"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 Seven
The whole scene was like some demented family reunion; the lot of them gathered around the table eating silently. The house was dark now, and the dining room illuminated only by candlelight. Beth sat at the head of the table with Daryl on one side and Hershel on the other. She'd seen the way Maggie looked at her when the places were set, but she could look all she wanted; the only reason this house and farm were still standing was because of her and Daryl. Had her daddy been left in charge they'd probably have walkers living in the barn waiting for a cure or some other nonsense. Beth shuddered to think about her mama being corralled out there, wandering around hungry for the rest of eternity. She couldn't profess to understand what was going, but she did know that those things were dead. Her eyes wandered to Carol sitting between Andrea and Lori; eyes downcast as usual. Beth hated to break the news of Sophia but it had to be done and this matter had to be dealt with once and for all. They could't continue going out there and risking their lives if she was gone.
For dinner they'd slaughtered two chickens, and along with a bounty of vegetables from the garden and Shane's BBQ rabbit it was a regular feast. Beth had even made bread and the warm loaf was at the center of the table, everyone eager for their share. Maggie had helped prepare the chicken although she made sure to let Beth know it was a waste feeding these people, they were already being housed what else did they want? Giving her sister a hard look, Beth avoided another argument simply not having the energy. Not to mention that Maggie was in no position to open her mouth. Shortly after Maize had gone berserk near the back of Glenn's car, he and the car had disappeared. Maggie was clearly nervous about something and Beth didn't hesitate to ask. If something was going on, she had a right to know. She and Daryl had this farm safe and fortified- which had been no easy task. Beth had also guaranteed the safety of their guests which so also took very seriously.
Maggie avoided the topic, however, and said that he'd simply gone to scrounge gas. Pointing out that Beth's car was no longer here it was important to have as many working vehicles as possible should they need to run. Beth had almost laughed at that. They'd been here months and the idea of running and abandoning the farm had never occurred to her. She wasn't naive, and knew nothing was guaranteed, but should a threat arise they would fight to keep what was there's. Her and Daryl had never discussed it, just seemed like the only thing to do. After everything they'd done to make his place safe, they wouldn't just give it up. Beth went on preparing dinner, keeping a close eye on Maggie as well as out the window. Daryl had also noticed Glenn's disappearance and came to Beth lightly touching the small of her back.
"I'll be outside keeping watch." He whispered the words in her ear. Shivering she couldn't help but to smile thinking of what had just happened in the woods. Her underwear slick just from the barest of touch. Goodness what was this man doing to her ?
When Glenn did return he pronounced a full tank of gas and offered Beth a can of peaches. She took the fruit smiling and sliding it onto the counter. Food was food but downstairs they had more than enough home canned goods lining the shelves, peaches included. She knew it was a cover for something else as one look at his apprehensive smile would indicate as much. Still, she didn't say anything, tonight they had other problems. Maize sniffed Glenn up and down, sitting back and staring at him quizzically. Normally the dog was friendly and had taken to each of their house guests without issue, but as Glenn reached down to pet her she backed away coming to sit next to Beth. For his part Glenn shrugged stuffing his hands in his pockets. Beth wondered what had gotten into her, while the hairs on Daryl's neck stood up. Something wasn't right.
Setting her fork down Beth sat back in the chair making brief eye contact with Daryl who offered the barest of nods. There was no good time for this, so they might as well just get it over with. Clearing her throat, most at the table looked up. Shane, who was sitting on the other side of Daryl looked at her seriously, his dark eyes knowing this would not be easy he offered what little reassurance he could.
"Jimmy's dead." It wasn't the most eloquent way to start, but it sure got everyone 's attention. Next to her Hershel's fork hit the plate, his surprise evident. A few members of the group were confused, not remembering the part that the neighbor had played in them being on the farm in the first place. Rick knew, though, and she had his full attention. Taking a deep breath Beth continued, "He'd lost it, was keeping walkers in his barn." She left out the part about her being kidnapped and kept hostage. The people she wanted to know already knew. This wasn't about her and she didn't that to become the focus. "His wife and kids are in there, apparently they turned early on…" She trailed off seeing the look on Carol's face. A mix of hope and fear that caused Beth's throat to suddenly feel tight.
"Seems like he might also have the girl there too…." Daryl's low admission caused them all to gasp. Carol's brow screwed up with confusion as she shook her head.
"I don't understand…"A foolish look of hope crossed her face. "He's taken her ? She's alive." No one at the table said a word, Lori reaching over and rubbing a reassuring hand on the other woman's back.
Beth and Daryl were silent. This wasn't their issue; when the group arrived on the farm Sophia was already gone. In fact her being gone was the reason Carl had gotten shot, the reason they were all out in the woods to begin with. Pushing his chair back from the table Shane leaned his elbows on his knees as he sighed loudly. "Ain't no easy way to say this, Carol." His dark eyes met hers over the table. "She's in the barn with the others…probably been there for a while too."
Rick shook his head, "No…are you sure ?" Beth nodded her head solemnly.
"We're not sure. When Jimmy was slipping- mentally- he started to write notes on his living room wall. We found them. Round the time you folks showed up he found a little girl and put her in there with his own girls….." For some strange reason Beth felt the need to explain her teenage boyfriend turned hostage taker.
Carol had dissolved into mournful sobbing as Lori rubbed her back shaking her own head and making eye contact with Beth. "Why would he do such a thing ?" Her voice high with barely restrained emotion. Understandably, she was most likely imagining the situation if Carl had gone missing instead of Sophia.
Beth swallowed hard, neither Daryl nor Shane could step in here. The only person who knew Jimmy well enough to explain his actions was her. Beth knew exactly why he'd taken Sophia; he'd planned to use her to experiment on- to find something that would work on his own children. Meeting Carol's eyes, she bit her lips shaking her head, "I think he thought there would be a cure and he was just trying to take care of them until that happened."
Daryl grunted shaking his head. He knew damn well that wasn't what was going on over at the Campbell Farm. It would only hurt Carol more to know his true intentions however and if Beth wanted to spin things in a better light he was going to back her up. For his part Shane remained silent staring down at the floor.
"Maybe there is a cure… maybe we just leave them there." Glenn's voice cut through the room like a knife. Beth stared at him, her mouth slightly open. Next to him Maggie was uncharacteristically silent, staring down at her plate and pretending that they hadn't just become the center of attention. The only person looking at Glenn like he wasn't crazy was Carol, the rest of the table was painted with a mix of shock and disbelief. Rick's lips drew into a thin line as he rested a protective hand on Lori's thigh, Carl sliding off his own seat and coming to sit on his mama's lap.
Naturally it was Andrea who spoke up first, breaking the silence. "You don't really believe that do you?" Her face painted with a layer of biting sarcasm, Beth knew that Maggie wouldn't let it slide.
Coming to her man's defense as always, Maggie's green eyes pierced through Andrea. "Nobody really knows what to believe anymore."
Shane let out a low, wry laugh as he rubbed a hand through his hair. "Oh my God…I really do not know what to think anymore."
Turning her vitriol toward Shane, Maggie snapped off, "You don't have to think anything. You're a guest here." Rick, sensing that the the situation was taking a turn for the worst, put his hands up.
"Alright…listen I'm sure we can come to some sort of agreement on how to handle this situation." Turning, his gaze landed squarely on the grieving mother. "What do you want to do, Carol ?"
Daryl had noticed that Shane couldn't help himself sometimes, especially when it came to challenging Rick's leadership. It was clear there was tension between them and while Rick played the part of the peacemaker, Shane had no issues stirring shit up. Next to him the man snorted shaking his head. Admittedly the walker barn being so far away didn't pose much of a risk, no more than any other walkers wandering around the woods. So leaving them there wasn't the worst thing, although, Daryl was sure that Beth would be bothered knowing Jimmy's girls were forever stuck in such a wretched limbo. The bigger issue here was that Glenn and Maggie seemed to think the walkers weren't dangerous and even worse than that Rick seemed alright placating the entire thing. He could see why Shane was so agitated, this group was totally fucked.
"Now, let's listen to Glenn. It's only been a few months, maybe there is a cure- a way through this. These people are our family, we shouldn't give up on them so easily." Beth's eyes fluttered closed the moment her daddy opened his mouth. After everything with her mama he still thought there was something to be done, some way to save the dead.
The table erupted, everyone adding their two cents at the same time. Beth remained silent, however, massaging her temple until she couldn't stand it anymore.
"ENOUGH !" It was the second time she'd bellowed in the last twelve hours, she was becoming someone she didn't recognize. Perhaps it was what the situation demanded, perhaps it was just what she had to become in order to survive. Everyone stopped talking, staring at her- a few chastened faces, a few more in disbelief. Taking a deep breath she steadied herself with the help of Daryl's hand squeezing her leg in support. "The only thing we need to worry about right now is Carol and Sophia."
Carol whimpered as she shook her head, her fingers wrapped around the cross on her neck. "I want to know if she's there. Once I see her, then I'll know what to do." It was a surprisingly logical coming from someone who had, until this point, been a mess of emotion.
Rick nodded before turning back to Beth. "You'll take us there tomorrow morning ?" She nodded wondering who 'us' was but deciding to leave that up to Rick and his people.
Daryl sat back in his chair eyeing the group but mostly Maggie and Glenn. They were hiding something. He hoped he could figure out what that was before anyone got hurt.
The farm house drew directly from a well so fortunately they still had running water. Standing at the big, old farm sink Beth washed the evening's dishes with Maggie drying. Her sister hadn't said much since dinner and that was fine. Honestly Beth didn't know what to say to her or what she was thinking. Maggie had always been her own person, not caring what anyone thought and not changing her mind for anything. When Glenn came into the picture she defended him viciously at times, that was her guy and nobody as going to tell her otherwise. Beth had always liked her brother in law. He was good natured and knew how to handle her sister which was a miracle in itself. They left for Michigan when Glenn's father died, his mother the second most important person in his life after Maggie. Beth hadn't seen either of them since the autumn before when they buried Shawn. In that time a lot had changed. Perhaps Glenn had changed the most, his normal ease replaced with a queer tension. Something Beth just couldn't put her finger on.
"So you're with him, Shane or whatever his name is ?" Moving toward the shelf she placed the dried dish on the pile, letting it clatter louder than need be. Beth continued washing not lifting her eyes from the soapy water. Was this how it was going to be with Maggie now ? Everything a challenge, a bait for another argument.
Sighing she replied as evenly as she could. "There are no sides, Maggie. It's not like that anymore." Turning the water off, Beth dried her hands meeting her sister's gaze. "Certain things just have to be done. Nobody likes to do them, but that's just the way it is."
Maggie snorted in reply wondering when her little sister had matured so much. Even though there weren't many years between them, she'd always thrown her weight around as the big sister- the one who knew so much more. She wasn't stupid, though, she knew in the last few years Beth had grown into a capable woman. Maybe even more capable than she was. Maggie would never admit that aloud. It was true, though, while Maggie had her simple life in Michigan with Glenn; Beth was back home dealing with the weight of the world and somehow persevering through it all. She stared at her little sister, knowing that more than anything the events of the last year had hardened her, made her into a survivor before surviving had actually become necessary.
"What did you have to do, Beth ?" Maggie softened her tone just slightly. The question was partially because she refused to lose the argument, and partially because curiosity had gotten the better of her. What had happened to change her goody two shoes sister into such a hard ass?
Beth set the dish towel aside crossing her arms over her chest. Most of the candles had been moved to the kitchen and the room was dancing with orange light. She debated whether she should indulge Maggie's curiosity. The suffering that she'd endured was sacred in its own way, shared only with her daddy and Daryl. Pursing her lips she shook her head. "She was weak when it started; her and daddy had just been in that car accident and he was off in rehab. I was working, taking care of her, and Daryl was helping me with the farm." At the mention of Daryl Maggie's eyes narrowed just slightly. "Jimmy called the sheriff out here, told them that Daryl killed Old Man Mitchell in the woods." She met Maggie's eyes with a deathly glare letting her know there would be no assumptions made. "He'd turned- before anyone even knew something was wrong- and attacked Daryl. He had to put him down." Wisely Maggie remained silent as Beth continued. "Daryl was in jail, daddy was at rehab, and the world came to an end. Just me and mama here alone." She let that sink in. A few tears coming to her eyes Beth was quick to blink them away. "One of those things got in." The older sister gasped, bracing herself against the kitchen counter. Beth shook her head running a hand through her hair remembering that awful night. "Mama was upstairs screaming, Maize was barking." She met Maggie's eyes. "I had to kill it right here in this kitchen. If not it would have killed me….Maize…and then mama."
Her sister's demeanor had softened considerably but Beth could see she was working up some kind of rebuttal. "It doesn't always have to be like that. If that person's family had taken care of him he wouldn't have been roaming around like that…lost." Beth narrowed her eyes a fear springing up in the pit of her stomach. Her sister and brother in law seemed totally off base, believing something strange about the dead. While Maggie had accused Beth of being the one who'd changed it seemed the opposite was actually the true. Hoping she could get her point across without an argument Beth doubled down.
"We had a great day. The four of us sat down to dinner, mama was laughing, daddy was happy. I put her to bed that night and everything was fine." Beth paused swallowing back the emotion. "I woke up to daddy screaming. She'd fallen in the night, hit her head. Daryl and I did everything we could- we went on a run to the hospital. I took every drug I could get my hands on. Nothing helped." Her eyes wandered to the floor still not really believing the next part. "She didn't turn right away but when she did come back I was right beside her in bed, holding her. She didn't pause…didn't think about…didn't even seem to recognize me. All she wanted was to…" The next word made Beth choke but still she managed to get it out. "Eat."
Maggie covered her mouth with a hand as her own eyes teared up. "Bethy I had no idea…" Of course she had no idea. Still, it didn't stop her from rolling up and spitting wild accusations.
"They aren't alive anymore, Maggie. I know that. I knew it the minute mama tried to rip the side of my face off. You knew her; she never hurt anyone in her entire life." A wry laugh escaped her lips. "Except for herself." Maggie looked uncomfortable and Beth decided there was no better time to lay it out there than right now. "If you and Glenn are going to stay here that's the way it's going to be. We take care of the living- not the dead." The older sister was uncharacteristically silent. Beth threw the towel on the table as she shook her head. "It's been a long day. We can't talk more tomorrow."
She left her standing there, passing Glenn on the way upstairs to her own room. Her brother in law was edgy and unsettled moving from the easy chair to the couch not quite able to situate himself for the night. Beth's lips pulled into a thin line. When this thing with Sophia was handled she intended to root out the truth with Glenn and Maggie. Maybe she should do it right now. Stomp back into the kitchen and raise holy hell until someone told her what was going on. Beth exhaled, it had been such long, long day. She'd not slept in almost 24 hours and by this time was dead on her feet. It could wait-it would wait- and once they handled the other problem they would handle this. Her and Daryl- as a team.
Morning came faster than anyone wanted and before Beth knew it she was standing in the dirt driveway that led down to the barn. She and Daryl were both going, knowing the way, as well as Carol, Rick, T-Dog, and Lori. The lattermost coming to support Carol in what would undoubtedly be a moment of intense grief. Shane said that he would stay back and keep watch, Andrea also jumping on the notion settling herself in her usually Annie Oakley perch in the barn. Daryl knew that Shane was staying back to also keep an eye on Glenn and Maggie having an inkling of the same suspicion that he did. Something wasn't right. He'd not talked to Beth about it explicitly but the look they shared this morning told him she was also worried. Hershel wanted to come, saying that if Sophia or anyone else was still alive they would need care. Beth shot him a look, though, knowing that would not be the case. On top of that, she didn't want her daddy thinking that there was something to be done for these people- treating walkers hoping they would come back to life. It was ludicrous and they'd already toed the idea with her mama.
Fate, however, intervened and Lori doubled over with another bout of nausea. Rick immediately went to her, concerned, but she waved him off saying it was just simple gastritis. Something had upset her stomach and it needed to run its course. Taking Lori into the house, Hershel said he would start an IV and give her some Zofran- they had plenty of the medication on hand from her mama. Beth stole nearly the entire stock when she and Daryl had gone back to the hospital on that ill fated final run. Profusely apologizing to Carol, Lori relented and followed her daddy into the house. As usual Beth stepped up, taking Carol by the hand and assuring both her and Lori that she would be there no matter what they found.
That's how they left the farm; Daryl leading the way with Rick and T-Dog close behind, and then Beth and Carol in the rear hand in hand. It was a good group to take, and Beth was secretly happy that Maggie and Glenn had opted to stay back. Carol didn't say much as they walked down a familiar path. Beth searched for the right words wondering what she could do to comfort the woman but in the end came up empty. She was relieved when they arrived to edge of Jimmy's property and the barn seems to still be secure. Had they put Carol through this and there had been nothing to show for- good or bad- she would have felt absolutely awful.
They weren't even close and she already heard the moaning. Beth wondered idly, exactly how many Jimmy had in there. It had been decided before they left that she and T-Dog would control the doors, letting one or two out at a time. Rick and Daryl would handle the rest, putting them down one by one until they knew if Sophia was there or not. Beth had already told Daryl that regardless she was staying behind to see that Teresa and the girls had a proper burial. He nodded his understanding and said nothing. If that's what she needed to do to make sense of this whole mess then that's what they would do.
"Alright ?" They all took their position, the barn held closed with a chain and padlock. T-Dog would cut the lock and Beth would open the door just enough for one to get out. This was the safest way to handle the matter and they'd all agreed to it without hesitation. Carol stood back, her arms crossed over her chest and tears in her eyes. Part of her wanted to know and parted of her hated to know. Still, if it was true and her little girl was in there she wanted to lay her to rest. Unlike Teresa and the girls, Sophia would be brought back to the farm and buried next to Annette behind the barn. Beth had assured Carol that her mama would take care of the little girl while Carol forced the ghost of a smile.
The doors opened and two men pushed their way out, they were heavy and Beth immediately worried that she wouldn't' be able to shut them again. T-Dog was right there, though, and did his part along with some of hers. She'd found him to be frustrated mostly but at heart a good man ready to help wherever it was needed. Rick and Daryl put the first two down without issue, she recognized neither one and breathed a sigh of relief. They went on like this, her and T-Dog opening the doors and Daryl and Rick using their knives to dispatch the ones who shambled toward them. Sometime in the middle of it all Teresa wandered out, her usually shiny black hair now dulled and ratty. She tripped toward Daryl and he didn't hesitate to put a knife in her skull. Beth swallowed hard and they made brief eye contact, she nodding and letting him know he'd done what was needed. It wasn't until the very end, when they thought there was no one left in the barn and this had all been a wild goose chase, that reality punched them square in the face. The last time she opened the doors there wasn't much resistance and she wasn't quite sure that there was anything left. But there was….there was always more shit in this new world.
The three of them tripped forward over the threshold. Beth's hands slid off the door as her knees gave out, the entire scene hitting her over the head like a sack of bricks. Jimmy's two girls- Abby and CeCe- rotted and tattered. The youngest, Cece, has on a pair of lace socks that cuffed over at the ankle. Abby with a torn Barbie t-shirt and a pair of hot pink leggings. They almost looked to be holding hands, they stayed so closely together. Behind them a bigger girl, blonde and maybe a few years older. She wore a t-shirt with rainbow and cut off jeans. Immediately Carol collapsed to the ground, Rick backing up and going to her while Daryl took a deep breath staring at the three little girls in front of him. T-Dog stepped up with his crowbar ready to take Rick's place.
Just as Daryl was about to sink his blade in the Abby's head, Beth came up beside him gathering herself and grabbing his hand. "No. It should be someone who knew them…" He stepped back equal parts surprised and impressed by her resolve.
Beth gripped the knife in her hand taking a deep breath. After her mama, this was hardest thing she'd had to do since the turn. Gritting her teeth she sunk the blade into Abby's skull- blocking out the memories she had of the little girl bouncing alongside her Daddy during trips into town. Cece was next, she was much smaller and Beth had to drop to her knees holding the knife up all she could see was those little lace socks, that pretty pink dress, her wispy blonde hair still in pigtails. The child stared back at her, her button lips pursed together curiously.
A sob erupted from her throat as she fell back onto her ass. "I can't…I can't do it.." Daryl wasted no time stepping in front of her and dispatching the little girl, her body falling limply to the ground next to her sister. Sophia shuffled around blinking her eyes against the harsh daylight, no recognition of her mother or Rick as she zeroed in on them. Daryl stood by not sure if he should take the initiation or if that should be left to Rick. Either way, he deferred right now agreeing with Beth. For children especially it should be someone who knew them….someone who loved them.
In his arms, Rick felt Carol nod through tears as he hesitantly left her and took a step toward Sophia. Leveling his gun, no one questioned him. The knife was quiet but it was close up and personal. If he couldn't do that, then that's just the way it was. Rick knew the girl, had been partially responsible for her disappearance. When the gun shot went off Carol sent up a cry that shook the trees. It was over. They'd found Sophia and she was gone.
Afterwards, the five of them didn't speak as Beth, Daryl, and T-Dog dug holes for Teresa and the children. Rick helped Carol load Sophia into a pull wagon and they covered her with several barn blankets. After they lowered Jimmy's family into the ground and covered them back up, T-Dog left Beth and Daryl alone. Standing by to support her but not interfere, Daryl watched as Beth went to her knees saying a silent prayer. When she was through she turned to him, her cheeks wet with tears.
"You did good today. It was handled right." She offered him a sad smile. If it was handled right then why did this all feel so fucking wrong. Gathering their things, the group silently walked back to the farm. T-Dog and Daryl pulling the wagon, Rick with his arm around Carol, and Beth in the rear. Turning back she took one last look at the Campbell Farm, closing that chapter of her life and everything that went with it
No one was surprised when they got back. They'd all heard the shot and assumed the worst. Lori coming off the porch to take Carol into her arms, Dale and Andrea coming over from the barn each with their own sorrowful look. Shane stood back looking genuinely sad and slightly smug. He'd told Rick time and again that wherever Sophia was…she was gone. He'd never wanted to listen though, rather placating Carol and the rest of the group with another fruitless search.
Eventually Lori guided Carol toward the RV and into the back bedroom where she could have the privacy to grieve. Without being told Daryl had gotten a shovel from the barn and along with Shane dug a grave next to Annette. They'd have a short service for her later and that would be that.
Beth sighed, it was midday now and she was sure that the original quarry group would want time to themselves to grieve this loss. She'd make them a dinner of chicken and vegetable soup- left overs from last night's dinner. They were fortunate to have a root cellar with several ice blocks for cold storage. It was yet another benefit of having the farm. She was sure that Rick would tell her it wasn't necessary, but still she wanted to offer her own measure of comfort.
On the porch, Glenn and Maggie were engaged in hushed conversation with Maize staring at them intently. Patting the dog on the head, Beth brought her into the kitchen as she set about fixing dinner. Her daddy at the table with his bible open he looked up, already knowing what happened but his gaze still asking all the same.
"She was there. We're going to bury her next to mama." Hershel paused and then nodded slowly.
"I'll prepare a verse or two if Carol would like that." Beth shrugged, she didn't know, she supposed it wouldn't hurt. "And Teresa…the girls ?"
Beth looked down, her voice quiet. "We buried them."
Hershel was quiet and if he started arguing that fallacy of the undead she just might lose it. Thankfully he remained silent, Beth proceeding into the kitchen to start making dinner.
She wasn't sure how much time went by but as the sun began to set and her soup was simmering on the outside stove she saw Daryl emerge from behind the barn. Walking slowly to through the gate and into the front yard he stopped in front of her adjusting the strap of his crossbow. "Rick's ready to get started if you want to come down…" Nodding slowly she rose taking his hand and following him to where everyone else had gathered. Well…everyone except for Glenn. Mysteriously he'd gotten into the car and disappeared down the dirt drive saying nothing as he left. Maggie was upstairs taking a nap or Beth would have confronted her right then and there.
Now, with her suspicions held tightly against the back of her throat she followed Daryl to the small service for Sophia. Carol was between Rick and Lori, effectively being held up by them both as the entire group took a turn saying something about Sophia. Shane had taken a knee and Carl, with both his parents preoccupied, had come to lean against Shane. Crying himself, the older man gathered the boy against his chest and let him process this in his own way. Her daddy recited a few bible verses about everlasting life and then everyone took a turn placing a stone over the mound of dirt. Beth's eyes inevitably wandered to her mama's own grave, the dirt barely settled. Was this how it was going to be now ? Another grave dug before the first had even set ? Remembering the chaos of Atlanta, Beth supposed they were lucky. They had time to give their loved ones graves in the first place.
As night fell the gathering broke up and with everyone retreating to the inner yard for the dinner Beth had prepared. It was't much but each of them, even Andrea, nodded their thanks for the small comfort. Glenn had returned while they were gone with he and Maggie opening a couple cans of peaches as their offering for dessert. Doling the soup out into bowls, Beth kept her eye on them. Again the tense, hushed conversation. She was about to snap. They'd just buried someone today. Secrets were dangerous and she'd not stand to lose anyone else.
Carol had refused to sit with the others and instead retired to the RV saying that she wasn't hungry. They all understood she needed time to herself to understand this but that didn't mean they weren't worried. Shouldering his rifle, Dale nodded to the others. "I'm going to check on Carol- see if she needs anything. Maybe just sit with her if she'll let me." Beth gave him a piece of bread and a bowl of steaming soup; just in case she got hungry. Nodding his thanks, Dale disappeared into the dark back toward the barn.
"Going back on watch." Shane eyed Rick for a moment. "That shot could've drawn somethin'…"
Andrea jumped up as well. "I'll go with you. Take the opposite pasture, make sure nothing got through while we were down behind the barn." Watch duties had been abandoned during Sophia's funeral- it only seemed right to give Carol that show of respect.
The others nodded their thanks with T-Dog and Daryl assuring that they'd be out later tonight to relieve them."
As Beth cleaned up, Maggie sidled up next to her. "So there was nothing you could do for them ? Just put them down…" Her tone was questioning and accusatory in the same breath.
"We've been over this, Maggie. I won't tolerate anyone on this land treating those things like people. They're not people !" Her voice rose a few octaves drawing the attention of those still sitting around the fire. "No there was nothing to be done ! You think if I could have helped those little girls I wouldn't have ?"
Feeling self conscious, Maggie crossed her arms over her chest. "Jesus, Bethy, calm down."
That was it. Beth had had it. "You're hiding something, Maggie ! I've known it since the moment you got here." Hershel appeared on the porch hearing the yelling and wondering what was going on. Maggie looked at her sister incredulously.
"You're crazy !" Daryl came to stand next to Beth cupping her elbow and squeezing her arm slightly. The contact grounded her but it did not assuage her anger.
Laughing she shook her head, "Oh yeah I'm crazy. Tell me where the hell Glenn's been going. He disappeared again today !" It was a question that had been on everyone's mind although nobody had the balls to ask. Well, not until now.
"That's enough !" Hershel descended the stairs as Rick stood moving closer to the sisters in the unlikely case they came to blows.
The trunk hadn't closed the whole way, and he'd been in too big a hurry to notice; wanting to get back to the farm before anyone started wondering. She wasn't hard to keep quiet; a stick in her mouth held tight with a ripe behind the head, hands and feet bound. She stayed the way and no one had been any wiser. The only problem was she needed to eat- everyday- so much it was becoming a burden. If she didn't get a meal she'd rock the car getting more and more agitated. So once a day he needed to take her off the farm and feed her. The first day it was road kill, today he'd found a living rabbit in the snare he'd set the day before. Each meal satisfied her enough to keep her quiet.
In the beginning it was because he couldn't leave her- she was all the family he had. Bedsides in their very traditional culture you didn't leave your elders behind. No nursing homes no hospitals; if someone was sick you cared for them until they got better. So that was what he was going to do. When the idea of going to Georgia had been presented he wasn't exactly against it. They had the CDC there and if any place was close to cure it was that. And even if it wasn't, there was the farm and his father in law- a true man of christ he'd do anything he could. So they loaded her into the car and off they went. Finding a meal wasn't hard along the road-it seemed there was something or someone dying every few miles. It was crazy having her in the back- so close to them but as time went by they both began to realize that she kept them safe; her scent masking theirs in hordes of the dead they moved untouched.
He was convinced it was a sign and they'd need to do all they could to make her well again. They were a unit- they moved together on the same page with everything. So they came to an agreement and when they rolled up onto the farm they were both more than a little surprised with the house guests. Assured that it would just be the old man, the sick mother, and the sister, he assumed it wouldn't be a hard group to win over. But that just wasn't the case and nothing was as it was promised to be. Now he needed to keep her fed, and quiet, and also not raise the suspicion of anyone else. A tall order.
So that was why tonight, he'd gotten careless and not checked the trunk. Heaving her back onto the blanket he assumed her binding were still in order. Heat and humidity, however, had caused her flesh to rot even more loosening the ropes so that she could pull free. And that's just what she did. Kicking her leg over the rim of the trunk and hitting the dirt drive with a thud. The car was parked a good fifty yards from the house- couldn't take a chance after the dog had nearly given him away.
She ambled to her feet, free for the first time since she'd been alive. Her legs moving on their own she caught the scent of living flesh and headed that way. Being dead she had no concept of distance, but as she stumbled over freshly dug graves and behind an old wooden barn she knew she was getting closer. Through a gap in the split rail fence and into the field behind the barn. It was a moonless night- dark and only lit by the stars.
Dale had not made much progress with Carol and hearing the shouting from the yard he decided a walk in the fields was more his speed. A chance to talk to his wife and reflect on all the shit that just happened. Staring up at the stars remembering a better time he didn't hear the moaning behind him. He wasn't expecting it- thinking like they all did- that the farm was safe. When she sunk her teeth into his leg he yelled out falling to the ground in the process.
"Where did Glenn go today, Maggie ?" The fire bathed Beth in a harsh orange light, the angles of her face darkening with shadows.
"He went to get gas." She immediately looked away giving the lie up before the laugh escaped Beth's lips.
"Get the hell out. He went to get gas last night too." Just then Glenn appeared from the house standing on the steps looking at the sisters. About to open his mouth, they all jolted when they heard the scream.
Instantly Rick and Daryl took off with Beth not far behind. In the yard Lori gave Carl strict instructions to go into the house with Hershel and stay there as she too followed the party toward the field. Glenn and Maggie exchanged a look before following after the group afraid of what they might find.
Shane heard the scream and bolted toward the house not sure where it came from. He'd scoured the entire fence line back and forth but the farm was huge and there was always the possibility of something slipping through. Being in the fields he was the first one there and saw it was Dale- a walker on top of him and his intestines outside his body. Shane didn't hesitate to fire on the walker hitting it square in the head and dropping it on the spot.
The rest of the group arrived shortly after. Lori seeing the damage done to Dale and turning immediately into Rick's chest. Beth blinked not believing her eyes as she fell to her knees right next to him. He was still alive, barely, his eyes bulging out in pain he couldn't form a single word stuttering and gasping. Beth took his hand knowing there was nothing to be done and looked into his eyes.
"Easy now, Dale. We're going to take care of you." Andrea arrived with a cry falling to her knees on the other side of Beth speechless and wailing incoherently. It was obvious that something needed to be done now. Sighing Shane stepped up leveling his gun at Dale's head. Looking into the older man's eyes he nodded solemnly.
"I'm sorry." Pulling the trigger they all jumped. It was only after her ears stopped ringing that Beth became aware of another person yelling.
"No ! No !" Glenn sprinted into the middle of their circle, pushing T-Dog aside he dropped to his knees not next to Dale but next to the walker. It was the first time Beth looked at her. She was a small woman, with black hair still pinned neatly in a bun. In the meager lighting she thought her face looked Asian and….
It hit her like a train, falling backwards off her haunches and landing right on her ass. "Mom ! NO…MOM!" Glenn cradled the woman sobbing as everyone else could only stare.
TBC….
Please please please review ! Trunk walker has been identified.
Some of you may have worried the walker was going to bust out and kill Maize. Never fear ,Maize has plot armor to rival that of Daryl Dixon himself- how bout that roided up zombie ?- anyway she will be there to the end because she's a cute sheppie and I could never.
Thinking this will go to about 35 chapters. Thanks to all who are still reading !