West

Daryl's POV

I stare at the tire tracks like they might suddenly change direction. Like if I squint hard enough, they'll lead me straight to her.

But they don't.

They're just... gone. Fadin' into the dirt, westbound. Carryin' her farther from me with every second I stand here breathin'.

A twig snaps behind me.

I spin, already reachin' for my crossbow - but stop short.

Merle.

He stands there, chest heavin', lookin' like he ran the whole damn county tryna catch up. He ain't as good at trackin' as me, but he still found me.

I see him, and the fire inside flares up all over again.

"Ya weren't supposed to leave 'em!" I snap, stormin' toward him. "I told ya not to leave my kids!"

Merle don't flinch. Just holds up a hand, calm as ever. "They're safe, baby brother. They're at the Kingdom. Half of Alexandria's with 'em, includin' Annie. Relax."

I don't. My fists clench, jaw grindin'.

"Yur meant to be with 'em." I growl.

"I know, alright?" he says, steppin' closer. "I know. But ya didn't come back. What the hell was I supposed to do?"

I glare at him. My breath's comin' hard, like I might explode again.

Merle lowers his voice. "Yur my brother. Athena's my sister... I had to come."

I don't respond. Can't.

His eyes search mine, which are raw 'n' bloodshot.

"Ya haven't found her?"

My chest tightens.

"I did," I say. Voice low. Strained. "But she's gone again."

The last word cracks. Shakes outta me like a broken breath I didn't mean to let slip.

Merle's brows pinch. "What ya  mean she's gone? Ya just said-"

"Ain't got no time to explain," I cut in. "I gotta go after her."

I also couldn't bear admittin' I'd left her there - bleedin'.

I fuckin' hate myself for it.

"I need ya to watch my kids," I say, steady now. "While I'm gone. Keep 'em safe."

Merle blinks. "I should be goin' with ya."

"Nah," I shake my head. "Ain't no one I trust more with 'em. I'd feel better knowin' they're with you."

His jaw twitches. He nods slow. "Alright. I got 'em. I'd fight a goddamn bear for those little rascals... What should I tell 'em?"

I look down, jaw tight.

"I'll talk to 'em. Ain't leavin' without sayin' goodbye."

I glance west, toward the tracks again. My throat tightens.

"...Might take a while."

~

The gates of the Kingdom creak open.

They're standin' there waitin' - Briar's got her hair in two messy braids, Sawyer holdin' a half-eaten apple. Just seein' 'em knocks the air clean outta my lungs.

I stop in my tracks.

It hits me like a punch to the gut.

Their eyes light up when they see me. Briar waves. Sawyer starts runnin'.

And I-

I wall up.

Hard.

Lock it down so fast it makes my head spin. 'Cause if they see what I'm feelin'? I'll fall apart right here.

I drop to one knee as they rush me.

"Hey," I say, raspy, pullin' 'em both in. "Hey there, my lil badasses."

Their little arms wrap around me tight.

"M'sorry," I manage. "M'sorry me and Mommy left durin' the movie. We didn't mean to. We shoulda said goodbye."

Briar pulls back just enough to look at me, her brow furrowin'. "Where is Mommy?"

I swallow hard.

"Mommy had to go somewhere," I say, steady as I can. "Then she hurt her leg 'n' now she needs Daddy's help gettin' back, a'ight?"

Sawyer presses his face into my vest. Briar nods slow, her lip tremblin' just a little.

I brush her hair from her face, tuck it behind her ear.

"You two are gonna go back to Alexandria with Uncle Merle 'n' Aunt Annie. Like everyone else. Mommy and Daddy'll be back soon as we can. Okay?"

They both nod.

But it don't feel like a nod that understands. It feels like one that trusts.

That hurts worse than any wound I've ever taken.

I pull 'em in again.

"I love ya," I whisper into their hair. "More than anything in the whole world. So does Mommy."

Briar clutches my jacket tighter. Sawyer won't let go.

I close my eyes. Try like hell not to cry.

One tear escapes.

I hold 'em tighter.

When I finally pull away, it's like tearin' somethin' outta my chest.

Annie's waitin' just behind 'em. She gives me a soft smile. No words. Like she already knows everythin' I ain't sayin'.

I just nod. Swallowin' down everything.

"Thanks," I say. Barely a whisper.

I turn before I break.

Make it a few steps back through the gates, toward the horses.

Then-

"Daryl."

Merle's voice stops me.

I don't turn around.

He catches up, slowin' his steps beside me.

"Spoke to Michonne," he says. "She told me what ya found. The blood... it was a lot, man."

I clench my jaw.

"Yeah," I rasp. "She was hurt bad. S'why I can't wait around."

He's quiet for a second.

Then, softer, "Ya really think she's still alive?"

I stop walkin'.

Stare out at the trees. My chest tightens, breath shallow.

"I know she is."

"Ya can't know that," he says gently.

I turn, eyes burnin'. "No," I growl. "You can't."

And then I walk.

Don't look back.

Because if I do - I might not be able to keep goin'.

And I have to keep goin'.

I told my kids I was gonna bring their mom home.

I ain't breakin' that promise.

Not now.

Not ever.

~

I wanted my bike.

Hell, I needed it.

But I couldn't waste the time ridin' all the way back to Alexandria for it. Every second felt like I was losin' her all over again. So I took the fastest horse the Kingdom had, workin' it hard, but it still ain't fast enough.

The wind hits my face, cold and sharp, but all I feel is heat under my skin - burnin' with panic, rage, fear. I ride like hell back to where I saw the tire tracks. The whole way I'm thinkin' - gotta find a vehicle. Gotta hot-wire somethin'. Please let there be one with gas still in it.

I make it back.

The tire tracks are still there, cut deep into the muddy road just past the tree line. I slide off the horse, boots hitting the ground hard. I crouch down, fingers grazin' the edge of the print.

Then I start walkin' along. Pull the horse behind me. Not ridin' now - I need my eyes on the ground. Need to see every broken twig, every disturbed patch of dirt. Every damn clue that says she's still ahead of me.

The sun's startin' to drop. Shadows stretch long across the trees.

I don't stop.

Can't stop.

My legs ache. My heart aches worse.

My mind... it won't shut up.

Flashes of her - blood spewin' out her leg at that cabin. Pointin' a fuckin' pistol at me like she thought I'd believe for a second she'd ever shoot.

"You have to get out of here... back to our babies." She'd begged.

I clench my fists tight.

She was bleedin' bad, barely stayin' upright.

But she didn't care. All she cared 'bout was me makin' it back to Briar 'n' Sawyer.

I stop. Close my eyes.

Another flash - how she'd looked at me before I left her there, before she convinced me to leave by tellin' me Alpha was goin' after our kids.

"I love you so much." she'd whispered. "Go save our babies."

I blink fast. Can't let myself cry.

Not now.

She needs me.

I keep goin'.

Follow the tracks down a dirt road runnin' along the river. They curve, dip, head east. They we're drivin' fast, whoever took her.

I grit my teeth. My gut twists.

I keep walkin', eyes sweepin' the treeline for any movement. Any glint of metal, drag marks, footprints, blood.

Nothin'.

But that don't mean she ain't out there.

I follow the curve of the road, heart poundin' louder than the horse's hooves.

"C'mon, baby," I whisper to the air. "Gimme somethin'. Show me where ya went."

The wind whistles.

Leaves rustle.

But still - nothin'.

~

The stars give out just before dawn, leavin' only that cold gray light to guide me. My eyes ache from strain. The air's quieter now - no birds, no bugs. Just the steady clop of the horse's tired hooves and the thudding of my own heart, louder than it oughta be.

I can't see much trail anymore. Just instincts now. A guess and a prayer.

But I can't stop.

Won't.

The sun's been up a couple hours when I finally lead the horse down a slope toward the river. She's breathin' heavy, sweatin', and I know she's close to her limit. So am I. But I can't think 'bout that. Not when Ath's still out there, maybe bleedin', maybe trapped - maybe worse.

The water glitters in the light. It looks peaceful. Like it's mockin' me.

I give the reins a gentle tug and let the horse wade in to drink. She goes straight for it, tail flickin', head down. She's been good. Real good. Deserves rest. I swear I'll let her go as soon as I find a damn car.

I kneel by the riverbank, scoopin' water into my canteen. My hands are shakin', grime embedded deep in every crease. I splash some over my face, try to clear the fog.

And that's when I feel it.

That prickle at the back of my neck.

Eyes.

I freeze. Slowly, I turn, hand already at my crossbow.

I stand up quick, weapon raised, breath held, 'n' damn near drop it when I see who's standin' there.

Long, dark hair, taller than I remember. A worn backpack slung over one shoulder, dirt-smudged face.

Carl.

For a second, neither of us moves.

Then he exhales, a shaky breath, like he can't believe what he's lookin' at neither.

"...Daryl?" he says, voice cracked from disuse.

I lower my crossbow slowly.

He looks older. Worn, but not broken. Like someone who's been on a mission for a long damn time. He has. He's been movin' up 'n' down the river for years lookin' for any sign of Rick."

"What're you doing out here?" he asks, still a little stunned.

I look down. Don't answer right away. I can't.

"Ath," I finally say, voice breakin'. "She's missin'."

Carl straightens. "Shit."

"Yeah," I say, voice rough. "She was hurt bad, 'n' then..."

I drop my head. I can't say no more without fallin' apart.

He takes a step closer, 'n' his face shifts, somethin' familiar settlin' in there - determination.

"Then I'll help."

I blink. "Yeah?"

"I've been searching for my dad a long time," he says, eyes fierce now. "I know what it feels like. Let me help you find her."

I stare at him a long second, then nod once.

"A'ight," I say. "But we gotta go now."

He gives the faintest smile. "Let's go find your wife."

A/N: Thoughts? ❤️