Animal Gone Wild [DISCONTINUED]

22

TO KILL OR NOT TO KILL, THAT IS THE DECISION

    Daryl, Rick, Hershel, and I were standing around near the outside. Rick was explaining to us about how the Governor wants Michonne. No comment about me. Rick glanced at me a couple of times, but knew better than to push on it with Daryl here or nearby.
    "It's the only way," Rick stated, "no one else knows."
    "You gonna tell 'em," Daryl questioned.
    "Not till after. We have to do it today. It has to be quiet."
    "You got a plan?"
    "We tell her we need to talk. Away from the others."
    "Just ain't us, man."
    "No. No, it isn't," Hershel piped up.
    Hershel started walking away. My eyes followed him so far until they flicked back to Rick and Daryl.
    "We do this," Rick commented, "we avoid a fight. No one else dies."
    Daryl nodded, "all right."
    "We need someone else."
    "I'll talk to him."
    "I'll do it."
    "I'll go with you."
    "No. Just me."
    Rick started off and Daryl turned towards me.
    "You think this is right?"
    My gaze went from the door Rick walked through to Daryl. I kept quiet the entire time I stared at him. I shook my head before I headed back to the cell block. I needed to cut my ties if this was happening. I needed to be cold. I needed to be the old me again. No talking unless spoken to. Ears open more than usual...be like back at the farm.
    I walked in and diverted away from everyone, keeping my gaze to the ground as I passed them instead of the usual eye contact. I skipped steps up to my cell before I settled in. If this was happening...I needed to be ready.

    "Hey," Daryl murmured.
    I turned towards him from my spot on my bed.
    "You comin' to help?"
    "With what," I cocked an eyebrow.
    "Stoppin' them from gettin' through."
    I shrugged before rolling off and strapping my knives in place before grabbing my bat. Walking with him out to the truck.
    Maggie and Carl set up to draw the walkers away as Hershel drove Glenn, Daryl, Michonne, and I out to the field. Michonne and I covered for Glenn and Daryl as they set up the barbed wire before hopping back into the truck and headed back up to the prison. Rick opened the gate for us as we jumped out when the truck stopped moving.
    "They try to drive up to the gate again," Glenn explained, "maybe some blown tires will stop them."
    "That's a good idea," Rick commented.
    "It was Michonne's," Daryl pointed out.
    "We don't have to win," Michonne explained, "we just have to make their getting at us more trouble than it's worth."
    I could see the gears working in Rick's head before he looked at Daryl and I.
    "Let's go."
    Daryl and I followed him with everyone else. I kept to myself for the rest of the day. I was down in the tombs, leaning on my bat being colder. I sighed and leaned on my bat, silent tears fell. By being colder to them, I was destroying my only known way of salvation. Those Georgia blue eyes daunted my brain as a reminder that I couldn't be cold, even if I needed to be.
    I let out a sigh and listened as Daryl walked away from his brother. Someone who I knew was told about Michonne and I. I stood up and walked in, letting him know of my presence.
    "Well, if it isn't feisty," Merle chuckled, "whatcha need?"
    "I know you know Merle," I monotoned, "about the deal with the Governor? Michonne and I? Rick won't have the stomach, we both know that, and I know you well enough to know you'll do it yourself. Well...I'm here. Ready to be tide to be butchered like a pig."
    Merle watched me with confusion.
    "Why would you give yourself up?"
    "Because I would die for these people. For Rick, Judith, Carl, Beth, Hershel, Glenn, Michonne, Daryl...hell, I'd die for you too Merle. You've proven to me you're part of this family. No matter if the others don't see it. I see it. I'd lay down my life for all of you to live."
    "Does my baby brother know about you? Being in the deal?"
    "No. Rick wouldn't tell him. Neither would Hershel and I...all three of us know what he would do—hell, you do too. That's why he can't know. Once he knows...he'll find a way for me to be out of the deal."
    Merle grabbed my shoulder with his good hand and looked at me with an emotion I'd never think I'd see on the eldest Dixon. Worry and fear.
    "I do this...Daryl's gonna be upset. Not only with me, but himself and others. You sure about this?"
    I nodded. That's all he needed to tie me up and take my weapons. I didn't fight or yell. I didn't need too.