𝗔𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗨𝗜𝗡𝗦 (DARYL DIXON X READER)

Chapter 6

You walked to the treeline of the forest, your eyes glued to the prison, when you finally arrived. It had been hours, but you made it.

"Shit, this place is one hell of a fortress," you said to yourself as you stood near the treeline, crouching down to get a better look at the prison. "How the hell did a fucking bunch like them get this set up and clean of walkers? Let alone get rid of prisoners?"

You weren't expecting an answer, of course, just thinking out loud as you took in the sight before you. The prison was a far cry from Woodbury's clean streets and false sense of security. This was raw survival, stripped down to the bone.

You adjusted your grip on the sword at your side. It had saved your ass more times than you could count. Still, it didn't make this any less nerve-wracking. Going in there alone was like stepping into the lion's den, but you didn't have a choice. Not anymore. The Governor had made that crystal clear.

"C'mon, girl, pull your shit together already," you whispered to yourself. You checked the map again, even though you knew damn well that this was the place.

But just as you wanted to continue your way forward, your mind began to play tricks on you. The wind rustling through the trees sounded like a voice you hadn't heard in a while-Merle's voice-and you shook your head, laughing out loud in disbelief.

"Look at you, still trudgin' through this godforsaken bullshit," Merle's voice said. "You've really gone and done it now, haven't ya?"

You turned around, expecting to see him there, but the forest was empty. "What the actual fuck?" You muttered, rubbing your eyes. "This is just... a goddamn heatstroke or something."

But the voice was still there. "Yeah, I'm dead, alright. Got a bullet with my name on it, courtesy of our lovely Governor. You think you're all high and mighty? Think again, doll."

Unbeknownst to you, the Governor had cornered him after an ambush-Merle's last attempt to take him down. Beaten by Woodbury's soldiers, the Governor had dragged him into a building. He had bitten off two of Merle's fingers, broken his arm, and shot him straight into his heart.

"Why'd you come here?" Merle's voice interrupted your thoughts, even though you tried to ignore it. "You think you're gonna change things by pokin' around this place? Ain't nothin' gonna change. Not for me, not for you."

You clenched your jaw, and as you turned your head to the side, you saw Merle kneeling next to you, playing around with his prosthetic arm. "I'm not here for the damn Governor," you shot back, trying to keep your voice calm and relaxed. "I'm here for the people in the prison. I need to know if they're worth the risk."

Merle's laugh was harsh, almost pitiful. "You think you're gonna find redemption in a bunch of strangers? 'Cause that's what they are to you. You? You got no connection with them, no history. You're better off just walkin' away. This place, these people-they're just another set of problems you don't need."

Merle's appearance wasn't just out of place; it was downright creepy. One minute, the forest was just a forest-trees, shadows, the occasional rustle of leaves-and the next, he was there, next to you, like he'd been waiting for you all along.

"Shit, Merle," you muttered, rubbing your eyes as if that would make him disappear. But he didn't. He was just there, smirking like he knew something you didn't, like he always did. "I swear, I'm being followed already, so can you please piss off?"

"Didn't think you'd be happy to see me one way or another, sweetheart," he said. "But here we are."

You wanted to argue, to tell him to fuck off, but the words got stuck in your throat. Was this really happening? Was your mind finally going completely crazy? You looked around, hoping-no, praying-you'd see something, anything, to explain this away. But there was nothing. Just you and Merle in the forest, the prison in the distance in front of you like a bad dream.