First of all I want to start with that while I had a short few days break from snow it looks like another storm is heading this way. The snow from the previous storm hasn't even melted yet and we are already getting more. Yay (not). Hopefully there is no ice with this one. Secondly all these puppies I was so excited for weeks before are now eleven fur tornadoes of stress. Between them, my fiance, an everything else I've not had time or even a moment to even think about writing. When I did I was stuck on contemplating how things were going to play out. Hope everyone is having a good week though.
Daryl groaned as pain started making itself known to him pulling him from sleep. Sounds around him started becoming more clear and he shifted trying to set up. Eyes opening as his body jerked to an abrupt stop. Daryl jerked his wrist roughly and his eyes blazed log down at the cuffs locking him to the bed. Jerking again Daryl spun his body ignoring the pain he felt and turned more towards the head of the bed.
Muttering under his breath when he couldn't get free he looked around the cell. Cell? Where the fuck did they have him? That dickhead must have cuffed him after he fell asleep again. Daryl snorted but felt his anger starting to grow each second he couldn't move from the bed.
Daryl turned looking back out of the door and squinted at the harsh light coming through. How long had he been out? Fuck he needed to get back before his brother's done something stupid. He had to get back before they thought he was dead. He had to get back to Sophia...the thought of her sent a fresh wave of pain into his chest. Closing his eyes Daryl leaned his head back forcing steady breaths while he felt anything but steady.
"Head hurt?"
Daryl's eyes flew open and locked onto the woman at the door. She was studying him just as much as he was her. Carol. This was Sophia's mother and he was sure of it. From the girls descriptions and the way she talked it had to be. How was he supposed to tell the woman he had her daughter? He wasn't good with words and speaking to people on normal occasions. He was a grown ass man that had her daughter and he knew how that could look. From what little Sophia did talk about her father he knew that Carol's life had been rough before things went to shit with the world. He could only imagine she was distrustful of men and that would extend to a stranger no less.
"Take these." Her hand was out to him with two pills. "Tylenol."
Daryl eyed them not sure if he should trust them. While his first instincts were that Carol wasn't a danger to him- he didn't know her group. He knew better than most what people were capable of. Scowling Daryl eyed them but kept himself back from her his fist clenching as he tried to shift despite the cuffs. He wanted to laugh at the irony that they had cuffed him when he fallen asleep again. He didn't blame them really for cuffing him but it still pissed him the fuck off that he was in the situation to begin with.
"Well you're a stubborn ass." Carol smarted.
Daryl jerked harder at his wrist and she huffed. He refused to look at her cause every second he did he seen more and more details about her that struck him as Sophia. It was painful on a level he'd never experienced before. He felt his throat close up as more emotion then he felt like he was capable of handling at the moment started ripping him apart at the seams. He was happy for Sophia more than he could describe but next to that was a type of grief that he didn't want to process.
"I can stand here all day but I'd really rather not see you tear your wrist apart." Carol snapped, "Hold still and take these." Her voice was amused despite the biting tone
Daryl lifted his eyes briefly to her and realized she was coming at him. Carol crowded him in his spot her hand resting on his forearm. Daryl flinched and he backed away from her causing her to raise a brow at him. Something in her eyes was too familiar but it was gone so fast that he wasn't sure he'd seen it. That was until everything Sophia again said came crashing through him. Her father...Carol's husband was abusive.
Taking the Tylenol from her he swallowed them dry before she could give him anything to drink. He was starting to feel like a caged animal and the need to get air was almost crushing on his chest. He studied his own body appraising for injury but found that most of the aches he felt were superficial. He knew he was likely bruised to hell and back and that he had a nice sized cut on his head but that was all horseshit. He'd had worse and he would be goddamned if he'd be a pussy and let something like this take him out. It'd be bullshit to die from getting hitting by a fuckin' car in the middle of the end of the world.
"Hershel said to take it easy." Carol's voice was soft as the cuffs fell away.
Daryl stood before she could even move completely. "How long have I been here?" His voice was rough.
Carol's eyes raised quickly and she backed up. Daryl watched her face heat up and raised a brow trying to ignore the fact that his shirt was destroyed again. He wanted something to put on but didn't see anything and he felt that spark start again. As if reading his mind Carol held something out to him and gave him a small smile. Daryl chose to ignore the smile as a flash of pain shot through him at it mixing with his headache. It was just like Sophia's when she was getting ready to give him, his brothers, and Brian shit.
"You were in and out for a bit." Carol adjusted her arms and looked up at him, "You slept for a while when we got you here and through the night. You woke the next day and then fell asleep again. I was worried something serious was wrong but Hershel said that it was from the amount of blood you lost and the fever."
Daryl swallowed and nodded his head jerkily. His brothers would be on his trail and he knew that by now they found his bike and the scene that was left behind from the town. If he lost as much blood as this woman was telling him then he knew that Mac and Merle were going to be on a whole other level.
"You know I know you don't trust us and I get that. I just want you to understand that we didn't mean to hurt you or lock you up like an animal." Carol looked at him as if willing him to understand, "Rick done that as a precaution but I think you get that."
Daryl wanted to snap at her but bit his tongue. It'd do no good to rip Sophia's mothers ass- it'd only make things more difficult later. Daryl gave her a sharp nod still meeting her eyes as his went outside the cell to the fresh light shining through high windows. As if reading his mind Carol stepped aside for him and smiled again at him. He wasn't sure if she was messing with him or not but moved to walk out of the cell. When she didn't make a move to stop him he walked on out and paused. He wasn't sure where to go and stood there like a statue.
"Most everyone is busy but me, Rick, Hershel, and Andrea agree that you should stretch your legs." Carol walked ahead of him. "Follow me."
He had no illusions about her strength. It was in the way she carried herself and the way the groups leader looked to her. This wasn't the woman that lost her daughter on the highway. This was far from the woman Sophia had told him about from their life before but all the same this world changed people. It seemed to him Carol changed for the better.
Stepped outside into the courtyard caused him to shield his eyes as he adjusted to the brightness of the sunlight. It felt good to have the heat burning down on him in the early changing weather. His eyes scanned the entire area while he was silently listening to Carol speak to someone. Whoever it was kept shooting him interested glances but he didn't waste his time to look or acknowledge them. Speaking wasn't his strong suit and meeting new people wasn't either. He hated this situation and had his brother's been here he was sure they'd never shut up but him? No he could think of dozens of other things he'd rather be doing then standing here about to deal with dreaded bullshit.
"Who is Brian?"
Daryl's eyes whipped over to Carol so fast that he winced at the sudden movement. Ignoring the pain that shot through his head he stared at her. His eyes were predatory and appraising in an instant and his defenses were up. It was habit long since learned and ingrained in him when his blood was mentioned. Brian might not be his son but he damn sure felt like most of the time.
Carol cleared her throat when he didn't speak and her face reddened slightly, "You were speaking in your sleep...I heard your brothers name, Brian, and another but it was mumbled to low to really understand."
Daryl nodded at her but looked away. He needed to get out of her and back to his group, his family needed him there and the long he wasted being here only made things more complicated. Clearing his throat Daryl started chewing his thumb thinking his words over. How did he bring Sophia up?
"Brian's my brothers son." His voice was a rough timbre that rolled through his chest more than mouth.
Carol nodded and her eyes instantly went far away, "How old is he?"
Daryl felt the sides of his mouth lift just slightly before he snorted. Carol's eyes went to him and his face flushed causing him to step away from her some. Clearing his throat, "Fourteen I suppose."
Carol gave a sad smile and nodded her head, "My da-"
Rick's barking voice interrupted her and Carol stepped around to him towards the fence. Rick was barking up at them but he couldn't make out what he was saying. Carol must have understood cause her weapon was immediately drawn and he was left to watch her. She really wasn't the meek woman that he had expected. THat eased his mind about things somewhat if Sophia left with her mother. He was trying to be realistic after all and Sophia had held out hope to the end that her mother would be reunited with her. She went on and on about the things they'd do and talk about. He had no doubt the girl would be happy to have her mother back and that she'd be gone. While it hurt him it made him at least feel better to know he kept his promise.
"What's happening?"
Daryl looked over seeing Andrea speaking to Carol, "Rick signaled that someone was coming."
Daryl's eyes swung out to them and he focused on the road. He knew his brothers and if they thought he was here then both of them wouldn't come the same way. They scoped the place out and would wait. How long had they waited until they were sure? Daryl smiled and stepped around both women walking down the beaten gravel path. His walk was slow but his stride was strong. Carol and Andrea scrambled to get to him demanding to know what he was doing. Daryl though knew that if they waited this long and only showed up when he stepped outside then it had to be them. It had to be.
Sure enough Merle rolled to the front gate his eyes going to Daryl first where Carol and Andrea were both next to him. Andrea's eyes appraising and searching while Carol's were inquisitive. He ignored them both as Merle came to a stop on the bike on the other side of the fence. The distinct call from the right had Daryl's head swiveling around and he knew Mac was coming. He knew that hunting call like the palm of his hand. It was something they'd done since being kids together and taking to the woods.
Rick was tense and had his gun in hand aimed at Merle and Daryl felt his hackles raise. Merle was rising to his feet just as Daryl came to a stop. Rick shot him a look as if he was making a mistake but Daryl ignored him completely. He walked straight to the fence looking at the lock wanting his brothers. Sure enough seconds later Mac appeared out of the woods his stride angry and tense his eyes obsidian as he glared hell fire at the fence separating them.
"Look rough baby brother." Merle called to him.
Daryl winced at the term but nodded his head, "Feel like shit."
"Let him out!" Mac snarled pacing in front of him the second he got there.
Merle was calm and in control while Mac was a torrent of wide open emotion. His worry and panic clear for anyone to see. Daryl kept his eyes on Mac as he kept his pacing up and cleared his throat trying to get him calm.
"You know these men?" Rick questioned.
Merle's jaw tensed as Rick moved next to him. Daryl looked over and raised a brow but it was Mac who spoke, "No just complete fucking strangers who happen to look just fucking alike you dumb fuck."
Rick opened his mouth but Daryl's voice cut through the air demanding Mac's attention, "Mac." With just his name Mac stopped pacing and walked to the fence looking him over. His eyes were wide and worried. "I'm fine."
"You don't goddamn look fine."
Mac's eyes moved around the place before Merle stepped forward, "I don't know why he's here don't care. Let him out."
Rick was so tense that he could feel it. "How do I know that if we let him out or open these gates you all aren't you going to attack us?"
Merle sneered at him spitting at his boots, "You keep your fucking prison but give me my brother. This isn't a negotiation. You either open the gates or they'll come down on their own." The threat was real.
Andrea stepped around Rick and moved to the lock, "Rick it's his brothers we can't keep him locked away. Besides the plan was that when he was better to turn him loose."
"Away from here Andrea!"
Daryl snorted and Rick rounded on him the second the gates slid open. "Little late for that."
Rick moved quick and got in his face, "No harm better come to my family! We've lost enough without the likes of you all messing things up more."
Mac shoved Rick back away from Daryl snarling like a wild dog. Rick over corrected and Mac adjusted for it. The movements knocked Daryl off balance and he pitched backwards dropping on his back hard his head connecting with the gravels below. Groaning loudly he felt his world tipping and spinning even as he felt cool hands on him.
"His stitches tore open."
"What the fuck did you all do to him?" Mac snapped.
Daryl forced his eyes open but blinked rapidly when his vision blurred. Mac was swiping at his face with his shirt and Daryl blinked again realising he was wiping blood away from his eyes. Daryl tried to set up but pain shot through his head again causing him to wince and drop his weight. Closing his eyes as his vision dulled further Mac growled above him.
"Mac?" Merle's voice was a question.
"I don't know." Panic was in his voice.
"We need to get him to Hershel." Carol's voice was the calm in the storm.
"Get back." Rick's voice snapped.
"Listen here you son of a bitch-" whatever else Merle was saying dulled out as Daryl groaned again feeling his stomach heave.
Daryl forced his eyes open in time to see Merle's fist connect with Rick's face sending the man to his ass. Just as Mac rounded back on him pivoting on his foot and almost going completely over him like a wild cat guarding something. He was growling even as Carol spoke to them both.
Daryl tried to talk but his vision was blurring around the edge and he felt himself drifting away. Mac was gripping him tightly his voice sharp and pleading. "No don't you do this shit you fidgeting fucking asshole! You don't get to bail on us and Sophia!"
Daryl tried to force words out but everything fell away as his world went black.