A Glimmer of Hope

False Alarm

Daryl POV:

I was getting more anxious with each passing minute that we stood in silence with Guillermo. The people that were holding him hostage sounded terrible, we had to get him away from them. He was a good guy, he didn't deserve this. Besides saving him, I was worried about what was happening in the rest of the town at this moment. 

Guillermo took a long deep breath, then sniffled one last time. He dried the tears from his eyes with the collar of his shirt and he looked up to Morgan. "We were following you, yes," Guillermo admitted to him. "I didn't want to be a part of it, any of it. Taking Duane to drive you loco, following you just to taunt you. Please, forgive me hombre," he said in a begging tone. Morgan looked to him seriously, "You help me get my boy back, I'll forgive you a hundred times over... In fact, I'll owe ya," he said bluntly. Guillermo nodded quickly. "Deal, Morgan," he said while he grabbed his hand to shake it. Morgan gave him a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

We left the path to the warehouse and walked back toward the house that had the basement that was converted to the safe room. It wasn't too far, but I was concerned about this other group catching up with us. "Hey, G, how many people are in the group that took you and Duane?" Rick asked, thinking the same way I had been. Guillermo sighed. He said, "There was Tabitha that died back there, a woman named Emma, this scrawny guy Ethan and this big dude, Morales. Then me and Duane. The group used to be about ten people, but about a week ago we ran into a herd and most of the group didn't make it out alive. It was a bloodbath. I still hear their screams," Guillermo said in a low tone. 

Morales?  I couldn't help but look at Rick immediately. "Rick, d'ya think..?" I started when Rick interrupted me. "Damn right, too good of a coincidence I think," he said quickly. I nodded in agreement. It amazed me how like minded we were most of the time. 

"So there's just Emma, Ethan and Morales left? We just have to take care of them and you and Duane are free?" Rick asked Guillermo. He nodded. "That's it." Rick looked at him thoughtfully, then to Morgan. "Alright, let's do this. Let's get Duane back. Thankfully we're only up against three people." Morgan smiled then took Rick's hand. "Thank you, Rick Grimes," he said, his voice cracking with emotion. 

I smirked at Morgan and Rick. That was just Rick. A great guy that did anything to help his family. None of us would have been together if it wasn't for Morgan saving Rick in the beginning. I looked over at Merle who was smiling over at the two as well. "Alright ladies, it's time to dry our eyes and go get Duane back and take care of those other two. Y'all ready to do this?" Merle spoke up for the first time in awhile. I nodded to him. "Let's do it." I said with confidence. 

We all carried on the short journey back to the heart of the town in the darkness, no one saying a word, keeping ourselves aware of our surroundings through these moments of uncertainty. I put my hand on my side, my fingertips touching my handgun lightly just to comfort myself that it was there. We were quickly approaching the house we were looking for when Rick put his hand up, signaling for all of us to stop. I looked ahead, seeing something that made my blood run cold with fear, all of my hairs standing on end. I felt sick to my stomach.

Morales was carrying a very pregnant woman with blonde hair that was shining against the moonlight over to the house we were heading toward, bridal style. It was my wife he was carrying. Andrea was just behind Morales. Athena looked to be unconscious. I lunged forward and was caught by Rick. I knew he was right to stop me, but I needed to save her.

"Rick! D'ya see who he's carryin'?!" I asked him frantically at a whisper. He nodded and put his finger to his lips. "Daryl, I see her but you cannot do a damn thing while he's holding her. You could hurt the baby. Wait just a minute," he said quietly and calmly. I nodded to him.