Never Give Up (On Each Other)"
Author: carmen_085
Disclaimer: I do not own any Walking Dead Characters. I do own all original characters.
Summary: In the months before the beginning of the apocalypse, Daryl finds himself homeless, alone, and with no direction. An adult Beth is struggling to balance her job, sick parents, and the farm. Feeling like the world is suffocating her, will taking a chance on a stranger change everything ? Can these two find what they need in each other before life as they know it ends and they must do anything to survive. AU but eventual ZA with full cast.
Chapter Twenty-Three
When Beth took a look at Shane covered head to toe in walker blood and barely standing she could hardly believe that he'd managed to get everything on the list. Jimmy was no where to be found and when she had cast a look at Daryl he simple said that the farm boy had "taken off". Lips drawing into a thin line, Beth hadn't said a word about it and instead grabbed the duffel bag and instructed Daryl to show Shane the set up behind the barn. She and her daddy needed to get straight to work on Carl before time ran out.
Supplies delivered and the boy now in more than capable hands, Daryl relaxed just a bit slumping against the gate to the inner yard around the house. It was late, probably close to midnight, and no one had gotten any sleep. With things just starting in the house it looked like no one would be getting any either. Walking over to the outdoor stove area, Daryl stoked the fire a bit throwing some fresh kindling on the pile and fanning the embers. Filling the cast iron kettle with fresh water he placed it over the fire intending to brew a strong pot of coffee to help Beth and Hershel stay focused in their work. In survival, no job was too small to be important. Rick and Lori had been pushed out of the house by Beth's firm hand and now laid eyes on Shane for the first time. Rick was the first to descend the stairs, embracing his friend with a strong hug and a disbelieving stare. Lori stood on the porch catching Shane's eye and holding his stare for longer than what Daryl would consider comfortable. He made a mental note, remembering one thing:
"His wife and son….they'll be with me now."
Either way it was none of his business. As long as everyone was on the same page that Beth was in charge. It was her land and it would be her way here…and he would make sure it stayed that way. Rick returned to his wife on the porch and as they leaned against the railing in hushed conversation it was clear that Shane was now on the outside. Daryl could see it and Shane could feel it, his eyes sweeping down to the ground taking a few stumbling steps backwards. He didn't know these people from Adam but he could see that there were a lot of emotions involved here and even if he was more than suspicious of Shane he couldn't help but to feel bad for him. Poor bastard just put his life on the line. "Hey I'll show you where you can get cleaned up…make you a sandwich and some coffee. Gotta be starving."
Shane met his eyes for a moment before nodding his head. "Uh…yeah thanks." Casting a glance over his shoulder at Lori, Shane followed Daryl toward the barn the only light coming from a lantern that Daryl held at his side. Hot water was a thing of the past, but thankfully it was a warm night and it wouldn't be too uncomfortable to take a cold shower. Producing a bar of lavender soap and a clean towel, Daryl showed Shane the raised platform and improvised shower head and the man could do nothing more but nod his thanks. He'd stand watch- keep an eye to the open fields until he was done- it was clear that Shane hadn't thought of it but was impressed with his attention to survival.
As the water began to run, Daryl took up his position. Pulling a cigarette out of his shirt pocket, he admitted to himself that he didn't much care if these people were impressed with him or not. The only thing that mattered was Beth and what her and her daddy were doing to the boy right now. That was impressive- damn impressive- if anyone was asking him. Survival was common sense, and all the things that he'd done to get this place ready for what was happening now were easy to figure out. Fortify, prepare, stockpile, keep watch; so easy it should have been intuitive.
Blowing a cloud of smoke into the night air he looked out at woods wondering where Jimmy had taken off to. Surely he wasn't stupid enough to go back to his place. Daryl knew they would be lucky if they never saw him again, but he doubted that would be the case. The man was obsessed with Beth and sooner or later he knew that Jimmy would show up again. Idly he wondered if he would have to kill him eventually. It's not something that he wanted but if that's what it came to to keep Beth safe he would do it and not regret it. As Abraham had warned, without rule of law a desperate man was free to do just about anything he wanted.
Behind him the water shut off as Daryl flicked his cigarette away. He wasn't crazy about feeding these people with nothing in return. Just didn't work that way no more. They needed to eat, though, and the middle of the night was no time to lay out the rules and send them to find their own meal. Tomorrow, though, provided that the boy survived and they got past this, Beth would need to set down some ground rules before everyone got too comfortable. Shane appeared wearing an old pair of Daryl's sweatpants and an oversized t-shirt of Beth's. It was what was laying around the barn and it was all he had to offer him, but the other man didn't seen to mind as he nodded his head toward the house.
"I don't expect ya'll to feed and clothe me for nothing. It's been a crazy day…but tomorrow we'll figure out some kind of arrangement." Daryl looked at him for a moment, studying his expression, before nodding silently. Maybe he did get it.
Leading Shane back to the yard, Daryl poured him a cup of hot water before adding in two tablespoons of instant coffee. Nodding his thanks, Shane took a grateful sip as he sat down on the porch steps. Going back to the outdoor stove Daryl cracked two eggs in the cast iron skillet. Beth had fresh bread on the counter and he would be sure to slice it very thin. They had plenty of tomatoes and cucumbers- her garden producing an abundant yield after months of hard preparation in the spring. Laying down a plate with a steaming hot egg sandwich, sliced tomato and cucumber; Shane looked at him and let out a low whistle.
"Damn…" Taking a bite he watched as Daryl cleaned up the stove and hung the skillet back on its hook. "You guys really know what you're doing here…"
Daryl looked back at him and just shrugged. "Been surviving most of my life; this ain't really no different."
Setting two more cups aside he poured an equal amount of hot water in each followed by a scoop of instant coffee and stirred. Sugar was a commodity now thanks to its preserving ability and Beth had warned him that they would need to ration it wisely. Hesitating for just a moment he dropped a teaspoon full into her coffee before stirring. She loved sweet, fancy coffee that he didn't understand. Black and hot had always been good enough for him. Blinking his eyes, he thought of something that he'd assumed he'd forgotten.
Starbucks was a fucking rip off. Plain and simple. Coffee was supposed to be black, hot, and cheap- mostly from a gas station- but just as good brewed at home. Nothing special, nothing fancy, just pure caffeine to get you by. This…iced whipped with cold foam, and what the fuck was an add in ? It was enough to make Daryl's head hurt. But still he couldn't deny that when Beth rushed out the door this evening upset that she didn't have time to stop at Starbucks before work that he wasn't paying attention. She hadn't slept much today- out in the fields with him in the morning and then dealing with her mama all afternoon. Annette was having a bad day; pain and non stop diarrhea that had Beth running in circles. She was exhausted and he knew that, with not even enough time to get a small treat for herself.
And she deserved a treat.
So he found himself rumbling toward the hospital, five dollars poorer for a grande- why the fuck ain't it just called a medium- chocolate cream cold brew. Part of Daryl, a very small part, wanted to get one for himself and see what the fuss was about. Ten dollars for two coffees though and he would certainly pass out. She'd just paid him, more then he deserved probably, and it wasn't really a big deal because he did have cash to spare. For the first time in a long time he could afford to not only treat himself but also someone else. And that…that felt damn good.
Tonight was about Beth, though, treating her and giving her a reason to smile. Well at least he hoped. Rumbling up to the hospital he was please to see that for a five dollar coffee you got a sticker over the hole to keep it from splashing all over the place. At least that was something. For a moment, as he sat there astride the bike waiting for her to come down, he wondered if this was a dumb idea. Then as the glass door slid open and she met his eyes he saw the never ending worry and frustration.
"My mama ?" She didn't even notice the coffee at first, worried that he was here to tell her something awful.
"Nah…I just…I brought you this." Holding the coffee out she stared at it for a moment before looking back at him tears immediately shining in her eyes. Bursting into the biggest, brightest smile he'd ever seen she immediately threw her arms around him. And in that moment, Daryl knew he'd go to Starbucks everyday for her if she wanted as long as she always smiled at him just like that.
Taking the two cups, he ducked his head slipping past Shane back into the house. Rick and Lori had now moved to the sitting area, waiting silently with clasped hands and tearful expressions. The door to the room where they were working on Carl was cracked and gently Daryl pushed it open stepping inside. Immediately he smelled blood, metallic and heavy in the humid air. Like skinning a deer inside a too small shed, the smell of humanity enough to smother you. The boy was on a metal table now and Hershel had a long clamp inside him rooting around for the last couple fragments. Beth stood nearby, monitoring his blood pressure and heart rate continuously. The ventilator running on a full battery- thank God- as Carl slept peacefully unaware of what was happening. Every few seconds Beth pushed a syringe of a milky white sedative into the boy's IV. As she explained to Shane, the meds and the ventilator were the most important and should be gotten before anything else.
She looked up at him briefly and smiled. "How's everything going ? You need anything ?" She shook her head. Seeing the coffee she took it from him with a grateful sip, smiling even wider at the sweetness. Daryl was literally one of the most thoughtful people she'd ever met.
"Thank you for this." Taking his own brief pause, Hershel stretched out his back taking a sip from his own cup and giving Daryl a nod of thanks. "He's doing alright. Still have that deepest fragment, but my daddy was able to sew the artery back together." His gaze flicked to Hershel and offered the respect he deserved. Couldn't have been easy and the sheen of sweat on the old man's face proved as much. "Everything else alright ?" Her eyes wandered toward the door.
Daryl gave a clipped nod. "Shane's washed up, Rick and Lori are outside waiting, rest of them haven't shown yet. Going to go walk the perimeter, make sure everything's secure." Beth looked at Carl and then back to Daryl giving him a solemn nod.
"Be careful." She knew he would but with Jimmy unhinged and on the loose there was no telling what might happen.
"Course I will."
"Beth I need you to retract this flap just a bit more so I can see deeper inside." Hershel's voice pulled her back to work as Daryl took it as his cue to leave.
Slipping out of the room he didn't want to be a distraction. The boy had come this far, they had to see this all the way through now. Rick and Lori immediately turned as he came out, Daryl however just shook his head simply offering "They're still working on him." Anything more would need to come straight from Beth or her daddy. As for him he would keep an on the new arrivals, the coffee hot and ready, and the farm as safe as it could be. Everyone had a part to play right now, this was his.
It felt like it was almost dawn when Beth finally collapsed into bed. She was exhausted, her back ached, and her head was pounding. When all was said and done they'd managed to save Carl; his mama and daddy falling to their knees with relief. After they were done, while Hershel was still closing the wound, Beth went to check on Shane's ankle and the new arrival, T-Dog's arm. Clearly the arm was infected and much worse off than Shane's issue so prioritizing she saw to the arm first. Shane had given her a boyish grin and said he wasn't going anywhere. Over the course of the night he'd migrated from porch to right outside Carl's room, nearly rubbing poor Maize's head bald. The shepherd tolerated it, however, knowing even she needed to do her part. It was clear to Beth that something was going on between the boy's mother and Shane- his eyes never leaving her as she moved around her son's bedside. It was none of her business as long as they kept their drama to themselves- she would have none of it as long as they planned to stay here.
Just how long they were planning to stay was another matter entirely. Carl needed constant care and attention, T-Dog's arm was severely infected, and Shane could barely walk. Even if they had nothing to offer, she still in good conscious could not turn them away and onto the road like this. They didn't have much and they would need to be wise about what they used but they still had some to spare. When Beth and Daryl had considered rationing as the world was spiraling into the unknown, they only figured on themselves, her mama, and daddy. Not seven more adults and a child. Ground rules would need to be set forth immediately and she has no problem doing that.
Antibiotics were at a premium, and instead of thanking her mama she was thanking Merle Dixon of all people. Shortly after Daryl had come to stay on the farm and seen the condition of her mama, he'd offered up "Merle's stash"- a ziploc bag of assorted antibiotics, pain meds, and crystal meth. The antibiotics he'd explained were because Merle got the clap from time to time. Immediately Daryl's face had blushed and Beth could do nothing but laugh. She'd heard worse before.
Either way she was glad she had a small supply of IV antibiotics for Carl and then the pills for T-Dog. Beth had begun to consider what she would do when the medications ran out. Of course they could go looking for more, surely not every medicine cabinet and pharmacy had been emptied already. But still… even that was a temporary solution. Because if this was really the end of everything, eventually there wouldn't be anything left to find. She thought of Siddiq and the burgeoning herbal medicine practice he had on the side. Inspired by this mother's traditional remedies, he'd once lent her a book about it enthused when he leaned she had a farm and unlimited space to grow all sorts of things. She tried to remember where she'd left that book and resolved to find it later that day. She'd never put the same faith in plants and herbs but if left with nothing else what could it hurt ? She sighed thinking of Siddiq, she hoped he'd gotten to his mother and they were both some place safe right now. Thinking of Siddiq inevitably led her to thinking about Rosita as tears came to her eyes. She missed her friend so much and hoped that she and Abraham had made it to Texas safe.
Taking a deep breath, Beth brought herself back to reality making a mental to do list for when she got up in a couple hours. Of course Carl would need to be seen to first and her daddy would need to be relieved for a few hours sleep. Then she would be checking on T-Dog's arm, change his dressing and give him another dose of antibiotics. Shane would be last again. When she'd finally gotten to him last night, it was clear that he was in a substantial amount of pain although hiding it well. His left ankle, swollen and bruised, was partially dislocated. Apparently from jumping off the top of the FEMA trailer and then hobbling close to two miles on it. She'd not spoken to Shane about what happened, Daryl having whispered to her that Jimmy had taken off and left the other man behind. Instead Beth focused on Shane's ankle and running her cool hands over the swollen, hot skin. He watched her with intensity, the only
light a lantern on the end table. A gentle tug and a pop brought him back into alignment- she only guessing about a procedure she'd seen done a handful of times. He winced reaching out and grabbing onto her, before retracting his hand and offering an apology.
"You're one hell of a nurse, Beth." He'd bit out between labored gasps of pain offering her a pained smile and a sincere thank you. In return she pressed three Motrin tablets into his hand and a cool glass of water. It would have been ideal if she had ice, but that was certainly a luxury of the past. Instead she would have to settle for elevation and a tightly wrapped ace bandage to control the swelling. Each time she went around his ankle he bit down on his lip and urged her to "make it tighter". She got it- he was a tough guy- but he also wanted to be back on his feet asap and for that she had to respect him. This life demanded that, and Shane wasn't willing to become a burden if he could help it.
Exhaling, Beth tried to close her eyes, there was so much to do now- so many things to see to. Still when she tried to turn everything off her mind inevitably wandered to Daryl and how good of a man he was. Seeing to the farm and their safety, helping where he could, doing all the little things that mattered so much. She hoped that he saw now that what happened with her mama wasn't his fault. She was infected and she'd turned, had Daryl not acted when he did Beth would have got bitten and that would have been it. Her daddy was an old fool, pickled by alcohol and guilt long ago, he'd reacted like an ass. Beth wanted nothing more right now than to cuddle up next to Daryl and be close to him like they had been before everything happened to her mama. When she fooled herself into thinking that they could live here in happiness forever. Her mama being taken care of, her daddy sober and himself, she and Daryl totally in love with one another. It was a dream and a foolish one at that. Still, she hoped she could find a way to have what they once did; not perfect by any means but still something all their own.
Daryl sat on the picnic table watching as the rest of the Rick's people rolled into the farm. In addition to Shane, Rick, and Lori, last night T-Dog had shown up with the blonde woman Andrea, and then today two more came- Carol and Dale. Carol, as he learned, was the mother of the missing girl. A perpetually tearful mess, her eyes never stopped darting to the tree line and back.
Beth had come down from her room about an hour ago, freshly washed and with her hair in a braid. Relieving her daddy from Carl's bedside for his own bit of rest, Daryl couldn't stop himself from coming to her, cupping her elbow, and asking her if she was alright. It had been a long night for everyone; even longer for Beth bent over Carl's lifeless body until the wee hours of the morning and then seeing to everyone else's injury after that. She smiled like he knew that she would and assured him that she was just fine. He doubted it was the truth but they did have so much to do, so he let it go for now.
The first and most obvious thing that needed seen to was the living arrangements. Lori and Rick wanted to be close to their son and until Carl was up and about, Beth couldn't deny them that. She'd helped them make up the couches last night with blankets and pillows, rebuffing their thanks with a soft smile. Their boy was sick and it was what needed to be done, simple as that. Beth decided that the rest of the group would set up in the barn. They were strangers and Daryl couldn't blame her for wanting to keep them at an arm's length. Even as she said it, though, her eyes had flicked to him with a hint of guilt wondering if she was being too harsh.
"Barn's just fine. Safe and dry." Daryl was quick to add with a nod. He'd slept there for a few months and found not a thing wrong with it. Of course he was sure these folks had houses or fancy apartments before the turn and sleeping in a barn with animals might not be what they had in mind. Either way, didn't matter much. They were guests here and this was just the way that it was. Beth nodded at him as she methodically changed Carl's bandages, inspecting his sutures carefully.
"I can't turn them away, back out onto the road. Not like this. I could never forgive myself." Daryl leaned against the door frame watching her work as he grunted. He wasn't sure that he could be so giving himself, but he knew how good and kind Beth was and he wasn't surprised. She paused what she was doing as she met his eyes, "We have to be firm though and set some clear boundaries. We have enough right now but just enough." She emphasized the last part and he couldn't agree more.
"Whatever you decide. I'll back you up." Her face spread into a hesitant smile as she nodded. That was all she needed to hear. She wasn't sure what her daddy would say about it all and honestly she didn't care. Long before the dead started walking she'd been running this farm. All of the preparations made were done by her and Daryl; her daddy along for the ride until just recently. If he didn't agree she would deal with him as she always did. Rick and his people needed to know that she was in charge here- and it was going to be what her and Daryl said.
That was why when Beth called a meeting on the front porch, all in attendance except for her daddy and Lori, Daryl stood right beside her. The barn was a good deal, dry and safe, with a perfect view of the woods line and pastures from the hayloft. It had a working shower attached to the back and plenty of hay to make soft sleeping mats. All in Rick's group nodded their understanding except for Andrea who huffed and shook her head. Beth stared at her silently not really sure how to respond to such gross entitlement. Thankfully, the older man Dale, put his hand on her shoulder and shook his head. Rick casting a glance toward her and then nodding at Beth held his hand up in deference.
"We're grateful, we won't be no trouble." She smiled at Rick appreciative but also knowing that they needed to set additional boundaries.
"Water on tap behind the barn draws from the same well as the house so it's pure, take what you need." Dale looked over his shoulder, nodding and clearly at ease that one of his concerns had been answered. "I have a large garden next to the house and you're welcome to help yourself, but I expect if you plan to stay more than a few weeks you'll start a garden yourself."
"Summer's almost over…" T-Dog spoke up. Clearly he'd never gotten food anywhere but in a grocery store.
Beth nodded offering an encouraging smile. "It's early August; there's still time for beans and cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes, greens. My daddy has a filing cabinet of seeds in the basement I'll be happy to give you what you need." Rick forced a smile and nodded. The corner of Daryl's lip pulled into a smirk. These people were truly helpless. "There's also forest greens, mushrooms, and berries in the woods. Daryl can show you where." Andrea raised an eyebrow and he was quick to reply.
"It's not hard to find. Wild grapes back there too. Plenty of things to eat right here on this land." Rick shook his head.
"I do appreciate it. I'm not much of a farmer or a gardener but I'm sure as soon as Shane's ankle is better we can go on a run, find some canned goods, boxed noodles, anything that's still good." Beth's lips drew into a line. Yes, that wasn't a bad idea but it also wasn't a sustainable one. Easy indeed and no skill necessary but one of the first things she'd noticed about this group was that they weren't seeing the bigger picture. Nobody was coming and one day, maybe one day soon, nothing would be left to find. Maybe she would have been just like them if not for Daryl. God, where would she be without that man.
"Might want to think about setting snares and traps in the forest. Small game- rabbits, squirrels, can make a good meal." Daryl tactfully left out the idea of deer and using a gun, not sure how Rick would feel about bringing it up so soon.
"We do need canned goods for now but I agree with Beth and Daryl that we need to be thinking long term here and living off the land is as long term as it gets." Beth was surprised that Shane took their side, Andrea shaking her head and looking at him like he was crazy.
"Only thing I'm worried about right now is Carl." Rick and Shane exchanged a tense stare. Carol somewhere in the back let out a whimper reminding him there was another situation at hand. "And finding Sophia. That's all I care about right now."
Sliding off banister Shane nodded his head. "Right. Well why don't you leave the long term plans to me then Rick ?" Even a blind man could see there was rift between them.
Being the bigger man, Rick gave a nod swiftly changing the subject. "Well right now I think we need to talk about how we're going to find Sophia. I hate to see another night coming and we still don't know where she is." Carol's hand immediately went to her mouth to stifle a sob. Beth hadn't spent much time studying the new arrivals, but the more she looked at Carol the more a flicker of recognition sparked in her mind.
A pale, slight woman with a shaved head in the street. A black eye she could see from a mile away, pinned against a red jeep, with a little girl screaming in the back seat and two walkers closing in quick. Trembling and stunned she was no use to herself or her child.
Blinking she snapped her eyes away. Everyone used to be someone else, she had no place to judge her. Things just were how they were now and whatever happened because of that is just what happened. Survival was cause and effect in its simplest form.
"I'm sorry Rick but I can't let you out there." He cocked his head up at Beth, his lip dragging into the beginnings of a smirk. Seeing this she doubled down. "You gave three blood transfusions yesterday, you'd never make it very far. And if you walk on that ankle too soon it could completely slip out of joint." Her eyes swept to Shane as he put up two hands in deference. "You're grown men and you can do what you want but I have to inform you that we don't have the supplies or resources for unnecessary risks."
She crossed her arms and stood with conviction. As long as they both needed medical attention she had a right to state her thoughts. "Well what you do want us to do just sit here while Sophia is out there alone for another night ?" Andrea stepped forward. Beth already knew that she was going to be difficult. Maybe it was the lack of sleep, or maybe it was just a clear divergence of mindset between the two groups. Either way when Beth opened her mouth she hardly recognized the words that came out.
"Doesn't look like anything's wrong with your legs." Andrea's mouth dropped open and her eyes raised at the clear put down. She had no rebuttal because Beth was totally right, so instead she turned her ire to Rick and the others as Daryl had to fight a full blown smile. Beth was so damn amazing and she didn't even know it.
"Well I would be happy to if someone would give me my gun !" Oh Christ there were more issues here than they thought.
Dale immediately piped in, wearing his own rifle slung against his back. "Andrea we can talk about it later…"
Giving him a look she rolled her eyes. "Whatever."
"I can go out. I know the woods, can track." Everyone fell silent as Daryl finally spoke up. "Jus' back track to the highway…can't be that hard." He hated the way they were all looking at him right now, especially Carol. Pushing past Rick she came to stand in front of Daryl her eyes brimming with tears.
"I would be mighty grateful…" She opened her mouth to say something else but her eyes welled with tears.
"It's nothing…" Hiking his crossbow up on his shoulder he looked away from them and to the only person who actually mattered. Beth's face was mix of worry and fear. He knew she hated him going out there, especially alone, but sometimes it just needed to be done. After sizing up this group, he'd determined that they weren't a threat to her or her daddy. More so now that they'd managed, against every odd, to save Carl. If anything these people were in a debt of gratitude to Beth. They weren't going to hurt her and he felt that it would be ok to leave her alone. Surely she wasn't worried about her own safety but more so his as she bit her lower lip nervously.
After that, the group dispersed with Rick promising Carol that they would all be out searching tomorrow if need be. Shane cast a look inside the house, searching for Lori as was his habit, before hobbling off the porch and going to the RV to collect what little belongings he had left. Dale and Andrea walked around the house in a heated discussion, Beth neither caring nor wanting to know what was wrong with the woman now. T-Dog went about collecting water jugs and heading toward the back of the barn. Carol was the only one left, clearly wanting to say something else but chewing her on thumb unable to form the words.
"She's just a little girl….with blonde hair. She had a blue shirt on with a rainbow…" She brought her hands to her mouth as the next word came out almost choked. "And she has a doll…" Feeling the discomfort radiating off of Daryl beside her, Beth reached out to the woman running a hand over her forearm.
"Daryl will find her…she's just lost that's it. Not gone." Carol met her eyes, a spark of hope in them for a second before she looked away nodding, not totally letting herself believe that it could be true. Knowing there was nothing else that needed to be said, Carol shuffled toward the RV to lay down and pray for her little girl.
When they were alone Beth turned to Daryl a long exhale escaping her lips. "I hate you going out there alone. Anything could happen…" And then what would she do. She didn't say it but it was implied. Swallowing hard he turned toward her placing a hand lightly on each shoulder.
"I'm better on my own out there. Any of them would just slow me down." Beth couldn't argue that, although she wish it was her going with Daryl. Carl, however, was still much too unstable.
Looking into his eyes she didn't think as she pushed up onto her tip toes and pressed her lips to his. For a moment Daryl froze, almost forgetting what she tasted like. Soft and sweet like honey he couldn't stop himself from indulging in the moment. His hands becoming heavier where they sat, he leaned in returning the pressure she initiated. He still couldn't believe this was happening; that she still wanted him after everything. What she'd told him last night about everyone being infected, her mama included, it sit heavy in his head all night as he paced the perimeter of the farm. He still couldn't get over how it went down, so ugly an abrupt, but maybe it really had been the only way. Daryl didn't know, but what he did know was that this woman made him weak. Crumbling his self control, his resolve, and most of all his innate self loathing with just a single touch.
Pulling back he knew that if he didn't right now he'd never leave this porch. Beth's lips turned down slightly before offering a nod of understanding. They all had jobs to do now and Daryl was the hardest working person she'd ever met. She knew that if it took him searching day and night he'd find the girl eventually. What kind of condition she'd be in was another story all together.
"Be careful out there…You'll be back before dark, right ?" Daryl nodded quickly, his fingers lingering on the crest of her hip. Giving he a gentle squeeze he notched his head back toward the house.
"Get some rest today if you can." She absent-mindedly nodded, both knowing it wouldn't happen.
Her hand found his and gave it a squeeze holding on as long as she could and then he was gone. Slipping from her grasp; he walked across the yard and then the pasture, and then he was gone disappearing into the green murkiness of the woods. Beth knew Daryl was more at home in the forest than anywhere else. She knew he could take care of himself better than anyone she'd ever met. And she knew if anyone could find the girl it would be him. But still, she couldn't but to worry. The world was growing more unpredictable by the day and anything could happen. Sighing deeply she retreated back to the house and Carl, reasoning that if it had to be this way she would at least do her best to stay busy. He'd be back before she knew it. He would.
Retracing the path he'd taken to find Lori the night before; Daryl made his way back toward the highway keeping his eyes trained on the ground. It was much farther on foot but he made it without incident all he way back to the traffic snarl, climbing the hill to the road and beginning his search for Sophia there. The group had left a yellow car with a message on the windshield and a box of food. Neither had been touched and despite looking through a few cars in the immediate area he found nothing. Even breaking his own rule he yelled out her name twice with no response.
After the highway, Daryl followed the mess of tracks left by Rick's group toward the stream bank where he said he'd left her. Crouching under the the tree roots he peered into every crack and crevice reasoning that if the girl had any sense it might be a good place to hide. And yet he found nothing, not even a scrap of material. Staying there in the creek bed he squatted down, the murky water lapping the bottom of his thigh as he closed his eyes. He had no skin in this game, never met the girl before, and had just laid eyes on her mama this morning. But still she was a lost child in a world full of flesh eating freaks. He knew it upset Beth, just the thought of it, and honestly he didn't like the idea much either.
Opening his eyes he looked around the creek concentrating on finding any sort of track. Of course Rick and the rest of them had mucked everything up beyond repair, but still he could barely make out a smaller shoe. A child's tennis shoe tracking up and over the creek bank. Having the first hint of a clue, he began following the trail back toward the farm.
The day slipped away faster than Daryl anticipated and before he knew it the sun was beginning to dip into the western sky. He estimated he was about a mile away from the farm, and not wanting to break his promise to Beth he resolved to wrap it up for today and come back tomorrow. Sophia's trail, if it was actually hers, made a straight line toward the farm until about two miles out. There he found a mess of leaves and twigs broken, a "dust up", as Merle used to call it. From there her path zig zagged all over the forest leading him side to side but still toward the farm. It made no sense and in the pit of his stomach he began to question if maybe she'd turned. It would explain the lack of a clear trail. Or maybe she hadn't, maybe she was just scared and running in circles. There was no way to know.
Taking a knee Daryl stretched his back as he bent down to tie his boot. Something underneath the brush caught his eye causing him to crawl forward. Reaching into the undergrowth he pulled out a material doll. Dirty and blood stained, the doll was ripped in places with its stuffing poking out. Turning it over, Daryl lifted the dress looking at the doll's underside. In permanent marker a name was scrawled. 'Sophia'. Daryl's brain didn't have time to comprehend what he was seeing before a pair of hands struck him hard from behind, knocking him off balance and over the hillside where he landed with a hard thud, the world turning black.
TBC…
Next chapter is going to be big. Dark Jimmy, hurt and in need of a nurse Daryl, and finally a BIG moment between Beth and her man. Hope everyone liked this set up for our entitled quarry crew and as always please review !
Think I'm taking Shane in another direction so if you wanted to see him as not totally psycho also stay tuned for that