❪ 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗘𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛 ❫

𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗋𝗍𝖾𝖾𝗇 ━━━━━━━━━━━━━
the reunion. ╱ episode eight.

THE GLIMMER OF THE streetlights danced across Toby's face as they hurriedly ran down the streets of Woodbury. Desperately trying to avoid any prying eyes that could catch them. He couldn't stop his heart from pounding as he led the small group to the place he was held during his first night in Woodbury. He feared what they would find there, their dead friends, or gunfire.

He couldn't think of anything other than the horrifying conclusions he came up with. Toby could feel nothing good coming out of this mission. And the more they remained out in the open, his stomach filled with more and more trepidation. Nothing good could ever come out of this. Someone was going to die, he could feel it in his bones.

After the incident with the unfamiliar Woodbury civilian catching them, he knew they would be found sooner or later for what they did to him. He still can feel the adrenaline running through his veins that erupted when the man entered the old storefront they were hunkered down in. The people around him didn't hesitate to act, grabbing the man, and interrogating him about their missing people. Toby knew the man didn't know anything, he was innocent in all of this. He was simply a man who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

But Rick seemed to think that he knew something, so he was quickly tied up and questioned. And when he didn't know anything, he was sent a swift hit to the back of his head with a gun and the man crumbled to the floor instantly. Which led them to where they were now.

Seeing the familiar metal building ahead, Toby made them duck into the ally just next to it. Rick sent him a questioning gaze, which the boy rolled his eyes at, "The building is right there."

"Are you sure?" The hoarse whisper from Rick made Toby's lips twitch in annoyance.

"Yes, I'm sure. I think I'd remember where I was held captive for two hours."

It was visibly clear that Rick didn't enjoy the sarcasm oozing off the young boy, but Toby couldn't care less. Just as the older man went to speak, gunshots ran out in the building ahead and they all jumped into their protective stances with their guns ready.

Toby gave Michonne a panicked glare, and it was returned with a hesitant stare in response. The boy didn't like what would come with these gunshots. He couldn't help but think that the three either got out, or they got...

Toby couldn't even think of the other option, he wouldn't dare think that his sister would be gone so soon. Just when he was about to get her back. He had just seen her for the first time since this had all started. He saw her radiant glow, he couldn't imagine that getting ripped away so quickly. The thought made his stomach swirl with sickness.

There was a part of him that wanted to stay here, to avoid all the influx of Woodbury soldiers that were flocking to the building, but Rick had other plans. Handing Daryl and Oscar smoke bombs, Toby knew there was no going back from this. They were going in guns blazing and he would have to do the same.

A cold chill ran through his spine as he spilled through the back door of the interrogation building. The group's movements were completely unknown to the hectic Woodbury soldiers as they stalked along the streets, with their guns gripped tightly in their hands. The footsteps almost fell silent, as they moved almost in sync.

As they ducked behind a wall, Toby cringed at the sound of Merle's voice in the distance. He could feel hesitation in the movements of the others around him. As if they were worried when it would be the perfect time to make their move.

But they didn't have to worry any longer as the captives were ordered to get up and move out of the room they were in. Toby took a deep breath watching Rick swear softly, as he instantly threw his smoke bomb on the other side of the room. Smoke didn't hesitate to pour into the room, enveloping the people on the other side of the wall.

With their gun drawn, they moved in, but Toby was instantly ordered to stay back as Rick and Daryl went in, grabbing the three that had a hood covering their face. Toby's stomach froze at the sight of his older sister. The girl looked around frantically, but relief filled her face the moment her eyes fell on Rick.

No one dared to stop their movements as they all dashed for the exit. Toby couldn't stop and have a moment to see his sister, to hug her. Bullets began ricocheting off the metal walls, the pinging got closer as they hustled out the door of the building and into the dark night.

His heart was pounding roughly in his chest as he glanced in every possible direction, just waiting for the shots to come at them. But they never came. Rick directed everyone into a smaller storefront than before. They all piled in, Maggie and Glenn immediately falling to the ground when Glenn's balance gave way.

The young boy didn't have time to let out a breath of air as his sister's gaze finally found him. The girl let out a sharp gasp, almost scared that the boy in front of her wasn't really there. "Toby?"

The boy's eyes snapped to her, as he heaved to catch his breath, he couldn't help the smile falling across his features. "Sab."

Sabrina practically launched herself at the younger boy, wrapping herself tightly around his frame. While the boy would've usually pushed someone away, he couldn't help but accept the affection from his older sister. The hug was filled with a warmth he hadn't felt since his mother, nostalgia practically knocked him over with the feeling of comforting arms around him. She let out a laugh as she released him, eyes widened in shock as she cupped his cheeks tightly, looking at him in amazement. "How-How are you here? How are you alive?"

Toby let out a breath, trying to grasp what he was going to say. The boy was overwhelmed by not only the reunion between the two but also by the situation that lay just outside their door.

Toby opened his mouth to answer her, but the leader cut him off. "Found him at the front gate with her," Rick answered curtly, his attention on scanning the room to find Michonne.

"With who?" Sabrina questioned, eyes jumping from each of the people in the room, but the person Rick was mentioning no longer was there.

"Where the hell did she go?" Rick questioned, anger filling his features as he directed his words at the boy.

Toby shook his head, moving away from his sister. His voice was distant as his reality was further setting in. He began to feel a panic pulling in his chest as he didn't find Michonne in his sight. "I have no idea, I need to go find her."

Just as Toby made his way to the door, he was stopped by the older man who shook his head instantly as he placed a hand on the boy's chest to stop him. "You are not leaving. I don't know what kind of game you two are playing-"

Toby's blood finally bubbled over, flinging Rick's hand away from him. Anger was all he could feel. Even when he felt his sister's comforting hand on his shoulder, the fury couldn't subside. "We aren't playing a fucking game, Jesus Christ. I need to find her, he's gonna kill her."

"Who's gonna kill her?" Rick asked, his hushed words pushing for an answer immediately.

Toby shook his head, running his hands through his hair out of frustration. "The Governor...Merle...I don't know. All I know is that if she's alone, she's gonna get hurt,"

There was a silence that filled the air due to the second name Toby rambling off. Rick's face fell instantly as Daryl's did.

"Did you just say, Merle?" Daryl interrogated, his tone suddenly much impatient than before. How did he know Merle?

Toby sent him an odd glance, rolling his eyes at the thought of the loser baldheaded man. "Yeah, he's this redneck asshole who tried to kill me this morning."

"He's alive..." Daryl stated, mostly to himself but Glenn quickly interrupted his thought.

"Daryl, this was Merle. He did this." The younger man said, gesturing his bloodied and bruised face. "He threw a walker at me, he was gonna execute us."

"That adds up." Toby absentmindedly said, but the words were caught by others, especially Daryl as the man sent him a rough glare. "Sorry, but it's true."

"What's my brother to this place?"

Toby sighed, watching Daryl and the realization and shock morph on the older man's face. "He's like the Governor's Lieutenant. Does whatever that asshole wants."

"Does he know I'm still with you?" Daryl questioned the two people that leaned against the wall, holding each other up.

"He does now. Rick, I'm sorry, we told him where the prison was. We couldn't hold out." The battered and bruised man apologized, his words remorseful and guilty.

Rick was quick to move away from Toby, kneeling down to place a soft hand on Glenn's bent knee. "Don't, no need to apologize."

Toby couldn't pay attention to the others around him as he bit his fingernail out of stress. The thought of Michonne out there alone was freaking him out. He couldn't wait any longer. He had to do something.

Grabbing his bat and gun, the boy made his way to the front door, knowing there wasn't any exit available. He didn't know what was behind the door, it could be a gun, people he didn't want to imagine seeing, but he didn't have a choice.

"Don't you even think about it," Rick seethed, quickly whipping the boy around, and ramming his body roughly into the wall next to the door. Toby let out a shocked groan at the movements, pain throbbing through his shoulder blades at the impact. Toby sent the man a deadly glare, but the man didn't falter. "You are not going out there."

"She's fucking out there, I'm not leaving her alone. They're gonna kill her." Toby hissed, pushing the man away from him.

Rick barely reacted to the shove, moving with the push. "You're not leaving, and you're not doing anything stupid."

"But-"

"No buts, you're going to have to trust that your friend will find us. We need to get out of here." Rick interrupted, eyes wandering over to Glenn and Maggie. "Can you walk? We got a car a few miles out."

Glenn stared at him for a moment but quickly nodded as Maggie tried to help him up. "I'm good."

"Hey, if Merle's around, I need to see him." Daryl tried, nothing but desperation in his tone.

Rick immediately shut it down, shaking his head within seconds. "Not now, we're in hostile territory."

"He's my brother, I ain't-"

"Jesus Christ, dude look what he did," Toby exclaimed in frustration. "He's a fucking asshole that would shoot us down the moment he got the chance."

Daryl ground his teeth, nothing but fury was sent to the teenager as he threateningly made his way towards him. "You don't know shit."

"Oh really?" Toby stated, crossing his arms in defense, eyes narrowing as his lips curled in annoyance. "Hate to break it to you dick, but your brother not only tried to kill me, Michonne, and Thomas. But he also tried to kill those two and my sister. I'd like to think I have a decent grasp on that douche."

"He tried to kill Thomas?" Sabrina questioned, her tone rising as anger flooded her chest. Toby turned to the girl, opening his mouth to speak, but Daryl interrupted him.

"Maybe I can talk to him, maybe I can work something out."

"No, no, no, you're not thinking straight." Rick immediately shut the thought down, his voice softer but still stern, trying to talk some sense into Daryl. "Look, no matter what they say, they're hurt. Glenn can barely walk. How are we gonna make it out? If we get overrun by walkers, or this Governor catches up to us? I need you. Are you with me?"

Daryl paused for a second at the words, but he quickly nodded. "Yeah."

Rick instantly went into action, nodding at the others as he moved towards the door. Daryl bent down to grab a smoke bomb out of their equipment bag, as Rick moved all of them towards the door. "We're gonna make a break for the fence. On three, stay tight."

Toby shook off any of his worried thoughts, trying to forget the woman who was on her own. He ignored the thoughts of fear, pushing them down, trying to focus his brain on the shoot-out that was a second away from happening. Toby couldn't shake off the broken breaths as he attempted to calm down his breathing.

"Hey, it'll be okay." Sabrina interrupted his thoughts. Her calming tone broke through all the anxiety he was feeling. Her delicate hand squeezed the boy's in comfort, Toby didn't hesitate to reach for the grip. "We'll make it out, don't worry Toby."

The boy went to answer, but his train of thought quickly subsided the moment the door creaked open, letting the glare of streetlights wash into the storefront. One by one, the smoke bombs were thrown into the street. The moment cloudy fog wafted into the air, making it hard to see anything as they all filed out.

Gunfire didn't hesitate to follow them as people began to notice them. Toby could see people standing on the busses, but it wasn't long before they were gunned down. The boy was overwhelmed, but he didn't dare to stop firing his gun. He made sure he kept eyes on Sabrina, making sure she was out of anyone's line of fire. As she followed closely behind Rick, Toby felt relief the moment he watched her duck into an ally with the rest of them.

Just as he was about to make his way towards them, his attention was instantly grabbed as a searing pain flooded his shoulder. Toby couldn't help the scream of pain that escaped his mouth as he felt the warmth of blood seep into his long sleeve. Dropping his gun, the boy groans, the impact of the bullet taking him straight to the pavement.

"Miss me already?"

The familiar tone made the boy groan even stronger, knowing who had caught him with a bullet. Turning on his side as he gripped his shoulder, he scooped up his gun pointing it directly at the sound of the voice. "You'd be the last person I'd miss, trust me."

"That hurts my feelings, Toby," Nick stated with a faux offense striking his face as he pointed his own weapon at the teen lying on the ground.

Toby didn't hesitate to growl, hating that the boy quickly found him the moment he entered Woodbury. The brunet slowly started to sit up from his position, gripping his shoulder as a way to stop the bleeding. "Good, that was the point."

"Why are you here Toby? Why'd you come back?" Nick questioned, but it didn't stop a smile from making its way to his lips. "You wanted to finally finish me off? Am I your unfinished business?"

"You were the least of my worries, you are so utterly insignificant to me it hurts." The brunet boy cocked his head to the side, grimacing at the still cheeky tone that coated the boy's words. "It seems that you think more about me than you should."

"Trust me, babe, the only way I think of you is how satisfied I'm going to feel when I finally kill you," Nick replied, his tone sickeningly sweet as he inched his way toward the boy. Fog surrounded them, making it hard for others to have a good sight of them. Toby ached for one of them to see him, to shoot the blond in front of him. But the shot never came.

Toby didn't know how it was possible, but in all his strength, he jumped to his feet, aiming his gun straight at Nick the moment he gained balance. Nick whipped to the side the moment the bullet ricocheted, slicing through his ear as it grazed his head. The blond hissed at the wound, shooting his hand up to grip his ear, feeling blood pouring through the cracks in his fingers.

"Fuck," Nick ground his teeth roughly at the throbbing pain, even through the ache, a crazed smile slipped onto the boy's lips. "You have no idea how much worse I'm going to make this. This is gonna be painful for you."

The satisfaction of the wound was burning in Toby's throat, but it all changed when he saw the psycho-like smile on Nick's lips. Without even registering the next movements, Toby stood in shock watching the blond run at him full speed. In seconds, Toby was on the ground with Nick on top of him. The harsh impact of the pavement caught Toby's injured shoulder roughly. The boy screamed in pain, feeling the boy on top of him ram his thumb through the hole in his clothes, straight into the gunshot wound.

Toby rammed his knee right into Nick's stomach, the boy on top hissed in pain as he shot his hand out to stop another kick from happening. The brunet took this opportunity to throw a rough punch with his good arm. His knuckles throbbed violently as he made an impact with the sharp bones in the blond's jaw. The punch was so harsh that not only did it whip Nick's head to the side roughly, but the boy fell to the side. Nick's body met the pavement seconds after the smash.

Toby didn't hesitate to jump on top of Nick, serving punch after punch. Anger flooded his veins, masking the throbbing ache he felt in his shoulder. Everything became numb, and all he saw was red. Toby could barely register the true nature of his punches, only noticing that the blond's face under him was getting bloodier and bloodier. Toby knew what he was doing, he knew he was going to kill him. But he couldn't stop it. There was just so much anger, so much frustration.

He didn't know how much damage he did until he was pulled off the blond under him. He let out a shocked gasp as he finally registered where he was. Looking up, he was met with the frantic eyes of Rick. The man's eyes were focused on the shoulder Toby was gripping tightly. "Are you okay?"

The boy accepted the help as Rick brought him up from the ground. Toby shook his head, "No, he shot me in the shoulder."

Toby gestured to the guy lying on the ground. The boy didn't know the extent of what he had done until he truly looked at him. Nick's face was covered in blood, the moment Toby got off him, he started blubbering, gasping for some type of air. Toby was so scared that he had killed him, but there was relief as he heard him struggling for air.

"We need to get out of here, we need to patch you up." Rick's words broke through his thoughts.

The boy nodded instantly, eyes scanning the chaos around them, trying to find the others. "Where?"

"The bus, I'll help you climb over," Rick nodded towards the large vehicles lining the back walls.

Both of them made a run for the buses, guns blazing at the people shooting at them. As the boy dashed, his shoulder throbbed violently with each step, but he didn't stop. He couldn't. He knew that if he stopped, he would be dead on the ground.

Rounding the busses, Rick jumped on the hood, quickly turning and shooting his hand towards the boy on the ground. "Give me your hand,"

Toby wanted to hesitate, wanted to do it himself. But he knew his shoulder was never going to let him do it by himself. He instantly gripped the older man's hand tightly, grimacing at the pain that echoed through his body. They both promptly climbed over and successfully made it out of Woodbury, the gunshots never ceasing as Rick led him to the others.

As he made his way further away from the gunshots, he couldn't help but feel the creeping fear that bubbled in his stomach knowing that he had no idea where Michonne was. He felt guilt bloom in his chest like a fungus, he had just left her. He was scared, worried that if he didn't help her, she was dead.

Before he knew it, they were rounding the other side of Woodbury, hunkering down a little bit away from the front entrance. They ducked behind a car in hopes that Daryl would meet them. Toby dropped to the ground in exhaustion as the others kneeled, gasping for air as he looked down at the grass. He barely registered what was happening around him until he felt a fearful hand on his shoulder. Looking up, he was met with the worried eyes of his sister. "Are you hurt?"

The boy nodded as he leaned against the metal of the abandoned car, breathing through the sharp pain in his shoulder. "Shot,"

"Shit," Sabrina cursed, moving towards Rick to get his attention. Toby tried to calm himself down, his sister's demanding whispers echoing through his ears, but he couldn't fully piece it together. He didn't fully connect the dots of who she was talking to until he heard a rip of fabric and felt a searing pain pierce through his shoulder. He snapped his eyes open, a scream so close to crawling out of his throat.

"Don't even think about it, Kid," The older man quickly noticed the boy's lips quiver, Rick didn't hesitate to slam a hand over his mouth, keeping the sound from escaping. The man gestured to Sabrina as she continued to tighten a piece of fabric over the wound.

As attention was on Toby, it quickly veered off the moment rustling was heard in the distance. Through his pain, he turned to see Michonne ducking out from around a car. Rick jumped to his feet, hustling towards the woman, cocking his gun the moment she saw him. "Where the hell were you?"

Michonne went to answer him, but her eyes quickly jumped on to Toby leaning against the car with his breathing labored. She noticed the wrap on his arm and then saw the blood seeping through the fabric. She went to go up to him, her features morphing into worry, but she was stopped by Maggie and Rick aiming guns at her. "What happened?"

"Got shot by Nick," Toby spit out, holding his shoulder as he breathed out. The boy focused more on the woman, he struggled to his feet when he saw the blood coating her face. "What the hell happened to you?"

"The Governor," Michonne said curtly, her voice distant as she mentioned his name.

Toby didn't have time to answer her as Rick stripped her weapons away from her. She didn't bother fighting as Rick cornered her in front of a car. "Got what you came for?"

Michonne ignored the question, looking around at the people around her, "Where are the rest of your people?"

Glenn was up, now pointing a gun at her, his voice cutting like glass, "We lost Oscar,"

"Daryl's missing, you didn't see him?" Maggie intervened, voice filling with panic and desperation.

"If anything happens to him.." Rick started, but halfway through his threat, Michonne cut him off with her words holding an anguished emotion.

"I brought you here to save them."

Rick stared at her for a moment, shaking his head, "Well, thanks for the help,"

Michonne immediately understood the meaning of the words, he was sending her off. Toby straightened up at the words, not knowing where he stood. The woman gave him a look, knowing she should stop, but she wasn't having it. "You'll need help to get them back to the prison or to go back in there for Daryl. Either way, you need me."

Rick swallowed at the words, he knew there was no out. He ground his teeth as he looked between the woman and the boy who stood next to Sabrina. They both had hopeless looks, almost mirroring each other. He closed his eyes, knowing that getting rid of either one of them would cause him more problems than it would do good.

It didn't take long for Rick to give in, with the desperation in their eyes, it was difficult to say no. He knew they would be the only way this could go right. He didn't know why he felt that way, but for some reason, he knew this woman and this kid would be very important to him. He just didn't know how, yet.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

✿❣︎ 𝘼𝙐𝙏𝙃𝙊𝙍'𝙎 𝙉𝙊𝙏𝙀 ❣︎✿

Guess who's updating cause they miss Toby!!

I just wanna get to all the good stuff so
like I need to push through these chapter
and get to actual bonding between Toby
and Danny.

I also wanna implement more Rick
and Toby content cause they have
such an important relationship.

ALSO‼️‼️‼️‼️
Check out my TikTok I've got some
fab Toby and Danny edits up
and I love them sm

TikTok: @gardensongsswp

Hope you enjoyed the chapter!!!!