Tay was playing outside by the swings with Judith and Carl. Everyone was busy doing rounds around the fences. Beth and Maggie were cooking dinner and setting the was off doing rounds and keeping watch. Judith was being whiny so Carl took her inside leaving Tay alone outside. It was dusk and everyone was gathering inside to eat. Tay was playing with her doll when she heard branches stood up quickly, frozen in place and turned around. The little blonde smiled as it was only Carol standing there. "Hi there." Tay chirped out. Carol stood there with no words to come out. Carol held out her hand. " Come on Tay, we are going to take a walk." Tay chewed on her lip. "Beth and Daryl said I can't leave the yard." Tay's big green eyes looked up to meet Carol's dark blue ones. "I already talked to them they said it was fine." The little girl shifted her position and smiled grabbing Carols hand. "Okay Carol." Carol pulled on Tay's hand walking deeper into the woods.
Beth was finishing up the food and setting the table when a kiss to her neck made her jump. "Daryl, don't you know not to sneak up on a girl like that?" she giggled. "I'm sorry." Daryl kissed her cheek before turning to go wash up. "Beth, um where's Tay?" Beth turned to face Daryl. "She was outside with Carl and Judith...Didn't you see her?" Beth asked a little worried. "No, I thought she came in. I'll go check outside real quick." Daryl vanished through the door. Beth stood still a moment before walking upstairs. "Hey Carl." Beth yelled. Carl appeared at his door. "Yeah?" he questioned. "Is Tay with you?" Beth asked. "Uh no, I left her outside playing. Judy was getting whiny so I brought her in." Carl scratched the back of his head. "You were suppose to be watching her Carl." Beth said through clenched teeth. "I didn't think it was a big deal, Carol was out there with her." he snapped. "Wha- What?" Beth stuttered. "Carol was outside watching her." Carl said before turning and closing his door. Beth's heartbeat sped up and her stomach dropped. Beth carried herself as fast as her legs would go down the stairs. She slipped her coat on as she slammed into a hard chest making her stumble backwards and her ass hit the floor with a thump. "Sorry baby." Daryl said as he picked her up. "Daryl, is she out there?" Beth rushed out. "No." he mumbled out. "Carol took her Daryl. Remember you said she was watching her. I talked to Carl and Tay was with Carol last." Beth cried out. Daryl fought back tears. "She's gone?" his voice barely audible.
Daryl grabbed his crossbow not thinking twice before walking out the door with Beth right behind him. "Beth! Daryl! Wait a minute. We can't going running off into the woods." Rick blurted. "Rick she has Tay! and I'm going to get her back." Daryl shouted. "Daryl now hold on!" Rick raised his voice. "No! I already lost one girl I cared about and if it wasn't for this little girl, Beth wouldn't be here!" Daryl screamed. Beth fought tears as her voice was unsteady. "Rick, I can't lose her, she saved me. I promised her! I said I would keep her safe!" Beth sniffled. Daryl shook his head before leading the way into the woods. "Either you're coming or you're not." Daryl grumbled out. Daryl, Beth, Tara and Glenn joined the search for Tay. Someone had to stay back with Judith and Maggie volunteered.
Tara and Glenn went one way and Beth and Daryl went another. Beth couldn't help but shake. Her hands trembled as she held her gun close. She didn't know why Carol was doing this to them, she was family but what changed? She wasn't the woman Beth and the group had grown to love. Panting for air Beth was falling behind Daryl. She was doin her best to keep up but lately she's been tired and exhausted. Her lungs were burning from gasping for breaths and the air cold. It was Fall and it's been really chilly out. There was a gunshot and Beth and Daryl ran towards the noise. The branches were a blur before Beth tripped over a root of a tree and slammed into the ground. Brushing her hands on her jeans she grabbed Daryl's hand and he pulled her to her feet. "You okay?" Daryl's voice low and gruff. "Yeah, it's my ankle but i'll be fine." she huffed out. "Can you walk?" he looked at her concerned. "Y-yeah." Beth answered. Limping she followed behind Daryl. Daryl looked back and saw Beth struggling to keep up, he shifted his crossbow. "Jump up." Daryl's voice low. Raising her eyebrows she questioned him. "A piggyback ride, you serious?." She looked curious. "It's a serious piggyback now hop up." Daryl said with a smirk. Beth did as she was told. "You're a lot heavier than you look." he chuckled.
Another shot fired and Daryl was running with Beth on his back. Pushing through the branches and bushes they came to a clearing. Daryl stopped as there stood Carol with Tay. Daryl set Beth down and moved forward. "Don't Daryl." Carol warned as she held the gun to Tays head. Daryl stopped dead in his tracks. "Carol please! Let her go." Daryl pleaded. Beth stood close to Daryl, her hands shaking. Tara and Glenn burst through the bushes and stood next to Daryl and Beth. Beth started crying as her eyes met Tay's puffy green ones, her little lip quivered, hands trembling, she looked so scared and Beth couldn't comfort her. "Tay baby I'm sorry." Beth's voice waivered. "Beth, please don't let her hurt me." Tay's voice squeaked and Beth's heart shattered. Carol glanced between Daryl, Beth, Tara and Glenn. "She should be dead! She can't survive this, none of us can." Carol snickered. Tears fell from Beth's eyes as Carol's words sunk in. "Carol, this isn't you. Just let her go." Daryl begged as he dropped to his knees.
Beth moved from behind Daryl and walked forward. "Don't move Beth!" Carol warned. "You are going to kill a five year old or you're going to kill me?" Beth asked in a shaky voice. "I'll kill you first then Tay, while Daryl watches." Carol threatened. "I don't care. When you care about people, hurt is part of the package. I will do anything for that little girl." Beth blurted. Beth was feeling anxious and appalled by Carols words. "My daddy said once 'A sad soul can kill quicker than a germ.' That's what you are Carol, a sad soul, but you have us who care about you." Beth rambled as tears stained her cheeks. Beth saw Tay wince as Carol tightened her grip on the little blonde. Beth stepped forward and Carol raised the gun to Beth. "Don't move Beth and step back!" Carol demanded. Beth stopped a second before seeing the pain plastered on Tay's face. Carol was so focused on Beth she didn't see Glenn and Tara sneak away. Beth brought her hand in front of her. "Carol I'm not going to hurt you, I just want Tay back in my arms please!" Beth choked out. Carol didn't hesitate and fired her gun. The shot of the gun rung through everyones ears. Beth fell to the ground motionless as blood pooled around her. Daryl flew and scooped her in his arms. "Beth, hold on you're gonna be okay." Daryl said as tears fell from his eyes. Tara and Glenn caught Carol and Tara smashed her fist into Carol's jaw. Glenn scooped up the crying Tay and walked over to Daryl. "We need to get her back to the house." Glenn shouted. Daryl gathered the lifeless Greene in his arms and started for the house. Tara reached for Tay and rubbed her back to soothe the five year old.
The walk seemed endless and Beth was losing a lot of blood. "Glenn help me, we have to stop the bleeding or she won't make it to the house." Daryl confessed. Daryl ripped a section of his shirt off and wrapped it around her wound. Glenn was careful not to move her too much. "Daryl we have to see if it was a clean shot." Glenn spoke. Before thinking Daryl ripped Beth's shirt just enough to see the wound. "There is an exit wound, it was a clean shot." Daryl mumbled. Glenn examined it a little more and started wrapping her wound more and putting pressure on it to help stop the bleeding. Daryl got up and held Tay while Tara and Glenn stabilized Beth. Daryl rubbed Tay's back. "She's gonna be okay, I promise you." He whispered into Tay's ear. "Beth can't die, she can't leave me." Tay's voice low and unsteady. Tears filled her emerald eyes as she buried her face in Daryl's shirt. "Tay she won't leave you, she won't leave us." Daryl murmured into her hair. "Um Daryl, she has no pulse." Tara squeaked. "We need to get her back to the house right now!" Glenn yelled.
Sorry for the long wait. I was having a hard time writing lately.