Disclaimer: I do not own anything of the Walking Dead series (both comic book and television), and I do not claim to own any of these characters other than my own original character. This is a story I have written and I am in no way, shape, or form making any sort of profit from it. I am poor. I might even be more so now having written this.


Chapter Twelve

"I already told you, Jason, everyone gets the same amount for rations," the Governor says as Lassie watches the man lower his chin. "We can't let you take more. People will notice and some might even get angry. I don't want a bunch of angry people bangin' on my door hollering about how I give special treatment to certain residents."

"I just thought since I killed the deer I could choose which part I could have—,"

"You either take what we give you or you get nothin'; simple as that," the Governor says as the man curls his upper lip before storming passed them.

Lassie shakes her head and sighs. In her eyes, Jason had the right to choose what he wanted—he did the work; without him there would be no deer to be rationed.

"You could've let him choose," Lassie says as she follows at the Governor's side. Her eyes catch the deer's body being lifted from the truck by two other men.

The Governor shakes his head. "If I let him choose what he wanted, others would see it." Lassie's eyes climb the tower of a man until they settle on his face.

"What if he decides not to hunt anymore?"

"They go off in groups. Jason is one of the best; can track an animal for miles and hit the target with ease. If he decides to stop, we'll see it." The Governor draws in a deep breath as he stands before the wall. "If he comes out dry, he will be punished—,"

"What exactly is the punishment?" she asks as her eyes squint with the sunlight.

The Governor gives her his smile. "Let's not think about the negative right now." His sky blue eyes look up to a man and woman standing with rifles on the wall. "You see them up there?" he asks and Lassie nods. "It's pretty clear what their job is. You see those people there?" He nods off to two women with their backs to them.

"Yeah," Lassie says.

"The woman on the right; Kelly," he says. "Her job is to sanitize the clinic and its tools. She does that because before the dead started risin' she was a food hygiene inspector. A far cry from cleaning medical tools, but when she got here, she was the closest thing qualified to do such a thing." The Governor looks down at Lassie. "The woman on the left is named Rose. She used to work as a receptionist. Now she lives here and helps with runs." Lassie makes a face. "Her job wasn't her passion. Runnin'; she was good at it and loved it. That worked for us." The Governor takes in a deep breath. "Don't underestimate anyone here, Lassie. They're here because we saw value in them. Jason knows he's one of the best hunters we've got. He thought he could get extra because of that—,"

"Shouldn't you've agreed then?"

"No."

Lassie furrows her brow and shakes her head. "Does he know what'll happen if he stops?"

"I'm countin' on it." The man looks down at her and smiles.

Lassie feels a shiver run up her spine. The Governor knew how to strike the fear into giants with just the power of his voice let alone his smile. "How much longer until Matt joins up with Martinez and Merle?" she asks. The girl knew it would be awhile before Matt could go off, but she wanted the subject to change—to get rid of the man's terrible smile.

"It's already in the works," the Governor says as they walk through the streets. "Tomorrow he'll be off with Martinez to do a quick run." The man stretches his face. "It's nothing dangerous. He might get caught up with a biter or two—but nothing Martinez can't help him with." The Governor furrows his brow. "Didn't he tell you at lunch?"

"No," Lassie says through the side of her mouth as she looks to the sidewalk. "He hasn't really spoken to me today."

The Governor nods. "Well," he says, "maybe it's for the best." Lassie furrows her brow. "You're young; you don't need to be gettin' tied up in kisses and feelings of love—,"

"Feelin's of love?" Lassie shakes her head rapidly. "When did I say anythin' like that?" The Governor watches her for a moment. "He's my friend—,"

"You don't have to say it, Lassie," he says with a nod. "I can see it—saw it the moment Crowley smashed his rifle into the kid's face. I'm surprised Merle hasn't taken notice." The Governor takes a deep breath. "You're lucky he hasn't because he'd want me to have you guys separated completely—,"

"It ain't like we're doin' things we shouldn't," Lassie says as she draws her chin back. "It was just a kiss." She shrugs. "He's just a guy—,"

The Governor lets out a laugh. "Merle's just a guy. He knows how just-a-guys work. You're just a little sweet girl who's too innocent to understand—,"

"Matt's not like that," Lassie says with furrowed eyebrows.

"If I had a nickel for every girl who said that about me… I'm pretty sure the streets would be shinin' right now."

Lassie rolls her eyes. "What; you want me to stop bein' friends with Matt? What threat are you gonna dish out now?"

The Governor arches an eyebrow down at her. "Threats are empty, Lassie," he says as his eyes look down the street.

"Didn't sound like it last night—as a matter of fact, it sounded very real," she says through gritted teeth

"If I was going to do anything, Lassie," the man says with his voice low and he bends his face down to her, "it wouldn't be killin' your brother. I've already said he's a valuable asset." The man's eyes look around to make sure there are no ears listening to their conversation. "I'd be more worried about you than anyone else because the fact of the matter is; you're replaceable. Merle might be upset if you end up gone, but he will get over it. Everyone gets over it because that's what it takes to survive." Lassie clenches her jaw. "If you want a real threat, I'll give it to you—but you better understand that it is true and will—if prompted—become a reality. Do you understand, Lassie?"

The girl gives a jagged nod as her throat grows raw.

"Now, you can either try to make this work or not; it doesn't matter because you're irrelevant. You're simply a silver linin' for a middle aged redneck to look at," the Governor says through a thin smirk. He straightens and shakes his head softly. "And nothin' could make that redneck happier than to have his own dear sister buddy-buddy with the man who dishes out his orders."

"So, you're usin' me," Lassie says as the breeze catches her sweater.

"In a sense of the word," the Governor says with a single nod.

"I could tell him everything—,"

"Nothin's stoppin' you." The man lets out a sigh and watches the clouds above. "Except the fact that he wouldn't believe you—,"

"I'm his sister. He would; blood's thicker than water—,"

"Funny," the Governor says with a nod. "Did you know that the quote you just used wasn't intended in that meaning—actually the very opposite." He shrugs as Lassie narrows her eyes at him. "Some believe the referral of water is water from the womb; blood being from a covenant. Therefore the meaning is interpreted to friends are more important than family." The Governor presses his lips together before smirking. "Now, I'm not sayin' Merle and I have some kind of blood oath, but we have drawn quite a bit of it on the soil from biters."

"You think he'd choose you?" Lassie asks as she cocks her head.

The Governor lets out a dry laugh before looking back down at her. "Am I supposed to believe he wouldn't?" The man's cheeks pinch up. "Lassie, your brother barely knows you anymore. People are afraid of things they don't know. Why go with the devil you don't know when the devil you do has a place you can rest your head at night?"

Lassie chews her bottom lips as her eyes watch the brick on a building. She wasn't going to cry—the Governor could hurt her as much as he wanted, but she would not grant him permission to see her tears.

"We can either be great friends, Lassie, or I can be your worst nightmare. I would pick carefully," the Governor says before leaving her side and heading back down the road. "We have to go make a pick up," he calls as his hand waves out to Lassie. "Best keep on you toes, kid," he adds as he reaches for a truck door's handle. The Governor grunts slightly as he pulls himself in to the driver's seat. He closes the door and looks out the already lowered window. "We leave through the gate and drive for about an hour headed north. That's where Merle and Martinez are today." Lassie furrows her brow as she climbs into the blue truck. "If you're worried about missin' meal time, you should probably stay here. We won't be back until after dark."

Lassie's jaw clenches as she looks out the windshield. He was making her choose; allies or enemies. She reaches over and closes her door before buckling her seatbelt. If this was the only way she could be with her brother then so be it.


Daryl sits in his truck, his leg bounces up and down impatiently as he watches the children leave the school. No one would ask questions as to why he was there; more times than not he was the one to drive Lassie home. As a group of girls pass by laughing, his eyes meet with hers. Quickly, he hits his horn three times; twice in short bursts and the third long and attention grabbing. Lassie makes a face at him as she directs herself to his truck.

"What're you goin' here?" she asks as she tosses her bag in the middle and puts her seatbelt on.

"Makin' sure you don't go places you shouldn't," Daryl says through the side of his mouth.

Lassie gives him a long blink. "I told you it wouldn't happen again," she says as her eyes look out the window to watch the other students meander through the parking lot.

"You need to stop trustin' everyone you meet, Lass." Daryl watches her for a moment as she purses her lips and lowers her brow. For a moment, he sees her as the little girl who once led him around the house by his finger. "Stop bein' so quick to say, "Yeah,"… maybe think 'bout what might happen." He sighs and shakes his head. He knew she had already heard enough from him last night, but for his own sake he needed to repeat it.

Daryl lets out a sigh and shakes his head. "Got somethin' for you," he says as he reaches behind the seat and takes a plastic bag out. As he drops the bag onto of Lassie's backpack, her cheeks pinch up with confusion. "There's a toothbrush, a couple snacks, 'n' whatever you had at the trailer," he says.

Lassie opens the bag carefully. Was this his way of telling her he didn't want her around anymore?

"I gave you a shirt," he adds. "There's a sweater too."

"What's this for?" she asks as her eyes rise to back to him.

Daryl reaches into his pocket. "There's a thousand dollars here, Lass," he says as he presses it into her palm. "You take it and you leave. You get as far away as possible and you don't come back—not until they have no say in what you do anymore."

"I don't understand," she says; her voice sounds like a candle stick hitting a cave's floor.

Daryl looks away. "I'm not takin' you home." He shifts in his seat as more children walk by. "I'm takin' you to the bus station. I'll get you a ticket to wherever you wanna go." There's a pause as he waits for Lassie's reaction. "I know what dad's been doin' to you," he finally says. Lassie's face reddens as her chin falls to her chest. "He hit me too." Daryl shakes his head as his eyes look forward. "I remember wishin' someone would… would just get me out of there—give me some money and tell me to never come back." He shakes his head with a half smirk. "I didn't have anyone, Lass. You got me. I'll always have your back, kid."

"What if I don't wanna go?" Lassie rushes out as her eyes redden.

Daryl furrows his brow. "I told you I'm not takin' you home. You can get out of m' truck and catch your school bus if this ain't what you want. Nobody's stoppin' you."

Lassie sits for a moment with her eyes glued to the floor mats. "What 'bout mamma?"

"She doesn't know."

"And Merle?"

Daryl shakes his head. "Nobody knows. When they ask, I won't be able to tell them where you are—,"

"Why—,"

"Because I ain't gonna know," he says as Lassie shrinks into the seat. "I'll tell 'em you ran away."

Lassie shakes her head. Her heart races at the idea of being along and with no one to fall back on. The very thought terrified her to the bone. She takes a deep breath as her throat swells with her fight to keep calm. "When—," she swallows back a cry, "—when did you find out?" she asks as her eyes avoid Daryl's like the plague.

"Last night," he says quietly. He rushes a hand through his short hair and sighs. "Saw them on your back while you were in the shower."

Lassie chews her bottom lip for a second before saying, "What if it wasn't daddy?"

"Lassie, I know who did 'em," he says with a trace of annoyance in his voice. "He did the same to me and Merle." Daryl takes a long breath. "I-I know it's not perfect—I know you'll be alone…" His eyes wince. Was this really the best option? "I can wire you money whenever you need it," he says. "Just… stay away. Don't call them, don't think about 'em—hell, pretend they don't even exist. What'd they ever do for you?" Daryl reaches into the breast pocket of his cut off sleeve shirt and pulls out a pack of cigarettes. "You don't need them—dad and Kathy…" He places a cigarette between his lips. "You don't need anyone," he adds before lighting the smoke.

Lassie looks out the windshield as she tries to fight back her tears. "But I need you," she says in the most soundless and sombre whisper. A hand quickly wipes her tear before she thinks Daryl has taken notice. "I need Merle," she adds with a bit of a whine. Lassie turns away with her head lowered.

"We're not worth you bein' hurt," Daryl says through the side of his mouth as he attempt to hide the sadness in his voice. His hands want to reach out and comfort her—but his mind won't let him. He was her brother. He needed to stay strong for her. He needed to be cool, stern and unrelenting—just how Merle was for him. Daryl takes a puff of his cigarette and ashes out his window. "Now, are you goin' or am I wastin' gas?" The moment the words hit the air, Daryl feels the burn they send Lassie.

Lassie looks down at the plastic bag and reaches for her backpack instead. Just as Daryl is about to unleash his mind, Lassie unzips her schoolbag and places the plastic bag into it. "Atlanta's a good place—," her dark eyes look to him, "—right?"

Daryl takes another drag of his cigarette; the blue-grey smoke exits his mouth and nose as he gives her a slow—almost forced—nod.

"When do we go?"

"It's only you who's goin'," Daryl says and Lassie gives a short nod as a frown surfaces on her face. "You're leavin' now," he adds and Lassie fights back another cry. "Just keep your head out o' trouble and you should be fine." Lassie nods and as they sit in silence, Daryl finally pulls out of the parking lot.

It wasn't going to be an easy thing. Telling Merle that their baby sister was gone would be even harder, though. Daryl rubs his face and watches the road as they head through the town. Lassie deserved better—but he couldn't provide that and neither could Merle; that was the worst part of all this. Knowing she needed something that he couldn't give her.

As they pull up to the transit station, Daryl keeps his eyes ahead. He would not be going in; the drive was hard enough let alone walking his sister off. He didn't even want to say goodbye—and he wouldn't have had she not said it first.

With Lassie's big dark bloodshot eyes, she leaned onto him and hugged him. "Bye, Daryl," she whispers before pulling away.

Daryl clears his throat and nods as she shuts the truck's door. He, himself, was fighting back tears—but he didn't want her to know that. He didn't want her to think he was weak—that he wasn't every bit as good of a man Merle was. Daryl looks out his window as Lassie approaches the station.

"As soon as you get a place, you write me a letter," he calls. "No phone calls, Lass. Just send the letter." It took all his strength to keep his emotions at bay.

Lassie watches him for a moment as her hand wipes at her eyes. Before she turns back to the station, she nods. Daryl didn't have the heart to watch her leave. He couldn't; that was his baby sister—the littlest Dixon—his Lass.

On the drive home, Daryl pulls over to the shoulder of the highway and breaks down. With his snot and tears, he even fights it then. Daryl's hands hit the steering wheel as if to fight himself-his legs kick above the break and gas pedal—but his efforts are futile. He was a man—he wasn't supposed to be like this. Merle wouldn't have. Merle was stronger than him… he was the big brother Daryl felt he should have been.


Lassie's eyes shoot open as the truck bounces up and down wildly from a pothole. She grabs the handle above her window and holds tight as the Governor continues to drive seemingly unimpressed by the road. As her eyes look out to the horizon, she feels her chest constrict. The sun was gone. The girl takes a deep breath.

"What're we pickin' up out here?" she finally asks.

The Governor's eyes remain on the road. "Cadavers," he says through the side of his mouth.


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Reviews are much welcomed and always appreciated!

~MsBBSue