Love's Conquer

Hounded

It was hard, saying goodbye to another person I loved. A part of me kept thinking, if I went after Michonne, tracked her, I could bring her back. Although, if I tried and succeeded, it would be against her own will and I don't want that. She saved us, time and time again. She became a valuable part of our small group, someone we each came to care for. This world never gets easier. The longer you keep going, the more people you lose, the more humanity you shut off, the more pain you endure. It's a never ending cycle.

"You know that you can join in." The Governor spoke up as he appeared beside me suddenly. His words aiming towards the families playing outdoor games together. "They don't bite." I looked up to him, softening my gaze as I attempted to keep things civil. "Kind of the whole point of the place."

"You seem to encourage a lot of variety here." I responded, steering along the edge of sarcasm. "One second things are all sunflowers an daisies, then it's punchin' people in the face."

"The arena?" He asked towards me, causing me to nod subtly in reply. "You didn't like that much, huh?"

"No, not particularly." I stated firmly, pressing my lips together as a tut escaped them. My mind wandered over the visions of last night, after Michonne left. The Governor wanted to include us in an after curfew performance, consisting of walkers and egotistical men fighting one another. It was brutal to say the least, and not something I took any pleasure in watching. "But, I get it. All of which is besides the point, I wanted to ask you—"

"No." The Governor cut in, silencing me completely.

I scoffed in annoyance, shoving past him and continued my stroll back to our apartments.

"Hold on. How do you get it?" He pursued after me, catching back up to my side.

"Because I just do." I said simply.

"But, how?" The Governor pushed himself in front of me, forcing me to stop in place and answer his question.

I looked up at him for a moment, sighing heavily. "Cause' we all think differently, we all feel differently an process differently. That's okay. It's an escape for people, a way people can adjust to this way of life now, without having to actually put themselves in danger. Well, unless you wanna be in the bull pit, but it's a way to let go. Is it the right one? In my opinion, no. I think the world is brutal enough, it was way before the apocalypse, but especially now. But let's not pretend you care about my opinion."

"I do, I do. That's why I asked." He said, in an attempt to reassure me. "Didn't realise it bothered you that much."

"Didn't realise you cared." I shot back.

"So, uh, what were you sayin' before I made you condemn our sadistic way of life?" The Governor almost smiled towards me, finding amusement in my principles.

"Shane an I want to work the wall." I exclaimed, getting straight to the point. "We're both perfect shots. Both certified trainers. You couldn't get any better than us."

"Can you use a bow?" He asked.

"You want me to show you?" I retorted sarcastically.

The Governor let out a chuckle to himself, switching his gaze between me and street of crowded people. "No, no, that won't be necessary."

"So we have a deal?" I attempted to conclude the conversation.

"Yeah, we have a deal." He confirmed for me.

"Good." I moved around him once again, continuing my walk but something stopped me. This feeling that I can't get rid of. This familiarity I can't seem to shake. So similar to when we were back at the farm and Shane was heading down a dark path. Maybe it's the saviour in me, always wanting to help people, no matter the cost. I turned slightly, looking back at him to see his eyes hadn't left me. "I liked it, out there. The fights, the blood. It attracted me like a dog to a bone. I didn't like that I liked it, I never have, but fighting is all I'm used to."