, Ahhh! Thank you so much! I'm really trying to give Carl back a motherly figure, because it's so heart breaking what he's been through but I'm so happy you're enjoying it! We still have to see where she's going with Daryl, but he will be found! ;)
The rhythmic trodding of the horses hooves is the only noise made as Rick and I make our way to the northern wood line. Daryl was missing. It has been hours since he told me he was heading this way to scout out the hunting potential of the woods, and with night approaching it wasn't like him to stay gone so late. With no debate on the subject, I saddled Raven while Chenoa was left to Rick's care, since she was much better around strangers, and we embarked on our rescue mission.
I hop down from the saddle as the trees start thickening, looking for human tracks. Rick stays close with me, also searching for any sign of movement. It seems like an eternity before I find the faint but fresh outline of a boot in the soggy moss just inside the tree line.
"Here." I call out, with a soft whistle to Rick who has wandered a little ways down the line from me.
He kneels down beside me, his blue eyes examining the print and looking forward, to find the path Daryl took. "Now we've got a starting point," he says, placing a big hand on my back, and giving me an appreciative nod, "let's hope we keep the trail." He finishes, standing and turning to retrieve Chenoa.
We climb back into our saddles, keeping to side the of the trail, our eyes glued to the footsteps.
"Wait," I say, observing the footprints become erratic, like he wasn't sure where to go but he needed to go quickly, "his prints, the veer off but come back to veer into a different direction." I say, obvious concern creeping into my voice.
-Something was after him. Walkers. My mind says, yet I notice no blood or bodies.
"Look at this." I hear Rick say, he has left Chenoa and is squatted on the ground looking at a some leaves.
I kneel beside him, taking a close look, and inwardly cursing myself for not remembering.
-The snares. You idiot, you didn't even warn him. I had snares and traps spread throughout the woods like a mine field, for hunting purposes but also for protection. I had caught many walkers in my snares out here, and without him knowing Daryl could have easily been caught in one of them.
"Damn." I say, exhaling deeply and closing my eyes.
"Is this a trap?" Rick asks, deep curiosity in his voice as he continues to study the contraption.
"Yes." I reply guiltily, "A snare. I have many of them strung out along the perimeters of the woods for hunting and.. protection of sorts," I look at it closer, noticing the wire loop that is supposed to entrap the victim is missing. "Hang on, the loop is missing." I pick up the remaining wire, "it's been cut."
-He must've gotten caught in this one when he was escaping whatever was after him. My mind muses. I grow angry at myself for slowing him down, putting him in danger, maybe even getting him hurt.
I stand, stepping carefully forward, seeing the leaves and path distorted with struggle and many foot prints now. Walkers were after him. My thoughts are confirmed, we I find two rotting, crumpled corpses piled together with leaves tossed haphazardly on top of them. I quickly unsling my bow, readying an arrow, as I look around cautiously, taking in sounds and smells. Rick sees my change of body language and quickly heads my way, drawing his knife when he sees the bodies.
"He killed them, but he's been hurt." I say, pointing out the same boot tracks we've been following only now they're sporadic as if he's half dragging, half hopping with one leg. "The snare must've cut down into the leg."
We continue on our way, weapons still drawn, ready for anything. I hear the springs before I see them. My brother and I used the swim here all summer long when we were children, and it startles me as the small smile comes to my face from the memories. But I quickly snap out of the delusion,
"We'll split up right here, and each go around the springs and meet on the other side," I look at Rick while giving the command, "If he's hurt and still got any right sense, he'll be here."
He looks at me for a long moment, agonizing uncertainty in his eyes before agreeing, "Alright, stay safe." He says, both hands on my shoulders. Rick finally tears his eyes away from mine as he turns to walk around the springs, large knife in hand and ready.
-Be safe Rick. My mind yells to him, but my mouth stays silent.
I creep around, bow and arrow drawn, keeping close to natural rock wall surrounding the pristine water. I see no tracks, but with the wind that has yet to cease, the leaves could have easily covered any tracks long ago. The spring is quite large, with many inlets and shallow caves that Jake and I would use to play a number of games in our youth, which seemed more like a past life now. I run my hand along the rough, damp rock, taking in the memories it has seen.
I bring my hand back, noticing a stickiness to it. I look down at it, seeing red staining the light skin of my palm. I look around frantically, my heart beginning to race again, as I turn back to the wall examining it for clues.
-The caves. The inlets. He could have hidden in them. Why didn't that register before? I trace my steps back to the first shallow cave. Kneeling down, I see nothing, no sign of disturbance. Damnit Daryl, where are you!
I move on to the next, a small inlet of water. I remember these vaguely, my brother had told me he swam into it one time and that it led into a large cavern inside the huge rock that had a waterfall that fed the spring. I hadn't believed him of course, writing it off as just another one of his stories. Yet, I take out my small flashlight and examine the clear water and the surrounding wall. I see nothing the first time, but when I pan back around, a discoloration catches my eye. My fingers find their way to the damp rock, pulling them back to see the stain of red on them again.
"You crazy son of a bitch." I whisper, finally letting myself realize that he had taken the chance, and swam into the inlet. I prop my bow into a crook in the rock, slide out of my worn leather jacket and boots and shiver slightly as the chill of fall air settles across my exposed skin. Not knowing what I would find on the other side, but not taking the time to talk myself out of it, I take a deep breath and dive into the sapphire water.