Four: The Group
As he neared, Daryl soon realized that the first figure in the distance didn't move right to be a walker. It seemed to pick something up and drag it out of the road. It was a young, red-haired woman. And very much alive he deduced as he slowed to a stop, the group right behind him. She'd pulled her knife by now and Rick exited the Chevy, gun drawn at the unfamiliar person. Lori watched from the passenger's seat thinking it was unnecessary to have a gun trained on her. She was just a girl, but she was also trying to understand and respect her husband's actions so she didn't voice her opinion. Carl strained to see what was happening and she asked him to sit back down. "What's going on?" Glenn asked T-Dog in the Hyundai behind the Chevy, his view obstructed.
"Some girl," he responded, leaning his head out the window of the car.
Daryl swiftly drew his crossbow from behind his shoulder all while putting the kickstand down and cutting the engine. The girl stepped back. She looked terrified and ill. He could see the definite outline of a bruise on her pale face.
"We don't want any trouble now," Rick stated. The girl shook her head, panicking. Sweat soaked through the fabric of her shirt, and she clenched her jaw before speaking.
"Stay back!" She rasped, "I'll shoot."
Daryl cocked his head, "You know you're holdin' your knife there," he yelled over to her, scoffing quietly. "Gun's still holstered." He saw her gulp and her face fall as she looked at what was in her hand, seeing it was in fact, not her gun that she'd drawn. Maureen began to realize just how groggy and confused she truly felt. Daryl immediately felt a twinge of regret for finding any amusement in it at all. She obviously didn't stand a chance out here with the heat and whatever else was getting to her. She was dirty and glistening beads of sweat dotted her upper lip. A few tendrils of damp hair fell into her face and clung there when she tried to shake them away. He watched her lip curl against her front teeth.
Daryl kept an eye on the walker the whole time, it was getting too close for comfort. He got off his bike and aimed his bow to the left of the girl. She backed up more. When he released the arrow, she flattened to the ground like a frightened cat. Everyone just stared on at the sight of the small, shaking woman on the road. She reminded Daryl of one of the cats his brother and his friend terrorized in their neighbor's barn as kids.
Daryl walked slowly towards her when no one else made a move. "Watch yourself!" Rick warned, forever cautious of newcomers.
"What do you think you're doin' out 'ere standin' 'round like a piece of walker bait?" He asked as he advanced on the girl, his accent becoming thicker and rougher with mild, building annoyance that he had to be the first to approach and show care. She dropped her knife, the metal clanking on the pavement, and flattened more while trying to slide sideways away from him.
"I'm sorry," was all she was able to squeak out. The group was beginning to exit their cars now. The spectacle too much to keep them inside. Rick unsuccessfully tried to wave them back and sighed. He'd have to reiterate the safety protocols later.
"Please, no." she began, her eyes shifting from the man with the gun to the man standing before her. She took in a shaky breath. Daryl slowed and crouched, furrowing his brow, trying to make himself seem as non-threatening as possible.
"Hey, calm down," he said. "You're gonna attract every walker in the county if you get all worked up," he exaggerated greatly, although one could argue it seemed plausible. His eyes followed the bruise along the curve of her jaw to the hand print shaped bruise that wrapped around her upper arm, to the old burn marks on her forearm. Daryl's face ticked and he shook his head and waved a hand dismissively at Rick as he reached behind the girl to grab the gun the was still tucked in her waistband.
Rick shifted uncomfortably and holstered his weapon. He'd seen a girl that looked like this one before, back in King County. He and Shane had responded to a domestic and while she'd been armed, she was harmless. The things that happened to her he hadn't repeated to Lori when he got home later that night. He didn't want to scare her with the kind of things that really happened in their hometown. Maybe that was a mistake, he thought. Maybe he shouldn't have sheltered her from it all. Carol was quickly walking towards them while the others stayed back. She felt like a mother hen, seeing the young woman shaking in the road.
"Look, look. I don't mean no harm," Daryl raised his hands and set down his bow. Still, his voice came out frustrated and short. "Looks like you need a little help. You can't stay out here in the middle of the road." He said more softly and put a hand out which she only stared at. He wasn't making her feel very reassured and he knew it.
Daryl took in her dirty, black jeans, green tank top, and light denim vest which was tied at the waist. Sweat soaked through both layers. The scuffed tan boots she was wearing grazed the pavement as she moved her feet in an attempt to put some distance between them.
"Guys, walkers." Glenn tried to warn as evenly as possible. A group of twenty or so were coming out of the treeline, their moans vague, floating in the distance.
"Com' on, lets go!" Daryl said abruptly at the girl offering his hand once again, thrusting it at her to take. She just panted and shook her head. Rick rushed forward and grabbed her backpack. It was heftier than he expected as he tossed it over his shoulder. Carol grabbed the knife and fire poker from the ground and ran back to the Chevy, looking back several times for Daryl, expecting him to toss the girl in the Chevy Suburban.
"For the love of God, woman!" Daryl yelled and before she could refuse, Maureen was in the man's arms, his crossbow smacking against her thigh and she was being plopped down on the back of his bike. "You better hold on! I ain't comin' back fer your ass if ya fall off." He wrapped her arms tightly around him, giving them an extra squeeze around his torso for good measure to make sure she understood.
Daryl glanced back. The Hyundai was on its way down the road and Rick had the Chevy turned almost all the way around. Daryl revved the bike's engine and the back tire spun momentarily, causing a grinding friction against the gravel dusted pavement. He yelled again, "I swear, you better hang on tight." He could hardly hear himself over the roaring engine, but he felt her tighten her grip and grab a fistful of his shirt in her hand.
She clung to the man as they rode along. The wind whipped at her face and she ducked down behind his body for protection. Her gaze fell on the leather vest which he was wearing, adorned with wings; she wasn't sure if it was real or not, whether the fraying fabric feathers were there, whether he was an angel or not. Her head was hot. She felt like her brain might be leaking out of her ears.
It was at least fifteen minutes before they pulled over at a safe spot. The girl's grasp on him didn't loosen at all. "You alright?" There was no response. Daryl put the kickstand down and removed his hands from the handlebars, letting the front of the bike go. It took some prying, but he was able to loosen the grip she had on his shirt. Her chest heaved. "You can let go now," he said feeling uncomfortable with the contact now. Rick helped her off the bike and he felt her squirm at his touch.
"Are you alright? What happened to you? You have people?" Rick insisted on an answer.
"I'm sorry. I'd like to go now." The girl still had two fingers on the bike as if she felt she would topple over any second. Daryl glanced at Hershel who shook his head in return.
"I don't think that's wise," Hershel said mainly to Rick who seemed keen on her going her own way, though the farmer knew Rick wouldn't see to that.
"I'm really fine. If I could just have my things, please." Maureen made no eye contact as she shakily tried to persuade the men to let her go.
"No, I think it's best if you rest a day or two with us. You look like you've been through quite the wringer," Rick bent slightly trying to look at her face while she looked down.
"Come here, dear, let me see you. What is your name?" Hershel spoke soothingly.
Maureen was uneasy. She didn't have the luxury to trust these people. Hershel touched the woman's wrist which sent her arm flying back, the force causing her to wobble as she looked at him with alarm. Daryl caught her before she fell and she pushed him away.
"It's alright," Maureen heard it to be a woman's voice and for the first time the fact that there were women in the group sank in. The pixie-bobbed woman stood in front of her and led her to sit at the edge of the road where Hershel began to look her over. The others stayed next to the cars except for Rick and Daryl who stepped behind them to observe.
"What's your name, Honey?" The woman asked in a kind voice, her eyes brimming with compassion.
"Maureen," she spoke quietly, making Daryl strain to hear.
"That's a pretty name." Maureen stared at the woman and offered a stiff smile in return like it was a duty. "Let Hershel look you over. He'll be gentle. He's good."
"I promise," the white-haired man nodded and placed his hand over his heart, a gesture of kindness. "Were you bit, scratched?" He felt her head, there was no fever but she was overheated some. Daryl stiffened at the idea he could have had a ticking time bomb riding on the back of his bike. At the time, he just wanted to get her out of there. The thought hadn't even crossed his mind. He'd been reckless. "Anything feel broken?"
Maureen shook her head 'no'. She was broken though, but she knew he was only concerned about her bones. "She's dehydrated." The vet took her arms in his hands and turned them over. His eyes roamed over the old burn marks.
"This burn looks newer than the others." Daryl and Rick craned their necks to see. Indeed, there was a pink, blistered mark on her wrist. "Any others?" Carol saw the woman's lips pursed slightly. She nodded. She looked as though she were ashamed. "Can I see them?" Hershel asked. She shook her head and looked at him as if he were crazy. He didn't think she would let him. "I have to ask, did someone do this to you did they assault you?" Hershel asked delicately. He was concerned for her and also wanted to gather as much info as possible about the people who might be in the area. He had daughters her age. Plus, he knew Rick would want that intel too.
Daryl turned and walked back to his bike. He didn't need to hear her answer. He already knew she'd been raped. And she didn't need anyone else hanging over her when she did answer - if she did answer. Maggie and Glenn walked to him.
"Was she," Glenn wasn't able to ask.
"Was she raped?" Maggie asked.
"Look at 'er. What'da you think?" Daryl replied rather harshly. "Gonna look around a bit, see if there's a good place to set up camp for the night." At that, he trudged away from the group, crossbow and knife in hand. Glenn stroked Maggie's arm.
Daryl came trotting back in about thirty minutes. "Where'd you go?" Rick questioned. Daryl ignored the annoyance in the man's voice.
"Found a pretty good spot to spend the night. Maybe even two. Five-minute walk through that tree stand," he pointed. "There's a clearing, nice hill we can set up camp and keep watch from. Didn't see any sign of walkers at all."
"Good work," Rick nodded his thanks.
Maureen was sitting quietly with Carol, sipping on some water when Daryl approached. "Gonna set up camp. It's a short walk from 'ere."
"Perfect," Carol smiled at him. "Can you walk?" She was asking Maureen who nodded, briefly glancing at Daryl. He only now got a good look at her face as he helped Carol get her standing upright. Her face was slim with a slightly square jaw. Her grey-blue eyes bore holes in him and her full lips were cracked. She was kinda pretty under all that dirt and grime. The bruise on her face was turning greenish-yellow which signaled healing. He wondered how long she'd been on her own. It worried him that whoever did that to her might still be close. He knew Rick would be concerned of the same thing and was ansty to hide the cars and get off the road.
The group took only what they would need for the night. Daryl carried Maureen's bag, as well as his own small bundle, and helped steady her during the walk which she hesitantly accepted. He made sure only to touch her when absolutely necessary. Once they reached the hilltop, after a little stumbling on Maureen's part, he set down her bag and told her to take a seat. Beth brought her a damp cloth to clean herself. She sat for a little while, observing everyone while she wiped her face and arms with the cool cloth. Daryl kept a close eye on her which caused her to shift with uncertainty. She couldn't tell if it was a look of wariness or interest or a little of both.
Maureen felt as though she should do something other than sit like a bump on a log. But she was immovable. Her head pounded and her stomach seized, her eyes pricked with tears as she watched the group move in unison, quickly completing the task of setting up camp. She hadn't expected to have to hold herself together tonight. She had, however, expected to try to find some rope, tie herself high up in a tree where she should stay until morning, and let the dams break. She really wanted to cry so long and hard that she slept for a day, but that wasn't an option now nor was it ever.
This group really was well organized. Everyone quietly worked together for a common cause. They had someone with medical experience and the men seemed skilled with their weapons. The biker walked by her with five squirrels strung together and she was reminded that her hunger would be satisfied tonight as it crept back in. Most importantly, there were other women and a child. It seemed like safety. She quickly worked her strategy over in her head. Perhaps if she pulled her weight they would allow her to stay.
She sighed and stayed planted where she sat though. She didn't know if she should offer to help the women across from her. Furthermore, she wasn't sure if she actually has the energy.
"Think you can handle a can opener?" The woman who Carol introduced to her as Lori, Rick's wife, smiled and asked her seeming to sense her indecision. She knew that Maureen had to be feeling useless by now. If she were in her position she wouldn't quit until she'd practically passed out.
"I think," Maureen responded as Lori handed her several cans and a rusted opener.
She prayed this would be a good thing, that good people stumbled upon her on a very bad day. She looked up at Daryl who set down some kindling and nodded a hello. He had a scruffy, hardened face that was tanned from being in the outdoors. Lines crinkled around his eyes and she guessed he was mid-thirties. Maureen breifly thought he was handsome in a rugged, I've been in the woods for three weeks, and I really don't give a shit sort of way. Rick set down some larger, dry wood. Her muscles burned with each twist of the crank on the can opener. One can of green beans down, two to go.
"You don't have to do that; she shouldn't be doing that, Lori, " Rick said causing tension to rise in the air. "You should be resting." Daryl appreciated her helping the group, but he could tell that Rick was put off by it. Most likely, he didn't want her getting too close to anyone and he wanted her healed and gone sooner rather than later. If he were honest, the thought had crossed his mind while gathering wood for the fire - her staying with the group would be yet another mouth to feed.
Daryl pulled a tube of ointment out of his shirt pocket. "You could use this," he said, placing it on the ground next to a few unopened cans. He could almost feel Rick's eyes boring holes through him, assessing the gesture and the meaning it held.
"Thank you," her soft voice was barely audible. She didn't look at him, only kept staring at the tube so he grunted in return and sat to shave some strips of wood for fire starter.. He didn't mind that she didn't want to meet his eye. In fact, he preferred it.
For the most part, the group ate in silence. Occasionally someone would say something in passing; about dinner, how good the cool evening air felt after how hot it'd been that day, or plans for the impending winter.
Maureen finished her green beans and squirrel. She'd never had squirrel before, but it wasn't too bad. Perhaps she'd have a different opinion if it wasn't the first fresh meat she'd eaten in a long time, nevertheless, it tasted good and she made sure to eat every last morsel out of the bowl, thankful for the sustenance. Maggie smiled at her and took the empty bowl from her, stacking it with her own.
"So," Maggie spoke, "where're you from, Maureen? You don't have much of 'n accent."
Maureen drew in a sharp breath. She'd hoped that no one would bother to ask about her past. The other groups she was with never asked. "I'm not from anywhere really," she finally spoke. She looked around the low fire at the faces that peered back at her, waiting for her to elaborate on such a statement. "I mean, most recently, Cordele, but I've lived all over. Before that, it was Macon, Talladega, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. Arizona for a bit."
"You know if Macon was hit hard too?" Rick asked.
"Yeah, but not as hard as Atlanta I heard," Maureen replied. Rick nodded. "I was headed to Atlanta before someone set me on another course," she explained
"How old are you?" The only child of the group asked.
"Twenty-two," she simply answered.
Daryl sat behind the others listening to them ask Maureen questions as he licked off his fingers from the squirrel and began to pick at his green beans. "Have you been on your own this whole time?" Maggie asked.
"I've been with a few different groups. The last," She stopped and Maggie patted her arm as if to encourage her to continue. "I was only with them for about a week. We were surrounded by the Roamers. Walkers as you say. I was the only one who lived." She left out the part where Mack and his buddies had watched them die and snatched her away just in time like an afterthought. Daryl watched as Maureen distracted herself with a blade of grass which she twirled between her thumb and forefinger.
"Were they the ones who hurt you?" Carol asked. Daryl looked back up to see the girl slowly shaking her head 'No'. He clenched his jaw and looked to Rick who was already looking back at him.
"The men who did this to you, where are they?" Rick asked in an even, but hurried tone.
Maureen shrugged and shook her head. "They let me go today, said they were leaving the area."
"You must've heard them talkin' about where they were goin'," Rick prodded.
"They didn't really say. Somewhere out West, I think."
"Are you sure? What did they look like?"
Maureen looked to Carol as if to ask if she could make it stop. The older woman pursed her lips and looked down. They needed to know what to look for if they ever crossed paths with these men. However, she wasn't sure this was the time for such talk. Rick didn't seem to care about the timing of it.
The last thing Maureen wanted to do was think about them, but she forced herself anyway. "Two of the men are twins, blonde hair, maybe mid-twenties. The third has a scar above his eye, I think he got it recently. Dark hair, scruffy, kinda short. I- th- their leader," she stuttered, "is a big guy, really tall and muscular. Brown hair," She paused. Everyone knew she was having hard time. Daryl looked down at his now cold green beans and pushed them around. "He umm, he has a tattoo on his arm that says 'Ashley' with a heart around it." She trailed off and Daryl nodded approval at her when her eyes happened to meet his.
"Thank you," Rick said and looked sideways at his wife's small belly, then at his son who was very quietly finishing his meal. He was old enough to know what they were discussing, but he wasn't sure that he fully grasped the gravity of it.
Daryl took the first watch that night. The moon hung in the sky, casting a good amount of light over the field making it easy to see the long tract of land. He glanced around at the sleeping figures to his left. Rick was resting although he was still awake. So was Maureen, sitting on a thin blanket, a black sweater mottled with holes around the cuffs wrapped around her. She'd set herself up in a spot which he would have chosen; close enough to the group not to raise questions, but far enough to have some privacy. He sighed surveying the area for a place of his own. His watch would be over soon and he was ready for Rick to take over so he could catch some shuteye.
After a little while Daryl watched as Rick made his way over to the crest of the hill where he stood. Together they stood for a moment before Rick spoke, "What do you think about her?" With Shane out of the picture, Rick was accustomed to asking Daryl his opinion on these matters; the big decisions.
"Seems cooperative enough. Willin' to pitch in," Daryl stated the obvious, not really wanting to be a part in the actual decision making.
"Another mouth to feed," Rick stated in return. Daryl chewed the inside of his cheek, thinking.
Mouths and bullets, that's all Rick seemed to count these days. Daryl nodded once. It was true, they had a hard enough time feeding the numbers they had now. Their rations were just enough to keep them going. "Don' think she'd last long on her own. She's young and she's small," Daryl said.
"She said she's been with other groups before. She could find another." Daryl was beginning to understand that Rick didn't want his opinion this time but wanted someone to agree with him that they should send her on her way once she gained some strength back. Would she find another group before trouble found her again?
"What if she runs into a group like the last one?"
"What if? It may be a chance we have to take, for the good of the group."
"It'd be like sendin' Beth off on her own and tellin' her 'good luck'," Daryl equated.
"I think she's different from Beth. She's made it this far. We can't underestimate her."
"Maybe we should see if she's good at defendin' herself or see if she has some skills. Be nice to have another person who can handle themselves around here."
"You want her to stay," Rick shook his head feeling disheartened.
Daryl shook his own head, " I don't know. Maybe we should decide as a group. Shouldn't be up to you to hafta carry 'round all that weight."
"You should get some rest," Rick turned away, signaling the end of the conversation and scanned the field.