A Fresh Start

Chapter 16

"What an asshole," I said after he left.

I got up and looked out the window. More people had gathered around the trailer.

"We gotta get out of here. Warn our people," I said.

"There's no way of doing that without one of us getting hurt," Hershel said.

"Hershel we can't just sit here. We have to do something," I said.

"No. If there's a chance that we can survive this, then we're taking it," he said.

"How can you say that when we're dealing with a man like that? He's gonna go back on his word Hershel and...and I'm not losing you. Either of you. We've worked too damn hard to get where we are. I'm not gonna stand here and let that asshole take it," I said.

"Sit down over here, honey," Hershel said patting on the sofa next to him.

I was hesitant but eventually took the seat.

"Have hope, dear. I've told you this multiple times. Your father told you that in his letter. Isn't that right?" he asked.

Rick, Daryl and he were the only ones I'd shown that letter to. I nodded.

"This may be the only chance we have of getting out of here alive. We just have to hope that it all goes well," he said reaching his hands out to me.

I took them in mine.

"How can you see the good in someone like that? I mean, after everything that he did to us?" I asked.

"Because, that's not how he was before the world ended," he replied.

I sighed.

"I love you, Hershel. You know that right?" I continued.

"I do. And it's because I love you that I want you to give this a try," he said.

I nodded.

"All right, Hershel, for you," I said.

"Thank you, dear," he said.

He reached his hands over to my cheek. I grabbed them and kissed them. I sat back and waited for the Governor to come. I didn't even bother to take the rations he'd given us. Once he came back, he grabbed us and loaded us into a car. All of us obliged without a word. He untied us only to tie our hands behind our backs. He went to the driver's seat and took off. His people followed him. We headed for the prison. I turned to look at the amount of people that were heading home.

"Why the hell do you got a tank with you?" I asked angrily.

"Just a scare tactic," the Governor replied.

"Bullshit," I mouthed to no one.

I turned back and waited until we got to the prison in silence. The Governor had his people park in formation outside by the fences. The Governor got out leaving us guarded in the car with the windows down. He then had the asshole that tried to get lucky with Michonne and me, fire the tank at one of the guard towers.

"That son of a bitch!" I shouted.

Hershel held me back, nudging me with his shoulder as he tried calming me down. I saw Rick, Daryl and Carl cross the courtyard. My heart sank at the realization that I may never see them again.

"Rick! Come down here. We need to talk," the Governor shouted.

It was dead silent.

"It's not up to me! There's a council now. They run this place," Rick shouted back.