Daryl's Girl

Chapter 100

I turned to the boot of the car and started frantically shoving my things into my bag, along with a few extra supplies. I was gonna go after him. I couldn't just let him walk away and have us start back from square one.

I then pulled my bag onto my back and closed the boot, making sure I had both my knife and gun in my belt. I did. It was then that I began making my way over to the others. Michonne watching my every move with a puzzled look on her face. Rick seemed to be pulling the same expression as he, Maggie and Glenn all walked back down the road towards the car.

"I'm gonna bring him back." I panted.

Rick had a disaproving look on his face and so did Glenn and Maggie. It was Glenn that eventually spoke up as he rested his hand on my upper arm. "Lily no. Anything could happen out there. We need you back at the prison."

"Look, I know Daryl can be stubborn but I can't just leave him on his own with Merle and Tyler. I need to do this. I need to bring him back. You said it yourself, he's part of this family." Then, as I spoke, I remembered I hadn't told Briana about Jace. It must've been driving her crazy. Lori was the only other person who knew and she wasn't here to tell her. I took the photo out of my back pocket and handed it to Maggie. "Just in case we make it back. I need you to give Briana a message from me-"

"Lily, you will come back." She hugged me, stopping me mid senctence.

I hugged her back but then pulled away to continue. "I need you to tell her, her brother's alive." I stopped to see a confused look on all of their faces. "Jace is her brother. He already knows but you have to tell them toether. I didn't get a chance to before everything happened. And tell her and my dad, I'll be back before they know it."

"Wait, how do you know?" Maggie asked.

"Long story short. When we found the records of the prisoners who'd turned and so on, Jace's name was crossed out. Something didn't sit right with me so I did some digging. I went to talk to him and he recognised the photo. Said Briana's name before anyone could could tell him. She thinks he's dead. You have to tell her before it's too late." I replied. Maggie then nodded her head and put the photo into her back pocket. "Thank you."

As I went to walk away Glenn grabbed my arm again. "You can't just leave us. You're a part of this family as much as Daryl is."

I pulled my arm away and hugged him, being careful not to hurt him. "That's why we need him. We need him against this fight we've started. Please, Glenn. You can't stop me, but I'll bring him back."

Glenn stood there for a moment longer before he slowly nodded his. It was pretty clear that he didn't like my idea, but what other choice did we have? We all needed him. He was one of us...I had to tell him what he really means to me and that I was stupid for blowing him off the way I have been.

"Bring him back." Maggie hugged me one last time.

"I will. Look after little ass-kicker and-"

"Judith. Carl called her Judith." Rick interrupted. A wide smile on his face.

I couldn't help but smile back. "Well, you look after Judith and Carl. Give them a big hug from me. I'll see you soon." As I finished I jogged back to the car and took a spare rifle from the back. A few extra bullets to go with it.

"Lily." Rick called after me. I quickly turned to face him. "Be careful. Bring him back."

"I will." I nodded and turned to Michonne, who was still watching me. "You take care. Look after yourself. I trust you." I smiled and ran into the woods after Daryl. I didn't look back. If I can somehow lead him back to the prison with Merle and Tyler, we may have a chance against the Governor. I know for a fact that Glenn, Maggie and Michone aren't gonna like it when I end up returning with Merle and Tyler, but if that's the only way, then we'll all have to just deal with it.

I found the odd footstep or two as I walked and figured they must've gone further than I first thought in such a small amount of time. I couldn't see them. "Daryl!" I called into the trees. Nothing.

As I started walking again, all I could think was, where the hell could they have gone? Surely they can't have gotten too far. They only left a couple minutes before I did, yet they'd managed to disappear. I thought I'd at least be able to hear the three of them bickering, but no. The forest was quiet.

Then I spotted a few walkers to my right through the trees. They didn't seem to take any notice that I was there, which was good. At least if they can't see me then I don't need to waste my energy taking them out. Instead, I threw the rifle over my shoulder and took out my knife from my belt. The less noise the better.

After a little while longer, the sun was directly above and I still hadn't found Daryl. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. I could only hope that I find them soon before it gets dark. If not then find somewhere I can camp out for the night. No use in trying to work my way through the dark.

"Daryl?" I called. There was nothing. "Daryl" I called a little louder. Still nothing. "Daryl!" I screamed.

It probably wasn't the best idea to go yelling with walkers around but I didn't care. I just kicked the leaves on the ground with frustration. Frustrated with myself that I couldn't somehow stop him from leaving. Frustrated that I'd not tried to help him. Frustrated to how I'd acted towards him these past months. All he'd been trying to do was apologise but I was just to blind to see it. Even when everyone else kept telling me to give him another chance, I couldn't.

I wasn't looking where I was going and almost stumbled into a stream. I think it was the Yellow Jacket or something like it. I'd seen it on a map somewhere, I think. It was a couple miles down from the prison. At least I know if I really had to, I know how to get back.

I splashed some water into my face and sat down on the edge. The next thing I heard was the rustle of leaves coming from down stream. I looked up and hoped it was Daryl only to see it was just a walker on the other side. Then there was another sound. This one I knew all too well. Gun fire and the sound of a baby's cries. It reminded me of Judith.

I stood up and without even thinking, followed in the direction of the cries. It lead me up to a bridge where there were two men surrounded by walkers. Then I heard a woman yelling and the cries of the baby again. I had to go help them. It looked like they needed it. No one else had to die. Especially not a baby.

I ran through the trees as fast as my legs could carry me and onto the bridge. That's when I saw the woman through the wind shield of the car, a baby in her arms, with walkers crowding round her. The two men were stood on the end of a truck, which was half hanging over the edge of the bridge. It looked like they only had one gun between them.

Then, a walker latched itself onto one of the men's trousers and he dropped his gun onto the ground. Both of them were yelling in a different language and I had no idea what they were saying but it wasn't going to stop me from helping them.

I dropped my bag onto the ground and I replaced my knife with my gun. I first shot the walker that had the man's leg before shooting the rest of the walkers surrounding the bed of the truck.

I'd taken down around five or six before my gun began clicking. The extra ammo was in my bag at the end of the bridge and I didn't have time to go get it. Instead I pulled out my knife and ran at the walkers. There were more of them around where the two men were standing so I ran over and took them out. I then threw the gun up to the men and the older looking one caught it. They had to have been father and son. A family like any other trying to get away.

I turned around to go back to my bag for the extra ammo when a walker threw itself at me. It's body weight was to heavy and my knife was out of reach. I could hear the shooting from the other men. All of a sudden the walker fell limp onto me. I moved it from me with ease and grabbed my knife.

I stood up and took out another walker that was near me and looked at the one on the ground. An arrow stuck out from the back of it's head. It wasnt just any ordinary arrow. It was one from Daryl's crossbow!