Chapter 3: Victim of the Game

Disclaimer: I do not own the Walking Dead, nor do I have to rights to any songs by Garth Brooks.

A/N: This follows on from Snuff. This is a small glimpse into Michonne's thoughts and feelings.

Well it took a little time, but I guess you finally learned

That promises get broken, and bridges do get burned.

You've been sifting through the ashes, just tryin' to find a flame

Holding on to nothin', you're a victim of the game.

Michonne had always liked early mornings; she felt a gentle calmness in the solitude that they brought. But she did not feel calm this morning. She felt heavy and at a loss. Her eyes were sore from crying, and her feet weighed her down, she was in need of encouragement to get them to move; to carry her away from this place. Away from the heartache. Away from Rick. Rick. Just the thought of him made her want to run, to steal away faster, yet at the same time thinking of him compelled her to turn around. To return to him. As weak as he had made her feel, she still wanted him. But she knew she had to be strong. He did not want her enough to give himself over completely.

She had already paid her penance, she had already atoned; she would not suffer any longer while trying to ease Rick's mind. She could not tolerate being pushed aside time after time. These thoughts, these realizations; they fuelled her. They drove her forward. Creating a great distance between her and the people whom she had come to care for. Become close with. But their proximity only served to make her feel a false sense of security and made her forget; the ones who claim to love us always find a way to hurt us the most.

You were standin' way too close to see it all fall apart.

And there were things you couldn't hear 'cause you were listenin' with your heart.

But you can't say I didn't warn you, now there's no one else to blame

There's no one quite as blind, as a victim of the game

She had hoped her leaving would serve to put Rick at ease as well. That her not being around would not cause him grief; would not leave him feeling conflicted. That the look of guilt would disappear from his weary face; that he could be happy. That he could return to that moment in his life when he was happy. Michonne had to concede that for everything that had happened between the two of them, Rick was still a good man. He is a good man. She did not aim to hurt him, yet she knew, deep within her soul, that this would hurt him. She acknowledged, despite her own distress, she was not the only person who would be marred by all of this; she was not the only one whose heart would ache.

…it don't matter who you are

It treats everyone the same

All you need's a heart

To be a victim of the game

A/N: Gosh, these lyrics are depressing! I think I need a hug after this. More to come…