DARYL'S POV
As I slowly walk back to the camp of survivors from Atlanta, my mind wanders to my brother, Merle. Merle had gone with a group to Atlanta for supplies, and they are due back today. I have been hunting since the group left, but I didn't get very much. Once I walk out of the woods and into the camp, I start looking for his brother, but I don't see Merle anywhere.
"Daryl, we need to talk to you," Shane says, following me to my and Merle's campsite. I quickly check around our campsite, but I still cannot find Merle.
"Daryl," Shane says again.
"Is he dead?" I ask, setting my crossbow down.
"Hard to say," Shane says. I turn to look at Shane, and that is when I see the whole group watching, including a new guy I don't recognize.
"What is that supposed to mean?" I ask.
"Your brother is handcuffed to the roof of a building in Atlanta," the mystery man says, stepping towards me.
"What? Who are ya anyways?" I ask, stepping away from the man, which just makes the man step closer again.
"My name is Rick Grimes, Lori's husband. Your brother was putting everyone in danger, so I handcuffed him to a piece of metal. When we went to leave, the key was lost, and your brother is still there," Rick says soothingly. I don't know why, but I kind of like how Rick talks soothingly to me, which makes me all that much angrier.
"Ya left my brother in the middle of a Walker-infested town, locked to the roof of a building?" I yell, throwing my string of squirrels at Rick, who dodges. I then lunge at Rick, trying to punch him, but Shane quickly shoves me away. I have never liked Shane, so having a reason to fight him doesn't help me not hurt Shane. I quickly grab my knife and lunge at Rick and Shane. Shane dodges me and steps behind me, putting me in a chokehold.
"Drop the knife," Shane hisses in my ear. When I start to feel myself lose consciousness, I drop the knife, and Shane drops me. I instantly start coughing and gasping for air, but I suddenly hit the ground unconscious.
RICK'S POV
As I drive the truck to where the Atlanta group of survivors are, all I can think about is the man I handcuffed to the roof of a building and left behind. I am extremely happy to see my son again once we arrived at the camp. My wife is there too, but I and Lori have not been on good terms for some time now.
"Where is Merle?" Shane asks once all the greetings are done.
"Trapped in Atlanta," Andrea says.
"How?" Shane asks.
"I handcuffed him to the roof of a building to protect everyone from him. He was risking everyone's lives by being reckless," Rick says.
"I am going to hate to tell Daryl," Shane says. I am instantly confused, and Dale quickly explains.
"Merle is... was Daryl's brother," Dale says, looking worried.
"I'll tell him. I was the one that handcuffed him and left him," I say. A rustle in the forest line draws my attention.
"Here comes Daryl," Shane says as I and he walked towards the forest line. I am expecting a real rough-looking redneck to walk out, but I am surprised at how Daryl looks. I cannot help but admire Daryl's small but well-built body and dark brown hair that falls into Daryl's bright blue eyes.
"Daryl, we need to talk to you," Shane says, which snaps me out of his thoughts. I slowly walk with Shane, following Daryl.
"Daryl," Shane says again, which makes Daryl turn around after he sets his crossbow down.
"Is he dead?" Daryl asks, which makes my heart squeeze because of the sadness in those bright blue eyes.
"Hard to say," Shane says. Daryl turns and looks at Shane and then at me, which makes me feel very self-conscious about how I look. Daryl's eyes linger on me for a good bit of time.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Daryl asks.
"Your brother is handcuffed to the roof of a building in Atlanta," I say, stepping towards Daryl. I am dying to wrap his arms around Daryl and comfort the hurting man.
"What? Who the hell are ya anyways?" Daryl says, stepping away from me, which just makes me step closer again.
"My name is Rick Grimes, Lori's husband. Your brother was putting everyone in danger, so I handcuffed him to a piece of metal. When we went to leave, the key was lost, and your brother is still there," I say, trying to calm Daryl down. I can see that Daryl is getting extremely angry.
"Ya left my brother in the middle of a Walker-infested town, locked to the roof of a building?" Daryl yells. I just barely dodge the string of squirrels Daryl throws at my head, but when Daryl lunges at me, I know I won't be able to dodge him. I am thankful but mad at Shane for shoving Daryl to the ground. I go into cop mode when I see Daryl grab his knife and lunge at me and Shane. I stand ready to attack, but Shane dodges Daryl's lunge and locks Daryl in a chokehold. I am shocked and just freezes at seeing Daryl choked.
"Drop the knife," I hear Shane hiss in Daryl's ear. I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding when Daryl drops the knife and Shane lets Daryl go. I feel worry shot through me when Daryl starts gasping and coughing. When Daryl drops to the ground, out cold, I drop down next to him and quickly and check his pulse.
"Damn Shane. Did you have to choke him that hard?" I ask when I see the bruising forming on Daryl's neck.
"Is he ok?" Dale asks suddenly, which makes me jump.
"I think so. He just passed out from lack of oxygen, and he's going to have some bruises," I say, brushing Daryl's bangs from his face. "Looks like he's beginning to wake up."