Phoenix

Chapter 10

IT BEGINS

As soon as they arrived at the new location, the prisoners were removed from the trucks. The Governor had them split up into several groups: the original prison group (consisting of Daryl, Maggie, Beth, Hershel, Michonne and Carl), the Woodbury men, the Woodbury women and the children. Judith was taken from the prison group and placed with the other children. Without any warning, he turned and gunned down the Woodbury men. The Governor then turned and looked at the remaining three groups.

"I want to know where Rick and his companions went. As you can see, I have no qualms about what it might take. I have had some practice and I am getting better at getting what I need."

They all looked at him. No one said anything. They had seen what the Governor was capable of. If they gave him what he wanted, they had no doubts that he would kill them all once he no longer needed them.

"No takers? Ok, let's have some fun, then." He signaled to his men and they took Daryl, Michonne and Maggie from the room.

As she left, Maggie yelled at them to not say anything, no matter what.

BORED

They were not sure how much time had passed when two men returned with Maggie. She had a black eye and split lip. Her clothes were torn and the marks on her back were clearly visible. Her eyes flicked in a quick survey of the room and she noted that Daryl and Michonne were not there.

The Governor looked around the room.

"While this has been fun, I am growing tired and bored with my games." He grabbed three children from the group and pointed his gun at them.

"I want to know now!"

Rebecca stood up quickly and gave him all the info that she has about PRD.

"See, was that so hard?" the Governor asked, then he shot her in the head. Martinez entered the room just as the shot sounded. He approached the Governor.

"You're needed in one of the interrogation rooms," he said.

Maggie, Hershel, Beth and Carl exchanged glances. This was not good.

DISCOVERED

The Governor entered the interrogation room, followed by Martinez, and was met with a stripped down Daryl Dixon.

The others in the room were Dr. Chase Kendall and his assistant Victor Hertz. The Governor found Dr. Kendall outside of Atlanta with a small group of other survivors. While Dr. Kendall had value to him, he had no use for the others and quickly disposed of them. While the doctor was young, probably mid-twenties, the Governor knew that he was in his residency in emergency medicine and that was more than good enough for his needs.

Dr. Kendall's primary tasks did not include treating those who were injured within the Governor's small army. Those with injuries that were more than minor were no longer of use to him and were taken care of. The doctor's responsibility was to keep the prisoners alive for interrogation, both during and after.

His assistant's primary responsibility was to report Dr. Kendall's movements back to the Governor. He needed to make sure the good doctor was living up to his expectations. He also was amused by the fact that his name was Hertz when that, in fact, was something he did regularly to his captives. Dr. Kendall was not happy with his assigned assistant and found him to be a little too enthusiastic with his questioning.

"Dr. Kendall, you have information for me?" he asked.

Dr. Kendall looked up at the Governor but hesitated in answering his question. Victor was more than happy to jump in.

"He has a healed bite on his leg," Victor said. "He says it's from a hunting trip gone bad."

The Governor leaned in and took a closer look at the bite as Daryl struggled in his restraints.

"And what do you think, Dr. Kendall?" the Governor asked.

"Well, it could be from an animal, like he says."

Victor smiled evilly. "It doesn't look like an animal bite to me. It looks like a human bite."

"I agree," the Governor stated. "I want to know what is going on. Try to get more information from our guest, but be careful how far you go. Do not kill him. I am not done with him yet. I have an errand to run and you better have more information when I get back."

With that, the Governor exited the room leaving a cringing Dr. Kendall and a smiling Victor.

GOVERNOR'S VISIT

The Governor arrived at the gates of PRD and received the same welcome that Rick did. The guards were more wary of him as, with the eye patch, he looked like he might be trouble.

When he approached the gates the guards noticed that he had a baby cradled in his arms. The armed guards asked him what he wanted.

"My name is Phillip Blake and this is my daughter. I was hoping to catch up with Rick Grimes. I heard from mutual acquaintances that he was coming here with a small group."

The guards took in the scene and one of them went to the main buildings to find out what to do. Kevin and Susan said to let him in and escort him and his daughter to Kevin's office.

"Thank you for letting me in. I appreciate the hospitality. I lost Penny's mother during her birth and we are always grateful for a chance to rest. My only goal in life now is to keep her safe."

Kevin and Susan acknowledged what he said with nods of their heads.

"She's beautiful," Susan said.

"You just missed Rick and his friends. They left a few hours ago to go back to get the rest of their group," Kevin said.

"That's too bad," the Governor replied. "I haven't seen him in a while and he hasn't ever gotten the chance to see my Penny. Who all came with him on this run? I hope it was people that I know. I'd like to know they are safe."

"He was joined by my sister-in-law, Karen, and a brother and sister named Tyreese and Sasha. Do you know them?" Susan asked.

"I do. I know them all. It is good to hear that they are all together. That may make it easier to catch up with them all," he replied. The Governor then knew that he had been lied to. Glenn was not with them.

"You don't have to tell me, but have you been able to figure any of this out? Is there any hope for the future?" he asked smoothly, nodding his head toward Judith.

The Governor spent the afternoon at PRD before he indicated that he needed to get back to his group. He told Kevin and Susan that they would be happy to return to expand their pool of volunteers in exchange for refuge from the world outside of their gates.

"I am truly sorry that I missed Rick and his people. The Governor reached into his pocket and handed something to Susan. It was a Polaroid picture. "In the meantime, will you pass on this picture of Penny and myself? Let him know that I will catch up with him soon."

The Governor packed Judith up and headed back to his people grinning. Things were about to get very interesting.

THE RETURN

Rick, Tyreese, Sasha, Karen, Glenn and T-dog were both physically and emotionally exhausted by the time they returned to PRD.

"I am so glad you made it back here safely," Susan said. "We can get your group settled for the night immediately. I am sure they are all tired. Where are they?"

Karen broke out in tears. "They were gone. A man who calls himself the Governor attacked our home, destroyed it and took all of our group, except for Glenn and T-dog. They managed to keep from being taken."

Rick introduced T-dog and Glenn to Susan and Kevin.

"I am sorry to hear that," Kevin said. "Hopefully he doesn't come across your friend's group, too."

Rick looked at him with confusion. "What friend?"

"He came here hoping to find you. He had his daughter with him. He is going back to get his people. He said that he would catch up with you soon. He left a picture of him and his baby girl." Susan handed him the photo.

Rick took the photo and looked at it. He immediately started pacing and swearing. Kevin and Susan were confused by his reaction.

Rick turned and showed the photo to the others.

"What is it?" Kevin asked.

Glenn turned to them. "That is the man who attacked us. Calls himself the Governor. He has an army of well-armed followers. He destroyed our home and took our people, including Rick's and Karen's children."

"Oh my God," Susan cried out. "Olivia!"

Rick then turned toward them holding out the picture. "The baby in the photo is my baby. Her name is Judith. That bastard kidnapped her."

Karen explained to Susan and Kevin why the Governor is evil. She told them everything about Woodbury, his first attack on the prison, and his subsequent massacre of his own people.

"Please tell me that you didn't say anything to him about the capsules and immunity," Rick said desperately.

"I'm sorry," Kevin said. "We didn't know. We told him everything."