He killed the engine and flicked his cigarette out the rolled down window. The hot Georgia wind blew across his skin and for a moment he just wanted to bask in the rare gust of wind but he knew he had to get out of this car and make his way to see the Governor. Pushing open the car door he got out and tossed the keys to his passenger. Some young kid, all hyped up and ready for a world he had no idea about. Hell something's never change.
Out of the trunk he took out two bags and hauled them off to where the Governor's apartment was. There were some simple things in the bags, things they were running low on but most of it was hospital supplies. It had been overrun where he had gotten them and he wore the blood on his clothes as proof.
He climbed the stairs, the dangle of the necklace at his neck the only sound he could really hear. Lately everything had been so quiet 'round here, ever since the attack. Even he had been full of nothing but quiet. He kept his distance, convincing himself there was no reason for him to get along with these people. He wouldn't be here long, he just needed to find his brother and then he'd be on his way.
He knocked on the door,adjusting the bags on his shoulder. Again he knocked until finally it opened.
There the Governor stood in all his superior presence. The black patch over his eye only added to his recent stint of going insane and the way he merely stared at him told him the talk was true. Whatever had happened here, well it had driven this man pretty far from reality.
"Back already, are we?" There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice. He had wanted his privacy, that much was obvious.
"Course I am. What'd I tell you? Said you can count on me for as long I'm here."
The Governor managed a twisted excuse of a smile. "So you did."
He nodded, handed the bags to him before turning on his heel and beginning to walk away.
"Connor." He called out, his voice commanding.
Connor turned back around with lifted brows. "Yeah?" He asked, glancing around for a moment just to see he wasn't talking to someone else.
"You want a drink?"
Connor thought about it but he figured he'd rather not."Nah I'm good."
The Governor nodded. Was that disappointment in his eyes? Did he need someone to talk to? Well this man was practically a pillar of strength. He didn't need anyone.
Connor left the building and found his way back to his own place where he holed up in. He threw off his coat and sat down on the small chair near the front door. Fishing into the pockets of his coat he took out his cigarettes and lit one up. He rested his head back with a sigh and rested his feet up on the ottoman. He knew he was one of the few people here who got one of the most furnished place and he was grateful for that but hell he worked for it,
He remembered the first time he had come here. It had always been Atlanta for him and Murphy ever since they had run into a small group of men who had been heading their themselves. They had been to every base and hospital between Boston and Atlanta and the surrounding areas. They went from state to state searching for answers and an end to everything they had experienced. He had stumbled on Woodbury not too long after they had found Atlanta completely overrun.
It had seemed entirely impossible when he had been brought inside. An actual town where life began in the morning and ended peacefully at night. Too damn good to be true. The Governor told him that he could stay but that he had to know the situation they were in. They had recently been attacked and were in the dangerous process of arming themselves and protecting what they had.
He blew out a mouthful of smoke and watched the ribbons intertwine within each other. He tried not to think of what he had before this. When they had gotten to Atlanta everything had changed, everything had fallen apart. He was glad they had taken him in here and since he was useful both in skill and shooting he was needed for work 'round here. Something to do to keep his mind off all the terrible possibilities that could have happened between Atlanta and now.
He had been surprised that the Governor had allowed him and had placed at least a bit of trust in him. Even though Connor had made it clear that he was only here until he found his brother it seemed that people were starting to include him in on things. He wasn't sure how he felt about that. He wouldn't be here long. He'd find his brother soon enough.
His brother.
The thought of Murphy struck him as hard as it always did. Them losing each other had been the worst thing Connor had ever experienced. Losing his brother and having everything fall apart. He had faith that he would find him though. If Connor had found this place then so would Murph. He had faith in that. No matter how hopeless the world had become.
He had decided that they wouldn't stay here once he found his brother. Not with some kind of war brewing up. They'd be just fine on their own. It had always been them two anyways.
A knock nearly pounded on his door and he cursed at how it startled him. He stubbed out his cigarette and rose from the chair. When he opened it he saw Andrea standing there. He tried hard not to admire the blonde standing there in front of him, simply because everyone knew she shared the Governor's bed. She was really something though, strong, beautiful, impressive. He was isn't sure if it was just these times that made him think this way but he was pretty sure that wasn't the case. Andrea was a beautiful woman and he knew he had to set up some limits in his mind.
"Just came from his place, doesn't seem like he wanted any company." He said before any greeting was made. He leaned against the doorpost.
"I'm not here about Phillip." She used his first name, was the only one in all of Woodbury that did. It still sounded strange to hear it. Was even stranger to think of this woman in the Governor's arms. What had driven her there?
"Then why is it you're here?" He asked, trying not to smile at his own thoughts. He could tell Andrea was upset, he had to be somewhat considerate. After all she had played a big part in him being allowed to stay within the safe confines of this town.
"Can I come in?"
Connor nodded. "Sure yeah." He opened the door wider to let her in.
Andrea came in, wiping a few pearls of sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. He noticed how panicked she seemed, how distressed. She was looking up at him with a sort of desperation. His brows knitted together as concern began to fill him.
"What is it?" He asked, pushing his fingers back through his slightly sweat dampened hair.
"I don't know how to say this." She began, looking down breaking their eye contract.
"Well come on, spit it out." He stepped forward, looking down at her urging her to speak again.
"I need you to take me somewhere…"
"Me?"
Andrea nodded. "You're the only one who has access to a car and Phillip- well he trusts you."
"He trusts Milton too."
She shook her head. "Not like he does you…Please?"
He sucked in his breath and it was his turn to lower his eyes. He thought about it a moment. This wasn't just another run, this was a personal request from a good woman. He had struggled to decide on what kind of man the Governor was, knowing that there were things he had to do. Did he still continue without Murphy? Was their calling still alive when they both weren't there?
"Where is it you're gonna be wanting to go?" He asked, finally looking back to her.
She hesitated a moment as if she too were struggling. "The prison." She finally admitted, letting out a sigh afterwards.
"You aren't talking about THE prison, are you?"
She didn't answer his question but the answer was found in the blue of her eyes. He had heard about that place, how whoever inhabited those walls had been the ones who had attacked Woodbury. He had also heard that those people were Andrea's friends. What a damn cruel world they all lived in. But it had always been cruel, hadn't it?
"I'm not sure about this Andrea….it's bound to piss him off."
"They're my friends…" She pleased, her worry evident in her gaze.
"And it's my neck."
"It'll be mine. He won't have to know you helped."
Connor eyed her for awhile. He thought of what he would have done before all this had gone down. Would he have helped her? Would Murphy be up to it? It was dangerous, that alone would make Murphy up for it. He nearly smiled and cringed at the thought. It was comforting to think of his brother, keeping that flame of hope alive. But it was also painful, damn thing nearly tore his heart out.
"Alright, alright you got me. I'll be helping you but only this one time. There won't be a next time, I have things I have to do too."
She nodded, her understanding of his situation was apparent but he never asked about it. She carried the pain in her eyes like everyone did nowadays.
"Tomorrow, early morning…be ready." She gently ordered before she made her way to the door. "Oh and Connor?"
"Yeah?" He turned to look at her.
She smiled a little. "Thank you."
"Ain't no problem unless-"
She nodded. "Unless it becomes a problem." She finished and they both laughed before she closed the door and her footsteps faded away.
Connor again dropped himself into the chair, taking out another cigarette. He didn't light it though, he just held it between his fingers and let his eyes look out the small curtained window. He breathed out a prayer before he rested his head back, dropping the cigarette to the ground.
"Where the hell are you, Murph?" He whispered aloud before he let sleep settle over him.