traded my life [TWD]

『73』

With Oscar getting killed at Woodbury, Axel getting killed during the blindside, and Q getting killed by Carl- that left no more prisoners in the group.

It was weird. I didn't mind the prisoners as a whole, minus Q. I always kind of assumed I would end up in a spot like them. I didn't judge for the background. But, Beth and a few others looked more at ease with all the prisoners gone. That's all I could ask for.

"He's got a whole town. Does that mean there are innocent people locked in there, too?" Sasha wonders.

"That's my best guess. But.. at this point, I think we just burn 'em all to the ground. If others survive, we offer them asylum. If they don't.. that's one less mouth to feed," I say.

"That's cold," Hershel comments. "I'm not sure I agree with it."

"You'll agree with it once everyone here is alive and well by next week," I urge. "Besides.. those people were all chanting for Merle and Daryl to fight to the death. Enablers are at fault just like the assailants."

"What about Merle?" Daryl asks.

I lean up from the table plans and put my hand on my gun- a habit I've grown to do. "What about him?"

"He knows how the Governor thinks. He knows Woodbury like the back of his hand. The least you can do is consider his thoughts."

I look at where Merle is sitting.

"What?" he asks.

"How can I trust that you won't betray us?" I ask. "You're the reason we're in this mess, to begin with. If you had listened to Maggie and me, you would've been safe here with Daryl long ago."

"So the war is my fault?"

"Did I fucking stutter?" I ask. "'Cause I can promise your racist ass that I'm not speaking Korean. I'm speaking your language, so wise up and answer me."

Merle and I just watch each other for a few seconds. Then, he smiles and laughs.

"You got some balls on you," he notes.

"Gotta compensate for the shit you're lacking," I return.

"What's in it for me? If we win?"

"You walk away with your life and your brother," I answer. "Or, I can tie you up right now and leave you on the Governor's doorstep with a shiny bow on the two strands of hair you got left."

His eyes sparkle with mischief. "I forgot that you're the one person that don't take my shit, you know?"

"No, I just sold you shit," I recall. "But, I'm out of oxy now. Instead, how about I sell you freedom for a fight?"

"I'm a free man if I fight in the war?"

"Goddamn, do you speak English?" I question.

Merle laughs again. He nods slowly. "You got yourself a deal."

I look at Sasha. "Your brother said anything to contribute."

"This group is dangerous," she agrees. "Taking them out would be more than just helping you guys. It's helping the world. We're in."

I look at Daryl. He looked.. proud. He had a little smirk on his face. I squint at his actions.

"What?" I ask bluntly.

"Good to see you in charge," he says, shrugging it off. "You can make tough calls without flinching. Some of us can't do that."

"Someone's gotta be the man around here."

--

The table of plans now consisted of myself, Maggie, Michonne, Sasha, Carol, and Daryl. It was nighttime, yet the plans hadn't slowed down.