Out of the Woods (The Walking Dead)
Say the Word:
Another day, another party. The generators were being used to make ice so that everyone could enjoy ice-cold lemonade and iced tea. Martinez and Merle spent a good hour egging each other on for the fight. Suzy wasn't sure if it was purely jokes or the fact that they low key still couldn't stand each other. Either way, neither of them could wait for what was to come that evening. She watched Andrea and Milton enjoying their drinks, making an idea appear in her mind. Andrea was getting too comfortable here. She couldn't see it, or rather she didn't want to. Everyone these days wanted something like this place to be real so much it was better to act like it was all real. Merle said not to keep talking to Michonne about anything, but she didn't think she could promise that. With their only plan out the window, they had to come up with something else.
Once Michonne wandered off, the Governor so happily stepped up to make his little speech. Suzy stood in the back, not wanting to hear a lick of what he had to say. It reminded her of the last time Woodbury had a big party like this before winter came. She didn't know whether his pride in this place was real or if he was putting on another facade, but one thing was for sure; He certainly was good at acting like it was true.
"All right!" He shouted to get everyone's attention. He smiled that usual charming smile as he spoke.
"First time we gathered, there were nine of us holed up in an apartment with Spam and saltine crackers. Well, look at us now. We've built a place we can call home. May be held together with duct tape and string, but it works. It's ours. I'll take it. So today, we celebrate how far we've come. We remember those we lost. We raise a glass to us!"
Suzy made no move to raise hers when he said that. He was lucky she stayed to hear any of that bullshit. Once they finished their first round of cold drinks, Merle grabbed a hold of her to bring her with him somewhere.
"What?" She asked.
"We gotta talk some sense into Stuart Little here," Merle gestured over to Milton who was talking to the Governor on the way to his apartment.
"What's the problem?"
"What do you think?" Merle rolled his eyes in annoyance. As they caught up with them, Suzy could hear Milton's whining about the generators getting louder and louder.
"I'm not saying I don't want a party at all. All I'm saying is the generators-"
"Not now, Milton." Governor chuckled. "Now come on and help in carrying out the beer."
"I'm just suggesting we delay a couple of days." Milton whined.
"We can't wait," The Governor replied, entering his apartment, "Everything's ready."
"I love a party as much as the next fella." Milton said entering with Suzy and Merle behind him, "Trust me, I love a party. But we're using a lot of resources."
The Governor simply chuckled, brushing him off, "Yeah?"
"For instance, the generators-"
"I thought you love a party." The Governor shoved a big case of beer into Milton's arms.
Merle rolled his eyes again, keeping his good hand around Suzy's waist to make her feel secure, "Come on, Milty. Lighten up, for Christ's sake. Let your hair down, man. Have some fun for once."
"I like fun." Milton's voice raised a few octaves, making him sound even more innocent than before.
"Then there's no problem." The Governor shrugged.
"Okay, I'll vouch for him." Suzy spoke up, "He's been talking about this big experiment he's been working on and wants to make sure the generators have enough power so he can finish it."
"Thank you, Susan." Milton said, putting the case of beer down, "I've been working on this experiment all week. It's been a challenge getting the level of power I need. And with everything going on tonight-"
"What are you asking?" The Governor asked as if Milton didn't already make his point clear.
"Postpone tonight." Milton replied.
"No way." Merle said, making Suzy use her hip to bump his.
"Come on." Suzy sighed at him.
Merle rolled his eyes, "What? You were supposed to be on my side. I don't know why you always wanna back him up on shit-"
"I don't see anyone else doing it. Wouldn't kill you to try seeing his point of view on-"
"Oh stop, I don't need'ta see his point of view on shit-"
"You two." Governor interrupted them. They looked at him as he gestured to Milton, "Do you mind? Let's hear him out. How long do you need?"
"I don't need long." Milton said.
"How long?" Governor asked again.
"Ten days." Milton replied, making the Governor chuckle and roll his eyes.
"No." He laughed, shaking his head.
"Six?" Milton asked.
"No!" Governor chuckled even louder.
"How about-"
"How about you enjoy yourself tonight," Governor interrupted him for the trillionth time, "Then begin the experiment over in the morning, huh?"
Milton shrugged as the Governor shoved another case of beer into his arms, harder than the last time.
"Uh, yeah. That could work." Milton awkwardly replied.
"Come on," Suzy grabbed the other case Milton put down so she could help him out, "Let's get these outside for everyone. Merle, get the door please?"
Merle scoffed and let the two walk past him, then shut the door once they began walking down the hall to follow the Governor out.
"You get off on pissin' me off or somethin'?" Merle groaned as they walked down the hallway.
"No," Suzy giggled, "Maybe."
"You're a real piece of work I'll give ya that." Merle then slapped her butt.
"If you both could please-" Milton turned around with an annoyed look in his eye, "No one wants to see your-public displays of affection."
"Does it look like I give a shit?" Merle smiled and pointed his finger at him, "Don't like it then turn around, boy. And Suzy, remember to go feed them biters so they don't bust out the cage, kay?"
Suzy was the one to groan this time. Why did she have to be the one given this task? It was disgusting.
"Fine," Suzy replied.
Once they dropped the beers off, Suzy reluctantly went to the meat locker to fill a bucket. Once she did, she made her way down Woodbury and to what was now the arena.
"Of course I'm the one who gets stuck doing this shit." She mumbled to herself. She tried not looking down at what was inside the bucket. She could hear the groans from those things getting louder as she got closer. Merle was right, they were really riled up. She never thought she'd see the day where she would be expected to actually feed biters.
Once she came around the corner, she noticed all the moans and groans came to a stop. It became dead silent like the biters weren't there at all. Suzy quickened her pace, afraid that maybe they did somehow get out. When she entered the arena, she dropped the bucket by her feet at what she saw. Michonne somehow got her sword back and took out every single one of those biters. Michonne looked her in the eye from across the way. What was she supposed to do about this now?
"Did they break out or did you let them out?" Suzy asked. Michonne didn't answer, telling Suzy everything she needed to know. She let them out to kill them all.
"What the hell?" Tim's voice came up behind her, "What happened?"
"I'm handling it, Tim." Suzy said, trying to get him to leave. It was too late at that point. He was going to go run right to the Governor to tell him what happened. "Tim!"
"Sick-" She heard Tim say as he turned around to go find the Governor. Suzy looked back at Michonne.
"Damn it, follow me," She said, "I need to tell you something."
Michonne smirked and put her sword back in its sheath. Once they were walking side by side, Suzy looked around to make sure no one else was around.
"He's gonna question you," Suzy said practically in a whisper, "Sure you know everything he says is all bullshit by now."
Michonne nodded and whispered, "Yeah."
"He's gonna talk to you in the interrogation room, we have that now." Suzy continued, "Just follow my lead."
The two stayed completely silent on the way to the interrogation building. Once they were inside, Suzy had Michonne take off her sword and put it to the side and sit down in the chair in front of the desk. Suzy moved over to look in the drawers to see if there was anything she could use. Finding what she needed, she went back over to sit on the desk across from Michonne. When she opened her mouth to talk, Suzy quickly shushed her. She held the mini note pad and pen in her hands and wrote something down. Michonne's eyes widened at the sight of what Suzy had written.
"They're always listening."
Suzy then flipped to a new page and wrote down another message. Michonne watched as she frantically scribbled the pen on the paper.
"You need to get out while you still can. No one leaves."
"Northeast wall. Guarded by Haley for night watch. Best chance."
Michonne looked up at her and whispered, "Andrea."
"You can't tell anyone," Suzy whispered back then wrote another message on a new page.
"He'll kill me if you do. Just do what you have to get out."
"That's what this is about, right?" Suzy asked aloud. "To get him to kick you out?"
Michonne nodded as her answer instead of speaking.
"If that happens, promise you'll come back for one thing." Suzy whispered. When Michonne looked at her asking for more, she flipped to a new page and wrote one more message.
"Kill him."
"What the hell is this?" Merle burst through the door, "What are you tellin' her?"
Suzy quickly stuffed the note pad in her back pocket upon his entry and tossed the pen to the side.
"Nothing," Suzy answered nervously.
"Yeah I know that's bullshit." Merle almost wanted to laugh. "Go on, honey. I'm here to watch the door 'till Governor gets here. Yeah, I heard all about your little outburst, girl."
Michonne didn't acknowledge him speaking to her, only keeping her back to him in the chair. Suzy stood from the desk upon his command and went to the door.
"Trust me, Merle." Suzy whispered, but Merle did anything but whisper in return.
"We'll deal with this another time." Merle's eyes went to the door, signaling it being opened. Suzy quickly shut her mouth when the Governor came in. Merle grabbed her hand and they both silently left the building without another word and shut the door.
"They shouldn't be alone." Suzy said once they were outside.
"She can handle herself." Merle replied, "We'll wait here 'till he's done then he'll probably send us out again for more biters."
"Joy." Suzy sarcastically replied.
"What'd you think you were doin'?" Merle asked.
"What I have to." Suzy said.
"Why don't you go find Martinez, huh? Let him know we're gonna have'ta take another trip."
"Sure." Suzy frowned and ducked her head. Her sad and annoyed reaction annoyed the hell out of him too.
"Hey now," He grabbed her hand again to yank her back towards him. He grinned at the grimace look on her pretty face, "Don't be like that, honey bunch."
She rolled her eyes at him, making him let out a chuckle then kiss her. He kissed her until he felt her lighten up and relax beneath him.
"Not so mad at me now, are ya?" He said against her lips.
"Shut up," She fought a laugh of her own and pushed him away playfully. "I'll go find Martinez."
"Good girl," He nodded in content. He watched her go and whistled in appreciation. Then out of no where, the door to the interrogation building burst open and Michonne left, her sword in her hand once again. She paid no attention to Merle clearly standing there watching her leave. He made his way back in the building to see the Governor with a distressed look on his face. Clearly whatever he tried saying to her did not work in his favor.
"How'd it go?" Merle asked, knowing exactly how it must've went. The Governor was silent for a moment since he was still gathering himself after the ordeal. She had put her sword to his throat, fighting herself not to kill him right there. He was lucky she left it at that. He then put on a fake smile.
"She's all personality, that one." He replied. Merle looked at him concerned.
"Do we have a problem?" He asked.
"No." He shook his head, but he didn't seem so sure. He was pissed and was desperately attempting to hide it, "No. Send Andrea over to me. You can take the research team to get more grist for the mill. I can handle this."
"All right." Merle nodded and left it at that. Once outside, he found Andrea to let her know she had to see the Governor right away about Michonne. No doubt Sir Governor was going to twist the story in his favor. Merle sighed to himself when he thought about it. If things kept going this way, he had a feeling he knew what was going to happen. That number was going to get higher indeed.
He could only hope it wouldn't have to come to that...
Michonne wasted no time going back to the apartment her and Andrea were staying in. Suzy was right, they had to go. Whether that was together or not wasn't the issue. She began packing her stuff in a frenzy, trying to come up with a plan. If no one was allowed to leave, then they would have to risk sneaking over the wall if they were going to make it. The only issue was Andrea. Would she want to leave? She had to be able to see reason. She couldn't put her finger on exactly what it was, but the Governor was not right upstairs. She remembered what Suzy told her, to get out before they got in too deep. She also remembered what she had said about them listening. The apartment with the door shut was the only safe place to speak freely. This was the only place she could tell Andrea enough was enough.
Speaking of who, Andrea finally came to the door with a sigh at what Michonne was doing.
"We gotta talk." She said.
"We gotta go." Michonne replied, continuing to pack both of their stuff. Andrea (thankfully) shut the door.
"The Governor told me what happened." She continued, "Michonne, you can't do things like this. You're freaking people out. You're freaking me out."
"The northeast wall is guarded by some girl. We can escape there after dark." Michonne then shoved Andrea's bag into her arms. Andrea only rolled her eyes and put the bag down.
"We are not prisoners here."
"No one who comes here leaves!" Michonne insisted. There was no other way to tell her other than being upfront about it. The only problem was she couldn't say where she got the information from. She couldn't be responsible for Suzy's life being in danger like that.
"What are you talking about?" Andrea said, confused, "It's safe! There's food, there's shelter, there's people for God's sake-"
"That's what they show you, but you can't leave unless they make you!"
"You are not making any sense," Of course she couldn't since she couldn't give anymore to go on, "Mich, maybe you need to sit for a minute."
"You need to trust me." Now she understood how Suzy felt dancing around her words when she tried telling her about what happened to the National Guard.
"And you need to give me more to go on," Unfortunately she couldn't without ratting Suzy out, "We got a good thing going here."
Michonne gave Andrea a glare, "I thought this was temporary."
"And I think we need this." Of course that was the response expected after multiple "it's just a day or two, Michonne" "it's just a day or two more, Michonne". "I want to give this place a real shot."
"I tried."
"Breaking into houses? That is not trying. That is sabotaging."
Michonne turned around to take a deep breath. How could she tell her more and not rat out her source? She turned back around to look Andrea in the eye.
"This place, is not what they say it is." She said, Andrea only giving a look of uncertainty. She continued, "I can't tell you how I know. I'm asking you as a friend, to trust me on this. Please."
Andrea sighed, taking in what Michonne just said.
"Okay." Andrea nodded, "But only if we do it the right way. No sneaking out at night. We'll walk through the front gate. Then we could always come back if things get bad for us again out there."
Michonne took another deep breath to calm herself. She knew it wouldn't work that way. Whoever was guarding the gate will say no. But maybe it would be better that way. Maybe it would help Andrea see the reality of where they really were. She'll realize there's always a reason they can't leave, yet are told they can leave whenever they want.
"Fine," Michonne pushed the words out, "We'll do it your way. Finish packing up your stuff. We'll need to leave before dark."
That familiar sound of the ghostly whine from the screamer pits hit Suzy's ears. The Governor probably expected her to feel grateful and indebted to him for being allowed to leave the walls twice in one week. Her, Merle, Martinez, and now Milton were here to once again gather biters for the fights that evening. Milton chose to tag along for his studies. Martinez decided it was his turn to drive this time with Merle in the passenger seat, then Milton and Suzy riding in the back of the military truck. Once they got there, Martinez put the truck to a stop and the four of them hopped out to see if anything new dropped down.
"Hey, all right-We got us a bite." Merle announced as he glanced into the pit, "Yeah! We got us some. Let's hook 'em up!"
"Martinez, you pull up the truck." Suzy told him. Once they both hooked up the net, Martinez got back in the truck to pull the biters out.
"That's it!" Merle called out to Martinez.
"All right, that's good!" Suzy said, making Martinez stop the truck. The biters were all grouped together in the net, dangling above the ground.
"Oh yeah, come get it!" Merle joked, teasing the biters with his good hand. It did a really good job riling the things up that was for sure, "Whoa! Look at this one."
Merle gestured to one of the biters he riled up, "It's too little, we're gonna have'ta kill it."
"Hold on," Milton spoke up, "There's something interesting in its eyes."
"Like what?" Suzy commented, but Milton ignored her.
"So, don't kill it?" Martinez said once he hopped back out of the truck.
"It's a maybe for me." Milton replied.
"Yeah?" Merle smirked, taking one of the reach extenders from Martinez and tossing it to him, "Here you go. Get your hands dirty for once, huh? All right, let 'em down now, honey."
Suzy went over to press the button to lower the net. Once it was all the way down, the biters were able to find their way out. One immediately targeted Milton, but he wasn't able to keep her back.
"Get her, man! Get her!" Merle chanted as the biter then took hold of Milton's arm and began trying to chow down. Only he was wearing that jacket Merle constantly made fun of since he made it. The one that had the sleeves covered in layers of duct tape.
"Oh stop it, Merle." Suzy whined, Martinez taking the liberty of using his own reach extender to grab the biter by its neck to pull it away from Milton. Once it was far enough back, he handed the extender to Suzy to hold.
"Oh man! I tell you what, I take back everything I said about that jacket." Merle laughed, making Milton's expression brighten. Suzy remembered how much he shit on that jacket almost a year ago, that he would be caught dead wearing it.
"That's as close to an apology you're ever gonna get." Suzy said to Milton.
"I'll take it." Milton replied.
"Come here, let me see her." Merle then used his blade hand to stab it in the head, making that gleam in Milton's face fade. Martinez grabbed another extender and used it to grab a hold of another biter that got out of the net.
"Hey, Merle. Check this one out," Martinez laughed, "He's almost as ugly as you."
The biter Martinez had was completely riled up and aggressive, trying so hard to break free and attack. It only made Merle laugh in amusement because of course it would.
"Holy shit! Yeah, he's a mean one, huh? Look at him!" Merle laughed. "Get him down, now. Come on."
Martinez pushed the biter down onto the ground, not removing its neck from the extender. Merle then put the blade on his arm into its mouth to hold it there so it would stop chomping.
"Got him!" He shouted, "Come on, baby! Get on there!"
Suzy rolled her eyes, hating that it was her who had to do this part. She saw the unpleased look on Martinez's face when she got on top of the biter.
"Yeah, don't give me no shit, boy!" Merle took out the pliers and plucked out a tooth from the biter's mouth, "All yours, baby!"
Suzy took the pliers from his hand and continued pulling out the biter's teeth.
"Hey, hold it!" Suzy shouted at Martinez when she noticed the extender loosened around its neck. Martinez came to his senses and tightened the extender so she could finish.
"Yeah!" Merle chanted, smirking at her, "You got it, honey!"
"Yep, got it." Suzy stood up. Martinez took the biter back to the net. "How many more of these again?"
"About five," Martinez replied, making Suzy sigh.
"Great," Suzy rolled her eyes again.
"Ay, just be happy you get to be here today," Merle grinned, grabbing her shoulder and shaking it a little, "Might try loosenin' up a little."
Suzy only gave a sarcastic smirk in return, a smirk that said shut up.
Martinez groaned at the two of them, "Come on, let's just finish this."
"Be careful, Martinez, your jealousy is showing." Milton suddenly commented, making Merle burst out laughing.
"Man, shut up." Martinez snapped, grabbing hold of another biter, "Before I set this mean son of a bitch on ya."
"Come on, leave the man alone, Martinez." Suzy chimed in, "Get it on the ground so we can finish."
Half a dozen biters later, Martinez got them into the net and Suzy lifted them up once again. The four got back into the truck and headed back to the community, entering through the back gate. They released the biters into the cage the old ones were kept in then rejoined the party like they never left, Martinez going to start his shift at the main gate.
"You plan on tellin' me what you were doin' with Michonne in there?" Merle asked once Martinez and Milton were far enough ahead of them.
"Nope," Suzy replied, annoying him, "But if and when she tries to go, let her."
"You know we can't do that."
"Please." She insisted, "It's the least we can do at this point."
"I'll see what I can do." He nodded then snaked his arm around her waist, "In the meantime, let's pretend to have some fun for once."
Luckily the Governor wasn't anywhere to be found so she didn't feel so uneasy. Suzy grabbed each of them beers and they started drinking together. Merle was much more outgoing than her, so he didn't really have an issue mingling with other people. Suzy mainly kept to herself unless she was talking to Merle. Even if she was more outgoing, she wasn't interested in the small talk these people tried making anyway. The things they talked about were so normal, it was frightening to think people could still act like things were still how it was before. She couldn't fully blame them though. Being inside these walls for so long can do that. She felt it happening to herself over the winter. Despite hating the work she had to do at the pits, it was the most relieved she's felt since she first attempted to run away.
"Looks like you were right, darlin'." Merle said, pulling Suzy away from her thoughts.
"What?" She said.
"There they go." Merle pointed at Andrea and Michonne carrying their stuff on their back and walking towards the front gate. "Hey, hey, hey, girls. Where y'all off to in such a hurry? Huh?"
Merle stood from the bench they were sitting on and approached them. Suzy debated getting up herself, but decided to let Merle handle it. She hoped and hoped he would follow through with what she asked of him.
"Hey, come on now." He caught up to them, "Y'all breaking my heart runnin' away like that."
"We're leaving." Michonne said, stopping only because Merle went in front of them. Merle shrugged like he had no idea. Might as well.
"It's almost curfew. I'd have to arrange an escort. I mean, the party's still goin' on." When Michonne gave him the look to get out of the way, he chuckled. "All right. Hold on, wait here a second."
Merle went up to the gate and looked up at Martinez, "Brownie, come here."
Martinez thought about calling him out for that comment but decided he was probably used to it by now. He knelt down to hear out what Merle wanted to say.
"Listen up, bro-" Merle then went down to a whisper, "The girls wanna head out."
"They can't." Martinez replied in a low voice as well so Andrea and Michonne couldn't hear.
"I promised-" Merle started but was cut off by Andrea approaching.
"The Governor told us we were free to come and go whenever we liked." She said. Merle turned around, ready to tell her she wasn't going anywhere, but forced himself not to.
"Sweetheart, nothin' personal here, but you're gonna have'ta step back." He said, making Andrea go back over to Michonne. Once she did, he looked back up at Martinez, "I promised Suzy I'd let 'em go, all right? Give the all clear."
"This is a mistake." Martinez said, going back up to to the post to check for biters.
"Yeah, yeah." Merle said, begrudgingly going to lift the latch on the gate.
"Clear." One of the men said from up top.
"Now if I was y'all, I'd find some shelter before nightfall." Merle said to the girls then opened a door to the gate for them to walk out. "Ladies."
"Close the gates," Andrea said to him, but Michonne quickly said no. Suzy watched from afar, standing up so she could get a bit closer. She gasped when she saw Merle open the gate. She didn't think he'd actually do it because she asked. She could tell Andrea changed her mind about going. The two were bickering now, but she couldn't hear any of it. Merle stood there patiently waiting for at least one of them to walk out. Eventually, Michonne walked out alone, leaving Andrea behind her. Merle shrugged and closed the gate then went back to Suzy at the bench.
"What happened?" She asked and he shrugged again.
"Lose one, ya gain one." He replied. "She's gone."
She didn't know what else to do except put her arms around him as tight as she could.
"Thank you." She said. He patted her back with his one hand.
"I'll be right back." He said, pushing her away from him gently, "I gotta go do somethin'."
"You'll be right back?"
"Yep. Meet me back in the apartment so we can get me in my get-up."
"You got it." She nodded then watched him go off.
He went to the Governor's apartment. He knew what was going to happen now, what the Governor was going to ask of him. He made himself look as calm as possible and knocked on the door.
"Come in." He heard the Governor say. He opened the door and saw the Governor sitting at his desk. He looked up at Merle from his seat, "What you got for me?"
"It's about Michonne." Merle said, "She just left."
"You let her go?"
Merle nervously nodded his head, "Yeah."
The Governor took a deep inhale through his nose as he stood up to approach him. He clasped his hands together nonchalantly.
"All right," He said, "Then you know what to do."
"Yeah. "I'll head out in the morning."
"Well don't go alone, take some able bodies with you. Leave Martinez, I need him to stay here if you go. Tim, Crowley maybe, and bring that kid with you. Gargulio. It'll be a good experience for him."
Merle reluctantly replied, "Will do, Governor."
"Another thing, Merle-" The Governor added, "It'll be best if Susan and Andrea didn't know about this."
"Agreed. I'll find a way to keep 'em busy before I go."
"And you know what I want from her, right?" Governor said with a dark look in his eyes, "Her sword, and her head. Use her sword to get her head if you have to."
"Can do, Governor." Merle nodded as confidently as he could, standing upright and confident to make it look convincing.
"Good." Governor smiled contently, "Now go get prepared for tonight. I'll go see how Andrea's doin'."
Merle nodded again and headed out of his apartment. How he was going to hide this from Suzy he didn't know yet. He did know there was absolutely no way she could know this was going to happen. She would never agree and would either talk him out of it or just get angry with him. He couldn't have either of those, she wouldn't understand that he was doing what he had to do.
Even if it was something he didn't want to do in the first place...
Once it was dark, everyone was drunk as hell and heading to the arena. Suzy wasn't sure if she was exactly looking forward to this, since she wasn't interested in seeing men that were and/or are interested in her beat the shit out of each other, staged or not.
"You look probably as thrilled as I am." Milton said, catching up to walk next to her.
"Oh you know it." She sarcastically replied. "Not your thing either, huh?"
"Well, maybe not for the same reason as you, but yes." Milton replied, "Not exactly how I would rather spend my time, but he makes me attend, obviously."
"If I didn't like sport before the world ended, I doubt I'm gonna start liking it now."
"Likewise." Milton nodded, making his way up the seats. Suzy decided to sit next to him in the second row from the top. It was already so loud with everyone drunk and excited for what was to come. The Governor approached with Andrea on his tail and said hi to the both of them like they were all great friends with no problems. He was probably wasted too at this rate.
"Wanna place bets on who will win?" Suzy asked.
"I think we both know who it will be, my bias aside." Milton replied.
The lights then flashed on and the rock music cranked up. Everyone stood and burst into applause and chants of excitement. Martinez came out and went to the middle of the arena. Surrounding him were the biters they caught on chains, creating a fighting ring instead of rope or a net. Of course he chose the no shirt route, she thought. Merle happily entered next in his all black get-up like Suzy. That was when the crowd applauded even louder and began chanting Merle's name, while she and Milton continued sitting on the bench unamused. She looked at all the women cheering and rolled her eyes. Her and Milton exchanged glances, mutually deciding to stand up with everyone else, only they didn't join in on all the screaming.
"I'm gonna kick his ass one-handed!" Merle shouted, pointing at Martinez, "Oh the hell with that! No-handed!"
Merle found her in the audience and looked her in the eye when he started doing push-ups with only his right arm. Roll eyes to the back of my head or be nice and do nothing? Decisions.
"No hands!" Merle shouted, "Bring it on!"
Tim blew his whistle to start the first round after Merle removed his black vest. The second he heard the whistle he swung his leg to kick Martinez right to the ground.
"Come on, get up!" He commanded. Martinez gladly did and went in for swings of his own with his fist. Merle blocked them easily and knocked him to the ground again, almost making him land right in one of the biter's hands.
"He's got nothin! Nothing, folks!" Merle shouted, making the crowd scream louder. Milton and Suzy exchanged glanced again as if asking if either of them should clap. They shrugged and gave a slow clap to act like they were joining in. Martinez stood and immediately clocked Merle from behind, knocking him down. Martinez helped him up and tried putting him in a choke hold. Merle ended up using the leverage on him to kick a biter in the face that tried getting too close. Once he did, he easily flipped Martinez back onto the ground. Tim blew the whistle, making the Governor whine.
"Aw, come on! Let 'em fight!" She heard him yell behind her. She never heard the Governor sound so genuinely casual since she met him. Tim then pulled the chains that connected all the biters and brought them closer together, tightening the circle Merle and Martinez were in.
"Come on, pretty boy." Merle mocked him, "Let's dance."
Merle quickly threw Martinez right into a biter's arm, making him almost panic. Merle kicked him in the stomach to make him get down so he could punch the biter in the face so Martinez could get free.
"Looks like my prediction was right!" Milton said into Suzy's ear so she could hear, all while Merle continued to kick Martinez's ass in front of them.
"Yeah, we were both definitely not wrong!" Suzy replied. Merle slammed Martinez on the ground face down. If it weren't for his and Martinez's dick measuring contest, she actually might've been turned on right now.
"Come on, walk it off, huh?" Merle kicked Martinez again and flipped him over onto his back, but Martinez wasn't getting up. He put his foot on Martinez's chest and the crowd began chanting his name in unison. "Uno! Dos! Tres!"
"Looks like that's the end of round one." Milton commented, making Suzy nod in response.
"Yeah!" Merle shouted. He then found Suzy in the audience again and gestured for her to approach the ring, "Come here, baby!"
She rolled her eyes playfully this time, knowing exactly what he wanted; which was to rub all of it in Martinez's face. And she wasn't just going to say no in front of all of Woodbury. She made her way down the seats, Milton debating on stopping her. She jumped right into his arms, him holding her in place by her butt. The cheers that rang in their ears when she kissed him was out of this world loud. Especially when he decided to make it even more explicit by showing their tongues going into each other's mouths. Milton wanted to comment that children were present, but knew no one was going to hear him over how loud people were shouting, including the Governor.
Martinez shuffled his way up off the ground and brushed the dirt off his skin.
"I think it's time for round two!" He lifted his right hand and announced to the crowd. This made Merle break the kiss and set Suzy down and laugh.
"Hear that!" He shouted, "Brownie wants some more! You do the honors, honey!"
Suzy went over to Tim and she held out her hand. Tim shrugged and handed her the whistle around his neck. She blew it, starting the next round.
"Let's go, pretty boy!" Merle taunted him, giving him an old fashioned clock right in the jaw. He got Martinez in a choke hold while Tim let Suzy do the honors of drawing in the biters even closer. Merle brought Martinez over to one of them, but Martinez elbowed him in the gut so he could break free and shove him instead. Merle laughed and roundhouse kicked Martinez in the face then gave a stomp with his boot on his back
"Come on, boy! Get up!" Merle said, but Martinez didn't make a move to stand up. Martinez panted out of breath and stayed on the ground, making the crowd start chanting his name again even louder.
When Merle turned to look at her again, she couldn't help but smile that smile he loved seeing so much. She couldn't fight that glimmer of happiness she felt inside or deny how giddy he made her feel. He had her come over again so she could get onto his shoulders and count with him to end the round. She still wasn't fond of the whole fighting ring thing, but she couldn't deny how good Merle was at it and how good he looked doing it. He made it so she finally felt like she was having fun. He was always good at that the most.
After the third round (which Merle won, obviously), the two went back to their apartment to drink even more. Merle put on the same ACDC disc he found in the car they took on one of their supply runs once. They got shit faced and made sure the music was loud enough so the returning neighbors wouldn't hear the other things they would be doing throughout the night.
He took her on their couch, their table, their counter, and finally their bed to end the night. She couldn't remember a time she last felt as happy as she was now. That was thing about Woodbury. No matter who you were, Woodbury was a place of fantasy. Not everyone had the same one, but was a vessel of a fantasy of happiness nonetheless. Everything felt right, felt complete. Merle did his best to forget about his tomorrow's task for the night. They both deserved one last night of true happiness. His night with her only solidified his need to complete the task given to him. She was the last thing important to him in this world, Daryl still potentially being out there somewhere. He was willing to do whatever it took to keep her safe, even if it meant killing Michonne for the Governor's benefit.
She didn't have to know, but if she somehow found out, he hoped she would find a way to understand. It was for her. It would always be for her...