FALLING APART daryl dixon

FIFTY TWO - ARROW ON THE DOORPOST

One week.

One week since Alycia Grimes had let her guard down with Bellamy Blake, since she'd allowed herself to get drunk and spill everything she'd been bottling up to her friends. One week since she had broken Bellamy's heart again, pushing him away so she wouldn't feel so alone, but the move had only left her emptier than before.

It had been a week since Daryl had made it clear to her that there was nothing between them—nothing had ever been. The weight of those unspoken feelings still hung over her like a cloud she couldn't shake.

Now, she stood beside her father in the dimly lit room, listening as Merle rattled off what he knew about the Governor. They were a small group, just the people Rick trusted: Alycia, Daryl, and Hershel. The gravity of the meeting hung thick in the air, especially because the Governor had insisted Alycia be present. Rick had fought hard against it, but in the end, it was a non-negotiable demand. Alycia was essential to whatever the Governor had planned, and that realization made Rick's bones ache with dread.

- Y'all should be careful - Merle's gruff voice broke through Alycia's thoughts, pulling her back to the conversation. - Especially you, Miss Grimes.

- What? - Alycia blinked, her brows knitting together.

- Well, he took a likin' to ya - Merle said, his tone casual but carrying an undercurrent of malice. - Seems like you got that effect on people.

The room seemed to tense. Rick shifted uncomfortably, and Daryl clenched his jaw, stepping closer to Alycia without even realizing it. Hershel's eyes flickered with concern, but Alycia stayed silent, her face unreadable.

- Why would the Governor want Alycia there? - Rick finally asked, his voice tight. There was a naivety to the question, a hope that Merle was wrong, but deep down, Rick already knew the answer.

- You know why, Sheriff Friendly. Look at your daughter. You can tell why - Merle's voice dripped with amusement as if the answer was so obvious it wasn't worth asking.

- That's enough - Daryl warned, stepping in and pushing Merle back slightly. Merle just laughed, finding the whole thing entertaining. Rick's gaze darted between Daryl and Alycia, his protective instincts flaring.

- You can shut up now, Merle - Rick said firmly, his eyes narrowing.

Alycia, ignoring the tension, spoke quietly, her voice like a razor cutting through the air.

- I took his eye. Made him look weak. A man like that can't afford to lose to a girl.

There was silence, the weight of her words sinking in. But Merle wasn't done stirring the pot. He smirked.

- Besides, the way the man used to beat up that kid of his... made even me uncomfortable.

Alycia's eyes widened. She hadn't known. Bellamy had never told her. She had never imagined that Bellamy had suffered like that, not with the way he always carried himself.

- What do you mean? - Alycia's voice cracked just a little. - Bellamy?

Daryl rolled his eyes, irritated with the direction of the conversation.

- Yeah - Merle continued. - That kid was miserable. No wonder he ran off with ya. He was tryin' to get away from that bastard, but his daddy wouldn't let him. When he tried, well... let's just say it didn't end well.

Alycia felt a cold pit form in her stomach. She had no idea Bellamy had endured that kind of life, and now, everything felt heavier.

Hershel, trying to steer the conversation away from the personal, chimed in.