Chapter Seven: Butting Heads
Sitting on a fallen tree in the woods, I listened to it come alive, unable to stop a smile from crossing my face. This was how I had started this new world. In the woods. A place that almost made you think that the world wasn't lost. I forgot how peaceful it was to be alone with nature. At the same time it didn't take long for me to remember the loneliness of it as well. I had no dog panting or sniffing around. I didn't have a nice solitary cabin with a handsome man or a five year old distracting me.
Hearing rustling, I knew my small amount of alone time was over. Pulling out my gun, slowly, I waited for them to make their move. It was amazing what you picked up when you were on your own for so long. The difference in the weight of a footfall. Whether it was human or animal or walker. The difference between a bird and a squirrel. They were subtle but once you knew them it was unmistakable.
It took several minutes before a woman slowly stepped from the woods. Her clothes were in shambles and her hair was greasy with leaves and grass caught in it. Her skin was ashen, her lips dry and cracked. She looked like one of them but she was alive. Though she was clearly on the verge of death. That meant she was desperate, meaning she was completely unpredictable.
"Do you have any food?" She asked.
"I don't." I told her.
"But you look normal. You must live somewhere around here. Do you have a group?" She asked next.
"I'm not going to tell you anything." I smiled as I slowly shook my head.
She pulled a knife from her waist. I couldn't help but gawk at it. There was intricate engraving on it that held the eye.
"What are you looking at?" The woman frowned at me.
"I like your knife." I stated. "Can I have it?"
"No." She replied but was shaking. Smiling, I stood up and slowly stepped toward her. "Stop." I just laughed lightly and kept moving forward. "I said stop." She said as she pressed the tip of it into my stomach.
"I dare you." I told her. "Go ahead and kill me."
"What?" She told me with shock.
She looked like she was going to throw up. She couldn't do it. She wouldn't. She didn't have the stomach to kill anyone. She was a useless human in a world that was going to chew her up and spit her out. She was emaciated and stunk and was missing teeth. She was never going to survive in this world.
Sighing, I relaxed a little, "You can't do it, can you?"
"Step back." She replied, her shaking intensifying.
Nodding, I offered her a small smile. "This is for your own good." I told her.
"What is?"
"You don't need to suffer like this."
"What are you talking about?" She asked as she started to step away from me.
Gripping her wrist, I tore the knife from it, spinning it and swiftly thrust it up under her chin, stabbing her brain. For a moment there was a shocked look on her face, but it quickly disappeared as she relaxed. Pulling the knife free, I looked at it, cleaning it in the grass. Smiling slightly at the carving along the blade, I turned and started to head back toward Woodbury's gates.
I'd only gone a few feet when I stopped, a slow clap filling the silence of the wood. Gripping the hilt of the knife, I was ready for whoever she had had with her. Whoever thought that they stood a chance. Only then I was filled with disappointment as the clapper turned out to be Merle.
"What the fuck do you want?" I shot at him and kept walking.
"Nice going, sugar tits." He replied as he fell in step behind me. Turning, I punched him hard across the jaw, forcing him to his knees. Moving away from him, I heard him laughing. "I like your spice!"
"Go fuck yourself, Dog." I shot over my shoulder. He jogged after me. "Get the hell away from me before I stab you in your deflated beer belly."
He laughed again, "I like your spirit."
"Get the fuck away from me." I told him.
"Why are you hanging out with Martinez? I'm sure I could make you scream in ways you'd never believe."
Taking his legs out from under him, he hit the ground with enough force to knock the air from his lungs. Leaving him behind, he was laughing again, pissing me the hell off. Passing through the gates, I kept looking over my shoulder for him. Moving toward my apartment, I saw Caesar walking toward me and I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief.
"You okay?" He asked.
"Yeah." I smiled at him.
He picked up my hand that was still gripping the knife. Looking down, I saw the blood that was covering it. "What's this?"
"I ran into someone in the woods." I stated.
"And?" He frowned.
I smiled and held up my hand, "I won."
Keeping moving, he wrapped his arm around me before asking again, "You okay?"
"I'm good." I told him.
"Wanna get some food?"
"Yeah." I smiled at him.
Spending the rest of day with him and the few that followed, a routine was starting to form. Sitting on my bed, I was writing in my notepad, my own personal memoir. My own World War Z. It was extremely inconsequential but it might come in useful someday. To someone. Not that it would hold the secrets that would end the apocalypse but it would definitely be helpful for survival. Since I was surviving. I seemed to be good at surviving. It was a completely different story for those who entered my life.
When my wrist was cramping and I needed a change of scenery, I started my usual walking of the walls. Nothing had changed and yet I still felt the need to make sure I had a plan for the moment I ever decided to leave. I'd thrown myself in with the Governor, but if I wanted to leave I sure as hell wasn't going to let him stop me.
"Out for a walk?" Caesar said falling in step with me.
"I like to walk." I told him.
"I know." He nodded. "Though that's one of the only things I know about you."
"Stop." I frowned.
He sighed, scratching his cheek, "It's been weeks and –"
"And it's been fun." I told him. "Don't ruin the fun, Caesar."
Then we both stopped as another man stepped in front of us. "Merle." Caesar said with mild annoyance.
"Whenever you're ready to get rid of her, I'll be happy to take her off your hands." Merle told him.
Scoffing, I shook my head, "Get out of here, Dog."
He smiled but I knew he didn't like the name I'd given him. "I bet I'd be more fun."
"I like my level of fun." I told him. "And Caesar is twice the man you are in every possible way."
Merle looked at me evilly, keeping the smile on his face as he walked away. I didn't believe that Caesar was that amazing but if it pissed Merle off I didn't give a shit. Caesar seemed pleased with my words and if it made him happy then maybe he would stop trying to get to know me.
"Ready for tonight?" He asked as we kept walking.
"I guess." I replied. "I still think it's a weird way to let off steam."
"It is." He replied. "But it's important for the balance in Woodbury."
"If people knew what was out there they wouldn't need to let off steam. They would go out there and protect the town or simply be happy with the safety that the Governor has provided. You all are untouched here. They don't know what's out there. Or who. Everyone here is blind to the way the world is now and that will never stop bugging me." I rambled.
He wrapped his arm around me, pulling me against his side, "You're weird."
Frowning, I wanted to pull away from him, but that would lead to a talk I just didn't want to have. I'd let him have that one. If being practical and knowledgeable about the world we lived in made me weird than fine. I was weird.
We went and got food, sitting outside and people watching a bit. But he kept trying to pry into my life. Asking me questions that I just didn't feel like answering. I wasn't talking about anything personal. I'd tell him how I managed to survive but I always kept it vague. I wasn't here to make friends or make a new family. I was here to survive. That was what I did best. I'd do what I had to do but in the end that's what it was about. Me surviving.
Convincing him to go back to his apartment, all conversation halted as we fooled around, waiting for night to fall and the games to begin. I wasn't remotely looking forward to it. It seemed like a stupid way to let people get a release. But staying here meant I participated with everything.
"Hey." Karen said as I Caesar and I walked into the arena.
Caesar pulled me closer against him, kissing me sweetly, "I'll see you after."
"Yeah." I smiled, watching him walk away.
"You ready for this?" Karen asked.
Scoffing, I nodded at him, "I guess so."
"Maybe Merle will die." She smirked.
That brightened me up a bit. "If Dog bites it that would definitely make my day."
She just laughed and we found seats toward the top of the bleachers. The fact that something like this even existed was a bit of a miracle. If it weren't for them using Walkers against our own, I might actually not mind. But using them for entertainment wasn't right.
"Alright, who's ready to see a fight?!" The Governor called out to the crowd. "Who's ready to see a battle of life and death?!"
The crowd erupted, all on their feet and ready for the fight. Getting to mine, I looked around, watching as four walkers were brought forward, each being chained to some mechanism. Then Merle and Caesar stepped forward. Merle's name was being chanted. Caesar's as well but it was obvious who the crowd favorite was.
"Don't worry about him." Karen told me.
"I'm not." I replied.
She just smiled at me. But I honestly wasn't worried. If he died than he died. It wouldn't mean the end for me. I'd already survived a death I didn't think I would. But I did. Ben was dead and if I could live through his death than I could definitely live through Caesar's. I'd just find someone else to warm my bed. Another distraction.
The Governor started the fight and I watched as Merle swung his blade at Caesar. It wasn't necessarily a hard thing to watch but as their hits found purchase against each other, Caesar looked to be at the losing end. He was knocked down more often than not, blood being spilt from both of them. Caesar was knocked to the ground, a walker nearly making it on top of him, but Merle spared his life, killing it before it could kill him. Caesar stayed on the ground, frowning as he breathed hard. Merle just smiled before he dispatched the other three, claiming his victory as he threw his arms into the air.
"It's fixed you know." Karen told me.
"I know." I nodded. "Caesar told me. Though I don't know why they want Dog to win so much."
She just smiled and shook her head at me, "It was a good fight."
"It was." I admitted. "Nothing like the two right-hand men fighting against each other."
"At least they're both alive." The person on my other side told me.
"Sure." I nodded before moving down the bleachers.
The crowd was already dispersing. It was a lot of build up for just a few minutes of release. But it seemed to do the trick. Everyone was laughing and enjoying themselves, goods being exchanged from bets that had been made. It pissed me off. I may not be the best person in the world but I respected the dead and what they could do. They had no place being purposely put in with the living.
"Hey." I said to Caesar. "You okay?"
He smirked at me, still breathing hard, "Yeah, baby, I'm good."
Smiling, I wrapped my arm around him. "Let's get you cleaned up."
"Still going for the losers." Merle stated stepping toward us.
Glaring at him, I kept walking, though he fell in step on my other side. "Why do you insist on annoying the shit out of me?" I asked him. "Go away."
"Gotta take care of your man?"
"Merle, enough." Caesar told him before smirking. "I got the girl, let it go."
"I didn't get a chance to try."
Laughing, I let Caesar go and swiftly punched Merle in the face, "Begging dogs get beat. Now go away."
Caesar laughed, taking my waist and leading me away before I could do anything else. I wanted to beat the shit out of him. I wanted to do something horrible to him and I would take pleasure in it.
Going back to his apartment, we took a shower together so I could clean him up, letting him have his way with me, still invigorated from the fight. After, I made sure to treat all his wounds, chitchatting over a beer before he was practically falling asleep sitting up. Putting him to bed, I sat with him for a little while longer before I finally left.
I was halfway home when I heard something banging against the wall. Moving toward it, putting my hand against the metal, the banging continued. It was rhythmic. Then the sound of it filtered through. The low airy growls of a hungry walker. Sighing, I moved back toward the gates, seeing Greg and Paul on top of it keeping watch.
"Hey, guys." I called up to them.
They turned toward me, Paul smirking, "Caroline."
"What can we do for you?" Greg asked.
"I heard a walker on the other side of the wall. Have there been many out there?"
"No." Greg said shaking his head.
"There's been a few but nothing we can't handle." Paul added.
Nodding, I smiled up at them, "Mind if I go take care of it?"
Paul said 'not at all' while Greg was quick to say 'no'. I simply smiled, climbing up onto the wall and jumped down the other side. Paul told me to be careful while Greg's heavy sigh couldn't be missed. Pulling my knife from its sheath attached to my thigh, I took in the engraving, perfectly happy with my newest possession. Walking around the corner of the wall, I saw the walker banging against the wall is it slid itself against it. Nonchalantly stepping up behind it, I stabbed it through the base of its skull. It fell forward and I couldn't help but smile, cleaning the blade before turning back to the gate.
I'd only taken a few steps when I was sidelined, my head being slammed into the wall. Falling to my stomach, I looked up, narrowly missing a blade coming down onto my back as I rolled, pressing myself against the wall. I felt it slide through my shirt, a small amount of pain accompanying it.
Looking up, I couldn't help the anger that started to flood me, "Dog."
"Stop calling me that you mad bitch!" He yelled and attempted stab me again.
Avoiding it again, I took out his legs before getting back onto my feet. I could feel blood running down the side of my face. I touched my stomach, bringing my hand back to see a small amount of blood. It had been close. Looking at him as he got to his feet, I picked up my knife, ready to fucking run him through.
Laughing, I shook my head at him, "But that's what you are. You're a dog who has been trained very well by his master."
He lunged at me, making me leap backward, pulling in my center to avoid the blade. Laughing again, I circled him, watching as he got more pissed off. He tried twice more before I finally managed to punch him, swiping my blade across his chest. Seeing red in the moonlight, I couldn't help but smile. I was enjoying this. Though in the next second there was a growl and I leapt to the side, seeing a walker coming for us. Merle took his opportunity and his fist found my stomach. He hit me with such force that the air was pushed out of my lungs. My feet momentarily left the ground and he slammed me down onto my back. Spinning, he cut the walkers head in half before he turned back to me. I didn't know if his right hand had been his dominant one but he had no trouble beating the shit out of me with his left. Attempting to block him, I felt the knife against my forearm, slicing through the soft flesh. Finally managing to bring my leg up, I managed to raise him off of me far enough to punch him. He fell off of me and I swiftly turned and punched him again. Getting to my feet I kicked him as hard as I could in the abdomen. Again and again and again. Then I kicked his face, making him flip onto his back. Kicking him a few more times, I got on top of him and starting to beat the living hell out of him. But at some point his survival instincts must have kicked in because I felt pain, looking down to see the blade imbedded in my side. Swiftly grabbing it, I momentarily fumbled with the devise before the blade came apart from it.
Getting off of him, I kept the blade stable as I waited to see what he was going to do. He stood, looking at his weaponless hand. He could beat me with that if he wanted to. But I was tougher than that. He could come after me and I would still beat him to death with his blade still in my side. Seeing my knife on the ground, I picked it up, taking a deep breath, ready for another round. Nodding at him, I motioned him forward.
He just smiled at me, "Well, darlin'. I'd say you won this one."
Nodding again, I moved back toward the gate. Seeing a flashlight, Paul came sprinting into view. "What the hell?"
"Dog is an asshole." I told him. He laughed before noticing the blade in my side, sighing heavily at me. "I know. I know." I told him exasperatingly.
"Always trouble."
"It's my forte." I smirked at him.
He nodded, "Come on."
Being taken to the infirmary, I was helped onto a table and waited for Dr. Stevens to come. She was smart and capable. I hadn't come into too much contact with physicians since the world went to shit but I felt like I would have liked her in some ordinary doctor's office. She was someone I would have chosen.
"Caroline." Dr. Stevens smiled. "Fancy seeing you here at this late hour."
Smiling, I nodded at her, "Found myself a late night fight."
She quickly frowned as she took in the blade that was still in my side. "Really?" She said on the verge of annoyance already. "Merle? Again?"
"It's only been a few times." I told her.
"Not like this."
Sighing, I nodded, "I know. This was a bit much. But it's whatever."
"A blade through your side is whatever?" She asked with a raised brow.
"Yeah." I replied nonchalantly.
She just shook her head at me, pursing her lips. Smiling apologetically at her, she simply set to work. She probed around the blade before she swiftly yanked it from me, making me gasp, taking my breath away before I finally took air in with a giant heave.
"Jesus, Doc!" I exclaimed as my hand gripped my side.
"Didn't hit anything important." She told me with an annoyed expression.
Nodding, I took a slow deep breath, "That's good."
"It is."
We talked about random things while she tended to me. The entrance and exit wound needed stitching. She cleaned everything else and handed me a fourteen day supply of antibiotics. By then I would be perfectly fine. As long as I didn't get myself into any more trouble.
"Thank you." I told her as I hopped off the table.
"Anytime." She told me. "But I'd prefer longer streaks between visits."
Laughing, I nodded, "I'll do my best."
"Are you enjoying your job?"
I nodded again, "Yeah. I want to keep Woodbury safe."
She smiled, "We appreciate what you do."
"Do you even know what I do?" I frowned at her. "What any of us do when we go outside the walls?"
She took a breath, letting it out slowly, "I do."
"Then why the hell would you appreciate what I do?" I asked, sounding harsher than I intended.
"Because the only thing that could bring Woodbury down is other people."
"What if those people are innocent and we should be taking them in versus what actually happens to them?" I asked next.
"A moral dilemma." She stated.
"You're just full of wisdom." I smirked at her.
She laughed lightly and nodded, "I am, aren't I? But that's something you have to figure out for yourself. One person can bring down this entire community. All anyone would need is one moment for us to let our guard down. One person could open the gates and let the bad guys into our world."
"And we have no idea who the bad guys are."
She nodded again, "That's right."
"I could have been the bad guy."
"But we took a chance and you aren't."
"So when do we stop taking chances?" I asked her.
She shrugged but offered me a soft smile, "I guess that's something you have to figure out for yourself, too."
Unable to stop myself, I hugged her, "Thank you."
"I'll see you later."
Leaving, I stepped outside to see Paul still holding Merle at gunpoint. Smiling at him, I patted Merle's shoulder as I passed him by, enjoying seeing him flinch. Going back to my apartment, I fell onto my bed on my stomach, ignoring the pain in my side. Shutting my eyes, I fell asleep quickly.
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