Call for a Good Time

Chapter 18

Daryl growled as he jumped onto the bed. He hated hospitals and if it hadn't been for Hershel and Carl he would have taken care of the bullet wounds at home. His whole world had caved in around him, and from what he could hear coming from the next curtain over where Merle was, his had too. He knew Beth didn't have any feelings for Shane, that she was just trying to protect them, but hell if that didn't hurt worse. He was supposed to protect her, not the other way around. He was pissed off at himself and ready to rip Shane's throat out. When the nurse came in he waved at the curtains on either side of them. "Pull 'em back," he grunted. She looked at him for a moment but did as he asked. Rick was on one side of him and Merle on the other.

"You doin' okay?" Rick asked.

"I'll be okay when I rip his heart out through his throat," Daryl growled. "I'm going after them; you can either have my back or arrest me now."

Rick shook his head as the nurse pulled the bullet from his shoulder. None of their wounds were going to leave any permanent damage and they were going to be released as soon as they were bandaged up. "I'm going to have your back. If I go with, I can file a report to keep you and Merle out of trouble and deal with Shane at the same time."

Daryl nodded his head, pleased with how the cop was stepping up, especially considering the Dixon's history with the law. "What's the plan?" Merle growled from his bed where the nurse was digging around in his hip looking for the bullet but he wouldn't sit still.

Rick sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Well, I guess we need to hope she has her cellphone on her and it's turned on. If not it's going to be very difficult to find her."

Daryl nodded his head as Maggie and Glenn came back. "How're you doing?" he asked looking at Maggie.

She had tears in her eyes and was clinging to Glenn. "Promise me you're going to get her back."

Daryl nodded his head. "I'm gonna bring her home Maggie."

…

Beth glanced at Shane as he turned into a gas station. "Where are we going?" she asked, palming the phone in her pocket. She was thankful she was like every other girl and had to have her phone on her at all times. If she was lucky, and very careful, she'd be able to get a text to Daryl, maybe keep him updated on her situation.

Shane glanced at her as threw the car into park and shut it off. "North Carolina, I've got a friend there who has a boat for us so we can get out of the country." He grabbed the keys and his wallet, getting out and walking to the pump.

Her heart was hammering in her chest as she grabbed her phone and dimmed the screen so the light wouldn't alert Shane. She quickly sent a text message to Daryl, telling him what Shane was planning. She bit her lip as she silenced the ringer and tucked it back into her pocket. As long as she could keep Shane oblivious that she was leaving bread crumbs she may make it out of this alive. For a brief moment she considered making a run for it, but with him standing that close, and the gun tucked away in his waistband she decided against it.

He climbed back in the car and looked at her. "Are you hungry?" he asked.

Beth felt like she was going to be sick. She smiled as best as she could and shook her head. "I'm just tired."

Shane nodded his head and stared the car again. "Well, let's go get a room for the night then."

Beth had to suppress the shiver when he said that. The last thing she wanted was to be locked in a room with him all night. God only knew what he was going to try to do to her. But, on the other hand, it would give Daryl time to catch up to them. She just had to keep Shane oblivious as she kept sending him messages. While Shane drove, Beth pulled her phone out again and kept it between herself and the door. She acted like she was looking out of the window, making sure there was no reflection on the glass that he could see before she sent Daryl another text, telling him they were stopping to get a room and she would send him the name when they got there.

She really hoped he was going to come for her and he wasn't furious with her. She had kissed Shane right in front of him while he was bleeding out on the floor. She bit her lip, taking a deep breath to steady herself before she could start crying. She needed to be strong right now and she was going to make sure that Shane didn't find a weakness to exploit. That was the last thing she needed.

Beth jumped when he put his hand on her knee and looked at her. "I'm going to take such good care of you sweetheart."