They walked into the forest, some did turns to make sure that there were no surprises, occasionally one or two would separate to take out Walkers or move as one to take a small herd that they had encountered only minutes before leaving Woodbury.

"Think you could take that on your own?" Merle asked with a smirk. Hayden felt like hitting him in the shin and watching him fall in the mud, but she kept silent. They continued on and came across several abandoned camps still filled with supplies. They took what they could carry and then they came to an intersection.

"You guys take one route," Merle instructed then motioned to himself and Hayden, "we'll take the other."

Some nodded while others were skeptical but followed orders and Merle watched them leave, turned to see that Hayden wasn't there. He held his gun up and then heard a snap. Merle whipped around to see Hayden already down the pathway, he scowled. With his gun in hand, he walked after her.

Hayden took down two Walkers easily, she turned to see Merle standing there doing nothing. She turned back thinking, she knew something was up, there were six people in the group, four go one while two go the other? Unlikely. Hayden continued to walk blocking out the sound of Merle's shoes crunching underneath the loose snow. They continued to walk slowly sometimes back to back when a noise would echo off the trees. The sky was grey, the sun completely blocked out by the clouds and Hayden immediately thought about the day she nearly died, how the loneliness nearly killed her rather than the cold. She felt tears well up but she discretely wiped them away not wanting Merle to see her like this. Don't let anyone see you cry except family. That's what her foster sister told her before she left for the big city.

Hayden suddenly found herself thinking about the other kids, there were five of them ranging from age fourteen to eighteen. Three girls and two boys, two gay and the others as straight as arrows. Her foster parents were kind, they were nice. Hayden was sent there when her mother was struck and killed by a hit and run, her father was killed only a couple weeks later by suicide leaving a thirteen year old girl behind. She couldn't blame him her mother had an impact on both on everyone in the neighbourhood. The only reason why the foster parents took her in a year before their recommendation was because they knew her father who worked as a mechanic and some nights Hayden would find herself staying up all night looking out at the large backyard wondering. The thought made her growl but her mother's voice came into her mind soothing her; telling her to be strong. I will mom, for you and for dad.

"You alright girly?" Merle asked with a small grin.

Hayden looked over her shoulder at the man wondering what type of fucked up place he was born and raised in.

"I'm fine," Hayden said plainly. They continued to walk until they came to another campsite the tent had collapsed in on itself due to the weight of the snow. Supplies were covered thickly with the white fluff and Hayden knelt down and wiped the snow off yet keeping her guard up. A medi-kit, an exploded plastic bottle of water and some rotten food completely frozen. Grabbing the medi-kit Hayden rose to her feet when Merle came up wrapping his metal brace arm around her neck and the other snaked around to the front grabbing her crotch. Hayden felt her hairs stand on end but didn't give him the satisfaction, instead growled.

"Are you familiar with the sentence 'fuck off?'"

Merle chuckled. "I'm familiar with the word fuck."

Hayden tried to push Merle away but his bayonet dug into her throat making a single line of red run along the blade and fall into the snow.

"Turn," Merle commanded. Hayden did so, the medi-kit clutched tight in one hand and her tire iron in the other.

"Give me the kit." Hayden handed it over while holding onto her tire iron. Merle weighed the kit in his hand, then swung it right at Hayden's head. Before the woman had time to react, the plastic connected with her head and broke upon instinct. Hayden collapsed into a ball in the snow. Her fingers shook as she gingerly touched the wound on her head. Blood poured between her fingers and into the snow. Her mind was fuzzy, she tried to think but it hurt.

"Get up," Merle said dangerously calm. Hayden tried to get away from him but he stomped on her hand before kicking her in the ribs. "I said up!"

With her hand dangling uselessly and her heart pounding against her bruised ribs, Hayden managed to get to her feet. Blood dripped from the wound on the inside of her mouth where she accidentally bit down. Hayden spat into the snow and took a weak fighting stance but Merle smiled as he removed the bayonet and stabbed it into the closest tree. Hayden struggled to put her hands up but struggled with the one Merle stomped on.

"Come on girly," Merle taunted eagerly. "I dare you."

Gathering up as much energy as she could muster, Hayden attacked trying to punch as Merle who side stepped and punched her in her already sore ribs then literally pushed her into the snow. The coolness melted on her hot skin, Hayden spat again feeling like she was going to puke but she refused to.

"Guess what I found the other day in your bag?"

Hayden turned to see Merle holding a photo out for her to see. The picture was of two people on male the other female both embracing each other giving the camera a grin of giddiness. Hayden's eyes widened – those were her parents. Her father giving a smart grin while her mother giving a goofy one. Both had her intelligent grey eyes however Hayden inherited her father's smooth black hair rather than her mother's red wavy hair. Hayden remembered the day when the photo was taken, it was during her mother's birthday.

"I can see some resemblance," Merle played as he looked from the photo to the girl sitting in the snow. "Yep, there it is – I wonder if your mother knew the word fuck meant."

Without hesitation, Hayden leapt at Merle knocking him over. The pain was unbearable but she ignored it, her fists contacted with the man's face, torso and even for good measure Hayden kneed him in the crotch. Merle curled up at the shot and Hayden rolled off of him. Grabbing her fallen tire iron she tried to turn back to finish Merle but he grabbed her ankle and twisted. Hayden let out a sharp cry and fell. Merle got to his feet and straddled Hayden who was let out small groans.

"Not so powerful now are ya?" Merle quipped then slammed his fist into her face. Hayden tried to struggle but Merle grabbed her by the throat and pushed in. Hayden tried to break his grip but Merle slammed his metal brace into her face. The hit immediately dazed her and she felt something roll around in her mouth. Merle slammed his metal brace into her side a couple more times before getting her up. Hayden immediately rolled over and spat out the blood, it dripped out of her mouth in gooey tendrils and sticking to one of those tendrils was a piece of her canine tooth. Fear gripped Hayden as she felt around in her mouth, the other teeth seemed fine and her finger rubbed the outline of her newly jagged tooth. Her head snapped up to Merle who was reattaching his bayonet to the leather straps on his brace.

"I think that's enough for today," he said matter-of-factly. "Don't you?"

Without thinking, Hayden attacked Merle who dodged her punch and sliced the tip of the blade across her stomach. He could have pushed in, he could have killed her, but Merle thought different – like the Governor he knew that this girl was unlike any other, she was stronger more independent than the ones latched to other members of groups. But to survive this far in the zombie apocalypse she had to be. However he did feel a bit of regret about punching her in the face, it was visible meaning that the Governor would see and of course question. He walked up to her.

"Let's see," Merle said.

"Leave me alone," Hayden struggled to say, her voice thick over the swelling. Merle wrapped his metal braced arm around her waist catching an arm too and holding tightly and with his hand grabbed her bruised chin forcing her to face him. She didn't have the energy to protest even though she wanted to. Besides the face the other visible damage was the shallow cut on her throat and the blood coming out of her shirt. Hayden pulled herself out of Merle's grip and headed off.

Her feet shuffled through the snow, her head was heavy along with the rest of her body. Hayden stumbled along the best she could leaning against trees when needed. She throat felt a slight sting as a small wind hit the open wound. She could hear Merle call her name but she ignored him. Hayden clenched her fists and only then realized that she didn't have her tire iron. A lump grew in her throat but she swallowed it down. She continued to stumble through the snow until her feet collapsed underneath her and she fell face first. Hayden was glad that the snow cushioned her impact or else she knew that she would have lost more than a piece of a tooth. She thought back to it, somewhere in the white snow then thought of the picture of her birth parents. The image burned into her mind, she tried to shake it out but Hayden couldn't. Tears welled and fell freely. She heard voices and they grew louder. Hayden pushed herself up and continued to walk until she collapsed onto her knees. Hayden turned to see the other members running up to her, she must have looked like hell as each of them held an expression of pure horror. Hayden tried to get up but two ran forward and helped her up before she fell down again.

"Where's Merle?" one asked, it was a male. Hayden tried to process his words but her mind was jumbled.

"Hayden," another voice echoed. "Hayden!"

XXXXXX

Beep. Beep. Beep. Hayden woke with a sudden start. The light gave her a harsh welcome, she tried to shield her eyes but found that she couldn't. Blinking thrice, Hayden looked down to see her wrists and ankles strapped down in the same restraints she wore when she first woke in Woodbury not too long ago.

"I…I'm glad you're awake," a meek voice said.

Hayden turned to see Milton walking around his table filled with the chemistry set. He picked up the stethoscope from the side table and moved closer.

"How do you feel?" Milton asked.

"What do you think?" Hayden asked her voice was raspy and thick over the swelling on the side of her face.

"You have two cracked ribs, numerous bruises, a minor concussion and a chipped tooth."

The memories came back to Hayden and fury built up in her.

"Let me go," Hayden whispered.

"Um…," Milton pushed his glasses up his nose. "The Governor would like to speak to you."

"Where is the asshole Merle?"

Milton took in a breath. "Merle told us that you two were attacked by a group of survivors, apparently you guys found a cabin filled with supplies."

"We found a tent," Hayden explained coldly, "with nothing but a medi-kit that Merle struck me in the head with."

Milton took in a shaky breath, he was ready to speak when the door opened and both the Governor and Merle entered.

"Let her up," the Governor commanded.

Milton fumbled with the straps but managed to get Hayden up. She pointed a finger at Merle and said, "I'm going to kick your ass."

Before Milton could stop her she got to her feet but an instant dizzy spell took over and she collapsed in a heap on the ground. The Governor made no move to help her up knowing that she would only wave him off.

"Apparently you have quite the story to tell me," the Governor said slowly, "do you wanna talk about it?"

Hayden managed to push herself onto the examination table into a sitting position. The Governor whispered a few words to Merle and he took his leave.

"Whatever that hick told you it's a lie," Hayden mumbled as soon as the door was closed. The Governor walked over, Milton stood there with a blood pressure cuff, Hayden waved her hand dismissively not caring what he did.

"It's…going to hurt a bit," Milton warned. Hayden gave him a dark look and Milton swallowed down a bit of his fear, the Governor nodded and the scientist continued. They all waited in silence, there was a hiss as the air pushed out.

"Um…pressure is a little down," Milton informed, "but with some food…and water she….uh…Hayden should be alright."

The Governor nodded and asked Hayden, "Do you want anything?"

"Merle shot," Hayden growled.

The Governor gave a small chuckle. "So you have a different story I presume…?"

"He hit me in the head with a plastic medi-pak and then beat me with his metal brace."

The leader took in a shaky breath and let it out. He motioned Milton to leave and the scientist obliged. Once the door closed, he turned back to the fierce female. Hayden touched her swollen side, testing the pain and she immediately winced. The Governor watched as she ran her tongue over her chipped tooth trying to control his thoughts and emotions, trying to stop himself from jumping on her at that moment. Even if she was bruised in broken – the Governor had to admit that she looked better that way.

"Merle said that the two of you were attacked by a group, you said that it was him that attacked you."

"And what do you think?" Hayden asked impatiently.

The Governor took in a breath. "Honestly I have no idea."

Hayden huffed. The Governor leaned in.

"Why don't you get some rest? We'll talk later."

Hayden tried to protest but she couldn't control the wave of nausea that overtook her. Instead of reply, Hayden puked into a bucket that was at the side of the examination table. The Governor raised an eyebrow and then slowly backed away, he watched as Hayden coughed up another wad and spat. Hayden cautiously swung her legs up on the table, laid flat and closed her eyes.

XXXXXX

Outside Milton waited anxiously, he wonder sort of words the Governor was telling Hayden or if she would believe what he was telling her.

"Hey doc!" Milton gave a small sigh and turned to see Merle stroll up to him. He had a smirk on his face. "How is the girl doing?"

"Bad," Milton scowled and then turned back.

"Ah come on," Merle played. "I told you that we were attacked by a group, why don't ya believe me huh?"

Milton dug into his pocket, he held it up for Merle to see and the redneck's smile was wiped clean from his face. In his hand was a medium size piece of plastic – white plastic with a piece of red on the tip from the red cross on the medi-kit. Merle stepped forward to take the piece of plastic but Milton stepped back until his heel touched the metal wall.

"Now…," Milton started, "the Governor didn't see this, but…I don't want you to…."

"To what?" Merle demanded, "what don't you want me to do?"

Milton stuffed the plastic back into his pocket.

"You gave her a concussion Merle," Milton snapped, "and the piece of plastic came from the cut on her head and on top of that two broken ribs and two bruised ribs. Numerous cuts and bruises, dammit you could have killed her!"

Merle gave a small chuckle. "Well, she ain't dead doc, I suppose she got lucky."

Milton's eyes widened as he absorbed Merle's words. He stepped around Merle but the redneck grabbed Milton and threw his harshly against the metal wall. Milton rubbed his shoulder and Merle threatened: "You tell anyone…," Merle gave a sickening grin. "Just to let you know doc, you wouldn't be the first pig I've gutted."