Daryl's Girl

Chapter 119

The journey back to the prison was quiet. We just walked hand in hand and I listened to the soft sound of our feet on the leaves as we went. I guess I was just trying to pull myself together. The last thing we all needed was for me not being able to fight. I had to be able to do my part so no one else had to die.

As for Daryl, he was still hurting and I for one could see that, but the tears were gone and he'd returned to his old emotionless look. It was a look he wore most of the time. It was where he'd lock away any emotion he had to stay strong for the group and to not look vulnerable in front of them. As much as I understood that, it was still okay to cry. Merle was his brother after all.

"Hey." I stopped just as we approached the prison fence. Daryl stopped with me and I gave his hand a slight squeeze. "Are you alright?"

Daryl just nodded and began chewing nervously on his bottom lip. "Gotta be."

"Well you don't have to be." I sighed before I could stop the words from leaving my mouth. "I'm sorry. He was your brother and he saved us all. He did it to protect you. It's okay to cry."

Daryl jodded again but this time he didnt say anything. He just stood there and glanced up at the prison before looking back at me. "Come on."

I didn't argue and the both of us made our way through the field and into the courtyard. It was then I noticed Rick keeping watch in the cage. It didn't take him long to see us, and when he did, he made his way over.

"Did Michonne make it back okay?" I asked.

Rick nodded and glanced behind us. "Wheres Merle?"

I shrunk back a little at his question and looked over to Daryl. He was looking back out at the trees so I turned back to Rick and shook my head. I didn't want to have to say the words for Daryl's sake, but Rick seemed to understand what it was I was trying to say.

"I'm sorry." He sighed. Daryl just bowed his head.

"We have to be ready. He's probably rounding up his people as we speak." I said, shifting my weight. "I need to go and talk to Briana. Do you know where she is?"

"She's in her cell. Do you want me to come with you?" Rick replied.

"No." I shook my head. "I need to talk to her on my own. Just give us a couple minutes."

Rick nodded and I kissed Daryl on the cheek before I left the two men standing in the courtyard and made my way into the cell block.

When inside, everyone turned to face me and I pretty much ignored them all as I made my way through the common room and over to the stairs in the main part of the cell block. The whole time trying to think about how I was going to put what I needed to into words. That was if she'd even listen to begin with.

I made my way up the stairs and stopped just outside the door to her cell. I then took a deep breath and walked in.

Briana looked up from what she was doing and the expression on her face turned aggressive. "What do you want?!" She snapped. "What happened to stay the hell away?"

She was just sat on her bed looking at me with anger filled eyes. I still didn't know how to tell her and the silence wasn't helping her temper either. "Well. What did you want?!" She snapped again.

"I need you to listen." I started and stopped to take a deep breath. The next part was the hard part. "I wanted to be the one to tell you-"

"Tell me what?" She interrupted. "Spit it out."

"Look, did Rick tell you about the deal?" I asked.

For a split second, she relaxed a little from the tough girl act she's been putting on. "Yeah. The Governor offered us a way out so Merle took Michonne to full fill the deal. Then Daryl went after them and you went after Daryl. Only Michonne came back before any of you." She told me. "Why?"