Ride the lightning

Ch. 32

Mac moved quickly never stepping into the light of the burning fires. He didn't hear him but he felt him just as easily as he could feel his own breath. Living and breathing right there with him. Mac paused and Daryl came up behind him stepping around and eyeing his brother before hitting his knee and cupping his hands. Mac nodded and then stepped up as Daryl lifted vaulting him up. Mac caught on to the ledge and pulled himself quickly grabbing Daryl seconds later.

When they heard laughter both moved back into the shadows. They clung to them cloaking them in their deeds. Mac watched Daryl knowing his eyes were tracking someone. There was a space between that was filled with light and it wasn't lost on Mac the irony of it. Both him and Daryl had dark past but Kira brought them into that light. Daryl made a soft whipping call and Mac met his eyes in the dark. They almost glowed with a feral energy.

Moving in sync he fell behind Daryl and unsheathed his knife. They didn't have time like they wanted but they'd make sure these motherfuckers felt it. Daryl moved first followed by Mac. Two knives two throats and then silence. Bending at the knees they let their bodies roll lightly to the ground as they bled out eyes glazed and scared. Mac sneered seeing the third man ahead.

Daryl looked over at him and Mac nodded. He moved forward his pulse hammering a beat that was like a symphony for a lifetime of hurting people. Mac capped his hand around his mouth and slammed the knife home in his chest. He knew he'd missed the vital organs. You didn't do the shit he did and not know where to strike for the most pain. His rage was uncapping and Daryl came around in front of him. He felt the man scream against his hand as he twisted the knife. Blood bubbled slightly and he felt the cough against his hand painting the man's fading life into his skin.

"Remember us?" Daryl sneered.

Mac chuckled in his ear. Daryl pulled his knife the fires barely able to catch it and it glint in the moons eerie glow. Daryl stepped forward his knife at the sweet spot of his ribs that promised a quick death. Mac met his eyes and Daryl drove the knife in but not enough to kill him. Mac jerked his knife free before letting it glatter to the ground and his hand went over Daryl's on the hilt of his own knife. Both of them still with locked eyes drove the knife in a sharp upright angle piercing the heart. The man slumped against them and Daryl jerked his knife free kicking him as he fell.

"We gotta go."

"No time for clean up."

"Fuck clean up."

Mac walked to the wall his eyes scanning it not willing to make the trek back to where they'd entered. They'd burned so much of the night away hunting these bitches down that they needed to get to Kira and now. She would be back to where they were supposed to all meet by now. Merle would be there along with Rick. It felt strange to say his brother would be there after so long of him not being there. His eyes cut to Daryl seeing him testing the fence. It was like their childhood again for Daryl with Merle. He never had them either one in that time but Daryl did but Merle always left. He always left him to the wolves showing up at the last minute until that last time. Mac had him then and by then things were set straight. Merle was back now though and Mac seen the hope in his brothers eyes even if he'd tried to mask it. Merle wasn't doing this shit again only to crush Daryl. He'd make sure he didn't leave again. He'd kill him before he let him abandon Daryl again.

They moved through the woods silent and fast. Martinez had seen them seconds before they slipped over the edge but they faded to black in the woods. The man watched them and they watched him seeing if he was going to try anything. When it seemed he was settled in just walking the wall again they started hoofing it. Daryl was quicker and more agile in the woods having spent his entire youth running from a monster in them. Mac chuckled his breath pounding from his lungs at the irony once again that the monsters in these woods were still chasing them but if they were smart they'd run from the two of them.

Mac and Daryl were met with walkers half way there. They were following after something and never stood a chance as they descended on them. Adrenaline pumping and anger soaring they cut them down in record time becoming coated in fresh blood and walker blood alike. They never slowed to investigate them and never cared. It was nature now to not be bothered by these things. Hunt or be hunted but then it'd always been that way for them.

Coming up on the area that they knew everyone was supposed to meet they slowed down. It'd do no good to startle Rick's jumpy ass or Merle's trigger happy one. Daryl's movements sounds ceased to exist but he was moving in front of him. Mac was there just the faintest rustle of fabric, a broken stick, here a shift in leaves there. They moved efficiently towards her and away from the pain of a the past.

Daryl paused crouching low and watching. "I see four."

Mac swore under his breath, "Anything else?"

"No."

Daryl circled around and Mac stayed put. He watched the figure that had to be his brother as he stood there with the car. It had to be Merle. DId someone follow them back here? Get the jump on them? No. Merle wasn't stupid.

Daryl appeared back and grabbed Mac hauling him standing before they stepped out of the woods. All eyes were on them as they walked right for them. Mac felt his anger rip through him seeing Merle standing with Kira. He could have gotten her hurt, he could have gotten he fucking killed, he wasn't careful like they were with her. Merle didn't fight the accusation in Mac's eyes and before he knew what was happening she was slamming into the pair of them. Arm around each of their throats she sobbed harshly against their chest. Each wrapped an arm around her but their eyes fixed on the man that was bound with them.

"What took you all so long?" Kira questioned not letting them go.

Daryl growled against her his voice low, "You'd goddamn know if you stuck with the fucking plan."

Kira tightened her grip on Mac's back and he felt her press more into him. "Merle and me weren't in danger."

Mac jerked back looking at her. "You're always in goddamn danger in this world."

Kira looked at them both her eyes widening. Mac looked over able to see Daryl more clear. He had fresh blood splashed cross his chest and down his arms. His hair was sweat soaked and mussed. He was coated in black blood from the other walkers painting the areas that wasn't scarlet. Mac knew he looked just as bad. Kira's chest heaved looking at them and her hands started searching over them.

"Are you hurt!" Her voice was panicked and Merle appeared. "Answer me! Are either of you hurt?"

"No."

Merle slid his finger up Mac's throat, "This blood fresh."

Mac met his eyes and Merle nodded before stepping back. Merle and Rick started stuffing Phillip into the trunk leaving Kira with them. Daryl was studying her and searching for any sign of injury. Mac was doing the same but she was panicking still. He wanted to snort and tell her to quit her shit but knew it'd do no good.

"We're fine." Daryl's voice lost his hostility and was sincere.

Kira met his eyes and visibly calmed down. She nodded and hiccuped. Mac grimaced knowing what was coming and like always Daryl gathered in his arms. Mac stood with them his eyes on hers as Daryl soothed her through her tears. She never blinked her tears rolling down her dirty cheeks. He brought his hand up and swept them away causing a watery smile to grace her pouty lips.

Phillip was struggling with Rick and Merle fighting being shoved into the trunk. He was searching for an out but would find no absolution from anyone here. Kira tensed against Daryl when she heard his voice. His eyes went to the pair as Daryl held her and Mac shadowed them. He flinched violently and trembled. It was enough. He knew. He knew that hell had come.