Sweet and Salty ~ Carl Grimes

False Interpretations - 036

"You knocked out your own child?" The voice of an unknown asked, running his hand down from her temple, gently to the end of her chin.

Will nodded, watching the man's movements. "Ya know how hard it is out there, girl barely recognised me. Got frightened. I did it to protect 'er."

"And the boy?"

Will shrugged. "Didn't wanna kill 'im on sight. Risk Brooks causing a panic. Figured we'd bring 'im with. He's with Karen now gettin' some fresh clothes 'n' shit."

The stranger nodded, looking to Will with a nod. "I'm glad you're reunited with your daughter, Will. You're my best man. You deserve her back."

"Thank you, Governor."

/----------\

It was an hour later when Brooks stirred in her sleep. The stir turned into a groan, before her eye lids were fluttering open. She grabbed onto her head, her headache painful and a reminder of what had happened. As soon as she remembered, she gasped and sat up straight. The movement was too much for her as she went lightheaded, grabbing onto her head once more. As soon as she spotted Will in the corner of the room, she shuffled back in the bed. She pushed herself into the wall as much as she possible could. "Daddy?"

Will smiled, waltzing over and sitting himself on the end of the small, creaky bed. "Hey, baby."

She briefly looked around the room. There were wooden tiles, white walls accompanied by white skirt boards, a red sitting chair in the corner with a yellowing lamp. There was a record player on the dressing table, and a shelf full of old records which Brooks wouldn't recognise. "Where's Seb?"

"Ginge, ya mean?" Will nodded. "He's 'right, just chillin', ya know. Boy needed some rest."

Suddenly, the door opened and in walked a tall man with dark hair and a disgustingly sweet smile. Next to him, was Seb. The fourteen year old's mouth was covered in melted chocolate as he was devouring a bar. "Oh, Brooks, you're awake!" Seb let out. "This place is amazing! Their methods of gettin' us here weren't so much, but now that we're here? Oh, man, I never wanna leave!"

The Governor smiled at the boy's unknowing propaganda, before he placed his hand on Seb's shoulder. "Let's not overwhelm Brooks too much now, huh? She only just woke up by the looks on those puffy eyes." He smiled at her. "Hey, honey. I'm the Governor of this fine establishment we call Woodbury."

Brooks looked to her father who was weirdly smiling, her eyebrows furrowed as she looked to Sebastian who continued to munch on his chocolate bar. A small smile pulled at her lips at his happiness, before she looked to the Governor. "Woodbury?"

He nodded. "The sun's bound to raise in a couple hours. Why don't you get some rest and your dad and I will show both you kids 'round. Sound good?"

"I uh..." Brooks trailed off, looking at the certain determination in her father's eyes. "Yea. Good. Sounds good."

/----------\

The Governor had given her clothes that fit her well. The label on the pink cardigan she wore read 'Penny Blake'. The surname 'Blake' made her a little sad because it reminded her of Cam. Cam was always good to her, always her friend, always kind, no matter what. However, she had to leave him when she left everyone else.

The Governor and Will had woken up Brooks as soon as the sun was over the horizon. Not that she was really sleeping, more just laying there with her eyes close, wondering how she found herself in this situation. So, the group of four walked around Woodbury. There was one long street, lined with small fire pits to light up the street in the evening. The houses had been converted into apartments, but were all coloured brightly which added to the beauty of the place. There were bushes and the odd tree which housed squirrels and birds. Woodbury was beautiful. Before the fall, the ugly, rusted metal walls surrounding the place would've put everyone at unease, however, they added security, safety, protection.