Carol sat at the desk when someone knocked on the door and she looked at the door.
"Enter," Carol said and the door opened. She watched Mercer walk in the room as she stood and walked around to the front of the desk. "Is there any word on Daryl or Caroline?"
"No. But the motorcycle, the backpacks and their weapons are clean," Mercer said. He could see the sadness in her eyes as the muscles in his jaw twitched and she leaned against the edge of the desk. "I had the motorcycle taken to Daryl's apartment building. The backpacks and the crossbows are in the outer office."
"Thank you," she said with a nod and she watched him leave the room. After Mercer closed the door, Carol walked to the window, looked outside and she crossed her arms over her stomach. She could just see Daryl's reflection in the glass and she sighed. "Where are you?"
France – unknown location
A few weeks later, the Blue Dolphin had come to port while Daryl and Caroline stood near the railing and Captain Trask walked to them. He had two men with him and the men had rifles strapped to their backs.
"Where are we?" Caroline asked.
"Can't tell you," Hank said.
"Guess you're gonna take us to whoever had you kidnapped us," Daryl grumbled.
"Guy has to get paid," Hank said with a shrug of his shoulders then he pointed to the gangplank. "Get moving."
They headed for the gangplank as they walked down the gangplank and Trask led the way. They walked along the dock while Daryl and Caroline scanned the area with their eyes and Caroline noticed the people who they passed were not speaking English.
"Can't understand a word they're sayin'," Daryl said.
"Don't let it bother you. You're not going to be talking to too many people anyway," Hank said
Caroline and Daryl looked at each other as they had a silent conversation and they headed into the small town. Daryl looked at the buildings while Caroline saw the stares people were giving them and she moved closer to Daryl.
"Ignore them," Hank said as they approached a three-story stone building with dark wood trim, a dark stone tile roof and smoke rose from the dark stone chimney. Barbwire was wrapped around the metal spikes sticking out between the stone tiles on the roof and the top of the chimney. Iron bars crossed the stain glass windows and across the metal door. "We'll be staying here until morning."
"Looks homey," Caroline grumbled.
"Keeps the Macabre out."
"What're Macabre?" Daryl asked.
"That's what they call people who rise from the dead."
"I think he means Walkers," Caroline said to her brother and Daryl nodded.
They walked to the door of the Peaceful Angel Inn and Trask pushed the button near the doorframe. Caroline could barely hear the buzzing sound from behind the door as they waited and Trask watched the people moving by.
"Hurry up," Hank said, pushing the button again.
"There somethin' wrong?" Daryl asked.
"We have to get in before dark."
Daryl noticed the sun was setting when he heard the sound of the door opening and he could just see a young woman with blue eyes and long black hair looking at them. She was wearing a white linen shirt, jeans and black leather boots and she had a gun in a holster on her belt.
"Go away," she said in French.
"Open the door," Hank demanded, but she just looked at him.
"Please let us in. The sun's settin'," Caroline said in French.
"You speak French?" the young woman asked in French.
"Yes. Please, let us in."
"Hold on."
"Wait!" Hank said as she closed the door then he turned and glared at Caroline. "What did you say to her?!"
"I asked her to let us in," Caroline said as she felt confusion coming from her brother.
"You understood what she said?" Daryl asked. Caroline nodded when the door opened and the young woman pushed a button. The iron bars moved into the walls as she stood back and they walked by her. She pushed the button again as the iron bars moved back in place then she closed the door. She watched Trask, Caroline and Daryl walk to the reception desk then she headed for the door leading to the dining area.
Caroline and Daryl felt the eyes of the other people in the lobby watching them while Trask looked at the tall man with dark brown hair and eyes and the man wore a blue linen shirt, a black leather vest, a black leather belt, black pants and black leather boots. He had a full beard and he flexed his fingers.
"Nanette told me you need rooms," Dante De'Carlos said with a suspicious look.
"Yes, we need three rooms," Hank said.
"We don't normally allow strangers to stay here. Who sent you?"
Daryl saw Trask remove a piece of paper from the inner pocket of his black Navy pea coat and Trask handed the piece of paper to Dante. Dante looked at the information on the piece of paper when his eyes widened and Trask placed the piece of paper away.
"Hold on," Dante said as he walked to the square piece of wood with small hooks embedded in it and room keys were dangling from the small hooks. He removed the bottom three room keys from the hooks and he placed the room keys on the reception desk. Trask took the room keys when he handed one of the rom keys to the men with the rifles then he handed one of the room keys to Daryl. "The rooms are on the top floor. On the left."
"Are meals included with the rooms?" Hank asked.
"Yes. The dining area is that way," he said as he pointed to the doorway where Nanette has gone through. Trask led the way while they entered the dining area and the people stopped talking or laughing.
The dining area had a stone floor and stone walls, a large, stone fireplace was to the left, and the stain glass windows had iron bars crossed over the glass. Landscape paintings in wooden frames, a variety of antlers and animal heads and iron lanterns were mounted on the walls and iron chandeliers were connected to the ceiling by iron chains. Weapon stands were near the doorway and a door leading to the kitchen was at the back of the room.
People sat on the wooden benches around the dark wood tables spread out in the room and smaller, dark wood tables and wooden stools were near the walls.
A few minutes passed when Nanette walked to them as Daryl noticed the worried look on her face and she stood next to Trask.
"We're here to eat," Hank said, but she only blinked her eyes.
"The manager said we were to come in here fer somethin' to eat," Caroline said in French and Nanette nodded.
"This way," Nanette said in French, leading them to a long, dark wood table with two dark wood benches on either side of the table. Caroline went to sit at the middle of the bench as Daryl sat on her left and Trask sat on her right. The men sat on the bench across from them. Nanette placed the menus on the table as Caroline picked up the menu and she noticed there were drawings of the food.
"This looks good," Caroline said to Daryl and he looked at the drawing she was pointing to.
"Looks like chicken," Daryl said.
"Wanna try it?"
"Sure."
"Two Number Sevens, please," Caroline said in French to Nanette.
"Would you like wine with it?" Nanette asked in French.
"Do you have any beer?"
"Yes."
"Two beers, please."
Nanette nodded as she looked at the men and Trask and she waited for their orders.
"Do you speak English?" Hank asked and she nodded. Sighing, he and the men ordered their meals and Nanette headed for the kitchen door. She went inside the kitchen while Caroline saw the look in her brother's eyes and she placed her forearms on the top of the table.
"He taught me how to speak French," Caroline whispered while looking at Daryl. Daryl thought for a few seconds when he realized who she was talking about and he frowned.
"Why?" Daryl whispered.
"I was told it was somethin' I might need to know. He also taught me how to speak Latin, Russian, Spanish, Gaelic, German and Italian."
"Hmph."
Trask looked from Caroline to Daryl then back then he turned on the bench to look at the people in the dining area. The note he had received stated the person he was supposed to meet would be there, but he had never met the person before. Also, being delayed by a storm at sea caused them to be late.
"Lookin' fer someone?" Daryl asked and Trask turned to look at him.
"Looking for my contact," Hank said.
"Why would they want you to bring us here?" Caroline asked while Nanette walked to the table while carrying a silver tray in her hands and Nanette placed the glasses with their drinks in them down on the table. Caroline nodded as Nanette walked away and Caroline looked at Trask.
"Dunno. All I know is they're supposed to be here," Hank said as he took a long drink of wine.
"Do you know what they look like?" Daryl asked.
"No."
"Then how do you know we're in the right place?"
"This is where they said they were going to meet me."
They became silent while Trask turned to look at the other people in the room and Daryl noticed how sleepy the men with the rifles looked. Carol felt the concern and confusion coming from him as she sipped on the beer and Daryl barely shook his head at the unasked question in her eyes. One of the men suddenly closed his eyes when he slid off the bench to the floor and Trask turned to look at him.
"What the hell?!" Hank asked as the other man closed his eyes and slid off the bench onto the floor. He heard soft laughter and whispers as Trask stood, but soon felt dizzy and he held onto the edge of the table.
"What's wrong?" Daryl asked.
"I don't…," Hank said when his eyes rolled into his head and he fell onto the floor. Daryl and Caroline stood as Daryl noticed no one in the room seemed to care about Trask and his men falling to the floor and Nanette walked closer. She tapped Daryl's right upper arm and he turned to look at her.
"Follow me," Nanette said in French.
"She wants us to follow her," Caroline whispered to Daryl. Daryl nodded as they headed for the kitchen and the smells from the pots, frying pans and ovens made their mouth water.
"This way," Nanette said in French and she picked up the light wood basket on the counter.
"Is that fer us?" Caroline asked in French
"Yes, and there is no need to worry. Everything in the basket is eatable and drinkable."
"Where are we goin'?"
"Somewhere safe."
"Where is she takin' us?" Daryl asked.
"She said somewhere safe," Caroline said and they headed for the back door. Nanette opened the door as they headed into the alleyway and she pointed to their left. They headed down the alleyway when Daryl heard a familiar growling and gurgling sound and he regretted not having a weapon.
"Quickly! In here!" Nanette said in French as she opened the door and Caroline and Daryl saw the Macabre heading into the alleyway. The Macabre didn't look as decayed or damaged as the Walkers they had seen before and two of the Macabre seemed to be pretending to walk against the wind.
"What the hell are they doin'?" Daryl asked before Nanette lightly pushed him through the doorway and Caroline followed him. Nanette closed the door when she pushed the button and iron bars slid in front of the door.
"This way!" Nanette said as she pointed to the stairs and they headed upstairs. The stairwells were dimly lit as they came to the top of the stairs and Nanette led them to a door at the end of the hallway. Daryl felt uneasy at the quietness as Nanette handed Caroline the basket then she unlocked the door. Nanette opened the door as they walked in the room and she went to light the candle in the iron candlestick. She motioned for them to enter as they walked in the room and Nanette pointed to the mattress on the floor. "You can stay here for the night. But you must leave at first light."
She hurried out of the room as she closed the door and Daryl saw the windows had iron bars in front of the glass. Caroline saw the small wooden table, two wooden stools, a small table with a pitcher and bowl on top and a trunk and she placed the basket on the table.
"You want to eat?" Caroline asked as Daryl turned to look at her. He headed for the table as they sat on the small wooden stools and Caroline opened the basket. She removed two bottles of beer, some hard crust bread and a wedge of what she thought was cheese wrapped in cloth napkins, two plates, two forks and knives, small iron pots with boiled potatoes, carrots and onions and a plastic container with the chicken dish they had ordered.
"Looks good," Daryl said as he opened the plastic container and he scooped some of the chicken onto the plate.
"Why do you think she rescued us?" Caroline asked, scooping some the chicken onto the plate.
"Dunno. Maybe she knew we were in trouble," he said as he picked up the fork and knife and he cut into the chicken. He placed the chicken into his mouth as he chewed then swallowed then he took a drink of beer.
"Sorry I didn't tell you I could speak French."
"We're good."
"Hmph," she said with a nod then she placed some of the chicken in her mouth.
"Did you ever tell 'em?"
"Did I tell who what?" she asked after she swallowed.
"Did you ever tell that man of yers and his brother why you were in Boston?"
"Yeah, I did," she said then took a long drink of beer.
Boston
Caroline read a book as her feet rested on the coffee table and she frowned. She had read the book before and she glanced over at the door from time-to-time.
"Go on. Go out and see a movie," moved through her head, but she just snorted a breath of air and crossed one ankle over the other.
"Caroline, are you home?" came from behind the door as she placed the bookmark in the book, closed the book and she placed the book on the couch before standing.
"Of course, she's home."
"How do you know?"
"I know shit."
She lightly laughed when she moved the handle of the bolt lock back then opened the door as far as the chain allowed. She looked at Connor and Murphy and they smiled at her.
"Did you need somethin'?" she asked.
"Just wanted t'know if you'd like t'go out and do summat," Connor said with a grin.
"Uh…"
She noticed the concerned look on Murphy's face as Murphy walked closer and she found herself getting lost in his shiny blue eyes.
"It's alright, Caroline. You don't have t'if you don't wanna," Murphy said.
"Why wouldn't I wanna go out?" she asked. She noticed the confused look on Connor's face and he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Mind tellin' me what th'hell is goin' on?" Connor asked.
She moved back to close the door when she moved the chain back then opened the door again. They walked by her when she closed the door and Connor and Murphy went to sit on the couch. She felt her stomach churning as she stood on the other side of the coffee table and Connor and Murphy placed their wrists on their knees.
"Where do you want me to start?" she asked, folding her hands behind her back.
"Well, we know you're not from Boston," Connor said
"No, I'm not."
"Where are you from?"
"Virginia Beach, Virginia."
"What brought you t'Boston?" Murphy asked. He felt like they were pushing her as he stood, walked around the coffee table and he held out his hands with a question in his eyes. Nodding, she let him place his hands on her shoulders and they locked eyes. "Take yer time."
"Did you tell 'em?" Daryl asked then he placed a slice of potato in his mouth.
"Yeah. I even told them about what happened to my hand," Caroline said, looking at her right hand.
Boston
She could see the anger in their eyes. She wanted to move away from Murphy, but he was holding gently, but firmly onto her shoulders. She watched Connor stand as he walked around the coffee table to join them and she noticed he was looking at the glove on her right hand.
"May I see yer hand?" Connor asked. She slowly moved her right hand to him as he softly took hold of her hand and he removed the glove, placing the glove on the coffee table. He cupped her hand in his hands while he and Murphy looked at the scars on the back of her hand and wrist and she was surprised when Murphy slid her against him. He held her as she felt the quick rise and fall of his chest against her and she buried her face against his left shoulder. "Christ."
"Lord's name," Murphy warned. He rocked her as Connor let go of her hand and she slid her arms around Murphy's torso. They stood in silence when she moved back and she looked down at their feet. "Look at me."
She looked at Murphy and she saw anger and rage in his eyes. He held onto her shoulders again as he gave her a tiny grin and his eyebrows arched up after he looked at Connor.
"What's so funny?" Caroline asked.
"Well, you see, we sorta had this idea about that guy who takes you t'work in th'mornin'…," Connor said.
"You mean Frank?" she asked and he nodded.
"He's yer bodyguard, right?"
"No, he's my boss," she said then she explained who Frank was and what he did.
"But he has t'keep an eye on you."
"Yeah."
"And you havin' a gun and not wantin' me t'turn th'lights on makes sense now," Murphy said.
'What are you talkin' about?" Connor asked. Murphy explained and Connor had an amused look on his face while he looked at the couch. "So that's where you were."
"Not now," he warned and Connor nodded.
"Anyway…," Connor continued. "We had this feelin' that you were either some mob guy's daughter or girlfriend or you were in witness protection."
"Where did that idea come from?" she asked with a puzzled look on her face.
"He watches a lot of action movies," Murphy said.
"Then you get why I can't go out," she said as she looked down at her feet when Murphy lightly squeezed her shoulders and she sighed.
"That ain't any way t'live," Connor said.
"He's right," Murphy said, locking eyes with her after lifting her chin up. "Look. We're not tryin' t'tell you how t'live yer life. We also don't wanna put you in danger. But you lettin' life pass you by. There is a whole wide world out there and you missin' shit."
"It's not like I don't go out," she said as she tossed her hands up after moving back a little.
"Yeah, but th'reason you feel safe t'go out is because Frank's with you."
"And he's still breathin'. You'd think they'd take him out first if someone had been sent here t'kill you," Connor said and Murphy glared at him.
"You're not helpin'."
Murphy walked closer while he locked eyes with Caroline and he softly cupped her face in his hands. His hands were warm and soft and he placed his forehead against her forehead.
"Now, you listen to me," Murphy said in a soft, but stern voice. "As long as I'm around, no one will ever hurt you."
"You sound like someone in a romance movie," Connor teased then he cleared his throat from the cold look his twin was giving him. "But he's right. I ain't gonna let anyone hurt you either."
Caroline looked at the door when she moved back, picked up the leather glove, put on the leather glove, went to get her jean jacket, put the jean jacket on and she walked to the door. She saw the smiles on their faces when she opened the door and she pointed with her hands for them to leave. She watched them walk by her when she removed her purse from the nail near the doorway then she left the apartment. She checked to see if she had her keys before she closed then locked the door and Murphy held out his left hand. She took his hand in hers and they headed down the hallway.
"That was one of the best days of my life," Caroline said with a sigh.
Daryl felt his heart hurting over the thought of her being so scared and alone as he nodded and they went back to eating their meals. Once they were done, Caroline stood then she placed the plates, forks, knives, napkins, plastic containers and the iron pots in the basket then she placed basket on the floor.
"Hey," Daryl said after he stood up and she walked to him. He wrapped his arms around her as they hugged and she placed her head against his right shoulder. He felt the sadness moving through his head as he rocked her and she sighed.
The Commonwealth
Carol looked at Judith and RJ doing their homework at the kitchen table and she noticed how sad they were. She headed for the kitchen when Dog softly whimpered and she looked at the door. Carol walked to the door when she looked through the peephole, smiled and unlocked the door.
"Move," Carol said to Dog and the dog moved back. She opened the door as Ezekiel smiled at her and she smiled back. She was happy that he had a kingdom again. "Is there something you need, Governor?"
"I just wanted to check up on you and the kids," he said, looking in at the kids.
"We're doing alright," she said while Judith and RJ walked to her.
"Hey, Uncle Ezekiel," RJ said.
"Hello," he said with a nod.
"Have you found Uncle Daryl and Aunt Caroline?" Judith asked. He saw the sadness in her eyes as he sighed and slightly lowered his head.
"No. Not yet."
"Why would anyone wanna take them?" RJ asked.
"I don't know."
"Has Mercer gotten anything on those tire tracks and footprints they found near Daryl's bike?" Carol asked.
"No," he said with a sigh and shook his head. "This is one time I wish there were still forensic departments. They'd be able to figure this out."
"You're right. Well thank you for checking up on us," she said as Ezekiel nodded then he headed down the hallway. Carol closed the door then looked at the kids and she gave them a small grin. "Don't worry. They'll find Daryl and Caroline."
"Or we could go look for them," RJ said. She saw the seriousness in his eyes as she sighed and barely nodded her head.