Phoenix
Author's Notes:
I'm sorry for the delay in getting this next chapter out. This story was originally going to be a couple more chapters … move from prison to PRD … everyone lived happily ever after … blah, blah. Change of plans. I had several new ideas being tossed around in my head that I needed to work out before I got back to writing. I decided to incorporate a thread for another story into this one instead so this story will be several more chapters.
As always, thank you for reviews, favorites and follows. I appreciate it!
Chapter 8
LOST
They heard the warning whistle just as the first grenade hit the prison. Everyone scrambled and jumped into action. It took a couple of minutes to assess the situation but it didn't take a genius to see that they were in trouble.
After exchanging fire for a few minutes, the attackers suddenly stopped. It was then that the group saw the Governor standing with Beth and holding Judith in his arms. They could all see the gun leveled at Beth's head.
"Lay down weapons and surrender," the Governor said in his clear and calm manner. "If you don't they will die. If you don't, you will all die. If you cooperate, some of you may be spared."
"Don't do it," Daryl hissed.
"I have to. She's my daughter," Hershel said.
"Me, too. We don't have a choice," Maggie added.
Both Hershel and Maggie lowered their weapons and walked out into the open with their hands raised. Shortly after, the others followed.
"I know there is one more, behind the barrier to my right," the Governor called out. "Don't make this harder than it needs to be. The deal was that everyone surrenders. It's all on you now. You don't want to be responsible for what happens to them all, including this precious little baby, do you?"
At that point, Daryl knew what he had to do. He didn't doubt the Governor would make good on his threats. As soon as he stepped out, two of the Governor's men were on him disarming him and taking him down to the ground.
The Governor's men handcuffed, shackled or tied each of his captive's hands and lined them up. He handed Judith off to one of his "soldiers."
He approached Michonne, who kept her eyes straight ahead, her face stony.
"Michonne, I think you and I will have to take some time to chat. I think we have a lot to discuss, don't you?" he asked evilly. "I guess we'll just have to …see …won't we."
He approached Maggie. He leaned in really close to speak quietly into her ear. Those nearby, though, could easily hear what he was saying.
"Maybe we'll get to finish what we started. I'll bet you're a real wildcat. I like them feisty, with a little fight in 'em. I think you just need to learn your place. With a little training I think you'll do just fine."
Daryl lunged toward the Governor.
"Get away from her, you psycho! Leave her be!" Daryl yelled struggling against the men holding him. The Governor turned and walked over to Daryl.
"Ahhh, Daryl Dixon. Merle's baby brother. Let's talk about Merle, shall we? Your brother was a traitor. He was also a sniveling coward. The last words he ever spoke were to beg for his life."
"That's bullshit. I know my brother. He would never beg."
"But, you weren't there, were you?" Something quickly passed over Daryl's face and unfortunately the Governor saw it and grinned. "You were there, in the end. Did you see him as one of those things? Was he crawling in the dirt, like the animal that we all know he was?"
"You son of a bitch," Daryl growled, struggling again. "I know my brother. I know he wouldn't beg. I know that he attacked you and your men and took a bunch down. I know that you killed him. Another thing that I know is that I'm going to kill you."
The Governor held Daryl's stare for a moment and then walked away. He stopped in front of Beth.
"We've been watching. Several people left the other day. Where are Rick and the Asian, Glenn I believe is his name?" he asked looking at Beth. Beth stood strong and looked at the Governor. Daryl felt his chest clench at the sound of Glenn's name.
"They aren't here," she said strongly. "They're out on a run. They haven't come back yet." While he didn't condone lying, Hershel was relieved that Beth seemed to be doing an admirable job. The Governor looked at her.
"I do not believe that you are being truthful; maybe in part, but not the whole truth." He watched her carefully and she never broke eye contact or changed the expression on her face.
"I'm not lying."
"But, you aren't being fully truthful, are you?" he asked calmly as he ran his finger along her jawline. He saw her jaw clench but she maintained her stance.
"Don't you dare touch her," Carl growled.
"Ahhh, how chivalrous. Protecting the honor of the young lady," he said walking to stand in front of Carl. "Well, we'll just have to discuss it further when we reach our destination," the Governor said pleasantly, with a dangerous smile.
"Let's get this all loaded," the Governor said referring to the food and weapons being taken from the prison. "Then get all these folks onto the trucks."
When they left the prison, the group had no idea where they were going although they had a good idea of what they might face when they got there. They were sure it would be harder on the original prison group than those that came from Woodbury. They were responsible for these people – old, young and in between. None of them could allow a full-on slaughter. They would just have to deal with whatever consequences came with their decision.
As they pulled away, those in the original group knew Glenn and T-dog were still somewhere in the prison. Daryl hoped Glenn's body wasn't lying in the prison or trapped or torn apart by walkers. That thought made him physically ill.
Glenn and T-dog watched as their friends and family were loaded up into trucks. Every fiber of his being told Glenn to do something to stop it.
T-dog saw him watching…saw the distress on his face.
"Don't do it, man. We can't help them if we're taken, too," he said to Glenn.
"I know," he said with a sigh, but watching that truck disappear into the distance with Daryl on board one of the hardest things he's ever had to do.