A/N: Almost at the end! 2 more chapters and an Epilogue! Thanks for reading! :)
Chapter 18:
One more day they spent in the car before their great journey to find a new home began. In that one day they talked more than they had ever done before about Sophia, Mika, Lizzie, about Beth and Merle.
More tears inevitably flowed but she accepted them now, accepted the importance of shedding them.
Daryl didn't cry but he grieved in his own way and in his words she recognized the deep sadness that came hand in hand with a profound loss.
Sometimes they laughed, building each other up with stories of the people they most missed now so that it felt – if only for a moment – that they were with them in the car; smiling, benevolent spectators.
They kissed and touched more, comfortable with each other but with a hint of excitement that beckoned to be explored further once they were ready to. They didn't discuss their feelings. It still seemed unnecessary when it was so blatantly obvious.
For a couple of days after Daryl had swept the branches away that he had used to cover the car with and they set had off to Augusta, Carol fell silent again. Her body felt less heavy now that she had confided in Daryl but the sadness was so strong sometimes that she just couldn't speak. She communicated, of course, when it became important to and she found other ways to let him know that she wasn't pushing him away. And she loved him even more for his ability to simply accept and give her space.
Over the following weeks they established their own routines. Disappointments in Augusta and Columbia had taught them how to scout out an area efficiently, even when you only had one more person to rely on. And more importantly they had learned how to make a snapshot judgement on a new area, particularly one that happened to be inhibited by people. But they had been shaped so much by their past experiences that no place they encountered was ever deemed safe enough. Only each other.
As the time passed Daryl's bruises faded and his ribs healed well enough for him to discard the bandages he had constantly refreshed. Carol's face showed no more injuries either although her right shoulder blade remained stiff and painful but not bad enough to stop her functioning.
Their progress was slow but steady, filled with detours and stops along the way. There was nothing driving them forward other than the need to survive and Daryl's desire to find clues as to Beth's whereabouts although the likelihood became smaller when they left Georgia behind. Neither of them mentioned it but both of them knew.
They stayed at the coast for a bit in small villages that posed very little threat but when the weather turned moodier they were driven further inland again.
Carol had got so used to falling asleep in his arms and waking up in them that she was beginning to wonder if they needed to return to civilization at all. They were safer in numbers, that much was certain, but numbers also brought an unpredictability with it that they would never be exposed to if they just stuck with each other.
It was on the day that she began pondering the necessity of society that she became separated from Daryl and discovered by two other people.
They had spent their morning scavenging for food and gas for their truck when a group of walkers had come between them and forced them to run in opposite directions. That plan had been established long ago. In a case like this they were to scatter and reunite at the truck when they had shaken the threats.
Of course she had hoped that it would never happen. She was concerned enough about Daryl's safety when he was within eyesight but the feeling of helplessness that overtook her when even that connection was severed was far worse. She constantly had to resist the urge to look over her shoulder to try and track him down, or turn around altogether, fighting her way back through the walkers to ensure he was alright. They trusted each other more than anyone else; now it was time to have faith in each other's skills as well.
Her escape path took her out of the village and into the forest where she paused long enough to assess if she was still being followed. Her rushed breathing was the only sound for a moment until a twig broke nearby and she started running once more.
Suddenly snarls filled the air again and followed her while she continued her mad dash through the forest.
After a while she paused and turned, ready to examine the situation from a distance. It looked like they had succeeded in scattering the group of walkers. From her spot behind a tree she could only make out two figures stumbling across the loamy earth.
Melting against the tree she kept watch and calmed her breathing so that it wouldn't give her away anymore. A couple of minutes passed. When the sounds drew closer she quickly got rid of the first walker, and managed to free her knife from its skull just in time to kill the second one.
"Impressive, you look like you know what you're doing!"
The unfamiliar male voice startled her so much that her hand went instinctively to the colt on her belt while she whirled around.
The man who had spoken wasn't alone and his companion seemed to have noticed her movement as well.
People are the real threat. Make them think you don't mean trouble.
Thefamiliar forced smile returned to her face with such ease that it was frightening.
"Oh," she chuckled, "beginners luck, really."
The two men exchanged a look and then stepped closer.
"I'm sorry if we've startled you. My name is Aaron," the taller one introduced himself, "and this is my partner Eric."
"Nice to meet you."
The smile reached her cheeks but not her eyes.
"Are you all alone out here?"
Carol hesitated. How long had it been since her and Daryl had been forced to split up? Had he already made it back to the truck? Could she risk lying to them or would he emerge any second blowing her cover?
But before she got the chance to make up her mind, Aaron spoke again. "It's personal information, we understand."
"It's just we thought you might be with that other group we've been follow-" Eric started but it was obvious that he had said too much because he promptly received an elbow in the ribs by his partner.
"You've been following another group?" she frowned and her fingers inched towards the colt again. "Why?"
Aaron sighed, gave his partner another disapproving look before smiling at her reassuringly.
"It isn't what it sounds like…Eric and I come from a place…a safe place. We're out here trying to recruit people to join our settlement. We just need to make sure we can trust them first."
"And that group seems trustworthy?" she interrupted him.
"We believe so." Aaron nodded. "They even have a baby that they are trying to keep safe. Only problem is that there's been a drought here…they're in a pretty beaten up shape. We've just left them some water…we'll see if they'll accept it."
But Carol had stopped paying attention the minute they had mentioned the baby.
"Is there a boy with a Sherriff's hat? A woman with a katana?"
Another look was exchanged, then they nodded slowly.
"Yes, they seem to follow a man called Rick."
All at once Carol's fingers relaxed and she closed her eyes. "Oh thank God…"
"Do you know them?" Aaron asked and her smile was genuine when she answered: "Yes, I was part of their group."
"Perfect! Then you can help us talk to them, can't you?" Eric asked enthusiastically but Aaron shook his head. "Can't she?"
"If she wants," Aaron nodded.
Carol's eyes shifted from one man to the other but she remained silent. She wasn't going to make any promises that might risk the safety of the group.
"Where did you see them last?" she asked instead, turning her back to them and starting to walk back towards the village.
"A few miles down the road," Aaron answered and she was pleased to hear that they were following her.
"And that place you're from…where is that?"
"We can't give you the exact location until we're sure you're trustworthy as well."
Carol paused and turned to smile at them over her shoulder.
"I really couldn't harm a soul. No need to worry about me."
"It's a while away," Aaron answered vaguely, "we have cars and if we were to drive without interruption we could get there by nightfall."
She nodded and continued until the outlines of the first buildings came into view alongside a handful of staggering corpses.
At least they aren't feasting, she thought, at least Daryl seems to be safe.
The relief was only short-lived however when footsteps and sounds behind her suddenly indicated a scuffle. She turned around quickly, her hand going to her knife this time. But there were no walkers, only Daryl who seemed to have sneaked up on them.
His arm was wrapped around Eric's torso, the point of his blade digging into his skin.
"Let her go," he growled.
"A friend of yours?" Aaron asked, only briefly taking his eyes off them to glance at her; his smile was forced and twitchy.
"I'm alright," she nodded at Daryl, "please let him go. I was just coming to find you."
Daryl only reluctantly released his hold and readied his crossbow instead while Eric tumbled into the arms of his partner.
"Could've mentioned she had a boyfriend…" the red-haired man muttered while Carol bridged the distance between her and Daryl.
"Ya alright?" Daryl asked again, running his hands over her shoulders and arms to check for damage.
Apparently he was confused that she would trust strangers so willingly.
"Yes," she confirmed, giving him a soft smile and his hands a gentle squeeze, "they have a community somewhere and were out scouting for people. They were following Rick and the others."
Disbelief washed over his face that quickly mingled with hope, then doubt.
"Could be lyin',"he muttered under his breath and she nodded.
"Could be…but they knew some facts including his name. It would be a big coincidence."
He hummed and glanced at them.
"Could've been followin' us instead…heard us talkin'. Could be a trap."
She squeezed his hands again and tried giving him a reassuring smile.
"I know. I don't think it is…And I don't think you could live with yourself knowing you might've missed an opportunity to reunite with them. They're your family."
"Yours too," he nodded but she shrugged.
Rick's words still lingered in her mind and as much as she wanted to make sure they were alright, as much she dreaded their reaction when they would see her.
Slowly Daryl lowered his bow. "What's that community like?"
"It's big…big enough…we've got walls…food. We want to rebuild something again…together." Aaron answered.
"Who's your leader?" Daryl asked "Gotta have one…"
"Her name's Deanna…but it's really a democracy."
Daryl's expression grew skeptical.
"We have photos," Eric offered quickly, "they aren't the best quality but…"
He began rummaging in his partner's backpack and then hesitantly stepped closer carrying a small bundle. Daryl snatched it out of his hands and tore it open and doubtfully he and Carol began examining the photos.
They seemed like something from another world. A world left untouched by decay, a world where big family homes still had a place, a world that felt almost too safe.
Pushing the photos back into the envelope, Daryl then tossed it at the men.
"What do you want in return?"
"Your honesty…trust," Aaron smiled carefully, "we need each other now more than ever. And we need people like you who've been out here…who know what has really happened."
Daryl scoffed and exchanged another look with Carol.
"We would love to join you." Carol announced, feigning enthusiasm and ignoring Daryl's bewildered look.
"Alright then…one of you stays with Eric and the other one accompanies me?"
"Oh hell no!" Daryl snapped. "You ain't splittin' us up."
"Look, I'm sorry. I know what that sounds like. But Eric and I…we don't approach people together. We don't think it'd go down well with your people. The bigger the group, the bigger the perceived threat."
"Well, they know us. Why not let both of us come with you then?" Carol asked Aaron although she already knew the answer.
"He's my partner," Eric explained for him, "I don't know you yet and I can't take the risk of leaving him alone with the both of you. He," he nudged his head in Daryl's direction, "didn't like it either when he saw you alone with us."
Carol nodded and turned towards Daryl again.
"You go with Aaron. Rick will be pleased to see you."
His expression darkened and he stubbornly shook his head.
"You know I'm right. This is our best shot at a future."
She cupped his cheek, trying to shake off the awkwardness she felt at being watched for the first time during an intimate gesture.
"Fine…" he sighed frustrated and walked towards Aaron and Eric, "but if you even look at her the wrong way I'll kill ya."