Chapter Seven
Shrugging his crossbow onto his back, he took another long look at the sky. Noticed the clouds were starting to clear up and the sun was peaking through. It was a good sign, to him anyways as he made sure all his knives and gun were where they were supposed to be. It was going to be a simple trip out in the woods, checking the traps and then heading back into the fences, but one could never be too cautious.
Something he sorely needed to teach Beth as he looked her over. She held her ax in one hand, but otherwise nothing else on her person as far as protection. He guessed he was sort of responsible for that and he swallowed the guilt as he headed toward his bag to dig through it until he came across the knife he took from her weeks ago. When he approached her, she gave him an expectant stare, like she was waiting for some kind of order to come from the older man. What she wasn't expecting was for him to hold up the knife, his eyes narrowing as the young girl looked at the knife.
He held it out to her, watching as her hands moved to wrap around the hilt before he pulled it away at the last second. The flash of anger that flared in her eyes almost made him smirk and he took a deep breath before saying, "use to hunt, and defend yourself. Nothing else."
Beth nodded, the flare in her eyes defusing a bit as it turned into something else. Her hands wrapped around the hilt and gingerly she placed the sheath back around her belt. Holding it to her before looking up to see Daryl with another weapon. This one a small revolver that he found at the bottom of their weapons bag. "You ever use one these?" he asked, unsure if she ever had any training with the guns.
Nodding, she said, "that time on the farm with Shane."
"Hmm," Daryl mused, handing the weapon over with a small handful of extra bullets and she quickly opened it up. The small blonde took stock of the bullets already loaded inside before closing it up and tucking it into the back of her jeans and pulling her shirt over it. He could see her physically swallow as they stared at each other, and Daryl felt a little better knowing that she was armed. As armed as he could get her at the moment and he took a step back. Looking around the house until their eyes focused on their fearless leader that was also arming himself.
"Ready?" Daryl asked from across the room.
Rick nodded once before turning back to Glen and T-dog, before taking a moment to say something to Carl then the four of them stepped outside. The early morning air hit them hard, causing a shiver to run down Daryl's neck as he tugged his jacket closer. Taking a good look around the area before moving down the stairs and to the fence.
Outside the fence, the woods were quiet, except for the usual morning morning animals. Daryl noticed some squirrels running around the trees and managed to shoot a couple down. Knowing full well the more meat they had at the moment, the better off they would be. He looked up while stringing his latest catches to see Beth staring at him. A purely curious gaze in her expression as she watched him.
"Never know how well those traps are going to do," he explained, handing the string over to her. Beth took it without complaint, giving it a quick glance that quickly went back to Daryl.
"What if we wind up with too much meat?" she asked. "Aren't you always tellin us to only take what we need?"
Daryl shook his head. "Those traps are hit or miss," he said. "Huntin in general is hit or miss. Just gotta have some patience."
Beth's snort stopped him from moving on, making him turn to back to look at her with a narrowed gaze. "What?"
Beth shook her head, her eyes sparkling with whatever she found amusing. "Just you lecturin about patience." The smile grew wider one her face and Daryl shook his head.
"Shut up, I have plenty of patience." He turned away from the girl to catch up with Rick and Carl.
"Just for the woodland creatures, right?" she asked behind him. Daryl turned to see her grinning from ear to ear as she sprinted to catch up with him; nudging him when she came to stand at his side. Giving her a side glance, he focused ahead of them. Noticing Rick bent over something with Carl. When he came closer, he noticed it was one of their traps. The thing was empty though there was fresh blood on the hooks and Rick looked at him, an eyebrow raised.
Running a hand across his jaw, he looked out into the forest. Doing his best to act calm around the two younger ones all the while feeling his muscles tense up. He knew it was stupid to believe the danger had passed. They needed to eat, yes, but they also needed to keep their people safe. Bringing Carl and Beth out suddenly seemed like the stupidest idea ever.
"What's wrong?" Beth asked, coming to stand between the two men. She looked at the trap and then to Daryl for an explanation. He simply shook his head. "Animal got away."
Beth frowned, her gaze giving that, "what the hell?" look. His gut twisted at the look, knowing she knew it wasn't the complete truth, but he shook his head. Not wanting to scare her more with the possibilities. The girl was smart, and if she really thought about it, she would figure out what he was trying to say.
"Come on, we got a few more traps to check," Rick said, standing up and readjusting his belt. He moved to release the strap holding it in, and Carl moved to check his bullets. Daryl looked to his own belt and noticed Beth gripping her knife. The four of them on edge as they started to the next trap.
The next one actually held a carcass of a rabbit that Daryl was able to add to the string with his squirrels and they moved on. Still keeping their eyes peeled for anything out of place.
Daryl's whole body tensing up, his muscles ready for anything as they moved as quietly as possible. Noting how Rick was getting better in the woods, though Carl was still as loud as ever. Beth was at least tempting to follow his footprints. Staying just behind enough to mimic his movements until she seemed to disappear behind him. If it wasn't for her small frame remaining in his peripheral vision, he would have guessed she might have sneaked away.
Taking a deep breath and reprimanding himself, yet again, for agreeing to this stupidity, he focused on his surroundings. Wondering how the people that took the first animal could have left the second one, it would have been in the same vicinity. Then again, they could have headed off in a different direction. Like toward their home, and wasn't that a comforting thought.
Thinking about how they missed the intruders by mere minutes. Daryl felt the hair on his neck raise up at the thoughts. The scenarios playing through his mind as he thought about what that boy said in the barn. A time that felt like ages ago, but the words were still the same. The situation still possible the further they moved away from the rest of the group.
The only thing that made him happy was that Beth was with him. At least this way he wasn't left wondering about her fate. Not like he was with the others the further they moved from the cabin. With each step they took, he knew they were leaving them to fend off whatever was out there. He had faith that Glenn and T-Dog could handle it. Hell, they all could handle themselves. It was just the not being there to help that tore him up.
A few minutes later, Rick stopped, his gaze going back to the cabin and then to the rest of the group. Telling Daryl that he was just as worried about Lorie and them as he was as he said, "we'll split to check the last two traps." He looked to each of them for confirmation and Daryl nodded. His face grim as he looked at the concern on his friend's face. He could only imagine how the man was feeling. The worry eating at him for his pregnant wife. Sure, Rick cared about the others, but he and Lorie had a connection. One that came with falling in love, getting married and having kids together. Daryl didn't have that, but he could imagine. Which made him feel for his friend as he gave him one hard stare. Trying to convey to him without words that 'they'll be fine. They got this.
Rick gave him a slight smile and a pat on the shoulder that said he got it, and Daryl pulled Beth with him. Keeping her close as they glimpsed Rick and Carl getting further away from them.
When the only thing left was the sound of Carl's steps crunching through the brush, Daryl slowed down. His eyes peeled on his surroundings as he kept Beth in front of him. The fact that they hadn't come across any walkers was a surprise to him. Made him curious as to what else could be lurking out there with them. His question was answered when a few minutes later they came across a walker, a small hole going through one side of the head that looked to be from a knife, and Beth looked at him, biting on her lower lip as her hand gripped the knife on her side. Daryl took one glance at her stance and hoped that when the time came, she would reach for the gun, and forgot about that knife. For now, though, he let it go and gave her a firm nod to move forward
The fear in her eyes eating at him ,even as his own concern built up inside of him. Twisting his gut into knots until he felt sick. The only thing holding him together was the thought that they could still make it through this. That the strangers could be long gone, or closer to their home.
There really wasn't any way of knowing.
The nagging question didn't get answered until he stopped several yards from a figure leaning over their trap with precise movements as the person released the animal from the death claws and shoved it into a garbage bag. Nothing like the jerky movements of a walker. When the man stood up, turning in their direction, Daryl held up his crossbow. Watching as the man held his hands up the moment he spotted Daryl.
"Hey," he said, his crooked teeth appearing in a wide smile. "Sorry, didn't know anyone was actually watching these traps."
Daryl's eyes narrowed, shifting so that he could hide Beth from the man's view as he cocked his head in her direction. His eyes flitted over the string of animals across Daryl's back before he zoned in on what he could see of Beth. The girl moved closer to Daryl, clenching the back of his jacket as the man's toothy grin turned to something else.
"But it looks like you're doing pretty good for yourself. You wouldn't begrudge me one small meal. Would ya?"
Daryl's finger twitched, ready to send a bolt through the man before he restrained himself. "Take the rabbit," he said, nodding in the opposite direction of him and Beth. He could feel the girl's fingers tightening around his jacket, taking what comfort she could without bringing to much attention to herself. He was just relieved she hadn't felt the need to talk; letting him take the lead on this chance encounter.
"You happen to have a camp nearby? Get's awfully lonely on the road. We could get better acquainted," the man suggested. This time Daryl's lip came up in a snarl, his finger resting on the trigger as he made a decision. The sound of a gun being cocked caught his attention and he turned to see an older man with his gun raised at him. Daryl's shoulder stiffened, knowing full well he couldn't swing his bow around and shoot the man before he fired off a shot.
The man surprised him though when he turned his attention to the younger man standing before Daryl. "Now Lenny, we both know that these people don't want your company." He looked to Daryl with what was supposed to be a reassuring smile, even as he kept the gun cocked and pointing at Daryl's head.
"Just makin conversation, is all," Lenny said, his brows furrowing as he stared at the older man.
"You're bein a fool, boy. Forgettin your manners and all after they gave you their food," the man continued, taking a step closer to Lenny. Lenny seemed to be a bit nervous, taking a few steps back from the man, even as he sneered at him.
"I found it. I claimed it. That's the rules right?"
"Yeah," The older man drawled out, his gaze going to the ground as he sucked on his lower lip. When he raised his head back up, his eyes drifted over Daryl and Beth, lingering for a mere moment on the younger girl before turning back to Lenny. "That's the rules, and you know full well that girls already been claimed. So back off."
Lenny shook his head, his eyes firing as the older man finally turned his attention back to Daryl. Daryl tensed, not sure what rules he was talking about, but the older man seemed to be the boss, and a voice of reason, so Daryl focused his attention on him. Hoping that they would be able to get away from them without incident.
The man gave him another friendly smile. "Sorry, it's been a long... Year," he said, shaking his head. Daryl nodded, his gaze going back to Lenny for a moment before turning to the older man. "For us all."
The man nodded, eyes going to the ground again and that allowed Daryl to flip his aim to the man. He felt Beth moving behind him and he really hoped she was reaching for her gun.
"Yeah," The man said, almost whispering the word as he looked around him. "So what do you say we drop our weapons, and go on our merry way."
Daryl just stared at him, waiting for the man to follow his own words before he slowly lowered his bow. The man's smile grew wider as he lowered his weapon, his fingers still on the trigger and Daryl mimicked his movements. Slow and sure until they were both aiming toward the ground
When neither man was aiming at the other, the older man's smile grew wider. "See? We can be civilized."
"Huh," Daryl grunted, reaching his hand back to wrap it around Beth's arm, forcing her to take a step back as he did the same. It took a moment to get her moving, having to push and grab her a couple times to keep her from falling before her feet seemed to move properly. He couldn't turn and look at her for fear the men behind him would jump the moment they got the chance.
The first moment he made a half turn to walk away, the older man shouted, "I do have one question," he said, holding his finger up in emphasize his words. Daryl froze, his eyes darting from the man to Lenny.
"You haven't seen my brother's have you?" he asked, cocking his head to the side. His eyes flew to Beth when she inhaled a deep breath, barely audible to Daryl, but he could imagine the expression on her face. The way her eyes would go wide, and her skin would pale. A small, split second reaction, that was covered up by the time Daryl glanced at her to see her jaws locked together.
Daryl shook his head, "Nah, we haven't seen anyone."
The man cocked his head to the side, "yeah sure? They came through here a couple of days ago scouting for a place and never returned."
Daryl shook his head, shrugging a shoulder as he said, "it's a dangerous world out here. Anything could have happened."
The man met his stare, his eyes narrowing for a moment before he turned his attention to Beth. "You, Miss? See anyone around here? About yeah height, dark hair." He held his hands up to describe them and Beth shook her head even as Daryl said, "she's been with me this past week."
It was his turn to narrow his gaze at the two men as they studied them. Lenny remained quiet, his eyes glued to the older man with a curious look on his face and Daryl turned in time to see the man taking a step closer "Would like to hear it from the girls' mouth, or do you have that much control of her?" The older man asked, a cocky smile spreading across his face. Daryl sneered eyes glaring at the man before he turned his frustrated glare toward Beth as she stepped forward.
"No one controls me," she hollered, her chest heaving as she gripped her knife. "And haven't seen your brothers. Could be dead for all ya know," she spat at them, fuming as she stepped closer to Daryl. Seeming to realize how far from his reach she'd gotten in her rage.
The older man grinned, his eyes moving up and down her in appreciation and even Lenny stood there chuckling.
"Got yourself quite a spit fire there," the older man said, still eyeing Beth. "Too bad you've got no control over her."
"Hmph," Daryl grunted, grabbing her arm to pull her closer to him. Beth came willingly, even allowing him to bring his hand up to her shoulder so that he could guide her away from the two men. Praying they could put some distance between them before looking for Rick and Carl. Hoping they hadn't run into any trouble themselves.
He turned his back again, ready to leave for good this time when he the man said, "funny you should say that."
Daryl turned back around to see the man pulling a necklace from his pocket. A ring linked through a rope that one of the men they burned been wearing around his neck. He felt Beth tense up, her whole body going rigid as she took in the small thing and Daryl knew she remembered.
Funny place the mind. The way the good memories - the ones you really want to keep- seem to become hazy over time. A blurred image in your mind, with whispered words from a person's voice that you should know as well as your own. While the horrible ones -like killing the man that attacked you- stuck with vivid clarity. How one could conjure up every minuscule detail, no matter how insignificant it should be, like a necklace with a ring on it.
"Found this in a charred pile of bodies," the man explained, dangling the necklace in front of them. Watching their reactions. "Happen to know how that came to be?"
"No," Daryl said, keeping eye contact with the man. Knowing keeping this man away from Beth and the truth was important. "Should of asked if we seen a dead man instead."
"Well, I was hoping for a bit of survivors honesty, but..." he let his words trail off, his eyes once again going to Beth and Daryl knew it was time to go.
"Never saw your brothers, dead or alive," Daryl said, once again grabbing Beth's arm and pulling her away from them. She didn't hesitate this time, following him as he finally put some distance between him and the two men. Once they were out of sight, Daryl turned back, looked around, and veered in the direction of Rick and Carl. Hoping the other two did better than him and Beth.
They backtracked their steps, taking a wide berth around the downed walker until they managed to circle back to the trap that they split from not all that long ago. There was a hint of concern on Rick's face as they came closer, and Daryl paused. His hand once again tensing around his crossbow as he took in the other man's tense stance.
"You see'em?" he asked, not wanting to know the answer. Rick nodded. His gaze moving to the ground before looking up to meet his. "You hear'em?"
"Yeah," Rick whispered, this time looking at the forest around them. Listening for anything- the birds, or the squirrels- and only hearing silence. "Saw three more in the bushes while you guys talked."
Daryl nodded, his own gaze going to the fores. Straining to hear anything that would show they were not alone. The place was too quiet for it to just be them standing in that forest.
"What are we gonna do?" Carl asked, looking between the two older men. Daryl glanced at Beth, taking in her wide eyes and the way she sat there chewing on the inside of her lip before glancing at Rick for the answer. Honestly, he would rather get back to their people, but wasn't sure if that was the right call. Right now, they needed to make sure they weren't being followed and so it wasn't surprising when Rick said, "there's a hunting cabin not far from here."
Rick nodded in the direction they were going to go and Daryl glanced at Beth to see an apologetic look on her face. The guilt in her eyes twisted his stomach and he reached out to pull her close. Wrapping an arm around her shoulder to bring her in for a slight hug before setting off with Rick and Carl.
As always thanks for reading and following and Merry Christmas!