A/N

Please help!

I'm not sure whether to continue with this story or not. I've had no reviews since chapter 3 and barely any follows or favourites, (thanks again to those who have) despite almost 1000 views. I would love to know what I'm doing wrong. I realise it's not my best attempt but I didn't think it was that bad.

I try really hard to make my writing good and the only way to know for sure is from reader's feedback. Please let me know how I can improve as I don't want to waste my time or yours as readers, continuing if it's that bad.

I know it sounds like it but I'm not complaining or fishing for reviews, I love writing fan fiction and genuinely want to improve and I need your help to do so. Please let me know what you think, good or bad, constructive criticism is as helpful as a positive review. Feel free to PM me if you don't want to leave a comment in reviews.

Thanks for reading this extended note. I hope you enjoy the next chapter and that it's not the last.

Chapter 9

It took over 4 days but finally the walls of the town came into sight. It had been a long, hard journey, with little food, water or rest. Each evening they had tried to find shelter when it became too dark to continue safely but most nights had been spent outside, one trying to sleep while the other kept watch.

Using bootlaces to make snares each night they had caught a couple of small rabbits and they'd found some berries and wild herbs but both were famished and looking forward to a good meal, a chance to clean up and a decent few hours' sleep.

Tess forced her exhausted legs to move faster, desperate to get inside the town. Before she could leave the cover of the forest, Daryl grabbed her shirt, pulling her abruptly back.

"Something aint right" he hissed, indicating the wall. She looked again, this time paying more attention.

"There's no one on watch" she glanced at him "There's always someone on lookout"

They edged closer, still keeping hidden. They could hear raised voices and laughter from inside the boundaries, men calling to each other, making raucous comments. A woman screamed and the laughter got louder.

"Bastards have found the town" Daryl's eyes were full of anger "Dumbasses must've lead 'em straight back here"

"We have to do something" Tess tried to move closer but Daryl pulled her back again.

"We're in no state to do anything right now. Remember Scott telling us 'bout a safe house couple of miles from here. We need to get there, get weapons and rest up while we make a plan" Reluctantly they moved away, knowing it was the right thing to do but feeling like they were abandoning their friends.

The house was well hidden among the trees, covered in ivy and other plant life, all but impossible to see if you didn't know it was there. Once inside they began to quietly work their way through each room, checking the place was empty. Tess opened the door to one of the bedrooms, knife in hand as she slipped inside. She froze as she heard a gun cocking behind her.

"Drop the knife and don't move" a scared female voice ordered. Tess couldn't help a smile as she recognised the soft accent.

"Beth?" She turned slowly, finding herself looking down the barrel of a rifle.

"Tess? Oh thank God!" The young blonde dropped the gun and launched forward, hugging Tess tightly. "We thought you were dead when you didn't come back from that run. Rick and Merle went to look for you and when they came back with Daryl's bike we all thought the worst had happened"

"Thought you'd know better by now" Daryl had entered the room behind them "keep telling you all only a Dixon can kill a Dixon" he smirked, tolerating a hug from the emotional girl.

Once they were back downstairs Beth insisted on fixing them something to eat as she explained what had happened.

"Scott and the others came back, they explained what had happened and everyone was on alert, looking out for these men. The second night you were missing, after Rick and Merle had got back; Maria insisted she took a turn on watch. She said she wasn't sleeping anyway 'cos of Daniel so she might as well let someone else get some rest" Beth hesitated as she handed over a plate to each of them. "We were woken by shouting and shots fired. Maria had let them in, turns out Daniel hadn't died, they'd taken him and grabbed her when she was out looking for him. They told her they'd kill him unless she co-operated and helped them take the town. She was dumb enough to believe them, told them where it was and opened the gate when they arrived. When she found out they killed Daniel as soon as she'd left, she went for the leader and they just gunned her down, right on the street. After that it was chaos, people shooting and fighting, others trying to run. Michonne and Merle came for me and Judith and they got us out. Merle went back for Jess and Michonne bought me here. She made sure I had a weapon then went back to help. That was two days ago and I've not seen anyone since. I couldn't leave Judith so I've just been waiting and hoping" Her eyes filled with tears "I don't know if anyone else made it"

Giving her a reassuring hug Tess exchanged glances with Daryl.

"We need to get back there, stake it out, see if we can see what's going on" She stated, Daryl nodded in agreement.

"You gotta stay here with asskicker a bit longer" he told Beth, shushing her as she began to protest.

"Tess aint no mama type so you gotta be the one to stay" he told her "Someone's gotta protect Jude and I know Rick trusts you to do it" She knew he made sense and reluctantly agreed.

From the provisions left at the house they gathered up what weapons they could find and set out for the town again. They planned to get as close as they could and make up the rest when they got there. Once again there was no one on watch and they managed to get right up to the fence. Keeping concealed in the undergrowth they watched for a while.

The men were tearing through the houses, taking what they wanted and destroying everything else. The townsfolk were bundled together in the town square, several armed men keeping watch on them. As they looked on one of them reached out and pulled a woman from the group.

"Always liked me a redhead" he jeered as he tugged a resisting Jess towards him. Daryl knew what was coming next and wasn't surprised when, with a roar of anger, Merle threw himself at the man, knocking both him and Jess to the ground. He'd got several blows in before being pulled off by three others. As he was dragged to his feet a grey haired man approached him.

"I guess I'm going to have to teach you a lesson" he snarled, leaning in closer to Merles face.

"No one attacks my people and gets away with it" Slowly he drew his gun, aiming it t Merle's temple.

Everything seemed to happen in slow motion after that, Daryl rose from hiding, his rifle coming up, pointing at the one aiming at his brother. The man swung his gun away from Merle and, without hesitation, fired once. The bullet caught Jess in the forehead, killing her instantly. Merle gave an anguished howl and wrenched himself free, ploughing into the man just as Daryl fired. The shot missed as Merle and Jess's killer lurched sideways.

Daryl cursed as several heads snapped round in his direction, guns following. Without looking at her he told Tess to move.

"They aint seen you yet, stay low and get yer ass outta here" he muttered "Get back to the house; get Beth and Jude and go. You gotta keep them safe" He knew she was protesting but didn't have time to argue.

"How's it gonna help if they get you as well?" Gunmen were cautiously approaching the inside of the fence, weapons aimed at him and he knew others would be there soon, leaving through the gate and circling round the outside. Briefly he considered opening fire and taking a few of them out but common sense told him he'd be dead in seconds. He let the rifle fall and kept his hands were they could be seen. He heard the approaching men before he saw them.

"Well look who isn't dead" a voice sneered and he recognised one of the men they'd left unconscious at the house.

"Where's the bitch?" he asked as he kicked the rifle away.

"Walker got her" Daryl stared defiantly at the man. Three others were scanning the area, looking for anyone else.

"That's a damn shame, Rob had plans for her" the man glanced at his colleagues "anything?" he questioned.

"Looks like the bastard's on his own" a beaded man replied, a grin on his face as he looked over at Daryl.

"Hey Chris, so this is the one that left you and Rich trussed up in that house. Bet you're looking forward to some payback"

Chris flashed him a grin in return.

"Hell yeah" he turned, lifting his gun "and it's gonna start right now" The last thing Daryl saw was the butt of the rifle approaching before he felt a blinding pain and darkness overtook him.

Thanks for reading.