So as of this coming Tuesday I'll be in Missouri. I don't know how long, not too long I hope since I want to be back in time to get my niece's' 5th birthday together. Struggling a bit with my 13th chapter, but I'm sure it'll be done in time for it's post on June 3rd By the way, did you guys know the last chapter was 30 pages? Haha! Enjoy! OH, and Happy Mother's Day!
Angela started panicking that morning, she felt like she was losing her mind. The poncho and red rag were nowhere in the prison, and it was more than coincidence that Kaylee wasn't anywhere to be found either. Angela was walking around the yard, seeing Glenn and Hershel talking as the Korean was making his way toward the truck. He was a man on a mission, mentioning to taking care of the opening in the back of the prison. Carl opened the gate for him as he sped down, Axel opening the first gate. Angela frowned as Carl was closing the gate, the boy seemed to notice.
"You okay, Angela?" He asked, squinting up as the sun shined in his eyes.
No, she would've answered. Angela shook her head, looking around expecting to find her sister. Carl looked around, seeing Beth and Carol come out as Axel was walking up the pathway.
Hershel approached them, nodding at him to open the gate for him. He made the opening big enough for him to get past as the old man limped through the tall grass and weeds to the fence line, calling Rick. Axel came through, going to Carol, the two started having a good friendship. Possibly some flirting was found, but with how Carol was, hard to tell.
When no answer was given, he looked across the way, pointing to the far tower at the first front gate. "Kaylee's at the tower, if you're looking for her." Seeing how he hasn't seen her all day, he remember her mentioning to be on watch today. Carl didn't know if Angela was informed of that or not. "She took watch."
Angela sighed, her sister was somewhere. She turned away so that her view was on the tower. Carl decided to leave her be, she still seemed effected between Daryl's leave and her recovery. Beth came over, approaching Carl. "Is Kaylee still up there?" she asked.
"She hasn't come down since this morning." Carl answered with a shrug.
"Hope she's got food, maybe I should run some up to her." Beth offered.
"I can," Carl offered without hesitation. "I was thinking of taking her shift, give her a break."
Beth smiled at the boy, he had been watching Kaylee over since she returned. Usually Angela would be following her around, but she was dealing with her own turmoil. Beth understood, a lot was going through her mind on what she went through. Maggie was acting the same with Glenn and avoiding him as well. The two gave a glance to Angela, before turning to get some food for Kay. Left alone, Angela eyed the tower up, not noticing Axel and Carol approach her blind spot.
"I'm sorry about what happened." She turned her head, then turned her body to see them with her good eye. He nodded to her, "About yer man leavin'." he added.
Her man? Angela looked confused, then looked to Carol for answers. "I told him what happened between you and Daryl." She confessed, earning a dark look. "You didn't mean what you said, right?"
Angela bit her lip, almost as if Carol could read her facial expressions, she nodded. "Daryl won't come back." Angela shook her head, turning her face away.
"He won't?" Axel was confused.
Carol looked to him, "She must think it has something to do with her injury." she concluded.
"Why? He didn't do it." He pondered, folding his arms.
Carol sighed, seemed Angela wasn't protesting to them talking about her like this. Though the looks she was receiving said different. "These two have the tendency to blame themselves for things." She explained.
"So, he blames himself for her condition?"
That term, set off a nerve in Angela. She stood, shoving Axel's shoulder. "I am not a 'condition'. I will see just fine and be useful again." She snarled at him.
"That's not what he meant." Carol tried to reason as Axel stepped back, not wanting to suffer this woman's wrath.
"I never meant it in such a way, ma'am." He nodded. "If yer man really cared, he'll be runnin' back soon." Axel assured.
"After what I said, he'll never come back." Angela pointed to the bandage on her eye. "He'll never want to see me, see this again."
Carol put a hand on her shoulder, "If he didn't care about your scar before, why would this change anything?" she told.
Axel nodded again, smiling in assurance. "I bet he's on his way right now-"
But his sentence didn't finish, a sudden bullet plowed through his skull. The woman gasped, as his body weight fell toward them. Carol and Angela fell down, Carl and Beth crouched and ran toward the bleachers for cover. Carol turned his body over, as she wrapped an arm around Angel holding her close. It was sick to do, but Carol was given no choice but to use Axel's body as a wall to block the barrage of bullets shooting at them. Carl looked up, seeing someone had gotten to one of the towers and was firing at them. He took out his gun, trying to fire at the man, but at his angle, it was hard to get a proper aim.
More gunfire was heard outside the prison and in the yard. Rick was down, trying to fire at their attackers, as was Michonne who spotted the Governor and his men as their attackers. Hershel was down in the tall grass, unable to move or retaliate the attack.
Carl and Beth ran toward the wall for better cover, in means to get Angela and Carol to safety. Angela just kept her eye closed, waiting for a bullet to hit her as Axel's body wouldn't be able to shield them both for long. Carl turned the corner, trying to fire at the man again, but ducked back when he fired more at the women. Carl reached for her gun, looking down at Angela as he blinked her eye open. Where was this attack coming from? She couldn't turn her head to see as her only left side was out of action, she'd have to roll her entire body to see.
"Beth!" The two turned, seeing Maggie run out with rifles toward them. She must have heard the gunfire from inside.
She handed one to Beth as the kids fired to cover Maggie, she ran to a file cabinet for cover.
"Where's the gunner?" Angela asked, squinting her eyes to see the blood of Axel splattered onto Carol. She was sure blood was on herself as well.
"In the tower, we can't get an aim on him." She answered.
"Carol! Ange! Go!" Beth called, seeing the gunner was distracted.
Carol helped Angela up and the two ran for cover with Beth and Carl. Beth handed Carol the rifle as Angela leaned against the wall with her hand gun now out. After massive amount of gun fire, it suddenly grew silent. Carl peeked over, not seeing the gunner. He was unsure if they had gotten him or not. Something else had gotten their attention, a distant engine growing closer. A vehicle was driving their way here.
A red and white truck came up the road and plowed through the front gates and stopped short in the middle of the prison yard. Rick, who was down outside the prison, rushed to the fence while the gunfire had ceased. Hershel peeked above the grass, seeing the truck not too far from him. They had broken through their defense, the sound of the engine was all that they heard. Was an army inside the truck? Waiting to kill and take their home?
The back ramp fell to the ground, opening the truck of whatever was inside to come out. Well, it was an army, but not one of men with guns. It was a horde of walkers stumbling out of the truck. They spotted Hershel, making their way toward him. Rick looked on in horror, his group, family, and home were in danger of the walkers invading the prison. He had to get inside!
The gunfire had returned, as a person came out of the truck firing at Michonne. Rick tried to fire, only to hear the click of his empty rifle. He was gunned down again, causing him to duck back down into the dirt. The gunfire returned at the tower too, Carol and Carl ducked back behind the wall. The tower had to be retaken, they were stuck there if they didn't do something.
"Maggie!" Angela called out. "Fire as much as possible, stay down!"
Carol looked to her, seeing her get to her feet. "Angela, what are you- Angela!"
Without warning, Angela ran out toward the tower as Maggie fired as much as possible. It seemed to have worked, as the gunner was focused on getting Maggie. Angela bolted toward the door, and ran right up, ripping the bandage from her eye. With a grunt, she opened her eye and got to the top, blurry in her left eye, she blinked getting her focus as she was able to see the man right in front of her with both eyes. With his back to her, she aimed the gun right at his head and pulled the trigger. The man fell down, dead. She got up to the top, and waved her arm letting them know it was safe. She took the rifle the an had and fired at the walkers as they were heading towards Hershel. Carl, Carol, Beth, and Maggie ran to the gate as they spotted Glen had returned with the silver truck.
Outside the fence, Rick turned and fired his Colt at a near walker. All this noise was attracted the outside walkers, and Rick was stuck outside with them. He shot at two more, only to hear the click of his empty rounds. He turned and decided to make a run toward the gate.
Angela at the tower, looked around with the scope of the rifle for Rick anywhere outside the fence. She had found him running along the fence, then further toward the woods spotting a yellow truck. There, she had spotted the son of a fuck, the Governor. She snarled, aiming her gun only to see the one eyed bastard looking right at her. He raised his gun and fired at her, she screamed and ducked down as the glass behind her shattered into pieces. Angela covered her head, feeling the tiny shards bounce about her, once the gunfire stopped, she got back to her feet. She looked through the scope, seeing the truck driving off, she fired at the car only to hit the flatbed.
"Damnit!" She cursed
Looking over to see Glenn driving the truck to get to Hershel who was hopping over with Michonne's help. He was safe, but Rick was alone out there. Angela leaned on the railing, aiming the rifle and peeked through the scope, she shot at a walker following behind him. Rick turned, only to spin back around and use his Colt as a blunt weapon. Angela fired the best she could to cover Rick, but they were closing in so close, she didn't want to hit him.
Rick was pounding a walker's skull in, when another gunshot was heard behind him. Thinking he was being ambushed, he instead found Kaylee standing around the corner, poncho over her shoulders and hand gun out in his hands. He had been so distracted, he didn't notice a walker coming at him, it pushed him against the fence.
"Rick!" She called, firing her gun, only to hear the click. She had used so many of her bullets before at the bridge.
"Kaylee, look out!" He barked, she turned and was tackled by a walker.
She grunted, keeping the gun against the walker's throat as its teeth gnawed for her flesh. A second walker stumbled toward Rick, as he threw it against the fence. Rick and Kaylee let out screams thinking this was the end for them. Angela watched in horror, unable to get a good aim without stray bullets hitting them.
"KAYLEE!"
The shouting stopped when an arrow shot right through the walker on top of Kaylee. She pushed the walker down and took Rick's walker against the fence. Another arrow shot through the walker Rick was face to face with, then a yelling was hard behind Kaylee. Turning, the two found the Dixon Brothers had returned!
Merle ran toward, ramming a rebar through Kaylee's walker, and letting her free of her attacker. Merle took Kaylee by the shoulder and pushed her behind him as another walker moved toward them. Daryl reloaded his crossbow and shot at another walker on Rick's right as he bludgeoned another one. Once they were clear, they stopped looking to one another taking a breather. Rick looked to Daryl, who nodded in thanks. Daryl nodded back, walking over to Kaylee to check on her. She nodded, wiping the sweat and walker blood off her face. They both turned to Merle, who just chuckled tiredly, Kay smiled and nodded in thanks toward the older Dixon.
Everyone stood at the fences, watching their home be invaded with walkers. A home they worked hard on clearing, cleaning, and claiming for their own. The front gates were destroyed, allowing more walkers in and possibly enemies as well. Rick, Daryl, Merle, and Kaylee looked around seeing the walkers wander as if they had just owned the place once more. At the prison courtyard, the others looked with the same feeling. They had been attacked, lost a member, and now were trapped.
Daryl hooked his fingers at the fence, looking for someone at the yard, but was hard to with the distance and amount of walkers in the field. "We need to get inside."
Merle scoffed, "Can't with them pouring in like that." he told, nodding to the broken gate.
"This way!" Rick called, running along the fence with the three following after.
Angela spotted her sister with Rick and the Dixons heading toward the hole in the fence they made. She lowered the rifle and looked toward the others. "Rick and the others are gonna try and get in! We gotta cover them!"
Understanding, Maggie and Glenn ran to the other tower as Carol ran up to Angela's tower. Once the four were up, Beth, Hershel, and Carl killed near by walkers at the gate. Rick must have noticed the group would cover as they ran through the yard to get to the gate. They shot and slammed the skulls of walkers as the four at their towers covered them best they could. Angela looked through her scope, eyeing the older Dixon running behind with his hand on Kay's back, urging her to go faster. She felt her finger on the trigger tighten, when she squeezed a click was heard.
"Shit." She cursed, pulling back and checking to see the rifle was out of bullets.
The four managed to get to the gate, Carl pulled the gate open letting them in, the slamming it shut and locked it. Carol looked down beside Angela, patting her back with a sigh. When she looked to her, she then spotted the bandage off her face, both eyes wide and glaring. Following, she couldn't tell if she was glaring at Daryl or Merle since the two stood side by side.
Carol sighed, patting Angela's shoulder, pulling her from the railing. "Let's get inside." She suggested.
Angela turned away, but stopped short and spun back around. She kicked the gunner's body to release her anger, his body rolled off and fell to the ground with a distinct thud. Carol didn't comment, as she took the rifle from her and the two walked down the tower.
They met with the others, her eyes shooting right to Kaylee now spotting her in the poncho that was missing before. Angela had a high feeling her sister had something to do with the missing item. She approached her sister, taking her by the wrist and pulling her from the others as they greeted and welcomed Daryl back.
"Where the hell were you?" She questioned.
Kay was about to answer, but saw her eye was exposed and open. "Wait, can you?" She waved her hand in her sister's face. "You can see, right?"
Angela groaned and put her hand down. "You weren't at the tower. I saw you with Daryl and him at the fence with Rick. Why?"
Kay raised her hands up, ready to take the anger of her sister. "I couldn't help it, I had to go bring them back."
"You went out on your own into those woods, knowing that lunatic wants our heads!?" Angela screeched, gaining the others' attention.
Kay shushed to lower her sister's voice, not wanting attention from both the group and the walkers. "I had no choice."
"Choices? Stay here and stay safe. That's a choice!"
"Angela, wait." Rick walked over, "If she hadn't gone out to get them, I would've gotten killed." he tried to reason.
Carol stood beside her, "He's right. I thought you'd be glad Daryl was back." she assumed.
Angela noticed Daryl keeping his distance, he hadn't walked up to greet her, he stood by Merle. Was she to take the first step, and apologize? Why should she? He was the one that- He just- Then he sided with-
Angela glared not just at Merle, but both the brothers. Turning away, she let her healing wound be seen by all. Some noticed she was seeing out of the injured eye, Daryl was highly relieved by this. Deep down, he wanted to approach and engulf her into his arms. But, his eyes casted down to the gravel, Merle looked between the two but kept his comments down for once. He also expected his little brother to go to the hot head, but only saw his pussy of a baby brother stand there looking stupid.
Angela looked to her sister, then toward Merle matching sights with him. She stepped forward, pushing her sister behind her. "You are to be nowhere near my sister, hear me, Dixon?"
Merle chuckled, "Can't tell if you're talking to me or Little D here." he mused.
Angela raised a pointed finger. "I'm serious, I better not see you be anywhere near my sister." She threatened.
Rick came over, hand on her shoulder. "Angela, don't worry. He won't be near us."
When Rick meant, 'near us', Angela hoped he would be put into another cell block entirely. Not only one barred door away from them in C Block. They all sat about in the cell blocks with Merle handing by the door to the other room. It felt more like they were locked in than Merle locked away from them. Angela wanted him locked in the cages on each of the room, but Daryl and Rick were against it.
Hershel was admit of leaving, while they still could. Rick was against it, not wanting to admit defeat to the Woodbury leader. He was checking his rifle as everyone stood and sat around. Carol and Daryl were up above, Angela and Kaylee stood at the perch, as Angela was in her cell cleaning her cut. Daryl stood by, just to check on her in case she needed help, being subtle to get close to her.
"We're not leaving." Rick declared to Hershel, as the argument continued.
"We can't stay." He replied.
"What if there's another sniper?" Maggie questioned. "A wood pallet won't stop one of those rounds."
"We can't even go outside." Beth spoke up, standing with Carol and Daryl to watch over little Judith.
"Not in the daylight." Carol suggested.
Glenn looked up at them, "Rick says we're not running, we're not running." he told them.
Angela walked out of her cell, wiping her face clean with the cloth covering half her face. She was back to hiding her face again, Angela saw Daryl peeking at her. She walked past and headed for the stairs, gripping the rail as she walked down.
"No, better to live like rats." Came Merle's input.
Angela gave a scowl toward the redneck, Rick looked to him. "You got a better idea?"
"Yeah, we should have slid out of here last night and lived to fight another day." Merle suggested. "But we lost that window, didn't we?"
"I just love to now where this 'we' stuff is coming from." Angela snarled as she gently passed by Hershel.
Merle chuckled at her, he leaned on the door with his arm hanging through the bar. "I'm sure he's got scouts on every road out of this place by now."
"We ain't scared of that prick." Daryl told his brother, walking down along the railing.
"Ya'll should be." He warned. "That truck through the fence thing, that's just him ringing the doorbell. We might have some thick walls to hide behind, but he's got the guns and the numbers."
Angela just wanted to block him out by now, she leaned against the wall and removed the cloth to see the bleeding had stopped from washing her face. "And if he takes the high ground around this place, shoot, he could just starve us out if he wanted to."
"Let's put him in the other cell block." Maggie suggested.
"I second that." Angela agreed, folding the cloth and tucking it into her pocket.
"No." Daryl disagreed. "He's got a point."
"This is all you!" Maggie barked at him. "This is your fault!"
Merle just shook his head, sick of being blamed for everything that's happened so far. Kaylee stepped over toward Daryl, her hands tight on the railing. "Even if it was, he would've found us eventually."
Beth rushed to the top of the stairs. "What difference whose fault it is? What do we do?"
"I said we should leave." Hershel spoke, as his younger daughter walked down the steps. "Now axel's dead. We can't just sit here."
Rick ignored Hershel's words, he turned going to the door ready to take his leave. Losing his patience with Rick, Hershel stood with his crutches. "Get back here!" His order echoed out, Rick stopped but didn't turn back.
"You're slipping, Rick." He accused, approaching their leader. "We've all seen it. We understand why. But now is not the time. You once said this isn't a democracy." Rick turned to him, hearing his words, but didn't know if they were sinking in. "Now you have to own up to that. I put my family's life in your hands, as does Angela."
Said woman looked down, then up at Kaylee to see her grow tense with Hershel's words. "So get your head clear and do something."
Unable to respond to Hershel, Rick nodded and turned toward the door. Merle stepped back as he opened the door and left without even shutting it. Carl followed after his father as everyone stood in silence. Angela walked over and shut the door, glaring at Merle. Kay and Daryl watched, Merle simply scoffed and turned away to sit at his makeshift bed in the caged area. With a sigh, Angela turned away and leaned against the door as the others saw her rushed actions. Maggie and Glenn entered their cells as Hershel just sighed and entered his own. Angela glanced up, seeing Daryl and Kaylee watch her, the teen shook her head.
Angela folded her arms and looked away, feeling herself wince whenever she blinked her eyes. Daryl looked to Kay as she entered her cell and sat down on her sister's bed. He followed, leaning against the door.
"She'll get used to your brother, like how I got used to you." She told.
"I didn't kidnap ya n' hand ya to some psycho." He told, chewing his inner cheek.
Kaylee raised a brow at him, leaning back on the bed. "No, you dropped me into a pit of walkers and called me a brat for four hours locked in a gun store." She joked with a shit eating grin.
Daryl scoffed, biting his smirk away. "I don't blame her, my brother can be an ignorant ape at times." He looked to her, "Don't understand why yer defendin' him as much as I am."
Kay chuckled, "You still don't get it?" she asked, earning a look from him. "I see a kind Merle, a goodness in Merle. He was kind to me back in Woodbury, checked my injuries and stopped from more happening."
"Even after at the bridge, when he tried to take that family's stuff?" Daryl questioned.
"He stopped didn't? And he helped save Rick and me when we got attacked by walkers. He even kept me behind him. He's nice, he just doesn't know it yet." Kaylee explained.
Daryl shook his head, did she think Merle of all people grew a soft spot for the teen? Sure, Daryl over the course of the Winter considered the teen a little sister of sorts. But Merle? He was different, Daryl turned and walked out of the cell hearing voices again, Rick's voice. Kaylee followed, spotting Rick giving out orders to the others below.
He handed keys to Maggie telling her she had watch, Daryl and Kay walked over and down the steps to find Michonne, Angela, and Michonne at the bottom. He joined them as Kay walked down the other side of the steps, walking out to check on Merle.
"The field's filled with walkers. I didn't see any snipers out there, But we'll keep Maggie on watch." Rick explained as he approached the others.
Angela stood by Michonne and Hershel, glancing to Daryl but kept her eyes on Rick. "I'll get up in the guard tower, take out half 'em walkers, give the guys a chance to fix the fence." Daryl offered.
"Or use some of the cars to put the bus in place." Michonne suggested.
Angela cross her arms. "It was one thing moving it out of the way, but putting it back in might attract outside walkers."
Rick sighed, pressed his hand down his face and rubbing his chin. "We can't access the field without burning through our bullets." Hershel informed.
Glenn walked up, Daryl chewed his thumb in thought, stealing glances to Angela when she wasn't looking. "So, we're trapped in here. There's barely any food or ammo."
Daryl put his hands on his hips, looking to Glenn. "Been here before. We'll be alright."
"That's when it was just us." Glenn snapped, earning a look from the hunter. "Before there was a snake in the nest."
Daryl turned, his whole attention now on Glenn. "Man, we gonna go through this again?"
Angela sighed, "Do you blame him?" she spoke under her breath.
Daryl shot toward her. "Look, Merle's stayin' here. He's with us now." He looked back to Glenn. "Get used to it."
Rick stepped up, "Hey." he didn't want Daryl riled up again like before.
"All ya'll." His eyes lingered on Angela before turning and heading up the stairs. Angela shook her head, she followed after him as he walked along the railing.
"You're really something, aren't you." She accused, as he stopped and leaned on the railing. "I don't know what my sister said to bring you back here, but-"
"Ya don't know nothin'." Daryl hissed at her, his temper flaring up again.
Angela looked down, seeing the others glancing up as their voices echoed for all to hear. With a roll of her eyes, she shoved Daryl's shoulder off the railing and pushed him into her cell. "I do know something, and that something is a danger currently sitting in our home. I agree with Glenn, if Merle hadn't gotten involved, we'd be living peacefully here."
"Ya weren't there when Kay found us. She convinced me to come back because…" He scoffed and turned away, shaking his head. "Merle said he couldn't come back for what he did, but somethin' Kay said made him come with us."
"What, that'd we'd welcome him with open arms and shit?" She questioned, crossing her arms at him.
Daryl shook his head at her, "Like talkin' to a brick all, with ya." he told.
"Ditto."
The two stood there, scowling at the floor or walls of the cell in silence. Daryl looked to her, seeing the wound on her face, he saw the redness around the wound. Wasn't she taking care of it? He felt the anger boil in his gut, not towards her but that Governor. Daryl was so glad to see she she had both visions, he hadn't rendered her half blind like him. But, he knew there would be a scar to extend off her current one. She usually wore her beanie to cover, he thought she would do what Kay said was and hide away. Feeling eyes on her, she found the courage to stare back at him.
"Why did you come back?" She questioned.
Daryl had the answer, but could he say it? He came back for her, when Kay told him how Angela was doing, he got worried. He found himself stupid for abandoning her when she needed support, when she needed him. Her words were empty angry words, Kay said she would get used to Merle. He hoped it would be true.
When no answer was given, Angela nodded with a frown. "That's what I thought." She sat down on the bed and hung her head, hands against her forehead. "Go away."
Daryl walked toward the doorway, but stopped and turned back to her. "Angie-"
"Go. Away." She hissed, laying back on the bed and turning away from him.
Seeing she wasn't going to listen, Daryl walked out and headed toward his own cell. Despite being on the perch before, a cell was taken as he needed a bed. He kicked his bag out of the way and slumped down onto his bed. His poncho and other assorted clothing was sat up top of the higher bunk, having his own cell and not sharing with anyone. The jacket hung off the bunk as decided to busy himself with his bolts for now.
He should've said something, anything! Instead, he stood there like a stooge and left her alone. She was hurt, he wanted to comfort her, be there for her. But, how could he when Daryl couldn't answer her question? Wrong, he could've, but he was scared to.
The sound of duct tape caught Kaylee's attention as she innocently skipped over to Merle's cell, seeing him attempt to use a blade and attach it to his prosthetic. Her arms were tucked behind her back as she watched in amusement to the struggle Merle was having.
"I would ask what you're doing, but I'm afraid of the answer I'll get." She teased, earning a look from the older Dixon. "Sorry, Merle. It's pretty amusing to see you wrapping duct tape around your arm."
Merle chuckled, "Shouldn't ya be with your sister, she warned ya being near me." he told.
"Correction, she warned you being near me. But, it's the other way around." Kay leaned on the metal and shrugged. "She's talking with Daryl, hopefully sorting things out."
"If I know my baby brother, that won't be sorted out for a long time." Merle shook his head as he continued to wrap the duct tape to ensure the blade wouldn't fall off. "He ain't a good woman talker, surprised he even got one."
"My sister is different," Kaylee told, kicking the cement floor. "When we first met Rick's group, my sister hated everyone. She hated Shane, Rick, Daryl; everyone. She didn't trust them."
Merle chuckled once again, "Smart. What changed?" he asked.
"I wasn't there, but if I had to guess, she learned to trust them over time." Kay shrugged, glancing toward the cells and moved to sit down with him. Merle glanced as well, not wanting her sister to nag or make an excuse to bite his head off. "I was gone, trying to survive on my own, but Daryl was there for Angela. When I came around, I was mad to see her friendly with everyone."
Merle paused, furrowing his brows. "Oh, yeah?"
Kaylee nodded. "I was jealous, I guess? I didn't know anyone in the group and she was so friendly with them. Daryl I hated the most, next to Rick. I blamed them for me being alone in those woods." She rolled her pant leg to show the scars on her leg. "I can't walk right anymore, so I rarely go on runs."
"Except for that time." He countered, Kay nodded.
"Some things happened, we lost T-Dog, Lori, and thought Carol was dead. Angela suggested I go out."
Merle nodded, looking over the scars. "What caused your leg?"
"Bear trap. I tried to get out twice, the second time made it worse. Once I got back to the highway where I last saw them, I hid out in a car." Kay extended her arms out, letting her pant leg fall back down her leg. "The window shield had large words," Her arms rested in her lap. "it said to stay there and they would come back everyday."
"They didn't, did they?" He concluded, to which Kaylee shook her head. "Thought so, they forgot about ya."
"No, they got caught up with Shane being a lunatic." Kay sighed, leaning back against the metal. She saw what he was trying to go. "My point is, Merle, that if I grew to understand Daryl, than Angela will for you. Maybe we should lock you guys in a room for four hours." She joked, laughing to herself to the confused Merle.
"Not gonna happen." He told, looking back down to his work.
Kay smirked with a shrug. "That's what happened to Daryl and me, pretty much. We got trapped in a gun store for hours, and he got us both out safely. I trusted him after that happened."
Merle glanced up, he was amused by her optimism but questioned it, as well. "How can you be so sure about this?"
"Because, if my sister can tolerate one Dixon, she can tolerate both of them." Kay stood, and gave one last smile before leaving Merle before she got caught.
Merle thought on her words, shaking his head as he continued with his duct tape
Carol was walking along the cells, seeing Daryl sitting there with nothing to do. He hoped she hadn't heard the commotion with him and Angela. But then he remembered her cell being right next to Angela and Kay's. Of course she heard them.
"Haven't had the chance to say I'm glad you came back." She told, smiling at him.
"Huh, at least someone is." He mumbled, looking down at the bolt he twisted in his fingers.
"She's glad too, just needs time." Carol assured, nodding up to the cell right above his. "This is our home, your's too." She stepped in and sat down at a stool by his bed.
"This is a tomb." He replied.
"That's what T-Dog called it." She remembered, before he died. "Thought he was right, till you found me."
Daryl looked down, thinking back how he thought she was dead. How both he and Angela were handling it differently. Carol looked up at the ceiling, then back to Daryl. "He's your brother, but he's not good for you. Don't let him bring you down."
Daryl glanced up at her, finding her encouraging smile. "After all, look how far you've come." He looked around, as if trying to find how well he had come. Almost reading his mind, the two let out a soft laugh at the joke he was making.
"Angela was really upset, when you left." Carol told him, resting her elbows on her knees. "We were worried."
"How bad?" He asked, remembering what Kay had told him back in the woods.
Carol sighed, "She was avoiding everyone, wouldn't talk to anyone. Axel and I tried to talk to her, she said you wouldn't look at her the same way." she confessed, knowing Angela wouldn't want him to know.
Daryl sat up, placing his bolt down. "What ya mean?"
"Daryl," She turned to him. "I know you blame yourself for her injury, and she blames herself for chasing you away. That's how you two are, always taking each other's blames. You both need to talk it out."
Daryl sighed, shrugging at the suggestion. It was like getting a kid to talk to a friend after having a spat. In this case, it was a lover's spat for sure. "Do it for her?" She asked, getting to her feet. "She needs to talk to someone." Carol left Daryl alone to think on her words.
Angela was still laying in the bed of her cell when she heard footsteps approach her. "Can we talk?"
It was Daryl, when would he learn she wanted to be alone? Angela rubbed her index finger at the cement wall she stared at for over an hour now. Her eyes were red as she wiped at one, but felt a sting touching the other.
She heard him sigh, "Please, Angie?" he pleaded. "Just a calm talk."
Angela shrugged, it wasn't a no. Daryl stepped in and sat down at the edge of the bed, he leaned back to get a look from her, but she turned more from him. Daryl leaned onto his knees, picking at his fingers.
"Kaylee told me what was goin' on, how ya were actin'. She was scared ya were gonna leave the group, like ya almost did back at the farm." He told, glancing over at her for a reaction, she was silent. "Gotta be honest, I was worried. I didn't know what condition ya were in, 'n ya goin' out there on yer own-"
"Thought I would die out there half blind?" She snapped at him.
"Yeah." He answered, he felt the bed shift as she turned to him. "I couldn't keep ya safe in Woodbury, I blamed myself for yer injury. Ya must have been horrified."
Angela sat up, moving her legs over the bed to sit next to him. "...I thought it was Roy all over again. He saw my scar and as he put it, 'finished the job'. He claimed it was an eye for an eye." She looked to him, sighing. "I don't blame you for my injury. It could've been you this happened to."
"It didn't, instead it was you and I'm sorry it was." He told, hanging his head and wiping his hand down his face.
"I'm sorry for the mean things I said to chase you away." She said, knotting her fingers in her lap. "I was being-"
"A hot head?" He inquired, she shoved his shoulder shaking her head. "It was the same when I got mad at you, didn't mean it. I know."
The two hadn't exactly looked at one another properly, Daryl turned to her, tucking his knuckles under her chin to turn her face towards her. But she turned way, Daryl knelt down and tried again, Angela looked to him but held a look of fear.
"It's a reminder to you, like my other scar is to Kaylee." She said, her voice shuddering. She had been holding these emotions in since Daryl left, and they needed to be released. "You don't deserve to look at someone like this everyday." She closed her eyes, letting tears escape and fall down her cheeks.
"Angie..."
Her hands reached up, resting on his arm. "I'll keep it covered best I can, so you don't have to see it."
"Ya think I care?" Her eyes shot open, seeing the soft look in his baby blues. "Ya could have scales n' I wouldn't give a shit. Angie, I-" He gulped, feeling his hand reach up to her cheek as her hands left his arm. "I-I…"
Angela felt her heart beat hard against her chest. Was he doing what she thought he was doing?
With a deep breath, he looked right into her green eyes, finding confidence in himself for this moment. "I came back because I care about ya, damnit." Angela couldn't help but crack a smile. "Yer strong, brave, carin', willin' to go beyond to protect who ya love."
Angela felt her cheeks grow warm, she reached up placing her hand over his. Their hands curled into one another, lacing their fingers together. His were warm, while her's cold from playing with the cement wall. Daryl looked down at them then back up to her.
"I want to do the same, protect who I care about." Her heart had skipped, he was really saying this. "Protect you."
"Daryl…" She sighed, biting her lip at his words. She smiled up at him, her hand tightened in his hold as a response.
Angela wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a tight hug. "I want to protect you, too."
Daryl held her close and tight, not wanting to let her go from him. Fearing she would leave if he let go, the two stood and kept tight within each others' arms. He rested his chin on her head, as the two enjoyed each other's hold. He felt her nuzzle into his chest, sighing against his skin. Glancing down, he saw her smile largely, one he hadn't seen in what felt like forever.
The two hesitated, but pulled back to look into one anothers eyes once more. Daryl tilted his head, resting his hand on her cheek to see her injury. "I won't let anyone touch ya again."
Angela closed her eyes, leaning into his tough as she sighed once more, as if the stress was leaving her body every sigh she let out. "I missed you so much."
"Ditto." He replied, earning a chuckle from her. "Kay said ya slept with my poncho." Angela's eyes shot open, her cheeks now red with embarrassment. Daryl chuckled, "Thanks for takin' care of it." he teased.
Angela giggled and the two pressed their heads together. "We're good?" She asked, wanting to affirm the no speaking thing they had.
"Better." He replied softly, his voice graveled, she missed that gravely voice too. "Have ya eatin'" He asked, only to get the answer when her stomach growled in response.
Angela chuckled sheepishly, "Does that answer your question?" she stepped back, their hands still locked in with one another.
"While it's calm, let's get a meal in ya." He offered, leading her out of the cell.
The two let their hands go as they walked down the stairs. Daryl stopped at the bottom, seeing Carol in Merle's cell talking with him. Angela noticed and grew tense, but knew Carol could handle herself. Still, she was a sister to her, and couldn't help but get defensive if Merle tried anything. Something she had said made Merle glance to the two, Daryl crossed his arms watching his brother. Carol stood, telling him to enjoy his meal and walked back over to the stove. Daryl and Angela lingered, the woman spotted her sister at the table eating a bowl of whatever Carol had made.
The two walked in, Daryl walking over to Carol telling her Angela needed some food. She sat down, noticing Michonne doing some exercising on the floor in the middle of the room. Letting the woman be, her focus was on Kay who instantly raised her spoon up.
"I'm keeping my distance." She said, ready to handle any guff her sister would send her.
"Well, I'm sure the others would keep Merle from you." She said. "Knowing you snuck out after them, I hope I don't have to keep watch over you."
Kay raised a brow, she spotted Daryl getting a bowl for Angela and grinned. "Patched things up?"
Angela leaned in on her palm, "Yeah. We're good now." she patted her sister's arm. "Thanks for looking out for me, sis."
Kay perked up, "So, we're good with Merle the too, right?" she beamed.
The older sis frowned, sitting up. "Don't get your hopes up."
Kay groaned as Daryl walked around Michonne and placed the bowl in front of Angela. He sat down, finding the two talking. "What will it take for you to forgive Merle?"
"More than he could ever imagine." She muttered, looking to Daryl who didn't seem as affected by her words. "If he can help us with the Governor, fine. But, it's going to take a lot for him to gain my trust." She explained to him.
"I ain't gonna beg, if that's what your expecting." Angela's shoulder slumped, turning to see Merle emerge from his cell with a tray in his hand. He placed it on the table and sat at the edge, his eyes falling onto the black woman exercising.
Angela rolled her eyes, Daryl nudged her arm. She looked to him, "Ignore him, ya eat." he muttered to her. She took the spoon and started stirring the food in the bowl, taking a mouthful. Angela hadn't eaten in over a day or so, not growing hungry until now.
"Smart to stay fit." He commented at Michonne who changed positions to do sit ups. "Don't leave out the cardio." Angela swallowed hard at the second comment, was Merle really related to Daryl?
Merle looked between Angela and Michonne, two women who had a beat against him. "Ya know, if we're gonna live under the same roof, we should clear the air." He offered, with a shrug. "This whole hunting ya down thing, that was just business. Carrying out orders." He told Michonne.
Kay nudged her sister, grinning at her as if proving Angela wrong about Merle. Sure, he was clearing the air. Only because Michonne could kill him in his sleep.
Michonne paused, eyes glancing toward him. "Hmm, like the Gestapo."
"Yeah. Exactly." She continued her workout, breathing evenly. "I've done a lot of things I ain't proud of. Before and after." His eyes shifted to the three sitting at the other table. Kay smiled, nodding at him with encouragement. Angela simply scoffed, continuing with her meal not believing a single word.
"Anyway, hope we can get past it." He smiled, standing walking across the room. "Let bygones be bygones." He walked up the steps, looking over. "Right, Angie?"
She paused in her meal, dropping her spoon in the bowl. Raising her elbows onto the table, she gave him an even look. "What did you call me?"
His brows rose with a shrug. "Ain't that what the others call ya?"
"Only Daryl and Kay call me Angie. My family calls me Angela, you don't get that right." She told, picking her spoon back up.
Merle chuckled, almost in disbelief. "At least I'm trying to make amends here."
"Come on, sis." Kay urged. "At least let him have a shot."
"Yeah, throw me a bone, why don't ya?" He chuckled.
The door to the Tombs suddenly flew open, Carl came running. "Dad!"
Rick and Glenn came out from the cells, everyone else stood seeing the frantic boy. "Carl? What's wrong? What happened?" Rick asked, jogging to his son.
"The gate, Andrea! She's approaching with a walker." He told, panting to catch his breath.
"What's she doing here?" Kay asked, looking toward the others.
"It could be an ambush." Merle shrugged.
Rick turned to everyone, "Get your weapons, we can't be risky in case a sniper is out there." he walked over to the pair of siblings. "You four with me and Michonne, Glenn get Beth and tell Hershel to stay in those cells with Judith. You and Carol take the catwalk." He turned to his son, hand on his shoulder. "Get to Maggie and keep watch there."
"Got it." Carl turned back and ran back to meet with Maggie.
Everyone scrambled to get guns and weapons, much to Angela's disgust, Rick allowed a gun in Merle's possession. They all ran to their spots, the four grouped following Rick outside. They ran out and took cover at the truck, pausing to look for any snipers.
"Go."
Merle ran around, kneeling down by the Hyundai. He gave the area a look around, and barked back at the others. "Clear!"
The sisters heard Merle was in the army, judging by his stance and how he scanned the area, his voice in a booming command showed through it. Rick and Daryl made a run for the gate, Beth and Kaylee stayed by the truck to keep an eye out. Angela followed after with Michonne, Merle running behind.
"Are you alone?" Rick barked out to Andrea who was indeed, approaching the gate with a walker as a cover up.
"Open the gate!" She called back.
"Are you alone!?" He repeated, back against the fence.
"Rick!" Walkers were catching onto her, as they snarled and moved towards her.
Michonne lowered her gun, seeing it was her as well. Angela glanced over, keeping her gun trained on Andrea. If what she heard was true, how she was laying with the Governor, her trust in this old member was forever gone.
Seeing it was clear, Rick tossed the keys to Daryl making the haste of unlocking the gate. Merle slide the gates open, as Andrea left the walker she had behind and ran through. Merle shut the gates, the two aimed their guns at her once more.
"Hands up! Turn around!" He demanded.
"What?" Andrea stumbled back, not expecting this kind of welcome.
"Turn around now!"
She dropped the axe as he shoved her against the fence checking her for any other weapons on her. Daryl trained his crossbow on her, Merle kept his eyes along the property for any gunners outside. Angela came over, looking over the field for anything as well. A walker came at the fence at Andrea, causing her to scream.
"Get down on the floor." Rick pulled her off the fence and shoved her down to her knees. Everyone kept watch as Rick searched her. "I asked if you were alone."
"I am." She replied, still stunned by Rick's actions and demands.
Rick roughly removed the bag off of her and tossed across the courtyard. "Welcome back." He tugged at her arm. "Get up."
Thank you aranm422, AcaciaDawn105, masalta2, for the follows and favorites!
Gryffindor Rat- Good thing I decided not to upload two chapters then, huh? Thanks for picking mine out of the others, that makes me feel all warm inside! I wouldn't be able to handle what Angela did, I would end up as crazy as the Governor or Negan for sure. It's something my little sister would do for sure… for different reasons, I think. Likes to disobey and just go off on her own. At least Kaylee's heart is in the right place compared to the mall incident. Teenagers at this age always think this way, including my 18 to be little sister. That they have the answer to everything, its the same how Carl always ventured off on his own. (and look where he is now) Thanks! See you next time!
RedVelvetPanPan- EXCLAMATION MARKS ARE GOOD THOUGH! Haha! The sickness I actually had to rewrite cause I messed up at timelines, I can't handle puking scenes well so I had to either read the episode or just watch the subtitles of the episode. So, if it gets really crappy around that time, I HIGHLY apologize. I'm super giddy for the end of this season of the story. Thanks so much!
Bruna Pereira- Hello again! I agree, good thing I posted this a bit late, I wanted see your review! Oh yea? I am huge on detail, as you know by now. Haha! My mom hates Rick's hair cut, she hates beards so she's gonna be complaining the entire season 9. So long as it's not crazy long like in Season 5 I don't mind. Curious how the other characters changed. Glad you had an awesome Saturday! I spend it with a new obsession I missed out as a kid, cause Disney was a cunt and took the show off the air when I was old enough to watch tv. Ever heard of Darkwing Duck? I love the duck characters of Disney, could be from raising ducks that laid eggs on my property since I was in middle school. But, Darkwing Duck is AMAZING! Gonna marathon it with my friends sometime. That's awesome! No problem, glad I made it eve more awesome! See you next time!