FALLING APART daryl dixon

THIRTY THREE - THIS ISN'T A DEMOCRACY ANYMORE

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They all moved into the woods, every step heavy with tension. Weapons in hand, fingers on triggers. Some loaded their guns in silence as Shane spoke.

— I saw him head through the trees that way... before I blacked out. I don't know how long I was out — he muttered, scanning the treeline.

Alycia hung back, walking slowly, careful. She lowered herself close to the earth, like Daryl had taught her—reading the ground, searching for something the others might miss.

— He couldn't have gotten far — she said, eyes narrowed. Glenn looked at her. Rick nodded.

— Alycia's right. He's gotta be exhausted — Rick agreed, voice grim.

— But he's also armed — Glenn reminded them, always the realist.

— So are we — Rick replied with a steely calm, then turned to Daryl. — Can you track him?

— Nah. I don't see nothin' — Daryl answered, eyes flicking from the ground to Alycia. Something in him twitched.

Why was she here? Why hadn't she stayed at the farm? The kind of danger that crawled under Daryl Dixon's skin—it was here, now.

— Hey, look, there's no point tracking him — Shane cut in, waving a hand. Alycia frowned, her brow furrowing. Shane caught it. — We split up. Pair off. Spread out and flush him. That's the only way.

— Kid weighs a buck-25 soaking wet — Daryl turned to Shane with a glare. — You tryin' to tell us he got the jump on you?

— I'd say a rock pretty much evens those odds, wouldn't you? — Shane snapped back.

— Alright, that's enough — Rick intervened, raising a hand. Then he looked to Daryl. — You, Aly, and Glenn take the right flank. Shane and I'll move left. And remember... Randall's not the only threat out here. Watch each other's backs.

Alycia exchanged a glance with Glenn, nodding. But Shane wasn't done.

— I think Aly should come with us — he said too quickly, eyes fixed on her like she was already slipping through his fingers. — So we can keep her safe.

Daryl turned back slowly, eyes dark.

— Why?

— I don't think you two can keep her safe. It's better if she's with her father, anyway...

Rick and Alycia both stilled. There was something wrong in the air—hearing it, feeling it. The way Shane said it. The silence between Rick and Alycia wasn't empty. It was a quiet agreement: something was off. And maybe... maybe it was better she stayed close to Rick.

— It's alright — Alycia said finally, glancing at Daryl first, then Glenn. Daryl's worry was written all over his face. — I'll go with my dad. We'll catch up.

— You sure? We work better together — Glenn tried.

— I know, Peaches. But Daryl's got your back... and I'll have Dad's — she said quickly, her voice steady even as her gut twisted.

Daryl wanted to protest. Every instinct in him told him to keep her close. But he held back. It would look strange. And Alycia Grimes—she could handle herself. More than that, she wouldn't leave her father's side. They had a bond no one could break.

Night fell fast.

The woods swallowed the last light. Owls hooted overhead, crickets sang louder than ever. The cold bit at Alycia's skin, her breath turning to mist in the air. She walked between the two men—her father and Shane—but something felt wrong. Off. Her skin crawled.