When the dead roam - (Daryl Dixon)

Chapter 63 - Kick his ass, Rick!

It was morning before Louise climbed from unconsciousness. She had been striped of her weapons and they had been moved to the outskirts of The Saviors' outpost, guarded by an armed group of four. She groaned and pressed a hand to her forehead, grimacing as bright red blood transferred to her palm. The sunlight burned her eyes and a thumping headache vibrated behind her temples. She pushed herself upwards and rested against an old tree, her back slumping down the bark.

"Lou?" Maggie whispered. "You okay?"

She held a hand to her head again and grumbled in response. "Yeah, I think so"

Before she had chance to adapt to her surroundings, she was hauled to her feet by a blonde middle-aged man. He had a gun shot wound in his arm and his clothes were soaked in blood. He balled the back of her shirt in his fist and shoved her forwards, lining her up with Maggie and Carol. It was then that she noticed the remainder of their group in the distance, towering over an unknown male outside the small outpost building.

"Shit, they got Primo" a ginger female sighed, looking through a pair of binoculars to get a better view. "Give me the walkie"

She held her hand out to the blonde male and brought Louise's small black radio to her mouth.

"Lower your gun prick" she said. "You with the Colt Python. Drop it. All of you, drop your weapons"

"Come on out, we can talk" Rick's voice rang out, crackling over the static.

"How many we got?" Lou's attacker asked.

"Eight in sight" she said, chewing her lip. "Too many"

"We can take 'em"

She shook her head and spoke through the walkie again. "We're not coming out but we can talk". She turned to her hostages. "Names?" When they didn't respond, she raised her voice. "Names!"

Maggie shifted on her feet. "I'm Maggie, this is Carol and that's Louise"

The ginger smirked. "I've got a Carol, Maggie and a Louise here. Last one's a little worse for wear, put up quite a fight" she said into the box. "I'm thinkin' that's somethin' you wanna talk about"

Louise heard Daryl curse through the speaker.

"Now we're gonna work this out" she stated. "And it's gonna go our way"

"You can see we have one of yours" Rick said. "We'll trade"

"I'm listening"

"First I wanna talk to the girls, make sure they're alright" he stated.

She rolled her eyes and walked towards the trio. "I'm gonna put you on. You say you're fine. I'll know if you try somethin' else"

The walkie was held in front of Carol.

"Rick, it's Carol" she trembled. "I'm fine, but-"

"Now you" she instructed, moving to Maggie.

"Rick, it's Maggie, we're all okay. We'll figure thi-"

"You. Talk" Louise raised her eyebrows. The woman sighed before punching her across the jaw. "I. Said. Talk"

She spat blood onto the floor and wiped her mouth. "Kick his ass Rick"

"Shut up" she hit her again before walking away. "You have your proof. Let's talk"

Daryl yelled across the line. "You touch her again and I'll-"

"This is the deal right here" Rick said, cutting him off. "Let 'em go, you can have your guy back and live"

"Three for one, that's not much of a trade" she scoffed, rolling her eyes.