I've been waiting for months to reveal Kaylee's fate and was so happy to finally post the chapter! A lot of stuff with helping friends adjust to living here and waiting for people to hire is growing anxiety for all of us. We've been trying to get artistic with work and it's delaying so much. So from here on out, stories will not be scheduled and will be released whenever they're done.
Sleep was barely a thing for some members. Carol made a light dinner as Daryl and Michonne informed everyone about the events. There were some spaces in the story missing, mostly when Michonne left and when Daryl and Angela arrived. They'd been waiting for Merle's side of the story, but when dinner was being made, the older Dixon left the cell block without a word. Angela was sitting at the perch, refusing to enter her cell. Carl had been in his own cell, refusing a meal. Everyone ate but those three members, concerning the others.
After dinner they gathered for Rick to tell them the plan for tomorrow. Hershel took the job of feeding Judith, who was more fussy than usual. Beth made a bowl and walked into the cells, she saw Angela up top. The woman wasn't crying or sleeping, just sitting there staring into space with something in her hands. Deciding she needed to be alone, Beth walked to Carl's cell seeing him sitting on his bed, back facing her.
"Hey." She softly called, he didn't respond. "Brought you dinner, in case you were hungry." Beth stepped over, placing the bowl gently on the bed next to him. She stepped back, standing in the cell watching Carl fiddle with something in his hand, like Angela was above.
"If you ever want to talk, you can talk to me." Beth offered, but still no word from the boy. Sighing, she turned and left Carl to be.
Carl looked over his shoulder, then toward the bowl of food for him. He turned his body, taking the bowl and eating whatever canned bits were cooked inside. His blue eyes stared down at the item on the bed by his legs, swallowing the food hard to keep himself in check. Carl felt anger as he stared down at the piece on the bed, he moved the bowl beside up and picked the item up. The music box with the carved name 'Judit', the 'h' missing as it was incomplete. Kaylee hadn't been able to finish the name before…
He took a deep breath, blinking his eyes dry as he opened the box. The music softly entered his ears, closing his eyes trying not to cry. Though he was keeping the tears at bay, someone outside hearing the music was struggling hard.
Soft sobbing was heard outside his cell, Carl didn't move knowing it was Angela crying at the perch above. In her hand was her brother's gun, thankfully it was unloaded by Daryl's order. He didn't want a repeat at the farm, when she almost put a bullet in her brain when she first thought Kaylee died. With this being real, he didn't know what her mental state would be like.
These weren't the only two deeply affected by the death of Kaylee, currently outside taking night watch, Merle Dixon was reflecting on what happened. He circled the courtyard at least twenty times by now, barely able to focus on his patrol. His eyes shifted down to his bandaged hand, looking over where two fingers were now missing, leaving him down to only three fingers on his person. Merle would be rendered to only using his handgun, but kept a rifle on him nonetheless. Hershel told him he needed to rest, but the redneck just stood and walked outside when the dark night rose.
The older Dixon thought on the heavy events and changes to come around for the group. Tomorrow, Merle was sure the Governor would retaliate as Rick was forming a plan. His mind felt fuzzy, unable to focus on anything. All he kept seeing in his head was the teenager bleeding out before him, dying with her blood on his hand.
"Stupid kid." He growled to himself, frowning deeply as he saw the moon bright in the sky.
"You needed your brother."
Merle closed his eyes, hanging his head as he shook it. "He didn't need me." He muttered, looking over to see her standing beside him.
Merle had started seeing visions, a ghost of the teen standing before him. His blue eyes scanned over her haunting image, blood covering her gut as her right temple had the head wound he gave her to prevent her turning. Though her eyes looked empty, she held a smile and stood innocently beside him as if nothing was wrong.
"Everyone needs someone." She countered, her voice light and airy.
Merle looked away, adjusting the rifle in his arms. "Ya think Angela didn't?" An echoing laugh was heard, he side glanced her seeing she was giggling. "What's so damn funny?"
"You still care." She countered. "After all, you're not only thinking about Angela, but me as well. Isn't that why I'm here?" Kay tilted her head, her hair falling to the side over her shoulder, some blood could be found on the strands stuck to her face. "I'm not real."
Merle huffed through his nose, swinging his bayonet at the phantom, only to see it disappear before him. He stepped back, breathing to calm himself down as he spun around in the dark to look for her. Feeling alone once again, he brought his bandaged hand and rubbed his palm into his eyes.
The following morning at dawn, the plan would be commenced to the Prison group. Everyone was collecting their valuables, packing them in trash bags, crates, backpacks, anything they could use. Beth was walking along the upper floor of the cells, seeing Daryl helping Angela pack her stuff. He asked her what to pack into what bags. She only nodded or shook her head, looking less focused than yesterday. Rick's plan was to empty out the prison for when the Governor would return and ambush them. It was decided that Carl, Beth, Hershel, and Angela would be kept in the woods at a distant keeping Judith safe. The rest were to stay for the ambush when the Woodbarians arrive.
Beth walked down the steps, passing Carl's cell as he was packing his own items. He shoved his sister's clothing into an old large paper bag, a duffle bag on his right resting on the bed. He took a pause, looking at a family photo he got from when he, Rick, and Michonne went to King County. Seeing the happy smiles and the warmness of that memory in the photo brought a heavy feeling in his chest. His eyes casted down to the music box by his leg, Carl wished he had a photo of Kaylee to remember her by. For now, he'd keep the music box close in case Judith needed it. Carl placed the picture frame into the bag, that had 'Judith' written on it and shoved it into the duffle bag. He pocketed the music box into his coat, wanting to keep it close to him personally.
Angela walked down the stairs with Daryl following carrying the bags. She had one on her back while Daryl had a duffle bag of clothing and other assortments. The duffle bag mostly had Kaylee's clothing to which would be given to Beth. They walked toward the door to the cars, passing Hershel as he was packing the medical supplies he would take care to keeping. Carol was carrying the cooking supplies and rushing out before almost running into Angela.
"Sorry." She mumbled, only earning a nod before Angela continued to the car. Carol watched in worry, looking to Daryl who adjusted the duffle bag over his shoulder.
"How she doing?" Carol asked.
Daryl looked to her, "Been out of sorts, spacin' out." he told following Angela. Carol knew they were both hurting, and Daryl knew when Angela was ready, she'd take again to the others. She followed outside to place what she had in whatever car could take it.
Outside, everyone was packing the cars, Merle tending to his bike to see if he could carry anything on it. Though he couldn't ride it with his stump arm and wrapped hand, he trusted Daryl with it. Carl emerged from the block with Michonne carrying a crate behind him. Rick spotted his son and reached out for him to talk.
"Carl-" When Rick caught his arm, Carl roughly shrugged him off and continued marching behind the Hyundai. He gave the bag to Beth as she found a spot for it in the back.
Angela glanced up, helping Rick with the engine as he had asked. She hadn't seen Carl ever do that to his dad. Letting it go, Angela took one of the gas tanks and walked around to fill the car. Rick watched his son before turning back to shut the hood, moving to the next car.
Glenn had noticed, walking over to the two as Rick was checking the oil on one of the cars found from the prison. "I've never seen him this mad." He commented. "Even with Lori. He just shut down."
The two glanced to Carl then back to each other. "He's still a kid." Rick replied, slipping the oil stick back into the tube. "It's easy to forget. Especially when someone…" He shook his head, placed his hand on the hood, tapping his knuckle against it to get Angela's attention. "All good?"
Angela blinked when he spoke, looking up she wiped her upper lip, stood straight and nodded using Daryl's red rag to clean her hands. Glenn and Rick watched her walk away as Rick slammed the hood down. He walked over to the Hyundai opening the driver's side door, pausing to catch sight on the catwalk. Lori stood there, looking down at Rick caressing her pregnant belly. He just shook his head, eyes falling down to Angela that stood a bit away as Daryl was helping Merle with the bike. He was thankful to see she wasn't starting fights with him, but still concerned with how out of sorts she's been this morning.
Merle was packing the side bags with weapons and such as he would need them. The two shared a look, Daryl clapped his shoulder giving a nod before walking over to Angela. He tilted her head up, seeing she was spacing out again- A habit she started since this morning. Daryl gently took the poncho his brother gave that was resting on the bike and slid it over her head, covering her body from the cold morning air. Merle watched as his baby brother tended to Angela, pulling out one of her beanie hats from his pocket and placing it delicately over her head making sure it covered her ears. He said some words to her, to which caught her attention, blinking back to focus. She looked up, nodding at him as the two walked over to the Hyundai with Daryl helping her inside.
"She's not all there." Merle sighed ignoring the voice as he was buckling the bags up. His eyes stole a glance up at Kaylee leaning on the bike, elbows propped up and chin in her palms. "Gonna talk to her?" Merle scowled and stood walking away leaving the phantom to herself.
The cars were moved into the woods where the other members would hide until it was safe. Hershel drove the car out, leaving the others behind ready to deal with the ambush. They took the car out to join the other vehicles, Carl and Angela got to work covering them with foliage to hide them. Sooner or later, as everyone knelt in the dirt behind the trees awaiting for the possible arrival. Angela sat in the dirt against the car, distant from everyone as she ripped up leaves within her reach.
The sound of screaming and gunfire echoed out into the air, making the three tense. Angela didn't respond, spacing out again as she has been for the day. Beth knelt beside her father as he held her close to him. Carl was antsy, moving from tree to tree, trying to get a look at the events unfolding.
"I should be there." Carl said, gun at his side ready to protect the family with him.
Hershel glanced up at him, then back toward the prison. He over his shoulder toward the cars seeing Angela was sitting there almost like a bored child. If she were in the right state of mind, she would be fighting back at the prison beside Daryl for sure. He's seen Rick's state of when Lori died and Angela recovered fine after T-Dog's death. He hoped she'd come out soon enough to fight back.
The gunfire lasted a while, then silence was regained through the forest. The three went to sitting by the car, staying out of sight. Carl made a spot to sit right by Angela keeping on eye on her. He took the protective instinct seeing she wasn't there with them consciously.
Sounds of rushed breathing and fast paced running with the crunch of leaves caught their attention. Carl reacted first, jumping out and pointing his gun at a teenage boy running by them. He stood right in front of Angela who didn't even acknowledge their presence. Hershel stood, aiming his own gun as he used the car to lean on. The kid skidded to a stop, lowering his shotgun and raising a hand up.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! Don't shoot." He pleaded, obviously a Woodbarian.
"Drop the weapon, son." Hershel calmly ordered.
The teenager eyed the younger boy, nodding at the man. "Sure." He complied, stepping forward and holding the gun to Carl. "Here, take it."
Carl watched him, not moving to take the gun from him at all. Once the teenager took another step, one closer to Angela, Carl reacted and pulled the trigger. The silent bullet pierced the teen's head and he slumped to the ground. Hershel couldn't believe what Carl had just done, he wasn't any threat to them and yet he fired and killed him.
Angela hadn't been paying attention until the body hit the ground. She jolted and looked over, seeing the teenager boy laying dead with a bullet hole bleed from his head. Angela stared for a while, but when she blinked she saw something else. Her eyes went wide as hse scrambled back against the car, trying to get to her feet. Small gasps of hyperventilation was escaping her mouth, fingers clawing at the hood of the car trying to be as far from the body as possible. It wasn't the teenage boy Angela saw, she was seeing Kaylee's body laying on the ground.
"Angela, what's wrong?" Beth moved around the car, blocking her vision and trying to ease her. "Angela?" She grabbed her shoulders moving her from the body toward the car side.
Carl watched, seeing the panic attack Angela was experiencing. Hershel knelt down to her side trying to get her to breath. She soon got down to gasping, gripping her short hair tightly and then it turned to sobbing. Carl looked over watching Angela then looked to the teenager, to him, he saw the enemy ready to hurt someone he cared about. This was someone who killed Kaylee, so Carl had to pay them back. The trembling left Carl's hands, moving to help comfort Angela as she was crying in her hands hysterically.
After the Governor and his militia made their hasty retreat, the prison was silent as the group of Daryl, Merle, Rick, Michonne, Glenn, Maggie and Carol approached the second gates. Some were out of breath as adrenaline was still running through their veins from their defense on the prison. Maggie and Glenn had their riot gear on as Daryl and Merle removed gas masks after smoking the Tombs out.
"We did it." Rick told, looking over the yard as it was now clear. "We drove them out."
"We should go after them." Michonne suggested, sword tight in her grip.
Merle nodded with Daryl's agreement. "We should finish it." Daryl told.
"It is finished. Didn't you see them hightail it out of here?" Maggie asked, hoping it was indeed the end.
"They could regroup." Michonne told, turning to her.
"They will." Merle corrected.
"We can't take the chance." Glenn agreed, for once him and Merle seeing eye to eye. "He's not gonna stop."
"You're right." Carol nodded. "We can't keep living like this."
Maggie looked concerned. "So we take the fight back to Woodbury? We barely made it back last time." She told, giving a look to Rick as he listened to their voices.
"He don't care." Daryl dismissed.
Merle turned to the cowgirl. "He won't' expect it either, and I know where the armory is hidden." He explained, giving good notes the advantage they had.
"Yeah." Rick agreed, seeing it was the only way to finally end this. "Let's check on the others." He told, as he and Daryl took lead toward the cell block to make sure the others got back safely.
"Did a good job, little D." Merle praised, as they all entered the Cell Block to wait for the remaining group. "Was hoping she would get some action in on this."
Daryl nodded at him, placing his crossbow on the table. "She will, I'll make sure of it."
Rick paced, hearing the creak of the door cell as the shadows entered the building. Beth was first with Judith in her arms, cooing as if nothing was wrong in the world. Carl followed closely after, Carol and Glenn went outside to get the items from the cars back inside. Hershel limped in, seeing Rick greet his daughter with a kiss and his son with a tight hug.
"Daryl." He called, catching the Dixon's attention. "Angela needs help."
He frowned, "Did she get hurt?" he asked walking around the table toward him.
"No, she had a panic attack and…" Hershel sighed, but earned a nod from Daryl as he jogged out to meet with her. Merle sat at the table, watching the interactions of Rick with Carl.
"Dad, I'm coming to Woodbury." He stated to his father.
Merle scoffed. "It ain't no field trip, son."
Rick sighed, getting to his feet. "Carl."
"Dad, I did my job out there. Just like all of you." He told with ease. "Took out one of the Governor's soldiers."
Hershel frowned, Rick looked down at the words his son had just told him. Intrigued, Merle leaned on his knees listening as everyone else starting piling the stuff back inside.
"One of his soldiers? A kid running away?" He asked Carl, looking down at him. "He stumbled across us."
"No," Carl denied. "He drew on us. Angela was in danger."
Rick took his son's shoulder, Carl looked up at him. "I'm sorry you had to do that." he told, believing his claim. "You kept them safe, is Angela alright?"
"It's what I was there for. She didn't get hurt." He assured, but gave a sturdy nod to his father. "I'm going with you." He turned and left toward the cells.
Rick was stunned that his son not only killed, but wanted to be out there in the line of fire. Merle stood when Daryl walked in with Angela in his arms. Concern came to for the men as Daryl carried her into the cells. Merle watched, standing by Rick and Hershel.
"That kid was scared." Hershel started, watching as Daryl climbed the stairs to her cell. Rick looked to their doctor. "He was handing his gun over, Angela was in no danger."
Rick glanced at the cells then back to Hershel. "He said he drew." Merle folded his arms, Hershel shook his head to which flared Rick a tad. "Carl said it was in defense. Angela, she's-"
"Rick, I was there. He didn't have to shoot." Hershel insisted, looking to him. "Once the kid fell to the ground, after Carl fired, Angela panicked. She was fine until she saw the boy die and…" He shook his head. "He had every reason not to-"
Rick furiously rubbed his growing beard. "Maybe it looked like that to you, Hershel-"
"Rick!" He barked, raising Merle's brows that it silenced their leader.
"Face it, Officer." Merle told, getting his attention. "Your son's killed, he drew blood. Now he wants more."
Rick gave the redneck a look, then back to Hershel. "He gunned that kid down." He told sternly, giving an even stare to Rick. Hershel moved and returned to the cells, wanting to see how Angela was doing.
Rick pinched the bridge of his nose, Merle stood by watching him. "It was bound to happen." He told him, not to be cruel but honest to the man. "Living in a world like this, kid is bound to have a thirst for it."
"He's not like that." Rick told, glaring at the man.
Merle smirked, he chuckled. "Neither were you." He told, dropping his arms and moving outside.
In the cells, Daryl had been trying to get Angela to speak. She just sat on her bed, curled up on her side staring at the wall. Her eyes showed they were exhausted with bags under them, her nails were scratching at the material of the mattress she was laying on. Daryl was crouching beside her at the bed, his voice soft and gravely to get her to talk. Sounds of click and step came up, he looked up seeing Hershel approach the cell.
"Everything alright?" He asked.
Daryl stood, walking over to him crossing his arms. "She won't talk. What happened?"
Hershel sighed, adjusting himself on his crutches. "Carl shot a boy, he was surrendering and he killed him."
He shrugged, not seeing the problem. "So? How does that-"
"I don't know, but once she saw the boy hit the ground, she started screaming." He informed, Daryl rubbed his brow at that. "As we were driving up, she refused to look out the window. Could be from the bodies out in the field."
Daryl looked to Angela, seeing her in such a broken state caused a tightness in his chest. The thought of her initially going to Woodbury in his mind was now being considered a bad idea. She might get shot at or had another panic attack.
"Whatchya thinking?" Hershel asked, seeing the redneck in deep thought.
Daryl looked up, giving his chin a scratch. "Attackin' Woodbury, we plan on finishin' this thing. I was thinkin' on takin' Angie with us."
He shook his head. "After what happened, it's best she stay here."
The hunter nodded, agreeing with the older man. Hershel placed a hand on his shoulder, making him glance down to the hand then to him. "She'll get better. She just needs time, don't start blaming yourself, son."
Daryl felt doubt in his words, how could he not blame himself for this? Someone not just close to him, but family was gone and in a way that could've been prevented. Hershel made his leave, as Daryl rubbed his chin turning back to his scarred woman laying in the bed, zoned out from everything around her. Walking back into the cell, he knelt down to her, he raised a hand pet her hair. He felt the thick growing strands through his fingers, caressed her head in a means to relax her when he heard her sniffle.
"Angie?" Daryl called softly, lowering to tilt his head toward her. "I'll be back." He told her, her eyes shifted up at him finally.
"Where?" She croaked.
Daryl sighed, moistening his lips thinking how to tell as he didn't want her to have another panic attack. But Daryl couldn't find himself able to lie without her knowing. Even if she was in this catatonic like state, she still could tell if he was lying.
"Gonna take care of the Governor." He told. "Headin' to Woodbury to finish this."
Angela stared at him for a moment, her eyes scanning his face then his body. Daryl didn't know what she was thinking. Then she sat up and knelt down with him, hugging him close around his neck.
"What if I lose you too?" She asked softly in his ear.
With a thick swallow, Daryl wrapped his arms and held her close, rubbing her back. "Ya can't lose me." He assured, feeling her fingers twist in his hair at the base of his neck. "Only a Dixon can kill a Dixon."
Angela whimpered at the thought, borrowing her face into his neck as she held him tighter. In Daryl's mind, comforting Angela was something he knew to do. But with her in this state, he felt helpless on how to assure her properly. He was honestly hoping she'd want to go and help finish it off, he remembered how she was when they first thought Kaylee was dead on the farm. Angela was ready to end it all, she was a strong brave person but without Kaylee, she was a broken woman.
"Angie, Angie-" Daryl gently pulled her off, to look her in the eyes. She kept her grip, not wanting to let him go. "Angie, look at me?" He pleaded, to which she finally let go and looked up at him, hands resting in her lap.
"Daryl-"
"I promise, ya won't be losin' me. Rick n' the others will be goin' too." He tilted his head, bringing a hand to brush his knuckle against her sharp cheek. "When this is over, I won't be leavin' yer side ever again."
Angela nodded at his words, leaning over to kiss his cheek. She hugged him once more, prompting him to hug back, instinct kicking in to kiss her neck for assurance. Outside the cell, Merle Dixon was going to ask his brother something when he saw the two having a moment. The older brother just stood by the doorway listening, shaking his head at certain moments or resisting to scoff.
"Dixon's are softer than they show to be, huh?" Merle glanced down beside him, spotting the apparition of Kaylee looking up at him.
Merle just rolled his eyes and stood, leaving the cell room passing through the teen as she disappeared- like usual.
It was ultimately decided that the end of this war would be to go after the Governor and attack Woodbury. Hershel and Michonne were piling the Ram truck up as Daryl was on his bike, helping bring ammo to the two from parts of the prison. Rick was in his head, having his own internal struggle with his son. Carl stood by the bleachers, gun in hand ready to go as he stated before hand. He glanced to his son, then to Daryl as he was checking the bullets in his revolver that he kept in the holster of his bike.
"How's Angela doing?" He asked, approaching the man.
Daryl turned the engine off to hear Rick better as he leaned on the handle bars. "Could be better." Rick frowned at those words, Daryl shrugged. "She won't be back with us for a while, it's like back at the farm, 'member?"
Rick nodded, "Yeah, someone needs to sit with her." he figured.
Daryl looked around, he knew Michonne, Rick, himself, and Merle were going. He wasn't sure who else would be able to stay with her. "Maybe Hershel." He suggested.
Rick pinched his lip, shaking his head. Not that he was against Hershel, he had his own daughters to worry about. Rick had someone else in mind to keep an eye on her. Daryl watched as Rick walked around the truck.
"Michonne." She glanced up, seeing him holding his rifle to her. Taking it, she put it in the truck as he continued his way toward Carl. Rick paused in front of his son and knelt down to him, looking him in his eyes.
"Hershel told me about the boy you shot." He started, getting his son's attention.
"He had a gun." Carl told, he sighed. "Is Angela alright?"
Rick hummed nodding at him. "She's resting." He answered. "Was he handing it over?"
Carl's eyes narrowed, adjusting his sitting position. "He had just attacked us."
"Yeah." Rick nodded again, looking down. "Yes, he had." He confirmed, Rick moved closer looking back up at him. "Was he handing it over?" He asked again.
Carl knew why his father was asking this certain question. "I couldn't take the chance." He answered honestly. "I didn't kill the walker that killed Dale. Look what happened."
Rick sighed, shaking his head. "Son, that is not the same thing."
"You didn't kill Andrew. He came back and killed Mom and T-Dog." Rick listened, hearing what his son had been thinking over this entire time. "You were in a room with the Governor and you let him go." Carl accused, looking down taking a breath so his voice wouldn't crack at his next statement. "And then he killed Kaylee."
Rick blinked, feeling the anger and sorrow in Carl. Wiping his lip, he inched closer to his son with a low soft voice. "Carl-"
"I did what I had to do." Carl told, looking back to his father. "I'm sorry for making Angela panic like she did." Carl shook his head, standing from the bleacher, not getting another response from his father. Rick was clearly thinking over what his son had just said to him.
"Now go. Before he kills anymore of us."
The sound of a small metal trinket hitting the concrete caught Rick's ears. As his son walked back to the cell block to hopefully check on Angela, Rick looked down spotting what fell from his son's person. The old sheriff badge he thought he left back at Hershel's farm was in his son's possession this whole time. Rick was now seeing what this world was turning his once was innocent and kind son into.
He wiped his lips and stood, walking back over to the group, Michonne, Daryl, and Merle armed and ready to leave. Glenn and Maggie stood by, not looking as ready as the others.
"Rick, we're staying." Glenn stated as Rick rejoined them. "We don't know where the Governor is. If he comes back, we'll hold him off."
"Just the four of us?" Daryl questioned, wondering if less was smart.
"After seeing what they can do," Merle nodded at the love birds. "We can handle it."
"That's the smartest thing you've said." Came Kaylee's voice. Merle ignored it as he and Michonne piled into the truck.
"I appreciate you staying." Rick told the two, walking around to climb into the driver's side.
"Sure."
"Don't be crashing that thing of beauty, baby brother." Merle barked at Daryl before slamming the back door.
Carol and Beth killed some walkers on the fence as Maggie and Glenn pulled back the makeshift fixing of their gate. Daryl was the first to get out, the Ram truck following behind. The four watched as they left the prison, hoping deep inside they'd make it back in one piece.
"You remember the layout?" Michonne asked Merle who chuckled from the back seat.
"Like the back of my long lost hand." He responded.
Carl sat in his cell, thinking over the conversation he had with his father. He wanted to finish what his father couldn't, Carl just hoped the Governor would meet his end for all he had done. Maggie and Glenn were on patrol with Carol. Hershel was sitting at the tables with Beth tending to Judith. Carl looked over the music box in his lap, his fingers pressed against the name carved into the box. He couldn't stop fiddling with it, it was something Kaylee was so admit on finishing and yet never did. The name ended at Judit, the marker for the 'h' was smudged and started to fade. Carl went through his baggage, surprised to find a marker inside, must've been the one he used to label Judith's bag of clothing. He took off the cap and carefully lined the letter to make it thick and black again, then pocketed the marker.
Outside his cell he heard footsteps coming down the stairs, looking out he spotted Angela walking down and toward the exit of the cells. He placed the music box down and stood, watching the women drag her feet to the exit. She was looking down at the cemented floor with her arms folded tightly around herself. Carl heard Hershel greet Angela, to which she didn't respond. Concerned, Carl followed to see Angela making her way to the second exit of the block to the left.
"Where is she going?" He asked Hershel who just shook his head.
"She didn't say anything." Beth told, standing to gently place Judith in the playpen to sleep.
Hershel turned from his sitting position. "Carl?" The boy looked to him. "Can you go with her?"
Nodding, Carl followed the woman finding her standing at the fences. He looked around, spotting Glenn at one tower and Maggie at another. He spun around looking for Carol, seeing her at the other end of the fencing stabbing walkers. Carl approached Angela, seeing her staring off at the prison yard.
"They'll be back." He assured her, looking up at her. "So will Daryl."
Angela reached up and gripped the chain link fence, her fingers curled around the metal as she pressed her nose against it. Carl could see he wasn't going to get a reaction from her, so he stood by to keep her company and safe until the others' return.
The road to Woodbury was long but something ahead made the group slow down. Merle leaned forward seeing his brother slow to a stop, the truck following. Right in front were abandoned cars from the Governor's militia at the prison. Daryl turned the engine off and propped the kickstand, getting off the bike. The three emerged from the truck, weapons ready for what to expect from the people. Though, as they walked closer to the cars, they spotted walkers feasting on corpses strewn across the road and field. Daryl shot down the closest walker, Michonne swung her sword at a walker then sliced two heads of walkers approaching her.
Merle spotted a walker coming to his right, he stepped back and stabbed his bayonet into its forehead. Yanking back, he kicked the walker in the gut to fall backwards to the ground. Rick holstered his gun and removed his knife to stab a blood mouthed walker at a jeep.
"Looks like a damn massacre." Merle said, as he and Daryl looked around by the large truck.
"Did walkers attack?" Michonne asked, taking a look at the walkers that weren't sliced.
"If I had to guess-"
The sudden thud behind the Dixons made them jump and turn finding a woman hiding in the truck. Merle frowned, squinting up at her as Rick came over pointing a gun at her. Daryl opened the door and ushered her out, her hands held up in surrender, Merle then recognized her.
"Karen." He called her, she turned to them shocked to see the older Dixon.
"Merle? You're alive?" She questioned.
Merle scoffed, "You too. Governor go crazy?" he asked.
Karen nodded, still looking shaken up. "He wanted us to go back and everyone was against it. He just snapped and shot everyone."
"That sounds 'bout right." Merle confirmed with a nod.
Rick and Daryl looked to one another, thinking the same thing. "Get in the car." Rick ordered her, shoving her toward the truck.
Night had fallen and there was still no sign of the others' return. Maggie and Glenn had returned inside and Carol was sitting to watch Angela and Carl. They stood by the fence, not moving from it since Angela emerged. Carol rubbed her shoulders, feeling the cold night air chilling her bones. Concerned for the two in this cold weather, she stood from sitting at the bleachers and walked over to the two.
"It's getting real chilly. We should head inside for some warm food." She suggested.
Carl nodded and turned to Angela. "Ready to go inside?" He asked her.
Angela didn't answer, she just stood frozen with her eyes glued to the far end gate awaiting their return. Carl shook her arm, trying to get her attention. "Angela, it's too cold."
Carol came over, touching her hand she gasped at how ice cold she felt. "She's freezing!"
Carol inclapsed her hand and turned her, leading Angela back to the cell block. Once they entered, everyone was eating rice Maggie had made for everyone. Glenn got a bowl and offered it to Angela once she entered. Watching from their spots, as Carol shut the barred door, waiting for her to take it.
"You gotta eat, Daryl would want you to eat." Glenn urged, stepping closer.
Growing almost inpatient, he roughly took her cold hands to cup the bowl. But proven too hot as she gasped and dropped the bowl. It clattered to the ground, wasting the good food to splatter onto the cement. Carol came over, Glenn sighed as he bent down picking up the bowl.
"Are you alright?" She asked Angela, checking her hands to see if she actually burned them badly.
"She'll be fine. We can't treat her like this." Glenn told sternly to her.
Carol and Carl frowned at the Korean. "Glenn." Maggie called, not liking how Glenn was taking this.
"Someone has to say it!" He barked back at her.
Hershel turned in his seat, swallowing his food. "What's this about?" He questioned.
Glenn look around the room, he tossed the bowl onto the table circling to the center of the room. "We know why Angela is in this state, it's the same exact thing as at the farm. Except its real this time, she has to snap out of it."
"That's what we're trying to do." Carol told him, arms around Angela as she lead her to sit at a table. Angela folded her arms, tucking them in to ignore the short pain from the hot bowl.
"It's not working. We can't ease her out, we have to snap her back." Glenn insisted, moving to stand in front of Angela.
"Glenn, don't." Hershel ordered, moving for his crutches ready to stop his son-in-law. "You'll make it worse."
"It's worth a try. What if the Governor comes back while the others are gone? We can't have her cower in her cell." He argued with the older man. "We need her in the fight."
Glenn held her shoulders tightly, and shook her a moment making everyone tense. "Angela, do you hear me?" He called at her, but she just looked down at her lap ignoring him. "Angela, it's Glenn, a friend of yours. If you don't stop this, we could all be in danger."
"Glenn." Maggie stepped over, but Glenn held a hand out to stop her.
"I know you're going through something really hard, but you can't stay like this. We need you in this fight, we could die if you don't." Glenn tilted his head, moving his hand to raise her head to try and look at him. "You should feel angry, not be in this coma like state. I know you're mad, because you know who is at fault. Merle."
"Glenn, stop." Carol instantly want to intervene, but he waved her off rudely.
"Merle is the reason why Kaylee is dead. If he hadn't taken her to that place, she'd be sitting here right now." Glenn told, giving her shoulder a rough shake. Angela shook her head free of Glenn's grip at her chin and covered her ears. "It's true! Merle Dixon is the one who put Kaylee in the line of fire, put her on death row!
Maggie rushed over, pulling at Glenn's shoulders, trying to get him away from Angela. She started to cry at his words, feeling pain and anger build up as he continued. "Glenn, stop it! Right now!" Hershel barked, his voice echoing out that it made Angela flinch.
"Merle Dixon killed Kaylee!" Glenn yelled out as he finally let Angela out.
It seemed it wasn't just a few who were affected by this, Glenn was too. He held distaste for the older Dixon and now he felt true anger like before when he first kidnapped them. He took the teen away from this makeshift safe haven and now she was resting in her grave out in the yard. Once Glenn was spaced from Angela enough, Carol and Carl moved to tend to Angela. She only shoved them away as she ran toward the cell blocks, assumingly her cell or Daryl's. Carl followed to make sure nothing would happen, everyone's attention was put toward the seething Korean.
"Mind telling us what the hell that was about?" Maggie questioned.
Glenn swallowed, "It's true." he defended. "Merle brought her there."
"She also followed him, on her own accord." Hershel countered, stepping over to him. "Kaylee knew the dangers when she left Michonne to chase after Merle."
Carol turned, agreeing with Hershel. "We know you're angry, Glenn. But don't take it out on anyone else. Especially her."
"I wasn't." Glenn tried to reason. "I-" He sighed and shook his head. "I didn't mean to." It was silent as he caught his breath from his yelling. "Should I?" He moved toward the cells but Hershel stopped him.
Questioning it, everyone heard sobbing escaping from the cells, Angela's crying was heard. Carl was with her, too much after doing such a thing might over stress her like back in the woods. "Leave her be for a while." Hershel told, turning to sit back down.
Maggie and Glenn shared a look, clearly the two had a talk about this beforehand as she held a disapproving look. Glenn nodded, seeing the damage he did to her and just sat down to finish his meal.
They finally made it to Woodbury, arriving at not the front gate but the rear one. Merle could tell what street this gate lead to, as they passed through a small gazebo. Guns were raised as Karen was lead behind with Merle watching her at the end. Suddenly, a plant pot by Rick exploded when a bullet flew by smashing it. Karen rushed to take cover behind a car as everyone fired at the wall, the others soon ducked down behind it once more accurate shots were being fired. Rick and Merle stood firing more and crouched back down once the shooting on the other end paused.
"Tyreese!" Karen called, standing with her hands up once the fire ceased for a second. Everyone's heads turned to her. "It's me, don't-"
Rick grabbed her and pulled her back behind the car. "Get down!"
Expecting more gunfire, they awaited to return said fire. "Karen!" Was barked back by the man, Tyreese. Rick remembered that name, wasn't that the man Carl found in the prison when they got Maggie, Glenn and Kaylee back?
"Karen, are you okay!?"
She got free of Rick's grip and stood once more. Michonne and Merle watched her with guns still raised. "I'm fine!"
"Where's the Governor!?" Rick was tense, the guards didn't know where he was either? Merle glared down meeting Rick's gazing, thinking this better not be a set up.
"He fired on everyone!" Karen responded. "He killed them all!"
There was a pause, as if the man was registering what Karen had just said. Daryl crouched down to Rick, checking to see what their next plan of attack was. They hadn't expected this at all, Merle didn't care, he was ready to open fire at anytime.
"Why are you with them!?" Tyreese called back.
Karen glanced to the group then back at the wall. "They saved me!"
Rick thought on this entrance, maybe they can enter without guns ablazing. This woman, Karen, was very shook up by the actions of not the attack on the prison, but the Governor's assault on his own people. Tyreese was at the prison once before, Rick thought maybe a compromise can be made.
"We're coming out!" Rick called out to him.
Merle and Daryl instantly didn't like this. "What?" Merle hissed at him, turning to see if he was serious.
"No." Daryl shook his head, not agreeing to whatever Rick was planning. He sighed and stood back over, his weapon still up as Rick was adjusting his now strapped over his chest.
"Gonna get us killed." Merle whispered at him.
"We're coming out." Rick called again, ignoring Merle's words and stood with his hands up.
Merle followed behind Rick, his gun raised like his brother. Michonne followed but under Rick's idea with her arms up in surrender. The brothers shared a look, Merle shook his head but Daryl lowered his and raised his hands as well in aggravation. The older one now looked just as pissed, Rick gave him a look. Soon he let the straps around his neck hold the gun as he held up his prostetic and other hand of remaining three fingers. The thought of just whipping his pistol out and firing the second the gate opens crossed his mind, but something had the other thought that could bring danger to his brother and the others.
Once the gates opened, Tyreese was standing there with Sasha looking concerned and confused on this exchange. The others were as well, only these two were on guard? Merle frowned and looked around, no, they were indeed the only two. Usually there'd be about twelve people on a wall. Hands were lowered once they all were within a few feet, the two had indeed recognized them, all but Merle.
"What are you doing here?" Tyreese asked Rick, remembering his freak out back at the prison.
Rick glanced to the others and then back to him. "We were coming to finish this until we saw what the Governor did."
"He-he killed them?" He asked, seeming to not understand how that happened.
"Sure did." Merle nodded, eyeing the man he never met. "Must of snapped and gunned them all down. Wouldn't be too surprised, how unstable he was growing to be."
Rick nodded, confirming Merle's choice words. "Karen told us Andrea hopped the wall going for the prison. She never made it." Daryl and Rick shared a look, then back to Tyreese. "She might be here."
"The Governor might have her locked up someplace, keep her from reaching the prison." Merle sniffed and spat at the pavement looking toward the black man. "We want in."
Tyreese and Sasha looked to one another, they were literally the only two people guarding this whole town. If what they're saying is true, which must be from Karen's words, then they have to find Andrea. Merle instantly took lead, heading toward the torture room where he remembered the love birds and princess were held. Sasha locked the gates once more and stood by guard as Tyreese followed to make sure the townspeople would be safe.
"What is this place?" Tyreese asked, seeing the multiple rooms with tables and chairs in there.
"This is where he held Glenn, Maggie, and Kaylee." Rick answered as Merle checked every room before continuing.
"The Governor held people here?" Tyreese questioned earning a breathy chuckle from Merle.
"Seeing him in a new light, ain't ya?" He questioned, moving down toward a corner.
"Memory Lane, right Merle?" Kaylee asked, Merle felt her walking beside her but didn't give a single glance to her words. She looked down a room he peeked into, seeing her smile and pointing a thumb. "That's my room!" She said with a bright cheery smile.
"Did more than hold them." Dary responded, breaking Merle's thoughts to focus on the task at hand.
Once he and Rick, in lead, turned a corner, the two slowed their pacing at one final metal door. Daryl and Michonne followed, their guns lowering when they spotted a pooling of red blood leaking from under the door.
"What's this room?" Daryl asked his brother who shrugged.
"This room wasn't even here when I was around." Merle eyed the door up, hearing no sound from the locked room. No, he was sure, this room didn't exist.
Michonne lowered her gun and switched to her sword, looking anxious as to it being Andrea's blood or not. "Will you open it?" She asked Rick.
Daryl raised his gun, ready in case a walker or Woodbarian enemy was hiding in there. Rick counted down under his breath and opened the door at two. Inside was a medical chair and in front of it on the floor was a walker- Milton. Merle frowned, had the Governor killed his own assistant? Well, judging by the blood on his head, he was taking down. Eyes casted down spotting feet by the wall.
"Andrea!" Michonne was the first in, dropping her sword to kneel at her side.
Rick and Daryl rushed in after, Merle following as he inspected Milton's body, making sure he was indeed dead. The feet belonged to an exhausted looking Andrea, leaning against the wall. She looked over, blood on her as she saw her old members and friends crouching before her. Daryl stood by, seeing the state she was in, Merle turned over.
"I tried to stop them." She told, eyes fluttering close now and then not looking good.
"The Governor did this?" Merle questioned, Andrea nodded in response looking dizzy.
Michonne felt her skin was hot, checking her forehead she was as hot as when she was sick in the woods. "You're burning up."
Andrea's eyes shifted down, moving her coat and shirt to reveal a bite mark right on her neck and shoulder. Rick looked away, biting his finger at the sight of an old group member, dying before their eyes.
"Judith, Carl, Kaylee, the rest of them…" Merle looked to his brother, listening to Andrea.
"Us." Rick corrected her, hand on her coat to recover the bite. "The rest of us."
"Are they alive?"
Rick looked up at the brothers, Merle looked away as Daryl kept his gaze with his leader. Merle wanted to bark out, 'hell no'. That one of their members didn't make it, that one of them was killed by the Governor himself. How he wanted to blame her for it, and just kill the Governor for all this.
"Isn't she suffering enough?" Kaylee quipped at him, to which caused his unusual silence.
"Yeah, they're alive." Rick assured, nodding.
Believing the semi-lie Andrea smiled up at Michonne, she reached over patting her hand. "It's good you found them. Michonne nodded, unable to speak as her lips quivered watching her friend dying before her.
Andrea nodded looking back to them. "No one can make it alone now."
"They never could." Daryl agreed.
"Tell Angela and Kaylee?" she started, catching Merle's attention. "Tell them, I'm sorry for everything I've said? Back at the farm, about them never being part of the group. I hoped to get to know Kaylee." Michonne bit her lip, caressing her hair to move strands from her sweat covered face.
"I-I'll let them know." Rick assured, swallowing hard at those words. He looked up at the Dixon's who stayed silent but Daryl nodded.
"They belong nowhere better than with you." Her head lowered, blinking as her sight grew blurry. "I just didn't want anyone to die." Taking a breath, she sat up more looking Rick in the eyes. "I can do it myself."
"No." Michonne finally responded, refusing to let her do the deed.
"I have to." Andrea told, nodding at her friend. "While I still can." Michonne's tears returned, nodding in understanding.
Knowing what was to happen, Merle walked out of the room passing Tyreese who stood at the doorway. Merle left the small hide away and out in the dark night of main street. He looked around, trying to find a building, marching up the road.
"Couldn't give one last goodbye?" Kaylee asked, her phantom striding beside him. Merle didn't say a word, as his mind was trying to focus on a building he was hunting for. Unlike her usual smile, she looked concerned. "You're not gonna find him."
"I am and will." He spat back at her.
"You heard them, he's not here. He's gone." Kaylee tried to reason, jogging up in front of him. "This isn't going to help anything."
"Like you did when you…" Merle growled in fustrated, shaking his head as he found the Governor's home.
He checked the door, finding it locked. Must not want the residents to get inside. Taking a step back, Merle lifted his foot and put all his strength into kicking the door in, to which worked and made the old lock fly into the room. Kaylee's phantom watched as he entered the home with his gun raised, thinking he was simply hiding away. The home was left neatly with some things strewn about, the rush to attack the prison that morning, no doubt. Merle checked every room, finding the place was indeed, abandoned.
"Damnit!" Merle barked, kicking the large table and letting it topple over to the ground. The items and other things smashed and scattered onto the ground.
Feeling aggression deep within wanting out, he swung his bayonet at the dining cabinet as the class shattered and items inside fell breaking once they hit the floor. He cleared off the items at the desk, the lamp falling with sparks as the bulb broke and the papers scattered about sliding to the floor. Merle grabbed the chair by the back and flung it across the room as it broke more things.
The Dixon panted at his anger, seeing the damage he had done to his once was boss' room. His dirty boots strode over the papers and glass crunching under his feet. Seeing the globe on the floor, he gave it a kick, seeing it fly across the room, splitting into two when it hit a beam.
Merle looked out, rolling his eyes when he spotted the teen's ghost standing by the opened front door. Her head tilted, looking around the room at the destroyed room. "Told you."
"Go away." He hissed at him, stomping over to the desk and going through the drawers to find any hint of where he could've gone if he really had flown the coop.
"Can't. Remember?" She teased, with a haunting giggle.
Merle let out a yell and threw a book at her, it passed her and hit the wall. He heard footsteps and saw Daryl peeking in. "Merle." He looked down at the book. "Ya almost nailed me, bro."
Merle shrugged, going back to the drawer as he moved small trinkets as they fell to the floor. Daryl stepped over things, seeing the destroyed room, "Anythin'?" he asked.
"Nothing." Merle answered with a sigh. He stomped on top of the crap on the floor, ignoring what he broke or crushed, and took a seat at where the dining table used to be. "Was it taken care of?"
Daryl looked around, nodding. "She handled it herself."
"Ya gonna tell Hot Head?" Merle asked as Daryl made his way to his brother. "That bullshit lie, about her being alive?"
Daryl scrutinized his brother. "She didn't have to know."
Merle chuckled, leaning back as he tipped the edge of the chair legs off the ground. "Y'know, I never knew how much of pussies ya'll really are."
"Ya got room to talk." Daryl countered, kicking a piece of wood, be it from a table or chair, hard to tell.
Merle frowned, pausing in his dangerous rocking. "What you talking about, boy?"
Daryl raised a brow, as if expecting his brother to know. "Ya haven't spoken about what happened with Kaylee." He pointed his finger around the room at the mess. "Judgin' by the mess, ya need to-"
"I don't need to talk about anything." He hissed, standing and roughly knocking the chair back behind him. "That damn kid came after me, got herself killed, and died because she thought of being a hero. She had more balls than any of ya, but was stupid in the end."
Merle stared down his brother, Daryl matched the look but it was a tad softer. Merle scoffed, bumping his brother's shoulder to leave the building, going outside hearing Rick's barking. Daryl stood in the center of the room, looking around before leaving the building as well.
Thanks for the follows and favorites!
Acouvion- Hello! Did the music give a boost to the feeling? Glad I got some tears, I was tearing up myself writing this as I had to think of this as my own little sister who Kaylee is based off of. First time I killed a character off.
RedVelvetPanPan- I feed on your tears! I'm surprised you didn't see that coming, but yea, Kaylee is dead but not gone! Just like how Lori haunts Rick at times, she will start haunting Merle. And yea, Merle lives! But at the cost of her life, which is why it feels she's haunting him. See you next time!
Bruna Pereira- Thanks so much for loving Kaylee so much! I had my friends help me out to make sure, and I had indeed made one of them cry. I felt bad but at the same time, was glad to see the emotion I would make for this.
35- It really is affecting Merle deeply, he just refuses to accept that its happening. He doesn't want to admit he's like Rick, not wanting to be seen as weak. There's gonna be some sad bits on the man for a while.