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Chapter 16
When light finally broke through the next morning, the cell block was silent. The quietness just sang that high pitched ring in the ears, making chills run down the spine to those who were extra sensitive to it. The sun began to peek through the windows, casting an eerie shadow along the dirty, metal and concrete living spaces currently occupied by the group that seemed was the same, but a few others slept terribly due to certain events that took place in the prison. Though, there was one cell occupant who was already awake. She sat upright on the bottom bunk, smiling but frowning at the same time. Her friend still wasn't back and she had a feeling she knew why and it made her smirk, but the knowledge only made her feel envious. Beth was getting what she deserves in life and from the looks of things Merle finally realized that MaryJane was right and told the young blonde teen.
The sun began to slowly rise, the rays of sun moving through the bars, making the shadows move across her face. She couldn't help but be jealous of Beth now, but the poor girl had been through so much more, not to mention she was much more fragile than she wanted to admit. MaryJane knew she was fragile too, but she made herself tough. With the smaller group that consisted of aging men, the younger ones needed to step up and take responsibility and she tried to do that. Con, however, was more than determined to defy his age, to be the proper leader and so far he'd done a hell of a good job. Coming back to her current thoughts concerning Beth and Merle...she was happy for them, no ecstatic. Merle deserved someone who would make him happy and that was Beth. The next thing they would need to worry about is making it stayed secret until the right time to tell everyone. Mostly, it was Beth who needed to build the confidence despite the small list of people who would back her.
Yet, despite the joy MJ felt she couldn't help but feel down and the world around her appeared grey. Maybe it was the dark feeling of the prison, but everything just felt gloomier. Daryl had been right...it was a tomb.
Daryl...God, she missed him! What day was it now? Three? Four? She'd lost count because it felt like years to her. It seemed like only yesterday when she and Daryl finally broke through the funk of the reunion only to embrace their naked bodies to each other passionately to give birth back to the man Daryl once was. It was obvious to MaryJane that Daryl wouldn't fully be the boy she fell in love with in the past. Parts of him were gone and his views on many things changed. She didn't expect to have things the way they were exactly, but she wanted some semblance of peace between both Daryl and the Dixon side of him. The Dixon side ruled when she was gone. That much was obvious because he didn't have the right guidance when it came to playing well with others. A nasty habit he learned from Merle. She had her hopes though that maybe some of her...teachings had made Daryl rethink a few things or actions after the dead rose. If it did then she considered her job well done.
MaryJane barely got a wink of sleep, a part of her waiting for Beth and the other waiting for Daryl to come bursting in and beg her forgiveness on his knees. The latter wasn't about to happen and he most certainly wouldn't be on his knees. The Dixons weren't beggars. They didn't beg anyone for anything. Merle made that point clear to her. It was a nice mental image to have at least. He couldn't have everything she wanted. Although, all she wanted was Daryl and for the both of them to be happy and trust one another. Was that too much to ask of God? She shook her head quickly. There was always a reason for everything that happened. She truly believed that God was up there, but what kind of sense of humor he had was beyond her. Was this God's way of showing his displeasure? Was this truly the beginning of the last times on earth until they were all taken from their earthy bodies and sent to Heaven to be judged by Him? For her, it felt like this was purgatory. Living in the constant fear of walkers, wondering if they'll survive the day or having enough food to feed everyone.
Deep in her mind she wondered if they were all already dead and they were stuck in purgatory, awaiting God's call to them. Though, she also wondered if the reason those who have survived were actually the ones most loved by God and he kept them alive to prove their strength and worthy. Though, somehow that felt wrong to her. The Greeks sounded right.
"Those who the gods love most, die young."
That gave her hope for Carol's lost daughter and her baby brother. If that were true then what hope did the rest of them have?
"There's always hope."
She couldn't disagree with her own words. That'd make her a hypocrite. She still believed in hope. It worked well for her so far. A little prayer here and there didn't go amiss either.
"MaryJane?"
Said woman jumped nearly ten feet from her skin, her sitting body spinning towards the owner of the voice. She let out a gasp of relief when she saw it was only Carol.
"Oh! Geez, you scared me!" She exclaimed as she placed a hand over her jump started heart.
The silver haired woman smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry,"
MaryJane stood from her seated position and shook her head, shrugging the apology off with a grin.
"It's okay...so..."
Her smile faded when Carol's did. Though, there was a confident gleam in the short haired woman's eyes that gave MaryJane hope.
"It wasn't easy, but I think I got to him. He was pretty quiet when I left and that's a good thing because he's thinking so maybe this'll be the time where he finally realizes that he overreacted."
Uplifted, MaryJane gave Carol a brilliant smile that made the other woman's heart clench at its beauty.
"Oh! Carol!" She gasped.
Carol never thought she'd see someone as happy as that ever again. It had been a long time since she saw a look of pure joy pass anyone's face. She was almost tossed into the past where she saw it on other people's faces every day. She almost felt envious of MaryJane's happiness...almost. Her thoughts were broken when two small arms wrapped around her neck, the same limbs hugging her tightly. Jumping at the spontaneous action, Carol only chuckled to hide her exasperation. MaryJane clung to the older woman, her face beaming, the fading hope shooting back from the foggy depths, towards the clear sky in her mind. Her heart rejoiced in a fast pace in her chest, thumping loudly against its cage.
"Thank you so much! Thank you! Thank you!" She chanted, rocking the stunned woman with each sentence.
Carol hugged her back, patting her back assuredly, resting her head on her friend's shoulder. Her own heart soared and she felt good for having done something so important for a friend. Even though she didn't feel that she did much, she did accept the fact that it may've been her words that pulled Daryl from his rage filled funk.
"You're welcome. I'm glad I could help...however little I did."
MaryJane pulled back from her, giving her a sharp look. "Carol! You've done enough! You've done everything you could and I thank you for it! Maybe...maybe now Daryl will find it in his head to forgive me."
Carol's warm blue eyes caught MaryJane's brown ones. Like a mother, the silver haired woman cupped one of MaryJane's affectionately.
"He'll forgive you. I know he will. If he truly loves you...and I think he does...then he'll come back to you and ask for forgiveness. I know for a fact that he still loves you because of how he reacted on some of the things I said. He may not come back to you today, tomorrow, or the next, but never believe he won't return to you."
MaryJane suddenly felt like a little girl again as Carol soothed her in her naturally motherly and affectionate voice. She was reminded of her late mother who always seemed eager to remind her that Daryl cared for her even when she felt he didn't.
"What am I supposed to do now?" She asked meekly.
"It's all a waiting game now, MaryJane, it's all up to Daryl now."
For the first time in her life, MaryJane didn't feel all that patient.
Day one since Carol's talk with Daryl passed quickly and without any happenings. Day two passed all the same which only began to emotionally frustrate MaryJane. Her only relief from the turmoil of waiting was Judith, Carol, Merle and Beth. The latter three seemed very eager to keep her mind occupied so Beth told her what happened between her and Merle and MaryJane voiced that she was more than happy for them. It wasn't a lie either. The teen even let her friend hog Judith and it gave Beth some relief of the burden. MJ more than willingly dived into taking care of Judith like she were her own. The infant had begun to babble a little more, voicing a few syllables that sounded close to words. So, to purposefully occupy her mind she began to teach Judith words and she was successful in distracting herself, but not in getting Judith to speak. Of course the infant was too young to really say anything except baby talk, she just did it without really thinking.
Whenever it was time for her to face the cold reality of the prison outside the baby's cell she felt a familiar foggy cloud roll over her head, threatening to downpour the dark emotions that had just been lifted by enthusiasm. Now, things had gone stagnant and the waiting made her feel like she was aging faster than before. Of course, she wasn't aging fast physically l, but she was mentally. She felt like her brain had aged to that of a fifty year old while her boys stayed to that of a relatively healthy thirty year old. She'd hoped that Daryl would've come to her sooner, but Carol reminded her that he was a fragile person too and that he may've been building the courage to come and say something to her. Naturally, she knew that, she knew Daryl better than anyone else...but at moments when her thoughts hit dark walls she felt that maybe she didn't know him at all. Then it took Merle to beat back into her head that she was the only one who knew either of them. Internally, she was grateful for her older brother's firm reminders. It helped her keep her head on straight. The Lord knows she needed it.
When the morning of day three came around, MaryJane felt lost. She hadn't seen hide nor hair of Daryl and when she finally went to a lunch with the rest of the group she was asked where he was and if she was okay. Going had been a mistake on her part. She made up lame excuses and left as quickly as she could. It was hard to ignore Rick's curious gaze as she lowered her head to make her hair curtain the side of her face. Daryl's leader wasn't stupid, but she hoped he would stay out of it. She had a feeling that Con, also, was suspecting something because she caught his eyes momentarily and he was giving her that fatherly look that made her feel like he knew. Regardless, she kept away from being around the group as a whole, just talking to the ones she met in passing. Though, when she'd sat at lunch she had a chilling realization that Jeremy was missing amongst the faces. Where was he? Was he too embarrassed to come to eat?
She didn't know where he was she was beginning to not care. Since the fallout between her and Daryl she'd developed a cold resentment towards the kid. He made her a promise and he broke it in the heat of anger. She had trusted him and he just broke it like a jealous fool. Was that what he was? Jealous? MaryJane wasn't an idiot, but she just ignored the romantic advances Jeremy tried to make. At times she even voiced her discomfort to him about it and he'd stop only to resume within a few days. That wasn't the case here. He seems to have vanished from the prison all together. It was obvious he was still there since Con hadn't made the announcement that he'd left or was missing. A part of her couldn't really careless what happened to him, but the sweet, caring MaryJane part cared because he'd lost so much to the walking dead. However, bitterness was already pitted against him in her. She would forgive him for what he did, but he hurt her and Daryl which only made things worse for her and Jeremy. They were already walking on thin ice and she just hoped that he hadn't fully broken the fragile layer.
MaryJane was to the point that if he showed up or didn't, it wouldn't make her happy or annoy her. He'd just be there. Besides, he didn't even apologize for what it did and that only showed her that he was remorseless in what he did. He didn't regret destroying her and Daryl's relationship. If he was a true friend he'd be happy for her and move on, but it showed her what kind of person he was if he didn't at least try to give her up. He was extremely bitter too and just for that...she didn't feel generous enough to forgive him. MaryJane always kept her promises and to have someone she trust break one to her gave them a black mark in her book. Nothing would be the same between her and Jeremy and if his jealously ruined any chance with Daryl again then he'd regret it. Not by her, but by the people who surrounded her.
One thing was for certain though, if she saw him again she'd make him understand what he did to her and how she truly felt about him. He wasn't going to like it, but he'd have to grow up and take it like a man.
Daryl was going to do it. Today was the day. Today he was going to MaryJane and doing what Dixons didn't do. Beg. Despite his belief that she would take him back he wasn't sure she'd forgive him. Taking him back and forgiving him were two different things. He headed outside, knowing she'd be putting laundry on the wire. He sucked in air and drew up every little ounce of confidence he could muster. The sun was warm against his skin as he stepped from the dark shade of the prison walls. His blue eye did an instinctual glance of the fences and he was surprised to see it void of any walkers. Somewhere, deep in his gut, something felt off. Though, it was a feeling that was easy to ignore. He shouldered his cross bow and headed towards the lines. He watched his feet as he walked, going over in his head what he was going to say.
Daryl glanced up and stopped upon seeing her short form standing before the lines. She just stood there, her head tilted downward in the slightest and her right arm bent towards her body. His eyes glanced over her form and his heart reached out to her, longing for her. He took a few steps closer, but his feet slid to a stop only feet away from her body. A relieved smile pulled at his lips as her hair blew in the slight breeze. How he missed burying his nose in that hair, inhaling her scent. He missed everything and he wouldn't try to deny it any longer. He needed her more than he needed anything else. Should she die then he would as well.
"MaryJane?"
Her head tilted to the side at the sound of her name. Daryl took we silence as anger at him and his confidence deflated.
"Look...I'm sorry, MaryJane, I'm sorry fer e'erythin'. I's a total asshole and didn't try an' get yer side befer jumpin' all on ya. I know ya wouldn't lie ta me..." He trailed off and stared at her stiff back, his smile fading. "...I know yer probably wantin' nothin' ta do wit' me, but befer ya let me go I jus' needed ta tell ya that I..."
He trailed off when her she slowly began to turn around. Daryl felt his entire body turn to ice, his blood, his heart, his limbs, everything. He stumbled, falling onto his buckled knees. Everything fell inside him, his heart was violently ripped from his chest, leaving a gaping hole as dread and disbelief pushed the lump to his throat and tears to his eyes.
"No..." He sobbed, his face curling as tears fell freely from his eyes.
MaryJane approached him with a slight limp to her step, her once flawless face grey, her whiskey eyes glazed over white and yellow, one half of her mouth ripped away, exposing her teeth and rotting gums. Daryl remained sobbing on his knees, all his strength gone as he stared at her, feeling his entire world be set on flames by gasoline. He felt himself burn with the agonizing grief broke everything within him.
"No," He gasped as her soulless body stumbled towards him, her once gentle voice replaced by the animalistic growls of the dead.
A painful sob broke in his chest, a hand going to clutch the place where his heart was. Sweat dripped from his forehead as the sun bore down on him.
"No...no, MaryJane, no." He sobbed pitifully, sucking in air as his tears smothered his breath.
Her corpse stopped a few feet away from him, her dead eyes trained on him, all light and life gone. MaryJane, the woman he loved was gone. She had left that body or was stuck in an eternal purgatory inside that body. She was dead...and so was he. His eyes flashed to her right hand that rested on her chest, over where her heart was supposed to be. All of a sudden, she plunged her hand into her chest.
"Noo!" Daryl cried, his cross bow forgotten at his side.
His own heart contracted in his chest, almost as if someone was wrapping their fingers around it. He sat helplessly on the ground, having no strength to look away. Her hand twisted around in her chest cavity before Daryl heard the squishing sounds of veins and the breaking of bones. Seconds later she ripped something from her chest and when Daryl realized what it was he howled with agony.
"Noooo! MaryJane!" He yelled in between sobs. "No, MaryJane!"
In her bloody, pale hand sat her heart and it was still beating. His stomach turned inside out, his own chest burning from a ripping sensation inside him. He couldn't describe the pain, fear, disbelief and sadness he felt. They were all a deadly mixture that literally brought him to his knees. He couldn't get up and he didn't want to. His world was burning up and turning into ash and he couldn't do a thing about it.
Daryl grunted as he tried to swallow back the tears, but they kept coming. Slowly, MaryJane's arm outstretched towards him, the gaping hole radiating heat into the air. Her slender hand held the beating heart out to him, as if offering it.
"You killed me!" Her voice hissed, mixed with grunts and snarls from the dead.
He only gasped as he cried. Seconds later she hissed and lunged for him, mouth open, ready to bite. Finding a dose of strength he grabbed his bow and pointed it at her, his tears clouding his vision.
"Noooooo!"
"Nooooooo!"
Daryl jerked up from his bed, sitting upright, his bare chest glistening with sweat. He blinked his eyes registering the cell around him. His chest heaved as he desperately gasped for breath, his heart racing a hundred miles per hour. The tracker glanced down to see his hands clenching the sheets with a white knuckle grip, his joints aching from the strain of grabbing them for so long. Slowly, he pried his fingers from around the white material and ran a hand through his greasy hair, rubbing the nervous sweat that drenched his face away. His eyes darted around the room, searching for MaryJane in a panic, but she wasn't there and his heart stuttered in his chest. Even her backpack was gone. It was like she vanished.
The tracker threw his legs from the bed and braced his elbows on his knees to place his face in his hands. His rough hands were clammy, the heat of them radiating onto his cool, sweaty face. He could feel his hands shaking against his face, his legs trembling as they say firmly on the ground. Furrowing his brows, he lowered a hand and gazed at it, watching it as it shook in midair. Curling it into a fist he placed it on his knee, hoping the shaking would stop.
He'd knew why he was shaking. That dream...nightmare felt so real, he didn't even know he was still asleep. Everything felt so...he felt his bow in his hands and the sun on his back. He saw her and smelled her rotting corpse. She was so close to him and so very much a walker. His gut flipped, his mind and heart rejecting the idea. Daryl's old friend the lump in his throat returned and he grimaced at the floor, his mind flashing back to the dream. She called him her killer and that chilled him to the bone. Was her getting bitten the outcome if he didn't go to her? Was that her future? Would she fade and die thinking he hated her? No. No she would know he didn't hate her...and she sure as hell wasn't going to die! He wouldn't let her! He'd kill any walker that got within ten feet of her! That wouldn't be her fate! The only way she would die would be from old age and right beside him.
But, fuck, she looked so real. Everything looked so...Daryl thought he'd lost her. If he'd known he'd been dreaming he would've woken himself up. Though, if the dream hadn't' been a dream he didn't think he could've had the strength to snatch up his bow and put an arrow through her head. In the dream he was numb, unfeeling of anything but the internal grief. He would've let her bite him if it meant not killing her. He couldn't kill her, but she was a walker and he would've had to if not on instinct then to save MaryJane's soul. Daryl had an idea that every person the walker used to be, the soul rather, was stuck inside the corpse and the only way to release the soul to go to Heaven was by killing the monster. In the end, despite how it would kill him, he would've shot her so that her soul could escape, be free and go to her family in the sky. Of course, she'd leave him again, all alone. His chest clenched in agony at the mental images. He couldn't imagine living in a world where she didn't exist. Well, he had for almost a year, but he'd internally held on to petty hope and he'd been right to since she was back. But if something like his dream should happen then he would know that he was alone again. He would know that she was dead and he was responsible.
"You killed me."
Yes, he would be her murderer. If he didn't go to her and apologize then something bad might happen to her. He would live with the regret for the rest of his life. No, he wouldn't lose her, not to the Germ and definitely not to the dead.
He lifted his blue eyes, the orbs narrowing at the wall with determination. It was up to him. He'd waited long enough and if she didn't want him back then he'd have to understand that and move on. That's what the rational side of him said, the Dixon side wouldn't give her a choice but to be with him since she became so important to him. She couldn't just come into his life, make him care and then just check out. He wouldn't let her. He needed her...he loved her. If that wasn't enough then Daryl wouldn't know what else to do. All he knew was that letting MaryJane go wasn't an option.
His plan was in action. With the recent events, he knew Dixon was getting ready to make his move. It would be soon and Jeremy wasn't about to let it work. MaryJane was his, but before he could fully claim her he had to get her passionate, loyal and protective dogs off her back. And he knew just how to do it.
He knew well where Rick's baby girl stayed and he knew a certain little girl stayed there and nannied the little parasite. He hated babies, but he would do no harm to her lest he want Rick on his ass and that was heat he didn't need. With his plan in motion, he stuffed his hands in his pockets and strolled into Judith's cell like he owned it. When his hazel eyes found his target he plastered on a friendly and innocent look. Being an actor had its perks.
"Hey, Beth." He greeted cheerfully.
The teen girl zipped around, startled and when her blue eyes registered who is was he saw she was more than displeased to see him. In fact, her face grew red with anger. He could see she wouldn't be cordial. What a shame.
"What the fuck is your problem?!" She snarled, taking a few steps towards him, her small hands curled into right fists.
"Excuse me?" He mock asked, offended and innocently.
Beth wanted to roll her eyes at his little act, but just tore into him. She'd been waiting for this moment for a long time.
"Everything was going great for MaryJane and Daryl and you just had to fuck it up!" Jeremy opened his mouth to correct her, but she jerked a hand through the air to silence him. "I know what's happened between you and MaryJane, she told me, so don't try to play that stupid ass card with me! Just leave them the fuck alone! You better leave them alone or you'll regret it!" She warned darkly, glaring at him like a fiery nymph.
Jeremy let out a deep, amused chuckle, crossing his arms, his warm voice turning icy and dangerous. "What are you gonna do? Have your secret lover beat the shit outta me?"
A delighted smirk grew on his lips when Beth paled, her hands falling loose at her sides. Her blue eyes stared shock and confused at him, fear leaking from the sweat on her skin.
"Oh, yeah, Beth, I know. I've seen you pressed against the wall with Merle Dixon. I've seen you with him." He hissed, as if commentating, then a sinister grin curled upward as a devious fire ignited in his eyes, chilling Beth's blood. "Now...I don't think your daddy and sissy would like knowing that they're sweet little Bethy was fucking Merle Dixon, a man old enough to be her father. I'd hate to see what would happen to Merle should the group find out." He taunted with mock concern. "It would be sad, if he didn't get shot to death he would get thrown to the walkers or turned over to the Governor. I don't think you would want that to happen...would you Bethy?"
Beth stared motionlessly in front of him, her brave bravado was long gone, replacing it with a scared little girl. She looked ready to faint. Jeremy didn't mean her any harm, but if she got in his way then she'd regret it. She swallowed deeply, feeling terrified tears welling up in her eyes. He knew...oh, shit...he knew! But how?!
"Don't look so scared." He taunted with an evil smile before it faded into a thin line of seriousness. "I won't tell anyone unless you get in my way. Deal?"
He held his hand out to her. Her wide, doe eyes glanced between him and his hand. Jeremy waited patiently, hoping she'd make the right choice and protect herself and the older Dixon. Beth was torn. If she said 'no' then he'd go through with his plans and he'd absolutely tell everyone about her and Merle. If she said 'yes' he'd leave them alone, but would still go after MaryJane. She didn't trust him and we gut told her that if she agreed then he'd still stab her in the back anyways because he could. Either way she was fucked. So, she made a decision, maybe a rash one, but she didn't have much time to think about it. Her gaze went to his hand before flickering back to his dark, hazel eyes that reeked of deceit.
"Go fuck yourself." She hissed, her words shaky.
She knew she'd just sealed her and Merle's fate, but there was more in trouble her other than herself. MaryJane wasn't safe. MaryJane meant more and so did Daryl. Beth didn't care what happened to her as long as they were together and happy again. If that meant she had to lose her own happiness then so be it.
Jeremy frowned dramatically, but it was obvious he wasn't that disappointed. He dropped his hand.
"Shame..." He leaned in closer to her, his face grazing against her face sickeningly. "I'd spend all your free time fucking Dixon...'cause it might be the last time you do."
He didn't wait for a response as he turned on his heel and walked back out the door. Though, he came back, ducking his head in, giving her a sinister grin of fake pleasantries.
"Nice talkin' to you, Bethy."
Beth stood frozen in her spot, her skin crawling. What had she just done?
Merle hummed to himself, thinking of a pretty little blonde girl named Beth. She'd been in his mind all morning and for some reason he needed to see her, to be in her presence. Since the night she came to him and admitted her love he felt like he was on fuckin' cloud nine. It was a strange, new, sweet sensation that made him feel happier in body and soul. He even went so far as to say he felt twice as alive. He knew how she felt and if he'd known he would feel as good as he did then, then he would've asked her how she felt a long time ago. It felt good to have a woman who wanted you and wanted nothing more than to be with you. Merle finally understood why he was so hung up on MaryJane. She made Daryl feel the way Merle was feeling at that moment. He was feeling to free that he could go and apologize to Daryl for making fun of him...that was he almost felt free enough.
Snickering to himself, he swung into Judith's cell only to see Beth planted beside the baby's makeshift crib, frozen, pale and sweaty in her spot. She looked petrified, her eyes wide with fright. Protectiveness flared in his chest, his legs taking him to her with three long strides.
"Wha's wrong, Beth?"
She just stared at the door and Merle grabbed one of her arms firmly, shaking her in the slightest.
"Beth?"
Her eyes finally met his and he felt his body grow cold with her expression. Something was deathly wrong and his heart almost stopped.
"Wha' tha fuck's wrong?" He asked again, only more firmly.
Her voice was feeble and shaky, only a mere whisper when she spoke. Merle almost didn't catch what she said.
"He knows."
The eldest Dixon tensed, his jaw clenching so tight he felt his teeth begin to protest. He stared down at Beth, refusing to let the panic that shot straight through his gut show. How did the little shit find out? No one knows except Daryl and MJ. They wouldn't tell. Did the Germ see them and revel in his victory? Most fucking likely. Merle kicked himself for not being careful. They'd been too careless and this was the outcome. Beth would speak another word, but Merle put all the pieces together quickly. It was pretty impressive for a man who killed all his brain cells with drugs and alcohol.
The Germ wanted MJ, but he would have to go through Beth and Merle. So, he'd have to eliminate them with something and it happened to be their darkest secret that could ruin both of them. If they tried to interfere with anything he true to do then the secret was out.
Oh, fuckno! The little conniving cocksucker! Fuck!
Now, Merle was in a dilemma. Stay back and hope he doesn't tell...or fuck himself and fight back? Merle rested his eyes on Beth, fighting the battle with his heart and his head. His grip on her arm loosened and he moved it to her face, cupping her cheek. She leaned into his touch, his thumb grazing against her soft skin. As much as he wanted to keep her he knew the day would come when she would be forced ways from him. He'd just hoped it would've been sooner or, in this case, much later. Maybe then they would've had a fighting chance, but now...it was starting a battle they couldn't win.
Fuck! Wha' ta fuckin' do?!
Merle knew the answer. Without him MaryJane was in danger and without it left her vulnerable to the Germ's attacks and plan. If Daryl was going to man up the best time would've been yesterday, but hell, when did things go as planned?
A light bulb went off Merle's head and he despised what he realized. To protect MaryJane he'd lose Beth. Though, what guarantee was there the kid wouldn't tell the others anyway? There wasn't and he wasn't giving the little shit the benefit of the doubt either. Shit, he was going to give up what he wanted to protect his brother and his woman. He didn't have a choice because they were family and family is forever.
Beth's eyes locked with his, a mutual understanding passing between them. She nodded at him and he felt his ugly ass fall right down from cloud nine, right back into the shitty world they lived in. Nothing lasted forever and Merle knew that that moment might be the last time he was ever alone with Beth. Not wanting to waste the time away, he leaned down and brought her lips against his. She kissed him back, her mind realizing the same thing his did. No matter what happened to them, MaryJane was most important because she was in danger, but, then again...so was the Germ.
MaryJane strolled down the empty, dark halls of another cell block. She didn't know which it was, but it was closest to the cell block the group was holed up in. Since recent events happened MaryJane found relief in the solitude of walking about the prison, thinking of nothing but when she was a child, playing with her dog and having a picnic at the park with her parents. She was able to clear her head and brace herself for the full force of the harsh reality that she would inevitably return to. It was nice to be able to have something innocent and good to think on. MaryJane walked, her nerves fueling her energy. She wished she could know what Daryl was thinking. It had been three or four days since Carol talked to him and still nothing. While she knew he would need time to think, she'd hoped it wouldn't take as long as it was. She was eager to have him back, well, eager was a bit of an understatement. The woman feared she might jump his bones upon spotting him! She missed him that much, mentally, emotionally and most importantly...physically. It was rather pathetic and amusing at the same time. Her thoughts would stray to when they first made love in her bedroom, forging the strong bonds of the relationship they both wanted, but fought.
It was hard not to forget how hard it was to break through to him when they first met, but she eventually got through those walls and helped him burn part of them down. Now, she felt it would have to happen all over again. She didn't think things would go right back to normal despite her eagerness to do it. They would both need to be careful and tread lightly. That isn't to say that she didn't forgive him for what he did. He hurt her and it still stung fresh in her heart, but she could never stay mad at him and a part of her was already over it all. She just wanted him back...while as the other side wasn't as excited to jump right back into the barrel. All she could do was play it by ear. Who knew? It could be another week before Daryl tried to talk to her and her stomach knotted at the thought of another week's separation. How long had it been since it all began?
Stopping in her steps, she glanced at the cells to her left, barely admiring the dirt and traces of blood that smeared the metal and concrete walls. To someone else it might've raised the hairs on the neck, but for her it was welcoming, solitude for her to fully release the inner emotions without the worry of someone else rushing to her aide. She felt like a weakling when she cried in front of others and it wasn't because of Daryl and his feelings towards tears, no, she was always that way. When someone would make a snide remark to her that hurt she'd hold back the water works and wait until she was alone or locked in a bathroom stall. That was how she viewed the rest of the empty prison, her bathroom stall to cry in.
"MJ?"
She gasped, her eyes widened and her heart stopped in her chest as the voice echoed in the cell block. She zipped around, her hand going to the place where she always kept a knife, but was disparaged to find that it wasn't there. Her startled eyes focused on the owner of the voice and her annoyance rose, masking the fear on her face with irritation. The person before her was the last person she wanted to talk to or look at. She turned her back on him, a bad feeling stirring in the pit of her gut, and crossed her arms.
"What do you want, Jeremy?" She hissed, taking a few steps away from him.
She kept her back to him, not at all interested in what he wanted. He spoke and she swore she heard genuine remorse in it and her soft spot for him weakened her hard resolve.
"Look...I came to apologize about what happened with Dixon that day in the prison yard...I shouldn't have done and said what I did. I know you and Daryl had just started to re-find each other—"
MaryJane turned back to him, voice sharp as she cut him off, and her stance tense. "Yeah, you shouldn't have, Jeremy. Why? Why did you do it?" She took a few steps closer as her brows furrowed and high pitched voice grew pleading. "Why did you say those things?!"
A switch was instantly flipped and she saw the change in his eyes that darkened from guilt into devious arrogance and deluded madness.
"MJ, come on, you know how I feel about you. You've always known since the night we kissed." He stepped closer to her, his eyes falling to her lips lustfully. "I know you feel something for me too." He breathed.
MaryJane stepped back, shaking her head and his expression darkened. She held his state firmly and strongly. He had to understand that what he did wasn't acceptable and it most defiantly wasn't going to tip her towards his favor. It only drove her away. If his plan had been to have Daryl push her away then it worked, but if he thought her love for the tracker would die then he was very wrong.
"No, Jeremy, the only thing I feel for you right now is betrayal."
All of a sudden, like a second personality came forth, his face softened and a chastised innocence grew onto his handsome face. "I thought you would tell him sooner."
For some reason, that innocence only pissed her off. "I was going to the day you tried kissing me!"
Her heart stuttered in her chest when his once friendly eyes glazed over with something that chilled her blood. His eyes weren't all there, looking at her, but it seemed, through her as if he was imagining something. He closed the gap between them with a chilling smile and husky voice.
"Just imagine what it would've been like if he hadn't interrupted us." He whispered as he leaned down, closer to her.
Her hackles rose, panic making her step back, the hairs on the back of her neck raising. The stirring in her gut intensified and she knew things were about to go south. Her strong bravado faded and the inklings of fear began to sprout everywhere in her, her instincts beginning to formulate their natural plans.
"Jeremy...no...no..." She said nervously. "...you're my friend...my friend." She took steps back from him, fear dousing her with cold as he took steps with her, like a predator stalking its prey. "I don't see you as anything other than that, my friend."
All of a sudden her back hit a wall and she gasped, her eyes widening even further with the horror of her being cornered. She wanted to believe that he wouldn't hurt her, but her defensive instincts shouted at her that he did, in fact, mean her harm. Where was the brick dust when she needed it? She needed to get away from him. The maniacal look in his eyes just spelled disaster.
"No, no, no, no, no," He chanted with a chuckle before he ran a finger down the side of her face, causing her to cringe back. "MJ, you love me."
She shook her head as her body began to shake with the welled up fear and desire to run. Her body was just coiling, ready to do whatever it took to get away. What an idiot she'd been to go about the prison all by herself! She should've seen something like this happening!
She shook her head, letting him touch her face. His eyes began to run greedily over her body, a bad taste bubbling in her mouth and despite being fully clothed she felt that she was already naked under his gaze. Her gut churned uneasily giving her the desire to throw up.
"No, I don't!" She pleaded, ignoring the way her skin crawled at his touch. "I couldn't ever love you like that...Jeremy, I'm sorry."
His finger froze against her skin, his eyes stopping on her stomach, those hazel eyes darkening to nearly black as they grew cold like solid ice. They shot up to her, his hand falling from her face. The silence rang in the air like a gunshot and MaryJane felt the tension rise, taking the temperature down several degrees. Her own body froze with utter panic. She tried to read his face, finding nothing but blankness.
"You're sorry..." He whispered emotionlessly and MaryJane swallowed with false hope that he understood, but it was dashed away when he suddenly exploded on her, some spit hitting her face as he yelled with so much rage that her whole body shook violently.
She cringed away, her heart stopping and restarting. It felt like she'd just touched hot wire and jump started her whole body.
"YOU'RE SORRY!"
He towered over her and a lump of fear clogged in her throat, breaking up her words. Her big, wide, scared brown eyes gazed pleadingly at him. She had a feeling that one wrong move and she'd be dead. Literally. He was so unstable, never had she seen him like that. MaryJane had never been afraid of him before, but now, she feared for her life. This wasn't Jeremy...or was it? Was this who he really was? An unstable, controlling, possessive and jealous man? How could he act so calm and collected then just explode a second later? This wasn't the boy she knew! He was this monster now, a monster who meant her harm. Oh, dear God! Where was Merle? Daryl? Con? Rick? Or even Carol? Suddenly, she had flashes of memories before her eyes and tears began to well up in his eyes. A sob cracked in her chest. What now? She had no way to defend herself and she could fist fight worth crap! What could she do?
God, please help me. Somebody please help me. She begged sobbing internally.
"J-Jeremy..." She stuttered weakly, holding her hands before her protectively.
His lean chest heaved heavily as his face grew bright pink with pent up anger. She trembled below him, her eyes darting around him quickly to look for an escape route. There was one if she could only get her head on straight, but pure fear ruled her every movement. MaryJane gaze into his eyes and her entire body when cold when she saw a sinister emotion in his eyes. Possessiveness, one that wanted her dead.
He growled at her. "You're not sorry, MJ...not yet."
Like a snake striking he lunged and wrapped his hand around her throat and squeezed. Her gasp was cut off by his choking hold. On instinct, her right leg came up and knocked him in the knee. He hissed and released his hold on her throat. Her heart raced in her chest as natural defensive instinct of flight took over. In awe at her triumph, she faltered and gave Jeremy the upper hand. He recovered and grabbed her arm in a bruising grip, pulling her body flush against his. MaryJane grunted and struggled, punching his chest. Apparently she hit him hard and he snarled, using his free hand to backhand her roughly across the face. She heard the sound before she felt the stung on her right cheek. In shock, she fell to the ground, grasping her offended cheek. She gasped as she hit the ground. Remembering Jeremy's attack she flipped onto her back toward him off, but that move was exactly what he wanted her to do. He climbed over her and her whiskey eyes widened and she shoved against him. Jeremy didn't budge and he slapped her again across the same cheek. Her head flew to the left, smacked her temple against the concrete floor and seconds following she tasted blood inside her mouth. Stunned by the wracking of her brain, clouding of her vision she lost control of the situation.
She blinked, tears threatening to overflow as pain shot through her skull. Her face ached, but when she felt a hand grab her face she was jerked back into reality. Her eyes focused on Jeremy above her to see primal lust in his eyes. She opened her mouth to scream, but it came out only muffled when a strong hand closed over her mouth. He didn't say a word to her. He was too stuck in his world of lust to even tell her to shut up. Her arms were limp at her sides and no matter how hard she tried to find them, they weren't there. Jeremy kept his hand over her mouth and her body cringed when a hand slid down to her pants. When she felt the button pop lose and the full sound of the zipper going down the dam broke. She began to sob under his hand, tears streaming down her face as a bucket of ice cold water dumped on her.
No. No, please, God, not this!
His hand touched her bare skin of her lower abdomen. She closed her eyes, her body going numb with panic. MaryJane sobbed when his hand slid into her underwear, his fingers curling into the mass of hairs in between her legs. She began to shake her head, but that only angered Jeremy and he quickly slapped her again, then replaced his hand on her mouth. Tears slid freely from her eyes as her gut curled in disgust, bile slowly pushing its way up into her mouth. She tried to find her strength, but her aching head throbbed, making her efforts pointless. His hand ventured lower and her body jerked when his fingers found the warmth between her legs. She cried out against his hand, trying desperately to close her legs, but his body on top of her forbade it. MaryJane closed her eyes and tried to imagine it was Daryl on top of her. She thought of the good times with him when they went out on their first date, when he came to prom just to get a dance with her. Yet, no matter how hard she tried to lose herself she still felt Jeremy's disgusting fingers move along her core, feeling her, tainting her, dirtying her. Daryl wouldn't violate and hurt her like Jeremy has. She felt nothing but revolt when his fingers buried themselves inside her, her legs tensing as they explored her so greedily. It felt like hours when he finally pulled his fingers free.
Her body relaxed at the loss of his trespassing appendages, but it still felt like he was there, inside her. Her relief was short lived when his wet fingers went to his own pants, his fingers loosening the button and roughly bringing the zipper down. She sobbed when she felt his hand pull hers down and then return to his own.
Suddenly, an image of Daryl popped into her head. He was so handsome and rugged. If he were there he'd tell her to fight, fight through the pain and protect herself.
At that moment, a surge of adrenaline shot through her body, the pain in her head and face vanishing. Her brown eyes opened and suddenly her vision was clear. It was almost like her body went on auto pilot. With the strength, while Jeremy tried pulling his pants down she lifted a leg, back towards her stomach and kicked him in the face. She didn't know how she did it, but she didn't question it. Jeremy fell back, crying out in pain, dazed by her assault. MaryJane wasted no time in crawling to her feet, pulling her pants up and making a run for the door. She dashed down the halls, glancing back a few times to see if he was following. To her relief he wasn't.
She rounded the corners, praying that she didn't meet any stray walkers on the way and it seemed that God was on her side. MaryJane sobbed as she drew closer to her designated cell block. Her lungs burned with the exercise, but she couldn't feel it due to the adrenaline. She ran and ran, her hair flying back behind her, her short legs taking her as fast as she could go. She was almost there. Coming upon a corner, she glanced behind her to see if Jeremy had caught up with her. She could hear hurried footsteps from far behind her. He was after her. She slid around the corner, but her path was blocked as she smacked hard into another body. Her hands grabbed onto the arms, but feeling them as male she began to struggle and let out a blood curling scream.
Daryl headed away from the cells, having asked Carol where MaryJane would be. He'd already checked Judith's cell to find it empty and the Lil' Ass Kicker fast asleep. If she wasn't there then Carol said that she would be walking around the cell block halls, clearing her head. He smirked internally to himself. That was like her to take a walk when she needed to think. That was MaryJane Behavior 101. While he was confident in getting her back, he feared the process of the future that would follow it. Nevertheless, he wanted her back. He needed her and being without her wasn't an option. He could live with her kissing another man once, but he didn't have to like it. He wouldn't ever like it, but he couldn't disagree with Carol's logic. She'd been right and there he'd made himself look like the most cold hearted son of a bitch that ever lived and he didn't have a right to try and justify his actions any longer. What he did was inexcusable, but neither was her hiding it from him...but that was a conversation for a later date.
All of a sudden, his thoughts were broken when someone or something slammed right into him like a truck. His first initial reaction was 'walker', but when said undead being let out a glass shattering scream Daryl knew it was human. And he knew who that human was. His eyes shot down to her, his hands curling around her arms to hold her steady as she struggled against him.
"Easy! Easy, it's me!" Daryl exclaimed gravelly, tilting his head to try and get her eyes.
She stilled and her whiskey colored orbs shot up to his and they filled with relief, tears sliding from her eyes, her face falling with so many emotions Daryl couldn't keep up.
"Daryl!" She gasped like he was a savior before bursting out into loud sobs. "Oh, God! I'm so sorry! I'm sorry!"
Daryl shushed her, instinctively bringing her closer, but he froze in mid-action when he caught sight of her red cheek, purple starting to rise from under the swollen skin. His softened left him, his eyes growing wide with rage as he cupped her face.
"Who did this?" He growled lowly, his deep and gravelly voice stiffening inside her.
She hesitated and her eyes fell to the floor, her voice gone. She trembled like a leaf in his arms, her face pale like death. Sweat beaded on her skin, her cheek swelling with every second. For some reason, something made Daryl glance down at her pants and his eyes narrowed on the unbuttoned pants and unzipped zipper. Everything grew deathly silent around him, something deep inside snapping in half. His hands tightened painfully on her causing her to whimper. He snapped his eyes up to hers and he shook her violently.
"Goddammit, MaryJane! Who fuckin' did this?!"
She couldn't meet his eyes as fresh tears fell from her eyes, but Daryl didn't need her to answer. He knew who did it with a terrible realization that slammed against him like a brick wall.
"Jeremy did this..." He growled and the rage grew red, smoking hot, and a familiar haze of red lining his vision.
A disturbing taste of metal slid into his mouth, his entire body coiling like a spring. His head grew so hot with enragement he swore it would explode. The infamous Dixon blood bristle and got to flowing through his veins. He touched his woman, he violated her...he touched a Dixon's woman...he was a dead man. Vengeance ripped through him, his hands itching to go around the kid's neck and strangle him. No, that would do no good. He wanted to stick his knife in him, gut him while he was alive and feed him to the walkers. He wanted to kill him. He touched what was Daryl's in the worst way possible and the only punishment was death. Daryl only thought he could feel such anger the day he found out that MaryJane kissed that boy. Oh, no, this was twice as bad. The emotions were ten times more alive in his nerves, his instincts to search, hunt and destroy giving him all justifiability for his actions. If anyone dare try to stop him he'd kill them too. Jeremy was a dead man.
"...I'll kill 'im." Daryl snarled as he stared at her face.
MaryJane gazed up at him through the tears, actually finding comfort in his presence, but it was dashed away by the murderous, red glare in his dark blue eyes. He was going to kill Jeremy. He'd get hurt! She couldn't bear it if he got hurt!
"Daryl! No!" She cried, grasping his arms tightly.
"Is everything okay?" Katie's usually gentle voice asked from a few yards away.
Daryl shoved MaryJane away, towards a gun toting Katie, Carol, Maggie and Carl. She stumbled back, Carol catching her, looking her over and seeing her face and pants. Dread welled up in her. Oh, dear!
"I'm gonna fuckin' kill 'im!" Daryl yelled as he picked up his cross bow and stalked around the corner.
Carol had to hold a struggling, trembling and crying MaryJane as she begged Daryl pitifully. She felt her own tears well up at the sound of her desperate pleas.
"Daryl, please! He's going to kill him! Please, stop him!" She begged as she turned on Carol, hysterical.
Katie took her turn in inspecting her surrogate daughter and when she saw the bruised cheek and ruffled pants she exclaimed in worry. He demanded to know what Daryl did, but MaryJane had no strength to tell her. Jeremy was like a son to her. She wouldn't believe her. Carol and Maggie shared a glance, both knowing who did it and what happened. Maggie looked ready to bust while Carl stood back, giving MaryJane looks of sadness.
"Carol! You have to stop him! He's gonna kill Jeremy!" MaryJane warned hysterically through the new onslaught of tears.
Carol wasted no time and hugged her close and turning to Carl. "Carl, go get your daddy, Con and Merle. Hurry!" She ordered and the young boy nodded, scurrying off back, grabbing onto his police hat as he did so.
MaryJane sobbed into Carol's neck, her mind reliving what happened over and over again. Her body burned, the places he touched her felt dirty. She wanted to rid her body of his touch, forget that it ever happened. She wanted to wash it away, scrub it away until it was gone, the burning sensation. Katie fired questions away in deep worry, but MaryJane only sobbed harder. She'd kept the whole thing from the woman she considered her mother! Katie wouldn't ever understand! She wouldn't!
Seconds later, Daryl came around the corner with a bloody and bruised Jeremy in his grasp. His bangs fell into his eyes, those dark orbs in slits, his face clenched with vengeance. Jeremy didn't struggle as Daryl hauled him down the hall. The swollen cheek, eye bloody lip and limp was evidence enough of his surrender. Daryl was untouched to MaryJane's relief, but she tried lunging for him, wanting him to let Jeremy go, but Carol held her back. Daryl needed this, they both did. For once she'd turn the other cheek in letting Daryl kill another survivor.
"Daryl! Please don't!" MaryJane begged sobbing.
He ignored her, his mind clouded with the raging desire to show the kid the meaning of pain. You fuck with a Dixon, his woman or his family then you were asking for death. The beating he gave him wasn't near what the Germ was going to feel. Before it was over, Daryl would have him begging for mercy, begging for his life. He'd give him a false sense of hope then pull it out from under him like a rug, like he did to him. The Germ was going to know what happened when you fuck with Daryl. He'll fuck you up in return. He hauled the smart ass through the cell block, knowing the four women were following and he had to keep his mind off the one who meant most to him. Just the idea of the kid's hands on her just made him reel with another wave of raw brutal force.
He ignored the other standing prison dwellers who questioned him and drug the kid outside. The light if day didn't blind him for he was too blind by something else to even notice the sun. He hauled his ass into the grassy yard and threw him down like he was trash, his face curling with disgust. Jeremy lifted up with one arm and Daryl inhaled sharply, kicking the kid in the chest, then bringing his foot under his hand, making his torso slam against the hard ground. Jeremy grunted in pain, but made no move against Daryl. Violently, Daryl placed his boot on the Germ's side and shoved him into his back. His hands were hovering over his body in weak defense, real fear in the one eyes that wasn't swollen shut. To release more steam the tracker plowed his boot into Jeremy's side, making the kid cry out and cringe away. In cases before when Daryl beat up on someone he called them names, but he had no voice to yell at him. He was so angry that his vocal cords had nothing to bring up. Daryl dropped his bow to the side and then his face stripped blank of all expression except the murderous glare in his dark blue eyes.
MaryJane, Carol, Katie and Maggie stood feet away, all three trying to comfort MaryJane who had grown silent, but just sobbed as Daryl kicked the young man. Katie had no gumption to stop the enraged tracker and from the messy exterior of MaryJane it wasn't hard for her to put two and two together. Charlie and Slim went to go stop Daryl, but Katie shut them down. They needed to wait for Rick and Con. Where were they?
Daryl stood over the kid, his hips in between Daryl's feet. The tracker glared down at the boy emotionlessly, nothing but raw vengeance fueling him. Jeremy whimpered when the older man pulled his knife slowly from its sheath on his belt. Jeremy began to hyperventilate as Daryl flipped it around in his hand then grabbed the handle, the blade pointed away from the kid, but the tracker would bring the end down on him before he could blink.
"I told ya if ya touched her again I'd kill ya." He said chillingly dark.
Daryl's face curled as he made to stab the boy, in which he cringed away. MaryJane made to scream, but another cry cut her off.
"Daryl! No!"
MaryJane glanced over and breathed a gasp of relief when Rick, Con and Merle started running over with Carl in tow. Rick had yelled out to his brother in arms, hand resting on his pistol. It was a rather comical sight. All they needed was armor, flags and horses then they'd fit the bill of knights perfectly.
Daryl ignored Rick and lifted his knife again, only to have his attempt thwarted when a large body slammed into his, knocking him to the ground. Daryl growled and punched his offender, the knife slipped from his grip. MaryJane watched with horror as Daryl fought his older brother who was working to calm him down. Jeremy made to crawl away from the brawl, but Con pointed his rifle at him in warning, his ancient eyes already having studied MaryJane.
"Don't even think 'bout it, son." Con ordered in his deep bass voice.
"Con—" Jeremy started, but Con cut him off.
"It might be in yer best interest ta keep yer mouth shut." It wasn't a suggestion, but an order.
And for once, the kid was smart and closed his mouth. Daryl released a yell of frustration as Merle threw the knife away and bested his brother. He stood, leaving his brother on his knees, glaring at the boy on the ground a few feet. Rick sighed and approached when Merle nodded to him. The leader was well aware of what Daryl was feeling, but why he was, was something he didn't know but he sure as hell was gonna find out. He held a hand out to Daryl, but he ignored it, pushing himself to his feet, his body stiff and Rick was reminded of a higher strung Daryl when they first met. He looked like that caged predator as he started to fidget in his place. Con looked down at Jeremy and grabbed under his arm and hauled him up. Merle stood close to Daryl, seeing how he froze in his fidgeting and like he suspected, when the kid was on his feet, Daryl lunged.
Merle grabbed the front of his brother's shirt and planted his feet firmly into the ground and moved when Daryl tried to get around him.
"Easy, Daryl! Calm down!" Rick exclaimed calmly.
Daryl snarled and Rick was definitely seeing the old Daryl return. "Fuck that!"
His vengeful eyes turned back to Jeremy who stuck close to Con for protection. He lunged at his brother and Merle grunted, his blades arm wrapping around the tracker to hold him in place. Merle had very little trouble, but even Daryl was extremely strong.
"I'm gonna stomp yer ass! I'll kill ya!" He yelled, pointing at Jeremy who cringed away.
"No. Not until you tell us what the hell is going on." Rick shook his head, coming up behind Merle's back to stare at Daryl with those commanding green-blue eyes.
Merle's eyes fell to MaryJane who was quietly sobbing in Carol's arms. His chest tightened as he took in her swelling cheek, but it only hardened to rage when he saw her disheveled pants were unzipped.
Oh, fuck no!
It was Merle's turn to want to attack the boy, but he couldn't. One wrong move towards the kid at the moment could result in something bad. He needed to hold off for one day so that Beth could finally tell everyone first. Their hand was pushed, but they had little choice.
"I think the bruise on MJ's face is enough, Rick." Merle hissed, staring at MaryJane.
The dark haired leader's gaze fell on her and he studied her, but it didn't take long for it all to come to him. Someone had beaten her and from the looks of it, tried to rape her too. It defiantly wasn't Daryl because he didn't believe in harming women in any way and because it was MaryJane. He'd never hurt her intentionally like that. Merle wouldn't do it and he was with him and Con. Every other male was accounted for and Rick ruled them out easily. Though, his eyes grew hard as he turned back around and they settled on Jeremy who was sporting a black eye, swollen cheek and a busted lip. He was momentarily reminded of Ed, Carol's deceased husband. Rick's protectiveness of his people swelled up in every corner of his body. He considered Daryl his brother and MaryJane was Daryl's woman so that made her a part of his family. If Daryl went through all that trouble to beat him up as he did then the kid was obviously guilty despite his innocent features. Internally, he already had him tried, convicted and sentenced to death.
Daryl finally stood still behind Merle who glared at Jeremy with a lot of murderous force. The tracker's eyes went to MJ who looked like hell and the urge to go and take her into his arms nearly had him walking to her. he shoved the unbearable instinct and just watched, knowing his presence wasn't one she probably wanted. Rick flipped his head back to MaryJane who clung to Carol's side like a lifeline then back to Jeremy. He pointed at MaryJane and stared at the kid who began favoring his right leg.
"Did you hit her?" Rick asked.
Jeremy averted his eyes, but Rick already had his answer. Daryl hissed and took a step to make him talk, but Merle held an arm out in front of him to stop him. It was Rick's turn. The leader's eyes narrowed on Jeremy before he softened his gaze onto MaryJane who shook nervously.
"Did he hit you?" He asked gently.
MaryJane glanced at Carol and Katie, but she only averted her eyes. She wanted to answer, but she feared for her life. Rick frowned when she hesitated, seeing the fear cloud her eyes. She was safe now. She wouldn't be hurt again. He was there and Daryl and Merle was there. No one could harm her.
"MaryJane..." Daryl begged softly and gravelly.
Her sparkling water brown eyes met Daryl's for a brief moment to see his tone of voice meet his expression. It made her gut stir.
"Yes," She whispered before glancing at Daryl then turned into Carol's arms, releasing more sobs.
Rick wanted to ask the most sensitive question, but MJ was being mortified enough. He'd wait until there was a more private conversation between the main people involved. He sighed and placed his hands on his hips, irritation making his voice rise and accent grow thicker.
"I want a full explanation and I want it now." He ordered, his eyes landing on Jeremy sternly.
"So do I." Con agreed deeply.
For MaryJane, the next hour feel like a blur. Con and Rick hauled Jeremy away and Daryl and Merle were ordered to follow. She couldn't meet Daryl's worried eyes when she passed. She couldn't. Jeremy had violated her and Daryl would no doubt blame her again. She shivered and used Carol as a crutch. Katie hugged her other side and helped her into the prison. All she could really remember was getting set down in a cell and good old Hershel tending to the wound on her face. She kept her eyes to the ground as he inspected her cheek. He asked her some questions but she barely heard him. Hershel noticed her undone jeans and felt his throat constrict. He hoped that she hadn't been through such a horror. Carol sat beside her and he glanced at her uncertainly. They all looked up when Beth came dashing into the room, her absence having been missed. MaryJane broke down again when she saw her and Beth was at her side in an instant, hugging her friend close. She asked what had happened, but no one felt the strength to tell her. Beth felt her own heart break as MaryJane clung to her. Carol suggested a shower and MaryJane nodded.
She needed to wash Jeremy's hands off her. She needed to wash it all away.
Carol left their side for a few moments before returning with a pair of fresh clothes and a towel. Beth held MJ as they walked towards the showers. Carol opened the door for them and the blonde led a quietly crying MaryJane inside. The silver haired mother set the clothes and towel on a bench nearby while Beth set her down. Carol caught Beth's eyes and gestured with her head they needed to leave. MaryJane needed to sort herself out. Hesitantly, Beth kissed MaryJane's head and left, keeping her eyes on her distraught friend.
"We'll be right outside if you need us, MaryJane." Beth piped sweetly.
MaryJane just sat there until the metal door closed. Her silent tears turned into loud, pain wrenching sobs as she stood and began stripping her clothes away, her skin burning with disgust as she felt the uncomfortable throb between her legs. She could still feel his fingers there. With a sob she stumbled to a shower head and flipped the switch on. She winced and hissed as ice cold water splashed against her skin, though it wasn't long before she couldn't feel it. He bruised cheek rejoiced in the cold sensation. Flashes of Jeremy over her, touching her made the sobs only louder, her vision blurry as she shot a clumsy hand out to grab the soap on the bar. She ran the soap all over her body, every single inch that he touched, sobbing as she did so, closing her eyes as the feeling kept returning. She scrubbed inside her legs even harder, desperate to banish the feel of him inside her. Her own nails scraped against her skin, rubbing it raw. Even though her body was clean when she was done she still felt dirty. Once the water washed the soap away she turned off the water, but her knees gave out. She collapsed onto the floor and pressed her back against the wall, bringing her knees up to her chest protectively.
Jeremy hadn't said a word to her the whole time he assaulted her. He was silent instead of yelling at her to be quiet like most attackers would. Why had he been silent? Was he that arrogant? She didn't know, but she was glad Rick and Con took him away and she drink care where he was. She wanted nothing to do with him. MaryJane shivered in the cold shower room, unfeeling of anything but how her skin still burned. Would it ever go away? Would the burning and violated throbbing dissipate? God, she wanted it to! It had to it she'd go insane!
She didn't know how much time passed, but she finally crawled towards the towel and wrapped it around her body, rubbing it dry. Ignoring the burn she pulled on the fresh underwear, bra and clothes the consisted of a simple pair of jeans and a black long sleeve shirt. Some how she felt safer in the material since more of her was covered up. She towel dried her hair and slipped her boots back on before exiting the showers. With a weak hand, she pushed the door open to find that Carol and Beth were still there. They smiled at her and she offered a slight twitch of the lips in return, but it faded to nothing. Carol took her old clothes and towel while Beth wrapped an arm around MaryJane in comfort. The teen wanted to say something to make her feel better, but she didn't know what to say. So silence ruled between the three of them. MaryJane focused in and out of reality and seconds later she felt her bottom touch a soft surface.
"You can rest here on my bed, MaryJane. I gotta go see Judith, but I'll be right back okay?"
MaryJane just nodded once and Beth but her lip before standing up and leaving the room, not without glancing one more time. The whiskey eyed woman slowly found herself lying down in the bunk, her body curled into a fetal position. She didn't know what to feel. She didn't know what to think or do. It was like she felt lost all of a sudden, her path gone from her. What could she do?
Her thoughts strayed to Daryl and a deep yearning burned in her chest. She needed him, needed his arms around her to comfort her like before. She needed his strength to pick herself up. God! She just needed him. But after what happened came to light Daryl wouldn't want to touch her ever again and that only made more tears fall from her eyes.
She'd lost him again. Now what?
Daryl stalked, following Rick and Con towards an empty cell, farthest away from the others. Rick opened the cell and the two men threw Jeremy into the cell and locked the door behind them. Jeremy stood on his good leg and grasped the bars with wide eyed panic.
"Con, Rick, please! I can explain!" He begged.
Merle narrowed his eyes at the kid. The little fake was playing them and neither Rick nor Con seemed to feel sympathy for him.
"Yea, yer gonna explain. Every little detail." Con snarled, pointing his rifle threateningly at him.
Jeremy cringed back and Rick took a step closer, lowering his voice. "You're gonna stay here until we get the whole story and we determine what to do you with you. You can spend the night thinking on your sins."
To Daryl, it sounded like Rick already had him tried and sentenced. Good.
"We'll have someone bring you dinner." Rick added a little gentler before turning away.
His and Daryl's eyes met and Rick nodded to him. He stopped beside him and placed a firm hand on his shoulder. Daryl let out a deep breath and nodded back. Rick didn't remove his hand and Daryl had no choice but to follow him. He didn't want the easily angered redneck near the boy in case he kills him. The new survivalist Rick wanted to let Daryl have him, but the cop in him couldn't allow him to do that. Despite the fact he was already guilty in Rick's eyes.
Merle didn't even glance back at the kid as he followed Con who gave him a hard nod. Once they were all far from the cell Rick released Daryl. A wave of exhaustion washed over all of them. The events of the day were enough to make stress lines appear, especially on Daryl. Rick turned back to the three men.
"I think that, uh, we need to know what's been going on." He said, looking between Merle and Daryl.
The tracker grimaced, but he knew that if he wanted real justice for MaryJane then he'd tell Rick and Con everything. Rick frowned at Daryl's reaction, but understood completely. He'd been in a similar situation once.
"We'll talk 'bout in tha mornin'. It'll give us all some time ta cool off." Con said and Rick nodded in agreement.
Daryl just nodded and Merle rolled his eyes, wanting to just end it all and kill the littler jerk. He just scoffed and walked off. While the two leaders understood Merle's reaction, what they wanted to do to Jeremy wasn't right. Daryl glanced back at his brother's tense retreating form.
"I'd go see 'er, Daryl. If she needs anyone it's you." Con said softly, his hands wrapped around the barrels of his shotgun.
The tracker just looked at him, but it was Con who walked away, draping his shotgun over his arm. Rick watched his older friend walk away then glanced back at Daryl who studied the ground blankly. He sighed and followed after the shotgun wielder. Dark blue eyes darted up to the retreating leader. His mind was torn, but he knew what he wanted and he wouldn't stop himself. He walked towards the living cells and stopped at Judith's cell, but only Beth was there. Without a flicker of emotion, he walked away and stopped at Beth's cell when he caught something in the corner of his eye.
MaryJane was curled up on the bed, her eyes staring blankly at the wall. He went to take a step in, but something stopped him. He didn't know what it was, but he froze. His confidence was gone and the anger fueling him vanished into thin air. Daryl was left with nothing inside except his desire to go to her, but he couldn't. He wanted to, but she probably wouldn't want to see him after beating the kid up like he did. She probably wanted to be left alone and he needed to sort himself out. He averted his intense eyes from her and walked away, shoulders slumped. He narrowed his eyes in determination. He would fix this for her, he would make sure the Germ was punished and if Rick and Con failed to do that then he'd do it himself.
The fire of vengeance still burned violently in his blood.
Well...there isn't much to say. Enjoy? Like? Then review and let me know! I hope this was alright. I am working on Chapter 17. Oh, on August 19, my college classes start so I want to get out as many chapters as I can before they start. So, expect my updates to go from 1-2 weeks to longer because my education comes first. If I could just spend the rest of my life writing fanfictions I would, but alas! I need an education!
By the way, my mother said that I should try to write an eBook. I have an original story idea in mind, but what do you think? Has anyone done that or know anyone who wrote an eBook?
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Happy Writing!