Daryl slowly put his hand in his brothers and shook it.
"We'll leave tomorrow mornin'" Daryl mumbled moving his head slowly to look at Merle, Merle had a bright smile on his face.
"I knew you wouldn't turn your back on me" Merle smiled dropping Daryl's hand, Merle reached into his pocket and took out a bottle of whiskey he raised it above his head to show Daryl. Daryl half smiled at the sight of a decent drink.
"So brother you ready to get shit faced drunk?" Merle smiled.
...
The sky was pitch black and the wind blew strongly through the guard tower, Merle was asleep on the freezing floor and Daryl was sitting on the ground still drinking the last drops of the whiskey. When the bottle was empty he angrily threw the bottle against the Guard tower window. He slowly got up from the cold ground and swung the guard tower door open he gripped onto the staircase railings and stumbled down the stairs, he hesitantly walked round the corner leading to the cell block and checked to see if anybody was awake. It was empty he slowly opened the cell block door and crept into Carol's cell she was still sitting in the same place, staring into space, eyes tearing up and a sad look on her face. Daryl sighed and sat in front of her.
"Hey Carol" Daryl sighed quietly he put his hands out to touch hers, she didn't flinch.
Daryl put his head down slowly.
"I'm sorry you know..I didn't mean to scare you I just..I don't know" Daryl sighed putting his hand on his head. He had so many things to say to Carol but didn't know how to start he couldn't look her in the eyes. He sighed sadly.
"I'm leaving in the mornin' jus' thought I'd let you know" Daryl sighed slowly getting up. He leaned over Carol and kissed her on the head softly.
"Bye"
Daryl began exiting when he suddenly heard a soft voice appear behind him.
"Daryl don't" Carol whispered.
Daryl turned around quickly to see Carol standing up, her face pleading him not to leave.
"Carol I.."
"How can you just leave us like this?"
"I haven't got a place here anymore"
"What the hell do you mean? You're one of the most important people here. y-you've done so much for me and the rest of the group"
"All I need is my brother" Daryl sighed slowly putting his head down.
"And what about me?" Carol responded sharply.
"What about you?" Daryl mumbled coldly.
"Did that night mean nothing?"
"No" Daryl responded sharply and coldly.
"You don't care about me at all then?"
"No!" Daryl whispered sharply.
"Then why did you get me that dress huh? Why did you protect me against Axel? Why the hell did you come in here tonight!?" Carol yelled.
Daryl walked over to Carol quickly and brought her into a passionate kiss This should shut her up..this is kind of nice.. Daryl thought to himself, she cupped his face and kissed him back they rolled onto Carol's bed and carol slowly unbuttoned his shirt.
"At least Axel's not here to interrupt us" Daryl joked.
Carol half smiled and brought Daryl into a soft hug, he breathed in her scent and slowly kissed her neck, the couple rolled over together.
...
"Are you still gonna leave?" Carol asked cuddling into Daryl's strong bare chest.
He stayed silent he didn't want to hurt her a second time.
"Daryl?"
"No course not" Daryl lied, he slowly put his strong arm around her and cuddled her closer to him.
Carol slowly put her head up to look at him and caught sight of a tattoo on his chest It said "Veritas"
"What does that mean?" Carol asked curiously
"I'll tell you another time right now you should just sleep you need it" Daryl responded softly.
"Okay" Carol whispered putting her hand on his chest she cuddled closer and Daryl softly kissed her on the head. Daryl slowly closed his eyes.
"Daryl?"
"Yeah?" whispered Daryl opening his eyes.
"What are you gonna do if the Governor comes after us?" Carol whispered.
"Kill him if he touches you" Daryl mumbled
Carol slowly smiled and turned over still holding onto Daryl's strong arm he hugged her close and watched her fall asleep next to him.
...
The early morning light from the sun shone into the cell block, Daryl slowly got up and removed Carol from his chest he grabbed his trousers from the ground. He zipped them up and did his belt up. He grabbed his shirt from the ground a slowly put it on. He snatched his shoes from the ground and slipped them on. He was about to exit the cell when he looked back at Carol sleeping. He couldn't do this to her. He quickly rummaged under Carol's bed and found a scrunched up piece of paper he wrote on it quickly and left it on the sink in Carol's cell he closed the cell door quietly and crept out of the cell block. He ran into the Guard tower and raced up the stairs, he slammed the door open and began shaking a sleeping Merle.
"Ugh what the hell do you want Derlena?" Merle asked groggily.
"We gotta go before they wake up remember?"
"Right" Merle yawned.
Merle slowly got up holding his head.
"My head is fucking killing me" Merle complained.
"We'll pick up some aspirin" Said Daryl picking up his bag.
Daryl quickly picked up his cross-bow and put it on his shoulder, Merle opened the guard tower door.
"Where you goin'?"
"Gotta go get my stuff Derlena"
"Fine but hurry the hell up" Daryl snapped sharply.
Merle slammed the door leaving Daryl to sit in the Guard tower alone. Am I even making the right choice? Daryl thought to himself but he quickly shook his head.
Of course I am they don't care about me..Merle does he's my blood and Carol's just some chick Daryl thought to himself though he knew it wasn't true. Gonna survive this world without them..they slow me down Daryl thought raising his head to look out to the prison courtyard. Suddenly the door slammed open, Daryl turned around alarmed he saw Merle standing there with a bag and rifle in hand.
"C'mon baby brother"
Daryl quickly got to his feet and followed Merle back down the stairs. Daryl and Merle quickly ran down to the prison courtyard and grabbed Merle's motorcycle and threw it onto the back of the truck Carol and T-dog had been using during the winter. Merle raced over to the gate and opened it, he ran into the truck and began trying to start the engine with the keys left in the truck, Daryl held the door open and turned around to look at the prison one last time. Merle got the engine running.
"C'mon Derlena! We aint got time for you to day dream!" Merle yelled.
Daryl slowly got into the truck and Merle drove through the gate.
"Wait Merle! Stop!" yelled Daryl.
"What?" Yelled Merle not stopping the truck.
"We gotta close the gate"
"Why? You don't care about them do you?"
"Nah Jus' incase we need to come back, the prison will get overrun if we leave it" Daryl lied.
"Fine"
Merle stopped the truck and Daryl quickly ran up to the gate, walkers were already beginning to enter, Daryl stabbed the walkers into the head with his knife and closed the gate, he padlocked it and raced back to the truck. Merle began driving again.
"Happy?"
"Yeah" Daryl mumbled.
The two drove off quickly leaving the group on its own.
...
Carol woke up in the morning in a bright empty room, she sat up quickly clutching the blanket to her. She quickly grabbed her clothes and got changed. She raced out of her cell panicking.
"Daryl!?" Carol yelled, her voice echoed through the prison.
Maggie and Glenn's cell swung open, Maggie ran over to Carol quickly.
"Carol? You're speaking! Are you okay?" Maggie asked worried and surprised.
"Doesn't matter! Daryl's gone!" Yelled Carol worried.
Beth, Hershel, Carl and soon Rick all emerged from their cells to see Carol hysterically shouting.
"Carol you should get something to eat" Said Hershel calmly.
"Yeah you should" Said Rick calmly taking Carol's arm
She snatched her arm away from his grip.
"Don't any of you people Care that Daryl's gone!?" yelled Carol crossly.
Carol stormed out of the cell block angrily and ran out to the courtyard, she ran up to the guard tower to find it empty. She sadly sat on the floor in the same spot her and Daryl spent their first night together, she stroked the floor sadly.
The door opened slowly, Carol put her head up hopefully.
"Daryl?"
Glenn emerged from the door, Carol sighed and put her head down slowly, Glenn entered the room hesitantly and sat down next to her.
"Carol, I'm sorry for downstairs we just wanted to see if you were okay you haven't moved for days" Glenn said sadly turning his head to look at Carol.
"It's okay" Carol whispered.
"Do you want to come downstairs and get something to eat?" Asked Glenn eyeing Carol's slender arms.
"Daryl's gone" Carol whispered a tear rolling down her cheek. "He promised me he wasn't leaving"
"I'm sorry Carol.."
"He was protecting me" Carol interrupted.
"From what?"
Carol turned her head slowly to look at Glenn.
"From Axel" She whispered.
"Axel?" Asked Glenn confused.
"That night in the cell block..Axel tried to attack me and I scratched him." Carol whispered sadly.
Glenn's face became serious as he listened to Carol's story.
"When I ran away from you I ran into the next cell block and he tried to.." Carol couldn't get the word out she began to sob. Glenn put his arm around Carol and hugged her close.
"I'm so sorry Carol" Glenn whispered, Carol put her head up again to look at Glenn.
"Then Daryl..Before Axel did anything Daryl came in to save me but he went insane he wouldn't stop hitting Axel and..he killed him" Carol sobbed burying her head into Glenn's chest.
Glenn hugged her tighter a tear rolled down his eye.
"He was only trying to protect me and we drove him away..he said he wouldn't go!" Cried Carol.
"I'll talk to Rick we could go after him, maybe he didn't go far!" Glenn reassured.
Carol looked up a Glenn her eyes watering.
"Thank you" Whispered Carol, hugging him tighter.
"Let me take you downstairs to eat I'll talk to Rick when we get down there"
"Okay" Carol sniffed letting go of Glenn's arm.
Glenn slowly got to his feet helping Carol up the two of them walked down the cell block hand in hand.
Glenn slowly opened the cell block door and led her into the cafeteria, he brought out a few small pieces of bread and water.
"I'll be back in a second"
"Okay" Squeaked Carol.
Glenn began to exit the cafeteria slowly.
"Glenn" Called Carol.
"Is there something wrong?" Glenn asked worriedly.
"I just wanted to say thank you" Carol said softly.
Glenn half smiled and exited the cafeteria he began walking up to Rick but Maggie quickly stood in front of him.
"Is she okay?" Asked Maggie worried.
Glenn looked around and quickly led Maggie into their cell.
"Carol told me what happened" Said Glenn lowering his voice.
"What happened?"
"You can't tell anyone"
"I won't. What happened?"
Glenn sighed. "Daryl was telling the truth, that day she ran into the cafeteria..Axel had just attacked her and then again the second time, Daryl got in just in time and he killed Axel but not intentionally I think he just lost it"
Maggie gasped and pulled Glenn into a hug. "I yelled at Daryl..w-we need to tell the rest of them I'm sorry Glenn Beth, Carl and Dad need to know I owe Daryl this much to clear his name" Sobbed Maggie.
Glenn slowly nodded. "Okay Maggie"
"Where is Daryl?"
"He took off one of the trucks are gone, his motorcycle is gone and so is Merle"
"We need to tell Rick!"
"We will" Said Glenn softly, he kissed Maggie and the two of them left the cell to find Rick.
Carol after eating, sat in her cell sadly. What am I gonna do without him? He promised he wouldn't go did any of that mean anything last night? Carol thought to herself. She needed to calm down Glenn said it would be okay he said he would talk to Rick, Rick wouldn't let Daryl go just like that. They were friends. Carol quickly got up and stood at the sink she need to splash her face. She opened the tap and the water came flooding out she put her hands through the freezing cold water and splashed her face she felt refreshed. Suddenly something crumpled from the sink she stopped running the water and dried her hands on her shirt she crouched down to pick up the crumpled piece of paper and opened it. It was a note. It read:
Hey Carol
I'm sorry I'm leaving I can't stay anymore like I said last night I don't have a place in the group anymore. Things have changed since that night with Axel. I'm not trusted. I had a great night with you and I'm sorry. I'm leaving with Merle to go find another place to stay. Goodbye and stay safe.
P.s My tattoo means Truth.
Carol covered her mouth and felt tears roll down her cheek as she read the last part of the note.
"Rick!" Yelled Carol.
...
"There's a gas station over there we can stop here" Said Daryl calmly pointing to a small city.
Merle stopped the car and the two of them got out of the truck. The city was completely abandoned most of the stores had been broken into. Merle grabbed his rifle and began walking towards the gas station. Daryl was about to grab his cross-bow when Merle stopped him.
"You don't need that I got my gun" Smirked Merle.
Daryl left his Cross-bow on the seat and grabbed his knife instead, he shoved it in his pocket and followed Merle.
"So where were you last night Derlena?" asked Merle.
"With you. You still drunk or something?" Daryl joked.
"No you weren't you walked in this mornin' you with that short haired chick?"
"No" Daryl lied.
"Whatever you say"
Suddenly a walker limped out from behind an abandoned car, Daryl walked forward with his knife raised to stab the walker, Merle stopped him.
"I'll deal with this"
"You crazy? You wanna attract more of them things?"
"C'mon baby brother let your old pal Merle have some fun"
Before Daryl could respond Merle raised his gun and shot the walker in the head the shot let out a loud noise which echoed through the town. Merle laughed happily as Daryl looked round checking for walkers.
"See what you worrying about?"
Suddenly a group of walkers appeared from a building many began making their way out. Merle began shooting them, and Daryl pushed him.
" You wanna attract more of those fucking things?" Yelled Daryl.
"Whatever get back to the truck"
The two turned around to see their truck surrounded by walkers more and more were grouping together.
"Get to the store!" Yelled Daryl.
Daryl and Merle ran into the gas station store, the doors were automatic. They kept opening and closing. The walkers were getting closer.
"Shut that damn thing off!" Yelled Merle.
Daryl quickly grabbed Merle's gun and shot it at the movement detector at the top. The doors shut just before a walker got inside, Millions of walkers were now throwing themselves at the doors and windows.
"I told you not to shoot it you fucking dumbass!" Yelled Daryl
...
The group stood together in the middle of the Cell block, Rick had just finished reading out the note Daryl had left Carol.
"So what do we do?" Asked Maggie curiously.
"We go after them and bring them back here" Rick said sternly
"I want to come with you" Carol said quietly.
"Carol I don't think that's the best thing.."
"He's my friend and I'm going"
Rick slowly nodded and turned to look at Glenn.
"I'll come too" Said Glenn noticing Rick look at him.
"Me too" Said Maggie stepping towards them.
"No, we already lost two people we can't lose more we need you to stay and protect the prison" Interrupted Rick narrowing his eyes towards her.
Maggie nodded slowly.
"Dad can I come?" Asked Carl looking up at Rick.
"No son you're good with your gun I need you here as well"
"Okay dad" Said Carl sadly.
Rick slowly hugged him and began gathering weapons along with Carol and Glenn. The three of them raced out of the cell block towards the courtyard. Leaving Maggie, Hershel, Beth, Carl and Judith alone. Maggie quickly followed them outside, she ran to Glenn and kissed him goodbye.
"Please come back safe" Pleaded Maggie
"I promise you I will" Said Glenn hugging her close.
Rick and Carol entered the car together.
"Do you think we'll find him?" Asked Carol sadly.
Rick slowly turned his head to face Carol. "I promise you we will" Said Rick taking Carol's hand he squeezed them softly. Glenn jumped into the back of the car and slammed the door shut. Rick started the engine and the three of them drove forward. Maggie opened the gate quickly and let them drive through. As she closed the gate she sadly watched the car drive off into the distance.
"Please be safe" Maggie whispered.
...
More and more walkers began throwing themselves against the glass, the glass began to crack.
"Shit" Said Merle.
Daryl looked around the store there was nowhere else to go they were surrounded. Daryl turned his head to Merle slowly.
"I'm sorry brother"
The end for now :)
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I love you! :P
