Daryl's Girl

Chapter 114

I woke up the next morning and Briana was gone. I figured she'd gotten up earlier and gone down for something to eat before starting the day. Normally she'd be the one waking me up, but she must've tried harder today not to wake me. It worked. Then again, I did leave with Rick, Michonne and Carl without saying a word to her, so I didn't blame her for sneaking off if she did.

Not allowing my mind to run away with itself, I climbed down from my bed and made my way down into the common room. By the look of it, I was the last one up as everyone else was gathered round the tables, already eating breakfast. "Morning." Carol called over to me.

"Morning." I replied with a smile.

"Here you go." Carl said, handing me a bowl of slop.

"Thanks bud." I replied as nicely as I possibly could, tapping him on the shoulder as he went back over to Rick. I have to admit, I'm getting pretty sick of oatmeal and porridge. Then again, it was better than going without and starving for the rest of the day. I just had to eat it and get it over with.

As I ate, I looked around to notice that Daryl wasn't in the room with us. Everyone else was here, apart from him. Maybe he'd already headed out, but then again, I also hadn't seen him around the cell block last night either.

"Where's Daryl?" I asked as I finished eating and quickly gave my bowl a clean.

Everyone looked at me and shook their heads. "No one's seen him since yesterday." Hershal replied.

"So where could he have gone?" I asked again, the worry starting to settle in my voice.

No one answered. They all just glanced at me with empty expressions before looking away again. All apart from Merle. He was staring straight at me and as I looked back at him, he jolted his chin towards the cage outside. Maybe if anyone knew where Daryl was, it would be Merle.

I rolled my eyes and followed him out. He was being very secretive and it made me uneasy. All I wanted was to know Daryl was alright and he wasn't out there on his own somewhere.

"Where's Daryl?" I asked again once Merle closed the door to the cell block.

"He's up there." He pointed up at the guard tower. It confused me a little as to why he was there and hadn't told anyone. I know he liked his privacy but this whole thing didn't sit right with me. "You like my brother?"

"Of course I do." I answered. My voice sounding a little more hostile than I intended it to be. "Why?"

"I want what's best for my baby brother." He growled before a menacing smirk appeared on his face. "You're tough." He then stopped and used the tip of his knife, which he had now taped to the metal on his arm, to touch the side of my face. "But I've heard stories about you. 'Bout what you've done and who you are-"

Before he could say anything else, I slapped his arm away from my face and glared at him, folding my arms over my chest. "Stories from who?" He didn't reply and I instantly knew exactly who he was talking about. "Tyler?"

Merle nodded. "Says you can't be trusted."

"You sure you haven't got that the other way round." I snapped. I was already sick of this conversation. Sick of Tyler trying to stick his nose into my business. "Anything that comes out of Tyler's mouth is bull shit. You of all people should be able to see that."

"Woah missy. No need to get your panties in a bunch. Now I'm just here trying to figure out if this piece of ass isn't going to screw over my brother. You get me?" He laughed.

"Screw you Merle." I spat, stepping towards to cage door, but before I could step out, Merle grabbed hold of my arm, stopping me dead in my tracks.