Chapter Sixteen

"This is not how I expected girl's night to go, Lori," Andrea grumbled as she tossed another gutted and skinned squirrel into the bowl.

Lori chuckled, trying to put on a brave face to mask the worry she felt. She wasn't at all happy her husband was returning to Atlanta to rescue someone like Merle Dixon. She'd just gotten him back and now he was once again putting his neck on the line. If she were honest, she didn't have a lot of faith Daryl wouldn't kill him if they weren't able to save Merle. "Carol's been trekking through the woods like primitive man … er, woman … for the past three days. Least we can do is help her with dinner."

"It smells so good already and she's barely even started," Amy moaned as she lifted the lid on the big pot to let the steam waft up to her nose.

"Just wait until I start searing the meat. That should really get your stomach rumbling if the smell of onions and garlic have you drooling," Carol teased.

Frankly, she was happy to have the task of cooking for everyone to help keep her mind off of how much she missed Daryl. Of the four who'd gone on Operation: Save Dixon - as Sophia and Carl called it - she knew Daryl was the most likely to come back unscathed. She would worry over his safety, but she hadn't realized how much she would miss him. Had they really grown that close in such a short time?

Jacqui added some wild scallions to the pot and Amy moaned again. "Girl, it's gonna be awhile before dinner is ready. If you're that hungry, go see if there's any saltines in the RV to tide you over."

"Carol's cooking tonight," Amy said as if that was simple enough to understand. "I'm not letting anything ruin my appetite."

Andrea tossed the last squirrel into the bowl and Lori made quick work of quartering them before passing them to Carol. Teresa sat with the children on the other side of the campfire, the five of them immersed in a board game they'd found in the RV. "All we're missing now is a couple bottles of wine." Andrea quipped, cleaning her hands before she curled up in a lawn chair to relax.

Carol dug through a box of kitchen supplies she'd packed from home at the start of the outbreak and came up with a handful of jars filled with spices. Not to mention a coveted rare box of salt.

"Leave it to you, the consummate housewife, to not evacuate without her spice rack," Jacqui said with a reverent nod. She toasted her friend with her tin cup of water. "And may we forever be grateful."

"Oh, stop!" Carol blushed, busying herself with browning the meat to add to the stew pot. "The seasoning won't last forever, but in the meantime, we might as well enjoy them."

"Ed must be suffering horribly now he has to fend for himself," Lori said quietly. "Serves him right."

Carol glanced up the hill to where her ex-husband sat smoking his precious Marlboro's near his tent. "I don't care one way or the other."

Amy picked up the potato peeler and started on a bowlful of the spuds. "I wonder why he stays. It's not like anyone wants him here. Does he think you'd ever go back to him?"

Carol concentrated on her work. "I made it quite clear I'll never go back to him."

"I hope he doesn't try anything with Daryl away," Andrea murmured thoughtfully. "I don't know how Rick would take it if our hunter shot Ed in the other cheek."

Lori dug through what was left of the root vegetables and came up with a few carrots to add to the pot. "I think they'll get along fine in time. They just got off to a rough start."

Jacqui laughed outright. "Is that what you call it? Honey, he pulled a knife on that man of yours. Rick will no doubt start sleeping with a gun under his pillow."

Amy snorted as she started dicing the potatoes she'd peeled. "Both those Dixons have a temper, but they do a lot for this group. To be honest, I feel safer with them here."

Carol sent a warm smile her way. It was nice to hear at least one of her friends support the brothers rather than tear them down.

"Well, since none of you are ballsy enough to ask what we really want to know …" Andrea began, leaning forward with a mischievous grin. "I guess it's left to me."

Carol returned the meat to the bowl and added flour to the pan of drippings and natural oils from the squirrels to make a roux. "Oh, lord," she groaned, having a good idea as to what was on the blonde's mind.

Lori and Jacqui shared a conspiratorial grin. Amy set the bowl aside and actually clapped her hands in excitement.

"Tell us, Carol," Andrea practically purred, "how was your hunting trip?"

Carol added the roux to the onion mixture, feeling the heat rise in her neck. And it wasn't from the cook fire either. "Only you could make it sound so dirty."

"Oh, c'mon," Amy whispered, "you can tell us."

Carol scoffed, clucking her tongue. "Telling y'all would be worse than taking out an ad in the Atlanta Gazette."

Jacqui raised her cup, agreeing with her. "Here, here, honey. Then again … Who're we gonna tell?"

Water was added to the pot from some boiled that morning, and then the meat, potatoes and carrots were thrown in to stew for the next hour, ending Carol's busy work. Now she had no excuse not to sit and chat with her friends. What a horrifying thought.

"Nothing happened, so get your minds out of the gutter. How many times must I tell you … me and Daryl are just friends."

Amy huffed in disappointment and propped her chin on her hand. "I don't believe it."

"Neither do I," Andrea said. "The two of you are like a firecracker just waiting to go off. You're telling me y'all went out alone in the woods and nothing happened?"

"Daryl is very dedicated to teaching me how to survive. He wants me to learn how to hunt and track game to provide for me and Sophia in case something happens, and he can't be there to do it for us. I learned a lot on our trip."

She wasn't about to tell them how he'd invited her to curl up against him at night, or how he'd shared his story with her. It felt too much like a betrayal of trust.

"I think it's amazing he'd even have the patience to teach you something so important," Lori said, her grave tone catching everyone's attention. "How long are we going to last out here without such necessary skills? One of the best things you could've done was to befriend Daryl Dixon."

"You've already changed, Carol," Andrea agreed. "I never thought I'd see the day you would pull a gun on someone."

Amy huffed in awe. "I know right! Did you see the look on Shane's face?"

"He was hurting Daryl," Carol said, lifting the lid on the pot to give the stew a quick stir. She didn't think just how revealing her statement was and didn't look up in time to see her friends share an I told you so look.

Jacqui smiled knowingly which caused Carol's blush to deepen. "Which brings us back to your trip, honey. You sure you're not putting the moves on that man? I know y'all had to bed down sometime, so don't tell me it was all about hunting and tracking."

Carol groaned. The world was going to crap, and her friends wanted to discuss her love life … Or lack thereof. She leaned back in her chair and wrapped her arms around her middle, a defensive gesture she didn't seem able to break. "Nothing happened. We talked. I mean how else are we supposed to get to know one another?"

Lori met her gaze across the fire. "That's enough, ladies. We're making her uncomfortable. She's just coming out of a bad situation and has the good sense not to jump into another." Advice she wished she'd heeded herself after Shane had informed her Rick had died.

Amy sighed. "But how long do any of us really have anymore? Every moment is precious."

*.*.*

Shane smiled in his sleep, slowly waking to the smell of fresh brewed coffee. Not that instant crap they'd been subjected to, but the real thing. He opened his eyes to meet Carol's where she sat across the Dixon campfire. To look at her genuine smile and honest blue eyes, one would never think she'd have had the guts to pull a gun on him the day before.

"G'morning," she greeted him, handing over the cup she'd poured for him. "I'm really sorry you got stuck babysitting us last night." She gestured with her free hand towards the tent. "I don't think Lori slept a wink."

Her friend had insisted Carol and Sophia bunk with her and Carl, but Carol had wanted to sleep in her own tent. She wanted to be surrounded by things belonging to Daryl, to have his scent, his faint presence there to comfort and soothe her. If she'd stayed with Lori, she would have lain awake all night worrying and wondering if Daryl was safe. So, Lori had gathered her things and trekked up the hill to stay with her.

"Ain't nothing, Carol," he said, suppressing a moan as one hundred percent Colombian burst over his palate. "It's my job to keep y'all safe."

"No, Shane. It's your job to protect the group, not just us." She passed him one of the leftover biscuits from last night's dinner. "I'm sorry Daryl threatened you."

"He was worried about leaving you. That man is pure emotion and little control. On top of finding out about his brother, he was doubly panicked. Can't say as I blame him."

Carol's smile faltered as she met his gaze. "I'd also like to apologize for pulling a gun on you. I just couldn't let you hurt him."

Shane drained his cup and held it out for her to refill. "Things just got out of hand. Tempers were high." He cocked his head to the side, regarding her in a new light. "He teach you how to shoot like that?"

A blush crept up into her cheeks as she thought back to the first day he'd begun teaching her. "Yeah, he did. I still have a ways to go, but I'm not afraid of guns anymore."

"Mind if I see it?" he asked, gesturing to the .45 on her hip. He gripped it gingerly as he took it from her. "Nice piece. More suited to a woman's hands. Small yet effective. He choose these for you?"

Carol smirked. "He did. Daryl wants both me and Sophia to be able to defend ourselves."

Shane was thoughtful for a moment. "If we had the weapons and enough ammo, it would be good to teach the others."

"You want to arm the kids too," Lori grumbled as she slipped out of the tent to join them. She gratefully accepted the cup of steaming coffee Carol offered. "Carl's too young for a gun."

"He's the same age as Sophia," Carol pointed out.

Shane nodded. "And you see how proficient she's getting with that bow of hers."

"Lori, it's not like Shane's suggesting he just give Carl a gun and send him off into a pack of walkers. He's talking about training him … everyone." She took a sip from her own cup. "I wouldn't have let Sophia have weapons if Merle hadn't opted to spend time training her."

Lori sighed, seeing they were seriously considering this. "I'll talk to Rick about it when he gets back, but I'm not making any promises."

Shane gnashed his teeth together, still upset about how things had fallen apart with Rick's return. He remembered a time when she'd actually listen to his advice. Instead of dwelling on things he couldn't change, he focused on Carol. "So, what you got planned for today?"

Carol grinned and gave an exaggerated slap to her thigh. "I thought you'd never ask!" she laughed. "After we go check the snares, we have the joyous chore of … laundry."

Even Lori groaned. "I volunteer to watch the kids today," she offered. With little to no sleep, she didn't think she had the strength to scrub clothes.

"Deal."

*.*.*

Daryl was fit to kill. Rick, in particular, and if that man put a gun to his head one more fucking time, he just might. It was understandable … the rage and anguish he'd felt building in him from the moment he'd learned what had happened to his brother … but it was to the point where he could barely control it. He needed to be completely focused on finding Merle and all he could think about was Carol. Carol left behind with Ed lurking around every fucking tree just waiting to get her alone. It was all he could do not to scratch his skin raw from the panicked itch which seemed to crawl right beneath the surface.

T-Dog hadn't lied about the security of the chain and padlock he'd placed on the access door. Nothing was breaking through it. It took the bolt cutters they'd borrowed from Dale to get onto the roof. That's when another little piece of his own personal hell went straight to shit. He should have known Merle wouldn't just sit there and wait for rescue. He was gone. And from the looks of the congealed blood on the cement, he had been for a while. All that remained was Dale's overturned toolbox, a broken screwdriver and one half of a pair of handcuffs. By the amount of blood, Daryl could only assume Merle had cut himself trying to get free. Once he left the building, the smell would be like putting up a sign for an all you can eat buffet for the geeks below.

Daryl had followed the trail through the building and then lost him at the bottom of the fire escape. If his brother didn't want to be found, not even Daryl would be able to track him. Especially not in a city the size of Atlanta. He had to give up … for now. If he was well enough on his feet to hide his tracks, Merle would come to him. He'd continue to search for him, but Daryl had his girls to think about.

He was so ready to return to the quarry, but Rick had other plans and they'd been forced to take shelter in the department store for the night. It didn't do him a bit of good either. He was unable to rest, wondering if Carol and Sophia were safe. Wondering where Merle was and if he were even alive.

And, of course, their fearless leader was an asshole. He'd been more concerned with the bag of guns he'd brought from the hick town he used to serve. A bag of guns he'd dropped while trying to outrun an army of walkers when he'd first met the group. Naturally, with him and Rick at each other's throats, their plan was doomed to failure. They were able to retrieve the bag, but lost Glenn in the process. Kidnapped by a rival group.

Daryl was disgusted. Rick had been able to negotiate with the leader for Glenn's freedom and Daryl hadn't gotten the opportunity to shoot anyone. And Rick had given the man half their guns to protect his group. He felt a bit ashamed of himself after he found out about the senior citizens they were trying to care for. The elderly and infirm who'd been abandoned by their caregivers.

After that fiasco, he really wasn't surprised to get back to where they'd parked to find the van gone. It eased his mind to know his brother had some form of transportation, but in turn it pissed him off they'd be returning to camp on foot. Fuckin' perfect!

*.*.*

"We're going to be eating good tonight, ladies!" Hector stated, grinning from ear to ear. "You have my eternal gratitude. "

Carol wrinkled her nose. It wasn't that she wasn't happy for the fish Amy and Andrea had caught, she just really wasn't looking forward to having fish entrails wedged up under her fingernails when she was forced to help clean them. Eww!

Ed was lurking about more, his wound apparently not paining him as much. So much so, she'd asked Shane to take Carl and Sophia down to the lake for a swim. They were underfoot today, and she was nearly tripping over them. She couldn't go on this way having to fear Ed where someone had to constantly be on guard over them. It was affecting her work, and something needed to be done.

Perhaps when Daryl and Merle returned, they could sit down and come up with a solution. She knew, however; either Ed would have to go, or they'd have to leave the group and make it on their own. She didn't want to leave. She was beginning to think of them all as family. Ed was the only dark cloud hovering on the horizon. Not to mention, Sophia would be devastated if she were separated from Carl.

She went to stand next to Lori at the table and pulled the knife from her belt. It was sharper than any they had for cooking despite its size. It should do nicely. Unfortunately, Ed decided to join them.

The temperature around the table dropped several degrees as the women glared at him. "Something you need, Ed?" Andrea asked coldly.

"Don't need nothin' from you, Blondie," he sneered. "Just need a word with my wife."

"Wasn't aware you had one of those anymore, Ed," Lori deadpanned, not bothering to look up at him.

Carol turned her body away from him, positioning herself where he couldn't grab hold of either of the pistols on her belt. "Neither was I."

Amy flicked fish guts at the pail by his feet and he jumped back. "The men should be back any time now. Best not let Daryl catch you over here harassing Carol."

"Mind your business, girly. And I don't give a damn about that redneck trash. He don't scare me."

Carol smirked. "Really? I'll remember to tell him when he gets back."

Ed gripped her upper arm with his big meaty fingers. "The only reason your lover got the drop on me was because of that damn crossbow he totes around. He snuck up on me -"

Her knife pressed sharply against his groin as she met his gaze. She took immense satisfaction in the not so subtle whimper which passed his lips. "While you were beating the crap out of me, Ed," she finished for him. "I can see how that would've been distracting for you." She pressed harder with the knife and watched the blood drain from his face. "Now go away, and I might be merciful and not geld you."

He released her and stalked away, back to his own camp, but she knew he'd try to find a way to get back at her for such a humiliating scene. She winced and rubbed at her arm. She was going to have a hell of a time explaining the bruises in the shape of Ed's finger marks on her arm. She just hoped Daryl wouldn't take out his temper on Shane. Maybe he wouldn't notice.

"Oh. My. Gawd! Carol that was amazing!" Amy squealed. "You just went full-on Dixon at him … Well without all the yelling."

Lori stared at her friend wide eyed while Andrea's peals of laughter could be heard clear across the quarry. "Way to go, Carol."

"Sophia's going to be so upset she missed it," Lori said.

Carol smiled, proud of herself, and went back to cleaning their catch.

*.*.*

Sophia fidgeted as she handed her empty plate to Teresa and leaned back against her mother's legs. Over and over her fingers caressed the string of her bow, her thoughts troubled as she thought of Merle. The feathered headdress crowning her head gave testament to their friendship. Long hours spent playing checkers and chess, the patience he'd shown when teaching her how to use her bow, and the deep-seated protectiveness he felt for her did as well. As full dark came and settled in, she couldn't help but worry. The other members of the group relaxed around the campfire, but she was too anxious to let herself enjoy the merriment.

Though her mama didn't say anything, she knew Carol was fearful too. Her hand clenched around the ebony finish of her bow. What could be keeping them? What would she do if neither of them came back? Surely her mother wouldn't make them go back to Ed. She rested her head against Carol's knee and mustered up a smile for her. No, she'd never go back to Ed. Her mama was stronger now. She wouldn't cave to his lies and false promises. If nothing else, they had each other.

However, in one very big part of her heart, she didn't want it to be just the two of them. They were a family now and it just didn't work without Daryl and Merle. Why weren't they back yet!?

She smiled and nodded at the Garcias as they bid everyone goodnight. Sophia was determined she wasn't going to bed until the missing members of her family came home safe and sound. A yawn escaped her as Carol removed the headdress from her golden hair – stowing it away in the pocket of her jacket - and carded her fingers through the locks. She was so sleepy. And why wouldn't she be with Dale droning away in a monotone, the words all blurring together as her eyes grew heavier.

Sophia was drifting away, her mind losing the battle with her determination to stay awake, when the first scream rent the air. "What's happening?" she cried, trying to shake off her fugue as she clambered to her feet.

The camp erupted in chaos, and terror quickly followed. She looked out to the east to see the Garcias trying to fend off three walkers which had come out of nowhere, and more were stumbling out of the woods.

"The RV," Carol hissed, drawing the .45 from her hip. "Get to the RV, Sophia. Up the ladder … You'll be safe there and can use your bow." She gave the girl a firm push. "Go, baby, I'm right behind you!"

Sophia ran, dodging around Morales, Dale and Jim using whatever they could find to wield as a weapon. Gunfire from Shane's Mossberg echoed across the quarry, the report deafening her. Which was why she didn't hear her father when his meaty arm circled about her waist and pulled her struggling form against him.

"Never thought I'd be happy to see those rotted things, but I am now," he chortled in her ear.

"Ed, you let her go," Carol yelled to be heard over the melee, raising her gun and firing over his shoulder at the walker creeping up behind him.

"I will … after you get your ass in the car. We're leaving."

"Are you insane?" she gasped at him, pulling on Sophia's arm as she pressed her back against the RV. "In case you haven't noticed, we're under attack! Now is not the time for this!"

"Think I give a shit what you think?"

Sophia trembled in his grasp. She didn't know what she feared more, the walkers or the man who held her. Merle's voice drifted through her mind. Control, Peach … never give it up. Soon as y' do, yer dead. She ceased her struggles and fell slack against him. While he fought to figure out what had happened to her, she gripped the knife at her belt, withdrawing it from the sheath and plunging it into his thigh in one smooth motion. He dropped her like a hot rock as he howled in pain.

Sophia shot up the ladder to the roof of the RV, Carol right behind her. She crawled to the edge and steadied herself, taking aim from her great vantage point to help the others fighting off the small horde. "Mama! Help me! Shoot them!" she shrieked.

Carol froze, her eyes following Ed as he limped away as quickly as he could, trailing blood and screaming like a girl. The wound in his leg, a fitting comeuppance for a fraction of the horror their daughter had suffered, gushed with each faltering step he made, ringing the dinner bell for the approaching geeks. He looked over his shoulder and tripped. They were on him in seconds. Ripping, tearing at his flesh, their rotted teeth sinking into him, causing his screams to increase in pitch and volume. His agony swelled and spilled out over the quarry in one long shriek of agony, and Carol couldn't muster up the slightest bit of sympathy for him. A monster destroyed by a monster. Each nip at his flesh was justice for one year of abuse at his hands, every tear into muscle and bone Karma's way of meting out his sentence. Hysterical laughter bubbled up inside her, but she managed to tamp it down and focus on her aim as she began to fire.

Sophia winced as she watched three walkers descend upon her father. "Mama, should I shoot him, so he doesn't turn?"

But Carol didn't answer. The cavalry had arrived, guns blazing and Daryl was in the lead … screaming her name.