Chapter Twelve

He stopped when he saw them, his grip on the knife tightening before he bypassed them all and walked straight over to Shane. The former deputy opened his arms immediately and embraced him gently, feeling something in his chest loosen.

They were free.


His arms tightened around his hunter as the eyes of their old comrades (and Merle) stared at them stunned.

Their thoughts were almost written on their faces for all that they shared the same clueless ass expressions. In fact, he was hard pressed not to laugh at them, even though the situation was far from laughable.

Daryl pulled away from him, and he could see the exhaustion the younger male was fighting to hide, the pain making stormy blues tighten almost imperceptibly at the corners.

"We needa move. They were spreading out when I left there."

Shane nodded while Merle narrowed his eyes and reached out to grab his younger brother forcefully. To his surprise, the smaller jerked away bringing his knife up defensively, something feral dancing in his gaze. Walsh shifted slightly, placing himself between them protectively.

"Don't touch me." The words were spoken in a terse snarl, their owner wound tighter than a bow string even as he began to waver on his feet.

"Daryl what-"

The hunter turned, swiping the knife through the air violently as Rick's hand landed on his shoulder barely missing the former officer's throat.

"Don't." He repeated, moving closer to Shane, who placed a gentle hand on his arm.

"Let's get outta here."

The others sent him a strange look then nodded and with little argument they ventured deeper into the forest, away from Woodbury and the hellish memories it held.


Carl frowned deeply as he rocked Judith in his arms, dark blue eyes watching Alyssa thoughtfully. Weeks had passed since he'd brought the girl into the prison and with each passing day she reminded him of someone he knew. He couldn't remember who it was, but something about her screamed familiar and it was setting his senses on edge.

The girl was calm most of the time, quieter than any child he'd ever know, including Sophia. She only spoke when spoken to, spending most of her time either gazing into the forest longingly or near the fence stabbing walkers. At times, they forgot she was in the room, she was so quiet, but when she did speak there was a southern tang to her voice that seemed to be just developing. In addition, she was shy as hell, The other kids around the prison often complained to his mom and Carol that she refused to join in on any of the games they played and told them that she'd lashed out when they kept asking. It was almost like she was afraid of them.

"My mama says if you scrunch up yer face it'll stay like that."

He blinked, noticing that the object of his thoughts was standing in front of him, her green eyes darkening with longing and grief as she saw Judith.

"This your lil sister?"

He nodded and she swallowed, eyes watering.

"She's pretty." She hesitated. "C-can I hold her?"

He almost said 'no', but the look in her eyes made him reconsider and he nodded slowly.

"Here, like this." He said, coaching her gently until Judith lay cradled in her tiny arms.

"Hi," she whispered. "I'm Alyssa." She said and he smiled, ruffling her hair. Like with Judith, something in him screamed for him to protect her.

"Do you have any siblings?" He asked and she stiffened.

"I did. My baby brother, he died a little while back."

He winced. "How old was he?"

"Mama said he was a few months."

"Sorry." He replied and she sniffled. " 'S okay. Ya didn't know. Mama says people can't be blamed for what they don't know."

"Sounds wise."

The duo turned at the older voice and Carl smiled when he saw that it was his mother.

The woman had mellowed out since Shane and Daryl's disappearance, even more so after Judith was born and he could finally see the woman he'd grown up with. The mother he'd had before the apocalypse and they were better for it. His parents had even talked their shit out, which made them both happier than he'd seen them since before his dad was shot.

"Mama's the smartest person I know." Alyssa responded proudly looking every bit the six-year-old they knew she was and Lori smiled.

"Sounds like it."

"Their back!" Carol yelled rushing into the room. His mom gently took Judith from Alyssa and they all rushed in the direction Carol led them in. They found themselves in the yard where his dad stood along with Glenn, Maggie and a few others. However, it was the last three people that made him pause

Merle Dixon, first, his gaze steely as he glared at the other two. Where his left hand used to be, there was a strange metal contraption with a knife attached to it.

Next was Daryl, his normally calm gaze wild as if he were cornered. His clothing was a couple sizes too big and covered in blood, hair darker and longer than it had been before. His crossbow was slung across his shoulder, a knife clutched tightly in his hand as if were afraid to let it go.

And Shane. His surrogate uncle stood beside Daryl protectively, stubble darkening his cheeks and his hair longer than Carl had ever seen it. Like the hunter, his eyes were dark and wild, nearly feral in their intensity as the met his then looked down.

Beside him, Alyssa froze then bolted forward colliding with Shane's legs.

"Daddy!" She cried and Daryl rushed forward, eyes widening. Shane picked her up easily, his entire expression brightening.

Carl's jaw dropped.

"Hey sweetheart. Miss me?"

She nodded, sniffling before looking at Daryl and grinning brightly.

"Mama! You're okay!"

A thin broken smile crossed the hunter's lips.

"Glad you're okay." He responded and before anyone could say anything, his knees buckled and he collapsed to the ground unconscious.

TBC…