AN- Chapter two tell me what you guys think, leave a review.
Over the past few weeks it seemed the boy had grown very fond of Daryl. The boy often couldn't sleep unless he was curled up to Daryl or sitting near him. The boy felt safe with the hick. Daryl could never figure out why, but the more time he spent with the boy he couldn't help but be reminded of whom he once had been. His son would be about this boy's age if his wife and child had lived. He lay awake as the boy slept leaning on his side his eyes kept closing as he drifted in and out of sleep. "Now you will receive us!" a voice seemed to yell in his head.
"Huh?" he asked half asleep.
"I said the governor attacked us in the woods." Rick said looking at him. "Were you asleep?"
"Err." He thought for a moment as he remembered his brother's voice echoing through his mind.
"Is everything alright Daryl?" he asked
"I'm fine." He muttered, "Just not sleeping well." He didn't want anyone to know of his dreams or rather his memories.
The little boy jumped awake almost causing Daryl and Rick to grab their weapons. "What happened"?" Daryl asked trying to sound kind, but his words came out harsh.
"I had a dream." The little boy said with a strong Irish accent.
"A dream?" Rick asked "about what?"
"the saints." The boy said, "My dad used to tell me stories."
He tried to act surprised when he heard the boy speak of the saints pretending he didn't know who they were.
"The saints?" Carol asked.
"They were two brother in Boston that killed bad men." The boy answered
"I remember hearing about that." Rick said shaking his head, "Two men thinking they could take the law into their own hands, playing god."
"Don't sound like they were playin god to me." Daryl couldn't help but argue for the saints, he couldn't help but stand by his past actions even if he wouldn't admit to them.
"They went around shooting people claiming it was for religious purposes." Rick continued, "They were crazy."
"It wasn't just for religion, yes they believed in god and they said their prayer before they shot. But it wasn't just for religion they went after the men that slid by the rules because of money and loop holes the people that the cops were never smart enough to get a hold of." He knew he shouldn't keep up arguing but hearing Rick talk bad about the saints made him think of Connor, it was as if Rick was talking bad about his brother and he wouldn't stand by and let that happen.
"Believe what you must Daryl, but they were crazy men who ended up getting their selves locked up for their serial murders."
"They got oyt." (They got out.)The little boy continued, "They escaped but at ter spilt up." (They escaped but had to spilt up.) with excitement of the boy an Irish accent began to fall onto his words.
"Yeah they were never found after that." Rick added.
"Cause they were smarter then the cops." Daryl told Rick, "If they didn't want to be found they wouldn't be, if they didn't want to be caught they wouldn't have been."
"Dad always said before the outbreak they split up and were going to meet back up in but then when the outbreak hit and now its been four." The accent of the boy was now gone as if he remembered how to hide it.
"They are dead now." Daryl told the boy, "Not many could survive even the Saints of Boston not alone anyways."
"The weren't smarter then the cops." Rick growled.
"They were there for decent men with loving families who had to come home and see on the news rapist and murders get out of prison everyone thought the same thing someone should go out and kill those mother fuckers kill them all, admit it you've even thought about it." Daryl looked Rick strait in the eye as the image of sitting at Rocco's table explaining everything to him.
"I haven't" Rick lied.
"It doesn't matter now anyways." Daryl shook his head, "The world ended and now everyone tries to kill everyone living or dead." He looked at the kid, "'bout time yah headed to bed."
"My Dad and Mom used to tell me stories to fall asleep."
"We ain't got no stories." Daryl told the boy.
"Tell me one about the saints." The boy continued.
"I don't know none."
"Please!"
Daryl rolled his eyes, "Fine only if yah promise to go to sleep."
"I will!" the little boy said excitedly as he ran to the cell he shared with Daryl. Daryl smirked as he followed the boy it was strange how familiar the boy seemed to him, how natural it felt to be around him. Perhaps it was Liam's eyes that made Daryl feel so at home with the boy, the eyes that reminded him so much of Harper.
"Connor" Harper said running up to him, "Where have you been?"
"Looking for Liam." He shook his head his Irish accent sneaking out, "We can't be trustin Merle to do it."
"You can't be sneaking out of here!" she told him, "Liam is gone Connor its about time you realize that." She glared at him, "And keep your accent hidden if someone finds out who you were."
"What will day do huh?" he asked, "Throw me in jail?"
"Please Connor I already lost them I can't lose you I couldn't do it I couldn't" tears filled her eyes as she thought of her little boy that had looked just like his father except his eyes had been hers. She tried fighting them back she tried being strong, but in that instant with the thought of losing Connor like she lost her other two boys she felt herself begin to collapse. She hardly felt Connor grab hold of her,
"Shhh Mo Chailín." Connor told her as he pulled her close. He felt his heart brake for her she had lost so much in these last years. By the time he found her she had struggled so much in the few years he and Murphy had been locked up when she heard of Murphy's death the only thing that kept her going was Liam. Now here she was without the mad she loved and without the child that kept her going. He knew in the past years he had been with them she had grown to love him but he doubted in the same way that she had loved Murphy. He knew he couldn't live up to his brother even if he used to joke he was the better catch in Harper's eyes there would always be only one man to her. She believed fully that god put one person on the earth that you were meant to find she knew that person had been his brother.
"What's going on over here?" came the Governors voice. Taking a deep breath Connor thought over his words carefully making sure to hide his accent.
"Sorry sir Harper is still distraught over Liam."
The man looked over the sobbing woman in Connor's arms, "Get her inside."
"Yes sir." Connor didn't like this man, before this was the type of man he would have killed he could smell the corruption and evil that came from him. "Love let's go." Still Harper didn't move she continued to cry into his arms. He had known this was coming she had been fighting it since Liam had gone missing it would be hard to brake through to her.
"Can't you control your own wife?" he asked.
"Yes." He pulled her up into her arms, "Sorry sir."
"Don't let this happen again there was a noise complaint." The governor didn't seem to care about the missing child.
Connor's eyes fell on to the gun held on the mans holster he wanted to grab it and shoot the man now, but he couldn't he had to keep Harper safe he had failed Liam he had failed his brother he couldn't fail her too. "Sorry." He said again trying not to speak through his teeth.
"Got something ta say to him boy?" Merle's voice asked stepping out of the shadows.
"No." It took everything to control his anger.
"Good." Merle had stepped in front of him so their faces were only inches apart. "Because ya don't wanna say nothin little man."
He ignored every impulse to hit the man in front of him every impulse to kill him. He stepped around Merle trying to ignore him.
"Runnin away like a little bitch." Merle called after him. Causing Connor to stop in his tracks. Harper had stopped crying now and shook her head.
"No Connor leave him be." She said softly, "Let's just go home."
Taking a deep angry breath he continued walking forward only for Harper's sake. Merle laughed after him, but Connor put it aside he ignored the ignorant man and brought Harper home.
When they reached their apartment Connor put Harper down in bed, she didn't say a word instead she just looked at the wall as if she was no longer within herself. He sat down next to her and pushed the hair from her face. "I'm sorry." He told her, "I'm sorry."
Talking about the saints, telling stories of them to make the boy sleep made the memories haunt his mind long after the boy had fallen asleep. Every time he closed his eyes he remembered that day in the courtroom. 'Now you will receive us.' He heard Connor's voice as if that day had been yesterday. 'We do not ask for your poor or your hungry.' His own voice echo with his old Irish accent. 'We do not want your tired and sick.' Connor's voice continued. 'It's your corrupt we claim' he remembered calling out. 'It is your evil that will be sought by us.' Conner followed 'With ever breath, we shall hunt them down.' His own words came back to him. 'Each day, we will spill their blood till it rains down from the skies.' His brother continued. 'Do not kill. Do not rape. Do not steal. These are principles which every man of every faith can embrace.' His accent had been strong in those days when he said those words. 'These are not polite suggestions. These are codes of behavior, and those of you that ignore them will pay the dearest cost.' His brother's words were still clear in his mind. 'There are varying degrees of evil. We urge you lesser forms of filth not to push the bounds and cross over into true corruption, into our domain.' How long had it been since he fully listened to his own words? 'For if you do, one day you will look behind you and you will see we three. And on that day, you will reap it.' He only wished Connor's words were true, if he acted out against those words he only wished Connor would appear. 'And we will send you to whatever god you wish.' He used to speak of god himself, back then he had fully believed in those words 'And shepherds we shall be, for Thee, my Lord, for Thee. Power hath descended forth from Thy hand. That our feet may swiftly carry out Thy command. So we shall flow a river forth to Thee, and teeming with souls shall it ever be.' They all had spoken the family prayer together. His father's words then followed 'In nomine Patri.' Then Connor 'Et Filii.' Then himself 'Spiritus Sancti.' The three gunshots echoed in his mind bringing him back to the present.
"Daryl." Carol said softly, "Here." She handed him some food, "You've been caring for the boy so well you've been neglecting yourself."
"I ain't been hungry." He told her.
"What is it about that boy that makes you look after him?" she asked, "I mean I could take care of him you don't have to feel obligated."
"There is something 'bout him." Daryl looked over at the sleeping boy, "Can't place my finger on it, but maybe he just reminds me of my past."
"Of your brother?"
Daryl knew she in her mind she saw Merle when she spoke of her brother, but she was only half right. Yes his past and this boy reminded him of his brother, his true brother. "Yeah."
"Is there more?"
"Why do ya ask so many questions girl?" he asked.
"Daryl you can keep trying to keep to yourself but one of these days you will realize you aren't alone you are part of a family this family."
He knew she was being kind she believed the only family he had known was Merle and his abusive father, but when he thought of family he thought of his Ma and Da his brother. He remembered all the jokes Conner and him used to pull, the meat plant messing around with Rosie. His mother calling on saint patties day just to pull a joke over them. The fights they had gotten into just to have each others backs and those close to them. Then in the instant he thought of family again Harper's smile flashed into his eyes. He could remember the day he met her.
Everyday she walked past the steps as Murphy stat on the stoop smoking. He watches her pass and for some reason all his words would escape him. He wanted more then anything to talk to her, but every time he opened his mouth to say something nothing came out. That wasn't him; he was the type that could talk to any girl whenever he wanted. He just like his brother could walk into a pub and come out only moments later with an arm full of girls, yet this one was different. She never looked his way never acknowledged him as she walked on by. He had grown used to having girls look at him first show their interest then he made his move. She had to see him everyday watching her as she went by, she had to know his eyes followed her. Then she was gone and he hadn't said a word again he sighed and shook his head.
"Don't yer tink its aboyt time yer made yisser move" ( Don't you think it's about time you made your move?)Connor's voice came from behind him. "Cos if yer don't oi 'll" (Because if you don't I will.)
"Don't even tink aboyt it." (Don't even think about it.) Murphy growled at him
"Jist sayin' if yer don't make yisser move someone else 'ill an' make 'er their lassy." (Just saying if you don't make your move someone else will and make her their girl.) Connor shrugged his shoulders.
As the days went by Murphy still didn't talk to the girl and every time after she passed Connor would always come out afterwards and tease him, but today was different. As the girl went by Connor opened the window and let out a loud whistle before he quickly moved out of site. The girl stopped and looked in the direction of the whistle her eyes fell on to Murphy who looked like a deer caught in headlights. He wanted to curse his brother out this very moment. Here the girl was looking at him and his sat there with his mouth just about dropped open no words coming out.
"Can I help you?" she asked placing her hands on her hips frowning. Still he said nothing, which caused her to roll her eyes, "Every day I walk by and you just watch me, not you whistle but still don't speak a word?"
"Oi didn't…er it wasn't….sorry." he stammered out.
"I've been waiting for you to stop me and finally speak and that is all I get?" she asked her eyes seeming to spark as she spoke to him. He could stare into her eyes forever but he couldn't. He couldn't get real words to form in his mind he couldn't get his mind to focus, all he could do was look into her eyes. "Well?" she continued, "Are you going to ask me out or should I keep walking?"
"Do yer want ter go oyt for a draink?" (Do you want to go out for a drink?) He asked her.
She smiled, "Sure its a good time for a drink."
He nodded his head and stood up tossing his cigarette to the ground. She smiled again as the two began to walk in the direction of the pub.
Daryl thought of that smile from the first time they had met. He had known in that instant when she looked at him with her eyes and smiled that smile that he was in love and he always would be. That was the night he never wanted to end, they had a few drinks then went for a walk together just talking about their families and life. He had learned she had come from a large family she had been very close with, but they had all died leaving her alone. She loved music and kids said she wanted a big family one day like the one she grew up with.
"Daryl." Carol's voice broke through his thoughts.
"What?"
"I just want you to know what family feels like." She told him, "You have it here."
"I know what it feels like." He growled, "I had it once."
"Daryl what you and Merle had wasn't what real family was about, family where your brother stays by your side no matter what where a mother and father protect their children not hurt the."
"You don't know what your talkin' 'bout" his voice rose, but then quickly fell as he remembered the sleeping boy.
Carol winced. "I didn't mean any harm in my words Daryl." She wished he wasn't so defensive she wished he would just let her in.
"I had a family once." He told her, "They gone now and their ain't nuthin I can go 'bout it."
"I'm sorry." She shook her head, "I shouldn't have brought it up."
He wanted to snap at her again, but he held his tongue she knew nothing about the man he had once been and the strong family he came from. She only knew his lies his past he had made to protect him. She knew nothing of his mother the joking crazy woman of their town, but loving all the same or his father who put aside his bloodthirsty cravings for the love of his sons. Or his brother who would call upon the strength of god to pull a toilet from a wall to save him from being killed. "It's fine." He grumbled but made no effort to continue any kind of conversation. When Carol realized he had shut down any form of conversation she walked away wishing she could find a way to see Daryl look the way he did when he wanted to protect the boy. Something about the way he watched the boy and talked to him showed something Carol had never seen before. As she walked she paused, that was a lie she had seen that look in him before back when Sofia was missing.
It had been a few days now and Harper hadn't gotten out of bed much, only to use the bathroom when she must. He had to force her to eat and drink worry began to grip him. He could feel her slipping away and that scared him he didn't want to be alone in this world. Even in the past he had always had his brother with him together the two could take on anything. When his brother died he had fallen responsible for his brothers family and taking care of them had helped him through the pain. With Liam missing most likely dead all he had left was Harper and if she continued like this much longer he doubted he would have her too. He closed his eyes and tried to think of what he would have done if his brother had been there. The answered would be simple Murphy wouldn't have lost the boy wouldn't have taken his eyes off long enough for him to climb into a truck and get lost in the dangerous world that was outside Woodbury.
He had to get out of the house he had to take his mind off Harper. "I have to find him." Connor mumbled out loud as he walked down the street to his brother who was watching down upon him with disappointment. "I will find him." He tried to convince himself that the boys could still be alive, but he knew it would be near impossible for a child to survive on their own. "Please Murph if yer can 'ear me protect liam fend a way ter brin' 'imself back ter us" (Please Murph if you can hear me protect Liam find a way to bring him back to us.) he let his Irish accent slip out knowing now one could hear him, only his brother if he was watching.
"What do you mean living in a jail?" he heard the Governor as from around the corner. Conner slowed down his pace to listen. "It won't do find them and kill them get any weapons they have."
"They have my brudder." Merle seemed to almost argue.
"Daryl chose them." He hissed. "Kill every man woman and child in that place they are all against us and wouldn't give us a second look."
"Go a head and tell the others that." Merle growled back, "But I know you just kill anyone who won't listen to you."
"Careful Merle you are trending into dangerous water."
"Didn't say nothing bad 'bout it." Merle sensed he was on the wrong end of the power trip in the conversation. "I will go to the jail and kill them no questions axed, only if I can bring Daryl back I know he will lisen' to me."
"Only if he agrees to my laws."
Connor didn't hear anymore of the conversation as the two had gotten into a car. He heard the engine come to life and roar down the road. He felt the frown on his face, why did he have a sinking feeling about their conversation. In that moment he had a feeling like the night he had Murphy had spent in the jail, he knew he couldn't stand by and let those people in the jail die. But why? He seemed to question himself since the end of the world he had stood by and let the Governor do many awful things that god would turn away from. He had become one of those men that the saint's of Boston would have put an end to. He felt that old crave wash over him, the old sensation to pick up a gun and put an end to those that ran around the law. He looked up to the sky as it began to rain letting the drops hit his face. It was a sign from God that even now when the world had fallen into chaos there was still a wrong and right. The Governor wasn't right nothing he said or did was right he hid facts he killed people, many people. He turned and walked back to the house, back to Harper. He would hide this from her he wouldn't let her know he was going to become the man he had once been. He didn't know how he would make this work without Murphy but he had to try. He had to try and make this broken world a better place for the children that wouldn't have known a better world. He had to create better law better rules find someone that was a better leader.
AN- So what do you guys think?