Shattered

Chapter Fourteen: Dixon..

I walked behind a young boy and he held my fingers taking his first steps. Mary stood in front of me catching the whole scene on video. "Daddy! You best be getting in here to see your son." "I'm comin'." He walked in and smiled watching him take the shaky steps. In a second the happiness was gone and exchanged with fear. Gunshots rang through are ears and we instantly grabbed our guns. I left the child with Carol and ran outside. Herds among herds of walkers broke through our defenses and filled the air with screams of our loved ones. I was trying to do my best to keep them back when I heard a yell barely a few feet away. In a second he was covered in walkers. "Daryl! No! Daryl!"

Water was poured on me knocking me out of my dream. The dried blood was a strong stench in my nose. I was tossed to the floor and the Governor started kicking my side. I grabbed his leg and went to twist it but got kicked in the face instead. "You're part of a game tonight." He threw me out into the dirt with my hands tied in front of me. I looked up to see two men ready to fight. "Our first round tonight! To make up for the fear you felt just a few hours ago." I looked at all the people in saw Merle in the mix. I knew if he even took a step forward he could be shot. They lunged for me and I ducked. One of them rolled off my back and I faced the one names Jax. He was pretty big and had some muscles on him. His partner jumped on my back and put me in a choke hold. I bit his arm and he let go. Jax punched me straight on in the face and I fell to the ground. The crowd cheered making me wonder what kind of sick people they were. I stood up dazed and grabbed the other guy. I punched him hard enough to break his nose and keep him down while I tried to deal with Jax. I stumbled to the side giving him enough time to kick me back. I hit the ground unable to breath. He stepped on my leg and was confused when I didn't show him pain. I used my other leg and kicked him in the balls. I went to run out but was blocked by a walker. I went back and my feet were kicked out from under me. The walker came down on me and I snapped it's neck before ripping its head off. I threw it at Jax and distracted him.

I kicked him down and started hitting him as much as possible. I was pulled back in another hold. I fell limp in his arms and he let me go. I rolled to the side of Jax's foot and got back up. I snapped the man's neck and tossed him to the side. The crowd starting yelling and someone shot me with an arrow. I fell to the ground and screamed when I yanked it out of my shoulder. I stabbed Jax in the leg with it managing to get back up. I was ready to just give up and die by this point but I had Dacey to worry about. Merle trusted me with her and here I was getting the life beat out of me. I glanced back over at him and we looked worried. He had a right to be.

I pushed the arrow into his skull and he fell on top of me. I didn't know if I should get out or not. Either way I'll die. I slowly slid out from under him and was pulled out of the ring. The Governor stepped forward shaking his head. "This is why we make sure everyone knows the consequences of the fights. The final round consists of the traitor who led these people here! Our very own! Merle!" I needed to get back up and defend him but I could barely breathe let alone fight another man. "Brother against brother! Let's see where your loyalties lie!" I pulled myself up a few feet and looked through everyone to see Daryl and Merle. I watched Daryl and saw that he was even wondering if Merle was going to do this. When Merle started hitting him I was thrown into even more pain. Daryl finally hit him to just end up on the ground. I watched them fighting the walkers and throwing them into the crowd.

A gunshot sent the town into chaos. Daryl grabbed me started running. "The plan was not to get caught." "Sorry I fucked up.."

I heard yelling and sat up against the car. I saw Daryl fighting with Merle. Merle decided to be an ass today well until Rick knocked him out. They walked over and started talking. They were all going against Daryl on something. He started to walk away even though Rick when after him. I pulled myself up off the ground and walked over to him. "Daryl.." He stopped and turned to me. "What?" "Drop the attitude. You can't leave. Not like this, not now. We need you." "No you don't. You just need someone that's going to save your stupid ass."

"I'm asking you to stay. You can throw me to the walkers if you want but don't leave." "You're just scared because you're alone! Andrea was right everyone does leave you." He walked away and my legs gave out. I fell to my knees not knowing what part of my body hurt more but at this moment I knew it was my heart shattering into a thousand pieces. "Grace.. We've got to go." I wanted to push him away and run after Daryl and scream at him until he understood why he can't leave but I couldn't. I was broken.

I was carried into the prison worse than before. I was laid down and Hershel started barking orders. I faded in and out of consciousness. I heard Rick explaining what happened to me but couldn't make out who else was outside the cell. Hershel kept mumbling something right before I blacked out.

I sat in the bed and Carol walked in. She handed me Dacey and went to leave. "You can stay." She sat down and leaned against the wall. "I can't believe he left." "Are you surprised? Merle's blood, we aren't." "He can't just make us care and then leave!"

"He can and he did! Leave it alone!" "And here I thought you loved him." I threw my boot at the wall after she left and rubbed my face. "I do.. I always will." I held my side feeling my stitches ready to break. I laid Dacey on a small makeshift bed and watched her fall asleep with her small hands around my finger. You can never be too far from a Dixon.