Remember Me (Daryl Dixon)

Chapter Thirty-Two: Go Back

Before I even opened my eyes, I knew that I was in trouble.
The pain that flowed through my skull and face told me this. When I opened my eyes, the sun once again blinded me.
This time I couldn't see anything.
All I could see was the bright sun finding its way into my eyes and warming my shivering skin. It also began warming up the dried blood covering my face. I let out a moan as I slowly sat up and began observing my surroundings.
"Well, look who is finally up," I heard a voice say, addressing my alertness. I slowly looked in the direction of the car and spotted a very familiar person. It was of course Merle. In the passengers seat sat Michonne, tied up and beaten.
I knew exactly where he was taking us. I knew exactly who we were being brought to. I knew that the Governor would kill us once he got his hands on us. I completely understood that.

"Listen to me," Michonne hissed through clenched teeth. "You don't have to do this. You do not have to take us to him. He can't win. You know he can't. We can all go back to the prison and we can all forget this."

Merle didn't reply to her pleas. He kept his eyes on the road as he began heading towards Woodbury. While I was scared, I didn't mind this. Daryl would get what he wanted. I would be gone from his life completely. I mean, that's what he wanted. He had told me himself that he wanted me to leave. Leaving was exactly what I was going to do.

I watched as Michonne's eyes turned desperate and full of fear. I had never seen Michonne scared before, so this was new to me. She truly believed that this would be the end for her. I wasn't quite up for my life ending like this, but it was out of my hands. If I jumped out of the car, which I couldn't do because of the rope confining my hands, I would die anyways. If I found a way to kill Merle right then and there, we would die. We would lose control of the car and go out in an even dumber way.

"We can come back from this. I know that somewhere under that rough exterior, you have a heart. You have the ability to feel guilt and remorse. You will feel plenty of that if you do this. And you will never be accepted at the prison, you will never be accepted anywhere," Michonne continued.

"I'll be accepted anywhere my brother is. Now, keep your mouth shut, bitch."

Michonne didn't give up easily, she continued fighting for her life with her words. "Not if you kill her," she motioned towards me as Merle tensed up. "If you kill her, your brother will kill you. Handing her over is almost confirming her death. You honestly think he will forgive you for that? If you turn us in, you will be killed by the others."

I watched as Merle tightened his grip on the steering wheel. She was getting to him, I could tell. This was a very good thing for both of us. I knew that he would give in soon if she kept her talking. I never knew how persuasive Michonne truly was. Michonne looked to me for a split second before looking back at Merle. She acted as if she wanted me to help coax him out of this decision, but I wasn't about to. I wouldn't waste my time trying to talk sense into someone like Merle. There wasn't a thing I could do. If Michonne truly wanted to live, she could continue talking. I wouldn't be a part of it.

Then something crazy happened. I expected Merle to knock Michonne out to silence her voice, but he never did that. Instead he stomped on the brakes and the car came to a screeching halt. Michonne's eyes grew wide as she realized that he had changed his mind. "Get out before I change my mind," Merle grumbled as he continued staring at the road in front of us.

"I knew that you weren't so cold," Michonne said with a grin as she opened her door to return home. She glared at me for a moment as she stepped out. I quickly looked down to avoid making eye contact with her. The truth was I didn't wanna go back. I didn't want to face my father and Daryl. If I stayed with Merle and we killed the governor, I would be a hero. Even if I got killed, I would have been one of the people who cared enough to stop that man.

I could save the ones I loved. "Come on Elizabeth," Michonne said as she opened one of the back doors. I felt the cool breeze blow into the car and I almost wanted to get out with her. Part of me did want to return to the prison and feel safe again, but the other half told me to stay where I was. "No," I replied sternly.

Michonne lifted an eyebrow as she tried to understand my reasoning for staying. "You're coming whether you want to or not," Michonne growled as she tried to reach for my hand. I pulled away and pushed myself against the opposite door. "I'm not going back to the place. I'm never going back to that place, okay? I don't want to see them."

"No," Merle snapped as he turned around to face me. "You don't want to see Daryl. You're going back whether you like it or not. It ain't your choice. Now get before I kill you myself."

At that moment Merle pulled out a gun and aimed it between my eyes. I knew that he would pull the trigger. Merle never liked me. He would jump at the chance to execute me if he could. I decided to play along with this.
I slowly nodded and began climbing towards the door. Right then I made a split-second decision to take control of this situation. I began screaming as if I was in pain. Merle quickly jumped up to shut me up. He knew that my screams would attract all of the walkers in the area. I continued until Merle leaned into the back and put his hand over my mouth. I knew that this was my chance to take control.

I quickly snatched the pistol out of his hand and brought it down hard across his neck. He immediately went blank and his body drifted down into the seat. I kicked him off of me and swung my door open, slamming it behind me. Michonne rushed towards me as soon as she realized what I had done. I wasted no time reacting.

I quickly aimed the pistol at her and motioned for her to walk away. "Go. Go back to the prison and don't even think about coming back here."

Michonne began walking towards me, testing me. She knew that I was just as scared as she was. My hands were shaking uncontrollably and I felt like my legs would give in at any time. I put my finger on the trigger and she stopped. "Michonne, go. I don't want to kill you. Go back."

I walked to the door with the gun still on her. She still wasn't leaving. "Go!" I shouted so loudly that you could probably hear me at the prison. With that, she turned around and began walking away. When I was safely inside of the car, panic rose inside of me.
I didn't have a plan and I didn't know where I was going. I had no idea what to do next but I knew I had to get rid of Merle. Dropping him off somewhere was my best bet. I knew he would kill me when he awoke, and I couldn't have that.

I put the keys in the ignition and began driving away.