Title: The Red String of Fate

Author: YaoiGoddessNekoJin

Rating: M

Warnings: Language, Slash, Violence, Child Abuse, Mentions of Drug Use, Mentions of Under Age Non-Con

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own... =(

A/N: Gah! Sorry I took so long to update! Inspiration left me for a bit.

The Red String of Fate

Part II

Thirteen Years Later

Daryl huddled in his closet, clutching the phone to his ear. Thirteen years had gone by, but he was still terrified of his father. As Daryl got bigger, his father got meaner. The brunette unfolded the small, tattered card he held in his hand and punched in the number. The phone rang and rang until it went to voice mail. Daryl closed his eyes in defeat. He should have known this would happen. Nothing ever goes his way.

"This is Rick Grimes. I'm unavailable at the moment, but If you'll leave your name and number, I'll get back to you as soon as possible."

Daryl ended the call just as his father burst through the closet door. Daryl screamed in pain as he was jerked forward by his arm and the tazer his father held made contact with his shoulder.

~x~x~x~

Merle Dixon looked up at the old, shabby trailer. It had been a long time since he'd been back here. After he left thirteen years ago, he got busted selling meth. He was just recently released from prison and swiftly made his way back home to see what became of Daryl and their father. He hoped his brother had kicked their old man to the curb by now. He slowly walked up the stairs and to the front door, which was, as usual, unlocked. Walking through the threshold, Merle was certainly not expecting silence. Their household had always been a loud one. As Merle walked through the dark trailer, he began to hear, what sounded like, small whimpers. He slowly walked down the hall and, as he neared his brother's room, the whimpers became louder and small grunts of pain accompanied them. Merle cautiously pushed the door open and flew into a violent rage at what he saw. Their father was on top of Daryl on the bed. Nobody saw him coming when Merle stomped over to the bed and ripped their father off of his little brother. Daryl gasped and looked up at Merle in shock. Burns, scars, and cuts littered his body. Merle turned towards their father and went off. He beat the man to unconsciousness and further. This time, Daryl didn't try to stop him, he just watched. After the beating, Merle took the man out into the woods and left him there. He would be lying if he said he wasn't hoping he would die.

When Merle got back into the trailer, Daryl was redressed and sitting on the ratty, old couch with his knees against his chest. Merle walked over to him, at a loss for words, and sat down beside him. They didn't really need words though. Merle could tell Daryl was grateful and Daryl could tell that his brother would die to protect him. Feeling like the silence was crushing him, Merle switched on the television. The news was on every channel. Daryl raised his head from where it had been resting on his knees and studied the screen. It seemed that riots were breaking out everywhere. People were attacking each other like rabid animals.

"...town and head for an emergency shelter. The president has declared a state of emergency. Again, evacuate your town and head for an emergency shelter..."

Daryl looked at Merle. They simultaneously stood and began packing whatever they could carry.

Once outside, Daryl and Merle began packing up their truck when they heard a rustle from the brush. Merle pulled his gun and pointed it in the direction that the sound came from. Stumbling out of the woods was their father, bloodied and bruised. Merle lowered the gun, not wanting to waste bullets on someone so pathetic.

"Merle." Daryl called. He drew Merle's attention to the gaping wound to their father's neck. It looked like he had been bitten by something. "There's no way he coulda survived that, much less still be walking." Daryl said. Merle was getting ready to respond when their father suddenly lunged for him. Merle pulled his gun back out and shot the man in the chest. To both their surprise, not only did it not phase him, but he was trying to bite Merle now. Having had enough, Merle put the barrel of the gun to their father's head and pulled the trigger.

"What the hell was that?" Daryl mumbled.

~x~x~x~

Merle. Merle Dixon. That name sounded so familiar but, for the life of him, Rick couldn't place it. Not that it mattered much, what with the man acting like a jackass and all. Still, as they were headed out of Atlanta, he couldn't help the sinking feeling in his gut that was telling him he just made a huge mistake.

~x~x~x~

After making it back to the quarry, Rick was amazed to find his family. He was so over the moon that he was startled by the commotion coming from the wooded area. As soon as he was informed of Merle's brother's name, all of the pieces fell into place. He remembered that scared, skinny little kid that desperately needed his help all of those years ago. However, that was then. Boy was he unprepared for the now.

~x~x~x~

TBC...

A/N: Okay, I originally planned for this to be finished in two parts, but I wanted to get something up tonight. I hope you guys enjoy it!