Chapter Twenty Four

Carol watched Kathrine as she went through the cupboard and pulled out a few canned hams that Daryl had hidden up there. He had told her the day before that they were out of food and she had needed to step up her game so the kids wouldn't starve. In all actuality, they still had a decent food supply and he had just wanted to put some pressure on her to see if she had it in her to actually kill something.

Katherine grabbed some cans of peas and a box of instant potatoes. She seemed at ease with the mundane work, much like Carol usually was. She absently cleaned things and doted on her little girl when the child was awake.

And that was the problem. She reminded Carol of herself but Carol had been a struggling single mother working too many hours through the week just to make ends meet. Carol did the cooking and the house work and the doting because that was who she was. This woman was the wife of a senator. Carol didn't want to be the type of person that would stereotype someone else but this all just seemed strange to her.

"Need some help?" Carol asked suddenly.

Kathrine looked up from the cans she was opening and smiled slightly. "It's just a few cans. I think I can handle it."

Carol nodded. "While Daryl and I were out yesterday we ran across some blackberry bushes. When the rain stops I was thinking about picking some and making-"

"Blackberry dumplings?" Kathrine asked, grinning.

Carol nodded. "Yes, actually.

"My grandmother taught me how make them when I was little. Secret family recipe. If we're still here I'd love to help you make them."

Carol frowned but Kathrine didn't see it. She was focused once again on prepping dinner. "I'd love that," she said, meaning the words but more confused than ever about who this woman really was.

Once the food was cooking over the fire Kathrine joined her at the table. Carol had more questions for the woman but Brody chose that moment to walk in from outside. He eyed both of them and then turned his eyes to his mother.

"When do you think my dad will be back?" He asked, his voice colder than Carol thought was necessary.

Kathrine dropped her eyes. "I'm not sure. The Dixons didn't say how long they would be."

"I don't see what the Dixons have to do with that question. They took my dad's SUV, they're using the trailer that we brought here, and last I checked this was still America and I think a US senator outranks a couple of rednecks that happened to have a cabin we needed to crash in for a few days."

Carol's head snapped up. "Excuse me? If I do recall, you were all starving when you got here, begging for something to eat and a safe place to stay for the night. How dare you talk to your mother that way."

Brody laughed, shaking his head. "I'm sorry, really. I must have given off this vibe that anything that came out of your mouth actually mattered to me. Here, let me correct you," he leaned across the table until his face was inches from Carol's and his eyes grew cold, harsh. He reminded her of Ed. Especially when he reached out and gripped her arm. "You don't fucking speak to me like that. Not again, lady. Mind your own damn business and know your place."

Carol was too stunned to say a word. She winced as the boy's strong fingers dug painfully into her upper arm. She felt like she had just been put in a time warp and was looking into the eyes of her dead husband. She felt weak. She felt ineffectual. She felt afraid, but that was absurd. He was a child! Sure, he was big, obviously strong, but still a child. He pulled back just as the front door opened up and Damon stepped inside. She stood up quickly.

She looked past Brody and met Damon's eyes. He frowned and then looked down, almost sheepishly.

"Carol, can I talk to you for a second?" He asked, looking back up at her quickly.

She nodded, so grateful that he was there that she felt completely ridiculous. She shouldn't be afraid of a boy and she shouldn't feel safe because another one happened along. "Of course," she said, making her way towards him without a backwards glance. Not for the first time she really wished the cabin was bigger. It was becoming a real pain to have to go outside every time she wanted a little privacy.

Damon shut the door behind them and looked down at her. "You look upset and I know it's because of what you saw earlier."

"Damon, really I-"

He held up a hand, stopping her. "I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry." He shook his head and frowned. "Well, I don't mean I'm sorry that I kissed her but if I said that I was sorry that you caught us I would sound like a real dick. I just want you to know that I'm not some kind of pig, okay? I wouldn't ever try to take advantage of Sophia. I like her. She's been a real good friend to me after I found out about my folks and I respect her. I respect her too much to... You know. My mom, she raised me not to be some sort of asshole. I wouldn't hurt her and I wouldn't try to get into her pa-"

"Damon," Carol said softly, her hand going to his arm. He met her eyes. "Thank you. Not many boys your age would talk to me about it at all. And this may sound really weird, and I don't want you asking me any questions but I need a favor."

He frowned, obviously perplexed. "Okay."

"I need you to keep an eye on Sophia and Piper. I want you to stay near them both until Daryl and Merle get back."

He glanced at the door. "You getting a weird vibe from them too?"

She nodded and had to stop herself from rubbing the ache in her arm from when Brody grabbed her. "It's something."

He nodded and then his eyes narrowed. "Has he said somethin' to you? Cause I'll beat his fuckin' face in if you need me too. This is your house, not theirs."

She raised one eyebrow and tried to give him a severe look but it didn't work. She smiled slightly at how quick he was willing to defend her and it warmed her that he included her as if she were a member of his family. "I don't need you to do anything like that. Just stay with the girls. Hopefully they get back early."

Damon nodded. "Whatever you need me to do." He turned to go back inside but she grabbed his arm again.

"Damon?"

He turned, looking down with a frown.

She wasn't sure how to say what she felt she needed to say. "I don't know you very well. We haven't really spent much time together or anything but I wanted to tell you that you're a really great person. You're good and this world needs good people. I'm positive that your mother was so proud of you."

He held her gaze, and despite his size, in that moment he looked like a little boy. A very desolate little boy that was hurting more than any of them probably realized. She stopped thinking about the problem at hand. Her heart ached for Damon then and she found herself stepping towards him. It didn't matter how big he was or how old he was. To her he was a child and he was hurting fiercely, even though he hid it well. His parents must have been incredible people to have raised him to be such a good person. She gripped his hand and pulled him closer and he came willingly, almost eagerly.

She was engulfed in his embrace. He was bigger than Daryl. He was even bigger than Merle, but she hugged him back just as hard. When he pulled away, after a few long moments, she pushed his hair back out of his face and kissed his cheek lightly. "You need to stop hiding behind all that hair," she smiled.

He snorted and shook his head. "You sound like my mom."

She gave him a small shove towards the door. "Go on and keep an eye on the girls while I help Kathrine."

He nodded and went inside but she didn't go in after him right away. She leaned against the wall and lifted her shirt sleeve, grimacing. Brody's hand print was clear, wrapping around her bicep. It was already turning an angry purple hue.

A bruise.

She stared at it for a long time, her mind drifted back to a place it hadn't in years. She hadn't gone back because she had spent these last five years living a very quiet life. She worked hard every day. She spent her time off with her daughter. She cooked meals and cleaned house and her and Sophia rented bad movies and ate greasy burgers every Friday. A very quiet, unassuming life...

She hurriedly pulled the steaks out of the oven, glancing at the clock nervously. Her ribs still ached from where he had hit her that morning. Her eye was still swollen. Her heart still broken. He would be here soon. Less than five minutes and his plate had to be ready. He was having a horrible time at work lately and he was taking it out on her. He took everything out on her.

Always.

She heard a car door slam, heard herself whimper pathetically as she scurried to get the meat on the plate. Her hands shook horribly as she scooped up the vegetables, trying to leave room for the baked potato. She was running out of time. If the plate wasn't on the table by the time...

A loud knock at the door had her turning, the plate slipping from her grip and landing on the floor. She stared at it in horror. What would he do once he came in and saw what she had done? It was getting worse. The beatings were worse and more and more frequent.

Another knock, louder than before.

She hurried out of the kitchen, needing to see who was there before she cleaned up the mess. Her hands were shaking as she reached for the knob.

"Mom?"

She turned, trying to school her face but knowing she was failing. She always failed. She was a failure at everything. "It's okay, honey. Go on back to your room and I'll come get you in a little while, okay?"

Sophia nodded and went back to her room. She spent a lot of time there. Too much time there. But it was safer than being out here.

She pulled the door open without looking out the window to see who was there. She frowned when she saw two policemen standing there, their hats in their hands. "Mrs. Peletier?"

She cleared her throat, a different kind of fear turning her stomach. Had someone reported him for hitting her? "Yes?"

The officers shared a look and then the one that had spoken took a step closer. "Ma'am, I'm so sorry to tell you this, but your husband was in a car accident. The paramedics on the scene tried, ma'am, but there was nothing they could do."

She stared, expecting to feel something but she had gone numb. They said their goodbyes, gave their condolences and then she shut the door, leaning against it. Her eyes filled with tears.

And then she smiled.

Carol yanked the shirt sleeve back down. Her chest felt heavy and she was having trouble drawing a deep breath. She didn't feel afraid. Not like she did all those years ago when she would study the bruises that Ed would give her. She felt none of that. What she felt now was much different. What she felt now was a cold anger that almost scared her.