Chapter 26

"So Gwen tell me….how did you and Merle first meet?" The Governor asked as they headed down the road in one of the SUVs from town. Andrew and a few other men that Gwen had only seen around town, along with the Governor were heading to the neighboring towns to scavenge for food and other supplies.

Gwen was reluctant to go into much detail with The Governor. She and Merle had talked that morning on how much to tell him if he asked to make sure they had the same story down. Merle was insistent she not mention the house. Gwen couldn't figure out why though since it was now worthless and overrun but Merle wouldn't budge. Only tell The Governor the basics.

"Do you always questioned people about their personal lives?" Gwen asked.

"Why all the secrecy, Gwen?" You and Merle both have been very reluctant to speak about one another. It's a simple question….most people are happy to talk about their loved ones." The Governor smiled at her.

"Well Merle's reluctant to speak about most things…." Gwen remarked.

"True….can't argue there….but please….this is not an attack, I'm just wanting to get to know you better." He insisted.

"We met after the outbreak…..after his hand….well….you know…..I helped nurse him back to health and we just connected….it wasn't what either of us had planned it just sort of happened. But then we got separated." Gwen told him.

"And how did that happen exactly?" He questioned.

"I'd rather not talk about it….you can "get to know me" all you want but being away from Merle was extremely difficult. I thought I'd never see him again and I'd rather not relive that time by discussing it….I'm sure you understand Governor…" Gwen wanted to make sure she stuck to the basics. She did as Merle wanted….no mention of the house.

The Governor smirked at her statement. He was seeing Gwen's stubborn streak and quickly realizing that she and Merle were more alike than most would realize. "I can understand that…..see….I'm an understanding man Gwen…..I want you to know you can trust me."

"So tell me something about you….seeing that we're sharing and all." Gwen remarked as she smirked back at him.

The Governor's expression changed to one of pain and sorrow which caught Gwen off guard. "There's not much to tell really…..my family and I survived together awhile after the outbreak but tragedy struck like it did many….they've all passed….I was alone when I started to rebuild this town….guess that's why I'm so passionate about protecting it and keeping it safe. I want to watch it grow and thrive like a family would…..like my family didn't get the chance to…."

As much as Gwen still didn't trust the Governor or agree with his totalitarian attitude, she couldn't help but feel sorry for him at that moment. She could see he was fighting the emotion back as he spoke briefly of his family. The outbreak changed everyone….made them into different people, either infected or not….they were all different….everyone was capable of doing things they never would've dreamed of before….including the Governor.

"I noticed your scar…." The Governor motioned to the side of her face. "How did that happen? I have to say I quite admire you for that…most women would be self conscious and try to hide it but you never seem to pay it much mind. It shows your strength."

Gwen touched the side of her face, she did often push the thought of it out of her mind. "I didn't do anything wrong….why should I be ashamed of it?"

"Of course not…..I didn't mean to imply that you should be…" The Governor told her.

"Someone I trusted…..left me for walker food so he could save himself." Gwen remarked. It wasn't a story she cared to give much detail on but like she had said, she wasn't ashamed of it and refused to feel sorry for herself about it. The scar was there….it would always be a reminder but she wouldn't be it's victim.

"Was it someone you cared for?" The Governor asked.

"Does it really even matter? It is what it is….it's done…I don't dwell on it." Gwen told him.

"Where is he now?" The Governor asked.

"Don't know and don't care….." Gwen looked out the window at the scenery as they drove. She was tired of talking.

"Curious…I know Merle feels as if he's been wronged….his hand and rightly so I'm sure…..I certainly wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of that equation if he were to find those who he feels are responsible…..but I'm curious as to your feelings on the matter….what would you do if you ran into this man again….what would you want to do?"

Gwen glared back at The Governor….at first she didn't speak but just stared at him. Finally she looked down and back out the window. "I think we've done enough talkin' for now…."

.

Lincoln relieved Merle from gate watch so he could break for lunch. Merle holstered his .45 and started to walk past the bar when Darlene cut him off.

"I'll give you something to eat for lunch Merle…." Darlene smiled as she brushed up close to him.

Merle gently shoved her aside and started on his way again. "Give it a rest Darlene..."

"The Governor has somethin' planned for your girl..." She shouted at him.

Merle stopped dead in his tracks. Slowly he turned around and glared at her. "You're lyin'"

"Am I? Why do you think he wanted her out with him on a scavenge today? Just to play getting to know you? Please Merle...you ain't that stupid..." She remarked as she leaned against the door to the bar.

Merle rushed back over to her and grabbed her by the throat. "You best not be fuckin' lyin' to me..."

"You know I like it rough Merle but not out here...come inside and I'll tell you everything..." Darlene smiled as she licked her lips.

Merle looked both ways up and down the street but not many people were out walking around. "Fine..." He remarked and he followed her inside.

"Sit down..." Darlene motioned to one of the lounge chairs at the front of the bar.

"Tell me what you know..." Merle demanded.

Darlene looked sternly at Merle and rested her hands on her hips. "This ain't gonna be a somethin' for nothin' Merle...you need to play nice."

Hesitantly Merle sat down, resting his arms on the arms of the chair. "Well...what do you want?"

Darlene straddled herself across his lap. "You know what I want Merle..." She whispered as she leaned in close and began kissing down his neck.

Merle pushed her gently off his lap and she slinked down onto the floor, kneeling between his legs.

"I ain't fuckin' ya...tell me what you know or I'm leavin'." He said.

Darlene smiled up at him as she leaned forward and began to undo his belt and pants. "Ya ain't gotta fuck me Merle...just let me make you feel good...come on...you know you want to...quit fightin' it." With that she slipped her hand into his pants, cupping his buldge into her hand, quickly causing it to swell. Merle groaned trying unsuccesfully with every last ounce he had to stop his body from reacting to her touch. She slipped him out of his pants and stroked the length of his shaft with a firm steady grip as his resistance dissolved away. She teased him with the flickering of her tongue across his tip and he knew his efforts were futile. He reached for her, entertwining his fingers in her hair against the back of her head and pulled her towards him as she took him fully into her mouth...

.

Gwen and Andrew were running full speed down the alley, trying to make their way back to the main road towards the SUV where the others were waiting. As they approached the end, three more walkers rounded the corner. They were surrounded.

"I ain't got much ammo left..." Andrew said frantically.

Gwen gripped her knife tightly wishing the Governor had trusted her with a gun. She didn't want them close enough for hand to hand but with the way things were looking she didn't think they would have much of a choice.

"Up...go up..." Andrew shouted at her as he pushed her over towards the fire escape. Gwen shoved the knife back in the shealth attached to her belt and rushed to climb us as Andrew followed behind her. The walkers swarmed beneath them, one grabbing ahold of Andrew's ankle. He cried out as it bit down onto his ankle. Kicking it off with his other foot, he struggled to hold on to the ladder.

"Fuckin' shit..." Andrew yelled as he fought to pull himself further up the ladder.

Gwen's heart was racing, the adrenaline surging through her body. Finally she reached the rooftop and turned around to help Andrew the rest of the way up and watched as the walkers struggled between each other as to which one would climb the ladder. Their only saving grace was how stupid the walkers were...each driven by it's primitive desire to feed but none of them smart enough to figure they needed to climb one at a time to chase after them. Gwen pulled Andrew onto the roof where he collapsed and clutched his ankle.

"Fuckin' thing bit me..." Andrew yelled as he cringed in pain.

Gwen grabbed the walkie talkie off his belt. Out of breath she struggled to speak into it. "WE NEED HELP...WE'RE TRAPPED ON TOP OF THE OLD BANK...WALKERS ARE ALL ON THE SOUTH SIDE" Gwen couldn't help but shout. She didn't think she could whisper at that point even if her life depended on it.

The Governor's voice came across the radio. "Can you jump to the next building over?"

Gwen grabbed Andrew by the arm and struggled to help him up. "COME ON..."

They both struggled over to the north side of the building but the gap with the alley below was too wide for them to jump especially with Gwen's leg beginning to throb and Andrew's bit ankle, there was no way either one of them could make the jump.

"IT'S TOO FAR...WE WON'T MAKE IT." Gwen replied on the walkie.

"We can't risk getting trapped in the alley...is it clear for you to make it back down to the ground? We can get to the entrance and hold back the walkers but you'll have to move fast...our time will be limited before we're over run..." The Governor replied.

"IT'S CLEAR FOR NOW..." Gwen replied.

"Go now!' The Governor ordered.

Gwen struggled to get Andrew over the edge and on the fire escape ladder. Andrew shook and almost fell a couple of times on the way down as Gwen followed after him. As he got to alley, he collapsed on the ground and Gwen dropped down next to him, falling herself as her injured leg gave out from underneath her.

The SUV screeched to a hault at the end of the alley. The Governor stepped out of the front passenger side and began firing his gun at the walkers heading their way. The man from the rear driver's side stepped out, leaving the door wide open and began firing.

"COME ON, LET'S GO NOW!" The Governor shouted at her as she struggled to her feet. She grabbed Andrew under his arm and helped him up as he cried out again in pain. Tucking herself under his arm they both struggled and limped as quickly as they could to the vehicle. Once they were at the door the Governor shouted at them again.

"GET IN NOW OR WE'RE LEAVING YOU HERE!" He ordered as he climbed back into the front passenger seat.

Andrew struggled to pull himself across the seat as Gwen slid in next to him, followed by the other man who slammed the door shut.

"LET'S GO!" The Governor ordered to the driver as they sped off.

Both Andrew and Gwen were exhausted and out of breath as they struggled to breathe deeply.

The Governor turned around in his seat to look at them. "Did you get anything?"

"Just what's in my backpack...few weapons and cans of food." Gwen replied breathy as she slipped it off her shoulders and tossed it in the cargo area behind her then leaned against the back of the seat.

"And Andrew? What happened to yours?" The Governor demanded.

"Sorry Gov...I dropped it a ways back...I tried to put it on my shoulder as we were running when the walkers started chasin' us and I dropped it...wasn't enough time to go back." He replied.

"So why is it Gwen was able to get hers on and you weren't?" The Governor asked sternly.

Andrew paused for a moment and looked even more deflated than he already did. "Cause she already had her's on before we saw 'em."

"Guess you learned a valuable lesson today then...from a newbie no less..." The Governor said with the sound of disappointment in his voice.

He turned back around and faced the front as they drove out of town. All were quiet for a few minutes but Gwen's heart felt as if it were going to pound through her chest

Still remaining forward, the Governor spoke again. "You both were limping...what happened? Are you injured?"

"Just my leg...aggravated my injury from before with all the running...guess it was just too soon." Gwen remarked.

Andrew remained silent. Gwen looked over at him and waited for him to speak up.

"Andrew?" The Governor asked.

"Just twisted my ankle is all..." Andrew told him as he glared back at Gwen.

The Governor turned back around in his seat and looked at both of them, then his eyes were fixed on Gwen. "Well?...Is that all it is Gwen?"

Gwen hesitantly broke her stare with Andrew and looked at the Governor. She knew there was no point in trying to cover for Andrew because she knew there was no hope for him. "No..." She turned her attention back to Andrew. "I'm sorry Andrew...he's been bit."

The Governor whipped back around and slammed his fist into the dashboard and cursed loudly.

"You fuckin' bitch...I wouldn't have gotten bit if it wasn't for you...I let you up the ladder first...it's your fault, least you could do was have my back but you're nothin' but a fuckin' cunt!" Andrew yelled at her then swung his fist striking her across the cheek.

"STOP THE VEHICLE!" The Governor shouted and the driver slammed on the brakes. The Governor jumped out of the passenger side and looked up and down the road to make sure it was clear of walkers and jerked Andrew's passenger door open and dragged him out hard onto the ground. His fists still flailing about.

The man in the rear seat with Gwen shoved her out towards the passenger side and she couldn't get her feet underneath her in time to keep from falling. As soon as she hit the ground she felt someone's hand on the back of her head and they jerked her up by her hair and held on tight. They pulled her face towards theirs and Gwen found herself staring at The Governor.

"What's the rule Gwen...I shouldn't have to address this with you so soon...WHAT'S THE RULE?" The Governor shouted at her.

Gwen's mind was racing, she couldn't think fast enough. "I...I..."

"WHAT IS IT? DON'T MAKE ME ASK YOU A THIRD TIME." The Governor angrily spit as he yelled at her.

"IF YOU'RE BIT...YOU DON'T COME BACK..."She shouted back at him, her hands around his wrist, her head sore from his tight grip.

The Governor shoved her roughly to the ground. Gwen heard the clicking of a gun from the sound of a cartridge being racked into the chamber. Hesitantly she looked up and The Governor had his arm extended with his gun pointed at her.

"Stand up..." He said calmly.

Gwen struggled to her feet barely able to put much weight onto her injured leg but still managed. She could feel her body begin to uncontrollably shake from the combination of adrenaline, fear and pain.

"Give me your hand..." He stated as his eyes stared coldly at her.

Hesitantly Gwen extended her hand and felt the cold metal of the gun against her palm.

"And what do you do with those who are bit?" The Governor asked.

Gwen gripped the gun in her hand, taking it from The Governor. "The bit get a bullet in the brain." She said softly.

Gwen looked at Andrew, stunned at the situation she now found herself in. Andrew began to beg and plead for his life, weeping as he told her he was sorry for hitting her. Tears welled up in Gwen's eyes but she fought them back.

The Governor stepped closer to her as she stared at Andrew and whispered to her. "He's been bit...he WILL turn...there is no saving him...there is no choice...you do what you must and put him out of his misery...there...is...no...saving...him."

Gwen pointed the gun at Andrew as her hands shook. She took a few deep breaths to try and steady herself. She hobbled closer to him, she couldn't afford to miss.

"Close your eyes Andrew..." Gwen told him as a few tears began to spill down her cheeks.

Andrew reluctantly closed his eyes as he continued to say over and over. "Please...no...please...just help me..."

Gwen took a final deep breath. As much as she wished things were different, she knew the Governor was right...there was no saving him..."I'm so sorry Andrew...I'm so sorry..." Gwen gently squeezed the trigger.

The shot range out and seemed louder than any other gunshot she had ever heard. She closed her eyes as she dropped the gun to her side and started to cry. The Governor grabbed the weapon from her hand.

"Get ahold of yourself..." The Governor ordered coldly.

Gwen wiped the tears from her face, her cheek sore and swollen along with her jaw from the punches Andrew previously landed.

Gwen heard the gun click again and watched in horror as the Governor pointed the gun at her.

"Now...it concerns me you broke a rule so quickly Gwen...I had high hopes for you..." The Governor told her.

"But...there wasn't any time to even think...we were just tryin' to get out." Gwen pleaded.

"I also hate excuses Gwen...rules are rules...and all rules have punishments." The Governor told her.

Gwen frantically tried racking her brain as to what her punishment was but couldn't think fast enough...

"Now...take off your clothes...including your boots." The Governor ordered as the other men snickered.

Gwen's eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. She definately didn't remember that being one of the punishments.

"DO IT UNLESS YOU WANT YOUR OWN BULLET!" The Governor yelled at her.

Reluctantly Gwen removed all of her clothes until she was standing before him only her underwear. She stood there and waited for him to speak with her arms crossed over her chest, shivering from the cold and the stress of it all.

"Turn around..." Gwen did so as the Governor ordered and he ordered her back to facing him.

"Now that I know without a doubt that your limping is from your previous injury then I will allow you back to town...however...you did break a rule. You aren't to bring back a person that's been bit. I will, however, show you some lienancy considering the circumstances...you didn't make it back to town and you were honest when asked. That shows me your rule breaking wasn't intentional and like I've said before...I'm not an unreasonable man. You may get dressed and we will drive back to town...you however, will be walking the rest of the way back...I hope for your sake you make it back before dark..."

With that The Governor dropped the magazine out of his handgun and ejected the cartridge that was in the chamber. He pulled a fully loaded magazine out of his pocket and dropped the unloaded weapon and magazine on top of her clothing. He turned and motioned for the men to get back into the SUV and left Gwen on the side of the road, almost naked standing next to Andrew's lifeless body.

Gwen dropped to her knees and uncontrollable wept as she slowly got dressed...