The eldest Dixon brother sauntered into the library, silent as his eyes scanned the area. He stopped when he spotted The Governor facing the opposing wall, looking out of the double-window.
"You wanted to talk?" He spoke somberly, eyes wandering to the bookshelves. Somehow this room managed to bring a rare calm over him. It always seemed like a surprise to others to hear he was so into literature, something he didn't quite take lightly.
"Yes. Talk...and show you something." Phillip slowly turned to face him, taking in a breath. He seemed to break from his thoughts as he glanced at the other man from under his brow. Merle shifted his weight as The Governor approached him. "Come with me." He spoke as he moved past the man and headed towards the side-entrance.
The two walked down behind the buildings for a few moments, Merle just slightly behind The Governor who led the way. The man in charge came to a stop at a backdoor and opened it, waiting for Merle to enter first. The door closed behind Phillip as he followed the other man in. There he stood, eying his subordinate.
"Why are you here Dixon..." It came out more like a statement rather than a question. The Governor managed to cast a menacing stare, even with one eye missing.
"Well, it's a place to stay, right? Figure i'm doing what I can..." There was an ominous fluttering in his chest as he responded, not quite sure what to say. Or more so, what he was supposed to say. Either way, he had a feeling it wasn't the answer The Governor wanted.
"It's unwise to take me for a fool, Dixon." Phillip's voice was flat yet dark. The man finally took his gaze off of Merle as he turned, moving to a doorway. "I've been suspicious of your intentions from the beginning, but I felt you had the potential to be trusted." Merle shifted his weight, a sense of dread starting to coil in his chest. "Now i've become aware of your true quest, what you really want. I now see my mistake of believing I could trust a traitor like you." Merle could feel the sting of the accusation even through the disturbed man's gaze.
"Now wait a minute here." The accused started, voice raspier than usual. "On what grounds do ya think you could call me a traitor?" He quickly thought back in his mind. Did he do something behind The Governor's back? 'Michonne...that black bitch Michonne, she got away back there. He must have found out. Still don't seem something to warrant such a damn meltdown over though..' The man's thoughts wandered for a moment though his eyes stayed trained on the other man.
"I'm done with hearing the innocent act." Phillip stated in a stern voice, glancing to his side as he turned the doorknob, stopping when it clicked open. "I've got someone you may be surprised to see. A co-conspirator of yours." Merle's stomach dropped. No doubt Michonne was in there, thus giving away his secret, his mistake.
Phillip pushed the door open slightly, eying Merle and waiting. The quiet man let out a low, pent-up sigh and ambled over next to The Governor. Having averted his eyes from the doorway as long as he could stand it he reached out and pushed it open. There was no one there. It took a moment for him to realize that he was looking into a short hallway. Another bout of anxiety crawled over him as he stepped inside and around the corner to the main room.
Merle froze and stopped breathing. A rush of both bitter cold and burning heat washed over him at the same time. His own body felt alien to him, even his teeth and mouth as he spoke.
"Daryl.." The usually-domineering voice came out in a stunned hush, his body trembling ever so slightly.