Spiced Molasses by Mondieu666 ( @mondieuwordnerd​ )

Hershel Greene has kept a secret from his family. When his past catches up with him, the entire family is torn apart. Separated and hunted, justice must come second to surviving. [AU -No Zombies]

Beth didn't know what had woken her but some instinct drove her upright in the middle of the night. A figure hovered over in the inky blackness of her room and Beth opened her mouth to scream. A hand covered her mouth.

"It's just me, Bethy. I need you to get up and stay calm." It was her father, speaking low and urgently.

"What's happening?"

"No time for questions." There was a cell phone in Hershel's hand and he pressed it to his ear. "I'm still here. Put me through to Grimes."

Her father was talking in a way she had never heard before, authoritative and terse.

Her mother appeared in the doorway with Maggie and Shawn, both of them in their pyjamas looking dazed but wearing shoes.

There were the sounds of cars outside and Hershel went very still. Annette's face was horrified and even though Beth didn't understand what was happening, she was terrified too.

"Grimes? It's too late. You're right, he's here. There's no time. I'll have to deal with this."

For the first time Beth noticed that there was a gun tucked into the waistband of his pants. It wasn't the shot gun he used around the farm to scare off predators. It was a sleek, modern thing.

"What's going on, Daddy?" Maggie asked, an edge in her voice.

Hershel grabbed Shawn and held his eyes. "You get your sisters upstairs in the attic. You pull the stairs up and don't come down until the police get here."

Shawn opened his mouth to ask questions but Hershel shouted, "Go!"

Shawn nodded and grabbed Maggie's wrist and gestured at Beth. "C'mon on Bethy, you heard dad."

Beth was rooted to the spot. She wanted to grab her parents and hold on to them. She had a terrible feeling and knew that if they stepped out the door then that would be it.

"I love you, darling but you have to go," Annette said, pushing Beth towards her brother, tears streaming down her face.

"No," Beth said finding her voice. "I don't want to leave you!"

"Shawn," Hershel roared. Strong arms wrapped around her waist and Beth was lifted off her feet. She was dragged up the stairs, gasping as she fought to get enough air to scream or cry.

Not for the first time, Daryl wondered how they had gotten here. She'd spent so long on the periphery of his world. Someone who he'd kill for but knew almost nothing about. And now she was the god damn centre of his life. It had all started with one simple hug born of kindness and now she was sitting on his bed telling him secrets.

And dead. Couldn't forget the dead bit.

"We should go find your sister and get her version on your reckless life of crime."

Beth got to her feet, leaving the covers on the bed undisturbed. "You really going to lecture me on my one moment of weakness?"

"Y'mean the one bit of dirt I have on you? Yeah, yeah I am."

Beth made as if to bump him with her shoulder but never made contact. She caught herself before she got too close. Her bottom lip was caught between her teeth while still trying to keep the smile in place. She looked like she was falling, her breath rattled in her chest.