Spiced Molasses

Chapter 40

Beth tried to back up but Candy's fingers grabbed her chin, her nails digging in to her skin like claws.

She was faintly aware of Karen and Haley protesting her manhandling but her eyes were all for Candy.

"You might as well tell me because when Shumpert gets that photo, he'll be turning right back around. Are you her?"

"What are you talking about?" Tyreese demanded.

Her tongue was stuck to the roof of her mouth. Beth couldn't force a confession past her lips even if she wanted to. She knew what Candy had deduced, in only seconds with the barest of clues – indicating once again that she was far smarter than any of them had given her credit for.

But was she Beth Greene anymore? It felt like a life time ago since that she had been that person, that sweet innocent child with not a care in the world. And what was in a name anyway? But in the end, yes, yes she was Beth Greene in the only way that mattered to Candy. The intent and hungry gleam in her eyes showed she would be in no mood to hear philosophising about personal growth.

There was no point denying it. Candy knew and it was a death sentence regardless of whether Beth confirmed it or not.

"Yes," she bit out.

Candy instantly released her chin and rocked back on her heels to regard Beth closely.

"What is going on?" Haley interrupted and Candy glanced at her cursorily.

Beth rubbed at her face, feeling the little half moon indents Candy had left behind. "My name is Beth Greene," she repeated in barely more than a whisper. Those words were heavy and alien in her mouth. She felt a pang at telling the truth but it was also a relief.

"Were they talking about you outside?" Tyreese asked in an equally low voice, not wanting their captors to overhear their conversation.

Beth nodded. They had all heard the conversation but they hadn't been able to make sense of it until Beth and Candy had given them this new piece of pivotal information.

"He murdered your parents?"Karen asked, aghast. She was still able to be compassionate even considering their circumstances. It made hot tears well up rapidly in Beth's eyes. She wanted desperately to reach out and take Karen's hand but she didn't think the other woman would want to touch her when she learned the whole truth.

"How did you end up with this lot?" Tyreese asked, trying to put the puzzle together.

"What do you mean?" Beth countered, wondering if she could play it in a way that would protect Daryl, knowing it was futile all the same.

"You were the victim of a vicious crime; the police should have taken care of you."

There was a beat and then Candy started to laugh. It was such an unexpected sound and so jarring in this context that Beth jumped and Haley hissed, "Are you insane?"

"Daryl's a cop. Oh my goodness, I don't believe it." Candy shook her head and added, "Actually I almost can."

"Bullshit!" Haley retorted. Tyreese was merely looking from one face to another with narrowed eyes. Beth wanted to defend her lover but these were her friends. And lying to them made her sick. Besides, there was a good chance she might be dead soon, depending on the choices Candy made.

Haley noticed Beth's silence and her eyes went wide. "You gotta be kidding me. Daryl?"

Candy's fingers reached out and brushed the bracelet, gentler now than before. "Explains this piece of garbage. I just thought he was insecure and controlling."