A Chance To Escape

Today was the day for the two leaders to meet at the feed store.

Philip brought in a glass of water and a steak dinner. "Princess, wake up." He kicked the cage.

Amanda gently raised her head and looked up at him. "Governor?"

"Get up, sweetheart." He smiled at her.

Amanda rose to her blistered feet in her converse. "I'm hungry.." She held her stomach.

Philip shoved the food and water into the cage. "This will tide you over for a few hours."

Amanda quickly gulped down the water. "Thank you." She moved her curls from her face to eat.

Philip put the pills in his jacket. "No painkillers today, Amanda."

Amanda stopped eating. "I'll die."

"I doubt it." He turned off the lights then locked the door.

Amanda stood up. "Give me the fucking pills!"

Rick Grimes and Philip Blake entered the farmhouse and discussed their negotiation. Daryl and Martinez bonded over a walker-killing contest.

Hershel sat on a stump reading the bible.

Milton joined him. "What happened, if I may ask?"

Hershel looked at Milton. "Zombie bit me."

"And you cut it off before it could spread, right?"

"Rick did, yea. He's a good guy." Hershel continued reading.

"Can I see it?" Milton asked excitedly.

Hershel looked up at him. "My stump? NO."

Milton frowned then said nothing.

"You have to buy me dinner first." He laughed.

Milton awkwardly laughed with him. "Funny."

Hershel stashed the bible in his bag. "Milton, I have to talk to you about Amanda."

Milton frowned. "I'd rather we didn't."

"I think we should talk about it. Is she still alive?" Hershel asked nervously. "At least tell that much."

Milton nodded. "Yea, she's alive."

"Thank God." Hershel sighed in relief. "How is she doing?"

Milton stopped talking now.

"Milton?" Hershel nudged his elbow. "You have to tell me."

Milton leaned in closer to him. "The Governor has been giving her heavy medicine to make her forget their night together. She thinks they are painkillers. He calls her Princess and he kisses her. Don't tell anyone that or he'll kill me."

"My God.." Hershel shook his head. "You have to free her. You gotta!"

Milton shook his head. "Nope. No way.."

"Do you have any idea who she really is?! She's Rick's sister-in-law!" Hershel blurted out.

"Oh my god." Milton stood up. "I won't tell if you won't."

Hershel nodded. "Deal. You will help her leave, won't you?"

Amanda's voice echoes in his mind. "Milton! Help!"

Milton nodded painfully. "I'll help her."

"God bless, Milton. You have no idea how long Rick stays up at night worrying about her. He lost Lori...he can't lose Amanda." Hershel helped himself up. "You're doing the right thing, Milton."

/

Amanda took her denim jacket off and used it as a pillow. She really didn't like the dark but since she's been in that cage, she's gotten used to it. She assuses that it's late at night because of the cricket noises from outside the window. Amanda can hear footsteps walking toward the door and she quickly stood up. "Philip...? I need my family..Rick is my brother-in-law. Please, let me go see him. I'll stay in Woodbury but just let me see him." She wept.

Milton opened the door and turned the lights on. "Amanda..you look like hell."

Amanda smiled. "Milton! I knew you would come to me." She reached for his hand.

Milton finally had the courage to hold her hand. "Your hands are freezing."

Amanda nodded. "Yea." She slid her hand up his arm and planted her hand on his face. "I need the key, honey." She showed him the padlock.

Milton reached into his pocket and gave a key to her. "I made a copy whlie the Governor was out. Wait until morning, though. Early. Right before the Governor wakes up. It's eleven now but I will give you my watch." He unlatched it and handed it to her. "It will go off at four in the morning. You can escape then. I'll have a car ready for you at the enterance. I'll do the best I can."

Amanda pulled him in closer to her. "Thanks." She kissed him.

Milton quickly pulled back. "I'll see you in the morning. I love you." He managed to say.

Amanda smiled. "I love you too."

Philip walked into the room. "Milton...talking to Miss Ray?"

Milton nodded. "I was just leaving, sir. She just wanted to talk to someone."

Philip took out those two yellow pills. "Here, painkillers."

Milton shut the door and listened from the other side.

Amanda took the pills. "I'm taking these pills and I still feel like shit. They suck!"

Philip started the music. "Just give them time, Princess."

Amanda spit at him. "I'm NOT your Princess! I need to go back!"

Philip left his long coat on. "Hush, now."

Amanda began to space out again for the third time. "Shut something up? What?"

Philip turned out the lights and left the tank lights on. "Want to dance?"

Milton covered his face and wept silently. He wanted to stop this right then and now but Philip would hurt Amanda.

"You're beginning to dance well, Princess." He laughed.

Amanda twirled around. "You think so?" She laughed.

Philip kissed her. "I know so." He chuckled.

"Wait...where's Milton?" Amanda looked around. "Milton!" She called out.

Philip sighed. "He's gone now, Princess."

"Oh." Amanda smiled at him. "You're the Governor, right?"

"That's right." He wrapped his hands around her waist and brought her in closer.