Chapter Thirty Six

The first of my senses to be regained was my hearing and it amplified a distant sound of a tap dripping. A damp, dull smell tickled my nose and slowly I began to return to consciousness, my mind dazed and confused. I found myself sitting on a hard wooden chair, with my hands tied behind my back with something rough and brittle. Rope perhaps? When I tugged at my bounds, nothing prevailed and I concluded after a few attempts that they were secured tightly. I opened my eyes slowly, cringing at the sudden light, and took in the room around me.

Michonne's still form was in front of me, in a similar state to myself. Though her eyes were closed and her head lolled to the side; the gentle rise and fall of her chest eased my worries however. We were in a dingy, rustic room with only one door in and out it seemed. No furniture resided in the room beside the chairs Michonne and I had been placed on, and there were worryingly looking stains on the concrete floor. A single light bulb hanging on an unstable wire stood above the room and was our only source of light. It illuminated the room barely and gave it a sinister feel to it.

Pain suddenly struck through me as I recalled the attack to the head that I had received. Wincing, the pain throbbed before dulling slightly. We were alone for the present, though fear began to rise within me and after rushing through the events that had lead up to this, in my head, I began to panic.

My sister's betrayal had been pushed aside for a moment in my mind as I thought about the Governor - a much more dangerous foe than my weak-minded sister. Scenarios of his reaction to our presence presented themselves, each more gruesome than the last and I struggled continuously with my bounds, of course though it was in vain. Were we in Woodbury? Surely we must be considering Jessica was with the Governor still? Wasn't she? Though one of the bigger of my concerns was how they found us. Had the followed us? And if so, did that mean they'd followed Rick and the others back to the prison? Oh God, no!

Suddenly, Michonne's form began to twitch and I watched as the woman began to return to the world. When she raised her head, she met my eyes briefly before scanning the room we were in like I had done. Her expression displayed nothing.

"You alright?" Michonne asked, carefully. I nodded before returning the question. She ignored it. "Suppose we're inside Woodbury now."

"Michonne, I'm so sorry. I didn't think! It was my sister and I just lost it and-"

"I know." Michonne reassured me with a sigh. "They would have got us anyway. Bastards."

"But how did they find us?" I urged, frantically. "Were they following us? Do you think they followed the others too?" Michonne shook her head.

"I don't know." She admitted, her eyes observing the room critically. "How long have you been awake?"

"Not long." A pause. "What are we going to do?"

"I don't know." Michonne repeated, decidedly. I didn't like her tone and tried to think of an idea myself though the fear took hold of me and I couldn't focus on anything logical.

"The others could be in danger, and it's all my fault." I gushed, Michonne turned her gaze at me, studying me for a moment.

"Do not blame yourself, Ruby." She told me, firmly. "This is not of our doings, there's only one man behind this."

Just then, there was a muffled murmuring sound coming from outside the door. We both turned to it, waiting with fear and expectancy for those behind it to identify themselves. I continued to pull at my bonds, though only managed in restricting my wrists and rubbing the rope harshly against my skin. The door opened with an ease of dishonest grace and three men entered the room, one of whom sent a feeling of hatred coursing through my veins.

The Governor glanced between the pair of us with an odd expression. His scrutiny was only met with matching glares from Michonne and myself, the latter an attempt to remain strong though I was unsure how it would be perceived. The two other men remained at either side of the door, acting as guards by the looks of it, and the Governor took a couple of steps towards us, his eyes blaring with so much distrust.

"Ladies, or perhaps should I call you; old friends?" The Governor began with feign politeness. He held his arms out, eagle spread. "Welcome to Woodbury." The two men behind him smirked and I eyed them carefully, taking in their heavy weaponry and realising that my own weapons had been stripped from me. Of course, I expected no less.

"A delightful place you've got." I observed with a mutter. The Governor nodded with a smile.

"I've heard some of the people call is paradise." He told us. "Inside here, we're safe from the lurkers and away from the death-"

"You can't escape death." Michonne countered. "No fortified town will protect you." The Governor shrugged and chuckled at this.

"I can try." He countered. There was a pause. "It's been so long since we were last together; it must be over a year now?" Neither answered his question. "God, I have so many memories."

"Don't bother sharing." Michonne retorted, bluntly, and the Governor chuckled, far too good-naturedly to be trusted.

"Do you like what I've done?" He asked. "I built Woodbury from nothing but an overrun wasteland. I gave it light and meaning." He paused, taking in our reactions before moving on. "Took me best part of half a year, I reckon, to make things substantial to live in. But I managed, brought those in that needed a place to stay. Woodbury is a safe haven from the outside world." I narrowed my eyes at this, remembering Andrea's opinion on the matter. "I would give you the tour but-" He trailed off, smiling a little. Everything about the man sickened me.

"We'll pass, thanks." I muttered. He stared between us both for a moment, thoughtfully, before he folded his arms across his chest.

"Enough about me," He began, his voice losing some of it's friendliness. "Why don't you tell me about yourselves? Like, where you've been at?"

"Around." Michonne gritted and he laughed.

"That's very vague."

"Well, that's all we can give you." She muttered, shrugging the best she could in her bounds. The Governor exhaled deeply through his nose.

"Jessica told me what you said," He said, addressing me. "You mentioned a group." I swallowed down the lump in my throat. How could I have been so stupid?! I kicked myself a thousand times over for running my mouth. "Where are they?"

Neither of us answered. I kept my mouth shut, not trusting myself in speaking anymore. Michonne's expression hardened even more so (if that was possible?) and she stared back at the Governor coolly. The man himself glanced between us both, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered what was before him.

"I can provide your group safety." He offered. "I'm more than happy to welcome more numbers to our town. We have plenty of space." I grinded my teeth, hating his sickly innocent offer. "So why don't you tell us where they're at and we can go get them? Bring them to safety?" Again, neither of us said anything and I observed the way the Governor's jaw tightened at our lack of cooperation. "You answer my question and it'll make things a hell of a lot easier." The Governor said, slowly, his voice dangerously low. Michonne scoffed.

"And why would we want things to be easy?" She sneered. The Governor rounded on her with a terrifyingly dark expression.

"I'd watch your tongue if I were you." He warned. "I know how to keep a grudge." Michonne smirked a little.

"So do we." She retorted evenly, without missing a beat. I admired my friend for her defiance but wondered how much her mouth had cost her. My question was answered when the Governor's face fell into a heavy glare and he glanced at me before turning back to his men behind him.

"Take my friend Ruby next door, will you." Not a question, an order. "Michonne and I are going to have a nice friendly chat."

I tensed at his phrasing and tone, but I couldn't do anything as one of the men stepped forward and hoisted me from my seat, abruptly. Struggling, I tried to pull myself from the man, though his grip only tightened on my arm. Glancing over my shoulder, I met Michonne gaze and saw a resigned expression staring back. Worryingly so. The Governor obstructed my view, standing directly in front of my friend. The door slammed shut behind them and fear coursed through me.

"Hold still, girl." The man hissed. Fuck you, I thought.

I kicked out, connecting with his skin. The man doubled over in pain and I took advantage of his loosened grip to try and run. Though I forgot about the other man and I ran directly into him, colliding with his heavy stature. A heavy palm connected with my face and the force of the slap knocked me off balance. Strong arms took hold of my middle and dragged me back into another room, one next door to the one Michonne was in. I tried to lash out again, but the two men were smarter and kept themselves out of the way from my flailing limbs.

This new room was much the same as the last, though had a table as extra furniture. I was shoved on the chair in front of the table and the men tied me securely to the chair. I struggled with failed efforts, though managed to swipe at the men a few times.

"Why are you doing this?" I hissed, eyeing me men, trying to hold my own. Though inside I was breaking.

"There's an old saying; eye for an eye." One of them replied before smirking. "Suppose it applies here."

"I've done nothing to you." I muttered though the pair just smirked.

"Are you going to cooperate?" The other asked, evenly. When I didn't reply he sighed, dramatically. "I'm sure we can change your mind." With that the pair turned and made to leave me alone in the room, though paused before leaving fully.

"Listen carefully to your friend next door." One began. "But know that no matter what you hear, it isn't going to kill her." My eyes widened at the comment and the fear was amplified. "What you hear will no doubt get you in the mood to answer the Governor's questions later on."

"When the screams turn to whimpers, it's your turn." And with that, the sickening duo left me. The sound of the door closing resounded with a defiant clank and I began to panic again.

The men's warnings sent off alarm bells and I feared for Michonne. What was the Governor going to do to her? I tried to get free again but my wrists rubbed painfully against the tight bounds and I hissed with desperate frustration. When I paused in my efforts, I heard the sound of conversation next door.

"-a real shame." The Governor was saying, his voice echoing through the thin walls. I swallowed down the lump in my throat, though could feel the dread building within me. I didn't want to hear what was going to happen. "You're strong, but everyone has a breaking point." A pause. "Lets try and find yours." Movement, furniture moving perhaps? "C'mon, don't be shy. That's a good girl. How about I give you something to keep your mind occupied?"

Bile rose in my throat and I felt suddenly faint listening to the commentary. What made it worse was the lack of Michonne's response. Even from the next room, the muffled sounds of deep, consistent, grunts could be heard between the Governor's words and I bit back the tears when I heard the sounds of Michonne's painful cries in response.

I thumped my head against the desk in front of me, ignoring the pain I received from the impact. No pain could be compared to the one I had to endure listening to Michonne's ordeal.

"Yeah, I like it when you fight it." The Governor continued and I resounded a sob. Oh God, please no. Harsh, horrific memories of the time back with the Governor's came back to me and I couldn't recall a more painful moment than this right now. I hit my head again, willing to drown the sounds out, all the time urging myself to wake up from this horrific nightmare. "'Cause then I get to fight back!"

Stop please to God, Stop!

A scream bit the back of my throat and I tried to will myself to think of something else, anything other than what was happening next door.

I thought of Sophia, her happy lovely face smiling back at me. Images of her and Carl playing animatedly with Toby lightened me a little, though all too quickly the scenario flipped and I imagined the Governor's group ploughing through the fences, taking the prison for their own and Sophia and Carl would be slaughtered in the massacre. All because of me.

"Yeah, oh God!"

I thought of Daryl and regretted parting on such bad terms with the man. I should have tried to fix things between us; at least tried. And now I was lost, severed from the group and hope was fading off the horizon. And the last image of Daryl that I would have was his disappointed, hurt expression looking back at me. The rejection burnt still and I imagined him too falling upon the ambush on the prison. All because of me.

"Don't pass out on me, girl!"

I thought of Jessica and wondered how someone related through blood, my own sister, could betray me like she had. One would think kinship would mean something, would rise above the rest, but Jessica had defied all of this and had sided against me. She had turned me in, sent me to my death. What had I ever done to hurt her and to tempt such a bitter revenge against me? I imagined her treacherous plans and wished so many wrongs against her, a thought that terrified me. She was my sister. But a sister who had turned her back on me.

"That's right - it's good isn't it?"

The salty tears bit the back of my throat and I couldn't occupy my mind much longer. My fists clenched and I tried, weakly, to tug them away from the chair. No luck again, surprise? Sounds next door began to dull out and the groans gradually stopped. There was a long moment of eerie silence which increased my inner pain and fear.

"Alright, I admit that I got a little carried away - but I enjoyed every minute of it!" The Governor's almost joyous voice called through the wall. "What about you?" No response. "I didn't think so. Now, are you ready to talk?" Still no response. "We'll try again later then, huh? Get some rest, as much as you can at least. You'll need your energy for when I return."

I would have screamed if I didn't want to prove a point to these people. I wouldn't be scared easily. Though, of course these were surely lies? My entire being just shook with fear and internal pain after what I had just heard. Things hadn't even started to begin and I was already willing it all to end. I thought of Michonne and hitched a sob at my friend's ordeal. The Governor's actions made me question humanity in it's entirety and I remembered truly how much I loathed the man.

The sound of a door opening and closing caught my attention and I expected the disgusting being to enter my room next. Though no one came and I stared at the door expectantly for a long time before realising that no one was going to come.

Yet.

Two rounds. One for Toby, one for myself.

Two rounds and the hell would be over. Two rounds to the head and no longer would we have to remain as beings merely existing anymore.

I could end this so very easily for my companion and myself. I would be rid of all the horrific memories and diabolic nightmares that followed me everywhere I went. I had tried endlessly to think of reasons to continue living, but my list was gradually getting smaller until I would just be an empty shell that wandered this vast wasteland of an planet.

Gone would the pain, gone would the isolation. Gone would life.

Staring down the barrell of the gun, I considered how truly inviting the idea of death seemed, how easily I could pull the trigger now and end it all.

A resounding scream cut through my thoughts though, one that alerted my numbing senses. It was a noise that I hadn't heard in so long and my body worked in overdrive. Suddenly I was sprinting towards the scream, my intentions and motives undecided at the moment.

That's when she passed by me. Right before my very eyes, a young girl no more than twelve years of age ran startled through the trees. She didn't seem to notice me, but I watched with a stunned countenance as she passed me unknowingly. Behind her trailed two of the dead, eager for the innocent, easy kill and hounding at her every move.

I hesitated no more, knowing what I had to do. Without a second thought, I had taken my bat to the hungry creatures, giving them heavy swings to the head and working ruthlessly to beat their existence from them.

Once I had finished, I eyed the girl before me - she was the first of the living that wasn't an imitating threat and the realisation stunned me for a moment. In that one observation, I took in the girl in her terrified being. I judged her timid nature, the way her hands rung on the rag doll in her hands, the way she stared up at me with those huge doe eyes that held nothing but fear.

I didn't consider for one moment that this girl would give me something worth living for, something in answer to my suicidal bid.

Physically I may have saved Sophia's life, but she had saved mine in it's entirety a thousand times over.

The throb of my head had subsided a little, though I still ached. And I haven't even been given my punishment yet. The ordeal of listening to Michonne's was enough to exhaust me anyway, just worrying about my friend had sent me into a frenzy.

When the door to the room I was being held in finally opened, I couldn't deny the feelings of dread when the Governor sauntered in, closing the door with a resounding bang behind him. The sight of him made me sick. Nothing was said, we merely regarded each other with equal loathing. For a moment the Governor remained standing and I physically flinched when he stepped closer to take a seat on the chair across the table from me. He noticed my unease and smirked a little.

"May I?" The Governor asked , gesturing to the unoccupied chair. I said nothing and the Governor took that as acceptance, taking a seat. "So, did you enjoy the show?" He asked, dryly. I glared at him through hate filled eyes.

"Go to hell." I hissed back, causing him to chuckle.

"Now, now." He muttered, clasping his hands together before him and leaning forward on his arms. "You're the lucky one, Ruby. Thanks to your sister's wishes, you've been spared from the same punishment as Michonne." I narrowed my eyes, confused as to why my sister would want me to be spared from any sort of pain. It was because of Jessica that we were here, surely there was no goodness left in her? "She wants me to go easy on you." The Governor shrugged. "Sibling loyalty, huh?"

"My sister isn't exactly a prime example of sibling loyalty." I replied in return and the Governor laughed good-heartedly.

"Perhaps not, but she has other talents that are in her favour." He sneered and I grimaced.

"And what are you going to do to me then?" I asked, eyeing him with distaste.

"Well, first we're going to talk." He told me. "I'm sure you're feeling a little cooperative after overhearing Michonne and my little 'chat'."

"Quite the opposite." I countered. "You can go fuck yourself if you think I'm telling you anything." The Governor laughed.

"Cute." He observed with a nod. "You have so much potential, Ruby. I didn't realise how strong you were the first time round, and it cost me. I lost a lot that night you and Michonne decided to scarper."

"Cry me a river."

"But I'm here to offer some amends." The Governor continued, ignoring my comment. "I'll offer you a place in Woodbury, to live without fear amongst other survivors." He paused. "All you have to do is tell me where the rest of your group is."

"Why?" I seethed through gritted teeth. "You have Michonne and I, why do you need to know about our group?" The Governor studied me in thoughtful silence and I scoffed. "You afraid they'll come and take you on? You afraid they'll destroy everything you have? You afraid they'll kill you?" He chuckled, shaking his head.

"You're saying they'll come looking for you when they realise you're missing?" I shrugged nonchalantly, not replying to his question definitely. The Governor exhaled and leant back in his chair, observing me with a frown. "You were travelling light when we pulled you in, that suggests you're holding up somewhere secure. You were also found in the red zone-"

"Red zone?"

"Somewhere we tend to avoid; too overrun with lurkers and biters." He explained before continuing. "And that suggests that you're perhaps close by." I raised an eyebrow and said nothing. "Or that there was a reason you've wandered this far." I shrugged.

"Michonne and I like the danger." I muttered, mockingly. The Governor didn't seem impressed.

"Cooperating will make all of this move faster." He told me. "I want answers, Ruby. I'm starting to get real impatient."

"You don't seem to have much patience then, I mean, it's a wonder how you've tolerated my sister for so long. She's not the easiest going girls to handle and you seem a little strung up yourself." The Governor said nothing at my sarcy comment though eyed me dangerously. Fear rose within me again though I masked it quickly.

Suddenly he shoved his chair away with a scrap and stood up. I looked up at his raised stature with terrified eyes. He stared back with a menacing expression. Slowly, he walked around the table and I tensed when he disappeared from view as he passed behind me. I held my breath, waiting with fear for what he would do. I couldn't suppress a yelp as the Governor yanked back hard on my chair, pulling me away from the table. He appeared again, standing before me and grabbing my chin roughly; urging me to look up at him.

"You're going to tell me where your people." He told me, slowly. "Make it easier for yourself, Ruby." I swallowed hard, trying to hold his gaze defiantly. When I said nothing, the dread built within me as I waited for his reaction.

He was so quick. The Governor had held my gaze for a moment before my head had struck to the side with the force of his fist connecting with the left of my face. I grunted in pain, feeling my jaw snap at his brute force. He didn't wait for me to regain myself before grabbing my chin roughly again and landing another punch to my jaw. I bit my tongue this time and I began to taste iron in my mouth.

"Where are they?" The Governor demanded again. I shook my head.

"Go to hell." I repeated through my damaged jaw.

He tugged me back by my hair and I hissed with pain as I felt him rip some clumps free. After a few more fists to the face, I was struggling to see, my visibility was wavering. Coughing, I felt blood build within my mouth some more and I was struggling to breath a little.

When the Governor had paused, I tried to build some strength; to hold some courage against this monster. But suddenly the air was winded from me as I took a blow to the chest. I cried out, wincing and doubling over, only to be tugged straight again by my hair. The Governor eyed me menacingly.

"You had enough yet?" He asked, evenly. I said nothing and could do nothing to prepare myself for another wave of my punishment. The pain intensifying this time around.

With each blow now, I struggled to return back, struggled to keep my eyes open, to keep my bearings. My vision was fading now and I knew I was fighting a losing battle to stay awake. The Governor's questions were an echoing blur now and slowly but surely I felt myself leave the world of consciousness for a second time.

…

The pain throbbed, a numbing sensation.

When I awoke the second time I was greeted with the sight of an empty room before me. Whether this was comforting, I did not know, but I was glad enough not to be staring at the Governor's menacing face again.

The punishment I had received had left me broken and bloody; I could still taste iron that lingered in my mouth and I winced a chuckle. He went easy on me, huh? My vision was still damaged as I stared at the room with tired eyes. My entire head hurt, as did my chest and I wheezed a cough, rupturing pain through my torso. The bare light only burned my eyes and I flinched away from the blaring bulb, trying to ease myself into the world again, though the pain was so intense.

I thought of Michonne, how she was faring and hated myself even more so than before after reliving the memories of what she had had to go through. Her ordeal was so much worse than me own and yet here I was, wincing in pain and revelling in weakness. Give me strength, if only for Michonne.

My entire body burned with hatred for the man that had caused both our pain and I hadn't considered another moment in my life when I had wished so much wrong on another. His being made me sick and I didn't shy away from imagining his death in the most gruesome and horrific of ways.

The slow sound of footsteps outside was registered and I tensed without meaning to. I set my struggling gaze on the door, awaiting a visitor and hating the feeling of fear building up in me. I wanted to remain strong, but was finding it hard to.

Chatter outside my door. I was thankful Michonne had been saved from the next wave of punishment, but dreaded what was going to happen to me right now. I swallowed hard and tried to hold a strong expression. I wouldn't let them see my fear.

The door handle turned though the door didn't open immediately. There was a hesitation. Though slowly the door swung open and revealed a figure hidden by darkness. I took in their demeanour and realised instantly that they weren't the Governor, but willed them to step into the dull light of the bulb to reveal themselves. Though the figure paused in the doorway for a long moment of time, merely staring at my broken form from the shadows.

"Well c'mon then!" I cried at them. "Show yourself, you coward!"

I wasn't graced with a verbal response, though the figure took a step into the room, enough to close the door behind them and shut out the rest of the vermin but enough to remain hidden in the darkness.

After a long hesitation, the figure finally stepped into the light and I visibly started at the sight of them and their identity. A new emotion washed over me and I was completely immobile for a moment, stunned completely for words. Nothing could have prepared me for the person stood before me and judging by their expression they hadn't expected to find me here either.

A new pain struck me, one internal and long overdue. But despite everything, despite the physical pain that numbed me, despite my situation and despite Michonne's, I couldn't help but smile at the man before me with resounding happiness. Happiness to see him again.

"Merle!"

(Author's Note): I'm sorry for the hassle from this chapter, I've been trying to put it up for a while now but have been experiencing some technical problems... I think other authors have too. So, very sorry for the trouble!

A short chapter, I'm afraid, but hopefully it contained enough excitement to content you all! This chapter was very hard to write, torture really isn't my 'thing', so hopefully it came out alright?

Regarding Michonne's rape - yes, it's brutal and I'm very sorry about that. The dialogue is taken pretty much straight form the comics if anyone cared to know too. I'm hesitant to how it all came out so please tell me what you guys think! It'll mean a lot.

And how are people feeling about the appearance of a certain someone? How do you all think Merle will react to Michonne and Ruby being there? Will it be a happy reunion for the friends? Or will tension brew? ;) Let me know what you guys predict will happen!

Thanks for the reviews on the previous chapter, I really appreciate them! Please tell me what you think of this chapter and I'll have an update as soon as. To my American readers; enjoy the season 3 restart on Sunday! As a UK fan, I'm jealous of you all as I have to wait till Friday for it to return for me. I will ask though that no spoilers in reviews! I'd really appreciate that, thank you! :)