Between Arrows and Hearts - Daryl Dixon

The rescue

Back in the lab, everyone seemed to be thinking about what they would do. Guillermo's threat had been clear. But abandoning Cass was not an option.

As Rick opened the bag, checking the weapons inside, Daryl spoke. "Them guns are worth more than gold. Gold don't protect 'yer family or put food on the table. 'Ya willing to give that up for her?"

Glenn shot Daryl an incredulous look. How could he even question Cass's value? "You wouldn't?" he asked, irritation creeping into his voice.

Daryl answered clearly. "I don't have a family waitin' for me back." He returned his gaze to the sheriff, as if he were measuring how much he would do for the girl.

"If I knew we'd get Cass back, I might agree. But you think that vato across the way is just gonna hand her over?" T-Dog asked.

"You calling G a liar?" Miguel defended his leader.

"Are 'ya a part of this?" Daryl smacked him across the head. "'Ya want to hold onto 'yer teeth?" 

T-Dog continued looking at Rick. "Question is, do you trust that man's word?"

"No, question is what are 'ya willin' to bet on it?" Daryl asked. "Could be more than them guns. Could be 'yer life. Cass worth that to 'ya?"  

Rick only met her a day ago, so what he was willing to give up for her was a mystery to Daryl.

The sheriff nodded,  slipping his loaded gun it into his holster. "What life I have I owe to her. I was nobody to Glenn and Cass, just some idiot stuck in a tank. They could have walked away, but they didn't. Neither will I." Glenn looked at Rick proudly.

"So 'yer gonna hand the guns over?" Daryl said hesitantly.

"I didn't say that." Rick said, shaking his head. "There's nothing keeping you three here. You should get out, head back to camp."

"And tell your family what?" T-Dog questioned, rubbing his head.

Rick alternated his gaze between the 3 men. 

"Ain't goin' nowhere." Daryl said, taking one of the guns from the bag.  The air changed in the office, everyone now on the same page about what they would do. About what they were willing to risk.

"Alright, let's do this. We save Cass or we die trying." Glenn's words hung in the air, making everyone look at him. Rick raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, I know, that was dramatic. Cass would be laughing at me." Glenn shook his head, brushing off his embarrassment as he focused on taking a rifle.

-----

Cass walked back and forth in the large room. Mr. Gilbert, one of the elderly people Guillermo and his people took care of, was having an asthma attack. Despite her concern for the old man, her mind kept drifting to the men in her own group.

After the tense exchange between both sides, Guillermo had sent a nurse to check Cass's bruise, and, once patched up, she pressed him to explain what was happening. 

Apparently, things were nothing like she thought. The terrifying "gang" that had kidnapped her was actually a group of kind-hearted people just trying to care for their families and the elderly who had been abandoned to their fate.

Cass tried to convince Guillermo to let her speak with Rick, confident they could reach an agreement. She explained how her camp had more people, including old people —though she decided not to mention that Dale wasn't exactly an old man who needed care— and children of their own.

But all of her efforts were in vain. Guillermo's answer was resolute. He would do whatever it takes to protect protect his people. 

"You've only known these people since this started. I've known mine for years. We don't even know if your group is coming back. My warning was clear, if they return without handing over their weapons, we'll do whatever's necessary. If they're as decent as you say, maybe they'll leave Miguel somewhere safe, and he can make it back. But you can't assure me they'd risk their lives for you."