A heaviness pushed on her chest, forcing her to steady her breathing, gradually looking around, it was so dark, eerily dark, she couldn't even feel his comfort, yet she could feel arms wrapped tight around her, she knew it had to be Daryl. Why was he not with her?, or at least his presence felt. The fear of dread filled her so deeply, making her sick to the stomach, the darkness not helping in any way. She couldn't stay here, she wasn't safe, thoughts ran through her head, was he hurt, in danger?. Did he know where she was?, edging from the bed, she felt along the walls, feeling roughness, like that of a brick surface, cold to the touch. No this wasn't right, she had never felt cold in her dreams only warmth, unbelievable, searing heat, never this, almost like the icy touch of death. Taking a deep breath, she tried to focus on him, yet nothing. Her throat closed over, as she tried to scream his name, find his arms where she was safe.

"Oh dear does the darkness scare you that much?" Shit, she knew that voice, but how had he? Where was he?. Turning around trying to see into the furthest corners of the room, yet knowing she was unable to, she was trapped and frightened. Her hands inched further along the wall, trying to keep her emotions under control, pain shot through her hand as she ripped it open, she could hear the change in the person's breathing, how he sniffed the air as if the smell of blood was enticing him. Carol moved further around the room, there had to be a door, an escape from the hell that was in there with her. The mantra in her head screaming for Daryl, aching for him to find her, and make her safe.

"I can smell you, I can smell your blood Carol. It smells so good, so rich". She knew then her life was in danger, more so now than ever.

Daryl felt her shake in his arms, having only slept for a few moments, yet his mind felt hazy, as if a mist had settled over it. Feeling her tremble, her body shaking with fear, he cast the haziness away, it was an old trick from years ago, that only a minion would use,one of those damn mortals that had been changed without consent. Yet in Daryl's tired and emotional state he had allowed it in,and in return his mate was in danger, cursing himself for his stupidity. Daryl shut his eyes, reaching out for her in his mind, not daring to wake her, as he didn't know what situation she was in. Ripping her from a nightmare could cause severe reactions, even death. Locating her with ease, he walked into her house, the one she once shared with Ed, years back, before Sophia was born. Touching a wall, he felt for her, taking the stairs two at a time, he saw how dark the hall had become, the darker it became as he headed towards the door, he could just make out at the end, of the hall. He felt her fear now, had she not realised this was her old home?. Was this the place Ed first started his abuse?. Wanting to rush the door and save her, it took all his control to keep a slow pace, unsure as yet what was behind the door and what position she was in.

Carol felt it, just as she touched a smooth service, hoping it was a door of some sort. Searching for some kind of handle, she felt his warmth surround her, she was safe, he was here. Her hand touched the small door handle, and with a deep breath she twisted, grateful for it swinging open. Her eyes adjusting to the light at the far end of the hall, and the imposing shadow that was heading towards her.

"NO!" was that her screaming?, as the dark figure advanced towards her further, suddenly strong arms wrapped around her, the screaming still going on inside her head. It wasn't her, but the monster that was inside the room, the monster she knew was her husband her mind registered where she was, who this house once belonged too. Collapsing against Daryl, she screamed herself awake.

Not yet realizing she had woken herself up, her body reacted to steel arms enclosing her small frame, her head still in her nightmare, the overwhelming fear, causing her to hit out, finger nails tearing into skin, she had to escape.

"It's ok darlin I got ya. Ya safe, come on baby open ya eyes" Hearing his voice had her calming in his arms, her eyes flew open, to slam shut immediately due to the brightness from the lamp he had switched on.

"Oh god he, I …. how?" she felt so stupid as her words jumbled together

"I let my guard down for a second, I am so damn sorry" he couldn't apologize enough, he had selfishly dragged her into this, without thought to her feelings, and in return he had almost lost her. Time to be the adult he was, and not the kid craving something that he believed was his through fate and destiny. She hadn't been safe from the moment he found out she was his mate, but now, he himself, had allowed that danger to touch her.

Carol felt rather than saw the change in him, he was backing away from her, she could see the guilt and remorse clear in his eyes, even the way he bowed his head down. All were clear signs that he was stepping back, her nightmare had scared him, and she had no idea what to do to rectify that.

"Ya hungry?" his words seemed so out of context in all that had happened, yet in a strange way made her feel like things were normal. Nodding her head, she bit her lip, unsure of where they would go from this. Slipping from the bed, he headed towards the closed door, turning just before he walked out.

"Ya might feel better if ya come down and eat. Sophia is with my parents, she will be looked after I guarantee" with that he left her once again confused and wondering.

"Is she ok? How did you..." Daryl knew his parents were concerned, they had sensed his distress, automatically coming into his thoughts, whilst he reheated the meal, his mum had left for them. As much as he loved their protectiveness and concern he so didn't need this shit right now

"Leave it" he growled back to them, hating himself for letting that bastard get so close to his mate.

"Daryl, you have never let your guard down, you..." his dad's concerned words only raised his anger, lashing out in frustration he retaliated

"It won't happen again, I said fuckin leave it"

"NO! DON'T YOU DARE TAKE THAT TONE WITH ME BOY, DO YOU FORGET WHO THE HELL YOU ARE TALKING TO?" Daryl knew he had overstepped the line, when his dad pulled the "do you know who I am shit". He very rarely used that line, and hearing it now had Daryl squirming

"Sorry" was all he could say. As he listened to the sound of Carol moving about upstairs, she had gone into the bathroom and he could sense her indecision. How he ached to just go back up, hold her tight in his embrace and tell her all would be ok. Then lead her into the bedroom and take away all her fears, by making her his, but he couldn't, not now, not after...

"Why not son?' His mother's soft voice came through, interrupting his thoughts. Shit he forgot he still had the channel open to his parents.

"I can't, not now, not after what..."

"She needs you Daryl, she needs you more than ever" His dad confirmed his worse nightmare, Carol needed him, and he knew, without a doubt, that he would protect her with his life. As for the mating, that would never happen, she had been put in danger tonight, if he continued down the path they were destined, she could be killed. It ripped him apart, rubbing the fist's of his hands in his eyes, he tried to get his emotions back under control. More so, when he heard her footsteps coming towards the stairs. He felt the love surround him, taking a comfort in the strength his parents gave. They knew their son was hurting deeply, not only from what had happened tonight with carol, but also with the decision he had made. It would crucify him, and all they would be able to do is watch him fall apart.

"Daryl?" Her soft words pulled him from his thoughts, shutting his communication line down, he turned to her. His breath escaping him, she looked pale, small and scared. Her eyes wide as she walked further into the kitchen, he actually took a step back, his body screaming at him to take her the hell upstairs and make her his, then all this fear, this worry would disappear.

"NO!" He roared in his head, turning from her he lifted the plates, and placed them on the table. Urging her to sit and eat a little at least.

"Mum left it for us, ya need to eat. Ya..." how had she got so close, without him noticing, her hand now rested on his arm,it felt like his skin was burning

"Daryl please, I can feel you pulling away from me" He shrugged her off, and forced her to take a seat, choosing to ignore her words, locating the cutlery, he handed her a fork, encouraging her to try a bite. Shocked to the core, when she slammed the fork down on the table

"NO I WON'T DON'T DO THIS DARYL, DON'T YOU DARE"