A/N Thank you all so much, and Happy New Year!
The Search
It's still dark when they reluctantly crawl out of bed. Although there have been fires burning in the cabin and bathroom woodstoves all night long, they've dwindled down to not much more than embers. The air in the little house is quite chilly and Daryl quickly gets the fires stoked to blazing. They've been through enough winter mornings on the mountain to know the cabin will warm up soon.
The coffee's perking on the cookstove and Beth just put a pan of biscuits in the oven, while Daryl finishes dressing, then takes Jack out to do his business.
They haven't said much more than "Good Morning" to each other. The silence isn't because they're fighting, they just don't want to talk about what's going to happen today. They've already wasted too much time talking. This day is a hard one with plenty of uneasiness on both their parts. For now they want to forget all of that and just try to enjoy a little breakfast together before he leaves.
Daryl's plan is simple, at first light he will venture out into the cold and snow to look for the bodies of Jed's companions. He hasn't tried to hide the fact that he hopes to find them dead, it would be a blessing as far as he's concerned. If they're dead they're no threat to his family, and he wouldn't have to try to hunt them down.
Beth is scared and angry, but she's careful about how she presents those feelings because she's not angry at Daryl. Not at all. She understands why he feels he has to go, and she doesn't want him to think she's mad because he's doing what he feels needs to be done to protect them. She's proud of him for being such a good man, but gosh, could they just have a few peaceful days.
Before he takes a seat at the table he clasps her shoulder in his powerful hand, leans in to softly kiss her cheek, and promises, "I ain't stupid lady. I ain't takin' any chances I don't hafta take. Don't spend your day worrying about me. I'll be fine, and I'll be back long before dark"
She wants to believe everything he says, and her history with him ought to make it easy for her to believe. He always seems to come out of everything okay. She reminds herself that Daryl is a survivor, as she whispers under her breath, "You'll be the last man standing." It's not the first time she's had that thought.
Jack seems to sense something's up and if anyone is going anywhere he wants to be included. Daryl apologizes to the dog, "There's too much snow Jack, ya might sink right into it and I wouldn't find ya til spring. Besides, ya gotta stay here and help Beth with the ducks and the turkeys." He bends to scratch the dog's back and promises, "You n me will go out huntin' together as soon as we get a little spring weather."
He's wearing the socks she made for him, the gloves and the cap too. They'll help to keep the cold at bay. Before he leaves the cabin he takes her in his arms and promises once again, "I won't be gone long," He pulls back, looks in her eyes and asks, "Ya know I can't stay away from ya for long, right?"
Beth wants to make sure he knows how much she loves him before he goes. Her arms circle his neck when she whispers to him, "I hate it when you're gone, but thank you for all that you are and everything you do for me."
He looks at her like he's a little confused, "I think ya do a lot more for me lady. I love ya, and I can't wait ta get back home to ya."
They kiss and it's warm and wonderful and all those good things, but there's also an anxiousness to it and a strong resistance to let go.
When they finally do break apart, and Daryl walks out into the cold morning air, Merle is waiting for him, sitting on a stump in front of a small fire in the outdoor kitchen. Daryl's gut clinches at the site of his brother. Shit, he's in no mood for a confrontation and he knows Merle's pissed, he gets it. He'd be pissed too. Neither one of the brothers are the type to sit around for weeks and nurse they're wounds. Merle calls out, "Ya know I should be goin' with ya."
Daryl's sympathetic, but he's also firm, "No way. Ya ain't 100% yet and I can't be worryin' about tryin' ta keep you outta trouble while I'm lookin' for them assholes. Don't worry, I'm sure there will be more a them types ta come and I'ma let ya kill all of em. For now, you keep an eye on this place. That's what's most important."
Daryl mumbles to himself, "Shit, my brother and my dog are both pissed at me." Then smiles because at least Beth isn't mad, but damn it's hard to leave her.
He sets out headed straight in the direction he found Jed's body. If the guy was with his buddies, even if they got separated by accident, it makes sense they'd still all be in the same general area. Sure enough, Jed's body is right where Daryl left him, and Daryl can see the birds and animals have not left it alone over these past several days. He wouldn't expect them to, it's nature's way. Besides, it would suit him just fine if the body disappeared completely.
From there he sets out going true north. He'll go 50 yards or so in as straight a line as he can hold, then walk in a big circle around where the body lays. He's taking it slow and keeping his eyes trained and his ears tuned in, hoping to come across dead bodies. He can't imagine a way the other two could have survived. But he stays on alert because you just never know.
It's the cawing of crows that leads Daryl to the first body. The birds seem to be yelling at each other, and at him, to back away from their prize as they eat what's left of the body. Daryl grumbles at them as he moves closer, "I ain't here ta steal your lunch, I'm just tryin' ta figure out who this shithead is."
The birds move away, but stay close, waiting as the man checks for a wallet or any other ID. Nothing, and Daryl doesn't even blame the guy. Why carry a wallet in this world?
He leaves the body for the birds to finish, "Get everything cleaned up real good now boys. I'll be back as soon as the ground thaws ta burn and bury this bastard," but before he gets to his feet he grabs the dead man's knife, pistol and cap. He only takes the cap in hopes that Frankie might recognize who it belonged to.
It's a coyote's tracks that lead Daryl to the third member of the group. It's obvious right away, this guy was the only one of the three who had any survival skills. He dug out a small cave in the snow, covering the floor of it with pine boughs to try and hold some warmth, and Daryl notes the remnants of a campfire laying cold in front of the small cave.
The body's been drug from the cave by the hungry coyote and Daryl watches as the animal tears at the last of the flesh and organs in the man's mid-section. Yeah, this is fresh. The guy hasn't been dead nearly as long as the other two.
Daryl hangs back and stays quiet, letting the animal finish what he started, then he runs toward the coyote yelling, "Go, go on NOW!"
The animal holds his ground snarling through bloody teeth and fur. Daryl pulls his pistol and aims it at the animal, but before shooting he tries one more tactic. He stomps forward making a loud, threatening growling sound of his own. The animal runs off and Daryl hurries to do what he did with the other body. He checks for a wallet, finds one and a driver's license. He pockets those and takes the guy's pistol and knife. He takes a minute to look around the small cave and sees the bones of the critters the man managed to snare, rabbits. He probably didn't starve, even with the shelter Daryl's pretty sure the guy froze in this cold.
He's out of the cave and back on his feet when he calls out to the coyote, "I know ya didn't go far. I'm done here, you can c'mon back and finish him off."
He decides to complete the circle, and why not? There could be a fourth intruder. He doesn't think so, but he's here anyway so why take chances. He finds himself in dense foliage where the branches of huge trees have kept the ground below them nearly 100% snow free. He's walking slow, taking in his surroundings when he hears them. It sounds like they're calling to each other. There are several in a tree branch above him, and several more who've taken shelter under the protective branches of ground covering shrubs. Guinea fowl.
He whispers to himself, "How the fuck did y'all get here." The birds are a hardy breed, but not as cold-hardy as they should be to live up here on the mountain. It seems they've adjusted. Daryl reminds himself, everyone has to change their lifestyle these days. He's torn about what to do next. There's no point in capturing them for eggs, the family gets a good share of those from the ducks and turkeys, and guinea hen eggs are kind of small for guys like him and Merle. They'd need six each.
Besides, he doesn't have anything to capture the birds with unless he gives up his coat. No. Not today. Shit, so, should he shoot a few and bring them home for dinner? Or should he leave them be? They're cute and fun to watch and all, but life these days is all about surviving and making sure his family thrives. He pulls his pistol and the rapid-fire shots ring out. Four shots, four down, guinea hen for dinner.
He doesn't encounter any problems on the walk home, other than the fact it's not an easy hike and he's freezing ass cold. He had no idea this mountain could get this cold. He's grateful there were shelters built and plenty of wood split before winter started, and shit, it hasn't even really settled in yet. He almost makes himself laugh thinking if it gets much colder Beth, him, Jack, Frankie, Merle, the ducks and the turkeys will all be huddled together in one cabin trying to stay warm. He quietly mutters, "What a fuckin' nightmare," while hoping to God it doesn't get quite that bad.
Jack let's her know when Daryl's close to home and Beth can't help herself, she just wants to see him and know he's okay. She quickly dons her outdoor gear and hurries out to meet him.
There he is and she's grinning at the sight of her husband. Not just relieved to see him, but noting the fact that the man never comes home empty handed. He sees her and raises a hand up, pointing in the direction of Merle's house. She knows he's going to hang the fowl he brought with him in the big kitchen area, and she's going to join him there.
Thank goodness Merle has the stoves blazing.
"Daryl!"
He approaches her with a smile, "Hey lady. Told ya I'd be home in the afternoon."
"You did and I'm so glad you're here."
They're within inches of each other now and he's still smiling, "Lemme just hang these birds so I can give ya a real hug."
"That sounds good to me."
A gruff voice suggests, "As long as it don't go no farther than that."
They'd been so consumed with each other, neither had noticed Merle at the far corner of the butchering table. Daryl smiles at him, "Hey brother, whaddya doin'?"
"Workin' on panels for the greenhouse. Someone's gotta stay home and do the real work."
Daryl nods, "That's right, and ya didn't miss a thing out there except some bitter cold and a whole lotta walkin'."
Merle nods, "Lemme go in here and get us a cuppa joe and you can tell me all about it. Ya want one Beth?"
"No, thank you Merle."
They're finally getting their hug in when Frankie pops her head out the door and says, "C'mon in and sit by the fire with us. We're anxious to hear all about your expedition."
"Expedition, huh?"
She smiles, shrugs a shoulder and says, "Well that's what it seems like to those of us who stayed behind."
The chairs are all scooted close to the wood stove and Frankie has a bowl of stew for Daryl, "I'm betting you're cold and hungry. Fill up."
"Yes ma'am, thanks. I am." Beth will never get over the way the man eats. On the one hand she thinks he wolfs his food down so fast she doesn't know how he could possibly even taste what he's eating. On the other hand, she's never seen someone eat and make it look like every bite is the best thing they've ever tasted.
It doesn't take him long to finish the bowl, say, "Thanks Frankie, it hit the spot," and start with his story. He has no reason not to tell them every single detail. The four of them have to survive this together so they should all know what they're dealing with.
Frankie's hand goes to her tummy and she looks pretty pale when he mentions crows and coyote's eating, but Daryl knows she's seen a lot worse shit than that. It's just her "condition" that has her a little weak. She does recognize the cap as belonging to one of the men in Jed's group, and when Daryl hands her the driver's license belonging to the third guy she lets out a deep breath and says, "Yes, yes. I think that's all of them."
The four of them agree, if Negan, his man, and these three outlaws, all made it up the mountain, it's only a matter of time. Eventually some unfriendly sorts will make it to their camp and they'll be looking for trouble.
They get into a very deep discussion about what they expect could happen and which particular traps would offer the best protection. They agree they have to be suited to stop both walkers and the living. This makes the pit traps seem the most versatile, whether they're using punji sticks or not. They also agree it wouldn't be practical to have the entire perimeter fitted with pits. Shit, the amount of time it would take digging them all would be just too much.
Based on the terrain just before entering the homestead area, they determine where persons are most likely to come in on foot, and which route someone in a vehicle might take. Those are the places where the group will concentrate the pits. In back of the buildings, the way they're built practically right up to the forest, that will be the best place for simple, but effective, snares. Daryl still likes the way the bow traps work and the others agree, they'll be scattered at designated spots around the camp.
The last thing Daryl says before he and Beth leave his brother's home is, "Shit, I remember thinkin' no one would ever want this spot but me. Who the hell wants to live on top of a mountain with no electric, no stores, no neighbors, no internet, no TV. I never thought I'd have ta fight so hard ta keep it."
Beth holds his hand and hugs his arm as they make the short walk home, "I'm sorry Daryl."
"Sorry for what?"
"That the peaceful life you dreamed of got so crazy."
He snorts and responds, "No shit. That's what that was, a dream. Anyway, it don't matter. I like havin' you here. I wouldn't change that for anything in the world. I never thought I'd hear myself say this, but I like havin' Merle here too. Another couple weeks a healin' and he's gonna be a big help. And I like Frankie, she's just right for Merle and they're gonna have that little one and we're gonna be one big happy family, ain't we?"
She smiles, "Yes, and I love that we're all so close. I just worry sometimes that none of this is what you wanted and maybe you're not happy."
He stops in his tracks, rests his hands on her shoulders and his chin on top of her head as he tries to think of the right words, "Beth, I never thought I'd be anything but some old hermit on a hill. That was all I thought I wanted and all I thought I deserved. Then you came along and everythin' changed. You made me see there's a lot more ta life than just bein' up here alone and survivin'. Whatever time I got left, I wanna spend it with you."
"That sounds good to me Daryl, but maybe we should go take a nap and then talk about it more later, okay?"
He can't help the laugh that escapes, but he tries to sound serious, "I was kinda thinkin' I should rest."
She giggles and promises, "I'm sorry Mister Dixon, but you're not getting any rest at all."
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A/N Sounds fun :) 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 a new chapter of The Man on The Mountain, I hope you'll be here too. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee