Little Dixon (Daryl Dixon)

Escaped

((Avery's POV))

I couldn't believe that Andrea was fooled by the Governor. Michonne was right; she had changed. Her eyes that were once full of friendliness and grief for her sister were now filled with cold hatred. Ever since she was separated from the group, I felt guilty for never forgiving her for shooting Daryl, but now I knew she didn't deserve it. Michonne told me what happened between them. How she had saved Andrea from walkers and was taking care of her all winter and then once they arrived in Woodburry, Andrea just forgot about how much she owed Michonne. She just didn't know how to show gratitude, and that bothered me. Michonne definitely deserved gratitude from her; at least a simple "thank you for saving my life and keeping me safe during the winter when I was totally helpless".

Michonne and I got pretty close over the course of a few hours. She told me about how she survived so long without a group. Her weapon of choice, a katana sword, was a perfect weapon for an apocalypse, along with her way of camouflaging herself from walkers. I admired the black woman a lot. She was smart and strong and definitely a survivor. But, for some reason, I knew she wasn't always like that

Michonne and I were invited to join the party in the arena that night. Though we didn't want to, we still went. I guess we were just curious what these sick men called "entertainment".

We were right, they were sick. Michonne and I sat and watched two men, Merle and Martinez, kick each other's asses in a circle of walkers for two hours. That's right, the fucking fight went of for two hours. No breaks, no "knock outs". It went on for two straight hours.

Merle won, however. After two hours of brutal fighting, Merle shoved Martinez to the ground and held him there. The exhausted and beaten man laid on the ground, looking thankful for the rest.

"These people are sick," Michonne spat in disgust. I silently agreed as I watched Merle play with the walkers that surrounded him in chains.

But Merle beating Martinez didn't stop the "party". More people volunteered to go down in the arena and get their asses kicked by Merle. I guessed Daryl's brother was popular in the town, and that people only went down their so he would touch them. I scoffed, "This is horrible."

As more and more people went down into the arena, and more and more people got their asses beat, the crowd became more and more wild. I don't know how long this went on for, but it sure was a while. This place was sick, and I missed Daryl like crazy. I didn't even know if he was alive for God's sake!

As Michonne and I got up to leave the horrid place, gun shots began to ring out. I whipped my head around to see 3 people I never expected to see in this place; Rick, Glenn and Maggie. Their guns were raised and were scanning the crowd as if they were looking for someone. They were looking for me. I stood up and went to run towards them, but Michonne held me back.

"Those are your people?" She asked. I nodded. "Go down there slowly. Try not to make a scene."

"Come with me," I begged. Michonne hesitated. I silently prayed that she would agree. We had become good friends and I didn't wanna leave her in that hell hole.

I glanced down at Glenn, who was staring at me expectantly. I looked back at Michonne.

"Alright," She decided. I smiled and began to lead her down the bleachers and towards my group. Gun shots filled the air and the citizens of Woodburry hurried towards their houses. The guards shouted and ordered people around. Michonne and I pushed our way through the crowd towards Glenn, Maggie and Rick.

"Avery!" Rick exclaimed as we came into sight.

"Who's that?" Maggie asked, raising her gun on Michonne.

"Michonne. She's okay," I told Maggie. The farm girl looked hesitant, but lowered her gun

"Where's Dar-" I got cut off as a bullet hit the ground inches from my foot.

"We gotta go!" Michonne urged. Rick nodded and began to lead us to a hole in the wall. We had no trouble getting out of the town, though guards were walking along the walls, searching for us. We ran into the cover of the forest, only stopping when Woodburry disappeared from sight.

I caught my breath before speaking. I looked around the group for Daryl. Why wasn't he here?

I think I already knew the answer.

"Where's- where's Daryl?" I asked worriedly. No one answered. Glenn and Maggie exchanged uneasy glances while Rick shifted from side to side.

"Is he... Is he dead?" I questioned, half knowing the answer.

"No," Rick answered.

I cocked my head, "He was shot..."

"He made it back to the prison. Though he was in really bad condition." Rick explained. "He was with us, but insisted he went on his own... We don't know where he is."

"He's probably still in the town!" I exclaimed, "We have to go back!"

I began to turn back to the town, but Maggie stopped me. "Avery, they have guards searching every inch of the town! If we go back, we'll get caught."

"Exactly. If Daryl's in the town, they'll find him. Who knows what they'll do to him!" I yelled. I glanced at Michonne for support, and she nodded slightly.

"I don't care if you guys go or not, Mich and I are going back." I spat angrily. Without waiting for an answer I whipped around and began to stalk back to the town. Behind me, I heard the crunching of leaves as the rest of the group began to follow. I smirked in satisfaction.

As we neared the walls, I peered through the undergrowth to see no one was searching the perimeter anymore.

"They must've given up." I whispered. Inside the walls, I could hear faint cheering and the Governor talking over the loud speaker. I could just barely make out what he was saying: "Merle has been disloyal to his town. We will be punished!"

I could hear the surprised gasps of the citizens of Woodburry.

"Alongside him tonight... Is his very own brother!" The Governor went on. My heart dropped. They had Daryl... They captured him and now they're gonna punish him.

"Now, the two brothers must fight each other to the death!" The Governor announced. The citizens of Woodburry cheered as I gasped. Daryl was in no condition to fight! He must've been so tired and he was just shot!

I turned around and stared at Rick, gaping.

"It's okay, Avery." Rick assured me determinedly. "We'll save him."

"He's in no condition to fight!" Maggie exclaimed. "His leg must be killing him!"

"Merle Dixon will stomp his ass..." Glenn added. I looked around the group frantically. I felt a reassuring hand my shoulder, and turned to see Michonne staring at me with determined eyes.

"We'll get him back," She promised. I nodded, kinda mad with myself. What was I freaking out about? Daryl was a strong man, and I knew his brother wouldn't go hard on him. Merle loved his little brother too much.

I looked at Rick, who nodded.

"Let's get Daryl back."