Chapter 10: Plans and Missions

In town Michonne and Daryl had volunteered to go on a food run. They had run across a few walkers but nothing they couldn't take care of. After pulling her katana out of a walker's skull she noticed something she found suspicious. "Hey Daryl," She called out to her partner. "Was this broken last time we came here?" She asked pointing to the shattered grocery store window.

"No, we were just here a few days ago. Come on, lets make sure we still have some food in there." He told her stepping through the window.

Twenty minutes later they both met up empty handed. "Someone's been here." Daryl said. "They sure didn't leave anything behind."

"Must be a big camp."

Daryl could see the wheels turning in Michonne's head. "What are you thinkin' about?"

"I haven't seen a big group that needed that many supplies since Woodbury."

"But all the Woodbury survivors moved in with us."

"But the Governor is still out there. What's stopping him from making another town like that? He's a convincing man, he can fool anyone into believing he's a respectable leader."

"Ok, we'll talk to Rick about this when we got back. It may not be him but after what happened last time we need to be prepared."

Michonne nodded her head. Outside they heard moans coming from down the street. "Come on, we need to leave now."

After laying restlessly for an hour Beth decided to go ahead and meet Liam. She figured the sooner she got this walk over with the sooner she could go back to her cell for the rest of the night. Pulling on her denim jacket she told her father where she was going before heading outside. Looking out into the trees surrounding the prison she saw a few starting to change making her smile. She had always loved autumn, hay rides, campfires, and football games were some of her favorite memories of fall. Now she was stuck in a permanent Halloween movie.

"Beth! Hey!" Turning around she saw Liam jogging towards her. "I was afraid you would forget about me."

"I said I would meet you, so where do you want to walk?"

"Well I guess we can make a few laps. There's not many options. This is probably the worst first date ever, I'm sorry."

Playing with her jacket sleeves she shrugged. "Uh, its ok, I didn't even realize this was a date."

Running a hand through his hair he chuckled. "Now that I've made this as awkward as I can lets go. I'm sure your dad will kill me if I keep you out too long."

Nodding her head they started walking towards the yard. 'Its just a few laps, Beth, a few laps won't kill you.'

Across the yard Rick was helping Carol carry buckets of vegetables when he spotted Beth walking away with Liam. "Huh, look at that." He mumbled.

"Its about time, he's been crazy about her since he first saw her. She just never gave him the time of day." Carol sighed.

"Why's that?" He asked but he felt like he already knew the answer.

"I'm not sure, I think she's got her heart set on someone else."

Swallowing a lump in his throat he glanced back at her. "Do you know who?"

"No, she hasn't said. Maybe hanging around Liam will help get her mind off of whoever the other boy is."

"I don't know about this Liam guy though."

"Why? He seems nice."

Sighing he shook his head. "There's just something about him. Its not easy trusting people these days."

"Well from what I've seen he's harmless, just relax. Beth is in good hands. Just let them be teenagers for a little while."

"Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of," he mumbled as they walked into the cellblock.

Beth and Liam walked along the fence in silence. Neither knew what exactly to talk about, life today was different. Their subjects range from weapons training to what they were going to eat that night. She was surprised when Liam suddenly stopped. "What's this?" he asked pointing to the opening in the fence when they first found the prison.

"Uh when we got here we had to get inside somehow so we had to cut a hole in the fence. We didn't know how to fix it at the time so this will just have to do." She explained pointing to the wire holding the fence together.

"Is there any way else into the prison? Besides the main gate?"

"Not that I know of," She muttered stuffing her hands in her jacket pockets.

"So Tyreese and Sasha on watch tonight?"

"I think so...why are you asking so many questions?"

"Just trying to get to know you."

"Get to know me or figure out what I know about the prison?" She snapped stopping in her tracks.

"What? No, its just...no one really tells me anything. I get it, I'm the new kid, I have to earn some respect around here. I'm sorry."

Sighing she shook her head. "Its fine, let's start heading back. Supper will be ready soon."

"Wait," He commanded grabbing her upper arm. "Let's sneak out for a little while." He urged pointing to the fence opening.

"Liam no..."

"Come on, just for a little while. Don't you ever just want to leave this place for a few minutes? I mean, I know its home and everything but its still a prison." Lifting up his shirt he showed her his pistol. "I can handle the walkers. I'll get you back safe, Beth. I promise."

After thinking it over she nodded her head. "I got my knife too." She told him glancing up at the guard tower. No one was currently on watch but someone was due to take over at any minute. "Come on."

Leading him down the gravel path they made their way to the fence. After taking a good look around they carefully stepped through the opening. Beth made sure it was secure before they headed into the woods. "See? Its not so bad now is it?" Liam joked placing his arm around her shoulder.

"I guess." She smiled.

In cellblock C Rick was talking to Hershel and Glenn when Michonne and Daryl walked in. When he saw they didn't bring anything back he got worried. "Is everything all right?"

Daryl glanced at Michonne before opening his mouth. "Someone got there before us, they took everythin.'"

"That store had plenty last time we were there." Glenn spoke up.

"Yeah we thought so too, but I'm telling ya they didn't leave anythin'. Not a pack of crackers, nothin.'" Daryl explained.

"Whoever was there must have a lot of people in their camp." Michonne interrupted.

"She thinks it could be the Governor." Daryl sighed.

Just the sound of his name put Rick on edge. They hadn't heard anything from him since the attack on the prison. In that time they may have gotten too comfortable. They weren't ready for another assault anytime soon but he knew they needed to get prepared. "Ok, we don't know for sure its him but just in case I want the cellblocks on lockdown. No one is to go in or out unless its run by me, Daryl, or Hershel. We all know who's supposed to be on watch tonight. Make sure whoever is up in the guard tower is armed and has binoculars. Tomorrow we'll discuss this further but for tonight I want everyone in their cells." He instructed. "Is everyone here?"

"No," Carol said. "Beth is still gone."

Sighing to himself he glanced at Hershel who looked worried. "All right, I'll walk around and try to find her. Daryl, you and Michonne fill anyone in who's confused. I'll be back as soon as I find her."

Once everyone was clear about his instructions Rick headed outside. It was nearly sundown and no sign of the blonde girl. With his keys in hand he headed into D-block where most of the Woodbury refugees lived. As soon as he stepped inside he spotted Karen. "Hey Karen, is Liam back yet?"

"No, have you seen him?"

"No, I just know he was with Beth. Carol told me they were taking a walk before supper but they're not back yet."

"Well I haven't seen him."

Sighing Rick ran a hand over his face. "What do you know about this kid? I know he came from Woodbury..."

"He didn't come from Woodbury." Karen interrupted. "He just kind of showed up one day. He said you and Daryl found him wandering the roads and asked him if he needed a place to stay."

Her words shocked him. "That didn't happen."

"That's what he told all of us but in all honesty he never really says anything to the rest of us. He mostly keeps to his cell."

"Where's his cell?" He asked.

Wordlessly Karen led him to the very back of the cellblock. Inside it looked like every other cell but there had been no personal touches. Whoever had lived in the prison for a while had made their cell their own little hideaway. Liam's was bare. Taking a step inside Rick checked the desk but found nothing. Then when he lifted the mattress he found a black notebook. "That's his," Karen told him. "I saw him writing in it on a few occasions."

Picking up the book he flipped through the pages. Inside was a timeline, when someone took watch, when they ate their meals, whenever someone left to go on a run. Turning the page he saw Beth's name. 'She's young, naïve, she'll tell me everything I need to know.' That sentence put Rick into a panic. Holding the journal close he looked at Karen. "I need all of you to stay in here for tonight. We might be on lockdown for a while. Don't go out unless its absolutely necessary."

Rick stepped out of the cell in a hurry. He had to talk to everyone. They needed to find Beth and quick. When he ran into the yard he saw Daryl and Glenn coming towards him. "Everyone's been told," Glenn sighed then he noticed what Rick was holding. "What's that?"

"Liam's journal. He's a spy for someone, he's been watching our every move and writing it down in here." Opening the book he let the two men look it over.

"Holy shit," Daryl mumbled.

"Wait there's pages missing back here." Glenn pointed out. "What if he was passing along his findings to whoever he's working for?"

"I don't know but he has Beth right now. We need to find her before Liam tries anything. Split up, cover every corner of the prison. We'll meet back here once an area is clear."

The woods were starting to get dark when Beth stopped. "We should head back." She sighed moving away from Liam's arm.

"Why? I thought we were having fun."

"I just don't want to be out here after dark. Its scary enough seeing them during the day." She muttered as she started to turn back.

"Wait," Liam blurted grabbing her arm. "Come on, I'm right here. I won't let anything happen to you."

Pulling her arm from his grasp she shook her head. "We really need to go back."

As she turned around she heard a click of a gun. Facing Liam she saw he had his pistol drawn, aimed right at her. "No, we really don't." His usual calm voice had taken a dark turn.

"Liam what are you...?" She questioned raising her hands.

"Come on, Beth, we have somewhere we need to be." He snapped grabbing her arm again, pushing his gun against her back. "And don't try and do anything stupid."

Beth could feel herself shaking as he led her through the woods. With the light seeming to fade faster and faster she realized Liam knew his way around. They never ran into a tree or tripped over a branch the entire time they made their way deeper into the woods. After twenty minutes of walking she noticed a campfire in the distance. Then she saw a face that had terrified her ever since he shot at her home. 'The Governor.' She thought and Liam was leading her right to him.

"Good job Liam," He spoke placing a hand on Liam's shoulder.

"The others have no clue. No one was on watch when we left." Liam told the older man.

"Good," The Governor sighed. Leaning down he placed a hand under Beth's chin. "My apprentice here has told me a lot about you, Miss Greene."

"W-why did you take me?" Beth stammered.

She heard Liam chuckle from behind her. "Come on Beth, I know how you feel about Rick. You're like a lovesick puppy over him. Its pathetic really but then I saw you two kiss that night in the guard tower." His words stung. "We had to take something precious to your leader, make him see our way of thinking. I was originally gonna take his son but I knew you would pose a lesser threat."

"And look how right he was." The Governor smirked. "Tie her up over there. Our plan is almost ready."

As they led her away she noticed a lot of people staring at her. A few had their guns drawn, they were ready to shoot her if she tried anything. Liam still had his pistol pressed into her back as he led her to an oak tree close to camp. Two more men joined him to help keep her restrained. Before she had the chance to say anything they pushed her to the cold ground and tied her to the tree like an animal. Keeping her mouth shut she sat there while they tightened the ropes. Her blue eyes narrowed when she noticed Liam crouch down at her feet. "Just for extra precaution." Liam whispered tying her feet together as well. "Now just be a good girl, ok? If you're lucky maybe you'll get to see your sheriff again."

Beth wanted to cry, scream, cuss him out but nothing came. She felt numb. How could she had been so foolish? Even after everything that's happened she was still that weak little girl back at the farm. When Liam walked away she stared at the people in front of her. The Governor's army was even bigger than the last time, way bigger than the group at the prison and definitely had more firepower. Liam and the other men stepped away to join the Governor but she saw someone watching her out of the corner of her eye.

She knew she had to escape, she couldn't just wait to see what they had planned. Rick and the others needed a warning. Now she just had to come up with a plan.