A/N not a 100% happy with this chapter, let me know what you think.

Chapter 11

Once they had finished all nineteen cuts they used the knife to cut the rope binding Daryl to the post. Two men caught him by the arms and dragged him towards the metal frame. All attention was focused on what was happening by the fire pit. Eleanor was left alone. She took several deep breathes to calm herself. She had to focus if they were to stand any chance of escape. She studied the post and the chains. From what she could see the chain was just looped around the post, not fixed in any obvious way. She glanced across the yard. No one was looking her way. They were more concerned with chaining Daryl to the metal frame. She wrapped her legs around the post and gripping with her hands as best she could she began to inch her way up the post. Her back was agony but she was running on adrenalin and managed to work through the pain. As soon as she could reach she worked the chain over the top, freeing herself from the post. She dropped to the ground and found Daryl's knife where it had been dropped to the ground. She grabbed it and ran to the other post, where the two young men were tied. They were both watching her, the younger one had traces of tears on his face.

"I'm gonna cut you free, then I need you to release me" she told the older one "You help me and we can all get outta here" The man nodded as she began to saw through the rope holding him.

"You got names?" she asked

"I'm Mitchell, this is my kid brother Jamie" the man introduced himself. "These freaks killed our mother, then they….." he couldn't finish but his glance toward the fire pit said it all. "They said we were next, but then they took you two" His hands were free and he grabbed the knife and started to cut the rope binding Eleanor.

"You got a plan?" He asked her

"Still working' on it" she was looking around, trying to find inspiration. As soon as she was free Mitchell cut through the rope holding his brother.

Glancing at the people round the fire pit, she heard the woman order water thrown over Daryl, she wanted him awake so he could feel everything. Eleanor couldn't wait to kill the bitch.

She saw a pick-up truck parked nearby and, followed by the two boys, ran for it. Opening the door she was relieved to see the keys in the ignition. There was a rifle leaning up in the passenger foot well. Grabbing it she found it was fully loaded.

"Can you drive?" she asked Jamie

"I'm still learning, but I know what to do" he replied.

She looked at Mitchell "you go up to the house and see what medical supplies you can find. Get any bottled water you can find as well, and if you can get some alcohol that'd be great. Also any clean towels or sheets." He hesitated, looking at his younger brother

"Don't worry, I'll take care of him, he won't get hurt. I just need you to do this for me and fast" He nodded. As he turned to run to the house she gave him the knife.

"Take this just in case, and if you see a crossbow in there grab it" He looked puzzled , but agreed and set off for the house.

Eleanor got into the truck with Jamie.

"I need you to keep your head down to start, then when I say you take over the driving. You okay with that?" He nodded, looking scared but determined.

She started the truck and raced towards the crowd of people by the fire pit. By the time they had realised the truck was heading for them at speed it was too late for many to get out of the way. The truck ploughed into the group, killing and injuring several. Eleanor stood up through the sunroof and using the rifle started taking out the survivors. Jamie was driving the truck around, making a moving target and knocking down survivors when he could. Eleanor saw the woman and her husband trying to take shelter behind the frame Daryl was chained to. Two shots from the rifle and they were both down, wounded not dead. Once she was sure there was no one left to threaten her Eleanor swung her legs out of the sunroof and jumped to the ground. She stalked over to the injured couple, pointing the rifle at them.

"Get up and get out here!" she yelled. Whimpering they crawled out. She hit the man with the stock of the rifle, knocking him semi-conscious to the ground. She grabbed the woman and pulled her across the yard, towards the pit.

The woman started screaming and fighting, but she had been shot in the side and had little strength. Eleanor threw her to the ground at the edge of the pit.

Eleanor stared at her, no emotion on her face.

"You're going to die, bitch" she said as she fired the rifle. The bullet hit the woman in the head and then Eleanor kicked the body into the fire pit. She heard an anguished cry behind her and saw the woman's husband limping towards her. She let him get close then grabbed his arm as he tried to strike her. Pulling him off balance she turned so he was balanced on the edge of the pit. He tried pleading for his life but she didn't listen. She let go of his arm and he fell backwards, screaming, into the fire pit.

Without looking back she ran over to Daryl, he was barely conscious. With Jamie's help she managed to undo the chains holding him and as he slumped forward the two of them took his weight. Mitchell arrived with a bag full of items he'd found in the house.

"The whip guy was in there, taking a leak" he told her quietly "I used the knife and took him out for you. He had this nearby." She smiled quickly when she saw Daryl's crossbow.

"Thank you" she gave the young man a quick one armed hug as they helped Daryl over to the truck. Mitchell laid a blanket in the bed and the three of them manoeuvred the injured man face down onto it. Eleanor paled as she saw the extent of the injuries.

"I need to get him to my people as soon as possible. Can you drive?" Mitchell nodded and climbed behind the wheel. "Tell me where to go" He turned the truck and headed to the gate. Eleanor stayed in the truck bed with Daryl. Mitchell had found a half bottle of scotch as well as some water and a couple of clean towels. She poured the scotch over the wounds on his back then soaked one of the towels in water. Carefully she lay the towel over Daryl's back. It was all she could think of to do, to try and keep it clean and infection free. The other towel she used to wipe his face, then she eased down next to him, brushing his long hair off his face and stroking his cheek.

"Just hang on honey, don't you die on me now" she whispered.

Once she had worked out where she was and given Mitchell directions to the prison it only took about 30 minute to get there. She told him to drive right up to the gate.