BLOODY MARY || c. grimes

fifty-four - familiar faces

CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR,
familiar faces
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ELLIE LOOKED AT her father nervously, not knowing how they'd get out of this situation.
"Well, hell." The blond guy laughed, his eyes staring into Daryl's. "You got something to say to me? You gonna clear the air?"
Rosita and Ellie shared a confused glance before looking back at the Dixon man.
"Step up on that high horse?" The man continued. "No. You don't talk much." He motioned his head towards the trio, two of his armed guys shuffling forward and patting them down quickly.
The guy glanced down at the crossbow in his hands, smiling eerily. "Still getting the hang of her." He told them nonchalantly.
The two armed guys remove the bags and knifes from the trio, Daryl grabbing Ellie's jacket sleeve and pulled her towards him, shielding her body with his. The blond didn't seem to notice.
"Kicks like a bitch, but-" He continued rambling about the weapon he'd stolen and then used to kill Denise.
"I should've done it." Daryl spat suddenly.
"Oh, what's that?" The guy leaned forward tauntingly. "Seriously, I didn't catch what you said."
Daryl waited a minute, making sure Ellie was fully behind him. "I should've killed ya."
The guy laughed. "Yeah, you probably should've. So, here we are. Kind of begs the question, right? Who brought this one who? I mean, I get that you'll just have to take my word for this, but...she wasn't even the one I was aiming for."
Ellie lurched forward, tears welling in her eyes. "You ugly mother fu-" She tried to push past her father, but he held her back tightly.
The guy just laughed. "Like I said, kicks like a bitch. It's nothing personal. Look, this isn't how we like to start new business arrangements, but, well, you pricks kind of set the tone, didn't you?"
"What do you want?" Rosita spat harshly.
"I'm sorry, darlin', I didn't catch your name. I'm D...or Dwight. You can call me either. So? What's your name?" The silence was tense.
"Rosita." The Espinosa woman used her spanish accent as she spoke. "What do you want?"
"Well, Rosita...it's not what I want." Dwight smiled at her, his eyes running up and down her body. "It's what you, Daryl, and that pretty thing are gonna do." Ellie sneered at the man as he glanced at her.
"You're gonna let us into your little complex. It looks like it's just beautiful in there." Dwight taunted. "And then, you're gonna let us take whatever and whoever we want..." His eyes traveled down to Ellie, who gripped her fathers arm, the same arm that tightened around her protectively.
"...or we blow Eugene's brains out." D shook the man's jacket, causing him to take in a shuddered breath. And then yours," He looked at Rosita. "And then hers," He glanced at Ellie. "And then this." Finally he landed on Daryl. "I hope it doesn't come to that, really. Nobody else has to die. We just try and start with one."
Eugene's breathing picked up tremendously, causing Rosita and Ellie to glance down at him. They both could tell immediately that he had an idea brewing in his mind.
"You know, maximum impact to get our point across." Dwight continued, oblivious to the silent intersection between friends. "So, what's it gonna be? You tell me."
"You wanna kill someone, you start with our companion hiding over there by the oil barrels." Eugene suddenly spoke. "He's a first class a-hole and he deserves it so much more than us four."
The Dixon's and Rosita looked to the barrels, but they saw nothing. Maybe he was just bluffing? He had a long of practice with that.
Dwight dropped the crossbow, letting go of Eugene and grabbing his hand gun. "Go check it out."
A large portion of the armed men shuffled over to the barrels, the tension was so thick Ellie could almost see it. Eugene glanced at the three of them, then at Dwight, before he leaned over and grabbed the blond's groin between his teeth. Dwight yelled in pain as Eugene bit down hard. Sudden rapid gunshots came from next to the barrels, causing Ellie to flinch slightly before she realized who it was.
All the men now had their backs to the group, but they used this to their advantage.
Daryl kicked one guys knee, slicing his throat with the very back lace he wore. Rosita ducked from the flying bullets, grabbing two guns from the pile they'd made. She tossed one to Ellie, the girl catching it easily and beginning to fire at the platoon.
The loud gunfire caused walkers to shuffle over, causing more bullets to shoot out.
"Fall back! Fall back!" Dwight yelled from his position, laying like a baby on the tracks. He scrambled up, the front of his jeans bloodied in a circular shape as he limped away.
None of the group let up, however, as they continued to fire at the retreating men in anger.
Ellie swore loudly as her gun jammed. She ducked behind a car and tried to fix it when a white hot pain zipped past her bicep. She yelled out, falling forward to the ground, blood falling from her arm quickly.
"Ellie!" Daryl called over, ducking behind a car next to her.
"I'm fine!" The girl panted, pushing herself up to lean against the tire. Her hand cradled her arm tightly, pained breathing falling from her lips.
The Dixon man jumped over the hood of the car, racing forward and grabbing his crossbow back. He attempted to run after the men, but stopped shortly.
"Daryl, stop!" Rosita panted heavily, crouching next to Ellie as she tied a cloth around her arm. The Espinosa woman hoisted the girl up, both stopping short at the sight of blood staining Eugene's shirt.
"Eugene!" Rosita ran forward, dropping to her knees and pushing down on the bullet wound.
Abraham appeared next to them, he and Rosita shooting worried words at each other when Daryl made his way over.
Together, the guys were able to get the mulleted man's arms, Rosita getting his legs and Ellie running behind them.
The Dixon girl faltered at Denise's body. She walked over, closing the woman's eye and grabbing the soda can and keychain from her bag before running after the others.

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ELLIE SAT ON a cot next to an unconscious Eugene in the infirmary. Rosita had stitched up her arm, informing the archer his daughter was going to be okay. That it was only a graze.
Daryl stood next to his child, holding her tightly as silent tears fell from her face.
Abraham slammed the door closed behind him, rushing to Rosita and Eugene's sides. "Ricks coming. So it Carl." He added towards the girl. "How is he?"
"Bullet just grazed him, it's a good thing." Rosita checked his pulse. "But it's a good thing we got him back when we did. Antibiotics we picked up could save him from an infection. Could save his life. That's what Denise did." Ellie wiped her face as Eugene began coughing harshly.
"You here?" The Espinosa woman asked calmly.
"Present." Eugene chocked out.
"Good." Abraham nodded as Rosita went to the island.
Eugene locked eyes with his old friend. "I was not trying to kill you. I was looking for a moment."
The Ford man leaned forward. "You found it."
"Do you apologize for questioning my skills?" Eugene asked firmly.
"I apologize for questioning your skills." Abraham repeated instantly. "You know how to bite a dick, Eugene. I mean that with the utmost of respect. Welcome to Stage Two."
"Don't need to welcome me." The Potter man dismissed. "I've been here a while."
Daryl and Ellie watched the interaction silently, the two shared a soft smile. The Dixon man placed a gentle kiss on her head as the door swung open.
"Ellie? Jesus, what happened?" Carl rushed forward, not even allowing her ti answer before he pulled her into a tight embrace.
"I'm alright, Carl. I swear." Ellie mumbled, even as tears began to fall from her eyes and her hands fisted his flannel. Carl didn't push it, only held her tighter. He just wanted her to remember he was there for her, and only her.

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