These Awkward Moments

Chapter 21 Saviors

Delilah's POV
Daryl thought for a few seconds. "We need ta do this. Roe. Is there a way in on the backside?"

Roe nodded. "Yeah. Just not sure if the door is locked or barricaded. It's an older house and it looks a bit run down. Probably be easy enough ta kick the door in."

Daryl grunted. "A'ight. Here's what we're gonna do. Doc, you go up the side of the house and toss a rock near the building on that side. See if ya can draw their watch off the porch and ta that side of the house. As soon as he gets to the side, you put a bolt in him. Roe. You wait at the back door. I'm gonna go around the other side, and as soon as Doc takes out the guard, I'll get to the front door. When ya hear my whistle we'll go in both doors at the same time. Which side of the house do ya think they're in?"

Roe sketched out what he could tell from the outside in the dirt.

Daryl looked at me. "Doc, I need ya ta stay on the side and keep watch after we go in. Make sure best ya can that no one else goes in and no one gets by us and gets out. Once we're clear inside I'll signal for ya ta come in. We may need medical help and the woman may need you ta convince her that she's safe, ok?"

I nodded. We were all ready. We moved to the backyard. I snuck to the side of the house and inched my way under the windows towards the front. I could hear muffled voices inside the house. It sounded like arguing. I waited for Daryl to get into position, then Roe to move. I had already cocked my bow and loaded it. I had picked up some rocks in the back alley. I waited to hear the boots of the guard walk away from me on the porch, then gently tossed a rock at the side of the building next door. It made a thump, then glanced off into the bushes perfectly. I heard the boots spin and start back to my side of the porch, pause, and then go down steps slowly. I dropped down so the shrub next to me was covering most of my body, and raised my crossbow to my shoulder. The man crossed into the space between the buildings, and I took careful aim. He was so intent on looking in the bushes in front of him, he never saw my bolt coming towards him. It hit directly in his temple, and he dropped straight to the ground.

I knew Daryl would be on the porch in seconds. I moved to a position as close to the middle of the house as possible to try and watch both access points. I heard Daryl's low whistle, then the sound of two doors flying open. There were muffled shouts and the sounds of a scuffle inside. A single gunshot rang out. It was almost impossible for me to force myself not to run to one of the doors. It seemed to take forever before Roe came out the back and signaled for me to come in.

I walked onto the back porch and he signaled that he would take watch. I walked inside and let out a soft, low whistle and waited. I heard Daryl whistle in return and followed the sound to a room down the narrow hallway. Daryl stood just inside the doorway of what used to be a living room. There was a man and a woman bound and gagged sitting on the floor against the wall. They both had been badly beaten and looked incredibly frightened.

Daryl leaned down and whispered. "Hey Doc. I didn't wanna scare them more, so I just waited for you ta get here, ok?"

There were three dead bodies on the floor. One with a bolt through his eye, and two with stab wounds. "I heard a gunshot. Was anyone hit?"

Daryl shook his head. "Nah. Guy was a bad shot."

I smiled into his eyes and he winked at me. I walked towards the people against the wall.

I crouched down in front of them and spoke softly. "Hi. I'm Delilah. I'm a doctor, and we're here to help you, ok?"

They both looked at me with wide eyes, but neither one tried to nod or respond at all. "That's Daryl, and the other big guy is my brother, Roe. We saw these guys leading y'all this way earlier, and wanted to see if ya needed help. Looks like maybe ya did.  I'm gonna take your gags off, then as soon as we can talk and know more about you we'll cut your ropes.  Ok?