Another Chance ~Carl Grimes Love Story~

Chapter 20 - To Build a Home

I wake up in what looks like a trailer. Michonne and Hershel and sitting in front of me, tape over Michonne's mouth. I hear a noise from behind me. I turn to look. It's that bastard from before. He goes to take the tape off of Michonne's mouth and from mine, that I hadn't even noticed was there. My wrists are tied in front of me, and it feels like the rope is cutting off circulation. I breathe in deep once the tape is removed, coughing.

He gives Hershel a packet of something. "You should eat. It's gonna be a long day."

"Nobody's gonna hurt you," he says. Bullshit.

"I don't believe that," says Hershel. I stare at the man. What I wouldn't give to be able to stab this man right now. I've stabbed him twice now. Once when he shot my mother, once when I saw him again. A third wouldn't do much good for him, but it sure as hell would for me. He has a bandage wrapped around his arm. I would smirk, being proud of myself, but I'm far too pissed.

"Well, I don't care," the man says.

"Just tell us what this is. Please," says Hershel.

"It's nothing personal."

"Then what is it?" 

The man doesn't answer. "Michonne, I want you to know... Penny, my daughter, she was dead. I know that now. And I don't wanna hurt you. I don't wanna hurt anyone. I just want the prison, that's all, and the two of you are gonna help me do it. There are people I need to keep alive." There was people I needed to keep alive, too. That you killed.

There's silence for a moment. "I'm gonna kill you." states Michonne. 

"Right after me," I say, even my voice sounding angry, but it barely does what I'm feeling justice.

"No, you won't," says the man. Michonne starts to say something else but Hershel yells at her to stop. "You want the prison?"

"Yeah. And I'll take it from you as soon as I can." Like hell you will.

"Gov'nor-"

"Don't call me that." he says. So this is the Gov'nor. The Governor that wanted to kill Michonne. The Governor that basically traumatized Glenn and Maggie. The Governor that caused my group - my family - so much hell?

Hershel leans forward, putting his elbows on his knees. "Your people. Our people. We can find a way to live together. These people you need to keep alive; do you love them?"

"You're a good man Hershel. A better man than Rick."

"The things you say. The way you say them. You've changed. So has Rick," Hershel says hopefully.

"Rick and I... We'll never be able to live together. Michonne and I will never be able to live together. Me and.. and whoever this girl is will never be able to live together." I stare him down and he looks away. "Emma," says Hershel.

He starts again. "We'll find a way-"

"I've found a way!" he yells. "I'm trying hard," he says, much quieter. "Of all the ways that I can do this. This way, you get to live and I get to be..." he trails off. It's silent for a moment and he stands, walking to the door of the trailer we're in.

"You say you want to take this prison as peacefully as possible. But I know you mean that you would be willing to hurt people in order to get it. My daughters are in there. That's the people you'd be hurting." he pleads with him. "If you understand what it's like to have a daughter, then how can you threaten to kill someone else's?" 

The Governor just stares at him. "Because they aren't mine." 

***

"Rick, come down here! We need to talk!" I hear the Governor say. I hear Rick yelling some things back, but I can't make them out.