Chapter Thirty Seven
Merle was thinner than before, surprisingly so. His cheek bones were more prominent and the shirt and vest get-up he wore, hung off his slimmer frame. What caught my attention immediately was the terrifying looking contraption on the end of his handless arm. It was a metal device, complete with a sharp and intimidating looking knife at the end of it. It strapped in place on his arm and looked as though it had been there a while, I wondered preciously how long so. His expression hadn't altered since he arrived into the light, it was a confused scrutiny that unnerved me the longer the silence drew out. His eyes devoured my face and I wondered the state I looked; probably unpleasant. My once happy feeling had faded and I felt uncomfortable by Merle's stare.
A range of thoughts wandered through my mind in those moments of silence. Why was he here? Why was he with the Governor? Was he a prisoner too?Taking in his appearance and armed persona, he didn't seem to look like a prisoner. This most definitely unnerved me and I tensed considerably, eyeing the man with dread. The man who I had longed to see again after our time apart. This most certainly wasn't the reunion I was expecting or hoped for.
"Merle?" I tried hesitantly, through broken lips. The oldest Dixon didn't respond though took another step forward. He broke the locked gaze to glance briefly down at the chair the Governor once sat in. With a pause, Merle took a seat in the chair opposite me, resting the metal contraption on the table and leaning back in a slouch. He then turned back to me with a look of disbelief.
"Ain't ya suppose to be dead?" His southern voice twanged; his voice, not a figment of my imagination anymore. I winced a slight chuckle, though wheezed through the pain.
"Seems not." I muttered, trying to smile. "Long story short, I got myself out of the shit." Merle scoffed and grinned.
"Fuckin' Jesus!" Merle shook his head with disbelief. "Didn't think I'd ever see ya pretty face again, darlin'!" He ran his only hand over his balding head, staring at me with an unfathomable expression. "Went back to look for ya body, thought ya must have turned when I couldn't find ya."
"Wait, you went looking for me?" I asked. Merle nodded slowly.
"When Micky 'nd I got separated, figured I'd go back 'nd see if I could find ya body. Just so I knew." He shrugged and I felt over-whelmed by his confession. He had gone back for me. "Guess I must have known ya were still alive, though I lost hope that I'd find ya again." The happiness in seeing my friend suddenly faded when I remembered our situation and who we were with. More importantly who Merle was with. "Where the hell ya been hidin' at, girl?" I tensed, eyeing my old friend with sickening unease.
"You're with the Governor." I breathed, shaking my head once. Merle's grin slowly faded from his face. "I can't believe you, after everything he did to us." Merle shook his head defiantly, leaning forward. "What the hell happened to you?"
"He saved me." Merle said, exhaling deeply. "I was dyin'; pretty fucked up. He picked me up off the side of the road, literally. I was near enough dead but I recognised his ugly face instantly. Expected him to string me up again, beat me to death 'nd all that." He scoffed and shrugged. "But he didn't. Told me he remembered me, but decided to spare me. Needed more men apparently. He brought me 'ere, made me one of his guards. That was months ago now, I reckon. A long, long time ago." He paused, judging my expression thoughtfully. There was a long pause and I couldn't suppress the scoff of disbelief at what I had just heard.
"You his poker buddy at the weekend too?" I muttered with distaste. Merle narrowed his eyes at my comment.
"Don't be like that, girl-"
"No, I will be like that, Merle!" I hissed, leaning forward though wheezing at the strain on my chest. Merle started a bit, looking mildly concerned at my discomfort. Only mildly. "That asshole that you're following is a monster! I would have thought you of all people would know that!"
"Things are different now, Ruby."
"They're exactly the same." I countered, furious with my once friend. "Look what he did to me!" Merle eyed my face warily, taking in the bruises and blood. "Is this the work of a changed man?" Merle didn't reply though glared at me with heavy frustration. "And why don't you take a trip next door? See what state he left Michonne in too!" Merle looked confused and I scoffed. "I didn't think rape was the work of a changed man either." Merle's frustration heightened and he leant away from me. "What the fuck happened to you, Merle?"
"Ain't nothin' happened to me. Don't ya dare sit there 'nd judge me like ya know what I've been through." Merle hissed, dangerously. I wasn't as intimidated by Merle's tone as much as he must have intended.
"Then please, tell me what you've been through. Tell me how hard it's been for you, Merle. Enlighten me, if you will?" I countered with sickly sweet ignorance. "I see you've got yourself a new toy, was that a gift from your boyfriend too?"
"Fuck you!" Merle shouted, suddenly leaping forward and grabbing my lightly blood-stained shirt with his only hand, tugging me forward harshly. I winced at the pain though Merle disregarded my discomfort. "Ya don't get to come back here 'nd act like ya know what's happened! Ya don't get to come back after so long 'nd do that! Ya don't know shit!"
"Well, that's just it, Merle." I muttered, trying to not shy away from his closer, furious expression. "I do know shit. I know that the old Merle wouldn't be so willing to roll over backwards for a man like that, the old Merle wouldn't stand for this bullshit. He's playing with your mind." I shook my head and scoffed. "And you're letting him." With a frustrated hiss, Merle shoved me back and I couldn't help the slight yelp of fear escape from my lips.
Merle shoved away from the table, eyeing me with a look of distaste. There so much malice behind his gaze, one that confused me. What had happened to Merle? We were friends at a past point in time. What had changed?
"Why did you come?" I muttered, shaking my head. Merle raised an eyebrow. "You're his man now, why bother coming to see me?" Merle shrugged before smirking a little.
"Beats me." He replied, nonchalantly. I scoffed.
"We were friends once, Merle." I tried. "Does that not mean something to you?" He didn't respond for a long time. "You came back for me! You obviously care."
"Maybe once." Merle muttered, shaking his head. "But the world moves on, don't ya think it's time ya should too, sugar?"
"No." I shook my head. "No I don't think I should. I'm going to hold onto the good in you, Merle." I told the man, firmly. Merle's eyes widened with disbelief at my comment and I chewed my lip for a moment. "Help us."
"What?"
"You heard." I waited for a response but didn't get one. "Please, Merle. Get us out of this. We can leave Woodbury together, start again-"
"'Nd why would I want that?" Merle asked, a slight devilish smirk on his features. "I have things pretty sweet here; great set up." He placed his hand on the table and leant forward, sneering as I leant away. "Why would I want to do a stupid thing 'nd ruin all that?"
"Because Michonne and I would for you." I breathed, taking Merle by surprise. His expression tensed for a moment before he backed away from the table and a smirk appeared on his face again.
"The catch up has been nice, girly, but I'm afraid I have to run." Merle announced, an air of feign confidence in his tone. "Got things to do." He turned his back on me, sauntering over to the door. With each step I felt Michonne's and my last hope leave with him and knew I needed to try some else. "Maybe I'll see you around-"
"I've met your brother!" I called, halting Merle dead as he opened the door slightly. I watched his back tense and there was a moment of awkward silence as neither of us did anything. The resounding sound of Merle slamming the door shut made me flinch, as did the equally harsh expression on the man's face as he rounded on me. He took slow, careful steps towards me and I swallowed hard, trying not to remain inferior under my once-friend's gaze.
"What did ya just say?" Merle asked, dangerously. I didn't speak for a moment, unsure on how to even approach a coherent reply. Merle seemed frustrated by my lack of response and was in my face in an instant. "Answer me!"
"Daryl - your brother - I've met him." I stuttered. Merle's eyes devoured mine.
"Ya better start explain' yourself real soon, sweetheart." Merle warned. I swallowed hard, shaking my head once.
"I can't tell you." I breathed and Merle hissed with frustration. "You'll tell him." At this Merle's expression changed from angry to confused. "I can't let him know, Merle. I'm protecting them."
"Them?" Merle muttered before it suddenly dawned on him. "Ya with Officer Friendly too, huh?" He narrowed his eyes. "Ya know that was the asshole that handcuffed me to that roof, right? 'Nd that nigga T-Dog was the one who dropped the key?" I nodded once and Merle still scoffed. "'Nd ya still with 'em?"
"And you know what the Governor has done to Michonne and I, you're still with him-"
"Don't change the subject!" Merle screeched, slamming the blade on the end of his arm into the table. The wood splintered and I bit back a flinch. "Now, ya gonna tell me 'bout my brother 'nd ya gonna tell me now." I studied his reaction, his demeanour and his attitude. Nothing about the man was stable and I knew better than to blurt out the group's whereabouts to him when he was in this state. If I had the same attitude with Jessica then maybe we wouldn't be in this mess. I kicked myself mentally.
"No." I shook my head. "No, I will not tell you." Tears rose to my eyes as I waited in fear for Merle's response.
In a moment a flash of desperation struck Merle's gaze and a moment later his only hand took my throat, squeezing the breath from me. I took in Merle's gaze, the immense hatred in his eyes and felt unbelievably terrified. I struggled to breath, I tried to talk; to try make Merle see sense, but I couldn't force the words out. This wasn't the Merle I remembered.
"Merle, please-" I struggled out. Merle's eyes didn't comprehend my words apparently and he only squeezed harder. "Merle, you're-" Oh God. "You're killing me."
As quickly as the anger had struck, the desperate and feared look slowly faded in Merle's eyes. His grip on my throat eased off and Merle stared back at me with a look of confusion. When he dropped his hand away for my throat, I coughed and wheezed unsteady breaths. Merle observed my struggles for a moment before backing away slowly. The air between us was tense now, and different. I didn't know what to think anymore. A part of me willed for the man before me to be the Merle I once knew, but his angered bid to kill me told me otherwise.
"If ya won't tell me anythin', at least tell me this," Merle began slowly. I glanced up, fearfully, at man. "At least tell me if my brother's alive." I was taken back in slight shock at his requested knowledge and my heart softened towards my once-friend. But that was all he was now; a once-friend. Nothing more.
"Yes." I nodded, when I finally regained my breath back. "Yes, he's alive." If I hadn't believed Merle to be so heartless then I wouldn't have been surprised by the sigh of relief from the man before me.
Merle nodded once, his expression thoughtful. He said nothing more and instead turned away from me again and walked back toward the door. This time I felt no more urges to say something else to the man; in fear a repeat of before would happen. He may have been my friend once but in one moment Merle had made me fearful of him. I swallowed hard and watched tensely as he paused at the door.
"If ya answer his questions then he won't hurt ya no more." Merle said, remaining with his back to me.
"I can't." I breathed. "If I tell him then he'll kill them. He'll kill Daryl, Merle."
"Ya don't know that." Merle countered.
"Why else does he want to know then?" I asked, exhaustion kicking in. "It's not for good intentions and you know it." I took in his tense back and half-heartedly tried again. "Help us, Merle. Help us, please." I expected a scoff or another angry remark, though instead my pleads were met with a tired sigh.
"I'll be back later." And he was gone, shutting the door firmly behind him. There was brief hesitation before his footsteps echoed away from my door and I knew he was truly gone.
Tears lingered in my eyes and I bit my lip to stop them from rising. I was fighting a losing battle though and my sobs soon echoed in the silent room. And I didn't stop until I heard footsteps return and enter Michonne's room. The Governor had returned for some more. And after round two of Michonne's ordeal, I cried again, willing this nightmare to just end.
The Governor returned to my room shortly after dealing with Michonne. He questioned me again, hoping that I was feeling more up for complying with his interrogation. But I ignored most of his questions and was met with the same return as before. The Governor left me exhausted and beaten, sneering that he would be back later. Fuck him, I thought as the footsteps echoed away. I imagined Michonne next door, a broken shell to what she once was. I longed to see her, to show her that I was still here for her. I wanted to take her pain away, to take it for my own. In those bitter moments, I concluded that I would rather take Michonne's torture for my own - trade places with her. It was too late now though. The damage had been done and I mourned for my friend's pain and being.
I thought of the group; would they be looking for us? After all the questions, I had concluded that the Governor didn't know the whereabouts of them and that filled me with some comfort. I wondered if they'd noticed we were missing yet. Surely they must have done, though I did not know how long Michonne and I had been taken captive by these people. Time had blurred now.
I didn't recall falling asleep but found myself opening my eyes in daze and raising my head, my whole body stiff from my positioning. The first thing I noticed when I re-entered consciousness was that I wasn't alone and after a few moments of blinking I recognised the figure before me.
Laurent hadn't bothered taking a seat, but remained standing, staring down at me. I refrained the urge to scoff at his attempt of intimidation, too exhausted to even waste my time. The man raised an eyebrow at me.
"Aren't you going to sit?" I muttered. After a moment of hesitation, the man complied and sat down, dragging the chair with a scrap. I flinched at the noise but tried to hold my own against the man before me - the man who was perhaps my guardian at one stage in my life.
"How are you feeling?" The man asked, carefully, and I couldn't refrain the urge now. I winced a scoff, eyeing the man with disbelief.
"How do you think I'm feeling?" I countered with an attempt of a glare. I saw Laurent fidget a little under my heavy stare. "You been sent to question me too? Save your breath, I'm not telling you anything." Laurent sighed deeply.
"You're not in a great position, Ruby." Laurent began slowly. "I don't think you really understand what you've gotten yourself into. You're not exactly in a position to be having an attitude like that."
"So the Governor got to you too?" I mused thoughtfully, Laurent raised an eyebrow. "I once thought you were a strong, decent man, though I guess I was wrong about that. You're his lapdog now." Laurent's eyes narrowed.
"I do what I can to survive." Laurent replied and I snorted. "We can't all be as insistent as you to get ourselves near on killed."
"What can I say, I enjoy the spark of danger." I retorted, sarcastically. Unlike Merle, I had long given up hope for Laurent. Ever since we had arrived with the Governor and his group the man who had acted as our guardian had changed. It was a long alteration but the same fact was still evident; Laurent was the Governor's man now, nothing else. Laurent sighed and took a different approach.
"You answer his questions and he'll stop hurting you." I'd heard that before.
"You know what?" I muttered. "You can go to hell, you bastard. You can all go to hell!" The bitter remark was left to sink for a hesitant moment before suddenly Laurent was on his feet and had landed a punch to my jaw. Was I just a human punch bag to these people? I was surprised by Laurent's sudden burst of anger and stared up at the man with shocked eyes. I was too exhausted to spit anymore insults at the man and merely regarded him with distaste.
"You continue like this, Ruby, and you'll only get yourself killed." Laurent said slowly and I almost rejoiced at the threat.
I almost begged for death, begged for Laurent to strangle the life from me, to take the gun strapped to his belt and put a bullet in my head. But one thought crossed my mind then at my suicidal bid and that was the state of my friend next door. Michonne needed me. She needed me to remain strong, for the both of us. If I caved in then there would be no hope for either of us. Though my own life wasn't important to me anymore, Michonne's was. I would stay alive for Michonne's sake.
I remained silent, not giving Laurent the pleasure of a response. He asked me more questions, tried to heed me to give in, but I gave him nothing. I avoided eye contact and stared blankly at the wall behind. I could sense frustration in his tone but revelled in it. Fuck him, fuck them all. Finally Laurent gave in, leaving me with my thoughts again and slamming the door shut as he left. I eyed the closed door evenly and almost laughed. Why, I didn't know, but I just felt the sudden urge to laugh at my predicament.
When I heard the Governor return again to Michonne, I tried to occupy my mind; drown out the noise. I thought of Sophia, of Daryl. I thought of Lori and wondered how she was doing. Perhaps she had gone into labour in my absence? Maybe miles away a new life had been brought into the world, perhaps a wailing infant filled the silence of the cell block? And I had missed the birth, even after being so determind to be there for my friend. And what had become of Lori if she had given birth? Will Herschel have succeeded in bringing both mother and child into the world healthy and well? Would Lori be alive? Or had tragedy struck for the Grimes family? I couldn't bear to think of that possibility.
Footsteps approached the room I was in and I tensed when the door opened slowly. Glancing up, I expected to see the Governor stood there and was surprised when instead Merle stood in the doorway, carrying a tray of something in his free hand. He walked into the room, placing the tray on the table before me, which had on it a range of food and a bottle of water. When Merle turned his back on me, I expected him to leave just like that and was surprised when he instead went back to close the door. He returned to the table and eyed me carefully.
"I'm gonna undo ya bonds," He muttered, gesturing to the food. "So ya can eat. But ya better not try anythin' with me, girl." I glanced at the food, realising how hungry I actually was, starvation kicking in now. My throat went dry with the lack of substance and I nodded dully, silently promising not to try anything. With the lack of food and water, and the ordeal I had had to endure, I was too weak to do anything anyway.
Merle moved behind me and shoved my body forward - gentler than I expected - so he could get to my bonds. He cut the rope away with his knifed contraption and when the rope fell from my hands I sighed with relief at the lack of rope burning my skin. I looked down at my wrists, inspecting the damage and was taken back at the red raw skin. Dried blood had stained my hands and wrists and I hadn't realised that I had made them bleed. During my inspection, Merle had taken a seat opposite me again. I glanced up at him then down at the food. I was hesitant to start eating, despite how hungry I was.
"Ain't poisoned if that's what ya worried 'bout." Merle muttered. I met his gaze again and he gestured vaguely at the tray. Hesitantly I began to pick at the food, noting that I hadn't been provided with any cutlery of some description. Smart move on their behalf?
"I'm curious to know how you're gonna tie me back up again." I observed, taking a large gulp of water, relishing the cool liquid in my bitterly dry mouth. Merle raised an eyebrow. "Surely that's a difficult job for someone with only one hand?" It was a sarcy, bitter comment but Merle sniggered even so.
"Another goon will 'ave to come do it." He told me, evenly. I nodded, chewing thoughtfully for a moment.
"Why did they send you in then?" I asked. "Why not send one of the others in the first place, less hassle?" Merle smirked.
"Apparently I'm more intimidating than most goons." He replied, raising his blade for emphasis. I scoffed weakly.
"Do they know?" I asked and Merle raised an eyebrow. "Do they know you were with Michonne and I?" Merle's face hardened then and I already knew the answer then before he provided a verbal response.
"No." He muttered through narrowed eyes. "No they don't. 'Nd it wouldn't be wise for ya to go tellin' either." I smiled a little at the implied threat.
"I'm not going to tell them." I told him with a shrug. "I was just curious."
The silence drew on and for a while I was content with just eating and the lack of conversation. I knew that Merle was watching me like a hawk, but avoided eye contact. I wasn't sure where I stood with the man, his loyalties seemed firmly set on the Governor's side but there was something about him that perhaps said otherwise. I would hold onto that part of him. When I had finished eating, Merle wasted no time in pulling the tray away from me and eyeing me with narrowed eyes.
"Where's my brother?" He asked, hitting the mark in one. Never missing a beat. I swallowed hard, not wanting to piss him off again but totally unwilling to answer his question.
"Has Michonne been fed?" I asked, weakly. Merle glared at me.
"Yeah she has, but don't change the subject." He warned. "I asked ya a question."
"And you know exactly what I'm going to reply with." I pointed out, shaking my head a little. "I will not give them up." Merle sneered.
"Ya gotten pretty cosy with 'em, huh?" He muttered. I didn't respond and the man leant forward, resting his arm contraption on the table top. I unintentionally leant away. "Ya can't just tell me my brother's alive but hold off on where he is."
"I'm doing this for the safety of your brother, Merle. Don't you see that?" I tried, Merle narrowed his eyes. I attempted another approach. "Help Michonne and I, get us out of this."
"See, I reckon Office Friendly is gonna be lookin' for ya." Merle began, slowly. "'Nd I 'ave a feelin' he'll come across this place sooner or later."
"We could be dead by then." I countered and Merle smirked, shaking my head.
"Ya don't need my help."
"If you help us then you've got a better chance in seeing your brother again." I pointed out, Merle's smirk faded a little.
"Why? Would ya take me to him?" He asked.
"Not until you proved your loyalty." Merle laughed good-heartedly. "But helping us is a step in the right direction." There was pause before Merle sighed in mild frustration.
"That ain't a subject of negotiation, girl." He told me, firmly. "Now, I wanna know 'bout my brother."
"And that also isn't a subject of negotiation; I've told you, I'm not telling you where he is." Merle exhaled deeply before leaning back, eyeing me curiously.
"How is he?" Merle asked suddenly, off-handily. I was taken back by the question and approached the answer carefully.
"He's fine." I breathed. Merle nodded once.
"He missin' his big brother?" I thought longer about this one, remembering Daryl's final frustration bid to give up hope on finding his brother. Though I decided to leave that piece of information aside for the moment.
"Yes." Merle smiled a thin, devilish smile.
"Then how come he ain't come lookin' for little ol' me?" He asked. "Huh?" I chewed my lip before replying to that one.
"Because you went missing over a year ago. Where would he start looking?" I countered. "He went back for you, in Atlanta, apparently. But you were gone by the time they got there. I know he would have carried on looking for you if he could have but things have been-" A pause. "Complicated." Merle sneered and I felt the urge to continue talking. "Daryl's a good man, Merle. He hasn't given up on you, even after so long." I thought of the man in question and smiled fondly. "He's really stepped up, playing an extremely valuable role in the group now. He cares about everyone; looks after us all. You should be proud of your brother, Merle, because the group owes him a lot. He's done so much for us." I studied Merle's expression, taking in the calculating frown on his face and wondering if I should have shut up sooner. Too late now, eh?
"Ya speak mighty well 'bout my brother." Merle observed, quietly. "Ya his bitch or sumthin'?" I grimaced and glared at the man.
"Fuck you, Dixon." I hissed. Merle sniggered.
"I'll take that as a no, huh?" Merle nodded thoughtfully, tilting his head. "My brother the saint? Didn't think I'd see the day." Merle mused for a moment. "Just a matter of time though before Officer Friendly throws him aside like the no good white trash that he is." I shook my head.
"You're wrong. Rick wouldn't do that. And Daryl isn't white trash." Merle laughed in disbelief.
"Rick?" He cried, tauntingly. "I'm sorry, darlin', I didn't mean to offend ya friend 'nd don't think I didn't notice ya defendin' baby brother either." I glared at the man. "Now tell me exactly why Rick ain't gonna throw my brother aside? Enlighten me, will ya?"
"You don't know these people, you don't know what we've all been through together. There isn't a chance in hell that we'd disregard a single member of the group, especially Daryl." I said, defiantly. "You shouldn't make assumptions about things you don't have the first clue about."
"Kitty got claws to go with its mouth." Merle murmured with a grin. "Daryl is a Dixon. We Dixons have been treated like no good rednecks our entire lives by cops and broads alike. The fuck makes Rick any different than the rest, huh?"
"Rick is a good man-"
"A 'good' man who handcuffed me to a roof 'nd left me to die!"
"I heard you were being an asshole-"
"So that condemns me to death then, huh!?" Merle hollered, eyes furious. "Not even animals would 'ave been left like that." He paused, visibly seething. "And while we're on the sbject, don't even get me started on T-Dog either." I swallowed hard, trying to remain strong at the memory of our fallen friend. "Guess he'll be comin' to get ya too, huh? Be the knight in shining armour for ya?" I shook my head once.
"T-Dog is dead." I told him, resignedly. Merle was silent for a moment.
"Really? That's a shame." Merle mused before nodding once, eyeing me with malice. "Well, I hope it was slow." I glared at the man.
"You cold-hearted bastard." Merle laughed.
"Ya wound me, girl." He sneered. "Ya act like that's sumthin' new. What's the matter? Were ya expecting flowers 'nd cake for our reunion? Sorry to disappoint."
"I was expecting the Merle I once knew, not this." I gestured to the man before me and he narrowed his eyes slightly. "You've always been an asshole, Merle, but you're different now." I paused, taking in the frustration building behind his gaze. "You remember that conversation we had, long ago? It was during the first night at that house we were holding up in - the one which you left me in front of?" Merle raised an eyebrow and I continued. "You told me to look on the bright side of life; you were always the optimistic one of us all. And I asked you what you had to live for. You didn't answer me."
"Ya memory astounds me, darlin'." Merle muttered. I ignored him.
"I have an answer to that question. You know what I have to live for now?" I countered and Merle shrugged carelessly. "She's a twelve year old girl, goes by the name of Sophia. Remember her from the group back in Atlanta?" Merle shrugged again, his face thoughtful. "Her mother died months ago and I've been looking after her ever since. Her existence was what brought me to the group, to Rick and your brother. She's the one that saved me from the isolation, from the abandonment." I paused to sigh. "So, that's my answer to the question, Merle. What's yours?" Merle didn't respond. "When I found out about your brother, I guessed that he was what you lived for, your longing to find him again. But now I'm not so sure. Not now that you're under new management." Merle narrowed his eyes into a glare.
"I don't need to answer myself to you." He sneered. I shrugged.
"That's fine." I replied, evenly. "As long as you know the answer to that question. As long as you can live with yourself then I suppose that's all that matters."
"Ya 'ave been spendin' far too much time with Micky." Merle grumbled and I smiled slightly. Another approach struck me.
"You know why Michonne and I are being punished?" I asked rhetorically. "One of the men told me; an eye for an eye." I shrugged. "You know what saying I could apply to you and I, Merle?" The man shook his head, his eyebrow raised. I smiled slightly. "Return the favour. We saved your life, it's your turn now."
Merle's response was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps and the door swung open, revealing a nameless man I hadn't seen before. He stepped into the room with an air of cockiness that sent a feeling of unease through me. The way Merle tensed too didn't help and I shied away from the man's smirk as he studied me in a way that made me sick to the core.
"The fuck do ya want, Martinez?" Merle demanded, harshly, eyeing his fellow guard with distaste. Martinez sniggered.
"Governor is busy so he can't come and continue his interrogation." The man - Martinez - explained. Merle's shoulders tensed.
"Fine." He muttered. "I'll do the interrogation then, go 'nd make yourself useful else where." Martinez shook his head.
"Governor ordered that I was gonna be doing the interrogation." He countered, leaning toward the handless man. "So, you go and make yourself useful else where." Merle glared heavily at the man, but didn't make a move to leave, and Martinez shrugged. "Suit yourself, stay and watch."
Before I could react, Martinez had launched toward me and threw me back off my chair. I hit the floor with a resounding thud and hissed when my face cracked against the concrete floor. My vision dulled for a moment and I winced at the sudden movement as it caught me off guard. A heavy weight was on me in an instant as Martinez pinned me to the floor. His hand held my head down and I felt his face come closer, his breath burning my battered cheek.
"Where is your group?!" The man demanded, practically spitting on me.
I didn't answer and the weight on me was suddenly lifted. Though a sharp pain hit my abdomen as Martinez kicked me with a heavy boot. I tried to curl up into a foetal position but more kicks winded the air from me and I found no energy to react to the attacks. During this newly dealt punishment, which had stepped up from kicking - Martinez was hurting me anyway he could now as I refused to respond to his questions, from my position on the floor I caught Merle's eye. He remained motionless, still seated on the chair. There was a mixture of confusion and regret in his gaze and in that one moment I thought I saw the old Merle again. There was hope yet?
Martinez stopped after a while, his heavy breaths the only noise in the room. He was panting with exhaustion and I tried to curl into myself, hide myself from anymore attacks. Everything hurt, everything ached. My torso shook with every breath and I found myself coughing up more blood and nearly throwing up the food I had just managed to eat. They were continuing to beat me hard and I wondered briefly if bones would be broken. My body ached, but I wasn't sure if I had heard anything crack yet.
"Guess that'll do for now." Martinez sighed. "Better get you tied back up." Without warning, the man hauled me up harshly and threw me onto the chair. He made quick work in tying me back to the chair again and I found no strength to fight him. When he'd done, he smirked at me and stroked my cheek with false affection before patting my head. I shied away from his touch. It was a step away from Daryl's that was for sure. "Till next time, princess!"
With that the man turned to leave, though paused to eye Merle curiously. The older Dixon still remained motionless and I could see some suspicion in Martinez's eye. Though Merle regained himself quickly when Martinez called his name, bringing his attention back to earth. The handless redneck rose to his feet and strode toward the door and out the room without another word. Not even a backward glance.
Martinez closed the door behind him and I was alone once more, left with my own thoughts which were more confusing than ever, and a new feeling of pain to battle.
Nothing had happened for a while. No one had returned to deal out either Michonne and my punishments and no footsteps approached either door. This was a mildly comforting sign, though with each passing second, the tension was building. I sensed some sort of climax intensifying and I tried to occupy my mind to take my thoughts from this new fear.
Even counting the bricks on the ceiling couldn't take my mind from the impending pain - 387 bricks to be precise though - and I had taken up just staring at the opposite wall, waiting. Just waiting. Then suddenly-
Gun shots.
I yelped at the noise, it startling me completely from my trance. They sounded so odd, contrasting to the bitter silence or painful cries from Michonne and my rooms - pretty much our cells, much different to the ones I was used to in the prison. I wondered if perhaps the guards on the wall were just taking out walkers but then realised that surely they wouldn't risk the noise just to dispatch some wandering dead? Especially considering they were making such a noise.
What was happening?
Rushed footsteps approaching the corridor outside our rooms and I listened intently as someone began to inform the ones on guard outside our rooms on what was happening in the town.
"-Not us-" I heard through the muffled door. "-Causalities -Governor orders a responding defence -terrorist attack-" I frowned at this. Terrorists? What were they talking about?
The chatter died away as the men outside left the guard of Michonne and my rooms to take arms outside, I gathered. Was someone attacking Woodbury?
I waited anxiously, going through plans in my head to take advantage of the lack of guard outside. I wondered how I could escape from my bonds and thus leading to escaping from this room and freeing Michonne. We could take this distraction as our way out. Though passing part one of the plan was proving difficult. My thoughts were interrupted though by the sound of someone coming. I tensed a little when I heard slow careful footsteps approach us and waited with baited breath as they paused, seemingly outside my door.
When the door swung open, I hesitated and waited for whomever it was to reveal themselves. Though I almost scoffed at the sight of Laurent.
"You taken a wrong turning?" I sneered. "Ain't you supposed to be helping up top? Help stop this terrorist attack?" Laurent didn't respond for a moment, eyeing me with so much scrutiny that I shied away. I felt uncomfortable under his gaze.
"The Governor believes that the attack is the work of your group." Laurent told me and hope suddenly rose within me. They had come for us? Rick, Daryl and the others had come to save us? "He's telling the others that it's a terrorist attack to hide the fact we're keeping you and Michonne hostage. No one but a selected few guards know that you're here. So, it's very easy to manipulate the minds of the people into believing that this attack is from the hands of ruthless bandits rather than those with intentions to take back what is theirs." His words discomforted me and I frowned at what he was telling me. "So, as there is a possibility that your group may find you, the Governor wishes to cover his tracks. Save his reputation, so to speak." I scoffed when I realised the implications behind his words.
"He's ordered for us to be killed, hasn't he?" I muttered before shrugging. "And who is the poor bastard that's gonna do it then?" Laurent didn't respond for a moment and the silence drew out.
Though Laurent suddenly reached into his jacket pocket and revealed a handgun - the realisation then dawned on me and my eyes widened with disbelief. I couldn't contain the shock when Laurent raised the gun to my head with equal clarity and carelessness.
"He truly does have you bent over his knee, doesn't he?" I shook my head in disbelief.
Though I had given up on all hope for Laurent, the fact that he seemed willing to put a bullet in my head seemed far too shocking for me to comprehend. Wasn't this the man that had saved me at the initial outbreak? Wasn't this the man that taught me how to shoot, to defend myself, and who gave me means to do so? Wasn't this the man that had almost acted like my guardian, even when I had left the Governor's clutches? Who had provided me with bare essentials to keep me going, to keep me alive. What had happened to him?
"I wish things could have been different." Laurent mused, thoughtfully. "I wish that things didn't have to end this way between us, Ruby. I've never wanted any harm to come of you or your sister." He swallowed hard and I watched him sigh with a shaky breath. "But you don't understand how hard it is, how much of a struggle it is to remain living in so much fear. Fear that one step out of line could end in death." Laurent shook his head and I caught the tears building in his eyes as he passed by a stream of the dull light. I hitched a sob of my own, biting my lip and wishing so many times over that this wasn't how I died. Not in some bitterly dark cell; alone, bloody and bruised.
"You didn't have to choose that path, Laurent." I reminded the man, quietly. "You could have escaped, just like I did." Laurent laughed bitterly and nodded.
"I know." He admitted. "I should have gotten out before I had gotten in too deep. Before it was too late." He shook his head and I suddenly felt sorry for the man before me. "Don't pity me, Ruby. I don't deserve that from you." Laurent tilted his head slightly before observing me with a slight smile. "Have I ever told you that you remind me of my daughter, Emily?" I was stunned at this and shook my head. I didn't know he had a daughter, though this revelation explained a lot. "You look and act just like her and I guess that was why I've always felt so complied to take care of you - and your sister too." He shrugged, tiredly. "But that doesn't matter anymore, you despise me and I don't blame you. I deserve your hatred." Laurent cocked the gun, raising it closer to my head. I panicked.
"You don't have to do this, Laurent!" I pleaded, desperation kicking in. I didn't want to die. Sophia's face flashed into my mind, I couldn't leave her! Daryl's next and I willed that I had parted on better terms with the man, now that my demise seemed so imminent. Laurent nodded, resignedly.
"I do, Ruby." He told me, firmly. "Governor's orders." Then-
Bang!
And then-
Nothing.
I'm not sure what I expected of death, but it sure didn't seem like it would be the exact same sensation as shutting my eyes. I experienced no pain, saw no light, felt no different. Hesitantly, I opened my eyes and immediately set my gaze on the stiff body that lay sprawled before me. Laurent. Blood seeped from a bullet hole in his head and his eyes were staring out, unseeing. My eyes widened at the sight of his body, though confusion fixated me. I didn't understand. Wasn't it supposed to be me that was dead? Not the other way around.
I hadn't even noticed the figure in the doorway until they stepped forward and I was equally thrown back in shock when none other but Merle Dixon stepped into the light. He observed the body with distaste and it was then that I noticed the gun in his only hand. I added up the facts and came to one conclusion.
Merle had saved my life.
The man in question raised his gaze to look at me and for a moment there was a apprehensive silence between us. Suddenly though, a smirk graced Merle's face.
"I've returned the favour now, darlin'. I saved ya life." He announced, proudly. Merle stepped over the body and pushed my body forward so he could undo my bonds. I was still in a daze of complete shock but couldn't help but smile at this development. Merle had saved my life. "Guess this makes us even now, don't it?"
(Author's Note): I can't even comprehend the jealousy to all you Americans that have watched the restart of season 3 already. Sometimes it sucks to be British :/
I guess Merle is a bit love/hate in this chapter. I didn't want things to go perfectly between his and Ruby's reunion because I don't think Merle is the kind of person to bake a cake ("with pink frosting!" ;)) so hopefully I've portrayed him alright in this chapter. I've tried to find the balance between "Ruby's Merle" and the show's Merle and I'd really appreciate it if you guys tell me what you think of his and Ruby's interactions throughout this chapter and the choices Merle has made regarding Daryl, Ruby and the Governor. I don't want him to be OOC! So if you think anything he's done in this latest update isn't in his character, please let me know.
I've concluded Laurent's part in the story and I've tried to show the bitter balance in the man. He's not a bad guy, just made the wrong choices. :/ And for all those that care - Martinez is canon to both the comics and the show, though he plays two entirely different roles in each. I don't think I'll take his character too far, at the moment he's just another of the Governor's "goons", though we'll see what the rest of season 3 brings and what ideas sprout from my imagination!
So, I'm curious to know what you guys will think will happen now? What do you think will happen regarding the attack on Woodbury? Who is it? ;) Is Michonne alright? Will Ruby and Merle make it out?
I am getting quite concerned about the length of this story. It's heading up to 40 chapters now and so far I haven't really planned too much into the future, certainly not an ending yet. I have round about ideas floating around but nothing is fixed and I wanted to wait to see the second half of season 3 to see where that's heading so I could function some ideas. But if I did that, it seems I would have to go into an 8 week hiatus and that wouldn't be cool! :( I just wanted to know though, if you guys are still cool with the length? I have considered drawing it to a close soon and perhaps taking it up in a sequel - there's no way I'm done with Ruby yet though! But I'd much prefer to keep it as one flowing story, I'm just concerned people are getting a little over-whelmed by Loginquitas' growing length. Please let me know your thoughts on this! Thanks!
Thanks for the reviews and feedback on the last chapter, I really appreciate them a lot! And sorry again for the malfunction on the updating last time - not really sure what happened but glad it's fixed now! Please spare a few moments to tell me how you think the latest chapter has gone and I'll try and update when I can. And again to my American readers - no spoilers please from the latest episode! Thank you! :)