Put off by the sudden attack, the Governor gives up on keeping me captive and shoves me into the growing smoke. I trip and fall, landing on my hurt arm. I bite back a cry of pain, the gag pulling at the corners of my mouth uncomfortably. I struggle to push myself up, rolling over and trying to do a sit up.
I absentmindedly wish that I was better at the exercise part of gym class.
A walker crawls out of the fog, noticing me immediately. My eyes widen and I heave myself up into a sitting position. It advances, and I try to push myself to my feet. I lose my balance, falling onto my face. The walker growls, growing ever closer. I roll over and heave myself back up, kicking my feet at its legs. I snap its femur, making it fall to the dirty ground. It's rotting hands grab my boots, trying to bite. I kick frantically, my wrists rubbing against the rope and becoming raw.
An arrow pierces its head just as it grabs my leg. Daryl appears, a new crossbow in his hand. He sees me, his eyes floodin with relief as he dashes forwards. He swings the crossbow onto his back and picks me up all in one swift movement. He dashes away, holding me to his chest in a comfortable sort of death grip.
Merle appears beside us as we keep running. I squeeze my eyes shut momentarily, shaking with fear. More fast-paced footsteps join the group.
"You aren't coming anywhere with us!" I hear Rick demand.
"We ain't got time for this!" Merle retorts.
I keep my face buried in Daryl's chest, still scared out of my mind. At least I know we're safer now. There's the sound of splintering wood, then leaves snapping underneath our feet. Daryl's hold on me stays consistent and his powerful stride never breaks.
By the time we reach the cars again, the sun is rising. A wave of exhaustion sweeps over me, realizing just how long this mission has taken.
"Rick! Rick!" I hear Glenn call.
Him and Michonne appear from between the trees, weapons ready and eyes wide.
"Before you come over here, I need you to back up," Rick says, trying to hide Merle from view.
"What the hell is he doing here?!" Glenn yells, pulling his gun on the oldest Dixon brother. His eyes flicker to me. "What happened to Hope?"
"He tried to kill me!" Michonne shrieks, pointing to Merle.
"Hold up!" Rick commands. "Calm down."
"Jackass," Merle mutters.
"You shut up too!" Rick growls.
Daryl lowers me to the ground and cuts the gag off carefully. I gasp, coughing and choking. He tears a strip of cloth off of his shirt and ties it around the gash on my arm, then he cuts the rope holding my hands together. The skin on my wrists is red and rubbed raw, the air making them burn. He rubs them carefully, his eyes swimming with regret and sadness. He touches my forehead gently, his rough fingers familiar and kind.
"Oh boy. You've gone soft, little brother." Merle smirks. "The last time I saw that girl, she was in Atlanta. Now, she's your hook up. You got a new slut."
"Shut up! Don't you dare call her that!" Daryl snaps, moving towards Merle. "Don't act all innocent either. You were hangin' out with that psycho back there!"
"Oh yeah, he is a charmer, I gotta tell you that," he says. "He's been gettin' in real good with your friend Andrea...big time." He licks his lips and makes kissy faces, rolling his hips suggestively. I hold back the urge to retch.
"Andrea's in Woodbury?" Glenn asks, slack-jawed.
"Right next to the Governor," Daryl grimaces.
Michonne advances on Merle with her sword raised and her gaze murderous.
YOU ARE READING
Daryl's Angel (Book One in the Apocalypse Angel Trilogy)
Fanfiction"Why're you bein' so nice to me?" "I would want the same if I were you." Hope Starling was alone when the dead started rising. She had always been alone, with parents that had disowned her and no friends to help her. Inside the department store in...
