They were back on the road again. It had been a two days since they had left the town. Tonight they had stopped in a suburban area full of never ending neighborhoods. They chose a two floored white house in the center of one of the streets. Daryl was the first to bust in, his crossbow raised. He and Tyreese quickly cleared the house before Beth came in. She sat down on the couch, feeling fatigued. All she wanted to do was find a place that they could stay and rest for awhile but this certainly wasn't the place. A large neighborhood would be the first place people would come and check for supplies and strangers weren't their friends. They could only afford to stay for a night. Daryl walked in from the kitchen and said
"Someone had a fire goin' in there recently. There's a pit in the center of the floor." Beth got up and followed him back in. There was in fact a pile of ash and half burnt wood piled on the floor. Tyreese came in the back door and said
"Found some footprints headed west out back. There were three people." Daryl moved past him and went outside to get a look for himself. He stood over the footprints in the dirt. "There are two sets of big footprints and then smaller ones," he said, his eyes narrowed, "They had moved at a normal pace so they weren't rushed or troubled."
"Think they were anybody we know?"
"Maybe Rick or Carl," said Daryl, "Don't know who the third person could be. When me 'n Beth were trackin' 'em awhile back it was only them two."
Beth stood back in the kitchen doorway listening. She felt her stomach rumble hungrily and headed back into the living room to get some jerky out of the bag. She'd leave the mystery solving to Daryl and Tyreese. Right now all she wanted was to sit down and eat. She unzipped one of the bags on the coffee table and quickly pulled out the bag of jerky. It slipped from her hand and fell to the floor just underneath the couch. Carefully she got down on her hands and knees to pick it up. As she looked under the couch and reached for it she spotted something else. A candy wrapper. She grabbed that a long with the jerky and then stood back up. She smoothed the wrapper out and got a good look at it. It was a Skittle Wildberry wrapper. Alarm bells went off in her head almost instantly. Wildberry Skittles had been Carl's favorite. She remembered one day seeing him carrying a pack. She asked him about it and he'd told her that they were his favorite. Of course they had been stale but that didn't stop him. She pressed the wrapper to her nose and the fruity scent was still fresh on the inside. She knew it was a sure sign that Rick and Carl had been there.
"Daryl!" He appeared in the doorway a moment later. She smiled up at him and held out the wrapper. "Carl and Rick were here!" He took the wrapper from her and said
"How do you know?"
"These were Carl's favorite," she said, "And the package still smells fruity."
"Then we ain't far behind 'em," he said, "Tomorrow we'll head out and follow their tracks."
Rick, Carl and Michonne had left two days earlier. They were now staying inside a small lake house next to a small lake. It was night and Carl was fast asleep in one of the bedrooms. It was the first time they'd been able to slow down for a bit and take a rest. Rick was sure Carl would sleep well beyond noon the next day. He and Michonne however, were still awake. They sat on the couch and had a fire going in the fireplace that made the whole place feel warm and homey.
"How close do you think we are?" Rick had been half asleep, leaning his head against the cushion.
"Hmmm?" He looked over at her and she looked into his eyes.
"How long do you think it will be before we find someone?" Rick shrugged and said
"We haven't found any tracks to follow," he said, "Who knows, maybe someone will find us instead." She smiled at him and said
"I wouldn't mind a little bit more time with just you and Carl." He smiled back and put an arm around her, pulling her closer to him. Rick couldn't help but have feelings for Michonne. She had pulled Carl through and grown a strong relationship with him. He'd be lying if he said he hadn't been looking at her back at the prison. They had a deep emotional connection as well. They both had lost their significant others and a child. They understood each other on a deep level.
He felt her head lean up against his shoulder. He kissed her on the forehead as she shut her eyes and dozed off. Together they would rebuild a life for themselves whether they found the others or not.
Maggie was busy with the garden. If she and Glen were going to stay put they'd need to start plannting fruit and vegetables to eat. Having been a farmer's daughter, she knew what plants grew best in the colder months. She had Glenn go out and get seeds for Brussels Sprouts, Carrots, Cabbage and Celery. Not the most delicious stuff but it was what the season would allow. She had been trying to keep herself busy these days. If she didn't she'd find herself sitting in bed all day, staring out the window and thinking about Beth and the others. She knew Glenn didn't like it. Ever since they found out she was pregnant he insisted on her resting more but she couldn't. She wouldn't allow herself to fall into a deeper depression. As if on cue, she heard footsteps behind her. She turned to see Glenn making his way over. He had told her he would be out setting traps. She didn't expect him back so soon.
"Hey," he said, "You've been out here for awhile now."
"Ya," she said, "Need to get these planted." She felt his hand on her shoulder.
"Come on inside," he said, "I'll finish it up."
"No," she said, "I can do it."
"I don't want you overworking yourself," he said, "Please come inside."
"I'm not going back inside that dark house until I have too."
Beth and Daryl settled in the master bedroom that night, lighting one small candle for some light. Tyreese had taken the downstairs bedroom. He had first watch and would switch out with Daryl laster that night. Beth sat up reading one of her pregnancy books. Daryl stared up at the ceiling, looking as if he was in deep thought.
"Whatcha thinking about?"
"You 'n the baby."
"What about us?"
"How I'm gonna keep you safe." She closed her book and set it on the nightstand. She snuggled up closer to him and wrapped her arms around him. He ran his hand through her hair, playing with her curls.
"I know you're gonna be able too."
"We're movin' around again," he said, "We need to find a safe 'n secure place for you. I don't know anythin' about bein' a doctor either. How are you supposed to deliver the baby?"
"Women gave birth to babies without doctors for hundreds of years," she said, " And we'll find a place before then," she said, "Don't worry, I have a lot of months left for us to find a place." She didn't want to admit that she was worried about the birth without having someone with medical expertise by her side. Images of Lori kept coming back to her mind but she pushed them away.
"Once you get bigger you ain't gonna be able to move as much as before."
"I know," she said, "But we got some time before that too." He ran his hand over her stomach and made his way up to her breasts. They hadn't had anytime alone lately and it was killing her. She could only imagine how he was feeling. She felt him slowly circle her sensitive nipples with his fingers. It instantly got her wet and she let out a moan, rolling her hips back into his lap. She could feel his hard cock pressing up against her, already straining to be let out. She turned around, quickly undid his belt and pulled his jeans down. She wanted it as much as he did but took her time, slowly stroking him.
"Fuck Beth," He had broken out into a sweat as she continued to pump up and down. He had become completely undone, his back arched as he moaned her name. She leaned down and licked the pre-cum that had leaked out of his tip. She took her time licking him like a lollipop before taking him entirely in his mouth. He let a low guttural groan. He grabbed the back of her head and tangled his fingers into her hair, controlling her movements and thrusting up to meet her. He became more erratic and then said "Fuck it," With one swift movement he had pulled her off of him and pushed her up so she was on her hands and knees. He thrust into her, taking what he wanted. He didn't waste any time and was wildly pumping into her. She heard him growl
"You like that baby girl?" She felt her desire build and found herself wanting something.
"Daryl, spank me." He didn't question her and she felt him bring his hand down on her ass, creating a painful but pleasurable burning sensation. He didn't take his hands off of her. He let them travel down across her rounded stomach and then cup her breasts, playing with her nipples again. She desperately pushed back against him, rubbing her clit up against him.
"Naughty girl," he said before biting down into her shoulder. Her climax came hard and fast as she sobbed out his name. She heard and felt him release as well, her pussy milking every last spurt of cum out of him before she collapsed back down onto the bed. She heard him next to her, breathing heavily.
"I missed that," he said, taking a deep breath. She rolled over and rested her head on his chest.
"We're gonna have to make more time for it." They pulled the covers over them and he pulled her closer to him. Daryl leaned up and blew out the candle. Both of them were fast asleep within minutes.
Daryl felt someone prodding him awake. At first he thought it was Beth but then he remembered Tyreese had to switch shifts with him. He sat up and saw Tyreese standing by the bed in the dark. He looked over at Beth she was still fast asleep, buried under the covers. He forgot that he was naked and slipped out bed, rubbing his eyes. He heard Tyreese jump in surprise.
"Aww man put on some clothes!" Daryl quickly covered himself back up with the sheets and said
"Sorry."
"I'm guessing you and Beth took advantage of being alone last night?"
"Mhmm." He grabbed his boxers off of the floor and pulled them on before letting go of the sheets.
"You're lucky you have someone," said Tyreese, "I wish I still had Karen." Daryl saw the sadness in his eyes and said
"She drives me sick with worry, I can't loose her."
"You won't," said Tyreese, "I got your back." Daryl knew he wasn't alone in this. He and Tyreese would be there to watch out for Beth.
Thanks crimsonrose0003, stateofgrace-xo, Fanficreader427, DarylDixon'sLover, VampireTrekkie1701, K. Lynn Perks, FiveFiveGenie, carld178, diana and all the guests for commenting :) This one was a bit short but the next will be longer. Ok so I have a question for you guys about the continuation of this story. Don't worry I have no intention of stopping lol but I was wondering if you guys would like to see me end Into the Unknown and continue the story in a sequel once Georgette & Co. get settled with Daryl and his group? Obviously I'd be starting up the sequel immediately so you wouldn't have to worry about me not continuing. Let me know what you think in the poll I've created. It is posted up in my profile page.
Thanks for reading,
Wanderlustt