The Dead World

Fifty One ~ Dynamite

The smallish group stood outside the gates of Hilltop just waiting for them to open, it was only meant to be 6 of them: Rick, Phoebe, Carl, Michonne, Rosita and Tara.

But Merle had kicked up a huge stink about how he should be allowed to come seeing as he wasn't a big baby and he didn't need no walls to keep him safe along with him came his 'lieutenants' as he called them Oscar and Big Tiny. He kept taunting Rick that soon he'd make his own police force and would simply deny Rick access and how the red neck would give the old deputy a ticket.

They were quickly followed by Beth who was desperate to see her sister, the blonde had been a little mad that Enid had left to go to Maggie without telling her or offering a chance to join but she wasn't going to hold a grudge.

"You think they're gonna let us in Boss?" Oscar muttered from where he stood to Phoebe's right.

"They're gonna want to or i'll simply climb this god damn..." she was cut off by the gates swinging open.

"Maggie!" Beth grinned and went running forward before she slowed right down and gently took her older sister into her arm, the two girls wrapped around each other.

Rick walked forward and when Maggie looked up from Beth he took the pair of them into a hug, she looked much better no longer grey, the deep purple eye bags had lightened and she was even smiling.

It was actually Maggie who pulled Phoebe into a hug when the others had released her "Are you okay?" Phoebe asked gently making sure her grip was loose.

"I'm okay, the baby's okay, all of us" Maggie pulled back to look at her and even though Phoebe knew she was wrong she simply nodded.

"You were right, from the start you told us to get ready to fight. I didn't listen and i couldn't, i can now" Rick assured the Maggie who looked around the small group.

Phoebe watched the two until Big Tiny gently tapped her shoulder, she glanced up at him but he was staring off to the right so she looked around Oscar to see what he was watching and froze.

Everything she'd spent the last few weeks shoving down, purposely making herself numb came rushing back to the surface even if it was for a brief moment because there he was.

Daryl was staring right back at her, he looked tired and bruised but he was there "Well what you waiting for Doll, if you don't go and jump into his arms i just might" Merle nudged her and his words acted to wake her out of her stupor.

Her movements started slow but towards the end she found herself sprinting towards him, launching herself into him ignoring completely how both of them grunted at the impact, he clearly did too because his arms wrapped so tightly around her she had to force back a wince.

"You're here" she whispered into his neck.

"I'm here" 

"You're alive"

"I'm alive" Daryl nodded burying his nose into her curls tightening his hold on her until his fingers were digging into skin, he'd most likely leave bruises behind. It was like both were saying it as an affirmation that this was real, that she was actually in his arms once more and just like that things were looking up.

"He is my brother you know" Merle glared at Rick who was trying to get closer to the pair to be the next to greet Daryl.

"I know" Rick nodded but still managed to cut Merle up when Phoebe pulled away having heard the conversation, Merle was cursing under his breath as the two men hugged it out but sighed when Phoebe wrapped her arms around his waist.

"I hate your brother" he whispered.

"I know" Phoebe parroted her brother and he glared at her but she just couldn't help it, she felt good.