Between the Thorns
Chapter 49
"I'm sorry for what happened before," Rick said, "You know Negan better than anyone. If you think this is the best way to take him out, then I'll help."
"Don't need yer help," Daryl grumbled.
Rick pushed his hair back out of his face and tried his best to hold in his sigh of frustration. He left the outpost the moment he got done helping Ezekiel and Jerry out of a tight spot. As soon as he saw Daryl drive off on his bike, Rick realized he'd made a grave mistake. Not only was Daryl valuable in and of himself. He was also his friend. And he was loaded with viable information about Negan's methods of operation and the locations of his outposts.
Without Daryl's help, the large automatic guns that Ezekiel was driving away with would already be on their way to the Sanctuary. And the small advantage they managed to gain would be lost. If it took blasting on one of the walls and releasing the walkers inside the Sanctuary itself to make Daryl happy, then Rick was willing to help him do it. Even though it was not part of their original plan. There was risk either way. If they let the walkers loose inside, innocent people might die. And it might inspire the workers to side with their oppressor and take up arms against the militia. But if they followed the original plan and starved Negan out until he surrendered, there was a chance he and his soldiers might escape.
"How about I help you out with this," Rick suggested. "...and you help me out with something else."
"Don't need yer help," Daryl repeated, lowering the scope he was peering through just long enough to give Rick a sullen irritated glance before he went back to observing the area outside the Sanctuary. There was a long pregnant silence before Daryl's curiosity got the better of him.
"What'dya want help with"," Daryl asked, setting the scope down and digging through his bag.
"The scavengers," Rick said. "We need to get them back on our side." Daryl snorted out a cynical laugh.
"Those crazy garbage people?," he confirmed. "Good fuckin' luck with that." Rick raised an eyebrow, gesturing for Daryl to elaborate on his opinion of Jadis and her people. Dayl gave him a dismissive grunt. But when Rick shrugged like he was going to the dump with or without Daryl's approval, Daryl spoke up. "Negan was paying her in lives. He was gonna give her ten of yer people to do whatever she wanted with." Rick's eyes widened. He assumed that Negan just offered the woman more guns or protection of some kind. Or possibly even threatened them in some way to get them to take sides with him. They seemed like strange people. But Rick had no idea that they were that deranged.
"...and Negan fucked her," Daryl added. "So if ya wanna turn that psycho to yer side, yer on yer own. I ain't gettin' the dumpster clap."
Rick cringed at the thought, fighting back the bile that was rising in his throat. He thought he was willing to do just about anything to win this war. But he wouldn't do that.
"Alright," Rick agreed, wrinkling his nose up. "Maybe I'll rethink that plan."
Rick turned, cocking his head to the side as he listened to the strange snorting noises that were coming out of Daryl. It took him a moment to realize the man was laughing. He couldn't even remember ever hearing or seeing the man laugh before. But apparently the idea of him fucking that disgusting dumpster woman for the greater good hit Daryl somewhere in the funny bone. And it must have hit him hard. Because instead of quickly getting control over himself, he was starting to laugh harder.
"S'matter Rick?," Daryl chuckled. "Not yer type?" Rick shook his head, unable to stop his own body from shaking with silent laughter. "Too bad Merle's not here," Daryl added. "He'd fuck her."
Rick let the last bits of his laughter bubble out. He didn't say anything, but that was the first time Daryl had mentioned his brother since the man died. He was silent for a few days after his brother died. And then he just went on with his life, like Merle never existed. No one brought it up. Especially not in front of Daryl. Because they didn't want to upset him. And because everyone besides Daryl was relieved the man was dead.
Daryl pulled out a crossbow bolt and began fastening a stick of dynamite to the end of it. Rick took that to mean that conversation time was over. There wasn't much discussion needed. Daryl was going to get as close as he could and fire the stick of dynamite at the weakest door.
Rick climbed into the large box truck and drove it slowly into the courtyard of the Sanctuary. The dead surrounded the truck, clawing against the sides of it with their unfeeling hands. Rick moved slowly, not wanting to run any of them over as he maneuvered the truck so that they were facing out towards the exit. Once they were in position, Daryl climbed out the window and fired his bow, sending the lit explosive stick into the door. The arrow stuck. And Daryl was quick to slide back into the truck. He rolled up his window as Rick got them moving away from the coming blast. Even with the distance, the explosion still shook the large truck.
Daryl motioned for him to stop. Which Rick did. And this time he climbed out his own window, mirroring Daryl's movements. They stood on top of the box truck and watched the sea of dead walkers surge in through the now open door. Muffled screams echoed from the interior of the building, followed by the sounds of gunfire. Not wanting to get shot themselves, Rick and Daryl slid back into the truck and headed for Hilltop.
