Spiced Molasses

Chapter 38

Beth could not do anything but gape at the woman in front of her. When Beth didn't provide the answers Candy was obviously looking for, she rounded on the tall man standing silently next to her.

"What the fuck are they doing here?" She was equal parts outraged and shocked.

Beth wanted to pinch herself. There was no doubt that it was Candy, with her normally voluminous peroxide hair pulled back into a sensible ponytail. It didn't sound like Candy though. Instead of the rounded drawling southern accent she'd come to associate with Candy and with Merle, this woman had a crisp British accent.

The man, whose name Beth still didn't know, shrugged just barely. "Change of plans," he said which wasn't really an explanation.

Candy seemed to agree with her. "That wasn't the plan."

"I said there was a change," he repeated, his tone not deviating much. He was unperturbed by the somewhat intimidating figure Candy cut.

Candy's eyes darted to take in the captives who had stayed silent, hoping to glean information from their jailers. Well, it was possible that was why Tyreese stayed quiet. Beth suspected Karen and Haley were just as stunned as she was. Hearing that completely different voice coming out of a familiar mouth was incredibly disorientating.

Candy lowered her voice and took a step closer, "I told you where they would be so that they could be left out of this."

That made Beth sit up straighter, disbelief starting to give way to the reality of the situation. Candy knew this man; she knew something about what was happening.

"He decided that this would be a more fitting punishment."

There was no doubt from the way the man said 'he' that it was someone very specific they were referring to. In fact Candy visibly stalled, chewing on her bottom lip before nervously opening her mouth, presumably to argue some more.

Her companion had reached the end of his patience though and while he didn't snap, his next words gave no illusions as to his willingness to continue the conversation. "It's not up to you." Almost as an afterthought he added, "It's not up to me either."

He gestured at Tyreese, who was still discreetly clutching at his shoulder. "Fix this up," he commanded in that flat tone of his and left the room. This time Beth was prepared for the door to open and she managed to catch a glimpse into the outside hall. She saw at least two men, wearing all black and holding big guns.

Her shoulders slumped and she figured from the frustrated glint in Tyreese's eyes, he'd seen the same thing.

"You bitch," Haley snarled as soon as the door was shut. She made as if to lunge at Candy but the blow to her head had obviously affected her. She ended up collapsing back against Karen.

Candy appeared to hold her tongue, resisting the urge to retaliate with an insult of her own. "You should rest," she advised in an even tone. Her worried eyes were the only indication she was uncomfortable in the situation.

She met Beth's stare and noticeably flinched. Candy composed herself and turned to Tyreese. "I need to look at your shoulder," she explained calmly.

Tyreese regarded her warily. "Do you know what you're doing?" he asked sceptically. She didn't sound like Candy anymore but she still looked like her. Her jeans were tight black and her shirt showed off every curve.

Candy's smile was wry and humourless. "I should. I'm a doctor."

Beth felt her eyebrows lift in surprise without conscious thought.