Chapter 25 - To the Bar

[Rebecca's POV]

I didn't sleep at all that night in fear that he would come back. Every sound set me on edge. I was drifting in and out of consciousness when the door creaked open. I shot up and moved farther in the corner and pulled the blanket more around me. Carlos came in with two other guys. "Are you ready to tell us?" he asked. "Like hell." I answered. He shook his head, like he we disappointed in some small child. "Grab her arms." he ordered. The two men came over to me and I forcibly grabbed my each of my wrists. "Let me go!" I yelled as I tried to pull my wrists free. "Point her to the wall." he ordered. They faced me towards the wall while I sat. Each time I tried to move my arms their grip tightened. "Last chance..." he said. "Go to hell!" I yelled. That's when I felt the burn of a whip against my bare back. I bit my lip to keep my voice quiet. Repeatedly hit after hit I felt weaker, but I kept quiet. "This is no fun if you don't yell." he said. I heard him toss something on the floor, I assume the whip. I could feel blood running my back in spots from the whipping. I screamed as I felt him drag a blade down my back. He laughed as he slowly cut up my back. I felt helpless. I let my mind to wander to somewhere else. Somewhere happier.

I woke up to the smell of bacon and eggs and I can't help, but smile. I sit up and look around and see that I'm lying in a comfortable bed. I stretch my arms and something on my hand glints in the sun. I look at my left hand and see a beautiful ring. I look at confused and I get up out of bed and walk out of the room. I walk down the hallway, looking at the pictures on the wall. There were several pictures of me, smiling or waving. Then there were several of me with a man. That man was Daryl. There was some where we were holding hands or me kissing him on the cheek. I smiled and traced my finger around the frame before continuing to the good smelling food. I come to a kitchen and see Daryl standing in front of the stove with an apron on. I smiled and snuck up behind him and snaking my arms between his. He jumps then relaxes. "Becca, don't ya' know that's dangerous." he said as he moved the skillet away. He turned around and kissed me on the lips. It was more passionate than he has ever done. I can't help, but smile more. "I love you Daryl." I say as I pull him into a hug. "I love you too." he said as he pulled apart. He walked over to the cabinet and grabs two plates and sets them on the table. We sit and eat breakfast. He continues to talk about the men at his mechanics that I don't remember, but I smile and nod to everything he says.

It was getting cold, or at least I felt cold. I was too weak to move. My voice was raw from screaming and I can't move. "Well I see you we won't be getting anywhere with you yet. Let's go." he said. The men let go of my wrists. I slumped to the floor, unable to move. I slip unconscious to a dreamless sleep.

****

[Haley's POV]

I run my hand through my hair as I pace back and forth. This past day has been complete chaos. It's like god decided, wait screw that obviously God has taken a vacation, but it seems that someone has ruled us a deck of trick cards. Daryl has been cold and snappy, but I don't blame him. Dillan has been crying and distant, he won't even talk to me. Also, to top it all off, Beth went into shock and we have to run into town... that town... to the bar but, we may find some of the men. "Hurry the hell up!" I snap at Rick as he comes down the stairs. He doesn't say anything and slides into the driver's seat and Glenn in the other. I hop in the back and slap the back of the truck impatiently. They back up and start towards the town.

****

We come slowly to a stop in front of the bar. I hop out of the back and up to the bar. Rick and Glenn nodded and I opened the door and walked in. "Hershel!" Rick called as he walked in farther. I saw the familiar back of Hershel sitting.

"Who's with you?" he asked.

"Just Glenn and Haley." he replied.

"Maggie send you?"

"They volunteered. They're good like that..."

We walked over to Hershel and I sat down in a chair. "How many you have?" I asked as I eyed the glass.

"Too many to count." he replied.

I let out a small sigh and fought the urge to roll my eyes. "We need you back home. Beth collapsed... is in some sort of shock. I-I think you are too."

"Maggie's with her?"

I nodded my head. "She needs you though."

"What could I do?" he took a deep breath and let it out. "She needs her mother. Rather to mourn... Like she should've done weeks ago. I robbed her of that. I see that now."

"You thought there was a cure. Can't blame yourself for holding on for hope." Rick added.

"Hope? When I saw you running across that field with that girl in your arms... I had little hope she'd survive..."

"But she did." Rick said quietly.

"She did... Even though we lost Otis, your man Shane made it back, and we saved your friend. That- That was the miracle that proved to me... Miracles do exist." He let out a sigh and leaned back and looked from Rick to me. "Only it was a sham. A bait and switch. I was a fool Rick and your people saw it... My daughters deserve better than that." He poured himself some more booze.

Rick walked over towards Glenn and they looked out the door. "What do we just wait for him to pass out?" Glenn asked. I rolled my eyes. "Just go. Just go!" Hershel yelled at them. "I promised Maggie I would bring you home safe." Rick stated. "What like you promised that little girl?" he retorted. I let out a long sigh and slammed my hands on the table as I stood up. They looked at me as I walked away from the table and in front of Hershel. "Hershel... It's damn time you got off your high horse, okay?! You lost people, hell we lose people every day! No... every minute! Everyone lost someone at one point and you aren't any goddamn special! I am about fed up with your shit. I lost my best friend yesterday! She could be alive right now or she could be dead! I don't-" My voice cracks at the thought. "I- I don't even want to think that they did things to her. I want to hope she is just as strong as usual... but even though she is gone... I am determined to get her back. I'm sick and tired of your damn moping! You just going to leave your daughters to die?!" I let out a small breath as he stands up.

"Stop telling me how to care for my family... my farm. You people are like the plague! I do the Christian thing and give you shelter, and you DESTROYED IT ALL!" he yelled.

"The world was already turned to shit when we met." Rick said as he took a step closer to him.

"And you take no responsibility. You're supposed to be their leader!"

"Well I'm here now! Aren't I?!"

They stared at each other before Hershel spoke. "Yes... Yes... Yes you are." He walked back over to the table and sat down, taking a drink.

"Come on. Your girls need you now. More than ever." Rick said as he grabbed Hershel's arm. He pulled his arm out of his grasp.

"I didn't want to believe you. When you said there was no cure... but I knew... deep down I knew you were right. And that's when I realized there is no hope."

"There is hope." I stepped in. They all looked at me. "There is hope. I... I had no hope for living when you first found me. I was so close to just ending it all... but then I found you guys... You saved me... You saved me and my best friend. There IS hope." I said with a small smile.

Then the door opened and in strolled 2 men. "Son of a bitch. They're alive." the one man said. We just looked at them. They came over and sat down next to us. "Hey, my name is Dave." said the skinny looking man. "Scrawny douche back there is Tony." The large man glared at his friend before downing a drink. "Eat me Dave." he returned. "Hey maybe someday I will." Dave said back. They took another drink before they talked. "We met coming out of 995 comin' out of Philly. Damn shit show that was." Dave explained. We didn't say anything. I could feel the gaze of Dave's disgusting friend lingering on me. "My name is Glenn. Nice to meet some new people." Glenn introduced. "Rick Grimes." Rick said as he set a glass down in front of Glenn. He handed another drink to Tony. "How 'bout you sweet cheeks?" Tony said as he smirked. I rolled my eyes and shifted my weight. "Haley." I simply said. "Ignore him." Dave said before looking to Hershel. "How 'bout you have one?" He lifted his drink and Hershel shook his head. "Just quit." he said. "Unique sense of timing." Dave joked. "His name is Hershel. He just lost people today... a lot." Rick explained. "I'm truly sorry." Dave said as he nodded towards Hershel. "Hey girlie, wanna go in the alley back there and fuck?" Tony asked as he gave me a once over. "Like I would let a piece of shit like you touch me." I growled. He stood up and Dave put a hand in front of him. "Please excuse my friend... We have been on our own for a long time and haven't... been graced with a woman's presence." Dave said. "Well it sure as hell isn't happening today." I snapped. I moved farther in the back close to Glenn. He looked at me and I just nodded.

"We came across several groups... Every group we came across was looking for a new place." Dave explained. "Well Fort Benning is where we are heading." Rick said. "Well... hate to piss in your cornflakes, but a while back I ran into some men stationed there. They were wiped out completely. Too many survivors in one place." he said. Glenn looked up shocked. "Fort Benning's gone? Are you for real?" he asked. "Sadly I am." he said. It got quiet till he continued. "You guys... You guys look empty and clean. Where's your gear?" he asked. "We are in a larger group. We went out scouting and we thought we could use a drink." Hershel answered. I knew it was a lie, hell that guy seemed to also. Like hell we would trust these nasty pricks. "A drink? Hershel I thought you quit?" Dave said with a laugh, though I knew he didn't mean it. The tension rose with every second in the room. "We were hopin' to set up camp. How is it around here? Is it safe?" he pressed. "It can be, if you like... killing a couple walkers around here." Glenn said. "Walkers? That what you call them... Suits them..." Dave joked. We sat in silence. I looked to Glenn then to Rick. I wasn't liking the looks of this. It felt off and I knew something bad was going to happen. "So... So what you guys set up on the outskirts? That new development?" Dave said. "Trailer park? Farm?" asked Tony as he got up. He walked past me to the corner of the bar and started relieving himself on the floor. Disgusting pig! I cursed inside my thoughts. I moved farther away, behind the bar. "Old McDonald had a farm..." Dave started singing. Tony laughed from where he was standing. "You have a farm?" Rick glanced over at Hershel. "We said enough." I said. "Not a lot of southern hospitality." Dave jested.

After that everything happened in a flash. Dave walked behind the bar to get drinks and Tony pulled a gun. Rick shot Dave and I killed Tony. And then we were standing alone in the bar. We were at the door about to go out when we heard voices. "Shit!" I said silently as we ducked down.

***

[Rebecca's POV]

I laid there drifting in and out of consciousness, not even hearing the door open behind me. It wasn't until I heard someone gasp that I noticed others were in the room. I reached out, whimpering at the pain in my back and arms, to grab the blanket. I pulled it slightly around me when the man kneeled down by me. I forced myself to sit up, leaning sideways on the wall to look at him. It was a dark skinned male. He had a face that made him seem kind and worry was plastered on it. He was carrying a small box. He walked over to me and reached out ot me. I flinched away and he drew his hand back. "Sorry. I came to clean up your wounds... but... I didn't know it was this bad." he said. "Wait here." And with that he set the box down and walked out of the room. He came back in with a rag and a bucket of water. He walked over to me and gently grabbed the blanket. I gripped it tighter as he tried to move it. "Don't worry I'm not going to hurt you." he said. Losing the will to fight fast I let go of it and he pulled it down far enough to see my back. "Jesus christ." he said quietly as he put the rag in the water. "This may hurt." he said. He pressed it against my back and was wiping my back. I let out a small whimper as it felt like a fire on my back. "Almost done." he said as he wiped my arms and legs down and then my face. "Okay. I'm sorry about this." he said. With that I let out a scream as my back felt like it fully engulfed in flames. I realized it was alcohol and bit my lip till I tasted blood. After he was done I felt weak. "My name is Tim, by the way." he said as he rubbed some cream on my back carefully. "B-Becca." I strained to say. It came out quiet and raspy. He wrapped gauze around my back. "Can you stand?" he asked. I shook my head, which took a lot more effort and he must have noticed. H pulled the blanket around me more before picking me up and setting me on the mattress. "I'm sorry that this happened to you." he said. He pulled the blanket closer to me before heading to the door. After that I felt exhausted and was drifting to sleep. I could've sworn I heard him say "I'm getting you out of here".

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A/N:

Ohhhhh, what's going to happen?!?! A new friend or unsuspected enemy? I don't know, but this little "2.5" season will be wrapped up soon? Maybe? Depends on how much I'm using from the show and how much I'm not.

Anywho~ its 10:15pm and I am ready to sleep. If I get a snow day maybe I will update! BYE!

--T.F.L