Candice sat in the back still. Georgette was asleep on her right and Athena was still awake over in the opposite corner. Ares had decided to move behind Odilia. It was almost nightfall and they wanted to keep moving. They still had some time before they got back on the main road in Illinois. They didn't want to try and cut anymore corners and lose track of where they were. Candice couldn't help but stare at the large silver watch that hung around Athena's neck. She decided to try and make some small talk.
"That's a pretty necklace." Athena looked up at her confused then her face lit up.
"Oh ya, this," she said, putting her hand over it. "Almost forgot it was there, I'm always wearing it. It was my grandpa's. Decided to put it on a silver chain and wear it. Didn't wanna risk ever losing it."
"We have a jacket from our father. Georgette is usually the one who wears it. He put it on her." Candice looked over at a still sleeping Georgette. The faded angel wings were visible on her back. There were tears in the leather here and there but for the most part it had held up pretty well. Candice saw Athena put on a small smile; it made the fierce, serious look wash right off of her face.
"I'm sorry about what we almost did to you guys," she said, "You seem like decent people for the most part." She saw her glance at Georgette. Candice laughed and said
"My sister can be…. overbearing sometimes but I'm sure you'll grow to like her."
The next morning they stopped alongside the road to rest for a bit and stretch their legs. Georgette spotted a small pond nearby. It was hot out and she was unable to resist the urge she quickly untied her boots, kicked them off, ran and jumped into the water making a big splash. She let out a groan of pleasure as the cool water washed around her sweaty feet.
"You guys gotta try this." One by one they untied their shoes and joined Georgette in the pond, except for Athena who stood back and watched, her arms crossed over her chest. Odilia stood next to her, her eyes closed in contentment. When she opened them and looked down she let out a sound of shock.
"What happened to your toes?" Georgette had almost forgotten what had happened.
"Oh ya, bad case of frostbite unfortunately, but I re-learned how to walk."
"Wow," said Odilia, "I knew a lady who got her leg taken off by a gator. Vince made her a brand new leg and within a couple of months she was walkin' around just the same as she did before." Georgette looked up at Candice who wasn't paying attention. She was burying her feet in the sand at the bottom of the pond.
"Thank God Candice was there with me, would of starved to death if she wasn't." She heard her sister call out Athena's name and then urge her over.
"Come on it feels great!" Athena looked at Candice with a cold gaze but then leaned down and removed her shoes. She walked down to the edge and walked into the water. A small smile replaced the frown and she said
"This does feel great." Georgette didn't have a problem with Candice and Athena getting closer, but there was high tension between she and her. She wouldn't let this girl move into the leadership role and take things over. This was she and Candice's journey, their operation and nothing was going to stop them.
Beth couldn't help but slip her hand in between her legs. She let out a moan as she ran her finger over her clit, teasing herself. She couldn't help but let her thoughts lose. She thought of him, his large, rough hands holding tightly onto her hips as he leaned her over a table, pounding into her. She remembered his rough voice growling out her name with lust. Sex had been their release. Whatever the day had held for them, no matter what they had seen or done she knew she could let all of the pent up energy out. It was why their arguments had almost always ended in angry sex. They had been so in sync with each other physically and emotionally it became another part of their daily routine. They knew every inch of each others bodies. Beth knew what Daryl liked. Once they'd settled in the village they no longer had to worry about basic needs like food, water and shelter and they turned to material things. She had one of the women pick her up the stuff so it'd be a surprise. She'd wear high heels, lace, and his favorite, corsets. As animalistic and lustful as it was, her love for him burned. Aside from her first time, one of their most romantic moments was when they had decided to try for another baby which had resulted in Candice.
Beth lay on her stomach on the bed. She stared at the pill pack. She should be starting it tonight. She'd just finished her period and all of the placebo pills were gone. She set it on the nightstand and sat up., adjusting her night gown as she cross crossed her legs. She saw the light from the candle in the living room go out and a moment later, Daryl appeared in the doorway. He was bare chested and was only wearing long flannel pants. It was cold out and Beth was chilly in the nightgown but she knew once she was under the covers and in Daryl's arm it'd be warm. He saw her shiver and climbed onto the bed and slid in behind her. He pulled her into him. She felt his deep voice rumble in his chest when he spoke,
"Georgette's all tucked in." She didn't answer him. Should she mention it? Would he shut her down completely if she even mentioned it?
"Daryl do you think we can settle here? For the rest of Georgette's child hood at least?" She remembered the town they'd originally been in. She had thought she could put down roots there too. She turned to face him, looking questioningly into his eyes. To her surprise he had a smile on his face.
"I was thinkin' for the rest of our lives." She couldn't help but reach up and pull him in for a kiss. When they broke apart they were both breathing heavily and she could feel his hands snake from her waist down to her hips and then onto her upper thighs.
"Daryl I need to talk to you." His grip loosened on her and a look of concern crossed his face. "There's nothing wrong." She pulled away from him and then repositioned herself so that she was straddling him. "We're safe here, there's nothing to be afraid of anymore. We can't let what happens outside of the fences affect how we live our lives inside." She paused for another moment and then said "I don't think Georgette should grow up alone." It took him a moment to register what she was suggesting. He ran his hands down her back in a comforting motion.
"You want another baby?" Fearing he'd reject the idea she said
"I mean if you don't want to, it's ok, I was just thinking that-" He shushed her and with a smirk he said
"There ain't nothin' else I want more in this world then to make as many little Dixons as possible." Giving him a playful smack she said
"I'm serious!" He looked into her eyes and said
"Well then I want another too; you're right about the fences." She smiled and pulled him in for another kiss. It was long and full of passion. He pulled away and he said "We do make beautiful babies." Giggling she kissed him again and pulled herself further up onto him. She felt him reach under her shirt, cup her breasts and play with her nipples. She let out a moan of pleasure and worked to get her nightgown off over her head. As he leaned and sucked one into his mouth she couldn't help but grind up against his erection, soaking her thin lace panties completely. He ran a finger over the material and he smirked "You want me bad don't ya?" A whimper was all she could muster as she continued to grind her clit against him.
He flipped her over so she was underneath him, her blonde hair splayed out all over the pillow. He took a moment to drink her in.
"You're so beautiful Beth."
"I love you," she said, feeling hypnotized by his blue eyes.
"I love you too." He leaned in and buried his face into her neck, leaving a trail of open mouthed kisses. She easily pushed off his flannel pants, happy to see that he hadn't been wearing boxers underneath. She grabbed onto him and slowly teased him, running her hand up and down his hard length. "You're killin' me girl." She giggled and ran her thumb lightly over the soft tip. He let out a low groan, slowly moving into her hand. She pulled away, leaving him wanting more. He grabbed onto her hips and lifted her up so she was pressed to him. He gently slid into her. She gasped, loving the feeling of him filling her up completely. She wrapped her legs around him and moved with his thrusting. It wasn't rough but sweet and gentle. She felt the pleasure slowly building as he hit the right spot. She dug her nails into his back as she came, riding out the amazing feeling. He went soon after her and pushed into her completely, releasing himself deep inside of her.
Breathing heavily, they lay next to each other. Daryl briefly sat up and blew out the candle on the nightstand, then he pulled the covers over them and pulled her against him. With a smile she said
"Goodnight Mr. Dixon."
"'Night Mrs. Dixon." She closed her eyes and tried to imagine what they're next child would look like. Maybe her blonde hair this time?
They were back on the road again. This time Georgette sat behind Odilia. She could hear her sister chatting away with Athena and Ares behind her. They had been back on the main road for awhile now. She expected to see a sign for Kentucky soon. Once they reached that they'd only be two states away. Then the real search would begin, searching for their parents.
Annalise set her basket of clothes down by the river's edge and instantly got to work. She knelt down and picked one of her mother's shirts out and dipped in the water. She began to scrub at it with the sponge, not even noticing someone else come sit down next to her.
"Hey, are you ok? Haven't seen you out in awhile?" She recognized Beau's voice. She didn't want to turn her head so he'd see her black eye.
"Just been busy." There was a silence between them and she knew Beau knew she was lying. She felt him grab onto his arm and gently turn her towards him. When he saw her eye she felt his grip tighten.
"Did she fucking do this to you." She pulled away so he could no longer see it.
"Doesn't matter," she said, "It's done with."
"She's an old witch." Something in his tone changed. "Oughta be taught a lesson." She had never heard his voice sound so angry.
"Just let it be," she said, "She's my mother, nothing I can do about it."
"But you could," he said, "You could get away with it. Vince would understand, trust me." She wasn't quite sure what he was suggesting but brushed it off and said
"She's still my mother, gotta put up with her." She looked at him again; his eyes were clouded over with deep anger and resentment. It scared her a little bit so she put her hand on his shoulder and said "I promise you I'll eventually get away from her, it's just not that easy." For a moment she thought he was going to yell at her but instead he sighed and said
"Alright."
"She's getting worse every day," she said, "Been only letting me go out for laundry, to get food and to church. She's paranoid about the disappearances." He seemed to freeze as he stared down into the water. "Do you think we're really safe here? It seemed like such a great place when we first arrived."
"Like I said a few days ago, you're going to be fine. I know it." He got up and started heading back up the shore. She wasn't letting him off the hook that easily. She wiped her hands on her jeans and got up, quickly following after him.
"Hey wait up! Where are you going?"
"Home, don't want your mom to see us."
"She won't she was still asleep when I left, probably won't be up for another hour or so. Can I come with you?"
"Don't you have laundry to finish?"
"Well if you help me we can get it done quick and then go to your place." He looked hesitant and then said
"Alright, sure." They worked side by side and it took them about fifteen minutes to get everything washed and hung to dry. She was up on her feet first, excited to go. She'd never been to Beau's house. She knew he lived further away from the center of town, but she didn't know where.
He led the way down the street and soon they turned off onto a dirt road. Soon all of the other houses were out of sight and they were in the woods. She saw his house appear out of the thick trees. It was older looking and the white paint was peeling but otherwise it looked like he'd kept it pretty stable.
"You live all the way out here alone?" He nodded and said
"Ya, I like it. It's quiet and peaceful." They walked into the front yard. The lawn was overgrown and it backed up into the woods but there was a clear beaten path to the front door. He took out his keys and opened it up. The door creaked open and they walked into an old mud room. There were several muddy boots but one pair caught her attention, they were soaked in what looked like blood. He saw her looking at them in disgust.
"Helped Vince skin a deer earlier, haven't had a chance to clean them up." She nodded and said
"You're awful close to him. Is he your dad?"
"Kinda." She laughed and said
"What do you mean?"
"He's always been there for me since I was a kid, taught me everything I know." She didn't want to dig to deep but she said
"So he's not your biological dad?"
"No," said Beau, "I never met my real dad, died before I was born."
"My dad got taken by the biters," she said, "When I was little. I remember him a little bit, he never hit me like my mom but he didn't really pay attention to me. I wasn't very sad when he did die. I never got close to him to be sad."
"I had two sisters, but they're dead too. Never got to meet them either." There was nothing sad in his tone of voice and she was relieved that she hadn't upset him. He pushed open the next door and they walked into the kitchen. It looked like a typical kitchen. There was an island in the middle, a fridge, countertops, two sinks and a stove. "Not much to see," he said. He led her into the next room off to the right which was an old dining room. There was dust across the table and it was clear he didn't often eat there. Next was the living room which he clearly actively used. The couches looked like they'd been sat in. He brought her up an old rickety staircase and showed her the second floor. There were three bedrooms. The master bedroom, which he slept in and two other smaller ones which had no furniture and were covered in dust. He pointed out the staircase that led to the attic and then they headed back downstairs. When they got back into the kitchen Annalise saw another wooden door in the corner she hadn't noticed before. She reached for the doorknob and said
"What's down there?" He quickly moved in front of the door.
"Nothing, just the basement." She looked at him suspiciously but didn't press the matter.
A sharp knock on the door made them both jump. Annalise turned to see a woman standing outside the door in the mud room. She knocked again and waved. She had long blonde hair and looked to be in her 30's.
"That's my mom." Beau walked forward and pulled open the door.
"Hey sweetie." When she leaned up and kissed him on the cheek she could see him cringe a bit. She hid her look of amusement. "Donna made some of those cookies you love; I brought a batch over for you." She set a wrapped plate down on the counter.
"Thanks."
"Whose this?" The woman turned to her and smiled brightly.
"I'm Annalise."
"She's my friend." The woman held out her hand and Annalise shoke it.
"I'm Beth, Beau's mom."
"It's nice to meet you." There was an awkward silence until Beth said
"Well I better go then," Slyly she added, "I'll leave you two alone." Beau's face got red, she wasn't sure if it was because of embarrassment or anger.
"I should probably get going too," said Annalise, "My mom will be wondering where I am." Beth smiled and said
"I'll walk with you."
"Bye Beau," she said with a smile, "I'll see you later." He mumbled goodbye back and then she and Beth left the house.
"So how long have you lived here? I don't recall seeing you around."
"A month ago," said Annalise, "I moved here with my mother."
"I hope you like it here."
"Oh we do," she said, "Everyone's been so nice and welcoming, especially Beau." Mention of her son made Beth smile wider.
"He's opened up to you?"
"Ya." She thought about going into details but decided that reminding this woman of Beau's deceased father and sisters might not be the best idea. "He's been very sweet."
"I'm glad he's getting close to someone," she said, "He's always been really introverted and quiet." They reached town and Beth continued to walk with her until she reached her house.
"If you don't mind me asking, what happened to your face?" She had almost forgotten about her black eye.
"Oh, um, I just fell down the stairs yesterday." The look of concern crossed Beth's face and she said queitly
"It wasn't my son was it?" This woman wasn't stupid, she knew Anna had lied.
"No! God no! Beau's been great!"
"Good," she said, "I knew he wasn't like that." She was quiet for another moment before she said "If you ever need any help or anything don't hesitate to ask or come find me. I live a street over from here, in a light blue house. If you ask around people will give you specific directions." She nodded, feeling a lot better. Nobody had ever blatantly taken her under their wing like that. Sure Beau had been nice and supportive but this was different. She had a motherly aura. It was a radical difference in contrast to her own mother. Annalise nodded and said
"Thanks so much, I'll keep that in mind."
"I'll see you later Annalise, it was nice meeting you."
"You too." Beth gave her one last supportive smile and then turned to go back up the street. Annalise watched her go and then went inside. She was relieved to see her mother still asleep on the couch. When she woke up she'd tell her she'd gone out to do laundry and come straight home. She set her things down and went into her bedroom to clean up a bit. If only she had a mother like Beau's.
It was the afternoon when they crossed the border into Kentucky. The terrain was much more rocky and mountainous and they finally decided to stop as the sun was going down. They found an old cottage in the woods to settle down at for the night. Georgette watched her sister start to pull bags out of the bag and bring them inside. Making herself useful, Georgette grabbed the wiring they used for animal traps and headed towards the woods.
"Hey you sure you don't want me to do that?" Odilia ran up next to her.
"Nah, you deserve a break, I'll be back in about a half hour." She continued on into the woods and walked out until she could no longer see the house or hear them talking. She set up the first trap and then continued on. She'd only put out three of them. They didn't need an overabundance of food, just enough for tomorrow. The woods grew thicker and thicker. When she saw an opening up ahead she headed towards it. In her rush, she dropped the bundle of wire and bent down to pick it up. Before she knew what was happening she heard something above her in the trees and felt something heavy fall onto her. She screamed out in pain when she felt a sharp, searing sensation rake her back. She heard a low growl and knew she was in trouble. She fell over onto her back so the animal was crushed underneath her weight. It released her and she quickly got back to her feet. She could feel the wet seep of blood on her back from where the animal had dug it's claws into her. She turned around and saw a mountain lion. It was also back on its feet, its tail swishing as it got ready to pounce on her again. As it leapt at her, she turned and ran as fast as she could towards the road, fumbling for her knife in her belt. She felt it hit her again but this time she stayed on her feet. It raked its claws across her back and sides, opening up deep wounds. She screamed in pain, hoping maybe someone besides walkers, would hear her. She was silenced when she felt the animal bite into the left side of her face, tearing the flesh away. She collapsed out onto the road, knowing she needed to do something or she was going to die. She finally managed to get a hold on her knife and she pulled it out of her belt. She reached around and began blindly stabbing at the lion still on her back. She must have gotten it because it let out a yelp of pain and released her. When it fell to the ground she plunged the knife into its head, making sure that it was actually dead. Her vision was cloudy but she was certain she still had both of her eyes. She got to her feet, feeling dizzy.
She spotted a dilapidated car up the road and stumbled towards it. The world was spinning and there was something heavy hanging off of her face. She made it over to the car and cleaned off some of the dust on the glass. She tried to get her vision to focus. When it did she saw what she looked like. The heavy thing hanging off of her face was actually her own flesh. It had been torn back away from her cheek and was hanging down in a thick chunk, gushing blood all over her shoulder and neck. She had long, deep claw marks up and down the sides. Her light gray shirt was now soaked the deep red color of blood. She lost her vision again and stumbled backwards. She fell to the ground, the good side of her face in the dirt. She tried to yell for help but she couldn't find her voice, instead a clot of blood came up in its place, making her mouth taste like it was full of pennies. She heard something that sounded distant. It was a clip clop sound. Like a horse. She was sure she was hallucinating, maybe dying. Maybe a beautiful white horse was coming to take her up. She closed her eyes, sure that at any moment she'd see the light at the end of the tunnel. When she opened them again she was surprised to see hooves in front of her face. A horse was standing in front of her. She could hear it snorting. She wanted to turn her head and look up at it but she didn't have the energy. She heard a voice say something that she couldn't make out. The last thing she felt before her consciousness faded out was someone picking her up.
Thanks electrickpanda, DarylDixon'sLover, MaddyMarie1212, K. Lynn Perks, stateofgrace-xo, Caitiann, FiveFiveGenie, eliza and all the guests :) Thank you so much for being so loyal and reviewing every week it means a lot to me! If I could bake you all a cake I would lol. So who has found Georgette? This will be the last subplot on their journey before they reach Georgia. The map of their remaining journey to Georgia is posted on my profile. Obviously they won't be going all the way into Atlanta but that was the location I used on Google Maps when I tracked their journey.
Also I absolutely loved the finale. I had a feeling we wouldn't be seeing Beth again until Season 5 but that's ok because from with Robert Kirkman has said it sounds like she will be an important part of next season's story and not end up on the grill like so many people thought. I can't wait for a Bethyl reunion and to see where they take their relationship :)
Thanks for reading,
Wanderlustt