Chapter 2-Making a plan

Merle's P.O.V

Merle woke up as the sun was just starting to rise. He walks over to Freya and shakes her. "Get up," Merle tells his sister, who gets up. In less than ten minutes, the group was up and packing their bags.

"How the hell are we supposed to get through the walkers?" T-dog asks.

"You think we got all of this supplies by walking through walkers," Hope asks. "We have our ways across the rooftops. We can make it pretty cross to the edge of town and then go down the building and out of the city."

"We have a lot of supplies," Pedro says. "Enough food to last this group and yours at least three weeks and ammo for months. We have medicine too."

"We better get back before, Daryl. If we don't, he's going to raise hell," T-dog says.

"Then, let's get a move on," Merle says as they leave the apartment. Merle and Freya walk in the back as Reed leads the group.

"So what did you do? To piss these people off?" Freya asks.

"After the city got bombed, I thought I lost all of you, my whole family. I went back to my old ways. I was an ass, I did drugs, I treated T-dog like shit, and I was a racist asshole. Those people at the quarry have problems with me, and I don't blame them, and neither will any of you. I got shit to make up for, but if the one in charge doesn't stay, we're not. The prick who locked me up, he's just like every other asshole cop. Shane, though, he's at least smarter."

"You can't kill, Rick," T-dog says.

"I didn't plan on it. I might give him a sore jaw, though."

"Once we get out of the city, Pedro and Reed have trucks hidden, just in case we ever need to get out quick, it will take us about two hours to get out, and by the time we do, they'll probably be starting to wake up," Connor says.

"Good," Merle says as they continue to walk.

Daryl's P.O.V

Daryl Dixon pulls his bolt out of the walker's head and looks at Shane. "It's gotta be the head, don't you know anything," Daryl says as he walks towards the camp.

"Merle! Get your ugly ass out here. I got some squirrel. Let's make some stew," Daryl says. "Merle!"

"Daryl," Shane says. "Daryl, we need to talk," Shane says, making the older Dixon brother look at him.

"About what?" Daryl asks.

"Merle," Shane says. "There was a problem in Atlanta."

"He dead?" Daryl asks.

"We don't know," Shane says.

"What do you mean? He either is or he ain't!" Daryl shouts.

"There's no easy way to say-" Rick says as he walks forward put. Shane puts his hand on Rick's chest.

"Let me handle this," Shane growls. "We don't know. Your brother lost his shit and shot at walkers. He got handcuffed to a pipe by Rick. When they made their escape, T-dog dropped the key, and Morales chained the door. They are still up there. They're alive. They had food and water. Now Glenn, Jim, you and I are going to get them, but I need you to keep your cool."

"So let me get this straight, you handcuffed my brother to a pipe and left him there!?" Daryl asks Rick, who nods. Daryl stares at the man in pure rage but looks towards the road as they hear engines. Dale climbs up on the R.V.

"Dale?" Shane asks.

"Two trucks," Dale says as Shane withdraws his gun. The trucks stop, and Merle climbs out of the truck.

"I hope you're glad to see me," Merle says as Freya climbs out of the passenger seat. Daryl drops his crossbow to the ground and runs up to his sister wrapping her in a hug and lifting her off the ground. The other trucks open, and Davina and Hope climb out. Daryl looks at his nieces.

"You know who they are?" Rick asks Shane, who shakes his head. Daryl lets Freya go, hugs Davina first, and kisses her head as the group stares at the small group. Glenn goes up to the ground and hugs T-dog.

"I'm sorry, man," Glenn says.

"It's alright," T-dog says as Daryl lets Davina go, and hugs Hope and kisses her head as well.

"Merle-" Rick says as he walks up to him. Merle punches him in the face busting his lip open.

"That's all I'll do to you. Now back up," Merle growls, and Rick backs up. "I have a lot of explaining to do," Merle says as Daryl lets Hope goes up but keeps his hand on her shoulder. "A lot of apologies," Merle says.

"Who are they?" Lori Grimes asks.

"This is Freya," Merle says as he points at his sister. "Mine and Daryl's sister. This is Hope and Davina, my daughters, and these guys are Connor, Reed, and Pedro. They're friends."

"You have daughters?" Shane asks.

"They were in Atlanta when the fall happened, I thought I lost them, and I acted out. It doesn't excuse my actions. I'm sorry for how I treated all of you."

"How about a fresh start then," Shane suggests. "If I had a family and I thought I had lost them, I imagine I would have acted just like you. A fresh start sounds good to me. How about you?"

"Yeah," Merle says.

"We brought some presents," Connor says as he pulls the bags out. "Enough food and water to last us a couple of weeks, some new clothes, and your gun bag," Connor says as he looks at Rick. "And your hat," He says as he throws the hat at Rick's foot.

"We just finished breakfast. Let's get you guys some food," Shane tells them.

"Shane, can I talk to you for a minute?" Merle asks Shane, who nods as he leads him away.

Merle's P.O.V

Merle leads Shane away from the others. "Your friend, he's a prick. Lori and Carl, they his family?" Merle asks Shane, who nods. "You can better," Merle says. "I told T-dog, and I'm going to tell you if the leadership of this camp goes over to him, we're not staying."

"Rick's a good guy."

"I don't doubt that, but I don't trust him, and even though you're kind of an asshole, I trust you more than him."

"Then let's make sure these people survive," Merle says. Shane nods as they walk back up to the others and sit down. "I'm sure you guys got some questions."

"We don't want to be rude," Amy Harrison says.

"I'll tell you if you're going to far," Merle says.

"Where is their mother?" Lori asks.

"I had my daughters young. I was 20. I'm 45 now. They're both 25. After she gave birth, she ditched us. I took care of them and my siblings."

"What was your job?" Dale asks.

"Construction, I worked with a company for a couple of years, and when I got the money, I started my own," Merle answers.

"What did you do?" Rick asks Daryl.

"I was a park ranger," Daryl answers. "My sister and I were."

"We had just graduated from the police academy," Hope says. "We went to see Freya. She was staying in the city with Connor."

"You two together?" Jim asks.

"No, we were parnters. We were on vacation when shit went down," Freya says.

"About a week later, Reed and Pedro showed up. They were looking for family in our building."

"They dead?" Carl Grimes asks.

"Carl," Lori hisses.

"It's alright," Pedro says with a chuckle. "Yeah, they didn't make it."

Nobody spoke for a moment, and then Merle spoke. "As I said, I have a lot to make up for. I hope you'll all let me make it up to you."

"These supplies are a great start," Amy says. "We won't have to send Glenn into the city for a while."

"You shouldn't stay here," Hope says. They all look at her. "More and more walkers leave the city each day. They're losing food in the city. It's only a matter of time before they come here."

"We've been talking about moving for a while," Shane says as he looks at the group.

"Where would we even go?" Amy asks.

"We've talked about Fort Benning," Dale says.

"I have a better idea," Pedro says. "My Dad, he was one of those people that was preparing for the end of the world. Most people thought he was crazy."

"Who knew?" Rick asks.

"My Dad did. We had a farm and strong fences. We had 60 acres and some cabins. Might be good for us," Pedro says.

"Where is this?" Daryl asks.

"It's between Roopville and Newan. We could go down through Senonia, search the towns, get what we can, and head there."

"How do you know this place is still standing?" Rick asks.

"My mom and sister were there when I left. My brother was in the city. They are smart. They know how to fight," Pedro says.

"Sounds pretty promising," Shane says.

"What about the CDC?" Rick asks.

"The CDC?" Merle asks with a chuckle. "I would rather be back on that roof than go back into that city with you. Even if the CDC was still standing, I'm not risking my family by going back to that city. It is filled with thousands of walkers. I'm with Pedro."

"I agree with Merle," Shane says. "Sounds like our best shot."

Rick looks around for support, but nobody says anything. He looks at Lori. "They're right," She tells her husband.

"Anybody disagrees with this plan?" Shane asks. Nobody says anything. "Alright, we'll pack today and leave tomorrow."

Freya's P.O.V

Freya watched Jacqui as she talked with Carol, who had a fresh bruise on the side of her face. "How long has that been going on?" Freya asks Daryl as he walks up to her.

"Since before the turn," Daryl answers.

"You and Merle didn't do anything about it?" Freya asks.

"We were so lost in our grief that we didn't," Daryl says. "You wanna do something about it?"

"I do," Freya says.

"Alright," Daryl says as they walk up the R.V. "Carol, can we talk to you?"

"I have to go find Ed," Carol says.

"Carol, please," Freya says.

"Ed can wait," Jacqui talks to her. Carol slowly nods as Jacqui stands up and walks away.

"Carol, our Dad used to beat us. We know what it's like."

"He doesn't hit, Sophia," Carol says softly.

"Not yet," Daryl says. "Our Dad started with our Mom and then Merle and then us. He might do worse to her."

"Did he?" Carol asks as she looks at Freya."

"No, he never raped me, but not from a lack of trying. Merle or Daryl stopped him. One day Merle stopped him for good."

"He killed him?" Carol asks.

"On accident, but yes. It was self-defense," Freya says. "We can help you and Sophia."

"I don't want you to kill him," Carol says.

"Okay, just let us get you and Sophia away from him," Freya says. "Please."

Carol gives a small nod. "Alright, come on," Freya says as she walks away with Daryl, and Carol follows the two. Daryl looks at Merle and motions him over. Merle walks over to them as they walk toward Ed's tent. Ed climbs out of the tent and looks at them.

"What do you want?" Ed asks.

"Carol is going to take her and Sophia's stuff out of that tent, and if you try to stop her, I'm going to shoot you," Freya tells him.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" Ed growls as he walks towards her. "You aren't going to do shit."

"Test me," Freya growls. Ed swings at the woman, who dodges his swing and knees him in the balls. Ed falls to the ground, and Freya withdraws her gun and aims it at him. She pulls the hammer down. "Get your stuff, Carol," Freya says as she kicks Ed in the chest, knocking him into the dirt. Carol enters her tent and starts packing her and Sophia's stuff. Ed stayed on the ground as Carol took the bags and walked away. "If you come anywhere near Carol or Sophia, I'll do worse," Freya says before she walks away, and Daryl and Merle follow.

Thanks for reading. Next chapter, the group will prepare to leave. Walkers attack the quarry. Also, I am going to try and do two uploads a week but I'm making no promises. There will for sure always be one and hopefully, as this gets easier, it will go back to two a week. Thanks for reading. As always, suggestions, ideas, and feedback are welcomed. Until next time.