My Exception (sequel to No Exceptions)

Fourteen

Daryl's POV

It didn't take long for the wheels to start spinning, a small brigade consisting of me, Rick, Jesus and the King duo loaded up into the caged SUV. They had decided that capture was the way to go, and I say bullshit to that!

It seemed like the world was throwing everything it had in front of me, trying to keep me away from my woman, my family. Leaving the fucker alive is just asking for trouble.

I wished they would... she would just let me deal with it my way. Storm the Sanctuary down and stop the problem, kill Dwight and stop this madness. But I knew that she'd never forgive me for that; I needed to try it her way. I promised her that much.

I drove towards the hell hole; the car was silent, leaving me to my thoughts. I glared at the King  in the rear view mirror, Rackel's advocate in this plan.

Bullshit diplomacy...

It was easy enough for him to cry peace when he hadn't been through what I had. The things those snivelling  subhumans did to me still fuelled my nightmares. I was caged like a wild animal, tortured and forced to kneel to that evil prick while he dangled her in front of me.

Fucking Negan!

After all the fucked up shit that he did to her, did to us, she still fell in love with him. Forgot about me and shacked up with the sadistic bastard!

You left her there.

The intruding thought ripped the old wound right open. My biggest regret in life would be leaving her there with the devil himself, leaving her there where he drove his hooks into her so deep. I would have to live with that mistake until the end of my days.

The epiphany filled me with self-loathing, an energy that needed to be expelled. I aggressively chewed at my thumb and thrummed my fingers on the steering wheel in hopes that these small tasks would re-direct the darkness looming over.

Rick cleared his throat, "everything alright Daryl?"

"I don' like this." I kept my eyes focused on the road, not willing to show how shaken I was.

He angled his body towards me, his inscrutable gaze landing on me, "We need to do this the right way Daryl." My leader paused waiting for a response and when he didn't get one he pressed, placing his hand on my shoulder, "are you sure you'll be fine in there? I can't have you going in a guns'a'blazing on me."

It was easy enough for him to say that! It wasn't his family in direct danger. I grumbled at him and held the steering wheel so tight my knuckles went white. I shrugged him off, his attempt at comfort having the adverse effect.

"I already said I won'! No' tha' I don' think it's bullshit!"

Rick slammed his palms into the dash, causing everyone to jump. "Look Daryl! The whole point of this recoup mission is to STOP Dwight's manhunt. I've known Rackel since she was knee high to a grasshopper, so don't go thinking I haven't thought long and hard about this!"

I was smouldering under the surface; lucky for him I was driving.

He took a deep breath and went through the plan for the hundredth time, "we enter sanctuary through their weak point, find Dwight, and bring him back to the SUV, got it?"

"Crystal..." I said through gritted teeth.

There was a beat before Jesus added, "sometimes you need to give blind faith to people. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst!"

"I intend te prepare fer the worst!" I chewed at my nails until they bled; not enough nails to bite in the world for this horse shit.

We drove half a mile out before proceeding on foot, slow and silent being drummed into us on the walk to Sanctuary. Their now small numbers made it easy to slip through the cracks, liking the idea that I had something to do with that.

We slinked our way into the converted factory, sticking to the shadows, searching for the crazed leader. When we reached the atrium Rick decided to split us up into pairs, to cover more ground. The old sheriff grabbed me when I attempted to walk off, pairing himself with me.

Like that would stop me if it came down to it.

We stalked through the corridor, making our way to Negan's old room. It was the most logical place to find him at this time of night and I demanded that we checked it first.

As we turned left I found Simon pacing down the hall, hands in pockets whistling the Fur Elise melody. Images flooded my mind of him kicking me in the guts with his Cheshire Cat smile. I grasped my Bowie tightly, thinking about how good it would feel to cut that fucking ridiculous caterpillar off his lip.

I hadn't realised that my feet were in motion until Rick pulled me back, shaking his head. I paused, waiting for Simon to go down the corridor and out of sight. As soon as the coast was clear Rick pushed me behind him and made his way to the Harem on his haunches. My hands trembled, barely containing my rage at the small gesture.

Keep it together.

We were halfway down the corridor when the sound of heavy footfalls bounced off the wall, becoming louder as they approached our position. In the spur of the moment we backed into the door behind us, the room almost pitch black apart from a pilot light blazing in the corner.

I looked to those steely blue eyes, both backing up flush to the wall and waiting for them to pass.

I held my breath, the steps slowing before halting in front of the door. The prick's lieutenant speeding the tempo of his whistle before finishing, twisting the doorknob, my heart pounding as my hunger for the kill came to the forefront.

Then, nothing...

The asshole took a step back and headed back from where he came.

Too bad.

We stood and sighed simultaneously then shook it off and were about to head back out.

A groan filled the room, then a throaty chuckle that had haunted my nightmares.

But he's dead.

I looked into the far corner, just making out a thin, lanky figure on their knees, head bowed down.

This can't be him.

But all dreams were shattered the moment those Amber orbs locked onto mine, the fire in them making it impossible for me to deny the prisoner's identity.

His busted lip formed a sneer.

"Little pigs, little pigs."

Negan was alive.