Out of the Woods (The Walking Dead)
Walk With Me:
There was barely a moment in the night where they only slept. Since the end of the world, all they knew was sleepless nights all for the wrong reasons. It was almost strange to say that this was another sleepless night, except it was finally for the right reason; The reason being they couldn't get enough of each other. It had been so long since either of them experienced it, they had started to forget what the feeling was like.
"Damn, girl," Merle groaned once they were both done, "You really tryin'ta kill me."
"I'm surprised we didn't get any noise complaints." Suzy giggled, making Merle laugh hysterically as he leaned up to kiss her, since she was sitting on top of him, "At least not yet anyway."
"Then I didn't do my job right." He snickered. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again.
"Seemed pretty well done to me." She said.
"You should rest today. I'll have Neil take your shift today." He said, "I've gotta head out on a run soon."
"I know. You be careful out there, especially when you're with him." Suzy said, of course referring to the Governor, "And his name isn't even Neil."
"Whatever. You try saying that little shits name." Merle rolled his eyes, making her laugh.
"It's not that hard," She smiled and leaned in by his ear, "Gargulio."
"Show off." He said with an obvious light-hearted tone and gently pushed her off of him so he could get dressed. Not seeing her clothes in sight, Suzy used the bedsheet to cover herself as she stood from the bed.
"We've been really scarce lately, haven't we?" Suzy asked. "Winter really did a number on us."
"Yeah." Merle replied, already having his white wife-beater on and zipping up his pants, "Hopin' it doesn't have to go down the other way this time if it doesn't have to."
"What's your number now?"
"Ten. Ten now." She saw Merle visibly frowning when he said that number. She nodded in acceptance.
"I'm sorry." She reached and caressed his face with her hand. She knew he didn't want to hear it, but that didn't take away from the fact that he had to hear it.
"Ehh," Merle shrugged off her sympathy. He looked at her wearing only the bedsheet and chuckled, "Look at you, thinking you can just cover up like that."
"Merle!" She gasped when he pulled the sheet from her body to expose her, "Why'd you do that?"
"'Cause, you look too damn good to be covered up."
His response and his nonstop gaze made her blush something fierce. Seeing her all flustered amused him and she knew it just by the look on his face like he was making love to her with just his stare alone. Before she knew it, they were kissing again.
"Damn, girl." He whispered with his raspy voice, "You get me goin' like a teenage boy, I swear."
"Shut up," Suzy playfully hit his arm and pushed him away. She picked up the sheet so she could cover herself. "And fine. I'll rest, regain my strength because you did a number on me. You go out on your run and be safe. Will uh, will we be picking this up again when you get back?"
She wasn't sure how to ask if this was a one-time thing like he usually has with other women throughout his life. She hoped it wasn't, but wouldn't be surprised if it was...Since Merle was still Merle.
"Hell yeah. You my girl now. No one else's. You've always been my girl." His response made her feel all giddy inside.
"Cool." She said, now reassured. "Get back here safely."
"Don't worry," Merle said. "I always do."
Merle rode with the Governor in their truck with another behind them. Martinez was with them in the back seat with his baseball bat on hand to help take out any roamers while they were out on their run.
"So what's going on between you and Suzy now, huh?" Martinez broke the silence in the car, obviously talking to Merle who was in the passenger seat.
"What'd'ya mean, boy?" Merle responded. The Governor stayed out of the conversation and continued driving since it wasn't a conversation he was interested in.
"I don't know," Martinez gave an awkward chuckle, "I know it's none of my business, but I know she's got a huge thing for you. I just wanna make sure you're someone who's gonna take care of her, that's all. Ya know?"
"You ain't got nothin' to worry about, chico." Merle replied, "She's in real good hands with me."
"That's good," Martinez was about to say something else until he noticed something through the windshield up in the sky, "Holy shit-"
The three looked up and saw a helicopter-an actual helicopter-falling out of the sky. There was smoke escaping it and it was spinning right down into the trees.
"Did you see that?" Martinez asked in shock.
"Can't be more than a mile out." The Governor finally spoke, "Tell the others behind us and be ready to take any survivors. They're most likely military with a sufficient base."
"Ay, Shumpert-" Merle announced into the walkie, "Keep behind us. We're gonna be checking out the chopper wreck a mile out."
"Got it," Shumpert's voice appeared through the walkie.
The two vehicles pulled up to the wreckage no more than five minutes later. Everyone got out of their cars and gawked at the sight of an actual helicopter in front of them. It was something they never thought they'd see in the sky again, and there it was.
"Fan out." The Governor commanded.
The group spread out on his orders to examine the perimeter to take care of the geeks that were drawn to the location from the noise. Tim raised his gun to take one out but was made to lower it when the Governor said his motto.
"Save those bullets until you need 'em."
Shumpert of course took one out with his bow and arrow while Martinez used his bat to take out two more.
"We got a breather!" The Governor had looked inside the helicopter to find an injured man, unconscious, but still breathing.
He immediately called Tim over to help get the man into the truck. They dragged the man out of the helicopter together. However, the Governor had to put him down so he could put down the two dead companions that had turned right before their eyes. The group could've sworn they heard a noise coming from the trees, most likely more biters. The group readied themselves to take them out, but the sound was suddenly silenced. Merle decided to go check it out by looping around to attack from the rear in case. Once it seemed to be quiet long enough, the Governor called for everyone to roll out since there were no other supplies in the chopper. Since they now had this injured soldier, they had to return to Woodbury and go out for supplies another day.
When Merle quietly stepped through the woods, he saw that it wasn't actually biters at all, at least not anymore. There were two dead ones with no arms and no jaws at the side of two women crouching down to obviously hide from them. When he began approaching them, he stepped on a branch, immediately alerting the beautifully dark-skinned woman with a katana sword.
"Uh-uh-uh," Merle warned her before she could even take her sword fully out of its sheath, "Easy does it, girl. Mine's a whole lot bigger than yours. Now put down your weapons."
The woman reluctantly did as he asked and put her sword down on the ground. He then asked the two to turn around with their hands in the air.
"That's it, nice little twirl there," When they turned around, his jaw nearly dropped to the forest floor when he saw who the sword lady's friend was. "Oh-shit...Blondie."
In front of him was the one and only Andrea from the Atlanta camp. He wasn't sure if he was happy or angry to see her, nor did Suzy think they would ever see anyone from that camp ever again. Deep down he knew he would, and he wanted to. He could now finally get answers and perhaps finally get some payback.
"You're lookin' good." He said as he killed a biter that approached him from behind with his sword hand. He stood over her and grinned his usual cocky grin, knowing she was probably in a bigger shock than he was at the sight of him. "Now, how's 'bout a big hug for your ol' pal Merle?"
Andrea didn't respond. She passed out on the forest floor in front of him like she had seen a ghost. He laughed at this, making her friend glare at him as she tried to get Andrea to awaken.
"She took it better than I expected." He chuckled as he kneeled back down to help pick her up. She was obviously sick and needed immediate medical attention. "Come on, blondie. I think there's someone else you might wanna meet."
Once back at Woodbury, Merle rushed back to his apartment. The sun had just set, which meant the curfew was already in place. Upon entering, he called for Suzy who had just finished making dinner for the two of them, as she usually would. She looked gorgeous dressed in her usual high-waisted black skinny jeans, black crop top that had the sleeves off her smooth shoulders and black boots.
"Merle?" She appeared from what was now their bedroom. "I thought you left for a run?"
"Oh I did," He said, coming closer to her. They stood in the doorway as he snaked his arms around her small waist, feeling the knives on her belt touching him through his white wife-beater, "There was a helicopter crash so we had to come back. Found a survivor in the wreck."
"Did you say helicopter?" Suzy gasped, looking up at him, "As in an actual helicopter? Was it military?"
"Looks like." Merle replied, "Governor plans on finding out if there's some kind of base nearby once the man's up and ready to talk."
They both knew what that meant. Suzy sighed at the realization. This was no good news for this poor guy they had found. She hated that it crossed her mind, but she wished whoever they found didn't survive the ordeal.
"Come on, don't give me that," Merle used his left hand to lift her face by her chin so he could look her in the eye again, "Hey. It's gonna be all right, you hear me?"
It was an empty promise, but she accepted it anyway. She nodded and he leaned in to kiss her.
"Listen," He said once he pulled away, "I got somethin' else for you, too."
"What?"
"Come on." Merle took her hand and took her out of the building. He brought her to the same room of the infirmary she was held in when she first arrived.
"What are we doing here? It's dark out." Suzy asked. He didn't answer her. He only shushed her and told her she would see. He opened the door for her to enter. Once she did, she gasped in complete shock.
"Oh my god..." Andrea gasped as well at the sight of Suzy in front of her. Suzy wasted no time in running up to hug her.
"I didn't think I'd ever see you again," Suzy said as Merle officially entered the room.
"Yeah," Andrea replied, "You look great."
"I would say the same about you, but-" Suzy giggled, "You look like shit."
"I know," Andrea chuckled with her, "You've really been here all this time?"
"Yeah," Suzy nodded, "Just me and Merle."
"Go check on your patient, Doc," Merle said to Dr. Stevens so she would leave the room. Once she did, Merle looked at Andrea, "Bet you was wonderin' if I was real. Probably hopin' I wasn't."
He grabbed a chair to sit down on across from them. Suzy let go of Andrea to join Merle at his side.
"I guess this whole world gets a lot smaller toward the end, huh?" Merle continued. "Ain't so many of us left to share the air, right?"
"It's been so long like I said, I didn't think I'd see anyone from your group again." Suzy said, "We did go pretty far away from the city after-you know. After what happened."
Merle nodded, "You know, when they found us, I was near bled out. Suzy's head was split open. We were starving. Thinking a bullet might make a good last meal. Take myself a nice long nap after, wait for Daryl on the other side."
Suzy remembered back to that time and the agony they were in. The dehydration, the heat, the hunger, the pain. They were indeed both on their way out from this world. She didn't realize it at the time, but that incident was what brought them together, not when he saved her life. It was when she saved him.
"You seen my brother?" Merle asked.
Andrea sighed, "Not for a long time."
"Makes two of us." Merle replied.
"He went back for you, him and Rick." Andrea said, "You were already gone...Both of you."
"Yeah, well, not all of me." Merle laughed, taking off his metal prosthetic to show her his bare stump.
Suzy didn't know what to say. They did come back for them. She didn't know who Rick was. She guessed it had to have been the Sheriff who handcuffed Merle in the first place. Andrea grimaced at the sight of his stump, as she should since it wasn't exactly a pleasant sight.
"Rick. He's that prick that cuffed me to the rooftop?" Merle said, confirming Suzy's suspicion.
"...Yeah." Andrea awkwardly replied, not knowing what else to say, "He tried. Daryl saw that."
"He's always been the sweet one, my baby brother." Merle nodded, knowing what she said was true. Suzy didn't know if she had the same opinion since she only met Daryl one time. And he didn't seem very fond of her during that brief one time.
"He wanted to keep looking, but things happened. People died. A lot of them." Andrea named off everyone on the list, the last one hurting most of all. Suzy remembered Andrea's sister Amy very well, even though she also only met her once. Amy and Andrea were so welcoming when she first came to the Atlanta camp. They let her stay in their tent to help her feel more comfortable, and she and Amy stayed up most of the night chatting about their lives before. She knew without a doubt if they lived in the same area they would've been best friends. Amy reminded her of Lucy. The same blonde hair, the same bubbly personality. They were both too good for this world.
"She was a good kid," Merle said, his voice filled with genuine sympathy, "I'm sorry to hear it."
"There were more, a lot more." Andrea continued, "We wound up on a farm. And Daryl stepped up. Became a valued member of the group."
"Now he's dead." Merle finished her sentence as if trying to confirm that was really the end of the story.
"I don't know that for sure," Andrea shook her head, "We got run off by a herd."
"How long ago?" Suzy asked.
"Seven-eight months?" Andrea asked, looking to her friend for confirmation. "I was separated from the rest of them. Got left behind. So, I know what it feels like."
Merle chuckled, looking down at his prosthetic, "I doubt that."
"Merle, come on." Suzy sighed and looked back at Andrea, "It was so long ago at this point. I tried to tell him you guys probably came back for us, but we had no way of knowing. We couldn't exactly stick around to find out, you know? It wasn't your fault."
"Thanks." Andrea nodded, "So, what do you want from us then?"
"Damn," Merle laughed. He stood from his chair to approach them, "There she sits, four walls around her, roof over her head, medicine in her veins. And she wants to know what I want from her. I plucked you and your mute here out of the dirt, blondie. Saved your asses. How 'bout a thank you?"
"You had a gun on us." Andrea's friend said, glaring at him.
"Ooh, she speaks." Merle laughed. "Who ain't had a gun on 'em in the past year, huh? Show of hands, y'all. Anybody?"
Merle raised his right arm, Suzy guessed as an ironic joke. He even asked Shumpert and Crowley who were guarding the door.
"Hell, I think I'd piss my pants if some stranger came walking up with his mitts in his pockets. That'd be the son of a bitch you'd really wanna be scared of." Merle said with utmost seriousness, not breaking eye contact with Andrea when he said it. Suzy immediately thought of a certain someone and knew Merle was referencing him right to her face without actually saying it.
That was a warning, Suzy thought. Please don't ignore it.
Just then the man himself walked in through another door and started whispering into Merle's ear. Suzy was still on the other side of the room so she couldn't hear. All she heard was Merle telling him sure thing and that was that.
"How are you feeling?" The Governor asked in a more cheerful tone. He was in his usual clean getup with his hands in his pockets.
"We want our weapons." Andrea's friend immediately replied with no hesitation.
"Sure," Governor nodded, "On our way out of the front gates."
"Show us the way," Andrea said. "You've kept us locked up in this room."
Governor shrugged, "You see any bars on the windows? You're being cared for."
Andrea gasped, "Under guard-"
"To protect our people. We don't know you." Governor cut Andrea off.
"We know enough about you to want out of this place." Andrea said, "We watched you drive a knife into the skulls of two dead men, what the hell was that all about?"
Governor shrugged, "They turned."
"They weren't bitten." Andrea's friend snapped.
The Governor, Merle, and Suzy all looked at each other with confusion. She remembered when she first told Milton and the Governor. They didn't believe her at first either. So they really don't know...
"It doesn't matter." The Governor's voice softened. "However we die, we all turn. I put them out of their misery."
His voice then turned back to his usual authoritative tone, "It's not easy news to swallow at first, but there it is. And you're not prisoners here, you're guests. If you want to leave, as I said, you're free to do so. But we don't open the gates past dusk. Draws too much attention." He then referenced Andrea, who still looked sick as a dog, "And you especially, you need a solid night's sleep. You wouldn't last another day out there in your condition."
The look on Andrea's face proved she knew he was at least right about that.
"I'll have you brought over to my place in the morning," He continued, "to return your weapons. Extra ammo, food for the road, some meds, keys to a vehicle if you want one. Send you on your way. No hard feelings."
Suzy wanted to vomit at that interaction. It did nothing but confirm her original theory that everything he just said was rehearsed and all a lie. He said all the same shit to her when she first arrived. Doesn't allow her to leave yet says she's free to leave whenever she wants. Now it was the same for Andrea and her friend.
She wanted so badly to tell them, even though she figured Andrea's friend was already more than aware everything he just told them was complete bullshit. That's why she was so quiet this whole time. Examining everyone to see who she could trust. But she knew when Merle gave her that look of "don't say a word" she was to keep her mouth shut. They couldn't risk the Governor finding out they said anything like that to anyone. It didn't matter who. There was also the chance of one of Governor's buddies listening in, like Martinez as always.
"You want to know what this place is?" Suzy asked the two, "Come with us."
Suzy had Andrea and her companion follow her and the Governor out of the infirmary building and out onto the street. Since it was dusk, there were no people out on the street, only the night shift guards on the gate and some wandering around to make sure everyone stayed inside.
"Welcome to Woodbury." The Governor said. She remembered when he first said those words to her. He made her believe this was a safe haven. A sanctuary. It wasn't. It was a prison. She watched as Merle climbed up to the main gate.
"Go relieve Pete at the back gate," He told one of the guards.
The Governor took the liberty of answering Andrea's other questions to aid her curiosity while her friend continued to just observe.
"Got us a creeper here, Governor," Merle announced and asked one of the guards if he could borrow his gun to take it out.
"Governor. They call you that?" Andrea asked.
"Some nicknames stick whether you want them to or not." Don't lie, you know you love it, Suzy thought to herself.
"Got him!" Merle took the liberty of shooting the biter and then some. He made sure to smirk down at Suzy below, "Clear."
"Show off," Suzy smirked back, which Andrea definitely took notice of.
"We'll get them in the morning. Can't leave them to rot," Governor nodded. "Creates an odor. Makes people uneasy."
"What people?" Andrea said, "There's nobody here."
"This way." Governor issued the two to follow him, "I'll show you where you'll be staying."
"I'll follow." Suzy walked with them to ensure they'd be less uneasy. She carefully tapped Andrea's friend's shoulder to get her attention, "Sorry. I didn't get your name."
She smirked a bit. She knew Suzy was all right. It was everyone else she didn't trust. She replied, "Michonne."
"Susan. Obviously, me and Merle knew Andrea briefly a while back."
"I've heard."
Andrea interrupted, "So, you and Merle are like..." The look Andrea gave made it clear of what she was trying to say.
"Yeah," Suzy blushed.
"How recent?"
"Last night." Suzy laughed with Andrea laughing with her.
"Hey," Andrea raised her hands in surrender, "I'm not judging."
They got to the apartments and the Governor brought them to a small one-bedroom for Andrea and Michonne to share for the time being.
"You'll be more comfortable here." He said, opening the door for them, "It's not the Four Seasons, but there's a hot shower. Water's limited, so keep it short. We got food, water, fresh clothes. Hope this works. I know you'd feel better with your sword, more secure, but you're safe here."
Suzy notices the look Michonne gave when he said that last part. Please don't be fooled. You're not safe here. Andrea sat on the bed and nodded.
"We appreciate it." She said, "What about the pilot? Will he make it?"
"Well, Dr. Stevens is doing all she can." He replied, "Now, I know you got more questions, but I got work to do. My man will be outside the door if you need anything else."
He referenced Shumpert standing in the hallway then looked back at them, "I'll see you tomorrow." He then stopped at Suzy who was still in the doorway and put his finger to her cheek. He said with a soft voice, "Don't stay too long."
Suzy winced a bit at his touch, flashbacks of the tanks coming back to her mind. Michonne seemed to notice how stiff she became even though it was so fast. He left right after he said that and left Suzy in the doorway. She took a deep inhale and forced herself to act like what just happened didn't happen.
"You get some rest." Suzy said, "I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Yeah." Andrea nodded. Michonne didn't respond.
Suzy nodded and walked away, letting Michonne shut the door. She made her way back to her own room to wait for Merle's return.
The next morning, Suzy decided to pay Milton a visit in his lab. She heard about how Michonne held walkers in chains, cut off their arms, their jaws, and carried them around with her and Andrea all winter long. Curious, the Governor brought the decapitated walker heads with their bodies back to the lab for Milton to look over.
"Hey, Milton," Suzy announced as she walked in.
"Hello." Milton awkwardly replied, "What brings you here on this fine day, Susan?"
"Just wanted to see how things were going." Suzy shrugged, "Thought maybe you could use some company."
"I appreciate the sentiment, Susan, I do-but I have a lot of work to do-"
"Don't act like I'm distracting, Milton." Suzy almost laughed. "Besides, your little area is probably the most chill and quiet place around here. And you're not exactly a pain to be around."
"Your boyfriend would say otherwise," Milton said while he continued working.
"Don't listen to what Merle says. You're okay."
"Knock knock," Merle said as he popped in the doorway.
"Speak of the devil." Milton sighed.
"What'd'ya say, boy?" Merle said, "Talkin' some shit in here?"
"Yeah, let me tell you." Suzy rolled her eyes, sarcasm in her voice.
Merle chuckled at her sassy response then turned to Milton, "Got any status update on these things yet?"
"Uh-yes, actually." Milton said, "I've been up almost all night working on them. It's fascinating really, how she thought to do this with them. I have so many questions for her."
"Good luck with that." Suzy said, "She doesn't talk much right now."
"Maybe she just didn't want to talk to him," Milton gestured towards Merle.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Merle asked.
"Nothing." Milton shrugged, "You're erratic is all."
Before Milton could square a punch in the mouth, Merle heard Suzy start giggling behind him. He turned to face her.
"You think that's funny?" He asked, coming closer. His reaction only made her laugh more until he charged towards her, which she knew was in a more playful way than a serious one.
"Okay-I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry!" Suzy tried to get herself to stop laughing as he continued closer. He was already up against her, ready for some serious punishment tickling until she apologized.
"That's what I thought." He said. She walked by him carefully and jolted when she felt his hand slap her butt. Merle chuckled at her reaction and went to light a cigarette, which obviously bothered Milton to no end. It was his rule, no smoking in the lab, a rule Merle didn't give a shit about.
"Hey," Just then the Governor entered the room and shut the door to the outside, "Did you finish your homework?"
"Unfortunately, the dog's eating it already," Milton grumbled, causing Merle to start trying to charge at him. Suzy could tell he was actually angry that time.
"What the hell you call me?" Merle slammed his smoke down, ready to hit him.
"Hey! Where are we, back in the schoolyard?" Governor said, stopping Merle in his tracks, "What, you want to take his lunch money while you're at it?"
Merle nodded his head in defeat, "Sorry, Governor."
Suzy could see the dark look in The Governor's eye as he stepped closer, "Maybe I've wasted my time with you. Maybe you haven't learned anything at all."
"He was trying to smoke in here," Milton spoke up.
"And you," Governor turned and looked at Milton, "I expect better. Keep poking the bear and you're bound to get mauled. Remember that."
The Governor then turned back to Merle and gestured for Suzy to come closer.
"You two," He said, "Tell me about the girl."
Merle hesitated before he spoke. How much were they supposed to tell? Was there even that much to begin with?
"Name's Andrea," Merle replied.
"You know her?" Milton asked, surprised.
"She from that group in Atlanta?" Governor asked.
"Yeah." Suzy nodded.
"Same one who left us on the roof," Merle added, "Forced me to mutilate myself."
The Governor stepped closer, "Does she know your brother? Daryl?"
"Yeah," Merle nodded, "She did."
"But she said she hasn't seen him since right before winter came. Had to be about eight months ago." Suzy shrugged uncomfortably, unable to look the Governor in the eye, "We don't really know much else."
Governor nodded his head, "Then talk to her again. See what else you can find out."
"Will do, Governor." Merle nodded.
Merle knew exactly what that meant. Immediately, he grabbed Suzy's arm and pulled her out of the room with him. Knowing they couldn't say anything out in the open, they remained silent until they reached their apartment and locked the door. For extra measure, he brought her into their bedroom and locked that door as well.
"What are you going to do?" Suzy asked, seeing he was obviously stressed out. Merle rubbed the scruff on his face in thought as he leaned against the door.
"I'm still thinkin'." He replied, focusing on the floor.
"Merle, this could be our chance." She said, "You said it yourself, you're practically his lieutenant now. If you can find out where Daryl is, we can go find him and finally get out of here. If he has a group, we can see if Daryl will let us join them."
"Yeah." Merle nodded, "I just need to find out where he is. When I get the chance, I'll talk to Andrea."
"But she doesn't know where he is now. As she said, the farm they were at is lost and overrun with a herd."
"It's a start," Merle said, "Governor wants us to talk to her, so I'll talk to her. No matter what, he can't know where my brother really is."
"Yeah." Suzy sighed, "He'll kill them, won't he?"
Merle nodded, "I'll get whatever I can from Andrea and we'll go from there. After that, I'll give the request to go out and look for him. We just gotta hope Governor will say yes."
"Tell him it's a temporary search, that you'll come back if the trail goes cold. He won't know we're never coming back, and by the time he realizes it, we'll be far enough away."
"That's a best-case scenario." Merle moved away from the door to put his one hand on her shoulder to caress it. "Let's hope he buys it."
Suzy couldn't help but pull him in for a hug. She was so thrilled she could cry. Seeing Andrea again was their ticket out of this place. It's been so long, she was starting to think the day was never going to come. If the odds were in their favor and Merle played his cards right, the Governor would allow them to leave under the pretense they'd be coming back with Merle's brother.
"Easy now." Merle said softly, "Don't get your hopes up yet. I gotta go out before I talk to her."
"Where are you going?"
"Wells, the soldier we brought back yesterday," Merle sighed, "He told the Governor where his camp is."
Suzy sighed, knowing what that meant.
"Don't let your number get too high." She frowned.
He didn't say anything. She knew he couldn't make any promises. She knew exactly how it was going to go. The Governor would tell the other soldiers the truth about what happened to gain their trust and lower their guard. Little would they know, their entire base would already be surrounded by Tim, Shumpert, Crowley, Martinez, Merle, and maybe some others. On the Governor's cue, they'll be massacred and all their stuff would be taken back to Woodbury. Then everyone will come back and the Governor would give those murdered soldiers a hero's story so no one would suspect. He'll make everyone believe there is no safer place than Woodbury and without him, everyone will end up like those soldiers. He'll stand above everyone and say,
"We brought in three new people yesterday. One was a helicopter pilot with a National Guard outfit. Even though he's clinging to life, he told us about his convoy on the highway, his men. I promised I'd bring them back here alive. But they didn't have our walls or our fences. Biters got there before we did. The men had trucks, the trucks had weapons, food medicine, things we need. Now, we didn't know them, but we'll honor their sacrifice by not taking what we have here for granted. Be thankful for what you have."
And that soldier they saved? He could never know what happened to his men. The Governor didn't need anything else from him now. She wouldn't be surprised if that soldier's head joined the others in the tanks already...She knew they had to get out soon before her own head joined him. Time in Woodbury was quickly running out…