❤️Familiar Faces❤️

We had been digging for a while, my skin was damp with sweat. Even when my arms ached I didn't stop, I needed the distraction. My gun was on the ground a few feet from the whole, I found the constant movement had made it dig into me painfully, so I set it down.

"Is it just you and Maggie leavin'?" I asked, I knew the answer. Something in me wanted to know more about it, I wished I could go, if Daryl went maybe I could.

"On the run? Yeah, we should be going soon, just wanted to see what I could get done before. Why? Did you want me to find something for you?"

I shook my head and coughed a bit, dumping a pile of dirt on the ground next to me. After a few minutes of silence, we both noticed Axel and Oscar walking toward us.

Glenn stepped out of the hole to talk to them. "How's the perimeter look?"

"We got the Walkers spread out," Axel waved toward the fence at the far side of the field. "Need help?"

Glenn only turned away, stepping back into the hole. I watched the prisoners out of the corner as I continued to try and loosen more dirt.

Axel crossed his arms, "Your friends, they were . . . they were good folks."

"They were family." Glenn became defensive, I wasn't sure if I'd ever seen him that way.

"I think I had one friend like that my whole life," Oscar regarded, his eyes briefly flickering over to me before going back to Glenn. "You got a whole group, sorry you lost 'em."

Glenn waited a moment then handed his shovel to Oscar, climbing out of the grave again. "I need one more."

I watched in confusion he walked away, leaving me with them. Then I noticed Hershel standing behind the fence, waiting for him. The men didn't hesitate, Oscar began helping me with the grave I was in, while Axel started on the second.

There was something comforting about being around them. They may have been sad, but it was only for the groups benefit, maybe some guilt by association of what happened. But they weren't grieving, I didn't have to be careful and feel awkward about it, sure it was awkward but not in the heavy, confusingly emotional way.

That peaceful feeling of mild comfort evaporated only moments after.

"I wanted to ask you something . . . don't want to freak you out or anything." Oscar spoke in a hushed voice, like he didn't know what to say. I just paused in my movements, watching him, I wondered if it would be about when he called me kiddo. My stomach flipped again with just the thought of it.

"Is your last name Davies?"

My mouth fell open and I could feel my eyes bulging out of my head. Speechless, my head whipped around so quick I felt my bad ear crackle and almost gave myself whiplash.

Oscar held up his palm, looking guilty and somewhat relieved, "Thought I was going crazy, like I said, didn't mean to freak you out. That's it, right? Your name?"

I nodded slowly.

"You wouldn't remember, I think you were, like, four? I used to come by and see your dad."

"Ya know my Daddy?"

"We went to high school together, we were close for a while. After graduation I left town, didn't see him for a long time. Not until after he had you, but we didn't really keep in touch. I think my brother did though, Marcus, you know him?"

Marcus. I felt as if an elastic band had been stretched around my brain and just snapped. Marcus had been the first Walker I'd ever seen. He was the whole reason Daddy decided to leave for Atlanta. After Marcus showed up bitten by a sick person, he became sick and died. Though back then we hadn't known the extent of what was going on.

Recalling my memories from before Daddy left, before the dead started walking, I realised I knew who Oscar was. I didn't remember meeting him, but Daddy talked about him before, him and Marcus, whenever he visited.

I could only stare. In the first time since Daddy left there was someone I knew, just barely, some kind of link to life before. I was in the Carol situation all over again.

I realised I was again caught in a secret, knowing something no one else did. And once again it was on me to give the news, to tell the truth. He wouldn't know about Marcus, having been locked in the cafeteria for almost a year.

"Ye-yesterday," I didn't know why I was stuttering. I felt strangely exposed and nervous. "When ya said ya knew another girl named Toby?"

"You were real little when I last saw you, I wasn't sure. You look like your dad though, sound like him too."

"Oh." A far distance away I could see Daryl striding in our direction across the field.

I tried thinking of something else to say, maybe things to ask but nothing came to mind. I couldn't think of anything I wanted to know about my dad or him.

"Your dad . . ." he hesitated, but I knew he had questions. Everyone always did. "He isn't here."

"He ain't dead," but your brother is. "He just . . . He's not here."

I waited for him to question it. But instead Oscar only nodded, accepting my answer and the fact that I wasn't going to share more.

"Toby!" Daryl's voice rang out. "Let's go! C'mon!"

I could tell he was angry about something, but I was too preoccupied with thoughts of Marcus. Oscar returned my gaze awkwardly, he didn't know what else to say so he gave me a smile. I thought about leaving, I wanted to use Daryl as an excuse to run away, it was perfect timing, he wouldn't have known I was trying to hide something, I would simply be leaving because I was called.

It wasn't that simple. I knew it would follow me, I'd avoid the man like the plague, every time I saw him I would think of it, it would haunt me. Why was it up to me to keep a secret, why did I even have to? Simply because I didn't want to say it?

I remembered when I first met the prisoners, he questioned out loud his worry of his wife and kids. He was in the same situation as me, in the dark about the whereabouts and wellbeing of his family. I could confirm one thing for him, maybe that would be a good thing? It wasn't my business anyway, not my job to keep this secret.

I gripped my hands tight around the shovel, not bothering to do anything but hold it. "Marcus got bit. Daddy tried to help . . . he's dead." I grimaced at my wording.

"Bit," it wasn't a question. Oscar was new to everything still, but he knew what it meant. His voice wavered as he asked. "He was with you?"

I gave a tiny nod as my chest tightened. Daryl called for me again, closer than before.

"I . . ." No words would come to me, I was grateful I had to leave but also unbearingly guilty. Oscar nodded back to me and turned away, no other words or reactions.

I put the shovel down and hurried to Daryl. I need out.

"The hell ya doing down here?" He questioned, reaching my side.

"I was helpin' Glenn," I said evenly. My chest kept getting tighter, it was hard to breathe, but I hid it, keeping my face steady. I had no desire to tell Daryl, not after his reaction to Carol. But it was different, Marcus was a whole other life before, nothing to do with now or the group.

"I told ya I didn't want ya out here." Daryl pushed my shoulder, making me walk a little faster. "Come on, lets get inside. I need to grab Carl, gonna do that sweep in the prison soon."

My mind reeled with some kind of excitement, a job, a task, a distraction. It wasn't the escape I wanted but it was something.

I couldn't get my eyes to settle in one place, too panicked that he would see right through me. "I gotta get my—your knife."

Daryl squinted at me, "what?"

"It's in my cell," I explained, my fingers pulling and twisting on the hem of my shirt.

"You ain't comin'."

"Huh?"

"You're stayin' in the cell block, I'm takin' Carl." Daryl stated. I frowned, stopped in place. Daryl turned around to look at me with his arms crossed.

"I can help too, I'll just be a sec." I didn't get it, I knew he hated waiting on people, but I needed the knife. The hunting knife he gave me was just in my cell, how long did he think that would take?

"No, I don't want you there."

My eyes finally settled onto his, everything in me went still. My plans were shattered and once again I felt lost.

"We got 'nough people comin'. Don't want more out than necessary."

My eyes were fixed on him, staring at him for so long without blinking was making them burn. I couldn't be quiet, my whole body began to tremble, I was panicked and trapped, and angry.

"Why can't I come?! Why do I have to wait in the prison when Carl gets to go?! I can kill Walkers too!" I asked in bursts, flailing my arms towards the prison. I was so frustrated. Even if I wasn't allowed to help clear out the prison, then why wasn't I allowed in the field?

Daryl looked me up and down, unable to comprehend my outburst. "Calm down. It ain't like that. I wanna talk with him 'bout what happened."

"What about me?" My breath came out in quick bursts, as if my lungs were trying to keep the air out of me.

He frowned in confusion. "What about you?"

I knew I'd said the wrong thing, something was wrong with my question. My mind was too scrambled to figure out how. Both my hands went to my scalp and began pulling my hair.

"Toby, this ain't 'bout you, or killin' Walkers. I wanna talk with him alone. I don't need ya in the way, and you freakin' out just proves that."

"Proves what?" I couldn't understand his wording, I didn't want to. I could feel tears burning to escape, so I turned away, eyeing the fence.

"The kid just lost his mom, Toby." I hated it when he used my name so much, as if using it would make everything make sense. "'sides, you aren't the most empathetic kid."

What does that even mean?! I practically screamed inside my head. I pulled harder at my roots, welcoming the pain in my scalp. I hoped it would ground me, keep me in control, and remind me that I was being bad.

"We can go huntin'." I could hear the begging in my voice.

"What? No."

"We can walk! Just outside, Or I can just stay out here, there's fences." I negotiated, my brain picking up all sorts of ideas, anything close to what I wanted.

"No! We ain't goin' anywhere for a while. We got shit to do here. And I don't want you out here with them." He pointed to Axel and Oscar.

"T-Dog said they were stayin'."

"That don't mean shit to me." Daryl turned away angrily, striding toward the building. "Don't trust 'em, not yet. Not for you to be alone with 'em."

"I can go on the run with Glenn. I can even just stay in the car."

"The hell? No. The fuck is with you?"

"I don't want to be here!" I yelled at him, feeling as if it was the only way he would hear me. People died yesterday, the place wasn't safe, why were we trying to pretend it was?

Daryl put his hands in front of him, he seemed visibly calmer already. It wasn't what I expected, I thought he would yell back, get mad at me. "This is what we got. This is it. This is all we got, there's nothing else out there. We're gonna make this work. We have to."

Daryl yanked the door open, holding it for me. I glared at him before complying.

"Go to your . . ." He sighed, "go to your cell. Stay there. Go calm down or do whatever. Stay in the block."

We both stood still in the dark empty hallway. I kept trying to think of options, anything he would agree to.

"If ya see Carl, tell him to get ready. I'll be there in a few. We'll talk later." He said as we walked, I didn't say anything, I wrapped my arms around myself, squeezing my sides. Daryl turned down another hallway, opposite to where I was headed.

After a few moments, I halted in place. I glanced behind me, the way I'd come, then forward, toward the cell block. With Daryl's absence, I felt suddenly calmer, somehow confident in an odd sense. "No."

I turned back, headed back to the door we'd come from. When I got back to the door leading outside, I opened it and jumped in surprise, running right into Glenn.

"Oh, hey," he said, his hand was holding the handle of a large black duffle bag. "I was just about to go get Maggie. Actually, can you go get her? Just tell her I'll be in the car, I want to put the bag in."

I didn't know where it came from, why I said it, all I wanted to do was leave, I couldn't stop staring at the large bag. Just as Glenn turned in the opposite direction, I stopped him, "I dunno where she is."

"Should just be in the cell block."

"I was just there," I lied swiftly. "Didn't see her."

"Oh," he frowned, thinking it over. "You know where she might be?"

I shrugged, "Daryl says I'm only allowed in the courtyard and cell block. So I can't look."

"Right, okay, no worries." He moved to go past me, but I stepped in his way.

"I'll take the bag."

"Huh?"

"I'll take it," I repeated, clenching my hands anxiously. "To the car, while you get her. The red one right?"

"Uh yeah," he said hesitantly, releasing the bag as I took it from his hand quickly. "Yeah, the SUV. Thanks. Careful, it's a bit heavy."

I nodded and carried the handle with both hands and hurried away from him. My breathing went quick. What am I doing?

I knew what I was doing, I even knew why. But I didn't understand it. My eyes darted around a lot as I made my way to the vehicle, I didn't see anyone else other than the prisoners far in the field. At the car, I opened the back door and heaved the somewhat heavy bag onto the back seat. Unzipping the bag, I examined the contents before taking everything out. There was an extra knife buckled in a sheath, two cans of food and huge bolt cutters.

They usually took extra food on runs in case of emergencies. Looking around to confirm no one was looking, I took it all out of the back and put it on the floor on the other side of the car, behind the driver's seat where they wouldn't really look. Hopefully.

I lifted myself into the car and shut the door behind me. Looking out the window, I was sure that no one had seen me, if they did, they would come running and ask what I was doing. I lowered myself to the floor behind the passenger seat, bringing the bag down with me to drape the open part over myself. I turned in a few different positions, trying to cover myself fully, but not make it obvious the bag was open if one of them were to check. The bag was large, I'd probably be able to fit myself in the whole bag and be able to close it, while still having lots of space.

I realised too late that I didn't have my gun. I could picture it perfectly on the ground next to the graves. I sighed in irritation, I didn't even have a knife. As annoyed as I was at myself, it wasn't that bad, they always brought extra weapons on runs.

I tried to keep as quiet as possible when I heard the familiar voices of Glenn and Maggie near the car. There was a moment of silence as they opened the doors, sat down.

"I don't know why Toby said she didn't see you," I heard Glenn say first.

"I don't know," Maggie answered, "I didn't see her either, maybe we just missed each other."

The ignition switched on, and I felt the car begin to move. "Maybe."

I shifted my legs a bit, slowly pushing the bag off my body. I pushed myself upright in a more comfortable sitting position and leant my head back, stretching my shoulders and back.

"What if we don't find formula?"

"We go somewhere else. There isn't much in this area but we can check some places. If not we go back and plan for a bigger run tomorrow, go further. I have a good feeling though."

"Oh, yeah? And why's that?"

I saw him shrug with one shoulder, turning his head to her slightly, "I can't imagine a lot of people storing up, or searching for formula, mostly food and water. It'll be fine."

"Why do babies need formula?"

I'd barely gotten the question out when Glenn screamed, his head turning to me so quick that his arms jerked the steering wheel and he veered in the wrong direction.

I was thrown back and my head hit the window as he gained back control of the car, I'd even heard the tires screech loudly against the cement.

"Toby! What are you doing?!" Maggie yelled when the car straightened out.

"I didn't know ya'd freak out!" I rubbed the sore spot on my head and sat up straight, both of them were looking at me with wild eyes.

"We didn't even know you were back there!" She shot back, her chest rising and falling quickly.

That was the point.

"What . . ." Glenn looked lost as he peered around the back, as if checking for someone else before turning back to the road. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to come," I explained calmly. I felt my hands go clammy, a bit nervous of their reaction. I kept my face blank and my tone neutral, not wanting them to see the guilt and regret I felt.

Maggie sighed, then said the words I'd been dreading. "We need to go back."

"Waste of gas," I said quickly and coolly. I made a point of looking around, masking the anxiety of my failed plan. "we're already pretty far."

I'd planned for that, I knew better then to show myself right outside of the prison, they would have just turned around. I purposely waited until I thought we were far enough.

"We don't have a lot," Glenn considered, looking at the meter.

"We have the siphon packed, we were going to get more gas today anyway."

"What if we can't get much, or any at all?"

Maggie sighed again and threw her head back against the car seat. He was right, some days on the road we were very lucky for gas, other days there was practically nothing. And gas wasn't the priority that day, we couldn't afford to waste it.

"Let's go, we don't have a lot of time today," Maggie turned and pointed at me, "you're staying in the car."

No I'm not. I argued in my head, not bothering to say anything out loud.

"Daryl's going to kill me. He's going to kill me, let me turn, and then kill me all over again."

I raised my eyebrows, amused by Glenn's panic, "will ya stop? Everyones busy, distracted. I bet he won't even know I'm gone."

"And when we get back? Then what?" Maggie quizzed, I could tell by the tone of her voice she didn't expect me to have an answer.

"I'll stay in the car 'til no ones lookin'."

I saw Glenn's expression soften to one of consideration in the rearview mirror. I felt myself relax, sure that I'd won and they weren't taking me back.

"Glenn!" Maggie scolded his silence.

"What? I want to live."

"Ugh," she groaned. "You're so dramatic. You're both being ridiculous."

I felt myself smile slightly, she wasn't going to fight on it anymore. "This is the only bad thing I've done." I explained to her, feeling a bit guilty. "I mean . . . if this is bad. Honestly the lines have been kinda blurred lately. Seriously, what's Daryl gonna do? Beat me?"

"No, but he's going to beat me." Glenn grumbled.

"It's bad, Toby. You can't pull stuff like this, never again. You hear me?"

I nodded and put my head down. I'd never been scolded by her before. I didn't like that she was angry with me, I usually didn't like anyone being upset with me, but Maggie especially.

It was annoying how much her opinion mattered to me, she was one of the only people that really got me to care. It sucked. If I felt more neutral to her like I did Glenn, or disliked her like I did Rick, it would be easier, and I wouldn't have felt like a jerk.

"We're here," Maggie announced as the car slowed to a stop. She hopped out and held her gun ready, searching for any threats. Glancing out the window to her side, I didn't see anything.

Glenn opened my door, grabbing the bag. Just as he was about to close it, I put my hand on the window to hold it open and climbed out.

I heard him sigh as he turned away, but he didn't do anything.

"Clear outside," Maggie informed and walked around the front of the car. "I told you to stay in the car."

"It's clear."

I turned back towards the car and leaned across the ground to grab the spare knife in a sheaf, making sure I had at least some kind of protection.

I watched her contemplate it, glancing from the building back to the car. In the end she shook her head and did nothing, just like Glenn.

"What do we do?" He leaned over and asked her in a hushed voice. Not only was he horrible at whispering, I wasn't far enough away for any secrets. I rolled my eyes and walked toward the building, trying to see into the dirty windows.

"Gotta pick your battles, you learn that when living with teenagers."

I ignored what Maggie said, not understanding. I used my sleeve to rub the dirt off the windows, though it didn't do much.

"Hey," I heard Maggie.

I glanced over just in time to see her lean in and touch her lips with his. I crinkled my nose in disgust and looked away again.

"It's a beautiful day," she said as they went to the door. My eyes went to the debris and trash that littered the ground. After Glenn grabbed the bolt cutters and cut the chain, Maggie and I jumped in surprise as birds flew out the door and over our head.

All three of us were gasping in fear, I felt embarrassed and stupid. Maggie let out a small laugh and Glenn went in. I attempted to go in after him but Maggie pulled me back, telling me to wait.

"It's clear in here, no Walkers. I don't smell anything." Glenn said after a few minutes.

"Glenn, get that duck." Magie was pointing her flashlight into the building. I turned around to the parking lot, still no Walkers.

"What?"

"Get that duck."

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah, a kid growing up in a prison could use some toys."

It took me a few moments to realise they were talking about the baby. I tried to picture it as that, a kid, but I couldn't. I couldn't imagine it having a bigger head, or walking, or having hair.

"I remember when Beth was little," Maggie spoke again, when I looked at her I realised she was speaking to me. "she had this blue bear, well some of it was purple, but mostly blue. She called it Blueberry, not the most original name, but she loved it. Carried that thing everywhere, Mom couldn't even get it away from her long enough to wash it. She carried it until about the time she was your age. I was like that, the only difference was I didn't carry it for as long . . . and mine was a chicken."

"A chicken?" I echoed.

"Yep, well not a real one. Cluckers. What about you? Have anything like that?"

I shook my head. I thought about my duck on the shelf in my cell, but didn't feel like bringing it up. "No, I didn't have a bear or chicken. Didn't really play with toys."

"I believe that, I can't really picture you playing with Barbies. Beth had some Barbies, I had two or three. I mostly stuck with Polly Pockets. Did you play with anything like that?"

"No. Me and Daddy just went campin' and huntin' lots. He taught me how to make arrows, snares. How to sharpen a knife. He tried teachin' me to shoot but I sucked."

"You're better now, I've seen."

I just shrugged it off. I was better, but still pretty bad. "We just stuck with a bow and arrow, and my slingshot."

Afraid she'd ask more questions, I entered the darkness of the building without approval. Glenn was holding a red shopping basket, a few items already thrown in.

"You can look around that area," Glenn pointed to one side of the room. "Go through the aisles, see what you find, I'll look over there."

I did as I was told, excited and relieved to be given a job. I went down the closest aisle, kicking around useless garbage and checking the shelves.

"We just hit the powdered formula jackpot!" I heard Glenn call out a few minutes later.

"Oh, thank God." Maggie replied.

"Also got some beans, cocktail weiners, many mustards. It's a straight shot back to the prison from here, probably make it in time for dinner."

Bending down to the floor, I picked up the package I'd found. "Hey, I found batteries! We need those?"

"Grab them!" Glenn yelled back.

"I like the quiet . . ." Maggie's voice faded as they left the shop. I'd already walked down all the aisles but I looked around one last time.

I'd only found the pack of batteries and a notebook. The notebook had been used by someone, when I flipped through it I found that most of the pages had been written on, but there were still plenty of blank pages. I didn't know if anyone could use it, sometimes the group liked to make notes on supplies that were needed, or write down plans for runs. If no one else could use it, Carl might, he liked to draw and write.

I felt my shoulders sag in disappointment, no other finds meant the trip was over, Glenn and Maggie were already outside at the car. I paused at the door and tilted my head, the basket Glenn had was on the ground, just outside the door. It was filled with large cans that I assumed were formula and a few other things.

Before I could walk out to look for them, my whole body turned to ice at Maggie's urgent yell.

"Hey, back the hell up!"

"Okay, okay, honey. Jesus!" A voice replied, exasperated but excited.

I found myself quickly kneeling down and dropping my items, including the knife in the sheaf. My heart was pounding in my chest. I was afraid to be spotted through the windows, but one look and I knew no one would see me through them. I thought about peeking out the door, getting closer, trying to get some clue as to what the situation was, but I couldn't move, I couldn't even breathe.

Before the prisoners, the last strangers we'd encountered almost killed me, maybe even everyone else. Strangers were bad, even though Axel and Oscar could be okay, the other prisoners hadn't been. As elated as I was earlier that there were no Walkers around, I would have preferred them.

"You made it," I could just barely hear Glenn as he breathed the words out.

My chest tightened and I let out my breath slowly, before holding it again, scared of making any kind of sound.

"Can you tell me, is my brother alive?"

Brother?

I tilted my head to the side, directing my good ear toward the door, not wanting to miss a word. There was something about the voice, but my fear was too distracting to concentrate on it.

I breathed in a little, letting myself exhale and inhale in a constricted way. I could feel the way I was breathing causing strain and irritation in my throat. I tried to relax, to ease it, I desperately wanted to clear my throat.

"Yeah." Glenn said after a very long pause.

"Hey. You take me to him and I'll call it even on everythin' that happened up there in Atlan'a. No hard feelin's, huh?"

After everything being said, it was very easy to figure out who this person was. But that wasn't it for me, not the brother, not Atlanta, I didn't need those hints. The voice was so obvious, so distinct I had to wonder why I hadn't gotten it right away.

I straightened up a bit, but stayed low out of caution as I stepped closer to the door. With the door open, I was able to use it as a sort of cover. I wanted to run out and see for myself, but I didn't believe it, after so long, so much doubt, was he really alive?

Though my breathing was controlled and more regular, the irritation in my throat grew, as if the regular act of breathing was more difficult then the strained way I'd been doing it before. It burned so bad I raised a hand to rub my throat, but it only made it worse.

"We'll tell Daryl you're here and he'll come out to meet you." Glenn said firmly.

The panic in Merle's face was obvious as he began to come closer, "Hold up, just hold up."

Glenn is pushing me backward closer to the car, "whoa, whoa-"

"-Hold up here, hold up!"

I started coughing. I was still behind the door where they couldn't see me, but I knew they could hear me. The cough escalated into a somewhat short fit, it definitely didn't hurt as much as it used to. Once it calmed, and my throat had expelled the phlegm from my throat to my mouth, I knew my cover was blown.

I stepped out from the door into the open. Glenn had his back to me standing near the hood of the car, his gun drawn forward but very quickly glanced at me before turning back. Maggie was on the other side of the car, gun drawn as well, though she didn't look at me.

Merle was standing several feet away from all of us, and although I'd heard him talking I couldn't believe what I was seeing. My stomach did a flip in excitement and disbelief. A man we'd long thought to be dead, or gone forever, had just suddenly appeared.

Merle had both arms raised in the air, he looked taller and thinner than I remembered. There was some kind of cloth or piece of clothing dangling over his right arm with some kind of blade or knife sticking out the end. His nose was bloody from the bridge, trailing all down his chin, though he kept grinning widely, as if he didn't notice.

I gathered the phlegm out and spat to my side. "Sorry," I murmured awkwardly.

"Holy shit!" Merle exclaimed, staring at me with wide eyes. "Now, ain't you a sight."

My excitement was battling with my confusion, it took me a moment to remember that Maggie didn't know him, she wasn't around before and I wasn't sure anyone had ever mentioned Merle. That explained her apprehension and guarded stance, but not Glenn's. I could understand the surprise, maybe even taking the time to process that this was no random stranger, but they made no move to lower their guns.

"Toby," Glenn said, his eyes never leaving Merle. "Get back inside, now."

"Wait, wait, now hold up a sec!" Merle's smile disappeared for only a moment as he shuffled closer, which really ticked off Glenn.

"Whoa, back up!"

Merle stopped and smiled again, shaking his head, "C'mon! Can you blame me? I figured you all for dead! Put the guns down, let's just talk!"

"There's nothing to talk about. I told you what to do."

"Glenn?" I questioned, hoping he would just provide an answer to what was going on. I tried to think back, figure it out for myself. I knew something happened in Atlanta, Merle and the group fought, but Merle was always fighting someone.

"C'mere, darlin', let ol' Merle take a look at ya."

I hadn't realised I was even walking until Glenn's arm reached out to stop me, his other hand still aiming the gun, "stop."

I barely heard him, but stayed in place his hand over my chest, I was too distracted by Atlanta. I remembered the handcuffs, what Daryl had said about Merle's hand.

Merle seemed to notice my gaze, glancing at his right arm with pride, "that?" He shook his arm and the cloth fell to his elbow, revealing a long knife attached to some kind of metal wrapped around the end of his arm, secured with leather buckles. "You like that? Yeah. Well, I found myself a medical supply warehouse. Fixed it up myself."

"You made that?" I asked.

"Yep. Pretty cool, huh?"

I nodded in response, completely fascinated.

"Tell me where my brother is, girlie. You guys hauled up at some warehouse?"

I opened my mouth but Maggie spoke before I did, "Toby, go to the car."

I glanced behind me, "we're at the car."

"Get in the car." She corrected, anger and fear, lacing her voice.

Merle chuckled, "c'mon now, she don't need to go anywhere. Just take me to my brother."

Glenn tapped my chest, pushing me back a step. "Stay here, Daryl will come meet you."

"Hey, the fact that we found each other is a miracle! C'mon, now. You can trust me."

"You trust us. You stay here."

Merle smiled again, but it wasn't the same as before. Before it was obvious excitement, a big toothy grin. Instead, his lips were pressed together as his expression hardened.

"You know me," Merle said, glancing at me, "c'mon, lil' girlie, tell 'em."

I pulled away from Glenn, frustrated and lost, "what're you doing? It's Merle."

"Toby, get back here." Maggie demanded as I stepped backward toward Merle.

"It's Daryl's brother!" My voice cracked, though I didn't bother to try and clear my throat, much too caught up in trying to make sense of the situation. "Glenn, what the hell? Tell her."

"Yeah, Glenn, go on," Merle chimed in, "tell her."

Glenn seemed defeated as he looked down at me, opening his mouth to finally answer and explain.

He never got the chance. Glenn called out and shoved me down to the ground as a gun fired and glass shattered. I yelped and put my hands over my head in fear.

I heard gasping and yelling, but stayed on the ground with my forehead to the cement.

"Hold up, buddy, hold up!"

"Let go of her, let go of her!"

I cringed at the raised voices and finally lifted my head. Glenn was standing a few feet away, his gun drawn at Merle.

"Put that gun in the car right now. Put it in the car, son."

I watched Glenn backup and place the gun through the newly broken back windshield. My heart began to pound in fear all over again. Merle was on the ground, holding Maggie with a gun to her head.

"There ya go." Merle praised. "Now we're gonna go for a little drive."

I felt my pulse quicken as I sat up, my palms digging into the rough cement. I just watched Glenn fearfully with his hands up, unsure if I wanted to start screaming or crying.

I don't get it, I don't get it. What the hell? What the fuck?

"We're not going back to our camp." Glenn said.

"No, we're goin' somewhere else."

"Get in the car, Glenn!" Merle shouted and I jumped. "You're drivin'!"

Glenn hesitated, backing away slowly, "please, don't."

"Move!"

Glenn's shoulders sagged and he obeyed, walking passed me with a look of horror.

"Glenn?" I whimpered, my entire body shaking.

Glenn continued to walk around the car to the drivers side, "just do what he says."

I stayed on the ground and watched Merle force Maggie to her feet, his gun pressed against her side. He walked her over to the front of the car.

His gaze trailed back over to me. "Kid, get over 'ere."

I forced myself to my knees with a grunt, and then to my feet. As I neared the car, Merle moved the aim of his gun to point at me instead.

"Get in," he demanded, turning to Maggie.

She did as he said, turning around and climbing in the front next to Glenn. Merle gestured for me to open the back door to climb in. When I did he climbed inside, telling me to get in next to him. I climbed in, reaching over to close the door and sat back in the seat. I swallowed anxiously as he reached his right arm over my shoulders to hold the knife at my throat.

"Drive," he ordered, glancing up at Glenn.

Glenn leaned forward in his seat to switch on the ignition, and the car rumbled to life. A moment later we were moving. We pulled out of the parking lot, and started driving down the road, following Merle's directions on where to go.

I wasn't sure how long we had actually been on the road. I couldn't assume it was more than ten minutes, but it felt like hours. I looked up and met Glenn's eyes in the rear view mirror, giving him almost a pleading look.

"You're not going to hurt her," Glenn stated in a demand. "You're not going to kill a kid."

"Maybe not," Merle gave a shrug, lifting the gun to point it at the back of Maggie's head, "this any better for ya?"

Glenn silenced himself immediately.

I looked down at my lap, trying to ignore the blade that was inches away from my throat. I kept my mouth shut, distracted by the questions that were racing around my head.

Where are we going? Why did he take us? Is he going to kill someone?

"Glenn?" I hoped Glenn would understand my questioning tone. He didn't answer me, but glanced back in the rear view mirror. His stare was somewhere between fear and anger, but I couldn't tell which it was.

Merle shifted in his head, facing me a little more. "Tell her you're shittin' your pants cause you left me for dead. You were an asshole back there."

"We came back for you," Glenn snapped quickly.

"Ain't you thoughtful?" Merle sneered sarcastically. "I just wanted to know where my brother is, you caused this. You could've just told me."

Glenn went quiet again, and Merle let out a chuckle at his silence.

I looked down again, my eyes focused on the floor.

Merle must've noticed my nervousness, because when he spoke next he was talking to me. "C'mon now, kid. Ya don't gotta be scared of ol' Merle. We had good times back in that camp, remember? I taught ya how to throw those knives, have ya been practicin'?"

I didn't answer. I was shocked that he even remembered that, let alone was saying anything about it.

Merle continued talking. "What 'bout that time ya jumped off tha' ol' man's trailer, made Glenn piss himself. Gotta remember that."

I wanted to smile at that. The memory came creeping in, and I remembered how hard Dale and Glenn laughed.

I kept my posture stiff, flinching at any movement and every bump in the road, knowing full well things weren't like before. I wasn't sure how, I was missing so many pieces to the puzzle, but I wasn't in any position to get answers.

We pulled up in front of some large gates and walls, and the car slowed to a stop.

"Keep quiet." Merle whispered to me. He then turned to Glenn and Maggie, "Get out an' put you're hands up, both of ya."

They obeyed, standing up and holding their hands above their shoulders.

"State your business here!" I heard a male's voice demand.

Merle removed his arm from around me and scooched over to open his door. He moved his gun to point at Glenn as he exited the car.

"It's Dixon!"

"Shumpert, clear the streets!"

Merle leaned down to look at me still sitting in the car. "Get out, keep ya hands up."

I nodded, and climbed out of the car.

Two of the men made their way down the gate with a ladder. Once they were on our level, they pointed the guns at Glenn and Maggie, forcing them against the wall.

I stood in place beside the car, holding my hands up extra high, though I kept my hands clenched into fists, as if it would hide the shaking.

Another man I hadn't noticed made his way down from the wall strode over to me, a very long gun in his hands, though he wasn't pointing it at me. His hair was shaven and he had some dark stubble along his cheeks and mouth, his skin was a bit darker than mine, looking more like Guillermo.

"Got any guns, honey?" The guy questioned in a soft voice.

I shook my head.

"Alright, I just gotta check. Against the wall, right there." He pointed next to Maggie. I walked over slowly, glancing at Merle who was speaking to one of the men, but I didn't hear what he was saying.

I put my hands against the wall like Maggie did. The man violently kicked her legs apart and she groaned, I watched him squeeze her limbs and pat down all around, looking for any kind of weapon I assumed.

I jumped when the man behind me touched my arm, "not gonna hurt you, just have to check."

He patted me around gently, feeling around my waist, "turn around."

I did what he said and he patted around again, his face was calm and for some reason I felt a bit better, maybe somewhat safer. He knelt down in front of me, gently tapping at the top of my jeans to check for a weapon. He also patted just above my ankles, before standing back up, "there we go."

Merle grasped my bicep to lead me away. "I got this one."

Maggie's eyes went wide at his words, and without hesitation she'd pushed herself off the wall in distress.

She was able to get a grip onto my sleeve while yelling, "No! Let her go! Stop!"

The man searching her yanked her back, pinning her hard against the wall, causing an outburst from Glenn.

"You're hurting her!" Glenn screamed at them and I winced. Maggie's expression did look pained, her cheek smooshed hard against the metal wall.

I furrowed my eyebrows in concern, while Maggie kept eye contact with me, eyes flooding with tears. I wanted to yell, to run over and push the man away. I even opened my mouth, but didn't have the courage to get anything out.

Keep quiet.

Merle continued to pull me away while I watched them pull Maggie's hands behind her back and tie them with some kind of rope.

Something dropped over my head and I was blinded by darkness. I moved my head around, the material rough against my cheeks. It was some kind of bag, possibly, it was large and left a lot of space around my head, but blocked out any light.

"I don't gotta tie ya, do I?" Merle asked quietly.

I almost shook my head but realised he may not notice with whatever was on my head, though I couldn't find the words to answer him. Why would he tie me up? Why are they tying any of us up?

Merle didn't say anything else as we walked, he seemed to take my silence as an affirmative,

My head was flooded with questions, only to be snuffed out by Merle's earlier instruction.

Where are we?

Keep quiet.

Why are we here?

Keep quiet.

Who are these people?

Keep quiet.

What are they doing to us?

Keep quiet. Keep quiet.

MERLE!

Happy valentines day! Everyone welcome back our favourite redneck, it's only been a few years. Toby finally had her first act of rebellion, and it didn't turn out too well. Do you think she'll pull anything like this again? What do you guys think of a Merle and T-Dog reunion? What do you think would happen?

Bobbie helped out once again with this one.

Hope you enjoyed this long awaited chapter, leave a review and let me know what you think - Penn

P.S. Merle is very annoying to write with one hand - Love from Bobbie