind of cute, but had to give him a hard time at the fact he was completely attached to the little fur ball. Especially after he tried to convince her keeping Molly was a bad idea.
"Come on... it's better than that ugly pink collar." Daryl said with a grin.
"But shes a lady, she needs cute girly things and she knows you'll spoil her." Beth winked, teasing him.
"Psh." Daryl huffed, knowing she was right. He really would do anything for his two girls. Growing up around a family where the word 'love' was never spoken, any kind of physical contact meant a black eye and trust was lost at a young age, didn't exactly make opening up to Beth an easy task, but slowly over time he was grateful she was able to make him see this beautiful side of living. Grateful he got to see her big blue doe eyes greet him every morning. Eyes so full of love his heart ached every time she looked at him and he knew she was the reason he was growing soft. Soft to the point where he could hear Merle calling him a pussy. "Go hang ya damn sign and let's get a move on."
Beth shook her head and smiled, running along the train tracks to a pole that was covered in different colored papers. Notes that were left for loved ones, old advertizements that were faded from years of cooking in the sun and random business cards stapled all over the place. She stopped to read one that caught her attention, a sign that was laminated, newer and bigger than the rest claiming to offer safety. "Terminus..." She read out loud, causing Molly to jump and place her paws against her thigh, stretching to see what was so interesting.
Daryl leaned against the van, lighting a cigarette while he watched the two of them from a distance. The plan was to search the surrounding area a few days. Looking for any clues or traces as to where the others could be, but if unsuccessful they would be heading for the coast within the week. All of Beth's signs pointed to locations they planned to pass and new ones would be added along the way once they figured out exactly what route they'd be taking.
In the split second Daryl looked down to put his Zippo back in his pocket a soft bark reached his ears and drew his eyes back in the direction of his girls. Molly only barked when something made her uncomfortable and at the moment a Walker was stumbling out of the woods, inching closer to where they were standing. The dog took a protective stance in front of her owner and bared her teeth, crouching slightly as Beth gripped her knife in a tight fist, ready to defend herself.
Daryl instantly whipped his bow from around his back and took a step forward, sending a bolt flying into the side of the Walker's skull before it got any closer. The body crashed to the ground with a thud and Daryl made his way over, silently looking around to make sure no more followed.
"Ya alright?" Daryl asked, touching Beth's elbow gently as she placed her knife back in its leather sheath. He knew it was a dumb question, seeing as the walking corpse didn't even get a chance to do anything harmful, but he wanted to be sure.
Beth gave him a nod and reached down to rip the bolt from the Walker's skull. "Just surprised us." She said, handing him his retrieved ammo.
Daryl took the bolt from her and quickly loaded it back into his crossbow, slinging the strap over his shoulder. "Ya finished?"
"Yeah...but have you seen these before?" She asked, pointing to the sign she'd been reading.
Daryl looked up and shook his head. The words however reminded him of the radio broadcast they managed to pick up for that brief moment in Zach's car.
"Do you think they would of went there?" Beth asked, a little bit of hope flashing in her eyes.
Daryl shrugged and scratched his chin. "I honestly don't know." For some reason the longer he spent reading the sign the more it didn't settle right with him. He couldn't exactly pin point what it was, he just knew in the pit of his stomach something was off.
Beth reached down to pet Molly when she rubbed against her leg. "Shouldn't we look there just in case?" She had a feeling if her sister saw the sign she'd more than likely assume they'd head in that direction.
Before Daryl could respond a sound echoing off the building penetrated his ear, a sound he was very familiar with. "You gotta be shittin' me." He mumbled, turning to Beth while adjusting his bow. "Grab Molly and wait in the van, lock the doors."
Now she was confused. "What...Why?"
"Just do it, please. I'll be right back." He kissed her forehead and pushed on her shoulder to get her moving.
The confusion never left her face as she called Molly and walked back to their vehicle, looking over her shoulder at him before sliding the door open. The whole situation made her nervous with how sudden he needed to do whatever it was he was doing, plus the lack of information, but Beth knew it would of been pointless to try and get him to explain right then. When Daryl had that look he usually meant business and she didn't bother to question his decisions. He had managed to keep them alive this long after all.
Once Beth was safe inside the van, Daryl took off between two buildings, really hoping his mind wasn't playing tricks on him. He walked to the edge of alley and took a moment to pause, pressing his back up against a brick wall as the sound he'd heard fell silent. Stepping forward to dart into the shadows across the street he drew his bow and took down a lone Walker that was snacking on a rat, blocking his way. He flung some rotting flesh and blood off his bolt as he stepped over the fallen corpse, stopping again to listen for any sign of movement before continuing.
After running through a maze of alleyways he rounded the last corner and froze, almost dropping to his knees when the sight of his black Triumph came into view. It was a little beat up, having seen better days, but the sound...the rumble that caught his attention in the first place was still spot on and the longer he stared at the beauty, the more his hands were practically shaking with the need to walk over and slide across the smooth metal of the handlebars.
He waited a few minutes though, fighting back the urge the leave the safety of his cover. Knowing there was a good chance a random stranger could of stumbled upon it while investigating the aftermath of The Governor's attack and he needed to proceed with caution while trying to figure out who currently had possession of his old friend.
When he didn't pick up on any movement he stepped forward, slowly making his way over to the bike and letting his hand drag across the leather of the seat as he soaked in the feeling of it under his finger tips.
"Not so fast." A gruff voice called from a few feet away.
Daryl tensed, turning his head to see a man pointing a pistol in his direction and silently cursed himself. Pissed he let the excitement of his bike get the better of him. He should of waited them out, waited to follow them before jumping into the fire, but it was too late now...he'd already screwed up.
"Now, why don't you just move on over there..." He gestured to the left with his gun. "...And then tell me why the hell you're messing with my stuff."
Daryl couldn't help his raised brow at the mans comment. "You're stuff?" He responded.
"You deaf? Move!" The man barked, narrowing his eyes as he gestured with his gun again in the direction he wanted him to go.
Clenching his jaw, Daryl kept his feet planted firmly to the ground, unable to let go of his pride until the man sent a bullet flying into the wall behind him.
"Next time I won't miss." He threatened.
"I know, I know...I don't want to be in here anymore than you." Beth told Molly who'd been pawing at the door and whining since the moment she'd forced her into the van.
Beth did her best to keep the dog entertained and her mind busy, also working on more signs, scribbling in her little green diary and even taking it as far as trying to count all the bricks on the side of the closest building, but the longer she waited the more she started to grow restless with worry. Sighing she tossed her diary over her shoulder and kicked her feet up on the dash, looking in the direction she'd last seen Daryl with hope he'd be returning soon.
The only thing she was greeted with however was the sound of a gun going off and that quickly put her in a state of panic, causing her chest to tighten painfully when she was reminded Daryl only carried a knife and crossbow.
"Molly, no!" Beth yelled when the dog jumped out the passenger window seconds after the shot rang out and took off running across the small field toward the sound.
Scrambling for her rifle Beth all but tripped when she stepped down from the van and had to grab the mirror to steady herself before continuing. When she looked up again Molly was already gone. "Dammit!" She cursed, trying to get herself under control as she fumbled to make sure her rifle was loaded while running at the same time.
The next thing Daryl registered after the bullet barely missed him was the throbbing pain in his side as something blunt came crashing against his ribs, sending him straight to his knees. Of course the bastard wouldn't of been alone and now he was just standing there laughing as his friend continued to beat him with a metal baseball bat.
Daryl struggled to stand, trying to defend off his attacker, but as each blow cracked against his bones the harder it became to concentrate on anything but the pain. Even the slightest movement to reach for his knife was proving difficult at this point when each jolt sent a burning pain throughout his entire body. Then, just as quick as the blows came, they stopped and Daryl managed to catch a glimpse of a rope in the mans hands.
He vaguely recalled the man who'd been beating on him tossing his bat to his pal when he was suddenly gasping for air. Clawing at the rope digging into his skin as it was tightened around his neck, cutting off his airway. He assumed at first the men were planning to tie him up and leave him to the Walkers, not strangle him to death, but who was he kidding? These weren't the type of men to offer mercy, not after everything he'd just endured. Despite how tired and broken he was, he put up one hell of a fight to find one last breath, just enough to keep him alive a little bit longer.
He couldn't die this way, couldn't leave Beth to face this world alone, to face men such as these, he had to fight to live...fight for her...and as the seconds ticked on, the faster he could feel himself slipping, no longer able to remember the last time oxygen entered his lungs and he knew he was growing weak. His vision had become blurry and his mind was starting to fire off random images of the life he lived, bending the lines of reality.
The very last thing he took in before the pressure on his throat gave, was a loud bang that felt miles away and then the sight of something glowing golden in the distance that brought him a sense of comfort.
Beth didn't hesitate as her finger squeezed the trigger and sent a chuckling man crashing to the ground with a bullet through his temple. All the emotions she was feeling in that moment didn't allow her to fear killing people anymore, at least not when the life of the man she loved was in the hands of some monster.
Molly had surprised her by running over quicker than she could take aim, locking her jaws on the mans throat who'd been torturing Daryl and tearing into his flesh, flinging her head from side to side as chunks were ripped away and blood splattered across the pavement, only letting him go when the threat was no longer there.
Beth gasped in horror when Molly turned in her direction and she could see all the bright red stains coating her fur, showing a side of the dog that kind of scared her. Upon first glance she was one of the cutest dogs she'd even seen and now she was taking on a roll of one of the most terrifying. It didn't matter though, she had risked her life to save Daryl and that was the best thing she could of ever wanted from the small creature. She knew Molly only did it to protect them and for that she was grateful.
Dropping to her knees, Beth reached out to rub her hand down Daryl's chest gently when she saw him gasping for air. It probably didn't actually help any, but she needed him to know she was there since he'd yet to open his eyes.
"Breathe." She whispered, trying to get him to calm down and focus on getting oxygen to his lungs.
Daryl wheezed, struggling for each breath as he placed his hand over hers and latched onto the comfort of her voice.
Beth wanted to be angry with him after seeing his old Triumph parked at the curb, knowing he'd done all this for that stupid bike. "Dammit Daryl..." She said more to herself than to scold him.
Just looking at him made her want to cry. His neck was bleeding from the rope cutting into his skin and he wasn't moving anymore than his chest rising and falling. She'd seen the baseball bat a few feet away, but was unaware of the extent of his beating until she went to unbutton his shirt.
"Oh God..." Beth gasped, lightly sliding her fingers over the bruising on his sides to feel for any broken bones. "Fuck, how could you be so stupid!" She hissed through gritted teeth as she forced back a sob. He definitely had a few broken ribs and now she had no idea what to do. If he tried to walk he'd be in even more pain and she wasn't strong enough to carry him. There was a chance she could get him inside the van if she could bring it there, but didn't trust leaving him alone in his current state right then to go get it, especially since the sun was starting to set.
"Damn, that's some mouth ya got there." Daryl said with a soft chuckle. Instantly wincing when the action caused his side to hurt more.
Beth lifted her head at the sound of his voice and lost it. Tears spilling down her cheeks as she pushed his shaggy bangs from his face and kissed his forehead. When he met her gaze that's when she saw his left eye was completely red from a busted blood vessel and was once again struck with what he'd been through.
"I don't know what to do Daryl...can you move at all?" She asked, desperate for any suggestions on how to get him out of there. Even if it was just inside one of the buildings to gain a bit of protection for a moment.
Before he attempted to lift himself he reached up to touch her cheek, stroking the skin with his thumb. "I'm sorry." He told her, knowing he'd made a mistake by running off and the look on her face was making him kick himself even more for being so foolish.
"You can apologize later. I need to get you inside first." Gently pushing Molly out of the way, Beth stood and helped him stand, taking control of the situation the best way she knew how.
"Fuck!" Daryl bit out when his whole side radiated with pain at being jostled.
Beth gripped his arms to steady him when he got to his feet and slowly lead him inside a small pizza shop, being careful to not let him fall. She gently lowered him into a booth and dropped his crossbow on the table in front of him.
"I'm going to take a look around and make sure nothing can get to you before I leave." Beth said, slinging her rifle from around her back to hold in her hands.
"Wait. Yer leavin'?" Daryl asked, confused.
Beth gave him a nod. "I have to get the van, we need the medical supplies."
Turning his head, Daryl looked outside then back at her. "But its already dark... I'll be fine for a few hours." He told her, swallowing as he tried not to cough when his throat suddenly felt dry.
"No." Beth said firmly. She wasn't going to let him sit there all night suffering when they had everything he needed back in the van. The cut around his neck from the rope could use a good cleaning and she'd have to set his ribs before they started to heal, plus the medicine they had would ease his pain and more than likely knock him out the rest of the night, earning him the rest he'd need for his body to start recovering.
"You don't get a say in this." She cut him off when he opened his mouth to speak and stalked off toward the back of the store.
Daryl sat there dumb founded. He couldn't figure out when Beth had become this demanding, but he had to admit he liked this new side of her. He liked the fact she was starting to realize she could take control and was finding her place in this hostile world. Much different from the person he remembered back at the prison, the girl who hid in the shadows and followed orders without a second thought, never speaking her mind even if he could sometimes see the frustration in her features at being treated like the slightest thing would destroy her. It brought him a sense of comfort to know how well she was adapting to surviving when actually given the chance to prove herself and that wasn't something he was going to take from her by arguing her decision.
"I shouldn't be gone too long." Beth said when she came back up front and gave him a quick kiss.
Daryl grabbed her wrist when she pulled away and reached out with his free hand to place a finger under her chin delicately. Making her look at him as he leaned forward and claimed her lips properly. Desperately needing to feel her against him again before he'd be able to let her go out there alone. "Be careful." He breathed as they broke apart, hating every bit of the situation.
Beth slid her fingers through his hair and frowned, the look on his face breaking her heart. "Molly will keep me safe." She promised, having to remind herself she was doing this for him and couldn't let his worry keep her from getting him what he needed. With one last kiss to his forehead she forced herself out the front door and into the darkness without so much as a look over her shoulder.