Little Dixon (Daryl Dixon)

Threatened

((Daryl's POV))

I stared at my brother in shock.

"M-merle?" I managed to chock out. We stood there in silence while the crowd cheered us on. I knew they wanted us to fight, but they weren't gonna get what they wanted. I wasn't fighting my own brother.

My gaze drifted down to Merle's amputated hand. A metal bayonet covered the stump, and attached to that was a foot long blade. I swallowed and look back up at my brother's face, who had the same disbelieving look.

"You wanted your brother," The Governor said to him. "Now you can have him."

He shoved Merle towards me, his blade only just missing my face. Merle regained his balance and shot an apologetic look at me. I was confused for a moment, but then I realized what was happening. Merle was going to fight me.

Before I could brace myself for my brother's beating, Merle already had me down with a punch to the stomach. I laid on the ground, trying to regain my breath. Merle began to kick my back, which hurt like hell. Though I knew he wasn't giving all he had, he was going easy on me.

"I'm sorry, baby brother." He apologized quietly. I scoffed and tried to stand up.

"I don't need your sympathy," I growled. I landed a hard blow onto his face, making my brother huff in pain. I smirked in satisfaction. As I went to land another blow onto his face, a sizzling sound caught my attention. Before I knew it, the air clouded until I couldn't see a thing. I could hear people screaming and running away, and I tried to do the same. Though I had no idea where I was going. As I turned around blindly, I ran into someone. I held up my fist to punch them, but stopped as the smoke began to clear. I recognized the beautiful face of Avery. She was staring at me wide-eyed and afraid.

"Avery-" I got cut off as she grabbed my hand and began to run away. I struggled to keep up with her; my leg was aching and I was exhausted. She led me over to the hole that we first came across and jumped through, pulling me after her. We didn't stop running once we were outside. We kept running into the woods and didn't stop until Woodburry was out of sight.

Moments after we stopped, Rick, Glenn, Maggie and even Merle appeared. There was another woman there that I didn't recognize.

"Who's that?" I coughed out. Avery's gaze drifted to the unknown woman, then back to me. "Michonne." She said simply.

"She's part of us now," Rick informed me. I was confused. I hadn't missed that much, though then again I did.

"Why the hell is he here?" Glenn questioned coldly, pointing his gun at Merle.

"Hey, hey. Glenn calm down," Rick soothed quietly. I glanced at my brother, who was smirking in satisfaction. I scoffed and looked away.

"No, let's hear what pizza boy has to say for himself," Merle sneered, glaring at Glenn.

"You're with the Governor. Why would we let you come back with us?" Glenn retorted, returning the glare with the same force.

"I never said he was coming back with us," Rick pointed out.

"What?" I asked in disbelief. "Are we just gonna leave him out here?"

Glenn shrugged, "He deserves it."

"Son of a bitch," I growled and flung myself at the Asian. I brought up my fist to punch him, but Avery stopped me.

"Daryl, calm down," she ordered sternly. I sighed and lowered my hand. I suddenly realized that Avery was back. She was safe.

I grabbed her and pulled her into my arms, burying my face into her hair.

"I'm so sorry..." I whispered. Avery hugged my back tightly for a moment. I then realized Merle was there, and that he would tease me about that for the rest of my life, so I let go.