Self Inflicted

10

Andrea set up a meeting with the governor at a halfway point between the two communities. Daryl, Hershel, and Rick are going early to scope the place out so we have an advantage over the governor. "I'll go too," I pipe in, nodding at Rick.

"Why?" He asks coldly.

"I'm a good shot. And let's be honest, if he's going to kill somebody first, it'll be me. If things go wrong, it gives you guys a chance."

"No!" Michonne interjects. "I'm not letting you go on a suicide mission."

"It's not a suicide mission, it's the worst case scenario," I suggest. "Give me something with a scope and I'll hide out, I'll cover you guys."

"How can I trust you?" Rick stares coldly.

"You can't, but you have to," Daryl gives me a cold look with Rick.

"We don't have time for this, make your decision and let's get moving," Hershel speaks up.

"Okay," Rick walks up to me and speaks quieter. "If you give me any reason to doubt you, I will kill you."

"I wouldn't be here right now if I wanted to kill you." Rick stares through me but he hands me a gun, plus I have my pistol in a holster at my side now that is wrapped on my belt, and my sword on my back. With the new guns came some new accessories.

-

We drive up to a couple buildings and some silos. We climb out of the car without a word, except Hershel, and Daryl climbs off of his bike. We run with our weapons in front of us, running through the silos and keeping our heads on a swivel. We check the first two buildings and then the last one Rick walks in and me and Daryl peak through a broken window and spot the governor standing with his arms up as if welcoming Rick. He's an arrogant prick even in his gestures. I look behind us and there is a building with two levels and some windows.

"I'm going to head for that building, I should be able to see both exits up there," I whisper. "Be careful," and with that I take off jogging toward the building. I go through a rusted doorframe and into the building with my gun raised ready for anything. The wooden floor creaks beneath my weight and I slowly walk forward and I peer through the open and well-lot building to see nothing. I find the stairs and go up, quickly checking the upstairs for anything and there's nothing to find. My shoulder aches but I ignore it and set up a perch for myself.

I find a window that gives me access to the front and back of their building. Through the scope, I can see Daryl, Hershel, Milton, and one of the governors men standing outside of the front. Daryl gets in the face of the man and the share a brief encounter before Daryl backs away. There is nothing for a few moments before the door opens and out walks Andrea, looking frustrated.

-

Awhile goes by but finally the governor walks out followed by Rick. There are no words exchanged and the governor gets in their truck and they drive away. Rick says something quickly to Daryl and gets in the car driving off. Daryl starts driving his bike back to the building I'm in so I hurry down the stairs and go outside to an awaiting Daryl on a very loud bike.

"What're you waiting for? Let's go," he shouts over the bike. I somewhat reluctantly hop on the back and wrap my arms around his torso, my chest pressed against his back. He takes off and we get on the road headed back to the prison. For once I take the time to think about the man I'm holding on to. He smells like cigarettes, dirt, oil, and trees all at once. His smell is captivating. I stare at the angel wings stitched onto the back of his black leather vest, covered in dirt but it only adds character. He is solid and strong but I can feel how uncomfortable my touch makes him.

-

Once we get back, I climb off of Daryl's bike and the others come outside within concerned looks. "Let's get inside," is all Rick can say. We shuffle inside quickly and I set my gun on the table for it to be taken to a post for good use. He brings the rest of us into the cell block and we all stand around looking at him in anticipation. He picks up a rifle and stand in front of us.

"So, I met this governor," I can see him clenching his jaw. "Sat with him for quite awhile."

"Just the two of you?" Merle interrupts and Rick nods. "Should've gone when we had the chance bro," and with those words he walks off into the cafeteria and comes back with a gun.

"He wants the prison. He wants us gone. Dead. He wants us dead, for what we did to Woodberry," Rick solemnly looks around the group and gathers the words he needs to say. "We're going to war."

Rick walks off and through the gathered group members and the rest of us exchange looks. Daryl looks to his brother and gives him a nod but Merle doesn't return the favor, he just looks back at his little brother.

-

The next day, Michonne says we should put up something to blow their tires if they try too drive through again. I go with Glenn, Hershel, Daryl, and Michonne to help put it up. Maggie and Carl are along the fence distracting as many walkers as they can but Michonne and are on damage control on either sides of Daryl and Glenn with our swords. There's a few walkers I have to use my sword on and it hurts my shoulder a little but not too much, it's definitely better. "Let's go," Daryl calls and I hop on the bed of the truck with Daryl and Glenn while Michonne hops in the passengers seat.

We drive up and Rick opens the gate and then we get out. "Try to drive up to the gate again, maybe some blown tires wills stop them," says Glenn confidently.

"That's a good idea," Rick nods.

"Yeah, it was Michonne's," Daryl adds and he and Rick share a look.

"We don't have to win, we just have to make their getting at us more trouble than it's worth," she speaks up. We all hurry inside and Rick mentions that he wants me to go with Merle to help him clear another cellblock.

I go with Merle and we walk somewhat quietly through the cellblock and we hear the shuffling and groans of the dead and then we see them headed our way. They're dressed as prisoners in blue jumpsuits and I step forward with my sword, slicing through one of the three. i groan slightly in pain because of my shoulder but quickly ignore it. I go toward the second one and then I feel a sharp pain on the back of my head, and after a few seconds on the ground I pass out and my vision is gone.