Disclaimer: I do not own the Walking Dead or any of its characters.
The blood trail stops at the third floor fire doors. It gives me slight hope that he's still inside this building, otherwise why wouldn't he have just kept going down.
Daryl makes a noise at me and tilts his head at the door. I know the drill, I open he aims. I grip the handle and look up at him waiting for him to give the nod. As soon as he does I push it open, letting it bounce back off the wall. We wait and we listen for any sound that could mean there's something in here, but nothing. Daryl steps into the room crossbow raised and I follow right behind with my fingers wrapped around my bat, I'm ready to use it at a moments notice.
I don't worry about what the rest are doing because I have Daryl's back and he's got my front, and that's all we need.
We're sweeping this floor, thoroughly. Merle could be anywhere here passed out or just hiding and we need to make sure we don't miss him. Daryl splits off and walks into another room and very quickly his exit is followed by a growl and then a thud.
We enter through another doorway and stop. Laying on the ground is two Walkers with their skulls bashed in. The blood is still oozing meaning this happened pretty recently. That is a good sign.
Daryl reloads his crossbow, "had enough in him to take out these two sons of bitches, one handed". He glances at me over his shoulder with the tiniest of lip twitches, "toughest arsehole I ever met, my brother. Feed him a hammer and he'd crap out nails". He's actually making a joke meaning he has complete faith that we are going to find his brother and that settles any doubt I had.
"Any man can pass out from blood loss, not matter how tough they are". Wow, what a Debbie downer that Sheriff can be. We have to keep hope alive otherwise what's the point.
I shoulder barge past him, "Thanks a lot".
I make my way over to the last door left on this floor that we haven't checked. As I get closer the stench of something awful floods into my nose. Somethings burning.
Daryl pokes his head through the open doorway, I copy him using my hand on his back as support.
"Merle". Wasn't expecting him to shout, makes me automatically tense up.
The Sheriff comes hurrying over , shushing us. "We're not alone. Remember?"
I scoff, "If anything else was here we'd have seen it by now."
We all move into the room, that bad smell getting worse. It's not hard to pinpoint where it's coming from, the stove which still has one of it's gas rings burning. Blood covers the surface and Merle's belt lays beside it. It's not difficult to work out what he's done. It makes my stomach roll at the thought of the pain he's having to go through.
Glenn's chins appears over my shoulder. "What is that burnt stuff?"
"Skin, he cauterised the stump". Even though I already know that, actually hearing Sheriff a-hole say it causes bile to rise up my throat.
I shrug away from Glenn and go and sit down in one of the chairs. I yank off my bag and pull out the only water bottle I managed to bring. I only take a small swig as who knows how long this has to last us, I take just enough to get rid of the taste in my mouth.
I watch as something flashes over Daryl's face and then he's stalking over to the window. "Shit, didn't stop him from bustin' out of this death trap".
No! He left. I race to the window and peer out with some sort of stupid hope that I'll see him out there.
Glenn's head joins me, "He left the building, why would he do that?"
Seriously, he has got to be kidding. I move away from him with my arms defensively crossed in front of me.
"Because he thinks he's been abandoned. Or have you forgotten that you all carelessly left him behind like a piece of trash?" I barely manage to keep my voice steady because all I want to do is shout at them so they never forget that this is their fault.
"Yeah, he's doin' what he's gotta do, survivin'". I know Daryl's right and that Merle thinks he's been left so is doing anything he can do, but I really wish that for once Merle didn't have the survival instinct.
T-Dog steps closer, "You call that survivin'?" His voice never rises above a whisper, "Just wandering the streets, maybe passing out. What are his odds out there?"
"No worse than bein' handcuffed and left to rot by you sorry pricks". With each word Daryl's temper is rising. He suddenly steps up to the Sheriff, barely a hands width between them. "Ya'll couldn't kill him, ain't so worried 'bout some dumb dead bastards".
No matter my dislike for the Sheriff I do have to give him some credit, he does not back down. "How 'bout a thousand dumb dead bastards, a different story?". Is he trying to deflate all of our hopes of ever finding Merle again, has he always been such a pessimist?
"Why don't ya take a tally? Do what ya want, I'm gonna go get him". Daryl's done but as he goes to storm away the reckless Sheriff places his hand against Daryl's chest and pushes him backwards. What an idiot.
"Keep ya hands..."
"Stop", I interrupt Daryl mid shout. I have no idea where this will lead and we can't afford a fight right now. "Things have changed, no matter how much I hate it we do actually need them now that Merle's mobile". I turn, my back skimming against Daryl's back as I glare up at Sheriff man. "And you, you've done nothing but cock up since you arrived in this city. I think it's about time you stop acting like you know what you're doing". I shrug, "If you can't then by all means leave and we'll do this alone".
"If you guys can keep a level head then we can help search a few blocks around, he can't get that far with that injury". A comprise from the Sheriff I'm willing to agree to.
Silence.
"I can do that". I breathe out in relief, for a second there I thought Daryl was gonna tell him where he can stuff his help.
T-Dog groans "Right I guess I can do that but only if we get those guns first. I ain't strolling the streets of Atlanta with just my good intentions".
"I have an idea". Glenn stands there with his hand in the air, fidgeting on the spot.
Sheriff man steps away, "Okay lets find somewhere to rest and then you can tell us what you've got". The three of them walk back out the kitchen. I get the relocation, this room smells so bad.
Now it's just the two of us left. Daryl points at the door they've just disappeared through. "I hate that fuckin' prick".
When he looks back down at me I realise how close I'm still stood. I shouldn't, now isn't the time but we're about to do some pretty dumb things and who knows when or if this will ever happen again; Plus Daryl doesn't seem to be able to make a move.`
I move up onto my tip toes and press my lips against his. He reacts so much quicker than last time, and it's more heated than last time. His hands wrap around my body as he shoves me up against something solid, leaving my toes barely skimming the floor.
Sooner than I'd like my boots are firmly back on the floor and as I'm trying to catch my breath back he mumbles, "We should go". He then pulls me along by my wrist as we go in search of the other three.
As we step through the door the first thing I notice is the chalk drawing Glenn's made on the floor. He really knows this city.
I hoist myself up onto a Desk as Daryl leans up against it.
Glenn clears his throat, "one of us needs to make a run for the guns. It'll be easier than all of us doing it, it'll make it harder for the geeks to notice." He squats down to the floor. "I'll go, I'm the fastest".
"I can go". I'm offering before I've even thought it through. Daryl tenses beside me.
"You're the fastest but you don't know where the guns are." And that's why I should think before I speak, because Glenn's right. I may be the fastest but that's no good if I don't actually know where I'm going.
"Ya not doin' this alone". The Sheriff then kneels down beside Glenn to get a closer look at his map, probably trying to think of a different idea.
"Even I think it's a bad idea, and I don't like ya much". I pinch Daryl's arm, he's gotta give Glenn a break at some point. Yeah I'm worried about Glenn doing this alone but it's not a bad idea.
"It's a good idea, if you just hear me out." Glenn stares at the Sheriff expectantly, he's waiting for approval to actually keep going. The good ole Sheriff finally nods. "If we go out in a group, we're slow, drawing attention. If I'm alone, I can move faster". He pauses and looks around the room before his eyes stop on me. "Can you pass me that, please?" I look down at the desk to see a fold back clip sat there, I point at it, he nods so I chuck it to him.
"Thanks". He places the clip on the floor in the middle of his map. "That's the tank, five blocks from where we are know". He scrunches up a piece of paper and then also places that on his map. "That's the bag of guns. Here's the alley I dragged you into when we first met. That's where Daryl, Danny and I will go".
"Why us?" Even Daryl's surprised. Surely he'd rather take someone he actually likes, I.E. Sheriff man.
"Your crossbow is quieter than his gun and we could do with another runner just in case". Daryl just inclines his head, acknowledging that he understands. Daryl then surprises me by placing his hand on my knee where he lets it rest.
"While these two wait in the alley, I run up the street and grab the bag". Glenn seems pretty pleased with himself and I haven't really got a problem with it either.
"Ya got us elsewhere?" Glenn nods his head at the Sheriff and leans forward and places a finger against his map.
"You and T right, you'll be in this alley here". Well now I'm slightly confused.
"Two blocks away. Why?"
"I may not be able to come back the same way. Walkers might cut me off. If that happens I won't go back to them, I'll go forward instead. All the way around to that alley where you guys are. Whichever direction I go, I got you in both places to cover me. Afterwards we'll all meet back here".
I'm all for this plan and I'm ready to go. The quicker we get those guns the quicker we can go out and look for Merle.
Daryl leans forward and looks down at the map on the floor before turning his scowl onto Glenn. "Hey kid, what'd ya do 'fore all this?"
Glenn raises his eyebrows and looks around all confused. "Delivered pizzas, why?" I know I shouldn't but the laugh comes out before I can stop it. Glenn just keeps staring in confusion. "What?" I just shake my head and jump off the desk. Seems this world is Glenn's time to flourish.
...
We left the good old Sheriff and T-Dog in the small office as they are going to make their way to their position through a different route. Daryl allows Glenn to lead the way back through the buildings and up onto a roof that's above our alley.
All three of us are stood looking down the very tall building and it's extremely long ladder. I really don't want to go down it.
"Right let's go". Glenn grabs the top rungs.
"So" Glenn pauses to look at me, "Hi, you don't know me but I'm Danny and I'm afraid of heights".
"Hi Danny, just don't look down". Glenn then disappears over the edge and starts his descent down.
I glare up at Daryl, "Well that was helpful".
He rolls his eyes. "You'll be fine, I'll go in front". He then gives my hand a quick squeeze before climbing over the edge. I lean over to look at him as he climbs down a couple of rungs.
"Thank goodness I'm not wearing a dress". I actually put a pair of long shorts and a shirt on before we left.
Daryl winks, he actually winks. "Get on".
I take a very deep breath in before finally managing to climb on. We slowly start to make our way down, the entire time I keep my eyes facing forwards, refusing to look down at the hundred foot drop.
After what feels like forever I hear the sound of boots hitting pavement. Hands grip my waist and they lower me to the floor. I am not looking forward to the journey back up.
The three of us run hunched over to the end of the alley before hiding behind a dumpster at the end. There are loads of Walkers just on the other side of the wire fence. I really hope this plan works.
Glenn removes his outer shirt and when he hands it to me I can see the nervousness written all over his face. Guess it's one thing talking about the plan and another actually going through with it.
"Ya've got some balls for a China man". I roll my eyes at Daryl and send my elbow into his side. He just looks down at me with his eyebrows raised like he really doesn't know what he's just said.
"I'm Korean actually". Glenn throws me one last parting smile before making a run for it. Daryl mumbles a barely audible 'whatever' before pulling me down into a crouch.
Out on the street I can see when a few Walkers have spotted Glenn because they start stumbling after him. I hope to god he gives up if it gets way too dangerous. Daryl's hand lands on one of mine which alerts me to the fact that I have balled them into white knuckled fists. He pries one open and then to my utter surprise entwines our fingers together.
"He'll be fine. Kids tougher than he looks". Even though Daryl really couldn't care less about Glenn it's nice to know that he recognises my feelings towards him and is trying to make me feel better. Even if he doesn't mean it.
We hear the footsteps at the same time and it causes us to both flatten ourselves against the dumpster. The steps are too even to be that of a Walker, it could be one of the other two but surely they would have announced themselves in some way to avoid being shot.
Daryl slowly rises to his feet while gesturing for me to stay down. I pull out my gun as he disappears around the dumpster with his crossbow raised.
"Whoa, don't shoot me. What do ya want?" I definitely don't know that voice. I peer around the edge of the bin to find a guy, probably only a few years older than me standing there with his hands slightly raised.
"I'm lookin' for my brother. He's hurt real bad, ya seen him?" Daryl still has his crossbow raised and is slowly moving closer to the stranger. He's freaking the guy out even I can see that from here.
The stranger suddenly starts shouting words out in Spanish that neither Daryl nor I will ever understand. I jump to my feet, gun up.
"Daryl!" I say it as a warning because if the boy keeps shouting like that then we are going to be in so much trouble.
"Shut up. Ya'll bring the geeks down on us". The boy ignores him so Daryl charges forward and whacks him on the head with his bow. Probably not the right decision but it's the only option we really have. Daryl then attempts to cover the boys mouth but it seems nothing is going to stop him from screaming his head off. I race to their sides but there's nothing I can think of that will help other than completely knocking the kid out cold.
More running feet and then two more guys appear in the alley. They stop dead when I spin on them, gun raised. Daryl remains trying to keep the kid down on the floor.
"Let him go". I ignore them and just keep staring, if they come at us I will not hesitate in putting a bullet in their legs.
Glenn runs into the alley, only just managing to not run into them. The bigger of the two men looks over his shoulder.
"That's it, that's the bag". Together they bum rush him to the ground but before they can grab the guns an arrow whizzes past and impedes itself into one of their butts.
"Glenn". I move forwards and fire off a shot at the ground beside the gun bag, stopping the other guy from grabbing it. Instead they start dragging Glenn out the alley. I reach the street just as their car door shuts, then they're wheel spinning out of here.
Daryl slams into the gate beside me but it's too late, we can't follow them, our shouting has brought the Walkers down on us. Daryl pulls the gate shut just as the firsts one slam into it.
I should have shot them but I couldn't, Glenn was too close.
"I'll kick ya nuts up in ya throat". Daryl's threat has me turning to see what is happening. The Sheriff is blocking Daryl from attacking the kid and said kid is being forced up against a wall by T-Dog. "They took Glenn, that little bastard and his little bastard homie friends". Daryl starts pacing as I walk towards him.
I step in front of Daryl putting an extra barrier between him and the boy. I'm up for him doing what he wants but right now that kid is the only one here who knows where Glenn is.
...
It took some persuading which included a thrown severed hand and a threat from Daryl to get the boy to tell us where we needed to go.
He led us to an old looking warehouse. He said it was the only way in.
We crouch down behind a wall as our Sheriff starts going through the guns. "The three of us will go in with the boy", Officer G looks at Daryl and I. "We'll make the trade. T-Dog I want ya up on that roof over there". He points off towards the left side of the abandoned building before pulling out a sniper rifle. "With this".
"Danny can do that". I cough as I swallow wrong. "Merle's been teachin' her and she's pretty fuckin' good". Well I really appreciate the compliment.
The Sheriff looks from Daryl to me. "You sure?"
I shrug, I mean I guess I can. I just wasn't going to offer because this is the Sheriffs plan to get Glenn back and I don't want to mess it up. "Yeah". I then wrap my hands around the weapon that he holds out for me. It's a little bigger and heavier than Merle's but I've got this.
I go to walk away but my fingers wrap around my wrist, Daryl doesn't let go as I face him. "Be careful. Ya need anything ya fire a shot off and I'll come runnin'".
"I'll be okay". And I will be okay, I know how to handle myself enough to get out of a sticky situation. I have my gun and my bat, and I'm good at using both. His fingers skim up my arm sending shivers through me, even in this heat. "It's you that needs to be careful. Don't get shot". His fingers keep moving upwards, up my neck until they stop at my chin.
Not gonna lie, I was hoping for a kiss but instead he gives it the gentlest of squeezes before stepping back.
I run around the edge of the building until I come across something I can use to climb up, even with the help I'm not a hundred percent sure I can reach the roof top. I shove the rifle up over the edge and use all my arm strength to haul myself up. It's a struggle but I'm completely surprised with how much arm strength I actually have. Thought I was a weakling all my life.
I lie on my front and crawl forwards before resting the rifle against a loose brick. I peer through the sight just as the rest of the guys climb through one of the rundown windows.
They only make it halfway across before the big warehouse doors slide open. I aim my rifle towards them. Are you kidding me? Daryl and the guys are way outnumbered. The only plus is there doesn't seem to be that many guns in there. They're mostly armed with bats and crowbars.
Who I assume is the leader steps forwards so I instantly aim at him.
It's a tense five minutes while I just lie here watching them converse. Suddenly the Sheriff looks up at me which causes the possible man in charge to slowly turn his head in my direction. I kind of have to fight the urge to give the man a slight finger waggle of a wave, probably isn't the best time to antagonise him, he still has Glenn hidden somewhere.
Well had him hidden somewhere. My stomach drops as I follow what everyone is looking up at. Glenn, bound and hooded, is being forced to stand on the roof of the building. He's right on the edge, all they'd have to do is nudge and he'd come crashing down.
Why aren't they making the trade, we have one of theirs. Surely it's even.
Our foursome slowly starts retreating. I keep my gun aimed until they are out of sight, and relatively safer, before I get out of here myself.
I race around the corner to find them waiting for me.
"What the hell was that? Why do they still have Glenn?" The Sheriff nervously shushes me, "No. You said they would trade".
"Lets do this somewhere not in the open". I go to argue with the man but I catch Daryl's eyes over the Sheriffs shoulder and he's gently shaking his head. Okay fine, I can wait.
Our resident Officer leads us to a new office room, a closer one. We quickly scope it out to make sure it's empty before getting into the problems we are now facing.
The Sheriff drops the bag of guns onto the table. "They want Miguel and the bag of guns for Glenn. We either hand them both over or we're to come back locked and loaded".
Daryl moves over to the table, although I think it's also because he's closer to Miguel in case the kid tries to do something. "Those guns are worth more than gold. Gold won't protect ya family or put food on the table. Ya willin' to give that up for some kid?"
T-Dog sighs from his seated position, "If I knew we'd get Glenn back, I might agree. You think that Vato across the way is just gonna hand him over?"
I'm not hearing this right, I can't be. "You guys can't be serious. We're out here looking for a man you all left behind. You realised your mistakes and came back to help so are you really talking about doing the same thing again? It's Glenn. He's my friend I can't leave him without evening trying first".
"What life I have, I owe to him. I was nobody to Glenn, just some idiot in a tank. He could've walked away but he didn't. Neither will I". Okay the Sheriff and I, not great odds but we can try our best.
"So ya gonna hand the guns over?" Daryl starts pacing in the limited space.
"I didn't say that. Look, if any of ya don't wanna do this then head back to camp." The Officer already knows I'm in and without sounding like a know it all, I know that if I stay then Daryl will more than likely stay to. It's just down to T.
"And tell your family what". And there's T-Dogs answer, even if it is very reluctantly given. Daryl gives his by reaching over and grabbing a gun out of the bag.
Miguel leaps to his feet. "Come on, this is nuts". Daryl spins to face the boy and points, like he's doing it to a disobedient dog. It works because Miguel slides back down to the floor.
The Sheriff holds out a shotgun for me to take. "I'll use mine. I've never used one of those. Just this", I wiggle my handgun gently. "and this". I place the rifle I had on the table, it'll be no good for what I'm assuming we're about to do. He looks like he wants to argue but he decides against it. He won't win, I know the gun he offered will be better but if I can't use it then I'm just going to end up doing more harm than good. It's best to just stick with what I know.
Ten minutes later and we're all loaded up and ready to go. Daryl and I are the last to leave the room and as we walk out the door his hand grips gently onto the back of my neck.
"You ready?"
"I'm ready".
...
We arrive at the same little window but this time Miguel is bound and gagged. I don't completely agree with it but we need them to know we're serious.
Miguel is forced to go first followed very quickly by Daryl who keeps his gun trained on him the entire time. I'm fairly certain if Miguel was actually going to do something he'd have done it by now.
We walk as one as the big doors slide open, allowing us to move inside. We keep our weapons raised as we move further into the room. We're now completely surrounded by the gang. My hearts beating a mile a minute and my palms are sweating so bad.
The ground parts as the leader walks through, T-Dog told me his name was Guillermo, I think.
"I see my guns, but they're not all in the bag".
"That's because they're not yours. I thought I made that clear". Before G can make a comeback at our Officers pretty decent comeback, the man Daryl shot comes limping forward with his gun aimed straight at us.
"Lets just shoot these fools right now, unload on their arses". G stops the man by sticking an arm out.
G then takes the tiniest step closer to the Sheriff. "I don't think you fully understand the gravity of the situation".
Our Sheriff sighs before slipping a knife out of his pocket and cutting Miguel's restraints. He then pushes the kid away. "No, it's pretty clear. You have your boy, I want mine".
G quickly asks if Miguel's okay before shoving him behind where I watch Miguel get ushered out of view.
Guillermo takes another step forward, this one so much bigger than the last. "I'm gonna chop up your boy. I'm gonna feed him to my dogs. They're the evilest, nastiest man-eating bitches you ever saw. I picked them up from Satan at a yard sale. I told you how it as to be. Are you woefully deaf?"
"No, my hearin's fine. You said come locked and loaded". As one we all cock and aim our guns, it causes those who have guns in the other group to do the same. "Okay then, we're here".
Nothing follows except silences. It seems every ones afraid to make the first move, nobody wants to be the first to shoot.
"Felipe, Felipe!". My head snaps to the voice of a women. What appears around the corner isn't what I was expecting. In fact it would have been the last thing I expected. A little old lady is working her way through the crowd.
The Sheriffs stances falters and his guns lowers but he quickly manages to get a hold of himself.
...
Before I know we're being led into a securely boarded up nursing home. A twist I wasn't expecting. The lady diffused a situation she knew nothing about, she's actually taking us to Glenn right now.
I stare into an open doorway where a man sits helping a frail women out of her chair. My heart constricts at the sight. The world has ended and they're all still willing to help those weaker than themselves. I move down the hall and peer into another room. A small frail woman is sitting in a chair reading a book. She looks up as I pause. Her emotionless face breaks out into a beautiful smile. She raises her hand and waves at me, I manage to give her a small smile and wave in return before there's a tug on my wrist.
It's Daryl urging me to follow him.
We emerge out into a massive communal room full of people sat around tables, each doing their own things such as playing cards and chequers. The main focus of the room is the crowd that has gathered around a man who is struggling to breath. I scan the crowd and that's when I spot him.
He's just stood there looking on in concern at the man who is now using an inhaler. He really doesn't look like he's being held against his will.
Glenn spots me just as I reach his side, I slam into him, forcing him into a tight gripped hug.
"You scared the life out of me".
Glenn wraps his arms around me and mumbles a sorry into my hair.
"I thought you were being eaten by dog's man". At T-Dogs claim Glenn looks behind him. I peer round him and actually kind of see the funny side. They are three of the tiniest dogs, huddled in there bed yapping at us.
I step back and punch him on the arm, not hard enough to hurt but enough that he puts his hand over the spot. "If you ever do something like this again I will leave you".
Glenn laughs and shoves me in the shoulder. "You'd miss me".
He's right, of course he is. There isn't many people left that I trust but he just has to be one of them.
...
I am thankful that the Sheriff handed over some of his guns, I even gave up the rifle. What these guys are doing is one of the most amazing things I've heard in a long time. They didn't have to do this. They could have saved themselves, instead they are willing to risk their lives day and night to make sure this place is safe.
We're currently back at the office to collect Glenn's things and I am angry. Angry beyond belief. Not just at the Sheriff but at Daryl to. They've given up.
"We can't leave." Everyone, except Daryl, refuses to look at me. If they are all too ashamed to look at me then surely it shows that this isn't the right thing to do.
Daryl sighs and runs a hand through his hair. He casts a look at everyone else before stepping close. "It'll be dark soon and we lost his trail, there ain't nothin' to follow. He could be anywhere".
My eyes sting as I try and stop the tears from falling. "He's hurt, we can't".
"We will come back, for as long as it takes. Everyday." He grabs the belt loop on my shorts and tugs me closer, forcing me into a hug I never expected, especially in front of people. "But we just can't stay here at night. I promise we'll find him".
He's right, he's always right. It's his brother, he wants to find him just as much, if not more, than I do. He's just trying to do it the safest way possible. I nod, to let him know I understand.
I don't let the tears fall, but I don't step back from him until there's no sign of them left in my eyes.
Two seconds later and we're leaving. Glenn leads the way and I've taken up position at the back. Every few feet I glance over my shoulder. Hoping and praying that Merle will just miraculously appear. But it's all wishful thinking because before too long we're climbing through the fence back onto the rail line.
Daryl can't seem to let the gun situation go. He's not happy the Sheriff gave some to the nursing home. But this is the one time I will wholeheartedly disagree with him.
We walk around the side of a train car but the sight before us has all four of us baffled enough to actually stop walking.
"Where the hell's our van?" Daryl asks the question we already know the answer to.
Merle.