Little Grimes

eighteen

I grip onto Daryl's hand as we squeeze through an opening in the gate. We have no idea what we are walking into and my nerves are through the roof.

Daryl let's go of my hand but pulls me behind him by the waist. I keep an eye out behind us as we move along the prison building.

The sound of a gun cocking causes us to both stop abruptly. I turn around and am faced with a gun straight in my face.

"Pull the trigger and I kill you," Daryl threatens the person.

My breath hitches and the tip of the gun is all I can see.

"Maeve? Daryl?" the voice who is holding the gun asks.

"Rick?" I ask, relief rushing over me.

The gun lowers and I am pulled into the comfort of my brother. I hold onto him with everything in me, months of missing him washing away.

"You're alive," I say softly.

"I cannot believe you guys are here," he answers, kissing the top of my head.

"Aunt Maeve!" I hear Carl yell from behind us.

I let go of Rick to see my nephew running towards me.

I take a few steps to meet him and wrap my arms around his shoulders.

"How did you find us?" Carl asks, looking up at me then past me to Daryl.

"Lucky guess," Daryl says, shrugging.

My gaze follows as Rick walks towards the side of the gate. I finally see what he sees. A dark woman covered in blood with a katana in hand.

She stares at Rick until the dead start to notice her. She takes out a few until she falls to the ground.

Carl is quick to come to her rescue, shooting the walkers that were close to her.

We get the woman inside of the prison. I'm close on Rick's heel as we get surrounded by Hershel and two men I have never seen.

"Hershel! What happened?" I gasp, noticing his leg is missing and he has crutches.

"We were attacked," Hershel explains, "It's so good to see you again."

I give him a quick hug and move out of the way.

Carl grabs my hand, "I have someone for you to meet."

"Really?" I ask, feeling cautious.

He pulls me over to where Beth is sitting with a small baby wrapped in a blanket. My eyes widen as my eyes scan the room for Lori. She's no where to be found and I can feel my heart break a little for Carl.

"This is my baby sister," Carl tells me, taking the baby from Beth and handing her to me.

I stare down at the little girl who has bright blue eyes and plump pink lips. She's perfect. Absolutely perfect.

Yelling moves my attention away from the sleeping baby. The woman is now awake and I'm shocked to hear that Glenn and Maggie were taken hostage.

"We have to go get them!" I quickly interject as I walk towards them. I make sure Im shielding the baby away from the newcomer as I get closer.

I make eye contact with Daryl to see how his face has soften at the sight of the baby and I.

"Lori had her baby?" Daryl asks, reaching out a hand to touch the baby's head.

"Yeah, we lost Lori," Rick says more harshly than I am sure he means to.

"She looks like a lil ass kicker," Daryl comments with a smirk.

I roll my eyes at the inappropriate nickname he has just given her but can't help but smile.

I give the baby back to Carl before walking actually joining the group, "What's the plan to get Glenn and Maggie?"

"The plan is that you stay here and we will go get them," Daryl states.

"Excuse me?" I ask, raising an eyebrow at my hunter.

"You stay here. Daryl and I will go get them," Rick takes Daryl's side, of course.

"I'll go with you," the darker man adds.

"You both are crazy. I'm not staying here," I snap.

"Yes you are. No arguments and end of discussion," Rick says sternly.

I walk away from the two men before I begin yelling at them. We have more important problems than me throwing a fit.

I sit on top of the metal table and cover my face with my hands. I'm overwhelmed with emotions. We just got reunited with our group and now i'm being separated from the two men I love the most.

I don't budge when I feel Daryl spread my legs apart to stand in the middle of them.

His rough hands grab my wrists and tug my hands away from my face, "Darling."

I look into his blue eyes with fear and sadness, "don't leave me."

He sighs and presses his lips to my forehead, my nose, and finally, my lips.

I press my lips against his as his hands still hold onto my wrists.

"I will be back," he mumbles against my lips.

"I love you."

"Be safe for me."