From the Shadows

“Goddamn, is that you baby brother? I'm seein' everyone today.” Merle smiled a wicked grin and walked towards Daryl. Oscar and Michonne kept their weapons raised. Rick gripped his own gun tightly.

“The hell ya'll doin' here? Gonna get yerself killed.” Merle raised his hands in surrender. Rick relaxed, and spoke. Daryl couldn't form any words.

“Where are our people?”

“The Chinaman and his girlfriend? Well, if This ain't the shittiest rescue I've ever seen.” Merle chuckled.

They realized then that Michonne was missing. Rick rolled his eyes and swore to himself. He repositioned his focus.

“Are you going to help us or not?” Rick was tired of stalling. He wanted to get out of town.

“And get myself killed in the process? You got a lot of nerve, sheriff.” Merle cocked his head.

“Don't pull this shit, Merle.” Daryl found his voice in a tone Merle was unfamiliar with.

“What was that?” Merle was shocked.

“We're here for all three of 'em. Glenn, Maggie and Teagan. You gotta help us.”

Merle's expression dropped and he shook his head.

“Can't let ya do that...”

“And why the fuck not?!” Daryl was nearly yelling.

“I can help ya with the Asian kid and his partner. That's it.”

“And Teagan?”

“She's the Governor's sought-after prize. She ain't going nowhere.” Merle regretted saying it, but he had some common sense. He kept his voice low, in hopes that only Daryl would hear him. The Governor couldn't care less about Glenn and Maggie, but he wanted Teagan.

Daryl's anger skyrocketed, and he grabbed the scruff of Merle's shirt. “Show me where she is. I ain't leavin without her.” Daryl growled through his teeth. Merle swallowed and saw the look in Daryl's eyes. He saw that Daryl genuinely cared for this girl. Merle knew the state Teagan was in, and it almost broke his heart knowing Daryl would have to see her sooner or later. Against his better judgment, he agreed to help.

“Ya'll are gonna get me killed. Shoulda planned this damn rescue better! What if you hadn't run into me?”

“We'll contemplate what-ifs later. We need to get going.” Rick spoke.

Merle unveiled the keys to Maggie's room. He opened her cell, and in poured Rick and his gang. She smiled and started to tear up. They cut her binds and escorted her back into the hall.

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah, I'm okay. What about Glenn?”

Merle walked down two doors and started to unlock the door.

“Wait... isn't Glenn's the first door down?” Maggie's voice was full of concern.

“Sorry sweetheart. He lied to ya.” Merle bit his lip and unlocked Glenn's cell. Maggie rushed in first, and Glenn was soon released. She observed his slightly injured face and kissed him hard.

“I thought you were in the room next door!” She hugged him excitedly. “I was so worried.”

Glenn returned her hug, but stepped back. “Wait, you weren't in the next room?” His furrowed, confused eyebrows fell and his eyes grew wide. Maggie and Glenn exchanged sudden-realization faces and guilt filled their bones.

“Teagan!” They half-whispered simultaneously.

Glenn turned his head towards Merle and half-yelled. “We gotta get to Teagan, quick!”

“What's wrong?” Daryl stepped forward with confusion and concern.

“We could hear what was going on from our own cells...” Maggie's voice was soft and she dropped her head and looked at the floor. “It... it didn't sound too good.”

Daryl's eyes grew wide and he shook his head. Find her first. Worry later. Daryl looked at Merle, trying to hurry him.

“Imma need ya'll to take a step back.” Merle cracked his neck and knuckles.

“What are you doing?” Rick asked.

“This room's got special security that needs taking care of.” Merle's eyes were sad when he took a last look at his brother before knocking rhythmically on the door. A voice from inside called out and asked who it was, and Merle stated his name. The door was opened a jar, and Merle ran in and smacked the guy in the head, knocking him out. When everyone tried to pour into the room, Merle held up his remaining hand and shook his head. “Just one a ya.”

“What? Why? We need to help her!” Maggie was anxious.

“Jus'... trust me, alrigh? Only one.” Merle was irritated and trying to mask the seriousness of the situation as much as he could. Daryl could see past his brother's facade, which made him more antsy.

The group mumbled and shifted amongst themselves, and eventually, all their eyes seemed to turn their heads towards Daryl, and he felt awkward. He shifted his weight and was oddly defensive.

“Why I gotta do it?”

Nobody could formulate any words. Finally Rick spoke up. “She trusts you the most.”

Daryl scoffed at the idea, but saw everyone's head nodding slightly. He slunked his shoulders and slowly walked inside. He had his crossbow raised, but Merle flagged it down. “Ain't gonna need that. But you will need this.” Merle handed Daryl a key, and Daryl suspiciously lowered his weapon and slung it over his shoulder. He walked in slowly, almost with his eyes closed. He was afraid. When he walked in, he was horrified at what he saw. Teagan's body was slumped, hanging from chains.

“Teagan...?” No response. He saw some blood drops on the floor and his knees weakened. He was getting sick to his stomach. He began to shake, and tried to concentrate. He walked up to her and stood in front of her. His face looked as if he was about to cry. He reached his hand out to touch her face, and her head jolted up, her eyes wide, and muffled a scream. Daryl was startled, and realized she was probably terrified for her life. He started to speak to her, to soothe her and calm her down.

“Teagan? It's alright, it's me, Daryl. Yer gonna be alright, okay?”

Teagan stopped shaking and breathed deeply into her blood-clogged nose. Daryl saw that her face was covered in blood, except for a few streaks that were clean. She was crying... He went to remove the tape from her mouth slowly.

“Imma take this off, alright?” She nodded. He slowly removed the duct tape from her mouth, which was covered in blood. He saw her mouth was split and swollen. He tried to hold her face tenderly, but she winced.

“Shhh, listen to me, okay? I'm getting' ya outta here. Gonna unlock the cuffs, okay?. I ain't gonna hurt ya. Promise.” His voice was smooth and raspy. He unlocked the cuff on one wrist, and saw how bruised and swollen it was. With the second cuff, she was too weak to hold her weight, and Daryl had to catch her. Every step closer to her rescue made his heart hurt worse, seeing how badly she was injured. I couldn't protect her... He tried to help her stand up and saw her shirt was ripped. His heart jumped into his throat when he saw her injured back. Old, faded scars marked over and covered by fresh, oozing wounds. Tears formed in the back of his eyes and he blinked them away. Not now... he took a second look at her back. Why her? He closed his eyes and bit his lip. He took off his plaid shirt, leaving him in plain, dirty t-shirt that he wore underneath. He gently placed the plaid shirt on her back and carefully worked her arm through the sleeves. Don't need anyone else seein that... He went to help her stand, but he saw how heavy her eyes were. She opened her mouth, and a sick, gurgling sound came out.

“I'm sorry...” Her voice was almost inaudible, a scratch from the back of her throat. Her body went completely limp and Daryl caught her before she fell.