Daryl Dixon's Family

Chapter 30

Author's Note: Thanks and shout out to ReedusMe

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Rick privately tells Hershel and Daryl about The Governor's offer and Rick's intentions to quietly capture Michonne in order to comply and to delay telling the rest of the group until afterwards. Hershel refuses to be a part of it and Daryl is reluctant, although he agrees to support Rick. Ava noticed Daryl's odd behavior and asking him about him about it, when he tells Ava he asks his wife to promise not to say anything, though she doesn't agree with Rick's plan in handing over Michonne, she agrees to the promise for her husband.

Feeling he needs a third man for the job, Rick requests Merle's help. Merle, who has been tearing through mattresses looking for drugs, is interested in this development but does not believe Rick has the spine for it and also remarks on how cold he has become since they first met back in Atlanta.

Rick runs outside to find Maggie, Carl, Daryl, Ava Hunter, Michonne, and Beth removing the threat of the walkers in the field and laying down spike strips ready for Woodbury's impending attack.

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Merle and Carol chat, during which time he notes she has become more assertive and confident. He calls her a 'late Bloomer' and she replies that he may be one too.

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Merle later tells Daryl that he finds hypocrisy in handing Michonne over to The Governor, since the group is already angry with Merle for doing the same with Glenn and Maggie. Rick is scavenging wire to tie up Michonne, intercut with Hershel praying with his daughters, when Rick hallucinates Lori in the sunlight; Rick then abandons the task and his intentions to hand over Michonne.

However, Merle has already decided to do the group's dirty work, recognizing this as his role as it was in Woodbury, and he blindsides Michonne. When Merle and Michonne are discovered missing, Daryl begins tracking them on foot, Ava going with him, after all the two together were a force to be reckoned with.

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On the road, Merle and a wire-bound Michonne chat, with Merle trying to convince Michonne that as much as he's on the outside of the group Rick's deal proves she is, as well.

They stop to hot wire a car, and Merle accidentally sets off its alarm, immediately attracting walkers which they fight and escape. While riding in Merle's car, Michonne prompts Merle to admit he never killed before doing The Governor's bidding, and there is no need to sacrifice anyone else at The Governor's behest; she suggests she and Merle should both return to Rick's group.

Merle says he cannot go back, stops the car, and lets Michonne go with her katana, telling her to get ready for what's next; he has something to do on his own. Michonne crosses paths with Daryl and Ava. Ava was happy yet slightly surprised when Michonne told them Merle had let her go, Michonne then directs him on toward his brother.

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Merle drinking whiskey outside a liquor store, listening to Motorhead; he uses the music to attract a swarm of walkers to the car and drives toward the appointed meeting place in short intervals, ensuring that walkers follow him. He bails out alongside a barn, leaving the music-blasting car to continue on to the meeting site with a parade of walkers following.

Martinez, Allen, Ben and others, who are waiting in ambush, watch from a firing line. After a moment of hesitation, Martinez sends scouts forward to investigate the car, while he and the others open fire on the walkers. The Woodbury soldiers are distracted by the walkers, Merle shoots at the soldiers, killing and wounding many of them in the process including Ben who takes a bullet meant for The Governor but a walker subsequently distracts Merle, which allows Martinez and The Governor to attack him viciously.