The Baker and the Butcher

Chapter 11

5:22
It was 5 god damn 22
5:00 o clock add 22 minutes
In the mornin'
On a Sunday.
So that leads to the question.
Who the hell would be calling Daryl Dixon at 5:22 in the morning on a Sunday?
It had been a full week since Beth had stayed the night at his place. The next morning had been un eventful.
She'd been her usual southern belle self thanking him kindly for the place to sleep and the shower. Ending the entire thing with an awkward hug as she hopped in Maggie's truck and nearly squirreled away.
It wasn't like he expected her to move her things in and jump into his bed after, but he reckoned he'd at least be able to make her breakfast.
He yawned loudly and smiled when the bird perched on his bedroom window jumped and flew away.
"'Lo?" He grumbled sleep evident in his voice.
"Daryl. It's me it's Hershel ,I need you to come down to the bakery as soon as you can"
He had never heard Hershel sound like this, nervous jittery almost scared.
He felt his heart jump into his throat
" Beth... Is she.." He couldn't Even think about it.
"What? No! No this has nothing to do with Beth? I mean of course it does but.. Daryl this is related to the market"
He could almost see him smile towards the end of the statement
He let out an audible shaky breath he hadn't realized he had been holding.
Hershel continued " I still have to call Rick and Lori. see you soon Daryl"he hung up.
He threw on a ripped gray t shirt and his vest. Leaving on his black sweatpants.
It was Sunday the day of rest weren't it?
Pulling into the lot he noticed everyone all wearing a similar expression to his.
Tired and confused.
And then he saw her.
Apparently the Greene family didn't follow the day of rest rule.
maggie had on a light green dress that flowed a little below mid thigh and was tight around the top her normal ponytail lost for short waves with a gold bobby pin clipping her bangs back.
Hershel had on a pair of Khakis and a striped blue and white button down with a blue tie.
But then there was Beth.
She had on a tight white sweater that hugged every curve perfectly and looked soft Enough to sleep on. Her normal ripped jeans or tiny floral skirt were replaced with high wasted black skinny jeans that should be illegal. She wore a deep red hat on her head that was just a few shades deeper then her ruby lipstick. Her bright blue eyes were lined lightly with black eyeliner and her olive skin looked radiant.She had opted to keep her cowboy boots and the tiny braid running through her silky straight blonde hair was the only indication that this was really Beth.
He shifted uncomfortably in his jeans as she spotted him and started towards him.
When she got close enough he saw the puffy red Eyes under the liner and he noticed the nervous twitch of her index finger and thumb.
She grabbed his upper arm and whispered " have you seen inside?"
He shook his head confused putting his much larger hand on top of her tiny one on his bicep giving a light squeeze.
She nodded then looked straight ahead at her father.
Hershel stood dead center of the door leading into the market.
Clearing his throat he started
" I'm real sorry that I had to drag all of you down here on the lords day, me and my girls had just started service when we got the call from sheriff Dale"
Ah that's why they were dressed up. He forgot people went to church on Sunday.
" I thought it best I tell you now before y'all have to go in there and see for yourself,"
Daryl looked over to Beth and gently grabbed her twitching hand.
She jumped a bit then looked up at him with wide eyes and smiled softly.
Hershel continued
" we have unfortunately been robbed, ransacked and branded"
there was a collective number of gasps and low angry murmurs.
Daryl's open hand curled into a fist and he felt his trigger finger itch.
" we don't have many leads yet but the sheriff has informed me multiple customers have heard Gareth from the Terminus Deli and market complaining about us stealing customers from them."
Daryl had heard about that place. they had, had a major scandal last year, rumors that they used real human meat for the deli meat had threatened to close the entire establishment.
"Alright with that being said I think its a good a time as any to head in."
He felt a tiny squeeze on his hand and turned towards Beth.
" Were gunna get through this. Well find out who did this. Won't we?" She looked to him with those beautiful blue doe eyes.
With eyes like those he didn't think there could be anything they couldn't do.
" yeah darlin, well get through this"
He held his breathe as he walked through the door.

Yeah they were dead. And Gareth was the first to go.