Chapter 25: Strength

CPOV

~5 months ago~

I was sat down alone, spending my time to myself while I watched the setting sun from outside the window. We had found a safe place to stay for the night and decided to take shelter. The days were long and tiring. Yet, every day we would find somewhere safe to stay, some food to fill our stomachs and somewhere to rest our heads.

Today I felt the pull and sadness in my heart from the loss of my sister. Staring at the sunset, I held onto the book we were once reading and frowned. It was her favourite book. I mused to myself before staring back at the setting sun. I decided to take a room for myself, to read to myself and spent these moments to myself.

We had found a few arrows for Daryl's crossbow and it made me remember Kat. The type of bow she used and how she would sit down and make her own makeshift arrows. The lump in my throat tightened, I didn't have tears for her anymore but I always remembered how she was. Kept her memory alive with every breath I took. I know she wouldn't want me to give up. That she would want me to protect the ones I care about and to keep fighting. To keep surviving.

The sound of the door opening made me look back to see who it was who entered. Pulling me away from my thoughts and making me have to see who would disturbe my silent time. It was dad. He looked to me sadly and knew why I was up here alone when he glanced down at the book in my hands. He walked over to sit beside me, staring at the sunset with me before sighing and looking down.

A shake to his head as he kept his eyes on the palms on his lap. "You know...we didn't know what to call Kat when she was born. We kept thinking about names like your grandma's, your aunts, cousins...yet non of them sounded right," dad said sadly as he tried to keep his voice level.

"How did you decide?" I asked him curious as to what made them decide on Kat. Dad laughed to himself and shook his head as he looked to the sunset and kept his bright blues on it. As though he was recapturing the memory of the day they found the perfect name for my sister.

"One day, we just...we were sat down looking at this baby names book. One your mother got. Searching, we said these names, assessed them and well...we came across it and smiled to each other. Katherine. It was perfect. Especially her nick name. Kitten, Kitty Kat, Kat and lots of others we could of used," dad said with a smile on his face.

"You don't find names easily. It took us a long time to find your name, and that was us using a computer instead," dad chuckled to himself as he looked to me. A gleam in his eye as he gave me a sad smile. He misses Kat too. "Somehow...you find out the names when you least expect it and sometimes...it comes as easily to mind than you could think," dad said with a small smile.

"I miss her," I tell him and he sighed. Placing his hand onto my shoulder and giving it a small squeeze. The look in his eyes told me that he too was hurting inside. That he too wanted her back with us. That he wished she could be with us right now.

"I know...I do too. It's hard but...we'll get through this. Together," dad said to me comfortingly. Placing his hand on top of mine that held the book, his fingers lightly grazed the cover and he pulled my head to him. Kissing the side of my head, he ruffled the hair just above my neck and sighed. Leaving me alone, I stayed in the room to watch the sky turn dark. When it was night, I walked down and took my area to sleep in. Curling into a ball and falling asleep at the memory of my sister...

Present day...KPOV

"Thanks," I said to Milton as he handed me and Andrea a drink. His own drink in another hand, taking mine, I sipped it gently and hissed at the cold. They have ice here. Why am I surprised?

"Cold drinks?" Andrea asked as she placed the cold drink against her skin. It was indeed a hot day and was making us both sweat what felt like buckets of perspiration. Today of all days, we're here and it's supposedly a day for celebrations. Drinks, children running around, people cooking on the grills and even dogs barking. This is...odd.

"Freezers were running all day. Not the most practical use of generators in my opinion," Milton complained as he looked to me and Andrea. Andrea was pressing the cold drink against her neck, pulling her hair away from her neck and giving it some air.

"It's kind of amazing," Andrea spoke as though this was the best thing that had happened to her. It made me look at her a little surprised. Something isn't right about this place. It makes Andrea feel safe and Michonne feel on edge. I'm confused.

"The Governor feels it's worth it," Milton spoke as though this was something he didn't agree to. That the Governor was clearly the one in control and would decide what was to be done about anything. Including his community.

"Well, to a great party," Andrea said as she raised her glass to be clinked. Clinking my glass with hers and Miltons, we both looked to each other and then to Milton. Something came to my mind, a shiver running down my spine at the thought of something not being right about this party.

"Now, you could just drop us a hint about tonight," I suggest as I was curious about what could possibly happen today. About what all the buzz and hype was about. What everyone was anticipating when it came to tonight. This was the pre-party but it seemed to me that people were ready for tonight, that it was going to be the main event.

"Hmm...mere words cannot adequately describe the festivities ahead," he told me which made me look at him curiously. Hmm...seems to me that we are going to be having one hell of an event tonight. I don't know if I feel fully comfortable to it. Somehow...I sense it to be torturous.

DPOV

"Rick, are you with me? Rick?" I asked Rick as I waved my hand in front of his face. He looked like he was out of this world. Like he didn't know what was happening and stayed in one spot, swaying and not responding to a single word I had said to him.

"Let me see the baby," Hershel asked as he looked directly at the baby. His eyes focused solely on the baby. Fuck. Lori died and Rick's somewhere far away. He lost his daughter...now his wife.

"We're gonna feed it. We got anything a baby can eat?" I asked as I walked towards them, following wherever the baby was going. So small...so vaulnerable. So...precious.

"The good news is she looks healthy. But she needs formula. And soon, or she won't survive," Hershel said the first part as he glanced down at the baby and then looked to me. Telling me that this baby would die if she didn't feed soon.

"No," I state a little angrily. "No way," I growled this as I shook my head. "Not her," I spoke as I changed the weight of my crossbow to my other shoulder. "We ain't losing anybody else," I declared, making it my goal. "I'm going for a run," I tell them, informing them that I would find the formula. I'll do whatever it takes.

"I'll back you up," Maggie spoke up, her voice slightly trembling.

"I'll go too," Glenn said with a small sigh. Probably not wanting to leave his girlfriend alone. Especially after what had just happened.

"Okay, think where we're going," I tell the pair as I walked towards the young blonde haired Greene. "Beth," I called to her, touching her shoulder and she nods as she followed after me. "Kid just lost his mom. His dad ain't doing so hot," I inform her to make her realize that she needed to look out for them while I was gone.

"I'll look out for him," Beth agreed to both me and to herself. Making a small promise towards the Grimes family.

"You two get the fence," I ordered to the inmates that clearly proved they were to be trusted after not going against us when they had the chance. "Too many pille up, we got ourselves a problem. Glenn, Maggie, vamonos," I ordered them around and they all nod, Glenn was about to leave when we saw something suddenly happen.

"Rick!" Maggie called out to Rick as he picked up the axe he was carying and stormed out towards the place where Maggie and Carl had exited. Going into cell block C and possibly never coming back out. He needs to blow off steam. He's lost so much after gaining so little.

"Get the gate," I ordered the prisoners and they began to walk towards me as I was walking away. "Come on! We're gonna lose the light," I informed them. I am not letting that child die. We need to get the stuff and get back as soon as possible.

"There is a Piggly Wiggly on 85," Glenn informed us as we began to run towards the cars and bikes.

"No, the babies section's been cleared. Lori told me to keep an eye out. I haven't had much luck," Maggie said as she went from a sprint to a jog and now was speed walking towards the car.

"Is there any place that hasn't been completely looted?" I asked them, feeling a little irritated that there was no place they've mentioned to have any formula for the baby.

"We saw signs for a shopping center just north of here," Glenn informed me which gave me some hope that we may come back with the things we would need.

"Yes, but there's too much debris on the road. The car will never get through there," Maggie said as she opened the car door and looked to us. Fuck. Guess that means we're taking my bike.

"I can take one of you," I inform them as I prepared my things on the bike. Placing my bag somewhere safe and my crossbow somewhere safe too.

"I'll go," Maggie spoke up, taking my offer right off the bat.

"No, Maggie. After everything that you've been through, okay, I'll go," Glenn reasoned with her quietly as I was fixing myself to leave.

"I want to go. For Lori. I have to," I could hear Maggie tell Glenn with a sad tone in her voice. She feels like it's her duty.

"Okay. I love you. Be safe," Glenn spoke and the pair kissed for a few seconds. Like a damn book. One I wouldn't read. Even in this end of the world type situation. Romance isn't my thing. At all.

Bringing the engine to life, the pair pulled away and Maggie walked towards me. Climbing onto the back, she held onto me and I revved until the motor was ready and we were ready to leave. Driving off, the prisoners had the gates opened in time and were then out and away from the prison. Getting closer to our destination with every second we pulled away from our new home.

KPOV

"First time we gathered, there were nine of us. Holed up in an apartment with spam and saltine crackers. Well, look at us now. We've built a place we can call home. May be held together with duct tape and string...but it works. It's ours. I'll take it. So today we celebrate how far we've come. We remember those we've lost. We raise a glass...to us!" the Governor made a speech.

Myself and Andrea raised our glass and took a long sip. Something doesn't feel right. How he chuckled and smiled awkwardly forcefully...it doesn't seem natural. What would mom say? "Sometimes...things are too good to be true Kat. Remember that." Oh, I know mom. I know...

RPOV

I couldn't save Kat...couldn't save Lori. I'm hopeless. A grieving man. I should have protected them. Showed them more love and been more strict. Kat...so beautiful and young. Dead. Lori...she was the love of my life and now...all I have of her is Carl and the new baby. How am I going to protect them when I couldn't even save the two women in my life.

I was stood shivering, I had been screaming and slicing walkers apart. I was so enraged I didn't know how to cope without them. Without Kat and Lori. It was too much and it tore me apart. Made me pull myself down. Made me doubt myself. I need them in my life...and now...they're gone. Because of me...

KPOV

"Saw you are getting comfy in this place," Michonne spoke as I walked into the room, she had her Katana which kind of surprised me. Her hands were rummaging around, picking up clothes, folding them and shoving them into our sacks.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked her confused and slightly startled by what she meant. Is she being sarcastic? What the fuck is wrong with her right now? She looks...so...tense.

"I know you're not as blind as Andrea is about this place. Something is wrong and I can feel it," Michonne said and this made me sigh, sitting down on the bed I looked at her startled. She's been saying this ever since we've got here.

"I felt it too but...we can't be sure Mich," I tell her trying to calm her and defend Andrea at the same time. There is something going on but...it could simply be suspicion. Curiousity.

"Oh...but you can. The Governor is...twisted. You saw those bullet holes! He kept walkers outside locked in a cage. They don't ever let you leave this place," Michonne told me as though this list was endless. There was something I caught which made me look to her confused.

"You...wait. How could you possibly know about these so called 'walkers in a cage'?" I asked her as my brows furrowed in curiousity and confusion. How in hell could she possibly know what the Governor hid and what he didn't?

"I know because I've seen them...I may have also gotten into trouble because well...I killed them," Michonne told me which made my eyes widen. Are you fucking kidding me?!

"You what?!" I asked her surprised. She looked at me as she dropped a piece of clothing into the bag and rolled her eyes. "You know you could have been-" I was about to finish my sentance but Andrea entered the room and looked between me and Michonne. Her eyes landing on Michonnes as though she was exhaused about something.

"We got to talk," Andrea said as she looked to Michonne directly. Governor called her...to talk about Michonne. Didn't he?

"We got to go," Michonne said as she continued to pack. I was sat on the bed silently, watching as Andrea shut the door behind herself and looked at the pair of us.

"The Governor told me what happened. Michonne, you can't do things like this. You're freaking people out. You're freaking me out," Andrea said as she had her arms crossed, looking directly at Michonne who was back to frantically packing our things away.

"The northeast wall is guarded by some girl. We can escape there after dark," Michonne said as she threw me the bag and I quickly caught it. Flinching a little at how unexpected it was but grasped it just in time.

"We are not prisoners here," Andrea said as she threw the bag I had in my hands back onto the bed. Clearly she was getting mad and so was Michonne. Fuck...here goes this again...it never stops. All this arguing is driving me crazy.

"No one who comes here leaves," Michonne said as though this was the thing that struck out the most to her. How could she possibly know? It's not like the Governor has them all in chains and tied to their beds.

"What are you talking about? It's safe. There's food, there's shelter. There's people for God's sake," Andrea complained, proving a point and making Michonne glare at her. Her eyes were dark as the pair were now stood facing each other.

"That's what they show you. But you can't leave unless they make you," Michonne whined back, pleading for Andrea to see what she could see. I was completely confused, unsure of what to make about this all.

"You are not making any sense. Mich, maybe you need to sit for a minute," Andrea said as she looked to Michonne a little stunned and confused as to what she was making of this place. I wish they would stop arguing and come to an agreeable end.

"You need to trust me," Michonne said to Andrea. Andrea was going towards Michonne, as if to try and pull her to sit onto the bed. I was simply sitting down, watching the pair and gently grazing my fingers along the bed cover.

"And you need to give me more to go on. We got a good thing going here," Andrea said as she was getting a little irritated and growing tired of Michonne's suspicions. Thing is...I don't think they're suspicions.

"I thought this was temporary," Michonne complained, reminding us of the deal we had once made. It was only for until Andrea was feeling better and able to go back out there. To continue searching for my family and fight against walkers again.

"And I think we need this. I want to give this place a real shot," Andrea said growing more angered by the moment. I sighed and shut my eyes as to keep my shit together.

"I tried," Michonne spoke angrily. As though this was her very best and it was all she could give it. Feeling the same sense as her, I could feel my stomach clench at the thought of being somewhere you honestly didn't want to be. Like when mom and dad are arguing...

"Breaking into houses? That is not trying. That is sabotage," Andrea argued back as the pair of them continued to bicker. Making my ears feel as though they were bleeding from the amount of arguments we were having lately.

"This place is not what they say it is," Michonne said after turning back to look at Andrea. To then look to me. I stayed silent as Michonne said this to us and left us. Taking another bag with her and possibly going to my room to place my belongings into it.

RPOV

I was completely out of it. After killing all the walkers in my anger and grief, I stood there. Trembling. Blood gliding off the edge of the axe, hitting the floor and making a puddle there. Sweat and blood covering my body and clothes. I hadn't even realized Glenn was there with me, speaking to me as to calm me and reassure me.

They're dead. They've left me. They won't ever come back. I wish there was something I could have done. Could have showed them more love. Been more strict towards them. Hold them in my arms again. If it weren't for Carl...and the baby...I would have nothing to live for. God...what have I done?

Feeling Glenn's touch, I flinched and pulled away from him quickly. Grabbing him, I got him into a choke hold against the wall and he looked at me. Panting. Worried. Scared. Coming back to this world, I looked into his eyes and slowly relaxed. His hands were held up in surrender. Pushing him away harshly, I directed him to be moving back out of the cell block and to leave me alone. Glaring at him, he panted and slowly backed away. Leaving me to be by myself and to do what I needed to do to let go of my emotions.

DPOV

Reaching where Maggie told me to go, I slowed down the bike as I saw the building coming to view. Stopping, I made sure it would stay where it was and looked to Maggie who had already climbed off the back. "Company's close. Stay tight," I tell her as we looked for a way in. Maggie broke a window and began to climb in. Keeping watch, I kept my poncho covering one side of my body and the other free so I could use my bow effectively.

While she was inside and putting things into her bag, I climbed through and saw something on the wall. Names on small, cut out hands. There were a few my eyes glanced on. George...Alyssa...Sofie. After reading the small name of a child's hand on that piece of paper, I frowned. Looking down, I felt my heart clench.

Remembering the time back on the farm. Remembering how me and Kat would go out looking for Sophia. How Carol's face would drop every time we didn't come back with her. The way Carol's smile would look politely towards me and Kat. The time me and Kat were by that house. When Carl was shot and myself and Kat were out in the woods that night. How I almost died when I found Sophia's doll.

How Kat was almost raped. How we found Sophia. How Kat didn't want to look to anyone. When Kat was hit by Shane. How Carol cried in my arms. When I found that Cherokee Rose for Sophia and Carol. The day the farm got over run. Dale. Kat's death. Lori. T-Dog. Carol. Walker Sophia. Everything came flooding back to me. Swallowing, I looked away and walked around the building. Searching for anything to take with me.

There was a faint scratching coming from somewhere, the rattling of a door trying to open and my eyes wandered into a room. Examining it, I entered as I picked up a small toy for the baby. She'll love this. It's soft and plump. Much like the baby herself. I smirk to myself as I mused myself in my thoughts.

The scratching and rattliing became louder, more anxious as though it knew we were around and wanted to come find us. My mouth was holding the flash light, my crossbow at the ready and my body curving to see inside the room. Nothing. Opening the other half of the door, I gave a nod to Maggie and we both entered slowly. When Maggie opened the door, I had my crossbow aimed high, in the matter of seconds, she opened the door and I lowered my aim. Killing a Possum in the process.

"Hello, dinner," I mumbled against the flashlight as Maggie looked away disgusted and I picked up the meal. Maggie began turning away and moved to a cupboard where she found something and began shoving it into her bag.

"I'm not put that in my bag," Maggie said disgusted. Shrugging my backpack off my shoulders, I placed the new found food into my bag and then the baby toy into another compartment of my bag. Not wanting it to get infected by any thing the dinner could be carrying.

KPOV

"Hey, hey, hey, girls!" I heard Merle call towards us as we began to leave. Michonne had somehow convinced Andrea to leave, but I wasn't sure myself what either of them were trying to prove. "Where ya'll off to in such a hurry? Huh?" Merle asked which made Andrea stop to look at him. Michonne looked to Andrea angered and began to pull for her to continue walking beside us.

"Hey, come on, now. Come on. Hey, hey, hey. Y'all are breaking my heart running away like that," Merle spoke as though he truly meant it. His eyes looking at each of us teasingly. His arms out either side of him as he blocked our way.

"We're leaving," Michonne stated bluntly. Without hesitation as she looked at Merle the way she would if she didn't trust someone. Believe me...I've seen this face once or two times in the time I've known Michonne.

"It's almost curfew. I'd have to arrange an escort. I mean, the party's still going on," Merle said, making an excuse as to why we couldn't leave. Michonne was right. "All right," Merle said as non of us spoke. "Wait here a sec. Brownie. Come here," Merle said the first part to us as though we were to behave like dogs. He walked over to one of the men that stayed guarding the gates.

"The Governor told us we were free to come and go whenever we liked," Andrea stood up to Merle, a little startled that we weren't permitted to leave however we wanted to. Michonne and I stood alone, the way Michonne glanced at me indicated the look of 'I told you so.'

"Sweetheart, nothing personal here, but you're gonna have to step back," Merle said suggestively but in a threatening type of tone. Andrea looked confused as she turned and slowly walked back to us.

"See? There's always a reason why we can't leave yet," Michonne said lowly to the pair of us. Maybe she's right. Maybe we should leave. Something to me doesn't seem right about this place. Too many secrets. To many...lies.

"Clear," one man spoke loudly to another. As though giving indication that outside the gates, it was safe for us to exit or enter.

"Now, if I was y'all. I'd find some shelter before nightfall," Merle told us as he slowly began to open the gate and indicate with his good hand for us to come closer.

"They knew we were coming. This was all for show," Michonne growled as though she had just drank a whole bottle of venom. Wow...she really doesn't like the idea that they were trying to make her look like a lier. Like a stupid, crazy and delusional animal.

"Do you hear yourself? How can you know that? And why would they bother?" Andrea asked Michonne incredulously. Andrea finally had enough of Michonne's suspcions and attitude towards the town.

"Ladies," Merle called out as he looked towards the three of us. Alerting for us to try and make a quick decision.

"Close the gates," Andrea ordered Merle which he almost did until Michonne responded against Andrea's orders.

"No," Michonne spoke up, quick as the crack of a whip in mid air.

"I practically begged the Governor to let you stay," Andrea said, trying to show Michonne the miles she had to go in order to allow for us all to be together.

"I didn't ask for that," Michonne said as they began to get closer to each other.

"You didn't have to. It's what friends do for each other," Andrea said to her, her voice was trembling a little out of sadness. We've all gone through so much together. Is this how we're ending it? Over a stupid town?

"It goes both ways," Michonne whispered back as they were now close enough to not need to shout at each other. Bickering quietly under their breaths.

"So you want to run around out there with walkers chained eating twigs? Is that right?" Andrea asked as she stepped back a little, stuttering with her words as she fumbled for them.

"We held our own," Michonne told her, matter-of-factly. They both have their points, but this isn't about scoring them. It's about us trying to work together. Can't they see that?!

"Eight months. Eight months on the road moving place to place, scavenging, living in a meat locker. That was no life. I'm tired. I'm tired. I don't have another eight months in me. Not like that. And you, I..." Andrea spoke as though she was dying right now. She couldn't take this. She didn't want to part from Michonne but she didn't want to leave a place where she didn't need to fear the outside anymore.

"What about me? I'm afraid that you're gonna disappear. We always talked about this place, didn't we?" Andrea said, clearly the two have been having private conversations. I only heard their support in trying to get me back to my family. Maybe they were going to leave me once I reunited with my family.

"A refuge. That idea is what kept us going," Andrea spoke to her in a pleading voice. When she finished, the pair looked at each other sadly. Andrea's eyes wide, blue and sad. Pleading for Michonne to stay.

"Are you coming or not?" Michonne asked Andrea dully, lifelessly. As though she didn't care for what Andrea was proclaiming to us. To her. She just wanted to escape and never return.

"Don't do this. Don't give me an ultimatum. Not after everything," Andrea spoke to her sadly. Shaking her head as though this was something she didn't want at all. Michonne's expression was cold.

"Are you coming or not?" Michonne asked Andrea who only made a noise which showed she had no idea what to do. "What about you?" Michonne asked as she turned her head to me. Finally remembering that I too was part of this group. "You'd both just slow me down anyway," Michonne said dryly as she walked off and didn't look back.

"Michonne!" myself and Andrea called out to her at the same time. Following after her as Merle shut the gate in our face, the pair of us peeking through the slit to see Michonne keep walking. Never looking back and never coming back. After this, I didn't know what else to do. Speedwalking back to our house, I slammed the door shut, went to my room, curled into a ball and cried silently to myself.

DPOV

Entering the building, I could hear the baby crying and saw Carl hold her in his arms. "Beth," Maggie called to her sister as the pair went to the desk, emptied out the bag and began to prepare the baby her formula.

"How's she doing?" I asked Carl as I looked to him and his new baby sister. "Shh. I'm sorry. Shh..." I hushed her gently as I slowly took her into my arms. It was strange holding her. Something so small...so vulnerable. I'll protect her. Not just for Lori or Rick or Carl...but also for Kat. "Come on. Come on," I said as Beth handed me the bottle.

Slowly her crying stops and she quiely sucks on her baby formula. Chuckling silently, I looked up to see everyone watching me as I was on my feet, rocking the baby and feeding her at the same time. "She got a name yet?" I asked Carl as I looked down at him.

"Not yet. But I was thinking maybe Sophia. Then there's Carol, too. And..." Carl responded with a small sigh near the end. "Andrea. Amy. Jacqui. Patricia. Lori...or...Kat," his voice shook a little at the last two names. "I don't know," Carl said as he looked down saddned. Kid's lost a lot. It's not fair for him to have to name her alone.

"You like that? Huh?" I asked her as I tilted her a little, so I could look down at her a little more closely. "Little ass-kicker," I said as I made up a new name for her. "Right?" I asked around to try and make the mood a little lighter. "That's a good name, right?" I questioned the others, making them all chuckle and earning a small smile and laugh from Carl. There you go. You deserve to smile kid. Shouldn't have a frown on such a small and sweet face.

"Little ass-kicker. You like that, huh? You like that, sweetheart?" I cooed to the baby as I smiled down at her. She was so peaceful in my arms and sucking greedily at the bottle. If Kat or Carol could see me now. "Little ass-kicker. You like that, huh?" I asked her and I could see the smiles surround me as I finished feeding her.

CPOV

It had been hours since Daryl and Maggie had left to go get the baby some food. She wouldn't stop crying and it made me feel like it was my fault sometimes. "Beth," Maggie called as I looked up to see Daryl and Maggie had returned. Everyone else soon followed after them, looking to us and hearing Maggie prepare the food for the baby with Beth.

"How's she doing?" Daryl asked me but he didn't need an answer as the baby would cry to almost anything. There were at least a few hours were she would sleep in my arms but she was always stiring. "Shh. I'm sorry. Shh..." Daryl spoke as he gently took her into his arms. "Come on. Come on," he spoke softly to her and the crying stops.

Chuckling, I looked to see the baby sucking greedily at the formula Beth and Maggie had handed Daryl. "She got a name yet?" Daryl asked me as he would gently rock on his feet. Holding the baby, showing us all a side of himself non of us have ever seen before. He's...kind and good to the baby. Not that he's always vicious but...he mostly always means business.

"Not yet. But I was thinking maybe Sophia. Then there's Carol, too. And..." I said with a long sigh. The names appearing into my head as I said each name. "Andrea. Amy. Jacqui. Patricia. Lori...or...Kat. I don't know," I told them as they all frowned, looking to the ground I felt my own heart shread with the mention of the two important women in my life.

"You like that? Huh? Little ass-kicker," Daryl spoke as he looked up at us making us all laugh softly. "Right? That's a good name, right?" Daryl asked us which made me laugh softly. Agreeing to it. "Little ass-kicker. You like that, huh?" he said kindly to the baby as he rocked her. "You like that, sweetheart?" he cooed "Little ass-kicker. You like that, huh?" Daryl spoke. The entire time, all I could think was how well he cared for her. Being a father would suit him...

RPOV

Entering the room, I felt the presence of Lori's inside the room and moved towards it. Blood splattered around the floor, telling me that this was where she died. Her jeans and shoes were beneath a desk. Ducking down, I saw something that was shinning on the ground. A bullet...the bullet the killed Lori for good.

Having it between my fingers, I drop it when I hear a gurgle. My throat tightening and my eyes roaming up to see a walker on the ground. Stomach round and plump. Walking to it, he began to try and grab me. Laughing through my nose, I pulled out my gun and looked at it disgusted. Ducking down, I pushed its hand away and placed the barrel of the gun into it's mouth.

This will be your last meal...a bullet to the brain. Tilting it, I shot him and screamed at the same time. My anger was higher than my head. Pulling out my knife, I leaned beside it and placed the tip carefully against the stomach of the walker. Looking up, I saw it had hair sticking to the sides of his mouth. Stabbing it repeatedly, I slowly felt my anger disappear with every puncture. I'm so fucked up...

KPOV

Myself and Andrea were joining the Governor to see the show, the big celebration everyone was waiting for. Following, we took high seats above and sat down. What I then notice was a group of men started bringing in walkers on chains. Tying them to the floor and making me look at down at the walkers surprised. Suddenly, Merle and another guy, the same one he had been talking to earlier today walked out. Prepared to do some sort of...boxing match or something. What the fuck? Music blearing from the speakers and Milton wasn't amused at all.

"I'm gonna kick his ass one-handed. Oh, the hell with it. No-handed! Yeah!" Merle said as he would grunt and show off how 'tough' he was. Doing push ups with only his stump for a hand. "Yeah!" he shouted which gained him cheers "No hands! Bring it on," Merle said as he took of his coat and the snarling became louder over the sounds of the music.

Merle began to throw insults as the two men began to battle around. Flying punches, throwing kicks and roughing it up on the floor. Eventually the chains became longer. Giving more of a fear factor towards the men while the crowd would cheer and whine at everything. This is crazy. Is this meant to be a joke?

"Hey, hey! Where you going?" the Governor asked as he pulled me back to my seat, his girp firm on my skin as even Andrea was looking at the display horrorfied. I was not going to let this continue. Not for all the excuses in the world.

"What the hell is this?!" I demanded, spitting it at him as I felt my heart pound in my chest from anger and adrenaline. I lost my family because of these pricks they have chained up like some sort of...entertainment. This is not entertaining at all. This is foolish.

"It's a way to blow off steam," the Governor tried to make an excuse as he looked around for a second to see what was happening before he looked back at me again.

"Blow off steam? You go for a jog to blow off steam. This is...this is sick," I stated, snarling at the word 'sick' as this was truly the most distubing display I have ever seen. Believe me...I've seen a lot in these worlds to know when something makes my skin crawl. And my skin was currently no longer existing on my body.

"Look around. Everyone's having a great time," the Governor tried to make an excuse. Not me. Not Andrea. Not Milton. And certainly not those walkers they have all tied up in stupid chains.

"It's barbaric," I growled, knowing I meant what I said and what I next had planned.

He leaned in and began to speak quietly. "It's staged," he said with a small laugh. This man is crazy. "Yeah, we pull out the biter's teeth. It's just all for show," he told me as I looked to the snarling creatures that were trying to grab at Merle and the other guy. What about the hands? The scratches? Wait. Are they trying to make a joke out of Michonne?!

"That's crazy. This is your reason for keeping walkers around?" I asked him disgusted that he would do something like this. Andrea sat silently as her eyes were glued to the men, her hand over her lips as she couldn't seem to look away.

"People need entertainment," the Governor tried to defend himself and his actions. Nice fucking try, but this is still not entertainment. Not in a million years.

"So your solution is gladiator fights?" I spat at him, offended and hurt that this prick would think that this was at all a good idea. I knew exactly why he would do something like this. This is like a victory over Michonne. She's gone. She knew exactly that something was wrong with this place. This display right here...is very wrong.

"We're reducing these things. We're controlling them. We're shining a light on the monster under the bed. It's fun. It makes people feel better about the whole thing," the Governor tried to make up for it. It wasn't working and we could both sense it wasn't.

"It's a slippery slope. You're teaching them that walkers aren't dangerous," I inform him as though this was more of a statement than it was a vital piece of information for this world. They are dangerous. These people shouldn't think they aren't.

"We're teaching them not to be afraid," the Governor spoke as cold as ice. His voice went right through me, telling me something that I didn't know how to respond to. I'm going to do it. I don't care if he comes after me. Getting up, I began to run down the stairs, pushing past people and scanned the area. One of the first men nearest to the crowd had a bow and arrow. Specifically...my bow and arrows. "Kat!" the Governor called after me which made some of the men look to me.

Grabbing my bow and two of the arrows from the quiver, I pushed the man away from me as hard as possible. He fell back from the unexpected presence and actions. Lining my arrow into my bow, I shot at one of the walkers at the far end. Down. Getting the other arrow, I shot and saw another fall flat to the ground. Down. The man reached for me, trying to take my bow from me. Dropping it, I blocked his hands in a swift movement.

His back was revealed to me and he was close to stumbling to the floor, grabbing his arm, I pushed my foot down onto his leg and kept adding pressure until I felt and heard a crack come from under my foot. This was when I quickly slipped my hand down to grab the knife from his belt. Grabbing one of the closest walker heads, I jamned the knife between it's eyes and watched it fall.

One of the other men rushed to me, raising his pistol at me as though to stop me but I wasn't finished yet. The crowd was surprised to see what was currently happening. The two men rolled around the floor, unable to move and watching me worriedly. As though I might kill them if I weren't careful. Grabbing the hand of the man holding the pistol, I gave him my back and raised my elbow to connect to his face. Knocking him flat to the ground, unconcious.

Holding the gun now, I raised it and felt another gun point to my head. Grabbing this new hand and pistol, I twisted his arm until I heard a snap and sudden scream. He dropped the gun to the floor, picking it up, I cocked them both and was ready to shoot. Aiming them, the music was suddenly quieter. My nostrils flaring as I had the guns aimed up. No one tried to fight with me this time as I had everyone to my attention.

"This?! This isn't right!" I shout at the silenced people over the music. "These things are dangerous. They are things to fear but things that you shouldn't fear at the same time! They don't just rip us apart...they rip families apart! They ruin lives! Kill us! Feed on our flesh! Now...if you want to keep these shows going...you are deadly wrong," I inform them with my most stern voice.

"They may seem like nothing like this but believe me...they are nothing to the amounts that I have had to deal with. Fighting them...you have to be smart. This world is tough and unpredictable. Treating these creatures, these people who once had lives...as toys is wrong," I stood my ground and this made Andrea nod down at me. A proud gleam in her eyes as she looked at me.

"I'm deeply offended. Would you want to be treated like this if you turned?! They don't deserve this and neither do you. Believe me...walls, fences and anything else you think protects you...won't last forever. Not if you keep thinking that everything is a game," I growled at them, angered that they would all be so foolish.

"Do as you want but...believe me...this isn't how you treat walkers. Walkers are to be feared, but they aren't clever like we are. They're not fast enough but they are one thing for certain...in big numbers...they're deadly," I tell them as I quickly shot at the remaining walkers. Startling the people and then there was sudden silence yet again.

"Since I'm so offended...I will take away one of your beloved leisures," I growled out to them, my voice overpowering and stern. Raising the guns, I shot at the speakers and turned to the crowed. "This wasn't just for me being offended but...for your own protection. Too much noise will draw these things you treat as toys closer. Take it as if I did it for your own benefit. Take it as you will," I spoke the final words quieter. Dropping the guns to the floor, I walked off and didn't turn back. Those guarding gave me room and then there was sudden chatter between the crowds, possibly discussing me and my behaviour...

Hello again! How is everyone? Here's the big question...what do you think of Kat this chapter? As for Katryl...when do you think their first kiss will be? How do you imagine it happening? Hope you liked this! I worked super hard. Disclaimer is I only own Kat and another character which will be soon introduced! 5 REVIEWS PLEASE!

Anywho...back to answering to reviews from last chapter!

KoNeKoLuvsU: I hope you liked this sudden change to Kat.

redangel2463: We'll just have to see. Hope you liked this chapter! I too cried while writing that chapter.

Jorylynn12: She's still loving, she's just harder since everything happened. She's not as sincere and not as easily convinced as she was before. I love Katyl too!

An Amber Pen: Here's your next dose! Hope you liked it!

kayley . doherty: I understand. I too love Katyl. Here's the next chapter!

Until next chapter and the 5 reviews!

Much love

HeroJustInTime90 xx