Super short chapter (which is why it's part one of two). But I wanted to get something out to you today. I promise longer chapters, but if you guys don't mind a little shortness, I could possibly update every day instead of every other day. You guys are just so amazing, you know that? Alrighty, as usual, a tremendous wave of gratitude to cherrywineBA, DarylDixon'sLover, staceycoonan, crimsonrose0003, Maykits, kevkye, TheGoldenElf, Peeca151, maizateb, An Amber Pen, ArtGirlie815, NanamiYatsumaki, daylightspeaks, Tania Ibarbia, Dixongurl, Guest, Ela, BurrSquee, TWDobession, kristelalugo, Reignashil, DixonGreene010, DixonShipster, AnnMarie318, TWDfan0001, TWDFan05, rckyfrk, Joise, jeanf, heatherrk, Rainedonmyparade, GabbyAbby, Sydmherman, cdraco, Jackiemgomez, bluebook 1496, Serialkillingyou, gwenstacy, Maxkenzie, Nicolina88, Mhilano, Bethyl-Love-Blue-Eyes55, Verostar1221, beba20000, Guest, and Crisphe for your amazing, always inspiring reviews last chapter! Now onward in this tale!

Chapter twenty one: Part One

There are a few moments when a disaster occurs where the body becomes numb. The mind races to comprehend what has just happened, ignoring all other functions until the realization finally hits. Daryl stood beside Beth, his hand gripping her wrist as Allen lay before them, Donna's screams of sorrow sounding muffled as all stared down in complete shock as the Governor's gun aimed towards the archer. Within seconds, the area was filled with gunfire as Rick was quick enough to shoot next, grazing the leader with a bullet which momentarily disabled him.

In those few seconds, Daryl's feet began to move, Beth pulled behind him as he ran in the opposite direction down the street. His heart pounded, mind racing as doors to houses opened up, curious spectators glancing out at the sound of the gun fight. Faintly the archer could smell smoke, unable to see the glow from the growing orange blaze that had spouted behind him. In the dry conditions, a bullet-or perhaps several-must've struck something, causing the fire that slowly grew out of control.

"Daryl," Beth panted, her voice sounding distant as the archer pulled them towards the opposite wall. "Daryl, stop! Our friends!"

Daryl's grip tightened around Beth's wrist as his eyes scanned the massive, concrete wall for any points of breach. Everyone else was not on his top priority list right now. Getting Beth out safely was of the utmost importance and if that meant having to momentarily abandon Rick and the others, it was a sacrifice he'd have to live with. However, he found himself pulled from his rapid train of thought when Beth tugged away, breaking the contact he had with her. He gazed at her, his eyes locking onto hers as she breathed steadily, the red haze from the fire illuminating the look of somber molded into her expression.

"We have to help them," she said, the panic nearly hidden in her tone. "We can't just leave them here."

The archer bit down on the inside of his cheek, inhaling sharply through his nose as he looked behind him. The scene was chaotic. People were scrambling, some houses already ablaze. The gun fire was muffled now by the crackling inferno that quickly seemed to be engulfing what it could. The man turned back to his wife, gritting his teeth together as he reached for his crossbow.

"Stay here," he instructed. "Unless someone comes for you or the fire gets too close, you wait for me."

"I can help-"

"No," Daryl replied firmly. "You ain't riskin' your life or that of our..." his voice trailed off. "I ain't about to let nothin' happen to you. Got it?"

Beth didn't bother arguing, but nearly nodded in relent. Throwing one last look at her, Daryl rushed back in the direction they had previously come from. The fire's heat burned the hairs on the back of his neck, dried what little moisture there was in his mouth as he fought his way through, eyes squinting as the heat caused his tear ducts to water in pain. Screams were muffled by the cracks and crumbles of woodwork as they gave into the inferno that engulfed them.

"Rick," Daryl shouted, covering his mouth as he coughed violently. "Morgan!"

People scrambled with their belongings, pushing past Daryl as they tried to escape the certain death the fire promised. The archer pressed onward, grunting as a woman knocked against him, the contents of her arms shattering on the ground beneath them. She continued on nevertheless, running towards the direction of one of the walls where citizens were surely trying to find an exit as he and his group had tried previously.

"Jenny," Daryl tried again. "Donna!"

The roar of the blaze powered over any other sound as Daryl took a step back, fire bursting from the window of one of the houses. For all he knew, the others were dead. And the further he tried to get back to the north wall, the harder it became. The fire's strength was too strong to break through. Daryl inhaled, his nose aching from the stench of black smoke as he turned around, readying to go back to Beth when his ears were met with a desperate cry.

"Mommy," it shrieked. "Daddy!"

Daryl turned towards the sound and to his surprise, squatting on the ground with her small hands covering her ears was a young girl. She appeared to be no older than four, her hair dark and skin a pale shade of olive. She trembled, body far too close to the flames than was safe. Without thinking, Daryl sprung forward, moving towards the little girl's side just as one of the wooden structures toppled behind him, blocking his previous path.

"Hey," he murmured, pulling the girl's hands away. "C'mere, we'll get out of this, okay?"

"My mommy and daddy," she sniffed, seeming to lean away from the stranger.

"We'll find 'em," Daryl promised, lifting the girl up as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "But we gotta get out first, okay?"

The archer adjusted the girl in his arms, his bow strap now twisted awkwardly around his shoulder as his eyes scanned for any means of escape. The fire towered over them like wall, its flames seemingly reaching towards the sky as the archer attempted to cross its blaze. He struggled to breathe, the girl burying her face in the crook of his neck as he ran. The inferno licked at his skin, smoldering his clothes as he moved briskly, eyes reduced to watery slits as he pushed passed the greater part of the destructive disaster.

As the girl clung to him, her small nails like tiny daggers in the back of his neck, Daryl pushed his way back towards Beth, holding onto his rescuee tightly. As he passed what had once been a row of houses, now nothing more than funeral pyres, he saw a figure straggling towards him. The man moved with a limp, his body seemingly carrying the weight of the world as he went. At first, Daryl thought perhaps it was Rick. Or another of his group. The corners of his mouth twitched into a smile of relief as the man drew closer, only to fall when he saw who it was.

"You," the Governor hissed, his hand still brandishing his weapon. "You did this."

Daryl held the girl tight, uncertain what he should do as the man pointed his gun lazily towards the archer. He was vulnerable. His weapon over his shoulder, hands tied with a child. Would this be his future with a kid of his own? If he were, in fact, to make it now? He inhaled deeply, mouth curved downward as the Governor prepared to shoot. There was nothing he could say or do to stop it. He was at the will of God, if there was in fact one.

"STOP!"

The voice was shrill, female, and carried much farther than anything had in the blaze. Both Daryl and the Governor turned, the girl's face still hidden in Daryl's neck as they saw who had summoned the command. There, standing but a few feet away, her hands gripping a gun that did not quiver despite the fear and anger in her expression was Andrea.

I'm so sorry for the length! I promised you guys and update but I was so busy today. But here's a little something and I'll work hard to have a larger version of part two posted tomorrow if all goes well. Feedback is greatly loved and appreciated, I hope you enjoyed the action. Also how much do you like Amy? Because I am really debating whether to kill her now or keep her for a bit. Let me know! Until tomorrow! -Jen