A Glimmer of Hope

Vengeance

Athena POV:

I was sitting in my cell with Maggie getting a little irritated while I was reading my book. Daryl got it for me to keep my mind distracted but it really wasn't working. I can understand making me stay in my cell and resting, but I really didn't want a constant babysitter.

I think that Maggie noticed my irritation with the situation. "What's wrong, over there?" she asked me. 

I half smiled at her. "I appreciate how much everyone cares about me, but I feel like I have a babysitter all the time," I confided in her.

"Well, d'you know what happens in the few moments we've left you alone or do you not remember right now?" She asked me patiently.

I thought about it for a moment. I really didn't remember being left alone yet. I shook my head at her. "I guess I don't," I answered honestly.

"You somehow fall asleep almost immediately and start screaming and crying. It's scary," she said slowly. "We just want to be sure that you don't wake up alone again, really. It won't be forever."

I nodded that I understood. "Okay. That's definitely fair," I said. 

"So what are Rick and Daryl doing?" I asked her.

"They're discussing the best strategy to get into Woodbury to take out the Governor in his sleep so no one thinks it's us that did it," she said proudly. I died a little inside every time someone said the word Governor, but I could get behind his death, one hundred percent.

"I like it. Very stealthy. Who's going to do the deed?" I asked, almost certain of the answer I was going to get.

"I'll give you three guesses who's in charge of the WHOLE operation," she teased.

I sighed loudly. I put my face in my hands and looked back up at Maggie. "I knew it had to be Daryl. I understand why he wants to be the one to do it, but it doesn't stop me from worrying about him while he's out there doing it," I said honestly and calmly.

She smiled softly. She walked over from where she had been standing across the cell, crouching down to my level. "May I take your hand?" she asked me. I was really appreciative that everyone was being so sensitive about touching me. I hadn't noticed how affectionate our group was until I didn't want anyone to touch me at all. We were a touchy bunch.

I nodded permission to take my hand. She did so gently, and looked into my eyes. "There may come a day, God forbid, that you are the one to stand up for Daryl. You do not want him taking that from you, do you?" She asked me seriously, waiting for my answer.

I thought about it for a moment and she was right. I couldn't fight it anymore.

"Okay, you're right. I think I really get it now," I laughed lightly at my own stubbornness. 

"There you go. Now why don't you try to relax. Your body needs to rest to heal, that includes your mind, too." She pointed out.

"Yes, mother, I'll take another nap. Why not?" I laughed at my circumstance. I'm so used to always doing something, never to be the one lying around.

"Thank you, Athena. We just need you to get better," she said with concern.

I smiled at her, put my book away, and let myself drift off into a gentle sleep.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Daryl POV:

"Okay, so that's the plan. We'll go tomorrow night around midnight. He's more than likely asleep by then since he sets everyone's curfew so early," Rick said, finalizing our plan to take out the Governor.