One more step

I dont want to stay here

Elli had somewhat settled over the month, not enough for the Govenor's liking but Merle just kept saying she was fine. The Govenor and Merle had not let her leave the gates. She was going stir crazy. The people were nice too her but she stayed to herself. She would often go sit on the roof of their store building where her and Merle's apartment was. She would sit there and stare out into the horizon looking for any signs of Daryl or anyone Merle didn't see survive.

The Govenor approached Merle at the front gate and climbed on top of the bus. "She alright?" Looking up to the rooftop where she sat. Merle didn't even bother looking at her, thankful she wasn't needy and on his heels. "Yeah, lot to process ya know." The Govenor nodded sternly, "Yeah but she looks like she isn't happy and you know we don't put up with resistance. It creates conflict." Merle turned, "She ain't doing nothing, she's just quiet." the Govenor smiled, "Too damn quiet, that's my point. She's not happy, that's not good for the community." the Govenor said nothing else and turned to leave. Merle groaned, he knew what that meant, all threats were eliminated quickly. Merle called out to the Govenor "She needs something to do, Ill take her on the run tomorrow." The Govenor turned, "She trustworthy?" Merle nodded slowly. He couldn't leave her here alone, not with the Govenor questioning her.

Merle made Elli jump when he sat down beside her on the edge of the roof. she hadn't heard him. Merle threw a blanket over her shoulder. The gesture shocked her a bit. She pulled the blanket around her blocking out the frigid breeze. "You trying to get frostbite up here?" She shook her head, and he breathed out slowly "Look tomorrow your going with me on the run." She looked carefully at him, "Y'all are gonna let me out?" Merle got in her face sternly, "You are gonna stay right by me you understand? People here are still unsure of you and you ain't been out there in a month or more." She bit her lip, "Merle I don't want to stay here." He turned red in anger, she wanted to leave him, he was on his feet yelling in her face, "What? You gonna run off? Get yourself killed?! You wanna live the way you were living when I found you?!!" She flinched a bit away from him, "No...you could come with me, it would be like before, we can find Daryl and...."

"Daryl is dead!"

She jumped to her feet and shoved him "You don't know that!!" He leaned in his face red and words dripping with venom, "Well it don't matter cuz you ain't never gonna see em again! Rick, Your mom, you ain't never gonna see Carl again! I'm all you got little girl!! And you best get used to it!!" He immediately regretted his words as she began to cry, like he had beat her. She left the blanket and slowly went down the stairs to the apartment. Merle jerked up the blanket and followed her. She slinked off to bed and crawled in putting her back to the door and Merle as he walked in. Her body trembled with silent sobs. Merle kicked his boots off and resolved to sleeping on the old couch. He was convinced he was right in his decision, she needed him. No one else would be able to care for her like he could.