FALLING APART daryl dixon

THIRTEEN -NEITHER WILL I

Guillermo's man had dragged Alycia and Glenn back into the building, and the heavy thud of the door behind them marked the start of something neither of them wanted to face. Alycia's mind was sharp, despite the throbbing pain in her head and ribs from the fight in the alley. She locked eyes with Glenn for a moment, silently reassuring him, though she knew he could see the fear in her too.

- Now, will you just stop biting? - Guillermo's voice interrupted the silence. He was staring at Alycia, half amused and half exasperated. - You're clearly hurt, girl.

Alycia glared at him, ignoring the way Glenn shifted nervously beside her. She wasn't one to show weakness, not to men like Guillermo, who fed off it. But the truth was, she was hurt. The fight had been brutal. One of Guillermo's men, a giant of a man, had gotten the best of her. She had fought back hard, but she wasn't unscathed.

- Your idiotic man probably gave me a concussion - Alycia spat, her voice cold. - And I feel like I broke something - She paused, her eyes never leaving his. - I'm so sorry if I don't feel like cooperating.

Guillermo sighed, scratching the back of his head like this wasn't the first time he'd dealt with defiance, but it was clear he didn't appreciate it.

- We were kind. Secured your hands in the front until we could check out your injuries. We're trying here, okay?

- Taking us - Alycia replied, her voice sharp as she motioned between herself and Glenn. - From our people wasn't really kind. But don't worry, I won't bite—if that's what you're worried about.

A small smile tugged at Guillermo's lips. It was a dangerous smile, one that said he was used to having the upper hand, and Alycia's resistance didn't scare him. Not yet. He turned on his heel, leaving them alone.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Alycia's hard expression faltered. She looked at Glenn, her mind racing, searching for an escape, but every angle was blocked. There was no way out. Not unless Rick and the others could get to them. And that, Alycia knew with every fiber of her being, was the only certainty. Her father would break down every wall, every man, if it meant getting her back.

---

Outside, Rick Grimes stood on the edge of a mental precipice, his mind in chaos. Failed. The word echoed in his head, heavy and crushing. He could still picture Alycia's face, still hear her voice calling out to him, but she wasn't here. The negotiation had fallen apart, and now his daughter—his little girl—was still inside those walls.

- They're worth more than gold - Daryl's voice cut through the haze, gesturing toward the pile of guns Rick had been staring at for too long. - Gold won't protect your family or put food on the table. You willin' to give that up?

Rick's grip tightened on the handle of his revolver, his mind racing.

- If I knew we'd get Glenn and Alycia back, I might agree. But you think that vato across the way is just gonna hand them over? - T-Dog added, his voice steady but uncertain.

Rick knew better than to trust men like Guillermo. As a sheriff, he had dealt with enough liars and criminals to know when someone was trying to play him. But he also knew something else— this was Alycia. His daughter. He had to believe, had to hope, that somehow this time would be different. Maybe Guillermo would be the exception.

Miguel, Guillermo's man, sneered at Rick.

- You callin' G a liar?

Before Rick could answer, Daryl was in motion. He stormed toward Miguel, smacking the back of the boy's head hard enough to make him flinch.

- You wanna keep hold of your teeth, kid? - Daryl snarled, his patience wearing thin.

Miguel fell silent, rubbing his head but wisely deciding to shut his mouth.