Beth
"Hey," I said, walking up to Tyreese at the fences. I'd been watching him for a bit, deciding if I wanted to go up to him or not. Truth is, I need to talk to someone, even if I don't really want to.
"Hey Beth, everything alright?" Tyreese asked, stepping back.
"Not really. I was hoping you could give me some advice." He looked me up and down and then motioned for us to go up to the grassy area of the yard away from the fences and walkers. We sat down and I started biting my lip.
"If you keep biting your lip like that you'll end up biting right through it." I looked over at Tyreese and he had a kind smile in place.
"You stuck up for me an' Merle before," He nodded, "I don't think Daryl's coming back,"
"I think you should start from the beginning. I'm guessing this has to do with your relationship with Merle?"
I told him everything that has happened, Daryl's confession, the kiss and me and Merle. "And I haven't told this to anyone. I would talk to my dad or Magie, but y'know Maggie an' it's jus' not somethin' ya talk to your daddy 'bout."
"That's a fine mess you're in." He commented. "Am I wrong to assume you might have feelings for both Dixon's?"
"I'm an awful person, aren't I?" I asked as I nodded. Tyreese shook his head, and briefly put his hand on my shoulder.
"Nah, you're not. I don't know if he plans on coming home or not. You know him better than anyone else. You need to come clean, you're guilt is eating away at you, we've all noticed a difference in you since you and Daryl fought. You need to talk to Merle and you need to be at the council meeting tonight about Daryl. It's up to you how you tell Merle and say what you know and suspect about Daryl, but you need to do something." I looked away from him, up towards the kids playing. When I looked back at him his face softened. "You and those Dixon men have special bonds. I don't know how, but you'll work things out with them and your friendships and love will survive. Don't give up faith, sweetheart."
"I think we underestimate ya, Ty."
He laughed, "Ya? Tell that to the council,"
"You're right, I gotta tell 'em. Not jus' 'cause of me, but for Daryl an' Merle. It's my fault his brother is gone."
"It isn't your fault, don't shoulder that blame, there's nothing to gain of it."
"Were ya a wise man 'fore all this?" I teased. Tyreese has really relieved me of a lot of my guilt and worries. He helped me decide what to do, I knew I had to tell Merle anyways. I guess I just needed a push.
"Nah."
"An' I'll try not ta lose my faith. I hope things'll work out. Guess we do have special bonds, huh?"
Merle
Little brother took of 'hunting' with no warning, been three days and Officer Friendly's called a council meeting. I still can't believe they put me on the council after all the shit I've done. I've been wanting to go after my brother since yesterday.
Beth came in looking pale and sat down next to me. Before I could ask her anything Rick walked in and started talking. "Ya'll know why we're meeting tonight?" They jabbered about Daryl being gone and he's never gone so long, and since I got here he doesn't go alone.
"I don't think he's comin' back." Beth announced, "Not willingly,"
"What'cha talkin' 'bout, Angel?"
"'S my fault he's gone an' I don' think he's coming home." I don't know how she could think it's her fault he's pissy and chose to run off, and I said as much. "Before he left we had an argument,"
"Jus' say what the hell ya argued 'bout," I snapped, feeling bad soon as the words left my mouth. She nodded and looked at her lap.
She didn't look up as she started talking. "He told me his feelings an' then kissed me. I didn't stop him or nothin', I was reeling over what he jus' said. I didn't kiss him back, though. I told him he's my best friend an' it ain't more than that. Guess I said something wrong. Ya'll saw his mood an now he's gone."
My little angel let my little brother kiss her. She keeps fiddling with her bracelets. I stared at her, I could feel them all watching us. "I'm gonna find my brotha, whether ya'll help or not." I said, pushing out of my chair.
"'M sorry, Merle."
Beth
"I'll deal wit' yer shit if I find my brotha," He said, and his voice was like ice. If. If they find him. I hope they find Daryl. I need him to come home. I need to make things right with him and fix things with Merle. I can't lose them.
"I'll go with Merle to find Daryl. I suggest Beth come along too." Rick said. A bunch of voices said at the same time, "no," and "she's not going," My daddy, Maggie, Carol, Michonne.
"She ain't comin' wit' me. Ain't got no use for her." His words cut a hole deep in me. I knew telling him would ruin things between us. I knew he'd be upset but I expected anger and pain, not ice and venom. I didn't offer any reasons why I should or shouldn't go. I sat the rest of the meeting in silence. They finally agreed I'd stay. Soon as the meeting was over I left the room and went to my cell. The group in search of Daryl is leaving at first light.
For the first time since me and Merle started dating I didn't go to the gate and watch him leave, or say goodbye. I stayed in my cell.
I stayed in my cell the entire time they were gone. I only left to care for Jude and pick at my food. I didn't talk to anyone except when I had to. Maggie tried talking to me. Tyreese kept giving me sad, knowing looks. Daddy tried talking to me once, then left me be.
Merle
Took two days to find him. He was holed up in some shitty cabin with a moonshine distillery in the back. Black Beauty said she and Daryl found it awhile back. He was passed out drunk on the dingy La-Z-Boy. I grabbed his bow and moved it out of reach before I kicked the chair, waking him up.
"Cain't get any peace even in the fuckin' apocalypse,"
"Nah, fuckin' pussy. Kissed what was mine an' took off, ya don't deserve it."
"Couldn't stay,"
I turned to Rick, Michonne and Glenn, told them to leave us be. Officer Friendly looked like he wanted to argue, but left without a word, the other two going with. I stared at my little brother.
"Didn't plan on kissin' her, or tellin' her anythin' jus' wanted ta apologize fer bein' a dick ta her. Figured bein' her friend was better'n nothin', then she kept pushin' wantin' ta know more, why I was actin' that way. Didn't even have ta say the fuckin' words fer her ta know. Never needed words much wit' her." The moonshines loosened his tongue up. Must have already gone through his pissed off at the world stage. Figure if I give him enough time he'll say everything they did and I won't have to figure out the lies when I go back. Don't know how I feel about either one of them right now. Never felt like my chest was being torn open before. "Musta lost my fuckin' mind. Kissed her. Didn't kiss me back, jus' stood there, Ass Kicker playin' on the floor. She finally said something. 'No matter what I say it's gonna hurt.' Hurt more ta be rejected by 'er than ta see ya wit' her."
We waited for him to sober up before heading back to the prison. We haven't said much to each other since the night before, other than telling him if he's leaving I'm going too. He agreed to go home to the prison. I spent most of my adult life in prison, trying to get out. Now I'm trying to go back to a prison willingly, calling it home.