(Warning this contains mature scenes)
Carol stared up at the ceiling and then at the window in the bathroom as she lay on top her bed quietly, she breathed in nervously her hands beginning to rest over her aching stomach full of butterflies. What if he's been caught this time? Carol thought to herself worriedly the thought terrified her. She shook her head rapidly and shut her eyes tightly trying to think of something else, he was coming and everything was going to be okay.
It had been 3 weeks and they had a system.
Every day when Ed went out to work or to play poker Daryl would slip himself into the house either through the bathroom window or the backdoor, No matter how many times they had gone through this system she still worried, she always imagined Ed bursting through the door while Daryl was over and him killing both of them. Carol shook her head again trying to forget this; everything was going to be okay. When Daryl came to spend time with her he would often spend large amounts of time just watching Carol and smiling, frequently repeating how lucky he is to have her or how much he wanted her. Carol was always taken by surprised when he said things like this; no one had ever treated her like this, like she mattered.
It made her feel good.
Daryl would cook for her constantly never letting her touch anything in the kitchen,
"Keep out of the kitchen, it's my Job to do the damn cookin'" he'd say guiding her out of the kitchen not before kissing her softly.
And she'd sit on the couch actually relaxing and watching him cook, something she'd never experienced. Other days when they know they may only have few hours, they would just fool around together sometimes all night and they would talk. Daryl would listen to her every word carefully and just smile nearly every time she spoke. Carol grinned at the memories as she lay on the bed her eyes still watching the window in the hallway.
Her stomach began to squeeze again, everything was going so perfectly.
Too Perfectly.
Over the last 3 weeks she came to the realisation that this wasn't going to last forever, because it can't. Anything that made her happy always ended up disappearing eventually. The thoughts moved around her head again, Ed finding out about them. Her hands tightened around her stomach as the pains in her stomach got worse. The worries continued to build up inside of her, all of them piling on top of each other. She couldn't take it anymore; she needed to run to the bathroom before they got worse.
Carol sharply got up from her bed and sprinted towards the bathroom through the dark hallways, as soon as she entered the bathroom she slid her body down to the cold ground and rested her head on the bath. She was beginning to feel awful. She shut her eyes again softly, she wish she could just put her hand out to Daryl and tell him to take her and Sophia away forever, she wanted him to take her whole life.
The Window suddenly groaned as it slid open carefully,
"Carol?" hissed a voice.
Carol looked up wearily to see Daryl climbing in through the window carefully, she smiled warmly.
"Hi" she said moving herself to lie against the sink.
"You okay?" he asked sitting on the edge of the bath.
Carol sighed still holding onto her stomach, "Nerves got to me" she said in a hushed tone.
"Again?" asked Daryl slowly leaning into her,
Carol nodded her head beginning to bow down, she shut her eyes gently.
Daryl softly moved his hands to rub her back delicately; Carol opened her eyes wearily to look at him,
"I thought you weren't coming" she sighed sickly
Daryl narrowed his navy eyes down at her, "Why's that?" he asked moving his hands to stroke her silver hair.
Carol swallowed, "I thought maybe you got caught by Ed or just didn't want to come anymore…" Carol said now slightly embarrassed.
Daryl chuckled lightly, "I'd never leave without sayin' anything and if Ed found me I'd stomp his stupid ass before he could scratch me" Daryl smirked proudly
Carol grinned warmly but her hands continued to clutch her stomach, this wasn't getting any better.
Daryl smirked as he watched her, "What, no kiss today?" he asked wrapping his arm around her.
Carol smiled as she playfully hit his arm away, "I look disgusting" she whined
Suddenly Carol's weight shifted closer to Daryl's as he pulled her into a large bearlike hug, "You always look fantastic to me" he grinned kissing the top of her head softly.
Carol beamed as he steadily let her slide back into her original seat, "What time is it?" she asked sleepily.
"Midnight"
"Why are you so late tonight?" she asked yawning
"Because I like to be mysterious" he said coolly.
Carol glanced up at him and laughed sweetly, he grinned back down at her
"Nah, I had to wait 'til they were all shit faced drunk" said Daryl gruffly as he put one hand out to Carol to help her up, "When I slipped out the back Ed and Merle were already drunk as hell on the floor" he said huskily.
Carol laughed softly and soon pulled him into a light kiss, "Seems like you might be able to stay the night, we should go to my room" she hummed kissing the corner of his mouth.
Daryl kissed her back gently, "Sounds like a plan"
The two of them walked backwards from the bathroom to the bedroom never once breaking their kiss, Daryl's hands rested on Carol's hips as they fell to the warm bed gracefully his hands brushed through her soft hair.
"I missed you so much" he breathed, his lips brushing against her smooth shoulder.
Carol breathed lightly, "I missed you too" she murmured as she let Daryl's lips explore her.
Carol hands moved to Daryl's chest as she delicately unzipped his leather jacket, shoving it off of him roughly, her kisses beginning to get harsher.
Daryl's lips wondered slowly towards her neck again, his small kisses made Carol moan softly, she abruptly removed her T-shirt and pulled Daryl's warm body even closer to hers pulling off his shirt and throwing it to the ground.
"Daryl" she breathed before sitting up, she lightly moved behind his body and began to kiss the nape of his neck tenderly, her lips slipped down Daryl's back. Daryl shivered as he began to tense up, Carol paused sitting up slowly.
"I can stop if you want I don't have to…" she said softly as she shut her eyes, she had found Daryl's scars the last time they had fooled around.
"Nah, I'm fine…" he breathed
Carol nodded calmly and continued to move her lips down his beck delicately, she slowly pushed his body onto the bed and climbed it her lips resting against his, her hands wrapping around the nape of his neck as she did so, she was ready to let everything go. Daryl softly pushed Carol down on the bed and leaned over her his lips locking on her neck, her silky bra brushing against him.
"Imma' make this good for you" he purred pulling down her lace underwear.
She closed her eyes as she felt him begin to kiss her soft breast lightly, she moved her head back elegantly as she felt him part her legs, and slide into her. Her entire body tightened against him as her hips met his, causing him to go deeper inside her. Her legs wrapped against his waist lightly, Carol took in his scent as he panted heavily against her skin.
"God….Daryl" she moaned her nails now carefully digging into his back.
"It's okay…I got ya" he purred locking his hands with hers.
Carol nodded her fingers on her right hand slipping through Daryl's soft hair, She felt a rush of heat travel through her as Daryl rocked against her gently his hips beginning to move faster and faster against hers, his were cheeks flushed and his was body hot.
His fingers tightened against hers softly as he began to groan. Carol's head flung backwards as her mouth opened in a gasp, her entire body began to shake tenderly as her grip on Daryl grew tighter. She was coming; Daryl stroked her softly as he kissed her neck hushing her quietly as he thrust into her. He wanted to make it good for her.
"Faster" she moaned quietly still gripping onto him.
Daryl obeyed and a few moments later he was coming pressing his face into Carol's neck with a grunt his hips stilled. Carol shut her eyes slowly as she hugged Daryl's warm body against her, she could feel his hot breath still panting slightly against her as she stroked his hair softly.
Daryl slowly rolled away from her, pulling the large white sheet over the two of them. He moved his large arm to wrap around her pulling Carol closer to him.
"I love you" he whispered kissing her hair softly.
Carol laughed gently against his skin, "I'm nothing special" she whispered kissing his hand.
Daryl's warm hand moved to stroke her face steadily, "You're special to me" he murmured. Daryl could feel Carol's smile against his chest, he pulled her in closer to him.
"I never want to leave you" she whispered burying her face into his chest.
Daryl chuckled quietly, "I'm not goin' anywhere" he said stroking her hair softly.
Carol stayed silent, she wished could believe him.
Daryl narrowed his eyes down at her noticing her silence, "What's the matter?"
Carol sighed, "I can't stop worrying about you not coming back because someone's found out about us…" she whispered.
"I'm not gonna leave ya alone with that bastard, I'll be here when you need me"
Carol nodded silently and continued to bury her head into Daryl's warm chest, Daryl played with her silver hair noiselessly.
"We could get far away from this dump"
Carol slowly glanced up at him, "Where would we go?" she asked quietly
"Maybe Atlanta or further, Jus' me, you and your little girl"
Carol laughed evenly, "It's just a dream"
Daryl sat up slowly, "I mean it though some day the three of us could get a truck and leave, we could get a house or somethin' like that" he said huskily.
Carol smiled warmly as she cuddled closer to him, her arms wrapping around his waist
"I'd like that" She carefully sat up and kissed Daryl softly on the lips, "Goodnight"
Daryl smiled through Carol's kiss, his lips returned the kiss, "Night" he said sliding down slowly onto the bed, Carol still wrapped in his arms.
….
Carol woke up the next morning to the smell of coffee, burning in her nose. Her eyes flickered open to see Daryl sitting on the edge of her bed fully dressed; he held two large cups of coffee in his hands.
"Morning" she smiled sleepily.
"Mornin'" he grinned brightly.
Carol sat up slowly, "What time is it?" she yawned
"About 9:30" he said handing her the cup.
"When'd you get up?" she asked taking a sip
Daryl stretched himself on the bed, "About 7am I know the drill but Ed didn't come back so I thought I could stay a lil' longer" he smiled drinking from the cup.
Carol smiled fuzzily, "Won't your dad and Merle notice you were out all night?" she yawned again.
"Probably too drunk to care" he took a sip from his cup, "And anyway if they ask where I was I can tell em' I was with a fine lady" he smirked eyeing her.
Carol leaned forward kissing him sleepily, "When do you have to leave?"
Daryl returned the kiss, "When I hear the door openin' I'll jump out of the window" he chuckled grinning against her lips.
Carol laughed holding the sheets to her bare body, "I have to pick up Sophia from Lori's in about an hour"
"You want me to come?" he asked moving his hand to touch hers.
Carol pushed him playfully, "Behave" she smiled, "Lori and Rick don't know about us and Sophia would probably be as traumatized as I was the first time I road your bike"
"Our first date" he purred kissing her cheek.
"The date that won me over" she purred back.
Daryl smiled shyly as he watched her,
"I could come with ya and take one of the trucks from the garage" he said huskily.
Carol bowed her head slowly, she wished Daryl could come with her but she knew all of the consequences if he did, "If people saw us together they'd talk" she said sadly
Daryl's lips pressed against hers lightly, "Let em' I'll be there protecting ya" he smirked.
Carol was still hesitant, Daryl's reassuring words didn't help her, "It's a giant risk…"
Daryl shrugged turning his back away from her staring at the exit, Carol wrapped her arms around him carefully from behind, "Do you have work today?" she asked yawning.
"Yeah but Merle won't care if I'm there or not" he said shrugging.
"You sure? I don't want you getting screamed at because of me" she said worryingly
Daryl kissed her hand softly as it rested on his shoulder, "Don't worry I aint afraid of Merle"
Carol laughed softly but shook her head, "I think you should go, I can't risk it for either of us" she said now resting her head on his shoulder.
"Alright, am I gon' see ya tonight?" he asked turning around to look at her.
Carol continued to rest her head on his shoulder, "Ed's not at work tonight" she said miserably.
"Maybe I could get Merle to play another game" smiled Daryl pulling her closer to him.
"That'd be nice" she smiled kissing him one last time.
Daryl carefully lay Carol back onto the bed and kissed her softly before leaving out of the window, "See ya later!" he called out gruffly.
And Carol was suddenly alone again, she sighed emptily. She always forgot how lonely she felt after Daryl left each night the reality always hit her hard. She curled up into a ball in her bed and stared at the window again hoping maybe he'd come back and they could spend some time together, maybe Ed wouldn't come back for a few hours or maybe even a few days. Carol sighed again, she knew that would never happen. She was trapped forced to live this lonely life.
She began collecting her clothes carefully off of the ground, all she needed was a miracle.
One Miracle and she could leave with Daryl and live his dream.
Their dream.
…..
Carol's legs moved quickly as she power walked down the road, trying to get to Sophia before Ed got home. She was desperate to keep everything on track, to make everything seem normal, but it wasn't, everything still scared her even though she had Daryl and his reassuring words she was so afraid of getting caught one day she didn't want to lose Daryl she knew what Ed would do to him if he found out. All the thoughts rushed around in her head.
Suddenly Carol felt herself knock into something hard, it pushed her backwards powerfully. She looked up to see the smirking face of Merle Dixon. Her stomach squeezed.
"You should look where ya goin'" he smirked this time not helping her up.
"Sorry" Carol mumbled helping herself up carefully, "Where's Ed?"
Merle's eyes looked Carol up and down slowly, he chuckled to himself shaking his head, "My place, I'm gettin' drinks"
Carol nodded trying not to look Merle directly into his eyes; his eyes were cold like Ed's.
"You know you're really glowin'" he smiled licking his lips slightly.
Carol narrowed her eyebrows up slowly, "Thank you…" she said hesitantly.
What the hell was he doing?
"Ed uh must be treatin' you well" he said staring at her.
Carol's stomach squeezed in that moment, her heart began to race and she felt like she was about to pass out.
He knew.
Carol nodded slowly, this time desperately forcing herself not look into his eyes, she was sure if she looked at him she would immediately throw up from nerves. Merle glared down at her, watching every small nervous step she took, every sniff and every blink. His head turned sideways as he stared.
"See ya then" he said finally breaking the frightening silence.
Carol nodded again, her voice was suddenly lost.
As soon as Merle turned his back to walk in the opposite direction, Carol felt herself sprinting down the street, her breath was heavy and her stomach felt like it was going to burst through her. Suddenly she stopped, resting herself on the bench she took a few deep breaths. She was being ridiculous, Merle couldn't know. They'd been so careful it's not possible for him to have found out she was being stupid.
Carol carefully sat herself down on the bench holding her head in her hands, everything was going to be fine. Daryl promised her that. She shook her head and opened her eyes softly, she needed to relax everything was getting to her recently she was sure Merle knew nothing.
"Come on Carol" she whispered to herself quietly as she stood up from the bench. She was strong she could handle this.
That conversation meant nothing.
She prayed it meant nothing.
…..
Lori smiled brightly as she flung the door open sharply, "Carol!" she began, but suddenly her facial expression changed completely.
"Are you okay? You look awful" she said immediately concerned.
Carol nodded her head wearily, she felt awful "I'm fine Lori"
Lori's arm gripped Carol's snappishly, "Come inside I'll make you something to drink" she said camly.
Carol shook her head, "I really have to go Lori I'm on a…tight schedule" she said sickly, she needed to get back home quickly before Ed if she wanted to keep him happy.
Lori frowned at her unimpressed, "I'm not letting you leave until I'm certain you're okay" she said seriously. Carol's eyes met Lori's, she sighed finally nodding as she let her pull her into the house.
Carol's eyes took in all of Lori's house, she sighed with envy she wished this was the kind of life she could live with Daryl. Just a peaceful life with him and Sophia, a normal living room a normal bedroom a normal kitchen she wished she could have it all. No more sneaking around, no more secrets, no more fear.
All she wanted was a ordinary life with him full of happiness. But she knew deep down that wasn't ever going to be her life. She was doomed to stay down below with Ed, the weak got left behind while the strong lived their lives. She sighed deeply her stomach ache returning.
"Mom?" squeaked a voice behind her.
Carol turned around to see Sophia she smiled at her sweetly, "Hey sweetie"
Lori's hand linked with Carol's smoothly, "I just need to talk to your mom for a few minutes sweetheart"
Sophia nodded slowly, "Okay" she smiled quietly.
Carol smiled as she watched Carl's small hand link with hers, "Come on Sophia lets go in the backyard" She was glad at least Sophia was happy.
Lori's guiding hand quickly directed Carol into the living room, Carol's stomach began to squeeze even harder she felt like she was going to burst. Lori squeezed her hand tightly and smiled reassuringly as she caught sight of Carol's sickly expression. Carol forced a small fake smile as she flung herself onto the soft couch, she sighed deeply covering her face with her sweaty hands.
"So tell me what's wrong" Lori said as she sat down beside her.
Carol shook her head stubbornly, she wasn't in the mood for more questions she was done with them.
"I'm just feeling a little bit sick that's all" Carol uttered moodily.
Lori squinted her eyes slowly, her head tilting in sync with them, "Are you sure that's it? Did Ed do something?" she asked concerned
"No" Carol said quickly as she sat up, "I really have to leave Lori, I'm sorry" she declared jumping to her feet.
Carol quickly walked out of the room swinging the living room door sharply, "Sophia, time to go" she called out walking towards the front door.
"Carol wait!" verbalized Lori
Carol didn't listen she needed to get home quickly just to maybe make things right or to at least keep Ed happy before he made her truly pay.
"I'm sorry" Carol uttered wrapping her arm around Sophia's shoulder quickly.
Lori stood in the doorway watching Carol walk away, her face full of sadness she desperately wanted to help her friend,
"Carol…" she breathed. "If something goes wrong talk to me please I just want to help you…you shouldn't have to hide" she said now leaning against the doorframe, Carl resting beneath her arm.
Carol nodded gently, "Okay" she mouthed.
The sound of thunder could suddenly be heard above them, In a flash it suddenly began to pour down with rain. Carol sighed lightly and turned away from Lori feeling ashamed with herself. She was too weak.
"Come on baby" Carol whispered covering Sophia with her arm.
Lori shook her head disapprovingly before taking one last look at Carol walking silently in the rain.
"Please leave him" she whispered closing the door noiselessly.
….
Carol's heart nearly stopped when she opened the door to see Ed and Merle sitting on the couch together, as soon as the door swung open both of their eyes narrowed towards her. She knew this was it, she was dead.
Oh God Carol thought to herself terrified.
She stood in the doorway with Sophia just staring at the two of them not knowing what to do. The heavy rain splashed on the floor noisily.
"Where the hell were you!?" roared Ed making Carol jump.
Carol slowly closed the front door, "I was picking up Sophia…" she carefully put her hand to her head, "I must've lost track of time" she said shakily.
"Should get ya ass home quicker…dumb bitch" he mumbled
Carol still stood in the living room not knowing what to do.
Had Merle told him?
Ed narrowed his cold eyes back to look at Carol, "What you doin' jus' standin' there? Huh? Get in the damn kitchen and make us somethin' we're starvin'" he snapped loudly.
Carol nodded quickly and obeyed racing to the kitchen, her hand gently brushed against Sophia.
"Go upstairs" she mouthed.
Sophia nodded obediently and she quickly sprinted up the stairs leaving Carol alone with the two monsters of men.
Carol nervously grabbed the bread from the cupboard and began slicing it into two sets of thin pieces, she swallowed.
"H…How was poker?" she asked shakily.
Ed's cruel chuckle boomed through the house, "I beat Dixon's ass!" he smirked kicking Merle's leg.
Merle smirked punching his leg, "I'll get that money back"
Carol let out a weak fake laugh as she grabbed the two beers and balanced them on the tray,
"Here you go boys" she said sickly.
She hated treating them with their so called 'respect', all she wanted to do was dump the food on the two of them and walk out the door with Sophia happily. But that was never going to happen, she was trapped.
Carol walked back into the kitchen slowly, suddenly she heard a thump behind her.
"Hey! Get back here" barked Ed.
Carol shivered nervously and turned to walk back to Ed. Suddenly she felt his large dirty hands pull her down onto his lap, his crude lips pressed down on her forcefully as he grabbed her ass tightly. She winced shutting her eyes tightly.
Oh God Daryl I wish you were here Carol thought to herself repulsed.
"Heh, Funny" Merle murmured watching her sit on his lap.
Carol began to pull away from Ed slowly but suddenly she lost control of her leg, her foot sharply kicked the beer and sandwiches onto the ground.
Crash
The bottles broke dampening the wooden surface with beer.
Ed shoved Carol off of his lap immediately, the force of Ed's shove caused Carol to fall to the ground sharply. She cried out in pain as a small piece of glass cut across her hand, she gripped it tightly trying her hardest not to cry out again, she knew it would just make Ed angrier.
"You deserve it you dumb bitch! Everything you touch breaks!" he screamed furiously.
"I'm sorry Ed" she sobbed her hand was beginning to burn her.
"Clean this shit up" he snapped kicking her.
Carol nodded wearily, "I'll get a towel from upstairs" she whispered weakly picking herself up from the ground.
"You're useless you know that?! Useless!" he yelled after her.
The words echoed through the house and into her head.
Useless
The tears fell and then they couldn't stop falling.
No matter how many times Carol wiped them away or got angry with herself for crying.
They just kept falling and wouldn't stop.
She desperately grabbed the towels from the shelf at first not giving a damn about her cut, but it hurt too badly. She quickly opened the first aid kit sitting next to the sink and wrapped it around her bleeding hand.
Just as she was about to exit the bathroom, Merle appeared in front of her his lips were curved into a cruel smile.
"You aint foolin' me" he smirked
Carol's heart began to pound, "What do you mean?" she asked nervously, the pain in her stomach was beginning to make her wince slightly.
Merle chuckled harshly, "I know you've been fucking my brother" he said roughly.
Carol eyed the exit, she needed to leave now. "I don't know what you're talking about" she said trying to push past him.
The force of Merle's arm immediately made Carol jump as he slammed it against the door frame, blocking Carol's exit. Her legs began to shake and her heart thudded harder, it was over for her.
She shut her eyes slowly, "H…how did you find out?" she asked shakily.
Merle smiled and leaned into her leisurely, "Daryl tellin' me to play poker all the time? Him goin' out all night? Daryl didn't used to do shit like that so he had to be seein' someone."
He paused eyeing her, "But I didn't know who…until I saw you together" he said his smile fading.
Carol felt like she was going to be sick, how had he seen them? She thought they'd been careful the past 3 weeks. They made sure they were always in private areas. Or at least Carol made sure.
"W…where did you see us?" she asked unevenly.
"It doesn't matter" he said now crossing his arms against his chest.
Carol was silent, she was too afraid to speak now.
Merle stepped towards her slowly, "You know what does matter though?" he said in a hushed tone, "Keepin' my baby brother safe I couldn't give two shits about what happens to you but I care about what happens to him" he said leaning over her now. "I know your man and if he finds out about Derlena messin' with you, he'll kill him nice and slow"
His words boomed in her head, she kept it bowed trying not to look him in the eyes, she couldn't now it felt physically impossible.
"End it, if you care about him still breathing" he smirked beginning to step away from her, "And if you tell Daryl about our talk and decide to not listen to old Merle, maybe I'll just have to tell him myself" he said now leaning against the door.
Carol's head continued to stay bowed, another tear falling from her eye.
Deep down she knew it.
Deep down she knew he was right.
"What the hell is takin' so damn long!?" boomed Ed's voice angrily.
Merle smiled moving his long arm to touch her shoulder, "You better go back to yourman"
Carol's feet slowly moved across the bathroom floor, she clutched the towel to her chest tightly as the tears began to fall down again this time it felt like it was never going to stop. Her stomach squeezed so tightly she felt like it was going to explode inside of her. She felt weak again.
Carol walked down the stairs unhurriedly, she didn't care anymore.
"You're takin' too long to walk" he snapped watching her drag her feet.
Carol didn't listen, she wanted to block all his words out along with Merle's.
Suddenly she felt the power of Ed's hands force her onto the hard ground, "Work!" he growled.
Carol nodded sluggishly and began to move the towel across the floor gradually.
Everything inside of her felt weak.
Her stomach squeezed harder.
"Work faster bitch" he snapped watching her hands moving slowly across the ground.
Carol continued to wipe the floor slowly, everything felt like hell. She felt like everything around her was beginning to turn to static and her head hurt, so badly.
Suddenly Ed's fist wrapped around her wrist, he pulled her up sharply. And before Carol could even blink she felt Ed's hand slap her hard across the face, she fell to the ground with a thud.
"Stupid bitch" he spat
She sat on the ground holding her burning cheek steadily she swallowed multiple times trying not to cry. She couldn't cry in front of him.
"You need to respect me by listenin' to me!" he screamed, "Do you understand!?" he snapped
Carol nodded slowly still holding her hand to her cheek, she couldn't cry in front of him.
Not here.
Not now.
"Merle get your ass down here! We're goin' out!" he called up snarling
Merle quickly ran down the stairs, his eyes narrowed down to Carol's unsympathetically.
"This shit better be cleared up by the time I get home you hear me?" he barked
Carol swallowed again trying to keep all the disgusting feelings inside of her, "It will" she hissed shakily.
The door slammed shut making the pictures on the wall shake. She carefully scooped the broken glass and sandwiches into the towel and paced towards the kitchen, she slowly dropped it into the bin and stared at the now clean spot. She sighed and began walking back into the living room, her heart thudded again as he caught sight of herself in the mirror.
She stared painfully at her scarlet cheek; it was already beginning to swell.
The tears began streaming from her face gently.
"I can't do this anymore" she cried moving her hands to her stomach.
Her legs suddenly felt weak and she sensed herself beginning to fall to the ground, her body slid down the wall and she buried her head into her wet hands. All she wanted to do was scream but she couldn't. Nobody would hear her anyway.
The memories all suddenly began flooding back each mental picture making her heart ache. She still had the scar on her back as consequence from Ed's 'punishment'.
"What the hell do you think you're doin' talkin' to my woman!" roared Ed marching up to Rick.
"We're just having a small discussion Ed" he said politely even though Carol knew how he felt about Ed.
"What needs to be discussed huh? What you been tellin' him?"
Carol remembered sinking in behind Rick using him as her shield, and then suddenly Ed pounced on Rick knocking him to the ground. She remembered screaming at Ed to leave him alone after each strong hit, and Lori screaming with her. Until Rick's partner Shane showed up and saved Rick before he had been killed. Even though Rick was bloody and broken he still had enough power to give Ed a 'message' with Shane. Which Carol paid for later.
"You're mine you hear me? Mine!" screamed Ed with each hit.
Carol's nails began to dig into her head as all the memories rushed back to her,
"I can't hurt Daryl" she whispered wearily.
Carol's hand stretched over to the desk above her and she grabbed the phone down, weakly dialling Daryl's work number. He had given it to her in case something had gone wrong.
Everything had gone wrong.
She breathed slowly as she pressed the cold phone to her ears listening to it ringing. She didn't know if she could do it.
But she needed to.
To save him.
She cared too much about him to let him get hurt the same way Rick had been hurt. She wanted him to keep breathing.
"Hello?"
Daryl's gruff voice immediately made her heart ache again, she couldn't make her voice work it suddenly felt trapped. She closed her eyes slowly as there was a long pause.
"I…It's me" she breathed breaking the silence.
"What's wrong?"
She could hear his hands playing with the phone.
She shut her eyes shut firmly, "I can't see you anymore" her hand gripped the phone tightly.
"Why?"
She could hear the sudden hurt in his voice, she could feel how vulnerable he was suddenly feeling.
She had to take a few small breaths as her heart pounded, "I can't let you get hurt I care about you too much" she cried her voice beginning to tremble.
"Ed won't have anythin' on me"
Carol covered her face her breaths quickening even more, he was making this much harder for her to do. Her heart and stomach ached.
"Someone knows" she said shaking her head, it was beginning to feel hot like the rest of her body.
Daryl's silence scared her.
"Who?"
Her hand shook, "I can't tell you…" she closed her eyes tightly she couldn't take any more of this pain, "I…I have to go" she swallowed taking a deep breath.
"Wait-"
"It's not a good idea for you to come over or call I'm sorry" she breathed wiping the tears from her scarlet face.
"Carol…"
"Goodbye Daryl" she whispered softly.
She slowly put the phone down, closing her eyes tightly.
She wished she could have said something else, like how she felt about him truly or at least tried to hurt him less. But she didn't.
She broke everything she touched.
Carol carefully picked herself up from the ground and paced towards the kitchen trying to avoid looking at herself again. She knew she was a mess.
She quickly searched through the fridge and grabbed an icepack, holding it to her crimson cheek. Carol walked towards the couch and stared at it for a few seconds remembering the first night she met Daryl, the first night she had felt good in a long time.
She broke down in tears and fell onto it, she buried her head in the cushions on the couch her shoulders shaking. All she wanted was to scream now and break every object in her path but she couldn't. She just couldn't.
Breath Carol Breath She thought to herself sobbing.
She couldn't control her body anymore her breathing was now out of control and so were her tears. Nothing worked.
She cried for Daryl and then cried for herself.
Remembering how alone she was again.
….
Carol's head sharply lifted up at the sound of the door slamming open, Ed stumbled in drunkenly he eyed her coldly. She touched her wet cheeks realising she had fallen asleep crying.
"You cleaned up?" he asked his voice like gravel.
Carol sat up wearily, "Yes" she yawned.
Ed was silent for a few moments staring at her scarlet cheek and wet eyes, he snickered cruelly.
"You deserved it"
Carol nodded loosely, "I know Ed I deserved it all and I'm sorry" she whispered.
Inside her mind she was screaming all she wanted to do was kill Ed along with Merle.
She bowed her head lightly.
When the abuse first began in their new marriage, Carol had so many plans of killing him. One night she came close. She gave him everything he wanted that night and as soon as he fell asleep she grabbed a knife and was prepared to murder him. But she couldn't do it.
She lifted her head up again to look at him, he was still staring at her his eyes squinting.
"You wanna make it up to me? Go clean up some damn clothes like a good wife" mumbled Ed drunkenly.
Carol nodded slowly and rushed up the dark stairs, she didn't want to get on Ed's bad side again especially while he was drunk.
She gathered the clothes into a small bag carefully as she sniffed. She suddenly heard the floor creek behind her she turned around to see Sophia standing in the door frame of her bedroom, she was watching Carol trembling.
"Are you okay sweetheart?" asked Carol holding the clothes carefully
Sophia hugged the doorframe nervously, "I heard you crying"
Carol frowned; she kneeled in front of her carefully and hugged her tightly
"I'm fine now don't worry" she said her voice muffled.
She slowly released herself from Sophia, "I'm just going down to the Laundromat, I'll be back as soon as I can" she said kissing Sophia on her forehead, "Go to sleep" she whispered sweetly.
Sophia nodded, "Goodnight mommy" she smiled closing the door.
…..
Carol pushed open the door sighed with relief as she entered the empty Laundromat she needed time alone for a while. She quickly walked over the washing machines sitting in the corners of the room and began stuffing her clothes into them; she didn't have much time Ed always wanted her home quickly to make sure she wasn't fooling around with anyone.
She laughed quietly to herself, that small rule broke ages ago.
Suddenly Carol could feel hot breath on the back of her a neck and then a small wet kiss. She turned around sharply to see Daryl standing behind her, one of his hands behind his back.
"Hey" he smiled softly.
Carol closed her eyes as she lowered her head, "How did you find me?" she hissed
She could feel her stomach ache beginning to return.
"I heard Merle talkin' to Ed on the phone, said you was here" he said gruffly.
She swallowed delicately, "I thought I said to stay away" she said coldly.
She hated treating Daryl like this but she needed to, to keep him safe.
Daryl's hand moved to hold hers carefully, "I can't stay away from ya and didn't you say you never wanted to leave me?" he smirked feeling proud of himself.
She broke.
Tears began flooding from her eyes and she began to shake, she buried her head into Daryl's strong chest sobbing harder than she had the entire day. She felt his arms wrap around her his hand stroking her back softly. He hushed her quietly.
"What happened, Carol?" he asked quietly as he rubbed her back.
Carol looked up at him slowly and suddenly she felt Daryl's arms get tighter around her, his eyes opened wider and she could see his cheeks getting red.
He touched her fading red cheek softly, "I'm gonna kill him" he growled beginning to pull away from her.
Carol pulled him back into her quickly, "Don't. Just stay with me" she murmured holding him against her tightly.
"Okay" he said huskily, resting his head on her head.
She shut her eyes calmly, why did she think she could give him up? She needed him.
"Who knows about us?" he muttered
"Your brother" she sighed
"How?" he asked his tone slowly rising.
"I…I don't know he told me to stay away if I wanted you to keep breathing and…" she breathed deeply, "If we both ignored his warnings and met each other he'd tell Ed himself"
"What?" snapped Daryl roughly.
"Daryl…"
Carol's head pounded, her stomach burned and her legs began to shake. Everything around her fell apart until she fell into darkness.
...
Carol felt Daryl's cold hands stroke her face slowly, she opened her eyes carefully to see the blinds drawn and the closed sign on the door. She attempted to sit up but Daryl held her closer.
"Stay down for now" he said dryly.
Carol glanced up at him sleepily, he grinned as he held her in his strong arms.
"Thought I lost ya for a minute"
"What happened?" she asked rubbing her head carefully.
"Passed out, must been stressin' yourself too much" he said gruffly.
Carol buried her head into Daryl's chest, she was so grateful to have him. He patted her back gently.
"Everythin' will be okay I aint goin' nowhere"
"You can't be sure with Merle and everything" she sighed slipping her hand into his.
"Guess you're just gonna have to trust me then" he muttered stroking her hair.
Carol lowered her head slowly; she wished she could trust him.
Daryl slipped his finger beneath her chin, moving her face to look at him, "Hey, I promise ya" he smirked staring into her eyes.
Carol gave him a small shy smile, he slowly moved his hand behind his back and pulled out a small group of Cherokee roses wrapped in a bundle of crimson paper, "I was gonna give this to ya but you decided to pass out on me" he smirked putting it in -between her arm
"Thank you" she whispered cuddling up to him.
"Don't get comfortable I'm takin' you somewhere first" he smiled beginning to stand up.
Carol sat up staring at him, "What about my laundry?"
"Takes about an hour or two don't it? We should be good on time" he smiled grabbing a pair of keys from the counter, "I paid the guy who owns this place for some privacy so he gave me the keys so we can get back in"
Carol nodded slowly still doubting him but she didn't want to ruin the mood for him, he seemed happy again.
"Ready to go?" he asked holding out his arm to her.
Carol nodded smiling sweetly at him, she clutched onto his arm gently as he turned out the lights.
"We'll be back in no time" he smiled starting up the engines.
Carol climbed on the back wrapping her arms around his waist, "You better be right" she mumbled
"I'm always right " he grinned before taking off down the street.
…..
The sound of the engines roaring died down as Daryl stopped in front of his family's garage,
'Dixon's mechanics'
Carol unwrapped her arms from around his waist and climbed off of his motorcycle, she stared at it confused.
"Why did you bring me here?" she asked puzzled
"For a lil' privacy" he chuckled pulling his motorcycle inside the garage, he turned to look at her still staring at it.
"I'm gonna lock it c'mon" he said gruffly putting out a hand to her.
Carol hesitantly took his cold hand and followed him inside the garage, Daryl quickly locked it as he was checking nobody was watching them.
"Great place for another date" Carol laughed lightly.
Daryl chuckled and moved a hand out to lead Carol to the back of one of the trucks, Carol smiled warmly "Thank you"
Daryl climbed on after her and the two sat in the back with their legs crossed, they stared at each other in silence.
"Anythin' you want to do?" he asked gruffly as he stroked her hand.
Carol sighed, "I don't know…we've only got an hour left" she said sadly.
She didn't want to leave Daryl again to go back to Ed and face her reality.
"I'll get ya back in time"
Carol nodded slowly and gave him a small quick smile which almost immediately turned back into a frown, Daryl sighed and jumped out of the truck pacing towards the radio. He switched it on and the music slowly made its way out of the radio. He smirked at her his arms crossed over his chest.
"I'll dance with ya if it'll make ya feel better" he said roughly.
Carol's cheeks immediately went scarlet, she felt giddy.
"Really?" she asked smiling.
"Really"
Carol's smile almost broke her face she remembered weeks earlier when he had attempted to get Daryl to dance with her.
"Come on Daryl dance with me" she whispered turning on the radio in the kitchen.
Daryl just stood there watching her with his arms crossed his body leaned against the wall not willing to move once.
"Pfft I can't dance"
She attempted many times by pulling him to the middle of the kitchen but he quickly charmed his way out of doing it. He was sneaky like that.
Carol's arms wrapped around his neck as she joined him in the middle of the garage.
'Sometimes I get a feeling deep in my soul'
"You like bad company?" she whispered resting her head on his shoulder.
Daryl shrugged moving his hand to brush through her silver soft hair,
Carol smiled, "I like them but I never really get to listen to them, Ed thinks all my music taste is bad" she sighed.
"Don't think about him…" he muttered kissing her head.
Carol purred quietly, "All I want is you" she smiled pressing her lips against his roughly.
Daryl returned the kiss mimicking hers, she smiled softly and wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him forwards slowly.
"Follow me" he breathed through the kiss.
He grabbed her hand gently and opened the door to the truck slowly, the two of them fell to the backseat elegantly. Daryl leant down over her wrapping his arms beneath her as they kissed, her hands moved up and down his body exploring it all over again.
The music echoed in the background,
'She brings me love, her love is all I need'
Daryl carefully removed his shirt as Carol began to unbutton hers as she stared up at him exposing his chest. He leaned back down to kiss her this time moving his hips against hers. Carol's small hands moved to cup his face as he did so, she breathed deeply as he took in her sweet scent. He was beginning to get more and more turned on by her.
He slowly unbuttoned her jeans, staring at her beautiful eyes; she smiled up at him softly as she moved her hips to help him slide them off. Carol sat up carefully and undid his jeans for him pulling down his trousers and his underwear quickly.
Daryl smirked at her, "Someone's eager" he chuckled quietly.
"I did say we've only got an hour" she breathed letting him pull down her pants slowly.
Daryl pressed his lips against hers roughly as he smiled, his hands moved through her hair softly as she wrapped her legs around his waist. Carol's body tighten and her head bounced back as she felt Daryl slide into her quickly. She breathed deeply as he moved faster and faster inside of her to the point of her letting out a loud moan, his lips curled around her breast as he thrust into her he kissed them softly as she gripped his neck.
"I'll make this so good for ya" he grunted moving his lips to around her neck.
"God" she moaned moving her head to rest on his shoulder as he continued to thrust into her slowly. Her nails gripped onto his back tightly as she felt a powerful sensation begin to build up inside of her. Her mouth opened wide in a gasp.
She moaned long and loud as he grunted, sweating against her skin.
"God I'm c…com…" she couldn't get the words out it felt so good.
Daryl didn't stop he pressed her closer to him, "I got you" he breathed
Carol nodded still gripping onto him, "Don't stop" she moaned shutting her eyes tightly.
"Fuck" Daryl grunted his body now really tightening against hers.
Daryl rocked against her quickly his hips moving faster and faster on her command, his were cheeks flushed and his was body heated. Suddenly Daryl was coming with her, his body fell slowly against hers. She moved her arms to stroke his back gently.
"You were on tonight" she giggled wearily.
Daryl chuckled against her skin; "Must've been the music" he smiled
Carol laughed stroking his hair slowly; she loved his sense of humour. She loved how he still made jokes after sex and how he always made sure she felt good.
She loved him.
"I never said it earlier but I love you" she breathed holding him against her softly.
Daryl chuckled again; "I know you do" he smiled kissing her softly on the lips.
Daryl carefully rolled off of her and moved next to her body, pulling her closely into him.
"What are going to do about Merle?" she yawned cuddling up to him.
"We'll be more careful I aint gonna end things with you" he said kissing her head
"Are you sure? I kind of want you to still be breathing next year" she smiled
Daryl smiled back, "You make me too damn happy for me to let ya go" he chuckled
Carol grinned warmly wrapping her free arm around him, "One day I'll leave with you and Sophia when I'm ready"
Daryl kissed her softly smiling against her lips, "Sounds like a plan"
Carol cuddled closer to him, "One day" she repeated quietly.
"Don't worry until then I'll be here everythin' will be okay"
She didn't know how he could promise her this and she didn't know how to believe him without feeling like she was going to explode but, she needed to keep hope for a little bit longer. Just for him.
"C'mon we should get dressed so I can take you back"
Just a little bit longer.