FALLING APART daryl dixon

FORTY FIVE - THE ESCAPE (PART II)

Everything had happened so fast. One minute, Alycia and Maggie were running through the streets of Woodbury, shooting back at their attackers, and the next, they were outside the gates, realizing they were three people down from when they had entered. Alycia didn't have a clue what was going on, but she was just glad to be out of that hellhole for good. She never wanted to return to that dreaded place. She thought she wouldn't be able to even look at Daryl or her father after what the Governor had done to her.

She took a huge breath of relief when she jumped down off the wall, before the others quickly followed suit, landing next to her and ushering her to get behind the car and hide. Glenn was struggling to keep up with the group, but with Maggie's help, he managed. Alycia felt awful that Glenn had received most of the beatings and was in this condition, whereas hers was mostly psychological pain. At least she could still walk properly. The only person not with them now was Daryl, and there was no way in hell Alycia would leave without him.

But what gained her dad's attention, and her own, was a dark-skinned woman with a sword coming towards them quietly.

- Where the hell were you? Put your hands up - Rick demanded, holding his loaded gun up at her head. The woman raised her hands in surrender. - Turn around - Rick ordered, as Maggie and Alycia followed his movements, holding up their own guns while Glenn stayed behind.

- Get what you came for? - Rick snatched the woman's sword.

- Where are the rest of your people? - She asked, standing down as everyone had their guns pointed at her.

- They got Oscar - Glenn snapped back.

- Daryl's missing - Alycia added.

- You didn't see him? - The woman asked.

- If anything happens to him...- Rick began, only for her to interrupt.

- I brought you here to save them - She said, glaring at Rick.

- Thanks for the help - Rick replied sarcastically.

- You'll need help to get them back to the prison - She said, hoping Rick would let her go back with them. - Or to go back in there for Daryl. Either way, you need me.

- Alright, let's hear it - Alycia interrupted whatever her father was about to say.

Alycia listened to every word. All she knew was that they had to go back into the town and find Daryl, bring him back. Glenn protested at first about her going, but she gave him a look to tell him to keep his mouth shut about what happened back there. The Korean boy instantly understood, keeping his mouth shut as he watched her leave with the others. He had to stay back due to his injuries, which made it nearly impossible for him to walk.

Alycia didn't want everyone knowing what had happened between her and the Governor, especially not Daryl or her dad, as they would take it worse than the others. In fact, she just wanted to forget about it, but she knew it would haunt her.

The group moved in silence, carefully planning their approach. They rounded a corner and what they saw surprised them. It was Daryl and Merle, in a fighting ring, battling each other while the crowd went wild with excitement. Alycia almost ran at the sight of it but was stopped by her father.

Rick signaled, and he shot the light above the Governor, plunging the area into darkness, allowing them to attack. Alycia kneeled behind cover as she shot into the opening, aiming only for the guards. She kept her eye out for the man who had violated her, wanting nothing but to shoot him.

Rick threw a smoke grenade, and he begged Alycia to stay put and wait for him so he could go and get Daryl. But all she could do was keep her aim in the distance, watching as the Governor walked out of her line of fire. The girl held her breath, unable to hold back her need for vengeance. She followed him through the smoke.