You don't control me, Dixon

➌ 78- Even Metal Crowns Bend, the Invisible One's Shatter

I'm throwing myself a birthday party today!! Sorry for being a small bit late!

♤

Another scream gets muffled by the belt and the door opens again, Daryl barreling in, standing in the doorway.

I clutch the hand of Beth as Hershel takes another slow swipe on my back, I howl and the conversation continues around me louder. I grunt and yank my hand from Beth, bracing on the edge of the table and press my hands to my ears.

The wafting smell of skin and burnt blood slowly making people inch away. Grimaces from people make me bury my face in the crook of my elbow.

Heat floods to the surface and floods down my back and to my pants. I hold a hand up and Hershel stops immediately.

I stand and breath heavily, panting through clenched teeth. The room fades to black quickly but comes back as fast.

Fuck, oh sweet baby Jesus. Oh my God.

My ears ring and I bend at the waist, yelping as my rib screams itself. I bite harder and press my hands into the metal table, hitting once, twice, three times.

Daryl rushes up and grabs my wrists, I yank away and close my eyes.

I take the belt out and pant softly "Just- let me do this."

He nods and looks over his shoulder, staring hard at something. I follow his gaze lazily and stare at Merle. I blink lazily at him before placing the belt back in my mouth, placing my teeth back in the grooves.

Sitting, I grab Beth's hand. The bickering, and insults flying behind me soundless in my ears.

With my other hand, I grab Daryls vest and lay my face in it, giving a thumbs up.

Then the endless lashes getting seemingly getting a thousand and some more stripes of heat.

♤

By the time that Hershel pats my shoulder, I am panting into the belt. Sitting up, I release Beth who shakes her red hand.

I raise my arms and the conversation is long gone, off doing whatever they had planned for a defensive stance.

Hershel tightly wraps my ribs, my breathing restricted as he instructs"Usually wrapping isn't done anymore but seeing that you are always hopping around, it's better for you to not be able to breathe easily; however, you will need to unwrap once an hour and take a few deep breaths carefully."

I nod as he gently pulls my wrap, I grunt and nod, speaking tightly "Alright, pillow to the chest right?"

He chuckles and nods, tying it off and patting my shoulder.

Sitting on the bench, I grunt and shrug the vest on, zipping it up "So, what the hell happened to cause me being shoved in a closet?"

He sighs and stomps one of his crutches as he speaks, glancing out a barred window "Carol-" he pauses and smiles at me "Don't make that face, " chuckling at me he continues " was with Axle-"

I tilt my head and ask softly as I hold a hand to my rib "Mustache?"

He raises a brow laughing fully and with his belly "Mustache? Ah- honey, you kill me."

Shaking my head I muse at him weakly "I saved you- one leg."

Daryl walks out of the separate area where Merle is being held and leans against the wall, keeping an eye.

I smile tightly at him before Hershel speaks "Axle was killed" I jolt and stare at him as he pats my knee "The governor broke through the fence and filled the field with walkers."