AMBER | Daryl Dixon

Acceptance

Daryl's POV

"Dad.." I just looked back at her in pure shock. That's my daughter, that's my Amber. The little gleam in her green eyes are still there.

"Oh my god." I whispered as I rushed towards her, pulling her into a tight hug. It felt like if I let go, she'd dissappear again. Once I pulled her into the hug, I began to hear her cry, followed by a tight squeeze which confirmed that she was still indeed real.

"Sunshine." I whispered.

"Daddy." She cried.

"How did you find me?" I asked, pulling her to arms length. She smiled as she wiped her eyes and tear stained cheeks.

"You picked up a few things living out here."

"That's my baby girl." She smiled again then looked past me to Merle, and then her smile slowly began to fade.

"Pumpkin." I looked back and saw him open his arms to her. I let go of her shoulders as she walked past me and towards him.

"Why?" Was all she said. He dropped his arms and looked down.

"I'm sorry pump-"

"You left me! You ran off. Dad had the decency to try and call out for me, look for me, but you dragged him away, leaving me behind." She was at the break of tears again but also filled with anger.

"I had to take the chance." She just shook her head.

"I followed you. All of you, to the edge of town and out the metal fence but was cut off by infected. You didn't turn back once. You just kept running." Merle said nothing.

"Why?" Her voice finally broke.

"I- I- I had too. That's my brother, but look, you found us safe and sound." He smiled and I saw this look wash over Amber's face before she spoke.

"Do I really mean that little to you? So little that I'm not even important enough to be considered your niece when it really comes down to it." Merle froze as she choked back a sob.

"Th- That's not what I'm say-" Merle studdered.

"I was so close. But you still ran. So I wouldn't have had to go look for you if you hadn't left me in the first place." She shouted, pointing back in the direction we came from. Merle frowned.

"Wow, easy now. Let's not forget you left us first." He said, stepping forward towards her. She gritted her teeth as tears began to fall down her cheeks while she glared back at him and I knew that he had crossed the line.

"Merle!" I yelled stepping infront of her and pushed him back with my hand.

"Look who's talking." I continued. He just stared back at me, knowing exactly what I was talking about.

"I had to man. I would have killed him otherwise." He said, talking about our dad while raising his arms up. I shook my head and grabbed my things.

I know exactly how Amber feels, so I don't blame her. She was abandoned by her mother, and I was by my brother.

"Come on Amber." I said beckoning her to follow me. She went back to behind the tree and picked up a bow, whipping her tears in the process.

"Where you going?" Merle asked, watching me as I walked away.

"Back to where I belong."

"I can't go with you. I tried to kill that black bitch. Damn near killed the Chinese kid."

"He's Korean." I said back, matter of fact.

"Whatever." He said, throwing his arms up. I then heard Amber walk beside me and stop.