Thank you all so much. Things are about to get real.
Here we go!
The Intruders
Merle's been awake most of the night. He's not just on the lookout for trouble, it's his brain. The damn thing won't shutdown. He's not a person who would typically sit and worry about the right thing to do. He's far more impulsive than that. This whole situation is different though, and man, he's torn. Is he supposed to blindfold Frankie or something, and then what? Make her keep the damn thing on all the way up the mountain? Fuck no, he could never be that big of an asshole to her.
It's still dark when Frankie starts to stir, then wakes and they go in the rehab house for the last time. They take one last look around in case there's anything they've overlooked, and have a little laugh over a packet of instant oatmeal stuck at the back of a kitchen drawer. Merle shrugs as he shoves it in his jacket pocket, "These days, no food gets left behind."
Merle helps her into the truck and they're just about to pull away when he pauses, looks at her and says, "I just want ya ta be sure Frankie. I want ya ta understand that where we're goin' it's real pretty, but it's gonna be colder than a bitch this winter, and livin' there is always gonna mean a lot of work ta survive. It's also isolated as hell, but that ain't the biggest thing. The biggest thing ya gotta remember is, once ya get there, ya can't ever leave. You're stuck with me and that place for the resta your life." He shrugs and admits, "I've heard people say that I ain't always a pleasure ta be around."
She squeezes his hand, nods and says, "Oh I think you're pleasant enough Merle, and that's all I want, you, this baby and me to survive together. I don't care where we are." The she smiles, "I can be a little hard to get along with too."
They lean toward each other, share an affectionate kiss and Merle puts the truck in drive.
The pair don't encounter any real issues on their way to the trailhead. There are walkers here and there but only a couple in the streets and Merle easily drives around them. It's when they reach the trailhead Merle asks again, "This is your last chance Frankie. You can still change your mind and I'll drive ya back ta the prison with your friends. It seemed like a pretty good deal."
Frankie's anger is clear in her tone and her words, "Merle! If you don't stop asking me that, I'm going to start believing it's you who's having second thoughts. Did you change your mind? Would you rather take me to the prison and leave me there? Because the only reason I won't go home with you is if you don't want me there. So, either take me home now, or take me to the prison, but stop asking me if I'm sure."
He smiles, "Fuck yeah Darlin', I want ya with me and I ain't ever gonna want anyone but you ta chew my ass out."
"Good, then drive."
"Yes Ma'am."
It's when the pavement ends, and Merle's taking it slow over the rough terrain, that Frankie fully realizes what this means. They're leaving town for good and she'll never be back. She doesn't feel any sadness about that, she's already mourned the loss of the world she once knew and the life she once had. Everything about the life she had before the world ended seems so long ago.
When everything changed and she was kidnapped from the camp where she'd taken refuge, she became so beaten down that she resigned herself to the fact she would live out her days as some cruel man's toy. A man she didn't care for at all, but when she was with him she was forced to act as if he were the love of her life. Eventually, when he tired of her, he gave her away to other men and told them to find him "new" toys.
That was the second time she thought her life was over and that what was left of it would be unbearably awful. Merle changed all that, and now they're going to have a home and a baby. They'll be a family. She doesn't care how humble the home is, it will be paradise to her.
Frankie's a little nauseous from the rough ride but she's determined to tough it out and not complain. She just wants to get home. Then she sees something up ahead and Merle mutters, "Aw shit, well, I didn't think they'd make it. It looks like I was right."
It's a small camp, just a pup tent really, all Frankie can clearly see is some clothing and a couple of blankets, and wait, oh my God, are those bodies?
Merle pulls to a stop, says, "Wait here," and hops out of the truck, walking toward the bodies. She hears him angrily grumble, "Shit, them assholes. Why?" and then he's back in the truck and shaking his head as he puts it back in gear.
"What happened Merle?"
"Aw just a couple a young people. I seen them on my way ta get ya. They was hungry and confused, I guess like alotta people are these days. Anyway, that ain't what killed em. They didn't starve, and they didn't get eaten by dead bastards. Some asshole shot the woman and the fella looks like he got clubbed ta death."
Frankie's fighting tears, "Why are people being so terrible?"
Merle shakes his head, answering, "Well Darlin', there's always been terrible people, but all this shit goin' on just seems ta be bringin' the terrible up to the surface in a lot more people." He reaches over, pats her thigh and says, "C'mon, let's go home, the people there are good people."
Merle and Frankie are mostly quiet as they make their slow ascent up the mountain. Everything is just fine, they're happy to be making this trip and both are looking forward to starting a new life together. It's when they get to within an hour or so of their new home that the trouble begins. Merle's holding her hand and holding onto the wheel when out of nowhere four shots ring out. The pickup jerks, lunges and drops. It's a sensation like it fell and hit the ground, hard.
Frankie screams, and Merle bellows, "What the fuck!" And then he sees the two men standing in front of his pickup and he realizes, these assholes just shot out all four of his tires.
Frankie's voice is shaking, her words barely audible when she gasps, "Oh my God, no, please, it's him."
Merle's looking at these two assholes and taking their measure. One is tall and lean with black slicked back hair, a leather jacket and a wicked grin. He's also carrying a bat wrapped in barbed wire. The other guy is tall too, but fairer and more disheveled looking. It's obvious he's taking orders from the guy with the bat.
The one in charge hollers out, "All right Sweetheart, time to come home now. Say goodbye to the hillbilly and come to Papa." He never stops smiling and Merle never stops wanting to knock that grin off his face.
Merle's reaching for the pistol next to him when another shot rings out and he feels the firey pain go through his whole body as he takes a bullet to his shoulder. In the mayhem that follows the leader pulls Frankie's door open, grabs her arm and yanks on it so hard she falls from the truck and onto the ground. He snarls, "Get up Sweetheart, we have a big day ahead of us. You need to be on your toes for it."
Frankie knows this man far better than she'd like to, and so she knows better than to argue. She stands and he looks at her with disdain, "Shit woman, Hillbilly boy over here doesn't even have the decency to dress you up sexy like I did, does he? How about his cock? I bet it can't measure up."
She's hurt, angry, scared, and most of all worried about Merle. Oh my God, he's been shot. Anger wins out over good sense and Frankie just can't help herself, "No, it's different, his is bigger and harder than yours."
It's then she finally gets a look at Merle and realizes just how bad the situation is. He's bleeding profusely and his skin has already turned pale and grayish. She goes from anger to pleading when she turns to the man and begs, "Please Negan. Let me just try to stop the bleeding. I'll go with you anywhere you want me to go to, but please, don't let him die."
"Oh I see. You'll be a good girl again, huh? You won't try and escape like you did before?"
"No, I promise I won't try to escape. I'll be a good girl and do everything you want me to do. Everything and anything, just please don't kill Merle. Please."
"I'll tell ya what I want sweetheart, I wanna go to this camp you and the hillbilly are headed to. I see all the supplies in the bed of the truck, even the back seat is crammed fulla stuff. It appears to me like you're stocking up."
"I had a little talk with a couple of folks not far from the trailhead, just before I killed them. They said they'd seen a truck coming down the mountain the other day, and that the guy had food and he had fuel cans in the back. He even shared a little snack with them. Then, just last night, me and Gavin here finally tracked down where you and my other wayward wives have been staying. Sure enough, there you were, sound asleep in this pickup right here with your Redneck Romeo."
He gets close, rubs himself against her and smiles, "So that's what I want sweetheart. For you take me up to this camp and then I'll think about letting you and him both live." He has no intention of letting the redneck live, but he'll let her think he's being kind when he leaves the asshole here bleeding to death. Shit, the dumb fucker won't last long shot up and in this cold.
"I swear Negan, I have no idea where it is. Merle said he made a promise to never tell anyone and that once I got there I could never leave, it would be forever."
"Is that right." Negan goes over to the pickup, throws the door open, grabs Merle by the arm, wrenching his wounded shoulder as he pulls him out of the pickup and pushes him to the ground. He asks his question but there's no response from Merle, and Negan commands Gavin, "Shoot him in leg, maybe that'll wake him up."
Frankie's yelling and begging, "No, no, please, no!" But her pleas are in vain. Gavin shoots Merle in the right thigh. Thank God he misses the artery.
Merle's either out cold, or he's the best actor on earth, because Negan has no luck getting any information from him. He can't even get him to open his eyes. The man with the bat is angry and Frankie's scared to death as he pushes her toward his pickup and says, "I guess we'll have to go find this hideaway on our own."
"Please Negan, please. Let me at least wrap his wounds before we go."
Negan's done pretending, "We don't have time for that, but I'll tell you what sweetheart, as soon as we clear this mountain camp we're headed to, we'll be coming back for all of these supplies. When we do, I'll let you use my shovel to bury him."
Her life just ended again and Frankie's tears are coming fast and hard as Negan puts the truck into gear and sneers, "I can find this camp as easy without you as I can with you, so either knock that shit off, or I'll throw you out of the pickup."
Frankie does her best to remain quiet, all the while praying that when they get to the camp Merle's brother and his wife will be able to help somehow. Dear God please.
00
Beth lays back down as soon as she hears Daryl and Jack leave on the 3-wheeler. She's hoping to get a little more sleep, but after ten minutes or so, she gives up. Still, she's determined to take it a lot easier today. My gosh, they've been working their buns off lately.
She does what she has to do in the cabin. She makes their bed, cleans up the dishes from his breakfast, and sweeps. That's it, that's all she's doing. She chooses a book from the bookcase, a well-known novel she's never read, "Of Mice and Men." It's just a short story. Shoot, maybe she can even finish it before Daryl gets home. But before she starts reading there's a chore she can't put off. The ducks need to eat.
She bundles up, coat, gloves, and a knit cap, grabs the shotgun by the door, opens it, and oh my gosh, it's absolutely icy outside. Thank goodness she brought her winter clothes.
She lets the ducks loose in their pen, gets them fresh water and plenty to eat, and decides to try and make friends with them. She gets a stool from the tool shed, sits in the pen with them and starts talking to the birds, but they're not paying much attention.
Her smile grows when she thinks, hmm, maybe she'll name them. Daddy was always against naming the farm animals. She can hear him say, "It just makes it harder to kill them and eat them Bethie." Well, Daddy's not here and she's not going to be eating these particular ducks anytime soon.
Beth grins as she apologizes to the birds for her name choices, "Well, of course, I have to go with the obvious first." She points at the largest drake and declares, "You're Donald," then to the largest of the hens, "and you my friend, are Daisy." There's only one other drake and she tells him, "You're it buddy, you're Huey. With any luck, Dewey and Louie will be coming around later."
The longer she sits there, naming the rest of them, talking to them and tossing out little handfuls of oats, the closer the ducks come to her. Soon, she's petting them and they're quacking at her and they're all friends. She smiles to herself because she's sure, now that they're relaxed the birds will start laying. It will be so nice to have eggs again.
She stays with them until she's feeling a little too chilly, but she's not ready to go back inside quite yet. It's so beautiful out and she'll warm up if she moves around a little. The air is crisp and the sky bright blue, with just a few wispy clouds. She opens the gate, picks up the gun, and tells her friends, "Okay everyone, I'm going to take a short walk to the lake. I'll be back soon and we can visit more."
She stands staring at the beautiful lake, noting the water has taken on a more grayish look and there are small patches of ice here and there. Not thick, but it's a sign the lake may freeze. She'll mention that to Daryl in case he thinks they should have some barrels of water close to the cabin.
As she continues to gaze out at her beautiful surroundings, her thoughts turn to Thanksgiving. It's the day after tomorrow and she's feeling excited. It will be so nice to celebrate a day of gratitude and happiness. No matter how bad the world has gotten, her world is so beautiful and peaceful.
She wonders if Merle and Frankie will be back soon. That wonder turns to hope that they'll be home today. Yes, they could be, in fact, they should be. It's been enough time for Merle to find Frankie, drive to the prison and even do the scavenging he talked about. Yes, they might be home today! On that thought she walks to Merle's house; she'd better get a fire going and warm the place up, just in case.
Once there are fires burning in both the oven and the wood stove Beth feels the pull to go back to the lake. She just has to take a few more minutes to enjoy the beauty and serenity. She picks up the shotgun and walks that way with a contented smile on her face, feeling certain her family will all be together for Thanksgiving.
She sits on a bolder gazing out at the water, and then a smile crosses her lips as she thinks about those ducks again. She's becoming so attached to them and even though she's starving, she just has to visit Donald, Daisy and the rest of them for a few more minutes before she makes herself something to eat.
She walks back to the pen, and oh my gosh, it's starting to snow. It's light for now, these are big fluffy flakes of soft snow, but she wonders, should she put the ducks in the coop? What if this is just the beginning and it starts to snow harder. That thought has her worrying about Daryl, Merle and Frankie and hoping everyone gets home soon. Beth's just leaning the shotgun against the fence as she reaches for the latch on the gate, but stops when she hears the sound of a truck engine, "Oh my gosh, Merle's home!"
She can't wait to meet Frankie. She checks the latch, it's shut, but in her excitement she doesn't think to pick up the gun. It's too late when she realizes that's not Merle's truck, it's danger.
00
Daryl's stoked. This has been the easiest and the best day of hunting he's ever had. There are two turkeys for them to cook up, and four to raise for breeding and eggs. There's a deer, and shit, it's not even noon. He turns to the dog and smiles, "Damn Jack, it was almost too easy. It's got me wondering what's gonna go wrong. Things can't really be this good, can they?"
Then he smiles broader, shit, if Beth could hear him talking like that she'd get after him for sure. She'd tell him to quit always expecting the worse and be happy and grateful for all he has. He's been trying to see things like she does, but it's not easy to change old habits and a lifetime of thinking about things a certain way.
Him and Jack get to within a thousand yards or so of home when the 3-wheeler takes a crap. Great. Well, there it is then. He knew something was bound to go wrong. Everything was going just a little too good. He shrugs because, well, this isn't too terrible. It just means a short hike home to get the pickup. He can easily tow the ATV along with the deer and his turkeys home. No sweat.
He's glad the weather is as cool as it is, shit, it's even starting to snow a little, the meat will keep just fine while he makes the trip. He's got the crossbow on his back, the pistol on his hip, the knife on his thigh, and for some reason he decides to take his rifle too. Maybe it was that bear they had in their yard that has him being extra cautious. Still, he mumbles to himself, "Why ya wanna carry all this shit dumbass?" But fuck it, he does it.
He and Jack get about two hundred yards from the property when the dog abruptly stops, looks at Daryl and lets out a low and angry growl. Daryl always pays close attention to the dog, he would never question Jack's instincts. The animal has proven himself many times. Daryl gives him a quick neck rub and says, "A'ight boy. Lemme check."
He inspects the rifle; it's locked and loaded. He loads a bolt in the crossbow, the pistol has a full clip, and he tells the dog, "Okay Jack," then holds a finger up to his lips and whispers shhh.
Jack stays close on his heels and the man and the dog are both as quiet as if they're out hunting. They avoid the dried leaves and twigs as they make their way home, to what? Daryl has no idea.
He approaches the property from the back and going toward the rear of the tool shed, that way he knows he won't be seen. He continues, creeping along the side of the shed until he's able to peek into his yard. What he sees has him ready to start shooting, but he has to think this through. Fuck.
There are two men and no one needs to tell Daryl they're no good. It's obvious they're mean and dangerous assholes. One of them has a bat that's wrapped in barbed wire. What kind of shit is that? The other one just looks like your run of the mill asshole. Nothing special. But that's not what has Daryl ready to shoot first and ask questions later.
The one with the bat has a redheaded woman by the hair, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that's got to be Frankie, and that muther fucking guy has a big grin on his face like it's all fun and games. The other asshole has his gun trained on Beth, and she's kneeling on the ground near the duck pen. This other asshole's smiling too, but his grin isn't quite as sinister as the shithead's with the bat.
Where the fuck is Merle? Shit.
Daryl motions to Jack, reminding him to stay and to stay quiet. The dog's as anxious as he is.
Then the asshole with the bat starts talking to Beth, "Don't you worry sweetie, I treat my wives real well. There's none of this hard work, and you'll get plenty to eat and drink, nice clothes to wear, and you even get to have me fucking your pretty blonde brains out every day."
That's all it takes. Daryl's still quiet, but he raises the rifle and aims for the guy's head, that's when him and Beth both spot something else. Beth calls out to the man, "Before you take me anywhere you're going to have to deal with that bear behind you." Daryl's impressed with how strong and confident she sounds, like she's not even scared. He knows she is, and fuck, he hates that.
The slickster laughs without humor, "That's a very nice try little lady, but that business of 'wait, look behind you' is the oldest trick in the book." Then the asshole hears it. The growling and the clacking of molars, and he turns to see the bear looking angry and menacing as he stands on his hind legs huffing and roaring.
That's when the slickster's companion makes the dumbest of all dumbass moves. He just randomly fires his pistol at the bear, nicking it's paw and infuriating the beast. All the action gives Daryl the opportunity to put a bolt right through the back of that asshole's head.
That's when the fucker with the bat does something Daryl can't even believe. He practically throws the redheaded woman right to the bear as he yells, "Here ya go big guy," and now that Daryl has a clear shot, with no danger of hitting the woman, he shoots the asshole. Not in the head though. That would be too simple. Daryl doesn't want it to go that fast or that easy for this piece of shit.
He calls out to the red head, "Frankie, come this way. C'mon hurry and run over by Beth." The woman can't even think, but she does what he says. In the meantime, the shithead with the bat is on the ground, too gravely wounded to move away from the big black bear, who is now busy smelling him and batting him around with his paw while he growls and huffs.
Daryl would like to hurry to Beth, take her in his arms and hold her close, but that will have to wait. His voice is low but stern and there's urgency in his words, "Beth, get Frankie and get in the cabin. Now!"
She doesn't question, she's on her feet, taking the woman by the hand and saying, "C'mon, everything's okay. Daryl's got this."
Daryl slowly creeps closer to the bear and the man, doing his best to appear nonthreatening to the big animal, but the truth is, the bear's not interested in him at all. The animal is way too busy batting around his new toy while that man is crying and begging, "Get this thing off me! Someone help me!" Then the bear slaps his big paw down hard on the assholes head and that's the end of him.
The bear hovers over the man for a few seconds, batting him with his paw and pushing on him with his snout, but when he gets no reaction, and realizes the man is dead, the game is over. The bear is down on all fours now and he finally looks at Daryl, raises his chin, grunts, turns and begins walking away. Daryl could shoot him. They could have all that bear meat, but not this time. Shit, the big dude helped him out, still, he can't help calling to the beast, "Yeah, now go on home where ya belong."
The bear just keeps walking.
Daryl doesn't take any chances, he pulls his knife from its sheath and plunges it into the heads of the intruders, then hurries into the cabin.
There's no time for pleasantries, he gruffly asks the woman, "Where's my brother? Where's Merle?"
Her voice is shaky and her eyes wet with tears when she answers, "They shot him twice and left him on the ground by his truck."
"He's dead?"
"No, no, I hope not. He was still alive when we left."
"How far away is it?"
"An hour or so."
"Can ya show me?"
"Yes."
Beth takes control, "All right, everyone take a deep breath. Daryl, where's the ATV?"
"It broke down less than a quarter mile from here. There's a deer and some turkeys, live turkeys and dead ones."
"Can Jack lead me there?"
"Yeah, but…nah, I'ma go get that real quick n hang the deer and the birds. It won't take me 20 minutes ta do it all. You n Frankie start gettin' our cabin ready for her and Merle. I think we best all stay in here together tonight. Someone's gonna have ta be lookin' out for him."
"Okay, good idea. Frankie can help me move the mattress over here and she'll be ready to go when you get back."
Frankie's in a state of high distress, "You're going to worry about dead animals before you go get Merle?"
Daryl's already gone and Beth explains, "Frankie, we're in survival mode every hour of every day. We can't be wasting meat or letting some other creature haul it off. Daryl will be back in just a few minutes and then you and him can go get Merle. By the time the three of you get back here I'll have everything set up and be ready to take care of him."
Frankie asks, "How? He needs a doctor."
Beth smiles, "Well I'm the closest thing we've got. I'm a nurse and we have lots and lots of medical supplies here. I promise Merle will get good medical care. C'mon, before Daryl gets back, help me move the bed over from your house.'
Frankie looks so despondent, Beth gives her a quick hug assuring her, "Everything's going to work out," while silently praying to God that it does and they get Merle home alive.
00
Wow. Please leave a comment. The chapter photo is on my tumblr blogs, gneebee and bethylmethbrick. Please have a look. I'll be back next week with more of The Man on The Mountain, and I hope you'll be here too. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee