It's been a month since my life was turned upside down, although it's getting back on track. It took me a few days to get back on my feet and get my priorities in order. During that time Travis sent my mother to some rehab place, I'm not sure if it was out of love or just to get rid of her. She'd gotten worse and they started fighting, I'm positive he was just done. He's allowed me to live here with him, and has surprisingly been very protective. It's odd, but we are finally getting along.

I've been scoping out apartments and working double shifts and my new job at the movie theater. They were offering the highest pay, and they needed a lot of help. Daryl's been helping me apartment hunt, and I think we might be thinking about moving in together. I've also got an appointment with a lawyer next week to find out what I can do. I'm not sure I have the money for it, but I'm not going down without a fight.

Tonight I'm actually feeling okay. They let me talk to Liam today and hearing his voice made my day that much better. I'm actually excited for my date with Daryl tonight, he says he wants to take me on a real date. We've spent most of our relationship in my room or hiding out so no one will find out, and with what has gone on the past few weeks it's been hard to have a normal relationship.

On my bed is a note telling me that he's going to meet me there. We were supposed to go together, but I think he's looking for a new job outside of Travis's shady business. He's still running it of course, but says he'll no longer allow people to stay in our home. Daryl's been telling him that he's done doing that and wants to help me get on my feet. Travis seemed a little angry at first, but now I think he's finally coming around.

I look at myself in the mirror excited I finally get to wear my favorite dress for something. It's a short green and black dress and they look great with my black docs. I pull my hair back into a pony and check myself one more time. I don't know why I'm going all out he's seen me at my worst, but I want to feel good tonight.

I grab my bag and head out towards the front door. I'm about to open it when someone grabs me from behind. I gasp as a rough hand covers my mouth. I'm feeling very faint and before I realize what's happening my vision starts to blur.

I wake up with tape around my mouth and my eyes covered with a blindfold. My hands are tied behind my back and as I moan the blindfold gets pulled off of me. Standing in front of me is Merle, with that stupid smug look on his face. I'm not surprised he's stuck around.

"Dear Chloe I'm sorry but I need you to meet me at the restaurant. I'll see you at three love always douche bag Daryl," Merle taunts.

"You wrote the note?" I question.

For once I'm actually terrified. I'm scared because I know what Merle can do. I've always known I've just tried to deny it. I could fight him sure, but in Merle's hand is a gun. My hands against his gun will not end well. I swallow hard and hope that Daryl realizes before it's too late. I look from the gun to his eyes and back down again. He's definitely on something. He laughs at me and gets in my face, then bends down and as his hand gently caresses my cheek. I turn away looking at the ground.

"I think you picked the wrong brother to fall for."

He's using that awful flirting voice that he uses and I cringe. His mouth lingers on my ear and I feel sick to my stomach. In fact I'm about ready to vomit. It comes up so fast that he doesn't get out of the way in time. It goes all down the front of his button down shirt. I heave as he steps away and it just keeps coming. I choke and finally get the last of it up. When I look up he's eyes are bulging from his head, he's angry.

"What the fuck did you do that for?"

He begins to peel off the buttoned shirt.

"You are awfully quiet this afternoon," he says tossing the shirt aside revealing a white tank. "Oh, what? Now you're scared of me?" he laughs, it's sinister sounding.

Oh god Daryl find me please, I plead in my head. Merle waves the gun around like it's no big deal. My heart flutters several times.

"I'm not scared of you," I lie.

"Bullshit," he says calling me out.

"Fine you want me to admit it," I stop and vomit some more. "Admit that I'm scared?" I ask wiping my mouth. "Okay Merle you win, I'm terrified. I know Daryl will find me," I say.

"That's the whole point though, watching his precious girl dying. He's such a softy on the inside," Merle taunts.

"You're an asshole."

"I've been told."

"Well if your gonna do it why haven't you?"

"Oh the gun? You think I'm going to do it right now. Nah. I'll let you suffer first, and then when Daryl comes through those doors I'll pull the trigger."

I close my eyes and hope that this whole thing is only my imagination. Please let it only be my imagination. I open my eyes and it's all still real. I don't really care about me all I know is that I need to get to Liam, I need to make sure he's safe. I guess he would be since Merle has no idea where he is, so he can't hurt him. When they took him away I thought it was the worst thing for him, but now I see he's better off. Better off without me, without all of this. He'll move on and grow up and forget all about me.

Sirens ring in the distance, and I pray that they are coming to save me. I've puked three more times since the first time, and now I'm starting to dry heave. I think it's nerves or whatever the hell he used to drug me. I don't know all I know is that this feeling sucks and I want it to end already.

Merle is pacing back and forth whistling and watching me waiting for his moment to strike. He knows he's torturing me more by waiting. The sirens have gotten closer but I highly doubt it's for me. Merle puts the gun against my head and I whimper.

"Hey baby," he whispers.

"It's almost time."

"Just fucking do it already!"

I grit my teeth as I speak to him. I just want it to be over.

"You sure sugar tits?"

I bite my lip so hard that I taste blood, and with that blood comes more dry-heaving. I cough and choke and nothing comes out. The door to wherever we are swings open and Daryl comes barreling through. He's got a crossbow on his back, and if I wasn't about to have my brains blown out I'd laugh. He looks all bad ass like he's about to take over the world. His eyes find mine and the pain behind them hurts me so bad.

"Merle let her go."

His voice is raspy and angry. He's got sweat pooling down his face even though it's mid-January and freezing cold. He looks from me to Merle and my stomach churns again. Daryl tries to head for me and Merle holds his gun out.

"What? You gonna shoot your own brother. You're just like dad huh? Torturing people for pleasure."

Daryl's trying to be strong I can see it in his eyes.

"That's not fair brother and you know it!"

"You kill her and I swear to god I'll kill you so fast..."

Merle laughs and it's terrifying. For the first time since I met him Daryl looks scared.

"You hear those sirens?" Daryl asks.

"You didn't?" Merle questions.

"I did. And they'll be here any minute."

Merle isn't sure what to believe. He points the gun back at me and I start sobbing. I didn't realize I was close to crying I was too in shock.

"Merle, I'll turn us both in," he threatens him.

It sounds like they really are close and Merle looks at him unsure of what to do.

"You're such a pussy you probably wouldn't even ..."

"I'm serious Merle, leave her be. Travis already knows and he's waiting outside. If you kill her he's ready to kill you!" Daryl looks at his brother.

"So you're going to stay here and chose her over me, your own brother?" Merle questions.

Daryl shakes his head, "No. You leave her alone and I'll go with you. We'll continue being drifters never staying in one place too long. It'll be just you and me. I won't turn my back on you, but I won't let you kill the girl I love."

Merle thinks about it for a second and it sounds like the sirens are right on top of us.

"Those are your choices I turn us both in or we run free together," Daryl offers.

My heart literally can't break anymore right now. So what he's saying is either way I'll lose him. I'll lose the one thing in my life that made sense. The one thing that kept me going after they took Liam. I feel salty tears pouring down my face. Why doesn't he just kill me, I'd rather be dead. I'm so sucked into my own thoughts that I don't even realize Merle is about to flee. He takes one more glance at me before jogging away.

Daryl tells him he'll catch up and then comes walking back to me. I sob and dry heave while wiping tears from my eyes. Daryl finishes untying me, and although I'm free I don't feel it. His arms wrap around my body, but I don't bother to hug him back. I can hear him crying silently, he knows everything he's about to lose.

"Chloe, baby look at me." His voice is raspy. "Baby please," he says grabbing my face in his hands.

The fire ignites inside of me, but I can't look in his eyes. I can't look at the man I love who's about to walk away, it hurts too much. I gave him my whole heart and everything that went along with it. How can he just walk away? I know he wanted to save me but both choices really sucked.

"Chloe I love you! I love you so much. You taught me how to open up, how to let someone in. I'll never forget ..."

"Don't. Just go Daryl. If this is how you want things to end then just go," I sob.

"You know I don't," he grumbles.

"This isn't the only way we can make this work," I cry.

"No. I have to go with him. If going with him helps protect you then I'll just have to deal with the pain of losing you, but knowing that you're okay. That pain I think I can handle better than the pain of losing you knowing you won't ever come back. Liam deserves a happy life, and you can give him that life. I can't take yours away and have him suffer. I love you Chloe, I'm so sorry," he says, and I'm quiet unsure of what to say. "Tell me you love me," he says.

"Daryl you know how much I love..."

Not caring that I just puked he pushes his lips gently to mine, we sit there like that until the sound of tires skidding on dirt stops us. He pulls away and I stare into his blue eyes for the last time. He doesn't say anything else. He stands, adjusts his bow, and walks out the back.

I'm greeted by two hefty cops rushing inside. They see my state and immediately call for an ambulance. I try to argue with them, but they think its best. As I'm getting wheeled out of an abandoned warehouse I see Travis in cuffs sitting in a cop car. I don't even know where to go from here. I'm at rock bottom, and I guess the only way things can go is up. When you've reached the lowest you have no other choice.

I keep my eye on Travis and he's watching me closely. I'm not sure what he's told them or if they know about his dealing, but he doesn't look scared. The doors shut and that's it from here on out my life will be different. I'm not sure how I'm going to survive, but Daryl was right I have to for Liam's sake. I'll win him back, I'll get my mom to sign away her rights and I'll do everything I can to make him mine. I've never been more determined and for that I have Daryl to thank.