𝙿𝙴𝙽𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴 𝙸𝙽𝙱𝙾𝚇 ;

[dadyl]

𝚃𝙴𝚇𝚃. / 𝚅𝙾𝙸𝙲𝙴. / 𝚅𝙸𝙳𝙴𝙾. / 𝙰𝙲𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽.

Comments

[meekandthebold]

Daryl?

Someone contacted the house today.

[ She's never texted him before. But this is better. He can't hear how spooked she still is. ]

[dadyl]

[ Shit. He should have been expecting this. Daryl doesn't even know what to say. Should he blow it off? Treat it as anything more than a crazy calling the house? The whole thing has unnerved him but the last thing he wants to do is scare her. ]

Yeah. He got me, too. What a headcase.

He had no right scarin you. Sorry bout that, hon.

[meekandthebold]

[ Hearing that he'd contacted Daryl too doesn't make her feel better at all. But at least he gets it immediately. ]

He was saying all sorts of crazy things. He kept asking about the kids. Our wedding. He wouldn't give it up.

[dadyl]

Was he askin for details? That's the sort of stuff he was askin me about, too. Kept talkin like he knows me somehow.

Which is impossible.

[meekandthebold]

Yes. He kept insisting but wouldn't tell me why.

He must have us confused with someone else, right? The things he was saying didn't make any sense.

[ But how many Daryl and Carol Dixons can there be in Hell? ]

[dadyl]

Same with me.

Don't know. Maybe he's just some freak that cracked and looked us up. He had to get our number somehow.

You want me to stay home with you the next couple days? Just in case?

[meekandthebold]

[ Carol hesitates. The truth is, she would feel a lot better with him around...but she can't ask him to do that. He'd be bored out of his skull, hanging around the house with her all day.

Besides. She's sure he's right about this guy. Just some crazy, right? Probably already moved on to his next obsession. ]

No, you don't have to do that.

Just promise me he won't come near the house. That the girls and I are safe.

[dadyl]

I will if you want me to. I don't mind.

Course I promise. No one's ever gonna hurt you or the girls while I'm around. Least of all some obsessive nutcase.

[ He's going to have to find out more about this. The whole thing has scared Carol, that much is clear, and Daryl needs to make sure this asshole never calls them again. ]

Probably just some sinner who deserves what he's gettin an can't take it.

[meekandthebold]

That's what I thought too.

[ Ranting about fake lives and Hell messing with them. That's the sort of thing that happens to those sinners. Not them. ]

Whatever you think is best, honey. I wouldn't say no. But if you think it's safe, I'll trust you.

[dadyl]

It'll stay home tomorrow, how's that.

[ It isn't exactly a question. He'll stay home at least one day, then he'll figure out what the fuck is going on. ]

There's no way he's gonna bother us here. The phone was the best he could do.

Carol, you haven't ever stabbed anyone, have you?

[ He can't decide if he's making a joke or really asking. He knows he can't believe he's asking. ]

[meekandthebold]

Well. I did warn him he'd meet you and your shotgun if he came around.

[ Not that she really thinks he's going to. But if he did...maybe just the sight of Daryl guarding the house would be enough to scare him off.

She almost laughs aloud at the absurdity of his question, though. She would have, if not for the whacko on the phone saying the same thing. ]

You're joking, right? You know better than that.

[ She'd never even considered getting a job at the torture factory where Daryl works. All she'd ever wanted to do was be a wife and mother, and maintain the perfect home for her family. ]

[dadyl]

An he'd better believe it.

[ They've never been in a crazy position like this before. Hellburbia has always been the more comfortable and safe place to live, but Daryl knows that if he has to step up, he will. It's his job to. ]

I know. I know, I do.

Can't help wondering what he thought his endgame was. Tellin us all that.

[meekandthebold]

Maybe he didn't have one. Maybe he is just crazy.

[ What other explanation is there? None of what he'd been saying could possibly be true. ]

You don't think maybe he's someone we used to know? Asking about the past and everything?

[ An old, jealous boyfriend of Carol's, maybe? Or a former friend of Daryl's? ]

[dadyl]

He said his name was Gabe, but he coulda been lyin. I don't know no Gabe.

You ever met someone who'd play this sorta trick on us?

[meekandthebold]

This trick?

[ It's not as though Carol's without enemies. One enemy, in particular. ]

Did you actually hear his voice?

Maybe he's not really a he.

[dadyl]

[ Daryl can't think of it as anything else. Obviously they're just being fucked with, because obviously none of it could be true.

But he also knows when Carol isn't saying something directly. ]

What dyou mean, hon?

[meekandthebold]

It's nothing really. Monika Mutou was over making a fuss about the snowman.

[ The wooden snowman Daryl had spent his weekend cutting out, so their daughters could paint it. It's no wonder that Carol treasures it.

And as for Monika, she and Carol have never seen eye to eye. But this is the first time they've outright clashed, rather than hiding their jabs at each other behind simpering smiles and backhanded compliments. ]

She wasn't happy when I refused to take it down. But I don't know if this is her style.

[dadyl]

[ He knows Carol and Monika don't get along, he isn't blind and he's heard his wife's stories about more private headbuttings. But still... ]

You think she'd pull all this over a snowman?

[meekandthebold]

Honestly? No.

But I can't think of anyone else who would do this.

[dadyl]

Don't worry, hon. I'll find out.

[meekandthebold]

Just be careful.

Your family needs you home safe.

OH NO, he can say it in the au!!

[dadyl]

Don't worry, I will.

Love you, Carol.

wehhh

[meekandthebold]

Love you, Daryl.

I'll see you tonight.

[dadyl]

You bet you will.