Chapter Twelve: Rescue!
Daryl barreled through the brush, a flashlight strapped to his crossbow providing adequate light to follow the trail Carol was clearly leaving for him. She was so smart, he thought proudly. All the hiking they'd done, the hunting trips he'd taken her on, had been useful after all. She'd paid attention to his teachings, and now it would no doubt save her life. It appeared as though she was stomping, rather than using her usual delicate step, her prints grooved deeper into the loam of the forest floor. Broken branches, freshly scattered leaves pulled from them … hell, even a novice would be able to follow her trail.
"This way!" he called back to Merle who had his flashlight in one hand and his phone in the other.
Daryl swayed drunkenly as he turned back toward the path, his hand landing heavily against a tree, catching himself as he stumbled. Merle reached out to steady him, but Daryl shook him off.
"Y' ain't gonna be able t' help her if y' pass out, brother."
"Fuck you, Merle! Least I'm tryin' t' do somethin' instead o' playin' on my fuckin' phone," he snarled.
Merle gnashed his teeth. "I am helpin', y' asshole!" he bristled, shoving the phone under Daryl's nose to show him the GPS app open on the screen.
Daryl tried to focus as he regained his bearings, but the screen was still a little blurry due to the relentless pounding in his skull. "What th' hell am I even looking at?"
Merle followed Daryl as he continued through the woods, eyes on the trail ahead of them. "I'm tracking her. I put a chip in th' locket I gave her. Kinda figured Ed was gonna try somethin' stupid."
"Y' put a tracker on her?! Who th' fuck does that, Merle? I mean, how do y' even know about shit like that?" Daryl asked, kneeling briefly to inspect the trail.
Merle was a sucker for cop dramas. His DVR was filled with them. "Hey, I watch CSI. I know shit!" he said defensively. "I'm just glad she decided t' wear it t'night."
Daryl shook his head, amazed. "Can y' really tell where they're headin'?"
Merle grinned. "The marina."
They moved further down the path, closing the distance with every minute which passed. He and Merle moved in sync, much like they did when hunting, always able to anticipate the other. "Why'd y' do it?" Daryl asked, side-eyeing his brother.
Merle frowned as he scanned their surroundings, pushing ahead as he returned his focus to the little red dot on the screen. "I care about her, too," he mumbled, barely discernable enough for his brother to hear.
"Merle …"
"She makes y' happy, ok. Don't want y' t' lose that, brother," he admitted grudgingly. Neither of the brothers were comfortable with sharing their feelings, and when they did, it made him feel all too awkward. But he couldn't lie to him.
"We ain't losin' her," Daryl growled, hoping if he said it often enough it would become fact instead of just hope. It touched him, knowing his brother was looking out for them. He made a vow to himself when it was all over; he'd find some way to repay Merle.
"No, we ain't."
*.*.*
Rick held the flashlight over the map of the island which was spread out over the hood of the police cruisers. He was out of his jurisdiction, but the local law enforcement was more than happy to allow him to help due to his personal involvement with the missing woman. Lieutenant Humphries was already barking orders, sending out his units to seal off every avenue of escape from the island.
His phone rang, and he held up a hand to tell the lieutenant he'd only be a moment. "Grimes," he barked into the phone, relieved when he heard Daryl's gravelly voice on the other end.
"Th' bastard's headin' towards th' marina! Send th' cops there now," Daryl huffed, having picked up his pace, afraid Ed was going to try to get off the island by taking her across the lake.
Rick swiped a hand over his face in frustration. "Daryl, he could be anywhere by now. As dark as it is, you can't have found much of a trail."
"Which goes t' show y' don't know my Carol. Even you could follow a trail this clear. Now get your ass t' th' marina. I ain't waitin' on y'."
"Daryl … Daryl?!"
Shane frowned as Rick stared in disbelief at his phone. "What's up with th' Dixons?"
"He hung up on me. Damnit!" He turned back to Humphries. "We need to send all available units to the marina. Our tracker believes Peletier is going to try to take Carol off the island by boat."
Shane secured his borrowed Kevlar vest and cocked his Mossberg. "What're we waiting for … let's go, man!"
*.*.*
Carol shivered as Ed pried the rusty lock off the boathouse and pushed her inside. The longer she spent with him, the more hope faded from her heart. "Wh-What are we doing here? Ed, y'know it's not too late to take me back. I won't even press charges," she lied. Like hell, she wouldn't. The man was destined for a comfy padded cell and a straightjacket. Might as well toss in a Thorazine drip just to be on the safe side.
The man didn't pause in his task, dragging her over to a small inflatable boat – similar to the rescue crafts the coast guard used – with an outboard motor which seemed stocked with a few supplies and two extra gas cans. "You think I'm stupid, Carol? That it?" he scoffed. "I ain't changing my mind." His voice lowered as he fiddled with the mooring lines, speaking more to himself than to her. "I have to get you away from that redneck trash. He turned you against me … have to protect you. I have to make you see you belong to me."
Carol took a step back, her eyes whipping from side to side, seeking an avenue of escape. If she turned to run back the way they'd come in, it would be easy for Ed to shoot her in the back. But what was she supposed to do once he had her out in open water with the entire lake separating her from Daryl?
Ed spoke again before she could make up her mind, a demented smile twisting his mouth. "Don't worry; you're gonna be so happy with me … just like we'd always planned before you ruined everything by running away."
Oh, shitballs! "What are you talking about, Ed?" she asked, taking a small step back, and then another, needing to put some distance between them. He was too close. God, please no!
He reached out to her, enveloping her in a tight embrace, the gun pressed against her spine. Carol was afraid to move, terrified even to breathe. She could taste the sharp twang of fear on her tongue, suffocating from his close proximity. "I know it ain't your fault, Margaret. I know it was because of Marie … because she didn't want you to be with me. But she ain't here now. We can be together. We can be happy."
Carol trembled as he let her go, gently taking her arm and leading her to the boat. He was delusional. She had no idea who this Margaret person was, but she had the feeling it hadn't ended well between her and Ed. "Ed, I think you need to see someone who can help you. This is crazy!" she hissed, feeling the first true stirrings of panic well up in her chest. "Daryl will never stop trying to find me."
"I'M NOT CRAZY!" he yelled, taking her upper arm in a bruising grip and tossing her down into the boat. "You'll see when you've had enough time to recover. That Dixon asshole turned you against me, but he won't be able to find us once we hit the highway, Carol. We'll be free to be together, to start a family and be happy."
Carol rubbed her arm and shrank back away from him, her fingers closing over the pocket of her skirt where the knife Daryl had given her was hidden. She just needed to pick her moment … and pray she didn't get herself killed in the process.
*.*.*
Daryl could hear the shrill screech of sirens far off in the distance as he and Merle burst through the tree line and vaulted over a shallow ditch, stumbling slightly as his feet met asphalt. His vision swam as the throbbing in his head continued. He could only be thankful the gash on his head had stopped bleeding. His brother was worse than a mother hen. He stood there on the shoulder of the road, trying to focus, squinting his eyes as they played over the familiar surroundings.
The trail had led them on a merry chase through the woods, ending there at the road. He recognized the smattering of storage buildings at the edge of a parking lot leading to a boathouse. It wasn't far from the cove where he'd spent the afternoon with Carol, but he'd thought the old building was abandoned. Daryl held his crossbow at the ready, uneasy as he stood out in the open. It wouldn't surprise him if Ed tried to take a pot shot at him.
Merle stood at his left flank, and Daryl motioned him to follow. Even in the dim light, the chain lying there in front of the doors stood out like a beacon. Hurried steps carried him quickly across the road and next to the building where he could peer through one of the dusty windows. It was then he heard the sound which would surely haunt his nightmares for years to come. Merle paled, the color leeching from his face as he too heard the sound of the outboard coming to life.
"Fuckin' hell!" his brother cursed as Daryl flung the door open, crossbow held before him ready to fire, and entered the boathouse at a run. His lips parted in horror, silently moving as his mind tried to grasp the sight of his girl fading into the distance, only the light of the moon left to illuminate the terror in her azure eyes.
"Daryl!" she shrieked, her voice carrying over the water, a fear unlike he'd ever heard lacing her tone.
It snapped him out of the state of shock seeking to engulf him, and he hopped into the boat Merle was already casting off. It was bigger, a sturdier vessel made of aluminum, with a more powerful outboard engine. Surely, his brother would be able to overtake them quickly. As soon as Merle took his place behind the wheel, Daryl fired up the motor and pushed off. He barely paid any attention at all to Rick and Shane leading a group of s.w.a.t into the building. His only concern was Carol.
*.*.*
"Ed, you've got to stop! You're going to get us killed!" she shrieked over the driving wind as she pulled at his hand gripping the steering wheel. She landed with a faint oomph as he pushed her roughly away.
'Just sit down and shut up, Carol! I'm not letting him take you from me."
Carol scooted back behind him, which wasn't easy as the small craft bounced over the water. Her stomach roiled and churned with nausea, but she fought against the urge to throw up. She could see the brothers following, the larger and more powerful boat gaining on them in steady increments. Even in the dark of night, she could see the fear warring with intense focus on her love's face.
She had to do something! She couldn't allow Ed's madness to win. From what she could see by the light of the full moon, they were nearly in the center of the vast lake. There was no more time to waste. Carol palmed the knife through the fabric of her skirt, letting its solid weight comfort her before inching her hand towards her pocket.
Her eyes flickered towards Ed, hoping he would continue to concentrate on their precarious journey across the water instead of her. She kept her movements to a minimum as she slid the blade free, and swept her hand behind her, slashing through the thick canvas.
Carol hadn't expected the sudden whoosh of air or the quick deflation of the pontoon. Ed cursed as the boat became harder to control. He met her defiant gaze and sneered at the small knife in her hand. They were going to sink, and their only course of rescue depended on the two hot-headed rednecks bearing down on them.
Ed drew his pistol from the waistband of his trousers, brandishing it before him, but Carol wasn't going to wait around to be murdered. As the boat began taking on water, she shoved Ed hard in the chest and dove into the chilly water as the gun fired.
*.*.*
Daryl felt his heart stop as the boat carrying Carol began to falter. Merle slowed minutely, cursing as he watched Carol dive into the water. "Can she swim, brother? Fuck, can she swim!? Daryl!"
Daryl's hands whitened on the side of the boat only a moment before he was yanking his boots off. He didn't hesitate – despite the panicked look on his brother's face – diving into the murky water and swimming hell-bent towards the woman he loved, the woman he'd happily give his life for.
Ed was firing wildly. Merle gunned the engine, circling to come back for another pass, trying to give Daryl time to reach Carol, afraid Ed would turn his focus on the younger Dixon floundering in the water with Carol. Merle drew his own gun and returned fire.
Another boat was heading across the lake, this one belonging to the local sheriff who regularly patrolled the lake. Merle could see Rick and Shane near the bow, a bullhorn held to Rick's mouth ordering Ed to surrender.
A fiery explosion illuminated the night sky, a stray bullet from Merle's pistol striking the spare gas can on the sinking vessel. A spark had been all that was needed to send the craft blowing apart. Merle whipped the boat sharply to the right, the police boat doing the same but to the left. By the light of the fire, he searched frantically for Carol and his brother.
*.*.*
Carol glided through the water, Daryl's fingers wrapped tightly around her wrist. She gasped for breath as tears streamed over her face, so relieved to see him unharmed and there with her. There was chaos on the lake, gunfire, rescue vessels, Ed screaming profanities. She clutched at Daryl as the explosion created a wave, pushing the water outward with the blast and sending them right along with it. Adrenaline pumped through her veins, giving her the energy she needed to tread water and remain afloat.
Daryl's arm slipped around her waist, securing her to his side, his lips searching for hers. He kissed her as if his very life depended on it, but she couldn't allow it to continue – no matter how much she wished otherwise. He was tiring quickly. "Thought I'd lost you," he admitted on a broken sob. "Are y' ok? Did he hurt y'?"
His fingers found the bruise on her cheek, brushing it softly, but she shook her head. Ed wasn't worth his anger. If he had somehow survived the explosion, he would be going away for a long time to pay for his numerous crimes. "I'm fine. Better than fine." She kissed him again to back up her claim and try to put his fears to rest. "You found me."
"Always," he assured her. "You're my girl … I'll always find y'."
Carol watched as his eyes grew heavy, his hand moving to the side of his head as his face screwed up in agony. "Daryl?" she cried as he began to sink. "Daryl!"
Ed had hit him hard enough to knock him out. He probably had a concussion, yet he'd fought to find her, to save her. Now it was her turn. She grabbed two fistfuls of his shirt and held onto his, kicking her legs to keep them both afloat until someone came over to pluck them from the water. Carol wasn't going to lose him now, certainly not to drowning when she was there and could protect him. She wrapped an arm around his neck as she slipped behind him, his chin resting in her hand to keep his head above water.
"Merle!" she called, trying to draw his attention. She didn't stop shouting his name until her voice was hoarse and he was pulling the boat up next to them. Rick and Shane were with him, their eager hands reaching down to pull Daryl onto the vessel to wrap him in a warm blanket.
Merle lifted her from the lake and pulled a blanket around her shivering frame, rubbing her arms briskly before hugging her tightly. "Y' did real good, lil' darlin'. I'm so glad yer safe now."
"Daryl! Merle, Daryl's hurt," she said, fighting her way free of his embrace to kneel down beside Daryl.
Rick draped the blanket back over Carol's shoulders and smiled warmly. "We've got an ambulance waiting at the docks, Carol. They're going to take you to the hospital in town to get checked out."
It was as though those were the words she'd been waiting to hear. She laid down on the floor of the vessel, curling herself around Daryl and promptly fell asleep.
*.*.*
Daryl had woken up his cranky best in the ambulance. He'd argued fiercely that he didn't need to go to the 'damn hospital', but Carol had insisted. He'd lost consciousness twice within the span of just a few hours, and they needed to do a scan of his head to make sure it wasn't something more severe than a concussion.
The hospital staff had been excellent, used to dealing with unruly patients. They'd even given the pair some scrubs to wear instead of their drenched clothes. Once dry and warm, his mood had somewhat improved, but they'd been there for hours, and Daryl was becoming more irritated with each second which passed. His cat scan had come back with no anomalies aside from the concussion, and they were left to cool their heels awaiting their discharge papers. Thankfully, all Carol had needed was an ice pack to bring down the swelling in her cheek and some ibuprofen for the pain.
Merle stuck his head into the room and grinned, happy to see his brother lying back against the pillows on the small hospital gurney, Carol tucked against his side. "Hey, baby brother, I was hopin' I'd find y'all awake. Y' up t' some visitors? Rick jus' got back from the island, an' I thought y'all would wanna hear th' news firsthand."
Daryl pushed himself up a little straighter in the bed, but refused to let go of Carol. It would be a long time before the fear of losing her left him. At least now she'd be able to return to her life without constantly having to look over her shoulder. "Sure, Merle. C'mon in."
Merle pushed the door open wide, letting Rick in. Their friend shook Daryl's hand before taking a seat in the chair, leaving Merle to lean back against the wall. "Merle told me you both checked out ok, and, Carol, I already filled Michonne in. She's worried, but she didn't want to come and crowd you. Not to mention, Professor Marks is having a meltdown that one of his students was capable of kidnapping. She's trying to sort him out now."
Daryl rolled his eyes. "Would y' jus' tell us what happened? Is th' bastard dead?"
"Daryl …"
"No, Carol," he argued. "The fucker tried t' bash my skull in an' then kidnapped y'. An' that's jus' what he did t'night. That don't count all the weeks he's been stalkin' y'. I hope he burns in hell!"
"Why don't y' tell us how y' really feel, brother," Merle chortled.
Carol shot him a pointed look and Merle settled down. "Rick, Ed called me 'Margaret'. Do you know who this person is?"
Rick briefly explained about Ed's former obsession and how Margaret Littleton had become his first victim. "The feds are still investigating her death, but hopefully it will be resolved soon. They're also working on getting Marie released from the asylum."
"What about Ed? Is he … is he dead?"
Rick nodded. "His body was recovered from the lake about an hour ago. They're going to need his dental records to identify the body, however. He was burned –"
"He's a crispy critter!" Merle said, laughing at his own quip.
Carol breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm sorry he wasn't able to get help for his delusions. I never wished him dead. I just wanted to be left alone, y'know?" She sighed, leaning into Daryl as he pressed a kiss to her temple. "I'm just glad it's over."
Rick rose to his feet, turning to glance at the door. "I'm going to head back to the B & B to check on 'Chonne. Did you want me to wait to give you a lift back to the island?"
Daryl shook his head. "Naw, man, thanks. Merle's got my truck. He's going to bring us back just long enough to get our things."
Carol smiled. "I'm ready to go home."
Daryl grinned and gave her a little squeeze. "Home. I like the sound o' that." And he meant it. Impossible circumstances had brought them to the island, but he didn't regret it. He'd found the courage to admit his love for her, confidence to make her his, and the future now stretched before them with the promise of more. And he couldn't wait to get started.
A/n: Well, was it everything you'd hoped? I have trouble writing action scenes, and I really hope I did ok with this one. Thank you all, my darling readers, who have supported me through the course of this story. It means everything to me. Hope everyone has a great Monday. I should be posting the epilogue on Wednesday.
Buckets of love to my betas BettyBubble and Geektaire.