A Town Called Woodbury

PRISON

Daryl placed his crossbow on the table and nodded at Beth who was holding the baby.

"How'd it go?" T-Dog asked.

Daryl shrugged, cracking and popping his knuckles, "fine, took out a few. Need to do a sweep of the bodies later, it's a mess. How's your foot?"

"Mild sprain, it's better already."

"Stay off your feet and it will be even better tomorrow," Hershel piped in.

Daryl glanced at the baby without moving his head, eyeing its scrunched face and flailing arms before leaving to the cell block.

What they had done, but Daryl didn't bring up, was collect Jimmy's and Lori's bodies. Though he was sure they knew about it. After sweeping the area and taking out Walkers, Daryl sent Carl back to the cell block without saying why. But the boy had given him a long look. Daryl was sure he knew too.

Daryl, Oscar, and Guillermo collected and wrapped Jimmy and Lori before placing them outside, awaiting the burial. Axel hadn't finished the last grave so Oscar went to help.

After walking up the steps, Daryl carefully placed his crossbow on the floor before dropping onto Toby's mattress, not caring enough to step over onto his. Draping his arm over his eyes to block out the light, Daryl tried to rest, just for a few minutes.

It had been hard to quiet his mind the whole day, reeling with thoughts of what to do, how to do it, taking care of the baby, of Toby, of Carl, everyone. Then there was Rick.

Daryl sighed, still unable to clear his mind from the business of tasks. He'd hoped to get a read on Carl, to really check on him while they cleared the tombs. Daryl wasn't sure if Carl was acting too normal, he was sad, but not crying, quiet, but not distant. Should he be more upset? Should he carry on normal things?

What's even normal anymore?

Daryl needed to check on Toby next. He should have first but felt he needed time to process what to say and how to help her. She'd been trapped in a terrible position, locked up with a dying man. He hadn't wanted to lessen what she'd been through, but Daryl needed to be sure Carl wasn't in any kind of danger. The kid watched his mother being torn open before having to shoot her, then his father . . .

Daryl remembered the dark, horrible places his mind went after his own mother died, he'd never even seen the body and wasn't sure if he'd ever liked the woman. He couldn't imagine the comparison with Carl.

Daryl was exhausted but so energetic with everything needing to be done. That was why he pushed Toby off, not feeling proud of it, and knew she'd probably taken his words too literally when they'd spoken. Daryl just needed a bit of space from her to get things done, lessen the load in his mind so he could actually be helpful to her, instead of losing his temper like he'd end up doing anyway.

Five minutes. He told himself, just five minutes and get back to it.

But what next? Was it time to check on Toby, talk to her about what happened? If she ever wanted to. Or would it be time to bury the bodies, to have another funeral? Or would they want to get the Walkers cleared out and check a fifth time for breaches? Or was it time to check on Rick, be sure he hadn't gotten himself killed or just plain killed himself?

The loud sounds of metal creaking and clanging roused Daryl from rest. He blinked rapidly and stood to examine the area. He was the only one around. Daryl felt relieved, not wanting anyone to see how tired he was, the others needed more rest than he did, he shouldn't have been lying around.

He heard some footsteps and voices, knowing the sounds had been the door. After leaving the cell block and looking into the room where most of the group was sitting or talking, all attention was directed to the two men in prison jumpsuits.

Keeping his distance while eyeing them suspiciously, Daryl wondered if they were there to offer condolences yet again. He'd only parted with Oscar a short while before, after they'd placed the bodies outside ready to be buried. As much as he was sure they wouldn't be a problem, Daryl still didn't trust them.

Axel was leaning against the wall with crossed arms by the entrance, observing and waiting. Oscar however was standing at the table where Hershel and T-Dog were sitting. Daryl's eyes narrowed as he noticed the gun Oscar was placing on the table.

"What're you doin' with that?" He snapped while stomping over to snatch the gun, causing the others to look his way. Daryl quickly glanced behind him to check Toby wouldn't see. The last thing anyone needed was one of her tantrums.

"He was returning it," T-Dog answered. "Got left outside."

"Where you were diggin'?" Daryl examined the gun, noticing the dirt on it. Toby always kept it spotless.

Oscar nodded, "I didn't notice it earlier. Axel found it."

"I wasn't sure who it belonged to," Axel said.

"It's Toby's," T-Dog confirmed and glanced at Daryl. "You wanna bring it to her? Or maybe just put it in her cell to find?"

Daryl considered it. T-Dog knew just as well what would happen if Toby saw anyone holding her gun. Anytime someone had touched it or even tried to, she'd thrown an all-out shit-fit, as Daryl called it.

Before deciding, he'd realized T-Dog's wording, "she in her cell?"

"I don't think so. I haven't seen her. Didn't she go with you?"

"No, told her we had 'nough people, sent her back here before we went."

"I saw her go outside with Glenn this mornin'," Beth said, she'd been pacing around the room with the baby in her arms. "Maybe she's just gettin' some air?"

Daryl shook his head, "I sent her in before he left."

"But that was some time ago," Hershel supplied. "She could have gone back outside."

"But you haven't seen her at all?" Daryl's suspicions rose, though they all stayed calm and cool.

"That girl is a mouse," Hershel gave a small smile.

T-Dog lowered his head to hide his smirk, chuckling quietly, "you don't notice her until she squeaks."

Daryl smacked his arm.

"Hey!"

Hershel shook his head at them, "She's quiet, likes her space, she could have come in here and left without anyone the wiser. We have had our hands full keeping her calm." He motioned to Beth and the baby.

"We only got her to settle before you got back. I think she's just tired, but she won't sleep." Beth said.

"She's still got food right?" Daryl's attention shifted for a moment. "She eatin'?"

"Oh yes," Hershel assured. "There is enough for a day or two, she's eaten. Bring her here," Beth walked over and carefully placed the wrapped bundle in Hershel's arms.

"Should I mix more formula?" Beth asked.

"No, she's fine for now."

Daryl gave Oscar a glance, not missing the way the man avoided his eyes. Daryl turned and made his way into the cell block without another word, wondering what made Toby leave her gun behind, especially outside.

Everyone's attention was stolen by Rick slowly opening the door. The group nearly gaped at him, he was covered in blood, sweat, and dirt. His eyes were wide and he barely blinked, his expression was lost, haunted.

As Rick entered the room, Daryl exited into the cell block. He wanted to check on his friend, to watch the sudden reappearance, but he did not want to be another face gawking. Everyone would be staring, unsure of what to say and what to do, Daryl wouldn't be a part of it.

Passing the cells, Daryl caught a glimpse of Carl, sitting alone on a bunk. He paused for a moment, thinking of something to say.

"Yer dad's here," He chose. Carl only nodded, but didn't move. Daryl frowned but turned away, leaving the boy and going up the steps.

On the second floor of the cells, Daryl turned left and walked to the very last one that Toby claimed for herself. She would use it to escape from the others and store her belongings, but never to sleep.

Even though T-Dog claimed he hadn't seen her, Daryl was sure she would just be hiding in the cell. The cell was empty save for the plush duck on the shelf, her backpack peeking out from under the bed, and a tube of glue on the desk. Placing the gun on the desk, he wondered about the glue, but the thought was gone quickly, replaced by wonderings of her whereabouts.

Daryl sighed, a bit annoyed but not angry. He's wanted to make sure she was safe, to take some time to relax after the horrific events. Of course, she wanted to do anything but that, causing Daryl to overreact. Why can't she just listen?

She was acting out, hiding, avoiding him, and he didn't blame her. She was probably doing the exact opposite of what she was told and sitting outside. After leaving the gun, Daryl glanced in every cell he passed, checking for Toby. When he was down the stairs he stopped at the cell Carl was in.

"I was lookin' for Toby, ya seen her?"

Carl shook his head.

"When was the last time you saw her?" Daryl wasn't actually that worried, even if he knew where she was hiding he was planning on giving her space until she came around. Daryl just didn't know what to say to Carl, but didn't want to leave him alone.

"This morning, I guess. Why?" Carl looked at him finally.

"Gotta make sure she takes her meds soon. Think she's hidin' somewhere, reckon she's right pissed at me."

"Why?"

"She wanted to go with Glenn and Maggie. Told her no."

"Do you want me to find her?"

Daryl thought it over and shook his head, "She just doesn't want to be bothered, best to just wait 'til she's ready to come out."

"Is my dad still here?"

Daryl took a step back and glanced through the doorway, all he could hear from the others was footsteps, no one was speaking. That was answer enough. "Yeah."

Carl looked at Daryl again, biting his lip in contemplation.

"Come on, you should see him. I know he wants to see you."

After hesitating a moment, Carl finally stood and walked out of the cell block with Daryl. Daryl felt both relief and surprise at the sight of Rick holding his baby.

Rick kissed the infant on her forehead before hugging her closely. "Hey," he smiled at the sight of Carl, tears in his eyes. Carl hugged his father, and Rick returned the gesture with one arm, squeezing the boy into his side.

"Let's take a walk," Rick said quietly, still smiling.

A few moments later, Daryl, Beth, Hershel, Rick and Carl were opening the door to go outside. Daryl waited patiently behind Hershel, who struggled with the crutches going down the steps.

"I'm all right," Hershel said when Daryl offered to help.

"She looks like you," Rick chuckled and smiled at Carl. Carl smiled back and adjusted his hat. Rick looked away and was silent. Everyone but Carl was behind them, giving the family their space. "Daryl." Rick said suddenly, "come here."

Daryl obeyed while Rick slowly handed the baby to Carl.

"Hey, just—you got her?" He said while Carl was sure to hold the baby's head.

"Yeah."

"Alright. Okay."

Daryl followed Rick away from the others, taking several steps to the edge of the courtyard.

"You see that?" Rick was staring out into the yard.

Daryl's eyebrows furrowed, searching the yard, "no."

Rick began walking down the hill and pointed, "there."

"What . . . Is that a . . .?" Daryl's words trailed off as his eyes followed Rick's finger. He even squinted, trying to confirm what he was seeing, just outside their fence.
Without another word, Daryl followed Rick, regretting that he'd left his crossbow inside.

The woman stared back at them. A bloodstain covered the majority of her shirt, and they realized that it must have been Walker blood. She was holding a bright, orange shopping basket in her hand, filled with all different items, but the first one Rick noticed was baby formula. A strap came across her chest, holding up the sheath over her back.

Both men kept quiet as if them speaking would give her position away to the Walkers surrounding her.

Her hand she was using to grip the fence dropped to the top of her thigh, where they noticed another bloodstain on her jeans. But this was fresh, not dried up like the one covering her torso. Rick tried inspecting for a bite, but he couldn't get a good look from where he was behind the fence. She brought her hand back up, using the fence to steady herself. The blood from her fingers got on the fence, and the Walker next to her turned its head.

It knew.

The woman hobbled backwards, dropping the basket and pulling the sword from her sheaf. All the walkers turned away from the men behind the fence and started towards her. She stepped forwards, stabbing one of the corpses through the head.

"We should help her," Neither of the men noticed Tyreese until he spoke. He was standing under the watchtower, next to the gate that led outside. None of them answered him, but both men started making their way to where he was.

Tyreese watched the woman walk backwards. She swung the sword around, slicing straight through one of the Walkers' necks. Its head fell on the ground as the others advanced closer. She plunged the blade into the next Walker's chest and used the leverage to kick it away. She hobbled backward again but tripped over her own feet as she tried to get away from the next two bodies.

Before they could get a bite in, Tyreese raised his gun and shot the two of them down.

"Ty!" Rick yelled as he neared the gate. "The keys!"

He obliged, throwing the keys to his father who fought with the padlock. Daryl waited for Rick to slide the gate open.

"Shit!" Rick muttered when he finally got the gate open as if he had only noticed the sheer number of Walkers there and then.

He raised his gun, shooting down the nearest ones first. Tyreese ran past to where the woman dropped the shopping basket, also dropping any of the Walkers that got too close.

Rick stepped over the woman, kicking the sword away. He kneeled down, patting her over and rolling her on her side to inspect her wounds. She was more beaten up than Rick had originally thought. A black eye, blood strain running down from her nose and cuts along her skin in various places.

"Is she bit?" Hershel called out from behind him.

He looked at her thigh, checking the wound. "Gunshot."

Grabbing her arm, he pulled the woman up and over his shoulder to carry her inside the fence. Tyreese rushed back with the basket. When they were both inside, Daryl closed and locked the gate.

Rick panted, laying the woman back on the ground. He looked over his shoulder in search of his friend before calling, "Daryl, help me."

He nodded in return, grabbing one of her arms as he helped Rick carry the woman back to the prison. Tyreese ran in front of them as they neared the prison, holding each door open for them to get back inside.

"Ty, get a blanket! Beth, water and a towel!" Rick ordered, dragging the woman down the stairs. "Okay," Beth answered.

"Carl, I want you to take Judith into the cell block and stay there!"

"Here?" Tyreese questioned, laying the blanket next to the cage-like structure.

"Yeah," he and Daryl laid the woman back on the ground, on the blanket Tyreese had left. Rick looked back, grabbing the water bottle from Beth. "Thanks."

He started pouring the water across her arms and chest, trying to get her to wake up, but the woman didn't even flinch.

"She's not waking up," Rick stated, shaking her shoulder a little.

"Her wounds can't go untreated much longer," Hershel chimed in, "maybe we should move her to the cells so I can stitch her up."

Rick took a moment to think about it, but eventually nodded his head. "Okay, but once you're done we're locking the cell door."

"Here," Tyreese stepped closer, "let me help move her."

Again, the two of them pulled her arm over their shoulder leading her to the cell block.

"Ya sure 'bout this?" Daryl questioned, pulling out his keys to open the gate to the next room.

Rick nodded. "We'll keep someone on watch until she wakes up."

WOODBURY

Merle rolled his neck, sighing at the satisfying crack that followed. It was early, the day had already been long and it wouldn't get any better. He was in over his head, and knew it well, standing in front of the Governor's door, ready to knock without a plan.

It was difficult to come up with a good enough story, there was a lot to explain: the kid, the prisoners, the escapee. Separating the kid from the prisoners, Merle knew he would be in hot water for that. Which was why he was the one to go to his boss, hoping to get a headstart before any of the other men tried shit-talking him.

But if Merle didn't play it right, everything he'd worked toward, the horrible shit he'd had to do to keep his position in order to be one step ahead of everyone and one behind the Governor, all of it to stay alive and find Daryl. All of it would be for nothing.

He couldn't mess this up.

Merle considered for the fifth time turning around, grabbing the kid from where he'd left her and throwing her in the basement with the others. But he wasn't sure he'd get away with it, the others already questioned the action, even if the mistake was corrected, someone would tell the boss and he'd need to explain.

It'll be fine, it'll work, Merle assured himself, unconcerned about getting the information needed from Glenn and the girl, if it went right he'd see his brother the next day. But he wasn't sure how long he could keep it from the Governor, and if he'd be able to stop their execution. That was the hard bit. Though if he succeeded in keeping the kid separate from the whole mess, he could save one life.

Merle had yet to see the Governor kill a child, or order the execution of one, but wouldn't put it past him. If Merle risked it, he'd probably be the one to off the kid, and so far he'd been able to go through the apocalypse without killing a child.

When Merle finally knocked on the door, his heart began to race while his expression remained impassive.

"Come in," the rough voice called.

Taking a deep breath, Merle entered the room. The Governor was sitting at his desk in a blue robe, holding a glass of whiskey as he read over some work in his other hand. He glanced up at Merle and lowered the papers to the desk.

"How'd it go?" He questioned, leaning back in his chair.

"We lost all three guys," Merle paused long enough to hear the Governor sigh, "Tim, Crowley, the other one."

"Gargulio . . ." the Governor confirmed, "Jesus."

Merle gave a nod. "Yeah. She cut Tim down, put her sword through him. The biters got in the middle of it, then I got her."

"Damn." The Governor stood up and walked around his desk towards Merle. He leaned back against the surface, crossing his arms with the glass still in one hand. "Well, we'll dress it up. Give 'em a hero's funeral. You tell a story, a supply run went sideways."

Merle nodded along to the instructions. "Sure thing."

"Yeah. Anyway, do you have 'em?" The question threw Merle off, and he stared at him with a confused look on his face. The Governor must have noticed his confusion because he continued. "Her head? The sword?"

"Oh, um, we got caught in a crowd," Merle wasn't sure that he made an excuse up that fast before, and he couldn't tell whether the Governor was actually buying it or not. "The kid had the head, Crowley had the sword. They both got all tore up."

The Governor's expression hardened

"I got something else for you, though," Merle added quickly, conjuring up a facade of assurance. As much as he wanted to avoid this subject, buy more time, he needed the distraction from his failure.

As predicted, the Governor's expression eased, his lips parting and eyebrows furrowing in question.

"A guy I used to know from the Atlanta camp and his pretty little girlfriend." Merle continued, he kept his eyes steady on the Governor, careful not to reveal any of his apprehension. "Found 'em on the return trip. From the looks of 'em they got to be set up pretty good. I'll find out where."

"They're still with your old group then?"

Merle nodded. "Mm-hmm."

"Do you know how many?"

"Not yet."

The Governor put a hand to his chin, glancing around the room thoughtfully. "And they know your brother?"

"He does. But I don't know about her, I've never seen her before. He did tell me that Daryl's alive, that's all I have so far."

"Find out what you can as quickly as you can. We can't afford another Michonne situation, that was one woman, this is two people with a group behind them."

Merle gave an obedient nod.

"Interrogate the man. Report back in two hours with whatever you have, leave the girlfriend for now."

Again, Merle nodded, but his expression wavered. He could tell the Governor noticed by the way the man's eyes narrowed. Although knowing that he'd been dismissed, yet made no move to leave. He hadn't meant to hesitate, he meant to bring up the information as casually and cooly as he had the rest. It was too late, the Governor saw right through him.

"There something else?"

"Yeah. A little girl."

"They have a kid? Well, this should be easy. Why would you leave that out?"

Merle hesitated, "Ain't like that."

It was the Governor's turn to look confused. "Ain't like what?"

"She's . . . she's a good kid, she ain't theirs," he tried to explain, "don't need to be involved."

"She already is. You know her well?"

"As well as can be expected. She's my niece."

The Governor gave a frown. "What? You never mentioned your brother had a kid."

Merle struggled to find an answer, but he managed to make something up. "We . . . we lost her a while before they left me behind, thought she was dead. Didn't think much to bring it up. Group must've found her."

"Well . . . I'm happy to hear you found her." The Governor paused in thought. "You have them hauled up already?"

Merle nodded.

"Your niece too?"

That was the part Merle had been worrying about, but he had to try and keep her away from the cells. It would be better that way. "Well, no. I was thinkin' . . ."

"Thinking what?"

"She'd stay with me."

"How old is she?" He asked after another pause.

"11, 12," Merle answered.

Governor nodded, "I'll allow it, see what you can get from her. Don't mention we're keeping her people here, give some story, tell her they went back. Actually, scratch that. Bring her by for dinner later. I'll talk to her. Have Martinez show her around Woodbury, get her something to eat. I want you to get started now. Get downstairs, get the location."

"Shouldn't be too hard."

"Anything else we need from them should be easy enough. Your niece, is she cooperative?"

"Oh, yeah. Won't have problems with her."

"Good, anything else we need to know, we'll get it from her."

Merle nodded and began to walk away.

"And Merle, the kid is your responsibility. The minute I hear she's causing trouble-"

"-you won't." Merle turned to leave quickly, a sense of relief filling him. The plan would work, as long as the visitors were cooperative, he would get the information needed and be gone before the Governor could.

After closing the door to the Governor's apartment, Merle was surprised to see another man there. "Where is she?"

"Still waiting. I didn't move her." Martinez answered. "You gonna tell me what's going on?"

"I did," Merle answered dismissively, walking away from the door.

"Not really."

"Will ya just back off? It's got nothin' to do with you."

"It does if I'm on babysitting duty."

Merle paused in the hallway, glancing back at the apartment he'd left, "How much did you hear?"

"Not much."

"Need ya to take the kid, keep her busy, feed her, show her 'round. Shit like that."

"Sure thing. Just as soon as you fill me in."

"I gotta—"

"—Your new victim can wait one minute for you to tell me what the hell is going on."

Merle had been hoping for more time, unsure of how much to reveal to Martinez. As loyal as the man was to the Governor, Merle almost felt he could trust him. But he couldn't risk it. He was already antsy, he had to get the information quickly if he had a chance of getting away with it.

"You said they were in your old group, but I'm going to need a little more of an explanation. What's the plan? Not that I want to lock up a kid, I just want to know why we're keeping her away from the other two. And why the boss is letting it slide."

"She's blood."

Martinez's eyes narrowed, "You don't have a kid."

"Did I say I had a kid? No. Jesus. She's my brother's."

"You never mentioned you had any other family than your brother."

"It didn't come up, didn't think it mattered," Merle snapped.

"You didn't think your niece mattered?"

Merle pressed his lips into a straight line, "Will you just do your job so I can do mine? I'm gettin' real tired of yer bitchin'."

A calm expression washed over Martinez. Merle's frustration quickly changed to panic,

wondering if the man had caught on.

Instead of calling him out or asking more questions as Merle expected, he only said, "Okay."

After watching Martinez disappear down the hall, Merle gave himself a moment, holding his head in his hands while taking a few deep breaths.

Then he began to make his way to where the visitors were being held.

PRISON

"How is she?"

Rick had just come in from one of the guard towers hours later, with no sign of Glenn and Maggie after having instructed Hershel to wait for the woman to wake up after treating her.

"The gunshot was more recent than the other injuries. Some of the cuts on her face and the black eye look days old," Hershel explained. "Look here, at her wrists."

Rick leaned forward, examining the area. There were marks around her wrists, both bruised and bloody, "those are from handcuffs. She was chained up."

"Held captive most likely. She may have escaped."

"That doesn't explain how she found us. What do you think?" Rick turned to Daryl, who was standing a few feet away.

"Dunno," he shook his head in return. "She came here with baby formula, has to mean somethin'."

"She run into Glenn and Maggie?"

"Maybe," Daryl shrugged, "they ain't back yet."

Sasha neared the group upon hearing this. "Should we go out and look for them? We know where they went."

"I could go," Daryl suggested.

"We should just wait for now. We don't know that anything is wrong right now, and if there is, she might know something," Rick nodded back to the woman inside the cell, "and we shouldn't spread ourselves any thinner than we already are."

"I'll keep an eye on her until she wakes up," Tyreese offered.

"Okay, thank you."

When everyone dispersed Daryl started making his way upstairs again in search of Toby. He didn't want her anywhere near the strange woman, and even though she probably wouldn't listen to him anyway, he knew that he should at least try to warn her.

Her cell was still empty. If she was hiding from him, she was doing a damn good job of it. He didn't even know where else to look apart from the tombs, but even then he couldn't understand how she even got there. Someone must have noticed her trying to sneak into the tombs by herself. He was starting to get frustrated at not knowing where she was.

Damn kid.

Jogging down the stairs, he passed through the eating area and made his way outside. He looked behind all the walls, where they left the vehicles and did a quick glance over the field but he still couldn't see her anywhere.

On his way back inside, he passed T-Dog who was sitting at one of the tables. "Hey, man. Still can't find her?"
"Nah. Sure ya ain't seen her 'round?"

T-Dog shook his head. "I'm sure. Been trying to keep tabs on her since Jimmy, but I haven't seen her around anywhere today. Not since this morning. I'll let you know if she wanders by."

"Thanks, man," Daryl said, pulling his crossbow over his shoulder., and turned back towards the cell block.

"Daryl?" Tyreese appeared. "Rick wants you. That woman, they're talking to her."

"She's awake?"

Tyreese nodded and led him toward the cell they were keeping her in. Rick was standing a few feet away from the bed where she was laying, while Hershel was sitting in a chair against the wall.

"You need to tell us how you found us, and why you were carrying formula." Rick's arms were at his side, staring down at the woman.

Daryl noticed her breathing was ragged, and since her face had been cleaned, the bruises and cuts were much more visible.

"The supplies were dropped by a young Asian guy . . ." Her voice was raspy and quiet, yet somehow still holding confidence. "and a pretty girl with a kid."

"Kid?" Daryl's insides felt heavy and his mind went numb with the word. "What kid?"

"Little girl, dark hair."

Daryl looked at Rick and their eyes met, suddenly her disappearance made just a little more sense. Only a little. How did she leave without anyone knowing? Glenn and Maggie would not have let her go. The woman was mistaken, or lying, but why?

Rick caught on to the unsure looks and tried to steer the conversation in a more informative direction, "What do you mean dropped? What happened?"

"Were they attacked?" Hershel asked, the concern in his voice evident.

"They were taken," the woman answered simply.

"Taken?" Rick questioned. "By who?"

"By the same son of a bitch who shot me," the woman snapped.

Daryl had had enough of the woman's vague answers. "Tell us what the fuck happened! They alive? Who took 'em? Why?!" Daryl aimed the crossbow at her, adrenalin and rage fueling his actions.

She stared the weapon down, not looking intimidated, but angry instead. "Find them yourself."

"Better start talkin'!" Daryl snapped, "or you're gonna have a much bigger problem than a gunshot wound."

The woman stayed silent, her cooperation ended with the threatening.

"Stop," Rick told Daryl, motioning for him to lower the weapon.

Daryl hesitated but obeyed, forcing himself to take several steps back from the woman.

"Hey," Rick held up a hand to get her attention, "you came here for a reason."

The woman paused in thought, contemplating what she should tell them. "There's a town, Woodbury. About seventy-five survivors. I think your people were taken there."

"But you don't know for sure?" Hershel asked.

The woman gave a very small shake of the head, before turning slowly to look him in the eye. "No. But that's where they took me."

Rick looked back at Daryl and Hershel, before nodding his head at the cell door. Hershel stood using his crutches and left the room, followed by Rick and Daryl. Pulling the keys from his pocket, Rick turned around and locked the cell door behind him.

"Fuckin' hell," Daryl muttered, joining the group again. "Now I know why I can't find her. The fuck was she thinkin'?!"

"What's wrong?" Guillermo questioned, watching them closely.

"Glenn and Maggie went on a run for baby supplies," Rick explained. "It seems Toby went with them."

"The hell!" Daryl kicked at the railing. "I told her she couldn't go."

"Hey, what's going on? Who couldn't go?" T-Dog questioned, approaching the bottom of the stairs before leaning on the railing.

"Toby, she left with Glenn and Maggie," Rick answered quickly. Still trying to piece together all the new information.

"Not the first time she snuck off," T-Dog shrugged. "In Atlanta, she'd go off just about everywhere without telling anybody. She's fine, Maggie and Glenn will know what to do."

"That's not it," Rick shook his head. "That woman brought back the supplies they collected. Apparently, she saw them get taken."

"Taken? Who—?"

"—We don't know for sure," Rick interrupted him, "we'll figure it out."

Daryl was barely listening to the conversation, still angered by what the woman told them. "When we get 'em back I'm gonna kill that dumb kid."

"No you won't," T-Dog said.

"Maybe not, but I am gonna lock her in her goddamn cell."

While Rick continued to question the woman, Daryl looked for Toby again. He knew he wouldn't find her, but the alternative was nerve-racking. After searching and taking some time to himself, Daryl returned to the group, gathering whatever information was collected.

A few weeks before, the woman—Michonne was found and taken in by the residents of Woodbury. She'd been struggling on her own and agreed to stay, almost relieved to have a new way of life. Without giving away too much, she told Rick about getting suspicious and wanting to leave. Anytime she tried, she was put off and was told to wait a few days. That went on for two weeks.

The town was run by a man calling himself the Governor, Daryl scoffed at the title. Michonne had found something of his she wasn't supposed to see. That was where the story stopped. Though from her injuries, it was guessed she was chained up and beaten for quite a while.

"What did she find?" Sasha asked.

Rick hesitated, thinking it over slowly before answering, "a child—a Walker, keeps it chained up in his apartment. She killed it."

Sasha turned away, there were too many questions.

"And she got locked up for it?" Tyreese pressed.

Rick gave a shrug, that was all he knew.

"How did she escape?" Guillermo tried.

"That's all I have," Rick said. "She's giving what she can about the layout of the town, where she thinks they might be held. With luck, it'll be the same place she was."

"With luck? It's lucky they'll be locked up?" T-Dog shook his head, exasperated.

"Luckier than the alternative."

They all discussed and argued different plans and ideas. Rick made it clear that the rescue operation would be small, only a few would go, which was also argued. But it was better to go in with only a few, to get in and out quickly.

"Tell me what you need," Daryl stood, having enough of everyone talking, it was time to get the plan in motion.

WOODBURY

"You don't have anything? Numbers, location, anything?"

Merle shook his head, absentmindedly thumbing the dried blood on his knuckles. He was trying to quiet the warring in his mind, while impressed and relieved that Glenn had given no information to pass to the Governor, it meant Merle was just as clueless. It was becoming more difficult than anticipated to get the information before anyone else.

"Must be a tough nut to crack," the Governor gestured at Merle's bloody hands.

"It's only been two hours, I'll get it."

"Their people may come for them," Martinez chimed. "We don't know how many are actually in the group."

"I realize that," Merle growled.

"I'm just saying we don't know how much time we have. And your usual methods don't seem to be helpful here."

"I'll get what I need." Merle glared at his companion.

Martinez quirked an eyebrow, all too familiar with Merle's patterns of aggression. "We're going to need him in case his people show up," he warned. "Probably shouldn't try and kill him."

"I will if he pisses me off," Merle said simply. "'Sides, without him, we still got the girl."

"And the kid."

"No." Merle snapped.

"No what?"

"Quiet," The Governor ordered. "What did his girlfriend say?"

"I was just about to talk to her next," Merle said.

"I'll take care of it," the Governor stated, "Meanwhile talk to your niece. Be discreet but get what you can. She can be just as useful out here as down there."

Merle pressed his lips together, fighting the argument on his tongue as his boss turned and headed toward their prisoners.

Before Martinez could follow after him, Merle turned, "Where's the kid?"

"Left her at your place before coming down here," he answered simply, "walked her around the town for a while. Told her to wait for you."

"Okay, good."

"Something weird happened though," Martinez added quickly, as if he had just remembered it happening, "saw her talking to Trailer Park earlier."

Merle frowned. "The hell would she do that for?"

Martinez shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know, I had to tell him to get lost. It was really weird."

"Sounds like it," Merle answered. "Should prob'ly go check up on the kid now. Keep me updated on what the boss finds out."

"Will do." Martinez gave a nod, following after the Governor.

After letting out a sigh, Merle turned to leave the alleys and enter the streets, following the sidewalk back to his apartment. He waved and gave nods of greetings to anyone he passed before finally entering the two-story building to his apartment.

Toby was sitting on a tall stool at the kitchen island which was seen to the left of the room when Merle entered the apartment, most of it was an open space connecting the living room to the kitchen. There was a short hallway in the right direction leading to the bedroom.

The place was tidy and very bare, the island in the kitchen area had four tall stools, two on each side. The living room area had only a large recliner chair. There were a couple of empty beer bottles on the end table beside it from the night before.

Their eyes met, and Merle took a long time to speak. He knew she would be a bit confused and probably nervous, but he was not prepared for the distraught expression on her face.

Did Martinez let something slip? Merle wondered, before quickly remembering the blood he'd failed to clean from his hands, and the dried blood from the wound on his nose Glenn reopened.

"Oh that," Merle waved at his face, sure she hadn't noticed the beaten look of his knuckles. "Hurt it earlier today, just bust it open again. It's fine."

Toby only blinked. Merle wanted to roll his eyes and leave, he'd forgotten how to talk to this kid; not that he knew how to talk to any kid. He hadn't even remembered her name until Glenn said it. Martinez wouldn't have said anything, so whatever was bothering the kid wasn't that and it wasn't the blood.

"I know the place is a lot ta get used to, but it ain't that bad is it?" Merle tried a friendly smirk.

When Toby finally spoke, her voice was so breathy and shaken Merle thought she'd already caught on. When she finished, he had to actually shake his head in disbelief, certain he hadn't heard right.

"What?"

Toby's mouth moved again, but Merle still didn't understand right away. His eyes narrowed, mouth opening and closing as he put the pieces of her confession together.

"Holy fuckin' shit." He connected all the dots, he couldn't believe he'd missed such a thing. There was no way the plan would work. "You've got be fuckin' shittin' me! Really?!"

HELLO!

As always... I am so sorry it took this long. Sadly things have been very difficult lately. Last month my fiance lost his grandfather, and as lockdown ended and restrictions were lifted I was given plenty more shifts at work and things became very busy.

Now lockdown is upon the Niagara region again and I have no idea what that'll mean for my job.

I also ended up hurting myself at work a few weeks ago, I burned my hand pretty badly and couldn't use it for a bit. It's healed and much better now, but it did take a while (lots of cream and pain meds)

My great friend Bobbie was such an amazing help with all this. with everything going on I've been very stressed out, she had so many ideas and really wanted to be a part of this chapter. So when I only had one hand, she really stepped up for me. I am trying to do the same for her with her story. We hope to be posting it soon = sometime in the next 100 years.

I hope you are all are doing well and keeping safe. Let us know what you thought of this recent chapter. (and sorry about the small cliffhanger, I know it's confusing, but it's meant to be)

Also, if anyone is wondering, I work at Mcdonald's. I hope whenever you make an order you'll think of me XD