The cart moved down the road while Caroline looked at the map and Daryl held the reins in his hands. He noticed the road signs overhead and some of them were in English.
"We're almost to Paris," Daryl said while pointing to the road sign and Caroline looked at the road sign.
"About time," Caroline said as she folded the map and placed the map in the backpack. She climbed over the top of the front seat as she sat next to Daryl and she saw some abandoned cars, trucks, vans and buses parked at the side of the road. "Think there's any loot?"
"Dunno," he said as he pulled the cart over to the side of the road and they hopped off the driver's seats. He tired the reins to a guard railing as he patted the horse's side and they headed for the cars, trucks, vans and buses. They removed the knives from the holders on their belts and Daryl noticed some of the car trunks and the back doors to some of the vans and trucks were open. They walked to the cars as Daryl checked the trunks, but some of the trunks were empty. After they checked the trucks and the vans, they went back to the cart and placed some of the supplies, bottles of water and eatable food they found in the back of the cart.
"What about the buses?" Caroline asked.
"Too risky," Daryl said as he untied the reins from the guard railing. They got back on the cart while Daryl took hold of the reins, moved the reins and the cart headed down the road. Caroline looked at one of the buses when she saw some Macabre slamming their hands against the glass in the buses and Daryl made the cart move faster. They rode in silence when he looked at her and Caroline frowned. "Still thinkin' about that little girl?"
"Yeah. Shows just how far a father will go to protect their kid," she said and he knew she was talking about Thomas.
"You said Dad's funeral was a trap."
"It was. Murphy and Connor's uncle noticed the mourners were armed after we had arrived at the graveyard. We kept to the back, but it was so hard not to break down. Seeing Dad's coffin…"
"I remember lookin' at the coffin durin'…."
"Durin' Mom's funeral?"
"Yeah. Merle told me not to cry or…"
"Or Dad, our birth dad, would beat you?"
"Yeah."
"What about the mourners? Do you think they worked fer Jessie or her dad?"
"Damn straight."
Jessie's father, Dante Torelli, was a mob boss and Jessie had him killed after she found out he helped Thomas get Caroline out of town.
"What about the bank?"
"The bank manager was surprised when I showed up dressed as a nun," she said with a shy smile.
Nodding, Daryl looked around when he saw what looked like a small inn near the side of the road when he steered the cart down the small hill and he saw several carts parked in front of the inn.
"Let's go," he said as they hopped off the driver's seat after Daryl stopped the cart and he saw a young man with blonde hair and green eyes walking closer.
"Hello," the young man said in French.
"Hello. Do you have a room to rent?" Caroline asked in French.
"You're in luck. We have one room left."
"He says they have room," Caroline translated as she looked at Daryl.
"Do we have money?" Daryl asked.
"Enough."
He handed the reins to the young man as they headed for the door and the young man tied the reins to the hitching post before following them inside.
Daryl and Caroline walked to the reception desk as a woman with curly black hair and dark eyes looked at them and she scanned them with her eyes.
"Hello. How may I help you?" the woman asked in French.
"We were told outside that you have a room to rent," Caroline said in French.
"Yes, we have one room left."
"Does the room have two beds?"
"Yes. And it has a small bathroom."
"We'll take it."
The woman nodded as she slid the sign in book toward them and they signed their names. She removed the key from the hook on the wall and she handed the key to Daryl.
"The rooms on the third floor. Fourth room on the right," the woman said in French.
"Thank you," Caroline said in French and she pointed to the staircase.
"Dinner is at eight sharp. Breakfast is at nine sharp."
Nodding, she led Daryl to the staircase and they went upstairs. They arrived at the third floor as they headed down the hallway then stopped in front of the door. Daryl used the key to unlock the door as he opened the door, reached along the wall and flipped the switch. The lights flickered on as they walked in the room and Caroline closed the door.
Three windows were on the walls facing them and iron bars crossed the windows. Blue curtains were on either side of the windows and a small bookcase was between the first window and the middle window. A ceramic planter was between the middle window and the third window and the plant in the planter had large, plastic leaves.
The rest of the furniture was a dark wood and the beds were to the left of the room. The door to the small bathroom was to the right of the room and Daryl opened the door, flicked the switch and he saw the small toilet and sink after the lights came on. He turned off the lights and closed the door and Caroline placed the backpack and the box with the rifle and ammunition on the bed. Caroline noticed the dark wood cuckoo clock near the door and Daryl walked to her.
"Almost time fer dinner," Caroline said with a nod to the clock. They headed for the door as Daryl opened the door and they left the room.
Later that night, Daryl stood at the window while he looked out at the darkness and he could see some men walking the perimeter with rifles on their backs.
"See anythin'?" Caroline asked as he turned to look at her.
"Just some men walkin' the perimeter," Daryl said. He could feel sadness coming from his sister as he walked to the bed and he sat against the headboard. Caroline looked at him then leaned closer and he wrapped his arms around her. She leaned her head against his head and he lightly rocked her.
"You sure you wanna hear this part about me, Murphy and Connor?" she asked in a soft voice.
"Yeah," he said as he rubbed her upper left arm.
She looked at the wall while the memory of the last time she saw Connor and Murphy and she blinked the tears out of her eyes.
Boston – Cellblock MacManus
The black car moved down the road as Caroline looked out the window and Sibeal looked at the road. She thought about the phone call she had received from a man claiming to be her birth father and she flexed her fingers. She also thought about the strange news about people becoming sick. Frank and the other guys from the motorcycle shop had fallen ill, but she felt fine. She had called Frank's wife and asked if she could go see Frank at the hospital, but his wife broke out in tears and ended the call.
"It's odd," Sibeal said as she looked at him and he frowned. "Did you notice those black vans outside th'gate to th'prison?"
"Yeah, I did," she said with a nod. She looked out the window then looked at him and she sighed. "Did you see how spooked the security guard was when he checked us in?"
"I did notice that."
"Do you think it has to do with whatever's makin' people sick?"
"I'm not sure. Maybe."
"I'm just glad they let us in to see Murphy, Romeo and Connor."
She had told Sibeal that she had some news for Murphy and Connor, but she wouldn't tell him what the news was about.
He nodded his head when he stopped the car near the gate to the cellblock and he saw the helicopter was sitting in front of the cellblock.
"What the hell?" he whispered. She was surprised to hear him swear, but she also wondered why the helicopter was not on the roof.
He stopped the engine as they got out of the car and Carline saw the guards were standing outside. The helicopter pilot was standing near the helicopter and a man with gray hair and wearing black leather shoes, a black suit, a white shirt and a doctor coat was standing next to him. Next to man with gray hair was a young woman with long blonde hair and she was wearing white sneakers, nude hose, a nurse's uniform and she seemed upset. The cook, Murphy told Caroline the cook's name was Ginny, was standing next them and she looked like she was going to cry.
"Excuse me," Sibeal said after they walked closer and the one of the guards looked at him.
"Oh, you're the priest and Murphy's girlfriend, right?" the guard asked.
"Yes, we are. Mind tellin' us what is goin' on?"
"We just got word from the warden. Seems like we have to evacuate the area. But they don't wanna go," the guard said as he looked toward the door.
Caroline headed inside the cellblock when she walked into the main room and she saw Connor, Romeo and Murphy sitting on the couch. Some of their things were near the backpacks on the table and she saw the bunny slippers someone sent Murphy sticking out of the top of one of the backpacks.
"Caroline!" made her look at the couch when Murphy got up, hopped over the top of the couch and nearly hit Connor in the head with his feet.
"Watch it!" Connor called out as Murphy patted the top of his brother's head, turned and she smiled when he ran to her. She made a tiny grunt as he hugged her then lifted her off the floor and she slid her arms around his shoulders.
"Are you alright?" Murphy asked after lowering her to her feet as his eyes scanned her and she nodded.
"Did they tell you they wanna evacuate us?" Connor asked as he and Romeo walked closer.
"Yeah, "Caroline said with a nod then she looked at the backpacks. "Why don't you wanna go?"
"We weren't gonna leave without you," Romeo said.
"Without me?!"
"Remember what I told you about leaving after we finished our business with Da?" Murphy asked.
"You said I was goin' with you."
"Well, we weren't movin' an inch until you got here."
"What if I wasn't able to?"
"We were gonna break out and go find you," Murphy said as he placed his forehead against hers.
"But, seein' that you're here, we can pack then get th'hell outta here," Connor said.
Murphy noticed the look in her eyes as Caroline sighed and she lowered her head. He led her away from Connor and Romeo when they headed for the cell and he led her to the bed. He sat her down on the bed when he sat next to her and pulled her against him.
"What's wrong?" Murphy asked.
"I… I got a phone call this mornin'," she said.
"From who?"
"It was someone who said he was… He was my father."
"You mean yer birth father?"
"Yeah."
"What did he want?"
"He asked me questions about the adoption. I told him what I knew then he… He said he wanted to meet me."
"Are you gonna go meet him?"
"Yeah."
"Do you believe he's who he says he is?"
"Dunno."
"Uh… Sorry t'nterrupt," Connor said as he stood in the cell doorway and they looked at him. "We have t'go."
"We can't," Murphy said as he got up and she watched him head for Connor. They walked away as she stood and she saw them talking near the iron door leading outside to the yard. Connor looked at her then nodded to Murphy and Murphy walked to her. "Let's go.'
She followed them to the table when she helped them pack the backpacks, helped them put the backpacks on then they headed outside. She walked to the black car as she opened the back passenger door when she removed the backpacks and she walked to them. Murphy helped her put the backpack on and she smiled at him. Sibeal placed on the other backpack when he noticed how the guards were looking at them and he frowned.
"Ready to go?" the guard asked.
Caroline watched Ginny, the doctor and nurse and the guards get in the helicopter as Sibeal, Romeo, Connor and Murphy stood near her and she saw the cautious look on Sibeal's face.
"Get in th'car," Sibeal whispered.
"What's the hold up?" the guard asked.
"Just have to get something outta the car," Romeo said.
Caroline didn't know what was happening. She followed Murphy, Connor, Romeo and Sibeal as they headed for the car then they heard a low clicking sound. They turned to see the guards with guns in their hands and Sibeal sighed.
"Run!" Sibeal said and they ran. The sound of gunfire filled the air as they headed for the security gate and the ground popped as the bullets hit the ground. They ran by the security gate when Connor pointed to the trees and they ran for them. After ducking behind a tree, Caroline held onto Murphy as he looked around the tree to see if they had been followed and Caroline gave him a puzzled look.
"Murphy!? Caroline!?" Connor called out.
"We're ok," Murphy assured him.
"I can't believe those assholes tried to kill us!" Romeo said.
"I'm not. One less thing fer them t'worry about," Sibeal said.
The sound of the helicopter filled the air as they went deeper into the trees and Sibael saw the helicopter flying by after he looked up.
"We gotta go," Connor said.
"You three go right. Caroline and I'll go left," Murphy said.
"We have t'keep together," Sibeal said.
"No. He has t'go with Caroline," Connor said.
"Why?" Romeo asked.
"She's goin' t'go meet her birth family and he wants t'go with her."
Caroline looked at Murphy when she decided to do something which would hurt both of them and she sighed.
"Go," she said and Murphy frowned.
"What?" Murphy asked.
"Go with Connor."
"But…."
"Please!"
"Why?!"
"I… I have to do this alone."
"Don't want t'spring me, Connor, Romeo and Uncle on 'em jus' yet, hunh?"
"No. It's not that."
"Then why!?"
"Well, you're sorta right about not sprin' you on 'em that fast. I mean if he turns out to be my birth dad."
"You want time alone with 'em," he said with a nod.
"But… If this turns out to be a trap? If Jessie set this up and… And I get killed…"
"That's not gonna happen."
"If it does happen. I don't want you guys to get hurt or go after 'em."
"You know we're hard to kill," he said with a grin.
"This isn't funny,' she said with a crack to her voice.
"Sorry," he said and lightly kissed his lips. "You do know Connor and I would cause a river to flow if anyone hurt or killed you, right?"
"Right. But you keep forettin' that my life doesn't matter."
"It does to me!"
"Murphy…."
"Hang on," Murphy said when he pulled the rosary out from under his shirt and she wondered what he was doing. She watched him remove the cross when he placed the cross in her hand and she frowned. "Ok, this is going to sound like a part of our romance movie, but…"
"But this is where you want me to keep this with me as a good luck charm. That it will lead me back to you," she said, looking down at the cross.
"Right."
"This ain't a movie."
"You're right. But I still want you t'keep it," he said then he kissed her lips again. He placed the cross on the zipper pull as the cross lightly swung back and forth then he held her face in his hands. "Now, jus' this once. Say it."
Caroline looked deeply into his eyes when she smiled and she placed her hands against his chest.
"I…," she started to say.
"Murphy!" Connor called out.
"Hold on!" Murphy called out.
Caroline moved his head closer when she smiled and they placed their foreheads together.
"Murphy," she said with a staggering sigh.
"Yes?" he asked.
"I love you."
"I love you, too."
"Murphy!" Connor shouted.
"He's busy!" Caroline called out.
"Now is not the time for a quickie! Zip it and move yer ass!"
Murphy gave her a smile then they shared one more kiss and Murphy ran to catch up with Connor, Romeo and Sibeal.
"After they left, I walked fer a long time until I found a diner. I was able to find someone to take me to the airport and I caught my flight to Atlanta," Caroline said, softly.
Daryl looked at her when he pulled her in for a hug and Caroline started crying. He removed the clean cloth from the pocket of his jean and he handed her the clean cloth. She used the clean cloth to wipe her eyes and nose then she placed the clean cloth on the small light wood table near the bed.
The sound of gunfire startled them as they got out of bed and Daryl walked to the window. He looked outside when he saw the men firing the rifles into the darkness and he turned, walked to the box and he opened the box. He removed the rifle from the box when he checked to see if the rifle was loaded, placed the strap over his right shoulder and he walked to the window. He noticed the windows were sealed as he frowned and Caroline walked to him. She pointed to the small slots in the wall near the window and he opened the slots, sliding the barrel of the rifle in the bottom slot. He took aim when he saw two Macabre heading toward the men and he fired the rifle. The heads of the Macabre exploded while the men ducked, stood, turned and they looked up at the window.
"You're welcome," Daryl grumbled as he slid the barrel of the rifle out of the slot and he closed the slots. A loud banging on the door made them turn and Caroline walked to the door. She removed the knife from the holder on her belt as she opened the door enough to see out into the hallway and she saw the woman from the reception desk.
"What is going on in there?!" the woman demanded in French.
"My brother was helping yer men kill those things out there," Caroline explained in French and the woman frowned.
"Thank you," the woman grumbled in French then walked away and Caroline closed the door. Caroline turned to see Daryl looking up at the roof and Caroline walked closer.
"Hear somethin'?" Caroline whispered. Placing the strap to the rifle over his right shoulder, he pointed up at the ceiling and she heard the creaking and cracking sounds. He pointed to the window as they carefully walked closer and a pair of bloody hands grabbed onto the top of the iron bars covering the window. Stringy black hair draped over the bloody hands as a decayed male face appeared in the window and the Macabre hissed at them. "Shit!"
"Back up," Daryl said and he watched the Macabre climb back up to the roof. The creaking and cracking sounds increased as Daryl opened the door and they headed into the hallway. They saw other guests in the hallway as the woman from the reception desk spoke to them softy in French, but some of the guests shook their heads.
"Please! Everyone! Go back to your rooms! Those things…!" the woman said in French.
"They are on the roof!" a man said in French as he looked up at the ceiling.
"They're going to get in!" a woman said in French while holding onto her boyfriend.
"We are going to die!" an older woman said in French, clutching onto the rosary around her neck.
"No one is going to die!" the woman from reception said in French as she shook her hands back and forth.
The creaking and cracking grew louder while Daryl and Caroline looked up at the ceiling and Daryl saw the small hatch.
"Where does that lead?" Caroline asked the woman from the reception desk in French as she pointed to the small hatch in the ceiling. The woman looked at her, at the small hatch then at the guest and she snorted a breath of air.
"Why do I have a feelin' it leads to the roof?" Daryl whispered.
A low scraping sound came from the ceiling as the small hatch opened with a soft bang and the guests screamed. Four Macabre jumped through the opening as they landed on their feet, hissed and snapped their jaws. One of the Macabre was the one from the window and the guests ran down the hallway.
"We're going to die!" in French came from down the hallway as the guests ran down the stairs and Caroline held the handle of the knife in her right hand. The woman from the reception desk stood still as her eyes widened and the Macabre from the window headed for her. She fell to her knees as she whimpered and the Macabre snapped its jaw. The Macabre stiffened after Caroline slammed the blade of her knife into the back of its head and the Macabre fell to the floor. She removed the knife while Daryl slammed his knife into the head of the Macabre on his left after he had shot the head off the Macabre on his right and the final Macabre headed for Caroline.
"Back off, Asshole," Caroline said as she slammed the blade of her knife in the side of its head and the Macabre fell to the floor. She removed the knife as she looked at the woman from the reception desk and the woman glared at them.
"You're welcome," Daryl grumbled after walking to Caroline. The woman got to her feet as she stormed down the hallway and Caroline looked at Daryl, shrugging her shoulders.
